Looking for the best things to do in NYC this summer? Our 2025 seasonal roundup brings you unforgettable experiences across the five boroughs. It is curated with intention.
Summer in New York City does not whisper—it sings. From the slow burn of golden-hour rooftops to candlelit concerts, spirited boat parties, and garden escapes that feel like a world away, the city reveals its most playful, magnetic self in summer.
Whether you are staying local or planning a visit, this season is not just about what’s happening—it is about how it feels.
This is not a checklist—it is a companion to BKLS “The Ultimate BKLS Guide to Summer in NYC.” It is a carefully chosen edit of what is actually worth your time. Experiences that linger, stories you will tell, and nights that unfold into something unforgettable. Some come with cocktails, some with starlight—but all of them hold the kind of magic that only New York City in the summer can conjure.
Editor’s Note: This feature includes affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission—at no cost to you. Every event has been curated with care and aligns with the BKLS spirit of intentional experiences.
Table of Contents Show
BKLS Top NYC Summer Experience
An Evening of Fujianese Flavors and Storytelling in Prospect Heights
📅 Dates: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 | 🕕 7:30 PM |📍 Location: Nin Hao, 609 Dean Street — Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Some dinners are about the food. Others are about the conversation. This one promises both.
On July 16, Prospect Heights’ Nin Hao becomes more than a restaurant—it becomes a gathering place where plates are passed, stories are shared, and a piece of the Fujianese diaspora comes vibrantly to life. Hosted in partnership with Fuzhou America and the China Wine Club, this one-night-only dinner invites guests to savor not only the regional flavors of Fujian but also the heritage, migration, and modern creativity that accompany them.
The multi-course menu weaves together the comforting and the unexpected: crisp Oyster Pancakes, delicate Rouyan Wontons, a show-stopping Steamed Whole Fish alongside Ban Ban Noodles, and playful nods to Western influence in dishes like Chinese Beef Wellington. To close: the quiet sweetness of red bean mochi—a final note of nostalgia.
Camden Hauge, founder of China Wine Club, curates the wine pairing—a rare opportunity to explore bottles from China’s emerging vineyards. The optional flight complements the meal’s arc, balancing discovery with tradition.
But the real pairing here is between food and community. Conversations will unfold between courses about identity, migration, and the evolving story of Fujianese cuisine in Brooklyn—led by those shaping its next chapter.
$40 for dinner | $25 wine flight | RSVP required
This is not a grand gala or flashy pop-up. It is quieter, more personal. The kind of night that reminds us food is never just food—it is history, memory, and connection served family-style.
Restaurant Shuji: A One-Week Summer Tasting at Restaurant Yuu
📅 Dates: July 8 – 12, 2025 | 🕕 Seating Times: 6 PM & 8:30 PM |📍 Location: 55 Nassau Avenue #1A—Greenpoint, Brooklyn
For one week only this July, Greenpoint’s Michelin-starred Restaurant Yuu will transform into Restaurant Shuji, a seasonal pop-up led by Executive Sous Chef Shuji Furukawa. As Chef Yuu Shimano travels to Japan, Chef Shuji steps into the spotlight with an 8-course tasting menu that tells a story all his own. One rooted in French technique, Japanese tradition, and a deep reverence for summer’s peak ingredients.
Expect refined plates like grilled unagi with wasabi emulsion, suppon somen with citrus, and beef and abalone with truffle, ending in a delicate pairing of crown melon and peach for dessert. Each dish is meticulously composed, offering a fleeting but memorable glimpse into a rising culinary voice in NYC.
💡 Tip: Reservations are extremely limited and only available July 8–12. If you have ever wanted to dine at Restaurant Yuu, this intimate pop-up is a rare chance to experience something singular—even for seasoned food lovers.
🍸 Things to Do this Summer in NYC For the Cocktail Lovers
Ultimate Summer Mixology Experience
📅 Dates: Multiple sessions running June through August [choose your date during booking] | 🕒 Time: Each session lasts 2 hours [typically early evening—select when booking] | 📍 Location: EVEN Hotel New York — Midtown East, 221 East 44th Street [near Grand Central]—Midtown East, Manhattan
Shake, stir, and sip your way through magical cocktails with master mixologists guiding you through seasonal recipes like Ginger Orange Gin Fizz, Cosmo Cooler, Whiskey Fireworks Sour, and Mango Margarita. This is more than a cocktail class. It is a summer experience on a Midtown terrace, with theatrical flair [think bubbling cauldrons, interactive tools, and shared stations] that turns you into the bartender for the evening.
