Travel

13 Of The Best Summer Activities in New York: Photos

Check out some of the coolest activities to do this summer in New York.

Peggy Newell's profile picture
Peggy Newell, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

NEW YORK — Looking for some fun activities to spice up your summer plans in New York?

Look no further than this list of activities to do this summer season. From planning a trip to watch a Broadway show to hiking in the Adirondacks, there is Summer fun for everyone in the Empire State.

Here are some ideas to consider when making plans in New York.

Find out what's happening in Across New Yorkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Broadway Shows

Plan a trip to Broadway. Now that Broadway has reopened, it's the perfect place to beat the heat and watch some of the hottest musicals in the city. (Pit Stock/Shutterstock)

Lake Champlain

Find out what's happening in Across New Yorkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

If you are looking for some boating activities this summer, look no further than a trip to Lake Champlain. Rent a kayak or plan a day on a boat. Soak up the sun and lap up some waves in this scenic area. (Shutterstock)

Drive-in Theaters

Upstate New York has some of the best drive-in move theaters to check out. Drive upstate and check out a summer blockbusters, including at the Warwick Drive-In Theatre or the Hyde Park Drive-In Theatre. (Shutterstock)

Little Island

Little Island only opened up about a year ago but the New York City park offers a wide variety of activities. Enjoy concerts, food, nature and theater at this urban oasis. (emin kuliyev/Shutterstock)

Hiking the Adirondack Trails

If you are looking to commune with nature this summer, hiking the Adirondack Mountains' trails is the way to go. The Indian Head, La Chute and High Peaks trails offer some of the most stunning views of the mountains and the nature in upstate New York. (Shutterstock)

Smorgasburg

Grab fancy drinks and creative eats at NYC's Smorgasburg. Check out any of the three locations in the city for pop-up shops selling decadent food and iced drinks perfect for the summer weather. (lazyllama/Shutterstock)

Saratoga Race Course

Plan a day at the races. Saratoga's race season starts in mid July and continues through early September. The track offers an exciting season of races, tailgating and picnic events. (Shutterstock)

Free Summer Concerts, Movies in NYC

Plenty of free summer concerts and movies are happening around the city this summer. Check out concerts by the New York Philharmonic, Capitol One Summerstage, and the Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City. (valerii eidlin/Shutterstock)

Pride in NYC

Pride Month is coming up in just a few days. New York City will have several events and parades to celebrate the occasion. NYC's annual Pride March will take place June 26, and Pride flags will sail down the Hudson on June 25. (Shutterstock)

Kaaterskill Creek

Cool off from the heat in the Kaaterskill Creek in the Catskills. The creek is surrounded by a waterfall and is the perfect place to take a dip in the water while being surrounded by nature. (Shutterstock)

Botanical Gardens

Take in nature at any of the many botanical gardens in New York. Visit gorgeous gardens at the New York Botanical Garden, Lasdon Park and Brooklyn Botanic Garden. (littlenySTOCK/Shutterstock)

Boating in Central Park

A relaxing way to take in the scenery of New York City is by taking a leisurely boat ride in Central Park. (Tomasz Wozniak/Shutterstock)

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Across New York