Beyond the 9-5: The Best Things to Do in New York this July

Summer in the city has never looked so good. Things in the Big Apple are hotting up this July, and we are ready to take a bite!

Naomi Chadderton

An experienced editor and journalist specialising in news and lifestyle.

Beyond the 9-5 is our round-up of all the best things to do in New York each month. July will have you out and about soaking up the sunshine.

1Cocktails Above the Clouds

When the weather is fine, New Yorkers go high…our hot spots are oysters & small plates at the Panorama Room on Roosevelt Island. Or head to the 22nd-floor rooftop bar at Westlight, Brooklyn for craft cocktails and sweeping views of New York City.

2Raise the Roof at The Met

Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art isn't confined to the inside, For the 2025 Roof Garden Commission, Jennie C. Jones has produced Ensemble. Only her second outdoor sculptural installation. These acoustic sculptures explore the sonic potential of stringed instruments as well as their formal possibilities.

The exhibition will run until October 19th.

3Shop Your Way Around the Summer Street Fairs

NYC street fairs take over various blocks in all five boroughs when the weather gets warmer. While frolicking along the city's sidewalks, snack on sensational locally sourced eats and score stellar outfits and antiques. Our favourites are Grand Bazar, the oldest, largest and some say the most diverse curated market, located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Flea which sets up under the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO giving it a great vibe with awesome city views.

4Soak up Some Sounds at SumerStage

One of the most anticipated summer concerts known for its free tickets and exceptional line-up is the iconic SummerStage. The mainstage in Central Park houses plenty of gigs, but the series is by no means a Manhattan-centric affair, with concerts taking place all summer at parks and outdoor spaces throughout NYC. This year the festival has expanded to include film screenings and dance performances.

Events run until October 9th.

5Pick Up Your Paddles

..and play Pickleball at Wollman Rink in Central Park, the largest pickleball offering in the Northeast! This is the third season for pickleball on 14 courts in the center of Manhattan. This tennis/ping-pong/badminton hybrid has become the country's fastest-growing sport, with more than 130,000 New Yorkers flocking to Wollman Rink's courts in recent years. All skill levels are welcome for court rentals, clinics, open play, and private events.

From 8am to 9pm daily.

Asian man playing pickle ball at Wollman Rink

6Head to the Hudson

Beat the heat, and enjoy some one-of-a-kind views of the city by hitting the water in a Kayak! Many of the city’s most popular boat houses provide free rides over the Summer, so there’s no reason for you to resist the 20-minute rush of riding on the water!

The Downtown Boathouse; Pier 26.

7Grab your Popcorn

Many free outdoor movie screenings are taking place all over town this summer, but none boast an ambience quite like that of the Intrepid Museum's Summer Movie Series. After all, you get to watch some awesome movies while hanging out on the aircraft carrier's flight deck at sunset. How cool!

25th July: Showing The Abyss. Tickets are free and space fills fast so arrive early.

8Salute the Sun at Bryant Park

NY’s best open-air yoga studio is back for the Summer, situated behind the New York Public Library, Bryant Park offers a packed schedule of free entertainment during the summer. Now in its 22nd year, the beloved al fresco fitness tradition has grown from a few mats on the lawn to one of the city’s largest and most consistent community workout programs.

Led by over 30 of the region’s top instructors, each session offers a fresh flow, welcoming all skill levels and ages. Whether you're a seasoned vinyasa pro or a "what's a downward dog?" beginner, you're invited to stretch, sweat and find your zen in the heart of Midtown. The park also boasts free wireless access.

Classes take place twice a week: Tuesdays at 10am on the Upper Terrace and Wednesdays at 6pm on the Lawn.