It’s only July, and already the Knicks have won the championship, the tall ships have sailed through, and Taylor Swift got married at Madison Square Garden. It’s shaping up to be a truly iconic New York City summer, and we don’t want you to miss a thing.
Here are five ways to make the most of summer in the city this July:
1. Flower Power at the New York Botanical Garden
Travel back to the 1960s at NYBG’s Flower Power exhibition, a colorful celebration of peace, love, and, of course, flowers. Wander psychedelic floral displays, art installations, and photo-worthy vintage VW buses throughout the garden, all inspired by the era’s groovy aesthetic. You’ll need an all-gardens ticket to get into the conservatory and other special exhibition spaces, but you can stroll the gardens and snap a selfie with the buses with the grounds access pass.
Free ground access for Fordham staff and students with valid ID; $35 for all-gardens pass | May 23 – Oct. 18 | The Bronx
2. Summer for the City at Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center’s annual Summer for the City festival transforms its plazas and performance spaces into one of the city’s biggest celebrations of the arts. The series features hundreds of concerts, dance performances, film screenings, and cultural events.
Free or choose-what-you-pay | July 10 – Aug. 8 | Manhattan
3. Hit the Beach
When a heat wave settles in, there’s no better escape than grabbing your towel and your sunscreen and riding the train out to one of the city’s beaches. Catch some waves in the Rockaways, sample some Russian dumplings at Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach, explore the boardwalk at Coney Island, or head to Orchard Beach (often called “the Riviera of the Bronx”) for calm waters, picnic areas, and sweeping views of Long Island Sound.
Free | Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx
4. Celebrate Bastille Day
Enjoy a taste of Paris in Manhattan at New York City’s annual Bastille Day celebration on the Upper East Side. This lively street fair celebrating French independence features French food, live music, dance performances, arts and crafts, and more.
Free | July 12 | Madison Avenue Between 59th and 63rd streets
5. Shakespeare in the Park
One of NYC’s most beloved summer traditions returns as the Public Theater presents The Winter’s Tale under the stars in Central Park. The production brings Shakespeare’s tale of jealousy, redemption, and second chances to the newly renovated Delacorte Theater. Tickets are free, but they go fast, so make sure you plan in advance.
Free | July 25 – Aug. 23 | Manhattan
