Sophia Rubino

Some of the best comedians in the world call NYC home, and whether you're seeing them in Manhattan clubs or Bushwick dive bars, you're guaranteed to be blown away by NYC's talent. Here's our rundown of the venues where you can see the best comedy in NYC. A few tips for those new to NYC's comedy scene: Expect to sit close to strangers, often in basement surrounds. Many venues require a two-drink minimum, so check for that when you buy tickets. (Pro-tip: Comedy club cocktails aren't always the most appetizing drinks, so we tend to stick to bottled or canned beverages like beer or White Claw.) Overall, remember to have fun and enjoy a good laugh.RECOMMENDED: See all of the best comedy shows in NYC

New York City is full of free outdoor 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, 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 and graffiti. Best of all, it costs you nothing to pay a visit. Below, find the best outdoor art in NYC to stroll by for a DIY walking tour. RECOMMENDED: The best art shows and exhibits in NYC

There's nothing more "summer in NYC" than taking in a movie in the great outdoors, under the hardly-seen stars and set to the humming soundtrack of the city. Even better, all of the screenings listed here are free to attend. New Yorkers love to take in films on the nicest rooftops, on the best beaches, and in our city's greatest parks (preferably with a drink or popcorn in hand). Luckily, NYC has no shortage of movies in the park you can attend in the warmer months. Prefer to watch your favorite films indoors in the A/C? Check out the best movie theaters in NYC. And for some at-home inspiration, you can always catch up on the best NYC movies of all time. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC 

It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about summer in the city, but when you need to beat the heat, why not give free kayaking in NYC a try? We’ve got plenty of water, from the Hudson River to the East River Estuary, and these waterways offer some of the best views of many of New York’s attractions. If you own your own kayak, you’re all set to paddle. For the rest of us, there are many organizations around the city that aim to reconnect urbanites to nature and the aquatic ecosystems that surround us. Groups of boaters and paddling enthusiasts lead small groups around New York’s waterways, offering a cool, relaxing and educational adventure. Best of all? It’s free! NYC Parks also hosts one-off free kayaking and canoeing events throughout the summer!  Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island all have boating opportunities for you this summer. Most are first-come-first-served or by reservation only, so be sure to check before you head out. After all that paddling, treat yourself to a hearty NYC brunch. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do outside in NYC

Founded by comedian Nicholas Hopping and his brother Nathan Hopping, Flop House Comedy Club exists to provide a welcoming environment along with different lineups and events, with affordable tickets to boot. Their comedians have been featured on Netflix, HBO and more, so keep your eyes peeled on their calendar. Even better, there are no drink minimums.

Harlem’s historic artistic heritage will be on full display during this live series of events celebrating the people, arts, culture and food of Harlem. This year's celebration, running from August 1-17, commemorates Harlem Week's 51st anniversary and includes a block party and virtual summit. Even though it's called Harlem "Week," the celebrations will cover more than two weeks this year. This year's celebration commemorates Harlem Week's 51st anniversary and includes a block party and virtual summit. Other events throughout the "week" include an Uptown Night Market, featured musical performances, virtual dance parties and livestreams. They are also back with their cornerstone events such as the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run & Health Walk, and "A Great Day in Harlem." There are events for all ages, including a jazz performance, youth races and climate change conference. The festivities first began back in 1974 as a one-time-only event called Harlem Day. It was intended to create a "much-needed positive vibe" and pull the community out of its economic and social doldrums, event organizers say. The event grew from there into the annual festival we know and love today.

Alamo was one of the first pioneers of the whole “get dinner and a beer at the movies” vibe in the modern movie era, and they’ve got it down to an art. The seats are comfy, the popcorn has free refills, and they program fan favorites year-round in addition to new hits. This list isn’t about pitting major chains against each other, but Alamo has carved out a niche and they’re darn good at what they do. And, with locations in Lower Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn and Staten Island, that niche is widely accessible.

This popular hybrid serves themed top-shelf cocktails and eats during first-run showings. Nitehawk also programs fun old faves, brunch and midnight screenings, bands playing over experimental shorts by locals, and viewings that include a beer-pairing dinner. All that fun can attract a big crowd, so thank goodness there are two Brooklyn locations—Williamsburg and Prospect Park!

In 2011, Lincoln Center unveiled this ahead-of-the-curve project. The center is split into two super-stylish theaters, plus an 87-seat amphitheater that boasts the largest plasma screen in the world. Heavyweight directors such as Pedro Almodóvar and Oliver Stone have stopped by to talk shop; microbudget indies, cool retrospectives, and critically acclaimed international films and docs round out the programming.