💡 Tip: Skip dinner beforehand—these strong, multi-course cocktails are the highlight. Bring a partner or come solo and make new ones—space is intimate, but energy is social.
Brooklyn Summer Fest – Beer, Wine & Spirits Tasting Festival
📅 Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 🕒 Time: 1 PM – 6 PM | 📍 Location: Brooklyn Navy Yard, Building 77, 141 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn
If there is one tasting event that truly captures summer in Brooklyn, it is this one. Brooklyn Summer Fest returns to the Brooklyn Navy Yard with an epic afternoon of curated drinks, live music, food vendors, and waterfront energy. From small-batch spirits to natural wines and craft brews, this is a celebration of what is being made and poured right here in NYC—and beyond.
The setting? Rooftop-level views at Building 77, with breeze, beats, and a full lineup of DJs keeping the vibe celebratory but chill. Whether it is a spontaneous date or a refined catch-up with a friend, this is the kind of place that invites discovery, especially for those drawn to thoughtful local experiences.
💡 Tip: Arrive early for shorter lines and better access to limited-batch pours. Bring a water bottle—it’s a tasting marathon.
Queens Botanical Garden Beer, Wine & Spirits Fest
📅 Date: Friday, July 19, 2025 | 🕒 Time: 1 PM – 4:30 PM | 📍 Location: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street—Flushing, Queens
An elevated tasting experience set in one of NYC’s most serene summer spaces.
There is a different kind of magic that happens when you mix a lush garden setting with a summer tasting experience—and this fest captures it. Nestled within the beautifully maintained grounds of Queens Botanical Garden, this event invites guests to explore the space after hours while enjoying tastings from local breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Think rosé under the roses, or craft cocktails while strolling through wildflower patches.
It is a more laid-back crowd than some of the other tasting events in the city. And an excellent option for those who want a slower pace, more space, and a beautiful backdrop for conversation. The garden is especially gorgeous in July, with everything in full bloom.
💡 Tip: Bring a blanket and stay after your tasting to enjoy the garden’s twilight calm—it’s one of the few NYC venues that feels like a true escape.
A Classic Brooklyn Summer Night: OLMC Feast + Where to Go After
Williamsburg’s annual Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast—NYC’s oldest Italian-American celebration—returns through July 20th, filling 275 North 8th Street and its surrounding blocks with the unmistakable scent of sausage and peppers, carnival rides, nightly music, and that uniquely Brooklyn mix of old traditions and new energy. Dating back to 1887, the festival remains one of the neighborhood’s most cherished summer rituals.
But this year, do more than just stroll. Make a night of it.
A few steps from the heart of the feast, Williamsburg hums with standout neighborhood spots that pair beautifully with an evening of heritage and revelry. Right nearby, Bamonte’s [32 Withers Street] still serves up clams oreganata and veal parm in a dining room where nothing has changed—and that is precisely the point.
Just around the corner is BABA on Withers [47 Withers Street]. A Marseille-inspired wine bar with a vegetable-forward menu, funky natural wines, and irreverent cocktails like the Doom Scroll or Low Key Romantic. Whether you are there for dinner or stopping by for Yesterday’s Wine [half-off bottles opened the day before], BABA invites you to settle under the disco ball and stay awhile.
And for something a little more sonically immersive, Mr. Melo [61 Withers Street] offers Williamsburg’s Hi-Fi listening bar experience. Weekly vinyl DJ sets, audiophile-approved sound, and compost cocktails like the smoked eggplant tequila Baba Rita or a feta-brine martini. It is part listening room, part neighborhood hangout, and all Brooklyn.
Because summer in Brooklyn is not just about where you go—it is about how you linger.
Things to Do this Summer in NYC For the Culinary Curious
Tomato Summer at Sungold + Greenmarket Pop-Up
📅 Date: Daily | 🕘 Time: 7:30 AM – 11 PM | 📍 Location: Tomato Summer Menu: Ongoing at Sungold, 96 Wythe Avenue—Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Long before social media crowned it “Tomato Girl Summer,” chefs were quietly building the cult of tomato season—celebrating heirlooms and sungolds with reverence and restraint. At Sungold in Williamsburg—yes, named after Chef Michael King’s favorite tomato—the obsession is alive and beautifully plated this summer.
