August is here and so are the long days in the summer in New York City. It’s the perfect opportunity to take advantage of early mornings, skyline views and special events happening. With several concert series, live music, activities and so much more, there’s lots to see and do. It’s the best place to be and there’s no better time than now to see everything the city has to offer.
US Open
The US Open is back and starts August 23rd and runs through September 13th! It’s truly an amazing experience to go to a match and watch the greatest tennis players in their element. Tickets are on sale and they offer several different seating options to purchase from. With daily events, there are tons of opportunities to have a good time as sports enthusiasts but it is one of the most popular events in the country. Tickets are always expected to fly with prices increasing the closer to the final games we get, so grab yours now!
Our Experience:
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Harlem Week
Harlem Week returns this August with a celebration of music, culture, food, and community across uptown. From live performances and street fairs to outdoor film screenings and family-friendly events, it’s one of the city’s most vibrant summer traditions. Whether you stop by for a concert or spend the day exploring, it’s a meaningful way to experience the energy and history of Harlem. Check it out August 1st-16th.
Bryant Park Yoga Presented by Halara
Summer isn’t over yet, and Bryant Park Yoga presented by Halara is the perfect way to soak up the season, now in its 23rd year as NYC’s longest-running free outdoor yoga series. Held at Bryant Park, classes run twice weekly through September 16 and welcome all levels with top instructors like Rodney Yee, Colleen Yee, Pilin Anice, and Erica Mather. August’s schedule includes morning and evening sessions across the Upper Terrace and Lawn, featuring teachers like Lizzie Falkner, Kristen Dollard, Dana Slamp, Stephanie Franzese, and Jo Murdock. It’s a refreshing, community-driven way to recharge in the heart of the city while enjoying some of the best wellness programming NYC has to offer.
Pier 17 Concerts
Pier 17 is hosting some really great concerts this summer. Not only are the performances phenomenal, but you’ll also get some of the best views in town! Seaport also has a ton of great spots to grab drinks or a bite to eat beforehand. With happy hour specials and even a movie theater over there, you can make the most of your day.
The Grand Lawn
Summer Streets returns with the vibrant Grand Lawn at Grand Central Terminal, transforming Park Avenue into a pedestrian-friendly summer destination. On the first three Saturdays, you can explore miles of car-free streets while stopping at 40th Street for giveaways from MALIN+GOETZ, Lovepop, and MPR Jewelry. Food highlights include bites from Shake Shack, Joe Coffee Company, Doughnut Plant, Cafe Grumpy, Bien Cuit, and Wonderen Stroopwafels. With complimentary fitness classes like HIT Boxing and DanceBody, plus live entertainment from Luna Rosa, Honey Bun, Riz La Vie, and Kids That Fly, it’s the ultimate way to spend a summer Saturday in NYC.
CityPickle
With 14 state-of-the-art courts ready for play, reservations will be available daily from 8AM- 9PM. This season will feature expanded kids’ programming, private event spaces, coaching sessions, and open play, making it even better than before. Check out their camp programs if you are looking for camp options this summer for your kiddies.
The Color Factory
The Color Factory is filled with immersive rooms, hands-on activities and colorful installations that make it just as fun for adults as it is for kids. We love that every experience feels playful and interactive while still weaving in educational elements throughout the space. This spring, the museum is adding even more excitement with a lineup of seasonal events. Whether you’re visiting NYC with kids or simply looking for a unique activity, this remains one of the most memorable interactive experiences in the city.
Luna Park
August is a hot mont here! There’s no better outdoor activity this summer than a day at Luna Park in Coney Island, now open 7 days a week! From iconic coasters like the Cyclone to family-friendly rides, games, and boardwalk treats, there’s something for everyone. As a family, we love the mix of legendary roller coasters and more gentle rides, so it’s good for all ages!
Froyo
The city is bumping with brand new froyo spots and we cannot get enough of it! Check out our full guide to the best frozen yogurt in NYC here.
CycleBoats
If you haven’t tried this yet, it’s so fun with friends! The boat trips are an hour and a half and it is a communal table where you pedal around Manhattan to help propel to boat for fun. You can book one seat or rent the whole boat for 26 people and the best part is it’s BYOB so you can bring whatever you’d like to sip on! There’s a deckhand and master captain there, so you know you’re in good hands. Your group can connect to the bluetooth sound system to play music!
Summer in the Square
Every Thursday this summer through this month, Union Square will have Summer in the Square! This will feature kids programs, live performances, children’s activities and live Jazz music. This is a great family friendly option. Live entertainment in warm weather is my kind of night. These are free concerts!
Padel Club
Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, this over 16,000 square foot space is for members-only and upscale fitness center actually has 4 full size courts to play on. It’s $150/month for a membership, but if you don’t have one, it’ll cost $55/hour and you can play 3x a month. This is definitely one of the more fun things we’re getting this month!
Brookfield Place Outdoor Fun
Brookfield Place is a go-to summer destination. Enjoy a rotating lineup of DJs, pickleball courts and more throughout the season. Their schedule is packed with fun and excitement for all ages. While you’re there, explore BFPL’s best-in-class dining, from waterfront favorites like Seamore’s and PJ Clarke’s to Hudson Eats, ideal for outdoor dining or a picnic at Portside.
