New York City Things To Do in June

Sun’s out. There are the obvious things to do on hot summer days and nights but the city has its own way of doing things. This is the ‘only in New York’ take on parades, outdoor concerts, park days, and Broadway shows.

June weather begs for outdoor time basking in rays and NYC does it with flare! Build a float, find your flippers/fins, and bring your whimsical energy to the 41st Annual The Mermaid Parade at Coney Island on June 17th. A celebration of art, creativity and the start of summer. Every year a king and queen are crowned. Some names you might even know: Debbie Harry, Queen Latifah, Lou Reed, Moby and, you can even apply to be a judge. Don’t forget to sign up to march. 

Speaking of flare, the quintessential piece this month is the Pride flag for Pride Month. All month long there are events celebrating inclusion, acceptance, and the path paved including PrideFest (June 15) and of course NYC Pride March (June 25). Be IN the city where it all began. See the largest pride flag painted on steps in Roosevelt Island and gaze up at a realistic man-made rainbow over Time Square all month long.

Concerts in the park. Awesome. Concerts in the cemetery. Only in New York. The picturesque Green-Wood Cemetery (Brooklyn) hosts Death of Classical concerts. Before sundown, walk the 478 acre grounds of mausoleums, crypts, ponds, century old trees, sculptures and history.  Partake in complimentary spirit tastings and food trucks before taking a seat in front of the grand arches for a unique experience of transcendent performances. Bring blankets and a jacket just in case lawn seating is the only option and the night might get a little cool.

Park days are for picnicking, sunbathing and playing. Spice it up at Hudson Park Pier 76 with Sunset Salsa every Thursday. Don’t be intimidated if you don’t know how. Beginners can get a lesson starting at 6:30pm. Already know your way around a Salsa floor? Open dance starts at 7:15pm. Feel the breeze of the Hudson and watch the sun go down as you dance dusk to dark.

Broadway shows are a must-see and only here will Starship Troopers, comedy, and burlesque show up in one performance: The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody. See the well known characters dropped into a world of sci-fi burlesque for 90-minutes of hilarity and entertainment. Technically, the burlesque show is in other cities, but you’re in New York City. Why travel anywhere else.