This list of the best things to do in New York City in June was written by Yana Zaytseva, co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
Summer in New York City is a vibrant time, especially in June. Longer days and warm sunshine create the perfect backdrop for a plethora of exciting activities. The city buzzes with energy, drawing both locals and tourists before the weather gets too hot. From rooftop bars to lively festivals, June in NYC offers a fantastic array of experiences.
This article covers the top events, excluding typical year-round activities, serving as your ultimate guide to enjoying New York City in June. So, let’s dive into the best things to do and make the most of this lively season!
Things to Do in New York City in June
Table of Contents: Things to Do NYC in June
Table of Contents: June Things to Do NYC
- Things to Do in New York City in June
- Sunset Salsa at Hudson River Park
- Hunt Down the Best Donut on National Donut Day
- Explore Photoville
- Attempt to Score Tickets to Shakespeare in the Park
- Watch the National Puerto Rican Day Parade
- Watch the NY Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks
- Spend the Evening Bopping Around a Night Market
- Catch an Outdoor Movie at the Rooftop Cinema Club Midtown
- Or at the Seaport Cinema
- Join the Today Show Concert Series
- Or Good Morning America Summer Concert Series
- Rock Out at a Hudson Yards Summer Concerts
- Make Reservations at Grand Banks
- Spend the Evening Eating Your Weight in Food at Smorgasburg
- Mermaid Parade
- Pride Parade
- Kick Off the Summer Season by Going Rooftop Bar Hopping
- Visit The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum for Free
- June Festivals in New York City
- Best Things to Do in New York City in June (Post Summary)
- Map of New York City June Activities
Sunset Salsa at Hudson River Park
Date: 2024 dates TBD
Calendar: Hudson River Park
Address: 408 12th Ave West, New York, NY 10018
Want to try dancing in NYC? Starting in June, Pier 76 at Hudson River Park transforms into a dance floor every Thursday until August. Salsa lessons for beginners kick off at 6:30 PM, making everyone loose and confident. The open dance session at 7:15 PM is a lively mix of locals, visitors, and all dance levels. With the talented and friendly instructor Talía Castro-Pozo, it’s one of the best things to do in NYC in June.
Hunt Down the Best Donut on National Donut Day
One of the best things to do in New York City this June is to treat yourself to some of the best confectionery treats you can get your hands on. If you’re looking to take it up a notch while visiting NYC this June, I’ll leave you with a round-up of some of the best donuts the city has to offer and what to order at each:
- Dominique Ansel | Cronut: croissant + donut… need I say more?
- Doughnuttery | Cinnamon or Fruit Cereal (these are mini donuts so you can try a lot of flavors).
- Doughnut Plant | Creme Brûlée (it’s just as delicious as it sounds).
- The Doughnut Project | Those Beetz Are Dope (Ricotta whipped filling with a beet glaze, just trust me).
Explore Photoville
In order to improve the accessibility and understanding of art and photography, Photoville, a nonprofit organization, works to foster greater awareness of both. Every year Photoville holds an outdoor photo gallery event that stays up for a few weeks. And for the first time, exhibits will be peppered around all five boroughs.
With over 80 exhibits to wander, spending an evening perusing photography is one of the best things to do in New York City in June. The best part? The outdoor exhibition is completely free. For those visiting New York City at the beginning of June make sure to add the opening ceremony to your calendar.
Attempt to Score Tickets to Shakespeare in the Park
If you’re visiting New York City in June make sure you don’t miss Shakespeare in the Park! The event is hosted by The Public Theater, an organization that has performed Shakespeare’s plays for over 60 years, for free! You’ll find the plays being performed at the 1,800-seat Delacorte Theater in Central Park. For tickets, you’ll have to arrive at the theater the day of the performance, but they’re a hot commodity.
There’s some serious, professional-level production value going into the performances. You’ll quickly understand why folks are so eager to get in line for tickets. Plus, the shows are enjoyable for audiences of all ages and interests.