GITANO
This summer, GITANO at Pier 17 is the ultimate escape without leaving Manhattan, blending tropical glamour with downtown edge on its terrace overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. From the team behind the original Tulum hotspot, the space is lush with palm trees, bold seasonal dishes and vibrant mezcal cocktails. Perfect from golden hour through late night, GITANO offers a transportive, open-air dining experience at the Seaport.
Tea Around Town
Enjoy a chic afternoon tea bus experience through the city, complete with treats and views. It’s incredibly fun to do with friends and a great way to see more of the city.
Summer Streets
Summer Streets is back and it’s a way to use up the space in the city for fun things like activations, walks free from cars, workshops, fitness classes and more! The full schedule is on their site for all 5 boroughs but it’s truly a great way to get outside here and enjoy the day.
SummerStage Festival
The Summer Stage Festival is put on by The City Parks Foundation. They partner with Capital One to bring live performances to the city. It’s a fun festival and they have every genre of music you can imagine. Summer Stage is the largest, most accessible, free admission outdoor festival in NYC! Something cool they do is sometimes there are free digital performances you can view. You’ll want to check them out this month!
Free Kayaking
For those that want to stay active in the summer and keep cool, you can actually go kayaking for free. Several places in the city offer this amazing deal and you can view them here. It’s fun to do with friends or even a day date option.
Shop Sample Sales
I love to shop as much as the next girl, but what’s even better about sample sales is the prices. Some items are 80% off sometimes and my favorite place to shop for sample sales is 260 Sample Sale. They have a few locations in the city as well as online sales and several take place a week. This is a great place to get holiday gifts ahead of time, too! Follow their Instagram to stay up to date on all the latest brands they are hosting sales for.
Check Out Rooftop Bars
We have a ton of information on the blog about my favorite rooftop bars and rooftop restaurants! Views are a huge factor, but the food and cocktails need to be worth it, as well! Make a whole day out of it and check out little island, walk the high line and then finish the night at a rooftop bar!
Pools
It’s hands down the hottest month of the year and that means we need to do whatever we need to do in order to keep cool through the end of the season. Here is a list of all the best free outdoor pools located here in the city, so you can bring your family or friends and relax in a cool pool. Our biggest advice is to pack your own water and snacks to enjoy throughout the day in the summer heat.
Grab Brunch
There are so many great brunch spots in the city, it’s nearly impossible to narrow in on a place to book a reservation. I have a few blogposts with great recommendations that I will link here! If you can find a rooftop for brunch, that is bonus points! The West Village and Greenwich Village are some of the best places for brunch and they’re easily accessible via public transportation.
Go Glamping On Governor’s Island
Collective Retreats has so much to offer, such as their glamping accommodations and a phenomenal restaurant! They have stunning luxury camping with several tent options, as well as the opportunity to take culinary classes and enjoy a special tasting menu. Even if you don’t stay overnight, you can book reservations for their farm to island menu on OpenTable. Although, they do allow walk ins for brunch and lunch, so if you’re visiting Governors Island for the day, this is the best option!
Smorgasburg
Smorgasburg is the largest open air food market in NYC! With locations in Brooklyn Manhattan and Jersey City, there’s plenty of opportunity to find a spot close to you to check out! They have everything from BBQ to sandwiches to cookies and back! It’s also a really fun place to bring your kids to try out new bites! Check out their site for hours and days of operation, as well as a full list of their vendors.
Seaport Cinema Rooftop
Rooftop movies are in season! The Seaport Cinema screens films on their open rooftop in the summertime and it’s another great outdoor movie option. Views alone from the roof make it worth it! It’s free to go but space is limited so you will want to get there earlier than the 6:30 start time. I recommend bringing water because it’s pretty hot out this summer.
Movies with a View
There really aren’t many drive in movie options here, so finding fun outdoor movie choices for summer nights is not an easy task. Movies with a View is located at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Not only is this free but it’s running until September 18th, so check the schedule to plan out a date night!
Restaurant Week
It’s back! Running through August 16th, the most delicious event of the summer is here! Reservations are already open, so jump on them because it’s a popular activity to participate in. If you’re unfamiliar with this few week event, it is when restaurants have running deals where you can get a trio of pricing options normally $30, $45 and $60 for prix fixe lunch and dinners. This is a great idea for a date night or a night out with friends!
Mini Golf
Another great outdoor activity is mini golf. We live by Pier 25, so we often go over there! A few great other spots are Putting Green at Two Trees, Swingers and Shipwrecked. Add these to your August calendar to try out! It’s a great opportunity to practice your putting skills and a must-do activity in the last full month of summer.
Enjoy the Beach
Finally, the beach is most likely where you will find us this month! We love to take advantage of the warm weather and being near a great beach to make memories together as a family. Check out all of our beach content to see what we are making for beach snacks, taking as beach gear and which beaches are our favorite near the city!
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