What to Do on a Hot Day in NYC: 8 Activities That Will Cool You Down

This post is all about what to do on a hot day in NYC.

Summer is finally here in New York bringing many wonderful things: long sunny days, free movies and concerts in the park, picnics with friends, and lots of ice cream.

But New York can get a bad rap for the heat and smell that inevitably come in the thick of summer. While there’s not much we can do about the smell (if you’ve been in New York in the summer, you know…), I do have a list of activities that I dip into when the weather hits above 90*. After all, I’m not wasting away a day in NYC just because it’s too hot!

If you’re wondering what to do on a hot day in NYC to stay cool and still have fun, keep reading.

What to Do on a Hot Day in NYC

1. Hit the Beach

The beach is probably the most refreshing place to spend an unbearably hot day. Most New Yorkers will flock to Rockaway Beach. If you’ve never been, I have a full guide on visiting Rockaway Beach.

Hop on a train or ferry to Queens and within an hour you’ll be digging your toes into the sand and breathing in the salty air. I recommend getting an early start to the day if you plan to take the ferry as it gets really busy.

Once you arrive, the beaches between 67th Street (where the A train takes you) up to 97th Street are a great place to set up. In this area, you’ll find food spots as well as bathrooms and showers. For lunch, I highly recommend the lobster rolls at 97th St!

And if you’re looking for more to do than lounge in the sun, you can take surfing lessons at Locals Surf School.

2. Visit Art Museums

A hot summer day is a perfect opportunity to get lost in one of New York’s many art museums. My personal favorites include The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Guggenheim, which are conveniently located next to Central Park.

I love to spend an afternoon in the museum and then head to Whole Foods in Columbus Circle for some snacks (or sushi!) and have a sunset picnic in Sheep’s Meadow.

POSTS YOU MAY LIKE: 5 Best Art Museums in New York

3. Go Shopping

When you just can’t bear the thought of being outside, visit one of the shopping centers. You can easily spend a few hours hitting the shops in the cool air conditioning.

All of New York’s malls are a step up from any regular shopping center and each offer a unique view and experience.

Check out Brookfield Place for luxury shopping and indoor palm trees. The Shops at Columbus Circle offer great views of Central Park. At Hudson Yards you can find 100+ stores, top-tier restaurants, and an observation deck too! The Oculus is an architectural marvel and has some great shopping too.

4. Eat Ice Cream

In New York, ice cream is a form of summer survival. Luckily, there are lots of ice cream shops so you’ll never be too far.

Van Leeuwen is a classic and has many locations throughout the city (I love their earl grey ice cream). Check out Whipped on the Lower East Side for vegan options, 16 Handles for froyo, and Anita La Mamma del Gelato for the absolute best gelato.

POSTS YOU MAY LIKE: 5 Hottest Ice Cream Spots in New York

5. Check out an Immersive Museum

If art museums aren’t your vibe, check out one of the interactive museums which get pretty close to transporting you to another world. If you have kids, these are a fun treat to keep in your pocket.

Head to Color Factory for a very satisfying color overload. The Museum of Ice Cream is pink, sprinkly, and very Instagrammable (don’t miss the sprinkle pool or a ride down the pink windy slide!). Plus they serve lots of ice cream throughout. ARTECHOUSE in Chelsea Market is an immersive art space with revolving exhibits. And of course, the Museum of Illusions will really push your mind’s eye.

6. Cool Off by the Pool

Did you know New York has public pools?! There are about sixty free swimming pools dotted throughout the five boroughs.

Some of the best are:

Astoria Pool (Queens)
McCarren Park Pool (Brooklyn)
Hamilton Fish Pool (Manhattan)
John Jay Pool (Manhattan)

Even if you don’t want to go for a dip, sitting poolside reading a book and sipping a cool drink is pretty close to the epitome of summer.

7. Eat Your Way Through a Food Hall

Eat your way through one of New York’s food halls. It’s a great way to hit a lot of restaurants at once without having to travel across the city to try them. You can make an afternoon of it with a group of friends and eat through a continent or a food type.

In Manhattan, check out Essex Market. If you’re in Brooklyn, check out Time Out Market, which is the largest food hall in the borough!

I have an in-depth guide about food markets in NYC here.

8. Go Kayaking

It’s probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of New York, but it’s just a testament to the fact that New Yorkers truly have access to any activity.

Bonus, many of the boathouses offer free kayak rentals!

Grab a friend and get out on the Hudson at Pier 26 in Manhattan or head over to Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse or North Brooklyn Community Boathouse.

That concludes this post about what to do on a hot day in NYC.

As you can see, we’re not letting those sweltering hot days go to waste. I hope this list gives you some new ideas. And I’d love to hear how you spend those lazy, hazy days of summer. Let me know in the comments!