While promoting the reopening of Astoria’s ginormous homage to the silver screen in 2011, film curator David Schwartz described heading into the 267-seat theater as “entering a spaceship and going on a voyage.” We’re hard-pressed to characterize the trippy, almost podlike space any better. Moving Image manages to land some big gets for Q&As and programs an intriguing mix of cutting-edge world and experimental cinema, classics (sometimes in that rarely screened, beautiful 70-millimeter format) and New York premieres.

Want to catch a movie in what feels like a futuristic spaceport? Your options are limited but the Quad has you covered. The stunning results of its 2017 renovation are worth a look for the aesthetics alone, but the programming is impressively varied as well. The overall impression is that your experience here has been carefully curated, and that’s a very good thing.

This West Village standout boasts impressive series year-round for even the most eclectic tastes. Whatever your mood, there’s probably something playing today at IFC to match it. Its selection of eclectic midnight features can’t be beaten. Is it the most modern spot on this list? Definitely not, but the vibes are good. And don’t forget to check out their charming selection of merch for the cinephile in your life.

Stepping into Film Forum feels like stepping back in time to a different version of New York. That’s appropriate since it’s been in operation since 1970. The vibe is cozy—not in the real estate sense that actually means "claustrophobic," but in the sense that you’ll feel right at home and want to stay for a while. In many ways, Film Forum is the anti-mega-cineplex: a unique NY institution that’s earned a spot on this list.

The Angelika is a classic, OK? It’s true that taking the escalator down from the lobby feels a little like descending to the center of the earth but some of us enjoy that, and while the theater might occasionally rumble with the audible vibrations of a nearby passing subway, this adds character to the experience. Long live the Angelika and long live the movies!

There has to be somewhere in the city to see the latest bone-vibrating blockbuster, right? Your options for chain multiplexes are plentiful, but the AMC on 68th is huge, bright and clean. Plus it has the largest IMAX screen in the country (it’s 75.6 feet tall and 101 feet wide) and projects in gloriously massive 70mm.

While the Paris has undergone some changes in the last few years (it was bought by Netflix in 2019), it’s still an institution. Since 1948, the Paris has been Manhattan’s largest single-screen movie theater with a staggering 535 seats. Fortunately, Netflix hasn’t slouched on programming the classic cinematheque or given it over entirely to screening their own productions.

As an audience member and a mercifully no-longer actor, I've been asked to do a lot of things in a theatre space. But something I was not expecting while attending Punchdrunk's newest immersive theater creation, Viola's Room, was being asked to remove my shoes and socks and sanitize my feet before seeing the show. The titular room, equipped with six beds, is merely the starting point for this sensory journey directed by Felix Barrett, of Sleep No More fame.  Led by light and sound, I felt my way through a labyrinthine installation as this gothic tale unfolded before my very eyes—except, of course, for the pitch darkness. Over the course of an hour at The Shed in Hudson Yards, our small group learned the story of Viola through over-ear headphone narration, which is based on the short story "The Moon-Slave" by Barry Pain. Writer Daisy Johnson adapted this short story into a thrilling and surprising adventure with themes of innocence and obsession—and did so without a single actor in the room. RECOMMENDED: Incredible immersive experiences to do in NYC right now The experience began with my designated group of six strangers inside a dimly lit room. Before you make it to Viola's Room, make sure to arrive at The Shed at least 20 minutes before the allotted time, as this experience operates on a shift schedule; one group cannot begin until another ends. Not only that, but there is no late entry allowed—Viola has many guests!  Photograph: Courtesy Julian Abrams Once inside, a membe

