I never celebrated the change of seasons, mainly because I’m from Rio de Janeiro. In Rio, we have summer and high summer. But I moved. Now I think summer is the best time of year in New York.

Summer officially starts today (June 21), and the city is buzzing with events everywhere. This is the first time, after the pandemic, we have no social restrictions, which made the atmosphere even more uproar.

It is impossible to do everything the city offers, regardless of the season. So, I chose 5 things I want to do or have done in past years. I know summer and FOMO are always together. Choose according to your lifestyle.

1. Open-air movies

• Free
  • Bryant Park: Until August 15, on Mondays, you can watch a movie on the lawn.
  • Brooklyn Bridge Park: The Brooklyn Bridge Park movie theater runs Tuesdays through August 25.
• Paid
  • Reds is a rooftop specializing in wines and has a program of movie nights until October 20.
  • At Pier 17, open-air film screenings run until August 23.
  • Rooftop Cinema Club until September 5.

2. Summer outdoors

• Far Rockaway beach is my favorite to enjoy a sunny day. The beach is free and not fantastic, but you can get there by subway, and it’s not as crowded as Coney Island. Remember to bring a tent and some snacks.
• This summer, Lincoln Center’s dance floor is on the lawn and hosts various rhythm classes. See the schedule.
• I don’t know anything about baseball, but I think at least once in my life, I need to watch a game, eat hot dogs, and drink beer in the stadium.
• I don’t know much about tennis either, but the US Open takes place in Queens, New York, and I think it’s worth going once for the experience.

3. Pride LGBTQ+

June is the best month in New York not only because it’s the beginning of summer, but because with LGBTQ+ pride month celebrations and the city is filled with rainbow flags.

In 2019, the 50th anniversary of the first march for LGBTQ+ rights was celebrated. It all started in 1969, in New York, in front of a bar called Stonewall. 

There are many events to celebrate pride month. I will list some of them.

• On June 25, the day before the official parade, the Dyke March takes place, which is a lesbian event.
• Honestly, I didn’t really love New York’s official pride parade. It retraces the path of the first march for LGBTQ+ rights. I found it a Disney-like event. The public is squeezed on the sidewalks while brands parade around micro sound cars with some influencers. Whoever is on the sidewalk doesn’t walk, doesn’t drink, and doesn’t listen to the much music.
• The Queer Liberation March is the opposite of the official parade. In this event, the public walks together for a few miles together. I went last year and was moved.
• In addition to the parades, many places host events with LGBTQ+ artists.
  • Discover the history of LGBTQ+ struggles on a tour of Greenwich. Start at the Stonewall Inn, where it all began, and take a walk around the neighborhood.
  • The Lincoln Center and House of Yes promote LGBTQ+ artists at parties and events.

4. Summer skating rinks

• Central Park Disco Oasis. An immersive skating rink with music and performances.
• For the first time, Rockefeller Center opened a skating rink during the summer. Skate while listening to music and enjoy the view.
• Pier 2 at Brooklyn Bridge Park has a skating rink that is used for practice by a hockey team twice a week. I passed before the rink when the hockey team was leaving, and I don’t recommend it. The smell is strong. The rest of the time, it is open to the public.
• The Lakeside at Prospect Park is similar to Pier 2 in Brooklyn.

5. Enjoy the parks

Park is a summer classic, right? And New York has many lawn options for you to stretch and do nothing. Here’s a list of the parks I go to the most.

• Manhattan
  • Central Park, Battery Park, and Little Island.
• Brooklyn
  • Fort Greene Park, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Domino Park.
• Coney Island
  • If you like roller coasters, be sure to visit Luna Park. You can get there by subway and enjoy the beach if you get tired of the amusement.

I wrote an overview of what I would like to do this summer, but again, this city has many possibilities, and it is impossible to do everything we would like to do.

Enjoy!