Best things to do outside in New York

Cocktails above the clouds? Yes, please. When the weather is gorgeous, New Yorkers instantly flock to the best outdoor rooftop bars for a beverage (or six). We can’t get enough of the views at spots such as Panorama Room on Roosevelt Island and Gallow Green in Chelsea.

The best views in NYC are from up or out — whether atop a tall building, up in the sky, or out on the water. These rooftop bars, skyscrapers, bridges and more offer a unique perspective on the city. Experiencing these magical views in NYC, many of which are outdoors, might just be one of the best things to do in NYC. A few of our favorite spots include One World Observatory, The High Line and Green-Wood Cemetery. 

Whether you're on a romantic date or hanging with friends, dinner on the water can't be beat. Ocean breezes and beautiful views can only enhance your dining experience. When perfect weather is upon us, grab a spot with a view of the Hudson and East Rivers or the Atlantic Ocean at NYC’s best waterfront restaurants.

Films on The Green Festival, a free outdoor French film festival, is back with a sports-themed lineup in honor of the Olympics in Paris this summer. The festival is hosted by Villa Albertine, and this year’s edition features 11 French films with English subtitles across Manhattan and Brooklyn parks. Expect a mix of classic and contemporary movies, all on the theme of “Sports on Film.”

"The lineup proves that sports films, a stereotypically American genre, are very much alive and thriving in French cinema," event organizers say. The schedule runs from May through September at parks throughout the city.

All screenings will be subtitled in English, free and open to the public. Screenings begin at sunset. Here's more about each film and exact show locations.

Turns out, pickleball was not just a passing fad.

Doubling down on the popularity of the sport, Central Park is gearing up for the return of the 14-court pickleball installation via CityPickle that took over Wollman Rink last year. The experience offers players of all skill levels the chance to reserve courts or partake in open play sessions between 8am and 9pm daily.

Despite being seen as a concrete jungle, New York City is home to plenty of beautiful and enchanting gardens. There are small pockets where greenery not only thrives but provides a welcome respite from the hectic pace of urban life—that is, if you know where to look.

From a romantic Upper West garden to a estate-like oasis in the Bronx, here's where to stop and smell the roses. 

If you need another reason to get outside this summer, NYC street fairs take over various blocks in all five boroughs when the weather gets warmer. While frolicking along the city's sidwalks, snack on sensational eats from the best restaurants in NYC and score stellar throwback wares and antiques as you would find at our city’s finest vintage clothing stores.

A few of our favorites include the Hester Street Fair and Grand Bazaar. 

There's more than one kind of New York City music festival. The first events that come to mind might be the big-tent fests like Governors Ball, but just as important are staple series like City Parks SummerStage and BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, which keep crowds coming out to our beloved green spaces all season long.

Overwhelmed by all the choices? Check out our hand-picked this guide to the very best summer music festivals hitting town this year.

Smorgasburg, the food bazaar spectacular, is back for 2024 with dozens of great local vendors across three locations.

In fact, with more than 70 vendors, it's the largest Smorgasburg lineup since 2018! Vendors this year will serve up fragrant Ethiopian stews, Hawaii-style street comforts, explosive pani puri, potato puff poutine, and lots more.

Smorgasburg WTC runs on Fridays; Williamsburg is on Saturdays; and Prospect Park is on Sundays. Each location is open from 11am-6pm and operates weekly through October. 

Take your movie-going experience to the next level this summer at Rooftop Cinema Club. The experience offers a chance to watch a movie on a Midtown rooftop with vegan popcorn, classic theater candy, and craft cocktails.

This season's rooftop movie schedule includes classics like When Harry Met Sally, Dirty Dancing, Grease, Mean Girls, Clueless, and so much more. Also expect special programming for Star Wars day, AAPI Heritage Month, Black Music Month, and Pride Month. Plus, it’s adding a Saturday Cereal Club and Mimosas & Muffins Sundays. Get tickets here.

Eat your way through Japan without ever leaving New York City at JAPAN Fes, the massive foodie festival, which is back and bigger than ever for 2024. The organization is hosting 30 outdoor events this year stretching through November in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Event organizers say it's the largest Japanese food festival in the world, attracting 300,000 visitors and featuring 1,000 vendors every year.

Expect dishes including takoyaki, ramen, matcha sweets, yakisoba, karaage, okonomiyaki, and lots more. They're even hosting a ramen contest and a konamon contest this year to crown the best of the bunch. Vendors hail from New York City, as well as other states and other countries. 

Here's the full list of dates and neighborhoods.

Many free outdoor movie screenings are taking place all over town this summer, but none boast an ambiance quite like that of the Intrepid Museum's Summer Movie Series. After all, you get to watch some awesome movies while hanging out on aircraft carrier's flight deck at sunset. How cool!

In connection with the museum's fascinating newest exhibition: Apollo: When We Went to the Moon, all of the movies this summer will feature stories about humankind’s exploration and fascination with the Moon. Movies run from May to August.

