Summer is around the corner, so break out the sunscreen and get ready to take on NYC! Here are the top five things to do in New York City this summer.
Summer on Broadway
Whether you’re interested in seeing one of the many exciting new shows of the 2026 spring season or checking out a long-running favorite, there’s no better way to escape the summer heat than a Broadway show.
CATS: The Jellicle Ball, Broadhurst Theatre
Summer means Pride month, and you can celebrate Pride on Broadway by stepping into the dazzling world of CATS: The Jellicle Ball. This wildly inventive reimagining transforms Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical into an electrifying ballroom extravaganza where fierce competitors from New York’s vibrant queer ballroom scene vie for the ultimate crown. With unforgettable numbers like “Magical Mister Mistoffelees,” “Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats,” and the unforgettable “Memory,” the production merges glittering spectacle, pulsating choreography, and groundbreaking direction for a fresh take on a beloved classic.
Take a step into a 1980s California coast summer with The Lost Boys, where vampires, rebellion, and rock collide. When Lucy and her teenage sons Michael and Sam move to Santa Carla in desperate need of a fresh start, they soon uncover the darker side of this sunny coastal community. The ‘80s soundtrack pulses with original hits by The Rescues, like “Belong to Someone” and the new single “Have to Have You.” With signature rock energy and gothic style, it’s the only show on Broadway daring enough to bring the murder capital of the world to Times Square.
Schmigadoon!, Nederlander Theatre
If you’re looking for a comedic and clear-skied escape this summer, look no further than Schmigadoon—the magical town where every day is a musical. Everybody has a song for everything, the corn is as high as an elephant’s eye, and the only bridge out of town leads nowhere. When one couple accidentally wanders in, they discover the only way to escape is by finding true love—which may or may not be with each other. Perfect for Golden Age fans, comedy lovers, and anyone planning a feel-good NYC theatre night, Schmigadoon! turns Midtown Manhattan into a technicolor village where every problem becomes a production number.
Buena Vista Social Club, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
If you’re dreaming of a hot, music-filled summer day in Cuba, you’ll find it at Buena Vista Social Club, a Broadway musical that celebrates the golden age of Cuban music with an immersive musical journey that spans from the 1950s through the 1990s. This Tony Award-winning production features authentic Afro-Cuban rhythms including son, bolero, and danzón, performed entirely in Spanish by a world-class ensemble. The show highlights the life and legacy of iconic Cuban musicians such as Omara Portuondo, Compay Segundo, and Ibrahim Ferrer, capturing their remarkable reunion and the creation of a Grammy-winning album that brought Cuban sounds to the global stage.
Summer Exhibits
There are other ways to take in art while staying out of the heat, with many exhibits and museums throughout the city.
The Museum of Broadway is a must for any theatre lover looking for a fun daytime activity in the city. Its permanent exhibits include immersive projections of maps that showcase the history of New York City’s theater, a timeline of Broadway from birth to the present day, and a behind-the-curtain look at what it takes to make a Broadway show happen each night. The museum also features a special exhibit that highlights the 2023 Broadway production of Life of Pi in order to explore how puppets are designed and built for the Broadway stage. The puppetry exhibit features animal puppets from both the Broadway and national tour production of Life of Pi as well as puppets from other Broadway shows, such as Avenue Q, Boop! The Musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Disney’s Frozen.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side—commonly referred to as The Met—is one of the most well-known museums in New York City, but did you know The Met has a second museum location near the northern tip of Manhattan? Located in Fort Tyron Park between Inwood and Washington Heights (In The Heights, anybody?), The Cloisters showcases the art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe. Its lush, green campus offers the perfect summer stroll for anybody looking to escape the concrete jungle without actually leaving the city.
Summer Outdoor Events
Summer in NYC offers plentiful outdoor events, and many of them are free of charge!
Every Thursday afternoon in July, Bryant Park offers lawn performances by a selection of Broadway shows. The roster of shows changes every week, and the performances are always free. Make sure to arrive early and bring a blanket or folding chair, as provided seating is limited.
Every summer, The Public Theater produces Shakespeare plays at the open-air Delacorte Theater in Central Park, and tickets are free. This summer, Romeo and Juliet will be playing from May 22 to June 28, and The Winter’s Tale will be playing from July 25 to August 23. Tickets are distributed each day at noon at the Delacorte, and for select performances, at locations in the boroughs as well. For more information on Shakespeare in the Park ticket distribution, click here.
Little Island is a public park on a manmade island located near the Meatpacking District, perfect for following a summer stroll down the High Line, another public park atop manmade elevation. Over the summer, Little Island’s amphitheater hosts a wide variety of events and performances. While the 2026 season hasn’t been announced yet, the 2025 season included nights of opera, dance, theater, and song, including multiple concerts from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks.
Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City
Though the 2026 lineup hasn’t been announced yet, New York City’s “ultimate summer festival” will be taking place June 10–August 8. This series of outdoor performances and cultural activities hosted by Lincoln Center is always free or pay-what-you-wish. Be sure to check the official Lincoln Center website for updates on the lineup and schedule.
Summer Exploration
For newcomers to New York City, booking a tour is a great way to take advantage of the warm weather and see the city stress-free.
Boat Tours
One of the best ways to experience the NYC skyline is on a ferry. There are many options out there, including the Circle Line and City Experiences tours. The NYC Ferry, operated by the city as public transportation, costs just $4.50 per ride and includes tourist-friendly stops such as Governor’s Island and DUMBO.
Walking Tours
From food tours to ghost tours, there are a slew of ways to see the city on foot. For the theatre fans out there (and we know you’re out there), Broadway Up Close offers walking tours of Broadway, as well as more specialized options such as their “Hamiltour: The Tour Where It Happens,” which showcases both historic sites from the show and stories from the production.
Bus Tours
Bus tours are great for large groups and tourists who may not be up for boating or walking. You can get tickets for bus tours at any major tourist area in the city, including Times Square. Many of these tours will allow you to hop on and off the bus as you move through the city.
