Ways to Stay Cool In NYC During the Summer
When it gets hot in New York City, it gets HOT in New York City. The temperature has been known to rise to over 100 degrees, the humidity is intense, and the architecture of the city seems to trap the hot air in between skyscrapers and underground in the subway. It can literally feel as though you’ve in an oven. In fact, one content creator recently proved you could successfully bake cookies in the New York City subway during the summer! Ok, they didn’t bake 100% successfully, it was more like “cookie ceviche” but the point is, there is serious heat in NYC during the summer, and we have collected our favorite ways to stay cool!
Visit a Museum
One of the best ways to stay cool in NYC during the summer is to visit a museum. New York City has hundreds of museums, so you’re sure to find one no matter what your interests are. Do you love NYC subway trains? Visit the New York Transit Museum. Want to learn more about the history of New York City? Visit the New York Historical or the Museum of the City of New York. RiseNY is a great option to learn about New York City for those traveling with a family. Are you traveling with kids who love ice cream? New York City has a Museum of Ice Cream! Of course there are tons of art museums such as the Met Museum, MoMa, Met Cloisters, The Guggenheim, The Whitney, and The Frick, to name a few. The American Museum of Natural History is a must-see for families, especially those who adore A Night at the Museum.
Where to Go Swimming in NYC
Many people are surprised at how many swimming opportunities there are in New York City. Throughout the five boroughs, there are many places to go swimming in NYC.
New York City has several beautiful beaches. Coney Island might be the most famous of New York City beaches, and it has a ton of entertainment around it. There is Luna Park, an amusement park where you can ride roller coasters and a giant Wonder Wheel. Walk along the boardwalk and grab some fried clams and a cool drink. You can even pay a visit to the New York Aquarium at Coney Island.
Other beaches in New York City include Orchard Beach, Rockaway Beach, and Brighton Beach. Each of these NYC beaches provides blessed respite from the sun’s intense rays.
If you’re more of a pool person, NYC has tons of swimming pools. The NYC Parks department has public pools throughout New York City. The newest NYC swimming pool is at the David Center on the north end of Central Park. It will open Friday, June 27, 2025. The pools are absolutely free and a great way to cool off.
Several fancy rooftop pools exist. To use a NYC rooftop pool usually requires a day pass which can get pricey. There are ways of visiting these pools on more of a budget. For example, Bathhouse Williamsburg has the largest rooftop swimming pool in New York City. A day pass begins at just $40. Hint, if you’re able to visit on a weekday, the prices will usually be lower.
See a Broadway Show
Broadway shows are delightfully air-conditioned, and a great way to cool off for a few hours. The summer months follow the Tony Awards, and while the biggest Tony winners might be extremely difficult to snag tickets to, the other shows experience a lull. This means you can see wonderful Broadway shows on a budget. If you visit the TKTS booth, which is located directly beneath our Times Square billboard, you can even snag half-price same-day tickets to a Broadway show!
Of course, one of the coolest things to do in NYC in the summer, or any time of year, is to appear on a Times Square billboard. Can you put your photo on a Times Square billboard? Of course you can, and thanks to Welcome to Times Square, prices start as low as $150! Check it out!