Shakespeare in the Park is one of the most popular things to do in New York City in June so you’re going to want to show up early. Or you can always attempt to win digital lottery tickets. Stand-by tickets are distributed at noon every day there is a performance.
More info on how to get tickets, as well as what to expect can be found here.
Watch the National Puerto Rican Day Parade
And since 1958 one of the best things to do in New York City in June has been to celebrate your Caribbean neighbors at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. The parade marches down Fifth Avenue from 43rd to 79th Streets on June 11th, beginning at 11 AM.
It’s estimated more than one million spectators cheer on the parade annually. Meaning it’s one of the most popular things to do in New York City in June. It only makes sense, boricuas (Puerto Ricans) know how to party!
Watch the NY Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks
Date: 2024 dates TBD
Website: NY Philharmonic Concerts in the Park
Classical music isn’t to everybody’s taste but seeing it live is entirely different. The shows are epic and monumental, and an experience you won’t soon forget. Summer in New York City wouldn’t be the same without Concerts in the Parks!
Spend the Evening Bopping Around a Night Market
Exploring a night market is one of the best things to do in New York City in June. The amount of food, drinks, art, and live performances right at your fingertips under the gorgeous summer skies? Unreal! The weather is comfortable and with the sun setting later in the evening, don’t expect to be home before bedtime.
Everyone has heard of bar hopping, but have you ever heard of vendor hopping? That’s exactly where you can find me whenever the Uptown Night Market is up and running. This is one of the best things to do in New York City in June if you’re into trying a little bit of everything.
Enjoy authentic savory food or chilled sweet treats, catch whatever live performance is happening and soak in the beauty that is nighttime in New York City.
Catch an Outdoor Movie at the Rooftop Cinema Club Midtown
Prepare yourself for a movie-viewing experience unlike anything you could imagine. Thanks to the Rooftop Cinema Club, you can watch some of the most timeless films under the open sky in New York City in June.
On the roof of the Embassy Suites in Midtown, you’ll find lounge chairs and personal headphones to maximize comfort during your movie. The hotel provides a full bar and restaurant, and you’ll also find a concessions stand with typical movie snacks. This fun New York City June activity is hard to replicate elsewhere.
Arriving early and with your full party is paramount since the seats are first come first serve. Doors open an hour before the showing so there’s ample time for drinks and snacks too. The summer in New York City is never boring thanks to the Rooftop Cinema Club.
Or at the Seaport Cinema
Join the Today Show Concert Series
The Today Show Concert Series is an array of free events that take place throughout June in New York City. You can expect to see A-list artists perform for free in the Rockefeller Plaza. Depending on when you’ll be visiting New York City this June, you’ll be able to catch some big performers.
The only downfall is you have to arrive between 6:15 – 6:30 AM. But it’s a small price to pay for a free concert!
Keep in mind these are broadcasted events and if you’re close enough to the action you might be on TV. Guests are encouraged to make posters and to arrive bright and early, full of energy. For more information on tickets and what to expect click here.
Or Good Morning America Summer Concert Series
Similar to the Today Show Concert Series, one of the best things to do in New York City this June is to join Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series. Every summer at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, ABC’s Good Morning America holds its Friday Summer Concert Series. Doors open at 6:00 AM for the live performances that take place from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
Tickets are free but must be requested. Since this June activity in NYC is also broadcast, be prepared to be to filmed. The more energetic you are the better, we’re trying to make good TV here, people!
The 2024 lineup has yet to be announced. Check out the official website for updates.
Rock Out at a Hudson Yards Summer Concerts
Now you may not get as big of performers at the Hudson Yards Summer Concerts but you’ll still be getting a hell of a show. Every Wednesday from June 21st – August 9th at 6:00 PM the Public Square & Garden will host the free outdoor concert.
What makes the concerts one of the best things to do in New York City in June is the fact that after the performances, a few restaurants and bars in The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards will hold “After Hours” events with a live DJ and specials.