With the renowned Broadway musical Hamilton celebrating 10 years, New Yorkers can now explore the namesake character's life outside of theater district. A new walking tour called The Hamilton (Unofficial) Musical Walking Tour explores the landmarks of Alexander Hamilton's everyday life, all while being accompanied by the corresponding songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda's smash hit musical. Dana Tamuccio—founder of Vibe Tours, tour guide and Hamilton super-fan—leads a well-informed and jam-packed tour through Lower Manhattan that's perfect for anyone looking to experience NYC history and a little musical theater, too. The tour maps out the scope of Hamilton's impressive NYC life in just 90 minutes. RECOMMENDED: The 7 coolest walking tours in NYC The tour starts at Castle Clinton where Hamilton would've first arrived in NYC and ends at Trinity Church where he and his relatives were buried. Other tour highlights include: Federal Hall (where Washington was sworn in), Fraunces Tavern (haunt of the revolutionaries), Hamilton's Wall Street financial empire and The Custom House. You'll even learn about some of Hamilton's, shall we say, associates, including Aaron Burr, Angelica Schuyler and King George III.  Photograph: Hamilton Australia/Facebook The path of the tour is an incredibly easy walk, with many shady spots to combat even the highest of temperatures—or shield from the heaviest rainfall, which Tamuccio expertly navigated on my tour this month. Each member of the tour is given

Most people associate the sari with its South Asian origin. The New York Historical adds another layer to the garment's story by unearthing how the sari—and those who wear it—made New York City its home in a new exhibit opening soon. "The New York Sari: A Journey Through Tradition, Fashion, and Identity" opens September 12 and runs through April 2026. This exhibition traces the path of the sari from the Indian subcontinent to NYC, going from exotic object of trade to a tradition embraced by many communities. The sari holds many different identities; whether it be within consumer empires, dance and performance or explorations of gender and identity, museum officials explained.  RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now By way of trade, colonialism and migration, the sari has a worldwide history. It is often recognized by its draping style and is customizable in its pattern, fabric and color. The 21st century sari reflects regional tradition, specific cultural identity and personal expression. More often than not, the sari is worn in instances that reflect reinvention, such as rituals, milestones and womanhood. Photograph: By Jagdeep Raina / Courtesy of The New York Historical "'The New York Sari' illuminates how a centuries-old garment continues to shape identity, artistry and community-building across our city," Louise Mirrer, president of The New York Historical, said in a press release. "This exhibition is a celebration of the sari's complexity—not only as

When slavery is taught in an educational setting, perspectives are often erased or overlooked. Marcus Brown, a New Orleans-based artist with enslaved African ancestors, aims to share the stories of enslaved people with four free Augmented Reality (AR) exhibitions across New York City opening July 25 and running through July 2026. As part of the city's Arts in the Park initiative, Brown's "Slavery Trails" takes historical sites that are tied to slavery and crafts them into digital memorials using sculpture and AR that visitors may access via mobile device. Manhattan will house two exhibitions while Brooklyn and Queens will showcase one; "merging technology, music and history into public memory spaces that honor the enslaved and challenge contemporary narratives," according to a press release about the exhibition. Recommended: The best outdoor art in NYC this summer Manhattan's two sculptures are titled "The Slave Market: Wall Street" and "New York Slave Conspiracy of 1741. Brooklyn and Queens work together to tell "American Gold III" and "American Gold IV," respectively.  In Manhattan, "The Slave Market: Wall Street" makes visible the enslaved Africans and Native Americans who were bought and sold during the 1711 New York slave market. The second installation in Manhattan, titled "New York Slave Conspiracy of 1741," brings attention to the mass hysteria in response to mysterious fires which led to the execution and exile of primarily Black and enslaved New Yorkers. Both are lo

More than a century ago, an elephant named Alice embarked on an epic adventure, escaping her enclosure in Coney Island and swimming about five miles to Staten Island. After having heard this unlikely story, local artist Diane Matyas felt hope, buoyancy, endurance—and artistic inspiration. The tale led her to create The Luna Park Elephant, a larger-than-life exhibition capturing Alice's story. The public artwork is on display in Maker Park on the eastern edge of Staten Island through June 2026. RECOMMENDED: The best outdoor art in NYC this summer Photograph by Diane Matyas In Matyas’s sculpture, Alice the colorful elephant perches on the side of a metal shipping container painted in blue hues evoking the Narrows she swam through 121 years ago. Visitors are invited to move Alice's legs, helping her to "swim" the very path she did in real life. Her massive body extends to 10 feet when visitors stretch her legs as if she's a shadow puppet.   Unlike a typical gray elephant, Alice is decorated in ornate orange, blue and pink designs inspired by Sri Lankan prints. In real life, Alice was owned by Frederick Thompson of Luna Park in Coney Island. Just a year before Alice's escape, Thompson became known for his public display of animal cruelty when he electrocuted one of his other elephants, Topsy, according to Untapped Cities. Alice's journey can be framed as more of an escape in this light, especially when her demeanor went from "meek and friendly, perhaps a bit hungry, but not at