Last updated: 2:55 PM ET, Wed June 21, 2023
WHY IT RATES: For
travelers considering a trip to New York City this summer, there is plenty to
do in the city that never sleeps.—Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.
New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official
destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the
five boroughs of New York City, is spotlighting a selection of free and affordable
experiences for visitors to enjoy this summer.
“New York City offers something for everyone, no matter your
interests, the length of your trip or your budget—there is more to see and do
here than in virtually any other city in the world,” said Fred Dixon, President
and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions. “During the summer months, NYC
is buzzing with street festivals, outdoor dining and cultural offerings, in
addition to beautiful parks, beaches and green space. We invite visitors to take
advantage of the value of a summer visit to NYC and enjoy the many fantastic
free and affordable activities on offer across all five boroughs."
Select activities include:
Free Annual Events:
—New York City is proud to be the birthplace of the modern
LGBTQ+ rights movement and home to one of the world’s largest Pride parades,
the NYC Pride March. This year’s March takes place June 25, and will feature
Grand Marshals Billy Porter, Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Hope Giselle and Randy
Wicker.
—The iconic Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks will be held
over the East River once again. Official viewing locations for this free public
event include the intersections of 1st Avenue/East 42nd Street, 1st Avenue/East
34th Street and 1st Avenue/East 20th Street in Manhattan; Newtown Barge Park,
Transmitter Park and Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Brooklyn; and Gantry Plaza
State Park in Queens.
—SummerStreets returns on select Saturdays this summer,
offering miles of open streets to play, walk and bike. The program comes to
Queens and Staten Island on July 29; Manhattan on August 5, 12 and 19; and
Brooklyn and the Bronx on August 26.
—From August 10–20, the 48th annual Harlem Week will
highlight the neighborhood’s rich cultural heritage, with celebrations
including live music, dance performances, dining offerings, shopping and more.
—Take the subway (just $2.75 one way) to Brooklyn for the
West Indian American Day Carnival, which kicks off August 31. Festivities
culminate in the parade on September 4.
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop:
—Hip-Hop started in New York City 50 years ago, on August
11, 1973. Celebrations include free concerts such as “Birth of a Culture,”
Grandmaster Flash and Friends in the Bronx’s Crotona Park on August 4, and BRIC
Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Weekend on August 11–12.
—Beatstro, the hip-hop inspired Mott Haven restaurant,
offers a menu blending Southern comfort and Puerto Rican cuisine. Visit for
happy hour from 4–8pm or a Beats n’ Brunch on weekends.
—Join expert dance instructors for free Dance in Times
Square Ailey Extension classes, including a hip-hop workshop on June 30 and a
Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration on August 10.
NYC Restaurant Week Returns:
—NYC Restaurant Week® is back! The biannual dining program
returns this summer from July 24–August 20 with hundreds of restaurants across
the five boroughs offering prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner. A full list of
participating eateries will be available July 6 at
nyctourism.com/restaurantweek.
Go Island and Beach Hopping:
—Surrounded by water, the City is a collection of islands.
All five boroughs are connected by the NYC Ferry, which costs $4 one way.
—Brooklyn’s beachfront Coney Island neighborhood is perhaps
best known for its boardwalk, with its Cyclone and Thunderbolt roller coasters,
the Wonder Wheel, other amusement rides and games, and Nathan’s Famous hot
dogs.
—Orchard Beach in the Bronx, once known as “The Riviera of
New York City,” sits on the Long Island Sound and offers view of City
Island—the borough’s fishing village.
—Pay a visit to Manhattan’s new public park, Little Island,
which offers free access to waterfront views, interactive art, performances and
events.
—Another summer favorite is Governors Island, a car-free
island with walking and biking paths, a hammock grove and food trucks.
Governors Island Arts’ free events and workshops take place on the third
Saturday of each month, from May through October.
—In Queens, the Rockaways are home to NYC’s only surfing
beaches. Enjoy the sand and surf and be sure to grab lunch at Tacoway Beach.
—Hop on the free Staten Island Ferry from Lower Manhattan
and soak in views of the Statue of Liberty before visiting South Beach and
Midland Beach. These waterfront neighborhoods offer beaches, a 2.5-mile
boardwalk and a fishing pier.
Outdoor Entertainment:
—Outdoor performances are a summer staple in NYC. Central
Park’s beloved Shakespeare in the Park will feature performances of Hamlet, on
view for free at the Delacorte Theater through August 6.
—Enjoy free concerts in parks across all five boroughs with
Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage, with performances spanning a wide
variety of musical genres.
—BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! is celebrating its 45th season at
the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park. Still to come in this year’s lineup
are free shows by NxWorries, made up of Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge (June 24);
Kelela (July 8); Marcia Griffiths (July 15); The Wallflowers (July 27); Jorge
Drexler (August 3); The Head and the Heart (August 24); and more.
—Catch a free movie, with outdoor screenings by Film at
Lincoln Center now on view through September 1; Flicks on the Beach in Coney
Island starting July 10 with a lineup including films for the whole family to
enjoy; and Movies With A View on Thursdays from July 6–August 24 in Brooklyn
Bridge Park.
Immerse Yourself in Public Art:
—NYC is one of the world’s great culture capitals, from
unrivaled museums and galleries to the extraordinary public art programming
found citywide.
—The Public Art Fund brings free, contemporary art
exhibitions to the public, with works currently on view in NYC parks, on
JCDecaux bus shelters and in transit hubs including LaGuardia Airport, Newark
Liberty Airport and Moynihan Train Hall.
—Midnight Moment brings public art to 92 of Times Square’s
iconic digital billboards from 41st to 49th Streets each night from 11:57pm to
midnight. This summer’s program features artists Zach Blas (on view now through
June 30), Victoria Fard (July 1–30) and Scott Eaton (August 1–31).
—Seaport Arts displays exhibitions throughout The Seaport in
Lower Manhattan. This summer, see Hip Hop at 50 by Janette Beckman (on view
through October 31); Fragments of the Dreams: A Surrealist Vision by SuperRare
(June 22–July 29); and more.
New York City’s economic recovery continued in 2022 with
over 56 million travelers arriving in the City—a 72.5% increase over 2021. This
activity marks the return of 85% of the City’s record 2019 visitation levels.
The City remains on track to welcome 63.3 million visitors in 2023.
Visit nyctourism.com for all there is to see and do in New
York City.
SOURCE: New York City
Tourism + Conventions press release.
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