New York City’s summer 2024 calendar is bursting with events too good to miss. Experience the summer you deserve with The Manhattan Club’s 15 absolute best things to do this season, including food festivals, live theater events, seasonal things to do, and more.
[The Manhattan Club welcomes you with unique inclusions you’ll find only when you book directly on our website]
1. Visit NYC’s Best Museums
Summer is always an ideal time to visit NYC’s museums, as new exhibitions open their doors to greet the seasonal crowds. Plus, there’s event programming and access to outdoor spaces you just don’t get in the winter. MoMa PS1’s pioneering outdoor music series Warm Up returns in July and August. There’s also The Met’s Roof Garden Bar, which is only open during warmer months and serves cocktails and snacks alongside its new art installation and stunning views of Central Park far below.
2. See Shakespeare in the Park
Lining up for free, same-day tickets for Shakespeare in the Park is the quintessential summer experience for anyone coming to NYC this season. This year, the event will look a little different as the Delacorte Theater spends the summer in renovation. Instead, the Public Theater company will offer an array of public programming taking place across the five boroughs. There’s The Mobile Unit’s bilingual musical adaptation of The Comedy of Errors, outdoor screenings of Much Ado About Nothing, and on-demand screenings of past Shakespeare in the Park productions.
3. Walk through ‘Wonderland: Curious Nature’ at New York Botanical Garden
Set to the tune of Alice and Wonderland, the NY Botanical Garden’s magical garden experience also includes contemporary artworks and gallery exhibitions, massive flower displays, and tea parties. On view now until Oct. 27.
4. Spend the Day in Central Park
While Central Park is the place to be no matter what time of year you choose to visit, there’s no denying the park is most lively in summer. It has a packed schedule of free event programming, including the NY Philharmonic in the Park, Central Park Film Festival, and Shakespeare in the Park. Find a picnic or sunbathing spot, rent a boat on the Central Park Lake, or choose from myriad of recreational activities offered.
[10 Best Open-Air Theaters and Outdoor Entertainment Options in NYC]
5. Immerse Yourself in Culture at Lincoln Center’s ‘Summer for the City’
Lincoln Center’s free annual festival celebrating visual art, music, dance, theater, and culture returns with a stacked lineup of 200+ events and performances. Highlights include Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center, Deaf Broadway, and the silent disco that is a ‘Night of Access Magic.’ Walk to the festival’s flagship venue, Damrosch Park, in just minutes from The Manhattan Club.
6. Listen to Live Music at SummerStage
Whether it’s to sing, dance, or sway to good tunes, SummerStage has something for everyone. Nearly 85 live, in-person performances return to Rumsey Playfield in Central Park (along with 12 other parks spanning across the five boroughs). This is a great opportunity to see some of the best established and up-and-coming artists of distinctly New York genres including hip-hop, afrobeats, indie rock, salsa, jazz, and so much more. Stand-out acts for the 38th season include Kim Gordon, Ghostface Killah, and Corinne Bailey Rae.
7. Celebrate the 4th of July
Celebrate the country’s birthday in an American city like no other. There’s the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, the largest fireworks display in the nation, which begins at 8 p.m. The city also has plenty of rooftop parties, fireworks cruises, and classic NYC diners and BBQ spots serving up American eats. July 4 is always a great day to take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty or catch the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island.
8. Go to a New York Yankees or Mets Baseball Game
NYC is home to the well-loved Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, both of which are packed to the max each summer. Check the Yankees and Mets schedules to find a home game that coincides with your NYC stay. Yankees regular season home games run through Sept. 29, Mets through Sept. 22.
[10 Best Outdoor Activities in NYC]
9. Book a Table During Summer NYC Restaurant Week
NYC Restaurant Week returns this summer with more options than ever. Running July 22 to Aug. 18, enjoy multi-course prix-fixe meals at hundreds of the city’s finest restaurants. The program invites diners to celebrate and sample the incredible array of eateries that make up NYC’s culinary culture. Sign up for the latest news and book tables directly on the NYC Restaurant Week website. Need culinary recommendations? Visit our Concierge, we’ll direct you to the top dining destinations in Manhattan.
10. See Broadway in Bryant Park or a Broadway Summer Show
Each summer, Broadway’s biggest musical hits are performed outdoors at lunchtime (12:30 - 1:30 p.m.) in Bryant Park. This year’s Broadway in Bryant Park features performances from productions like Disney on Broadway, Wicked, The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Lion King, and Back to the Future.
Summer also brings a host of buzzworthy new shows to Broadway. This season, there’s Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and The Notebook.
Enjoy a classic night of theater while you’re staying with us at The Manhattan Club. We're perfectly located in Midtown near the Theater District and Bryant Park, and have an excellent rooftop deck on the Penthouse floor.
11. Visit a Night Market
NYC’s night markets are essential in order to get a sense of the street food scene here in the city. There’s always a dizzying amount of food, so grab some cash and come hungry for the Lincoln Center Night Market held Wed. through Sun. (through Aug. 10, excluding July 4); Vegan Night Market on the first Tuesday of the month (through Oct.); Brooklyn Night Market on the last Monday of the month (through Oct.); Uptown Night Market on the second Thursday of the month (through Oct.); and the Union Square Night Market on Thursdays (July 11 - Aug. 1).
12. See New Works at the Whitney Biennial
Returning every two years, the Whitney Biennial is back in 2024 with artworks in all media that were created in the preceding two years. The event has been in place since 1973 and has now featured works from over 3,600 artists.
13. Backyard at Hudson Yards
This season of Backyard at Hudson Yards programming includes free concerts, live sports screenings, theater performances, fitness classes, ‘Shakespeare at Sunset,’ movie nights, backyard bites, and more. The “cultural center of Manhattan’s New West Side” will host the events at the Public Square and Gardens near the Vessel structure (pictured above).
14. Listen to Live Music at TSQ (Times Square) Live
Now through Sept. 27, TSQ LIVE features over 80 free, open-air events across two stages in one of the most famous places in the world. Events include DJ sets, dance workshops, and live music.
15. Eat Your Heart Out at JAPAN Fes
The world’s biggest Japanese food festival returns with its pop-ups happening all across Manhattan. Eat the very best in Takoyaki, Ramen, Matcha sweets, Yakisoba, Karaage, and Okonomiyaki cuisine, prepared by vendors from all around the world who come to the Big Apple to celebrate. The fest draws over 500,000 annual attendees and over 1,500 vendors.
Begin planning your NYC summer getaway with The Manhattan Club, a luxury Midtown Manhattan hotel only steps from Central Park, Times Square, the Theater District, and more of Manhattan’s best attractions. Stay up to date with The Manhattan Club’s Facebook and Instagram to get your guide to the best of New York and choose from our best rates and special offers when you book direct.
