New York City can be very hot, humid, and sticky during the summer months. Additionally, June is one of the wettest months in New York City. This makes for an interesting and unique experience when traveling to New York in the summer.
In this article, we're going to help you prepare for NYC's summer heat with tips on:
- Understanding the challenge of the subways
- Packing for the heat
- Things to do
- The best food and drink options for hot summer days in New York City
- A common travel challenge in the summer
The NYC Heat & Subway Experience
While you may think you're used to hot weather, there is a big difference between dry heat and wet heat. New York City often has humidity at 80% or higher, and when coupled with 90+° temperatures, it makes for a very sticky situation.
Being in New York City in the summer is like being in a wet hair dryer. The second you step outside, you will feel slightly damp and be a little bit sweaty. That's just the way it goes.
Subway Temps
One of the stranger experiences is the intense heat inside subway stations. There is no AC in New York City subway stations, and while you think it would be cooler underground, the energy from the subways makes it extremely hot.
Subway stations are frequently 10-15° hotter than the outside temperature. An analysis conducted in July of 2015 found that the Brooklyn Bridge City Hall 456 platform hit 106.6°F, despite the outdoor temperature hovering around 90°F.
NYC Packing List for Summer
While we have a general NYC packing list, we'll cover some essentials for the hot summer months.
Here are items you should bring to NYC during the summer:
Activities & Things to Do
NYC has no shortage of fun activities, and that's true even in the summer. Let's look at some things to do when it's hot outside, and you need a place to cool down in New York.
- Museums
- Public library, specifically the flagship 5th Ave location
- Broadway
- City parks
- Beaches
- Ferries
Hot Day? Get Ice Cream
Some of our favorite ice cream spots in NYC include:
- Mr Softee, classic
- Salt & Straw
- Cafe Panna
- Van Leeuwen
- Italian Ice
A Note on Summer Travel to/from NYC
Almost every summer we have traveled to or from New York City, we've experienced delays at some point during air travel. While New York City is very hot, it often gets many lightning strikes and thunderstorms in the summer months. Those storms often lead to ground stops, delays, and travel issues when flying in and out of New York City.
If you are able to, base your travel plans on baking in a little bit of extra time just in case you hit delays; it's worth trying to do that.
You'll Have to Check It Out - Pier i Cafe
Pier i Cafe is both a phenomenal spot to eat on the Upper West Side AND something fun to do!
It's open from May to mid-October. But when open, it's an amazing spot to grab some delicious food and take in beautiful NYC days with a view of the water.
They offer local beers, fresh salads, really tasty fish and chips, and so much more.
The cafe is right near a pier and offers plenty of outdoor seating. We love coming here with our dogs!
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