Make Reservations at Grand Banks
In the 18th and 19th centuries, oyster barges dotted NYC, fading over time. Grand Banks revives this tradition, offering sustainably harvested oysters in one of the city’s best waterfront restaurants. Closed in colder months, its summer reopening is eagerly awaited.
Located on Pier 25 in Tribeca, Grand Banks earns acclaim from CNN Travel, The Observer, and New York Magazine. With so many eyes focused on Grand Banks, I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t let you know dining here is one of the best things to do in New York City in June. Consider this an inside scoop and make reservations now!
Fun Fact: The ship (technically it’s a schooner) is named the Sherman Zwicker and was hand-built in 1942. In fact, it’s the largest wooden vessel in New York City!
Spend the Evening Eating Your Weight in Food at Smorgasburg
For foodies, a must-do in NYC in June is welcoming the return of Smorgasburg, the largest weekly outdoor food market in the U.S., known as “The Woodstock of Eating.” With over 60 vendors across three neighborhoods—World Trade Center on Fridays, Williamsburg on Saturdays, and Prospect Park on Sundays—it’s a culinary delight.
One of the best things to do in New York City in June is meet up with friends and jump from vendor to vendor trying all the delicious food. This is one of the most popular events in New York City in June, drawing 20,000 – 30,000 visitors every weekend!
Mermaid Parade
Just register and join thousands of other New Yorkers and visitors as you march down the streets of Coney Island dressed as mermaids. The event is like the streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras, but in New York City.
In fact, Mardi Gras was the inspiration behind this event back in 1983. Since then folks have come in from around the world to partake in this parade. Dress as creatively as you can and join fellow mermaids as you take part in one of the best things to do in New York City in June. If you’re registering to march in the parade, assembly starts at 10 AM. If you’re just going to watch the parade starts at 1 PM.
Pride Parade
Kick Off the Summer Season by Going Rooftop Bar Hopping
And speaking of sunset, during the month of June in New York City it takes place between 8:45 and 9 PM. This makes dates and drinks so much more romantic since there’s no need to scram to the rooftop bar right after work.
Need suggestions on which rooftop bars are worth visiting in New York City in June? We are currently working on a roundup of the best. Until then check out 10 Tasty Lower East Side Rooftop Bars (You Won’t Want to Miss).
Visit The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum for Free
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is considered one of the 10 best aviation museums in the world, reason alone to visit. Fortunately visiting is one of the best free things to do in New York City in June thanks to Free Fridays.
During the event the Intrepid Museum extends its hours and is open, free of charge from 5 to 9PM on the last Friday of each month, April through September.
More than 1 million visitors per year choose to visit this important New York City museum to explore the exciting collection and you get to do it for free! Expect to find authentic WWII fighter planes, aircraft carriers, a submarine used during the Cold War, a supersonic jet, and the NASA space shuttle Enterprise.
June Festivals in New York City
Brooklyn Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival
SummerStage Festival
SummerStage’s music varies in genre, so make sure to check the calendar to see who is performing before heading to the park. The event gets lively with people of all different generations and backgrounds. It’s a great way to spend your time if you’re looking for things to do in New York City in June.
Governors Ball Music Festival
Rum Festival
At the June NYC festival, you’ll learn about premium rums from the brands that produce them (and get a few samples). Speaking from first-hand experience, having someone guide you through the layers of liquor is an invaluable experience.
Five Points Festival in Brooklyn
Museum Mile Festival
New York City has designated 5th Ave from 82nd to 105th Streets the Museum Mile. During the Museum Mile event, the streets are closed to vehicular traffic and the doors of the museums along the stretch are opened to the public free of charge.
The street gets lively with vendors and musicians among the crowd adding to the ambience. The event takes place from 6 PM to 9 PM regardless of weather, so don’t forget to add this to your list of things to do this summer in New York City. Further info about this free summer activity in New York City can be found here.
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