If you’ve ever listened to The Lovin’ Spoonful, you have an idea of what summer can be like in New York City. Walking is always a popular mode of transportation, and the sidewalk can be, well, hotter than a matchhead . Luckily, there are plenty of ways to stay cool during a summer in New York. The rooms at The Concorde Hotel New York are always optimized for the comfort of our guests. On hot days, enjoy the view of the city from your air-conditioned room. Slip under the cool, plush comforter and enjoy a cold drink from the minibar or Café Bonsaii . But what fun is a trip to New York City if you don’t get out and explore just a little bit during your stay? You can sightsee and beat the heat with these tips from The Concorde Hotel New York.
Check out our list of fun ways to stay cool during summer in New York.
1. Visit a museum.
The Concorde Hotel New York is within walking distance from the Modern Museum of Art and the very chic Galerie Lefebvre . If you don’t want to trek the ten-or-so minutes in the heat, our front desk will be happy to help you catch a cab or hire a car. We’re a short drive to other cultural smorgasbords like Madame Tussauds , the Museum of the Dog , The Metropolitan Museum of Art , and The Museum of Natural History . NYC is the home of artwork by greats like Vincent Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, and Aaron Douglas. You can take a picture with (wax sculptures of) the stars, view artwork that is all dog all the time, and learn more about the natural world. And you can do it all in air-conditioned bliss!
2. See a play.
Broadway is cool—literally. Wicked , Hamilton , Dear Evan Hanson , Hadestown , and Tina never disappoint. Off-Broadway venues like The Public Theater , New World Stages , and The Metropolitan Opera are always a treat. And don’t forget about Off-Off-Broadway! These venues seat less than 99 people, and they may allow you to be one of the first to see the next great play. We go into more detail about places to see live theater in New York City in this article .
3. Experience the sea breeze at one of our beaches.
You can always spend a day at the iconic Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk . Get the air flowing on the Ferris Wheel, or sit in the sand and put your toes in the water. This spot usually has a multitude of events that are fun for the whole family, like outdoor movies and Friday Night Fireworks. Other beaches worth visiting during your summer in New York include Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, Orchard Beach and Promenade in the Bronx, Wolfe’s Pond Beach on Staten Island, and Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk in Queens.
4. Enjoy the nightlife.
Wait until temperatures drop and venture out at night. From comedy clubs to nightclubs, NYC is known as “the city that never sleeps” for a good reason. The Comedy Cellar often has surprise visits from some of the greats like Dave Chapelle, Jeff Ross, and Kevin Hart. Other comedy clubs of note include Gotham Comedy Club and The Stand NYC. If you like a nightclub where the music takes center stage, give Retroclubnyc a try. It’s just a seven-minute cab ride from The Concorde Hotel New York. Rumpus Room, Paradise Club, and Club Cumming also offer fun-filled evenings.
5. Go boating.
Visit The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park to rent a rowboat or go for a Gondola ride. It’s a unique way to see Central Park if you choose to spend some of your summer in New York. They also have several lakeside dining options: relax at the bar , sit down in the restaurant , or grab something to go from the café . The summer is also a great time to hop on the Ellis Island Ferry and visit The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island .
6. Find a spray shower at one of the parks or playgrounds.
There are plenty of sprinklers, splash pads, and spray showers throughout NYC. These are great ways for the young and young at heart to cool off during a hot summer day! Near The Concorde Hotel New York, you can track down one of these cool treats in Central Park , St. Catherine’s Park , MacArthur Playground , and Twenty-Four Sycamores Park . Some people can’t wait for hot weather, while others would rather stay indoors and pretend it never goes above seventy degrees. No matter your preference, you can have fun during the summer in New York. There are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy, and one of the benefits of being on an island is that beaches and cool ocean breezes are never far away.
Be sure to book your summer stay at The Concorde Hotel New York in Midtown. We offer a cool, comfortable reprieve from the summer heat, and we’re never far from the many attractions that make our city famous.