Chef King partners closely with Eckerton Hill Farm, a Greenmarket legend known for rare heirlooms and wildly flavorful sungolds. The result?
A Tomato Summer at Sungold menu that treats the fruit like the star it is.
Expect vibrant, rotating specials like:
- Caprese Martini: mozzarella-clarified vodka, tomato, basil, blue cheese olives
- Sungold Bucatini: tomato confit, basil, aged parmesan, chile breadcrumbs
- BLT Tartine: heirloom tomatoes, summer layers
- Spicy Arrabbiata Pizza: guanciale, soft egg, chile-forward bite
- Maine Oysters: topped with sungold-shallot mignonette
- Tomato Toast + Salad: seasonal, summery, and vegan-friendly
💡 Tip: This is a summer-only celebration, and ingredients shift weekly depending on what is thriving at the farm. Go early, go often.
Things to Do this Summer in NYC For the Skyline-Obsessed
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
📅 Dates: Open daily [Closed Tuesdays] throughout summer | 🕒 Hours: 9 AM – 12 AM [midnight], last entry 10:30 PM | 📍 Location: 45 East 42nd Street [access from Grand Central’s Main Concourse or Vanderbilt Avenue]
This iconic observation deck offers art-meets-architecture views and glass-floor thrills. Sunset is spectacular—book ahead.
If you have never seen New York from above with the city literally glowing beneath you, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt belongs on your summer list. This is not just another observation deck. It is a multi-sensory experience with mirrored floors, sky-high views, and interactive installations that turn a tourist moment into something surreal. The best time to go? Sunset, hands down. Watch the city shift from day to night in one of the most cinematic ways possible.
Plan your visit for sunset—the city transforms as you descend in light—and do not forget your phone for Insta‑ready reflection shots in the crystal maze.
💡 Tip: Weekdays are less crowded. Wear flat shoes and pants [mirror floors!] and consider the NYC Resident discount if you qualify.
👉 Want to explore more sky-high city views? Check out our full guide to NYC’s observation decks.
July 4th Fireworks Spectacular! at Clipper City
📅 Date: Friday, July 4, 2025 | 🕔 Time: Boarding begins at 5:15 PM; cruise concludes around 9:45 PM | 📍 Location: Clipper City Tall Ship, Pier 17, 89 South Street—South Street SeaPort, Manhattan
Set sail on a majestic tall ship dressed in nautical grandeur for a premium Independence Day experience. This 4.5-hour cruise features gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a themed “Red, White & Blue” welcome cocktail, and live jazz performances—all while you drift through New York Harbor toward Macy’s spectacular fireworks display. With more than 40,000 shells bursting overhead at heights up to 1,000 feet and a jazz score serenading your journey, this is fireworks from the starboard deck—up close, cinematic, and unforgettable.
💡 Tip: Book early—seats are limited to about 150 guests. Bring a light wrap; it gets breezy after sunset.
Coda Rooftop July 4th Sunset Bash
📅 Date: Friday, July 4, 2025 | 🕒 Time: 4 PM – 12 AM | 📍 Location: Coda Williamsburg Rooftop, 160 North 12th Street—Williamsburg, Brooklyn
There is something iconic about dancing on a rooftop while the sun sets over the skyline—and Coda Williamsburg delivers that and more. This July 4th bash features live DJs spinning house, disco, and upbeat summer sets in a laid-back yet stylish setting. Expect sunset-hued cocktails, skyline views stretching over Brooklyn and Manhattan, and an energy that feels festive without the frenzy.
Located atop the Coda Hotel, the rooftop offers ample space to dance, lounge, and take in the night. It is a wonderful choice if you are looking for something social but not overwhelming—think chic crowd, good drinks, and a breezy vibe with fireworks visible in the distance.
💡 Tip: Arrive early for golden hour lighting [your camera roll will thank you], and stay for the fireworks—visible on the horizon but without the Midtown crowds.
🎶 Things to Do this Summer in NYC For the Music + Culture Enthusiasts
Broadway Sings Queen [Live Orchestra!]
📅 Dates: June 22 – July 26, 2025 [select dates] | 🕖 Time: Doors at 1 PM, show at 2 PM [weekend matinees] or early evening sessions | 📍 Location: The Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street—Murray Hill, Manhattan
Tickets: From $31.39—choose between “Premiere Suite” [best-view], “Balcony Club,” or “Lounge” sections; all include a $25 food/drink minimum
Get ready to belt it out Broadway-style—powered by a live 14-piece orchestra and top-tier theater talent. Songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” and “Somebody to Love” are reimagined for the stage with bold arrangements, cinematic pop-ups, and full-on showmanship. It is not just a concert—it is a production with choreographed lighting, soul-stirring vocals, and a communal energy that has audiences singing and swaying together.