Outdoor dining in NYC has always been a huge part of summer in the city. There's nothing better than enjoying a meal while watching the hustle and bustle around you. These luncheonettes, all-day cafes, Michelin-starred stunners, dives, neighborhood favorites and newcomers all have open-air settings to get your attention, and great food and drinks to keep you coming back.

From Fort Greene to the Bronx, there are plenty of stellar outdoor gatherings of local and organic vendors in town. Rather than lose your sanity in traumatizing Sunday Trader Joe’s lines, head to your local market and smell the fresh fruits and veggies. After restocking your pantry, make sure to pick up a bouquet of blooms so you can bring a bit of the outdoors inside your humble abode. 

On top of being the greatest city on earth, New York is also home to one of the world’s biggest sporting events: the U.S. Open tennis tournament. You don't have to be a pro to play though. There are plenty of tennis courts—including some in the the city’s best parks—that you can reserve without breaking the bank. 

New York City is full of free art that you don't even have to go to a museum to see. Sculptures, murals and photographs can be found in its parks, sidewalks and on its buildings. Locations such as the High Line, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn and Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens and other NYC locales all have a wide variety of pieces awaiting you, from massive sculptures to eye-popping murals.

Contrary to popular belief, the East River and Hudson River are not yet radioactive, and hitting the water can provide a riveting time and some one-of-a-kind views of the city. Many of the city’s most popular boathouses provide free rides, so there’s no reason for you to resist the 20-minute rush of riding on the water.

Filled with Victorian mausoleums, cherubs and gargoyles, Green-Wood is the resting place of some half-million New Yorkers, among them Jean-Michel Basquiat, Leonard Bernstein and Boss Tweed. But there’s more to do here than grave-spot: Check out the massive Gothic arch at the main entrance or climb to the top of Battle Hill, one of the highest points in Kings County and a pivotal spot during the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776.

Say sayonara to ridiculous brunch lines and leave the ramen at home for once, because you have the chance to make an epic sandwich and lay back on the grass at one of the city’s lovely and lush parks. You’ll never want to eat indoors again after dining alfresco by the shore at Clove Lakes Park, under the bridge at Astoria Park or on one of Governors Island’s man-made hills. And don’t forget to bring a few dollars so you can hit the shaved ice cart! 

If you’re a vintage-sifting fan, a foodie or, hell, a New Yorker, then you need to hit one of the best flea markets in NYC. We have a full guide about how flea-goers can navigate the city’s bazaar scene, so satisfy the itch and start shopping for craft jewels and antiques and indulge on gourmet eats from our favorites such as the Brooklyn Flea, LIC Flea and Food and Queens Night Market.

This beautiful, one-of-a-kind park has locals and tourists alike flocking to take in its scenic views and greenery. And you never know what kind of outdoor artwork, nearby food trucks or performances you might stumble upon while you’re there! Running a span of more than 15 blocks, the High Line allows for tons of opportunities to stop by an adjacent fun-having spot.

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Live like Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith for just a day and take a fabulous spin around this nationally beloved kitschy playground. There's a good time to be had wherever you turn: Luna Park features some mighty roller coasters, including the nearly century-old Cyclone, and the dames of Burlesque at the Beach perform wild routines year-round. The trip is worth it alone for stuffing your piehole with an authentic Nathan’s Hot Dog.

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Sure, the New York Botanical Garden, Queens Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Botanic Garden are open year-round, but there is a lot more flora and greenery to see during the warmer months. Staring in spring, you can see beautiful cherry blossoms alongside other amazing blooms. Make sure to check their calendar for news on upcoming exhibits and shows. 

See iconic botanical gardens and other top New York City attractions with a New York Pass.

You don’t have to be a tourist to explore the bastion of history and culture that is NYC. And with niche walking tours springing up at every corner—including ghost hunts in the Upper East Side, Harlem foodie adventures and literary pub crawls in the East Village—there’s plenty of incentive to make your parents proud and actually learn something about the city you call home.

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During that most wonderful stretch of the year when it’s neither too hot nor too cold, one of the best places to go for a beer is an outdoor beer garden for some excellent brews with fresh air and fun.  With outdoor tables, games, music and of course amazing brews, they're the perfect alfresco option for sipping a cold one on a gorgeous day.

If you’re strapped for cash and sick of burning through your mom’s Netflix account, all you need is subway fare and a towel to enjoy some of the best beaches in NYC. There’s likely a sandy shore for whatever mood you're in: partygoers can have a drink at Jacob Riis Park Beach, those looking to relax and get away from summer crowds should hit Fort Tilden; and Coney Island Beach is jam-packed with all the shore-side carnival festivities you could ask for. Beaches open for the season on Memorial Day weekend.

Apparently, not all NYC pools are hidden in expensive sports clubs you can’t afford to join. Dip into the nostalgic rapture of childhood swimming at outdoor pools in every borough—including the sprawling Astoria Pool or the fun-sized Tony Dapolito Recreation Center—before learning (the hard way) that New Yorkers still get sunburns. Check ahead for seasonal opening times.