New York City Things To Do in July

Whether experiencing your first summer in NY or an old hat, come July summer kicks it up a notch. Days become a little too hot and humid urging you to run to the closest AC unit. Staying at hotels in Midtown NYC will assuage the feeling but if that’s not accessible, here are some other options to find the ‘chill’ in July.

Splash Pads 

Fountains are in good supply throughout Manhattan and guaranteed to see people (mostly kids) splashing around on a warm day. And these days a city playground without a water feature is a sin. Welcome to the East 110th Playground on the north end of Central Park, which went through a makeover including an interactive water feature in 2013. Splash around in the water or mosey over to the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center for catch and release fishing in the ponds. Adults can probably splash around too but maybe the Manhattan Park Pool on Roosevelt Island is a better fit. Each year, the pool is designed with a new pop art landscape and this year serves up ‘A letter From the Ocean’ by artist Hratch Arbach. 

Chill Out with the Classics (or something new)

It may not be your home with the cool air, but it’s home to artists over the centuries and from around the world. Museum Mile houses countless museums and exhibits to beautify the day…indoors.

• Matisse - MoMa
• Kandinsky - Guggenheim
• NXTHVN Undercurrents - Sean Kelly Gallery 
• Ecologies of Care - Cuchifritos Gallery + Project Space

Nighttime

Forget trying to beat the heat. Just wait it out! As soon as the sun drops below the horizon, head out for a rooftop view. Pro-tip: It’s witching hour so you may want  a good spritz of bug spray before you head out to fend off the ‘skeeters’.

• Sushi Lab - Approachable sushi with flavor influences from French, Italian and American cuisine in the setting of a greenery rooftop oasis.
• The Greens at Pier 17 Rooftop - Scenic views of Brooklyn right on the water.
• Monarch Rooftop - Best for taking in views of the sunset with cocktails. Keep this to a pre-dinner drinks as they only service light bites/tapas.