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Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Cherry Esplanade
Picnic and relax on a sunny day at one of Brooklyn’s prettiest summer attractions.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Admire more than a thousand varieties of trees on the garden’s campus, including this weeping willow.
Coney Island
Stroll on the Boardwalk past Nathan’s Famous and the parachute jump tower, and—if you dare—ride the Thunderbolt roller coaster.
Brighton Beach
This Brooklyn beach is great for sunbathing and swimming. While you’re in its namesake neighborhood, try the amazing Russian food.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
During July and August, this park hosts Movies with a View. If anything, the name is an understatement.
Celebrate Brooklyn
See big-time musical acts in Prospect Park, often for free, on a summer night. Sit up close (if you get there early enough) or picnic on the grass.
Central Park
A rock outcropping, a lush lawn, Manhattan buildings in the background—mere descriptions tend to fail when it comes to conveying the magic of Central Park.
View from the Manhattan Bridge
Walk the Manhattan Bridge around sunset for a magnificent panorama of Manhattan, plus Dumbo highlights like Brooklyn Bridge Park (and, yes, the Brooklyn Bridge).
Mermaid Parade
Join thousands of marchers in colorful sea-themed costumes (some of which, er, don’t cover much) dancing their way through the streets of Coney Island.
Red Hook
This Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood sometimes feels like a quiet beach town on a pleasant summer day. Stick around until sundown for the harbor views.
Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach, in Queens, is your stop if you want to hang ten—it’s the only NYC beach where surfing is allowed. Novices can rent a board and take lessons.
Roosevelt Island Tramway
Hitch a ride over the East River to Roosevelt Island and back on one of the City’s more novel and fun forms of transit.
Staten Island Ferry
Get free views of Lower Manhattan on this commuter boat ride. Bring your camera—there are photo opportunities of the Statue of Liberty and other landmarks.
Staten Island Yankees
This minor league team’s ballpark is right by the water and has great views of Manhattan's downtown skyline just beyond the outfield.
Washington Square Park
Picnic, watch acrobatic performers, listen to piano players, read by the fountain and sing classic tunes with busking guitarists at Greenwich Village's lively center.
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More In Outdoors & Recreation
Summer in the City
In summer, New York City goes outside for picnics in parks, baseball games, Coney Island thrill rides, Russian food in Brighton Beach and scenic walks across the Brooklyn Bridge. Check out these and other ways to have your own perfect NYC summer.