Shows at The Cutting Room—a midtown hotspot known for craft cocktails and intimate vibes turn into a rock‑opera mecca when Queen meets Broadway.
💡 Tip: Weekend matinees are an excellent option for those wanting daytime energy. For the evening session, arrive early to snag your preferred seating and grab a drink before showtime.
Candlelight: The Best of Joe Hisaishi
📅 Date: Select evening performances: Tuesday, June 26, Saturday, July 26, Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 🕘 Times: Typically 9 PM — doors open ~45 minutes prior; duration is 60 minutes | 📍 Location: Our Lady of Mt Carmel–Annunciation Church, 65–67 Havemeyer Street—Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Tickets: From approximately $38.50 per person
A cinematic candlelit concert celebrating the iconic Studio Ghibli composer.
Prepare for a magical, candlelit evening where Studio Ghibli classics—like Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away—are performed live by the Highline String Quartet in a historic Brooklyn church. The glow of flickering candles and the intimate setting create an emotional, otherworldly atmosphere that pays proper tribute to Joe Hisaishi’s orchestral genius.
💡 Tip: Book early to secure weekend dates, and arrive before doors open to settle into the best candle-viewing spots. It is a harmonious blend of nostalgia and serenity. One of the most unique NY moments of the summer.
Things to Do this Summer in NYC For the Party Crowd
Decoded House Music Summer Boat Party
📅 Date: Friday, June 27, 2025 | 🕒 Time: Boarding at 10 PM, sailing from 11 PM – 1:30 AM | 📍 Location: Pier 36, 299 South Street—Lower East Side, Manhattan
This is not your average boat cruise. Decoded is bringing high-energy house music to NYC waters for a summer night that is all rhythm, breeze, and skyline beauty. Set aboard a spacious party boat with multiple decks, this experience features live DJ sets, dancing under the stars, and a crowd that knows how to vibe.
Set Sail Into the Night with deep house, tech house, and melodic beats pulsing through the air, the city skyline glowing behind you, and the Statue of Liberty keeping watch. Join the Summer Boat Party with friends or arrive solo—either way, it is a chance to dance, meet new people, and soak in the unmatched energy of NYC’s summer nightlife on the water.
💡 Tip: Wear comfortable shoes—you will want to dance. And bring a light jacket—it gets breezy once the boat is in motion.
Perreo on the Pier: Hawaiian Luau Edition
📅 Date: Friday, August 1, 2025 & Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 🕒 Time: 9 PM – 4 AM | 📍 Location: Watermark, 78 South Street—Financial District, Manhattan
→ RSVP
Turn up the heat this summer with a tropical twist on NYC’s most electric reggaeton party. Perreo on the Pier returns with its Hawaiian Luau Edition—an outdoor celebration of music, movement, and culture set right by the waterfront.
Expect DJs spinning a nonstop lineup of reggaeton, dembow, Latin trap, and more. Tropical fits, flower leis, and piña coladas are encouraged. The open-air setup means you will be dancing with the skyline as your backdrop and the river breeze keeping things cool. Experience the energy, the beats, and the views—this is the kind of summer night you will remember.
💡 Tip: Arrive early for the best golden hour photos—and wear something bold. Think “vacation meets dance floor.”
House Matters: Pier 16 Open Air Party
📅 Date: July 5 & 12, 2025 [select dates] | 🕒 Time: 5 PM – 11 PM | 📍 Location: Pier 16, 89 South Street—South Street Seaport, Manhattan
If you crave deep beats under open skies, this one is for you. House Matters is taking over Pier 16 with an all-day, open-air house music celebration—right along the East River. Picture this: sun on your skin, skyline views all around, and a lineup of NYC’s best underground DJs guiding the vibe.
This is not your average club night. It is more like a rooftop party that got a waterfront upgrade, with space to dance, roam, and fully immerse in the music. This is a come-as-you-are space built for real music lovers.
💡 Tip: Bring a light jacket or layer—the waterfront breeze hits differently once the sun sets. Flat shoes are highly recommended.
