New York is a sweltering urban jungle in the midsummer heat. Tarmac streets shimmer in the midday sun, and warm garbage smells permeate the air. Anyone who is anyone flees from Manhattan melt in June, July, and August in search of sea breezes and margaritas in the Hamptons – but if you find yourself on the grid in the sweltering sun, here are my top tips to beat the heat.
1. Head to the water
It is easy to forget that New York is, essentially, an island. You probably only need to walk a few short blocks in search of a breeze off the Hudson. For the adventurous, New York is a great place to sail, paddle board, or even jet ski. For the rest of us, South Street Seaport is the place to head for pubs on piers. For a quiet stroll or jog along the outskirts of the city the Hudson River Park boasts 400 acres of parkland bordering the river.
2. Find the Fro-Yo
Sweet tooth? Need to replenish the moisture and calories lost in the midday heat? Find your nearest frozen yoghurt vendor for a refreshing and healthy(ish) snack, a typical treat for the on-the-go New Yorker. YoGo trucks pop up on streets corners across the city, and Pinkberry bars are never too many blocks away.
3. Avoid the midday sun and simmer in the nighttime heat
New York comes alive at night in the summer. Hide from the beating sun in the day, but seek rooftop bars and evening events in the evening. Rooftop cinemas, the Met’s roof garden, and Shakespeare in the Park are all highlights of the summer months on any New Yorker’s calendar. Make the most of the nighttime warmth but don’t forget to top up on insect repellant.
The Met’s Rooftop Garden offers a stunning view of the skyline, sculpture, and martinis – what’s not to like?
4. Seek culture
New York is filled with fun free cultural events come summertime. The Lincoln Centre Out of Doors offers a phenomenal free programme of events. Over the years I have enjoyed stunning performances by flamenco dancers, ballerinas, and even Sly and the Family Stone here and this year’s programme of drumming, rockabilly, and brass bands cannot fail to please. The aforementioned Shakespeare in the Park provides New Yorkers with free, top notch visions of the Bard’s classics (this year’s Comedy of Errors was a performance I will never forget, and the upcoming musical rendition of Love’s Labour’s Lost is not to be missed!)
5. Flee the grid
The fringes of New York are home to some pretty special places. Summer is a perfect time to hop on the subway (which boasts blissfully airconditioned carriages, but Hades-esque sweltering platforms) and ride to the end of the line to reach the delightfully kitsch Coney Island – complete with boardwalk and vintage fairground rides. If the seaside is not your bag, head up to the Met’s little sister, The Cloisters – a remarkable place filled with medieval art and built out of twelfth- to fifteenth-century architectural fragments. My personal favourite summer escape is Governor’s Island – only open on summer weekends and accessible by ferry from downtown Manhattan. This tiny 172-acre island was a military base and then home to the Coast Guard before it was opened to the public in 2003. The island is still in development, new public parks and art spaces are being built as I type, but there are already forts to explore and sculptures to climb. Pack a picnic!
6. Beware the storms
If you are lucky enough to be in New York on a balmy summer’s day, soak up the sun in Central Park and dine at a little cafe on the sidewalk. Be sure to stay within a short dash to your apartment or hotel, though – it’s not only Broadway that lights up at night in midsummer Manhattan. New York thunderstorms are legendary so make sure you pack an umbrella and some waterproof mascara.
7. Enjoy!
Follow Sophie on Twitter @sophiejpitman