🎠 Things to Do this Summer in NYC For the Family or Wholesome Days Out
100 Years of Bonsai at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
📅 Ongoing through summer | 🕘 Time: Entry during regular garden hours | 📍 Location: Brooklyn Botanic Garden—Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Step into a world of quiet wonder. This summer, Brooklyn Botanic Garden invites visitors to celebrate a century of bonsai with a striking exhibit that is as much about art as it is about patience and presence. 100 Years of Bonsai showcases over 100 trees from BBG’s historic collection, some more than a hundred years old.
The exhibit explores the evolution of bonsai in Brooklyn and beyond, weaving together horticulture, Japanese-American history, and living sculpture. You will find miniature pines shaped by generations of hands, as well as new contemporary works pushing the tradition forward.
💡 Tip: Go early on a weekday for a quieter visit, and pair it with a slow walk through the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. It is one of the most peaceful spots in the city.
July Garden Buds: Summer Sunshine [Ages 2–3]
📅 Dates: Friday, July 11 – Sunday, August 3, 2025 [Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays] | 🕒 Time: 10 AM to 4 PM | 📍 Location: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street—Flushing, Queens
→ Join the little ones in playful summer explorations
Let the youngest garden fans dig into nature with this weekly Garden Buds class. Designed for toddlers aged 2–3 [with a caregiver]. It pairs hands‑on gardening activities—like watering seedlings, harvesting herbs, or planting craft pots—with seasonal songs and garden storytelling. It is a sweet, sensory morning ritual and a gentle introduction to green spaces.
💡 Tip: Sign up early—spots fill fast for this parent-child session.
3-Hour Session at Area 53 Adventure Park
📅 Dates: Open daily, year-round | 🕒 Time: 10 AM – 8 PM [choose a 3-hour slot when booking] | 📍 Location: 616 Scholes Street—Williamsburg, Brooklyn
This is not your average day out. Area 53 Adventure Park in Williamsburg is a massive, adrenaline-pumping playground for kids, teens, and grown-ups who still like to climb things. Zip lines, ninja courses, ropes, slides, ball pits, skate ramps—this place is pure energy from start to finish.
It is an excellent pick for a birthday party, family outing, or even an unconventional date. The indoor section is climate-controlled, so you can cool off while still being active. Plus, the staff keeps things running smoothly, so even on busy days, it never feels chaotic.
💡 Tip: Closed-toe shoes are a must. If you are visiting with kids, grab a coffee from the nearby café—they will be busy for hours.
July 4th BBQ Day Party at Harta NYC
📅 Date: Thursday, July 4, 2025 | 🕒 Time: 5 PM – 10 PM | 📍 Location: Bar Harta Rooftop, 30 West 39th Street—Midtown, Manhattan
This one is for those who want the Fourth of July vibes without the over-the-top crowds. Bar Harta, tucked into the Grayson Hotel in Midtown, offers a relaxed rooftop oasis where you can enjoy barbecue plates, frozen cocktails, and good music with a laid-back city view.
The rooftop transforms into a casual-but-chic summer party with a BBQ buffet. Featuring fried chicken, BBQ brisket, mac & cheese, and more. And flowing drinks—think craft cocktails. It is a great pre-fireworks hangout or an easy way to celebrate the day without leaving Manhattan.
💡 Tip: Arrive by 4 PM to snag a seat with the best skyline view. Stay long enough to watch the early glow of the sunset roll in behind the buildings.
However, You Summer—Make It Yours
New York in the summer does not ask for permission. It invites you to wander, to say yes, to follow music drifting down the block, or toast the sunset a little too long. These curated experiences are not just things to do. They are memory-makers, the kind that linger well past Labor Day.
Whether your idea of summer bliss is dancing on a rooftop, sipping cocktails beneath candlelight, or watching fireworks burst across the skyline, New York City is ready to deliver. Whether you find yourself in a Manhattan rooftop glow or a Brooklyn garden twilight, the energy is unmatched. The options are endless, and the best experiences are the ones you choose with intention.
We will be right here, savoring the season with you—one rooftop toast, one garden concert, and one unforgettable night at a time.
So book the ticket. Wear the dress. Say yes to the plan.
And let NYC remind you what summer can feel like when you live it fully.
And if you are craving even more warm-weather inspiration, do not miss our full seasonal guides:
👉 The Ultimate Guide to Summer in NYC | Fourth of July 2025 in New York City
Tag us @brooklynslifestyle or #BKLSummer so we can celebrate right alongside you.
