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Summer in the Big Apple: a time for weekend beach trips, picnics in some of the world’s finest parks, uniquely urban, al fresco dining, and finding creative ways to try and beat the heat (especially when your apartment lacks central air). Whether you’re in a long-term relationship, starting to fall for someone new, or casually dating this summer, there’s no shortage of romantic, entertaining, and New York City-centric date nights you can plan. Swipe through for 15 favorites!
Central Park Row Boats
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It’s beyond classic, yet somehow not cliché. For $25 an hour, you can rent a row boat and paddle through Central Park Lake at your leisure, pausing to take some pictures of you and your partner on the water, with the stunning skylines that frame the park as your one-of-a-kind backdrop. Operated by the famed Central Park Boathouse, rentals are first-come, first-served. This is a rare NYC experience that both tourists and locals flock to in the spring and summer months, as it’s one of the most romantic ways to enjoy Manhattan’s key outdoor attraction.
Prospect Park Pedal Boats
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But if you live in Brooklyn and don’t feel like crossing the East River for some time on the water, Prospect Park — Central Park’s gorgeous twin sister — offers pedal boat rentals through their LeFrak Center at Lakeside. Ranging from about $35-45 per hour, depending on the exact size of the boat, couples can pedal around Prospect Park Lake and maybe even pay a visit to ‘Duck Island,’ stopping to admire the native wildlife. The LeFrak Center at Lakeside also boasts a roller skating rink that’s well worth checking out before you leave the park.
Rockaway Beach
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Whether you come out for the full day on a weekend, or summon the energy to hop on the train after work, spending the evening in the Rockaways is quite underrated. Pack a blanket, grab some drool-worthy burgers from Rippers or fresh fish tacos from Tacoway Beach, and enjoy your dinner on the sand — just in time to watch the sunset. Spending a date night at Rockaway truly feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle. Make the most of your local getaway by capping off the night at The Rockaway Hotel’s rooftop bar, as the pristine, boutique hotel has a great raw bar, and stellar cocktails, and offers ocean views, with the big city sparkling off in the distance.
Free Movies in the Park
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New Yorkers are lucky to have a large selection of free outdoor movies in various parks to enjoy each season. Spanning a range of nostalgic classics and newer features, some of this summer’s best offerings include Past Lives (in Brooklyn Bridge Park on July 11 and in Fort Greene Park on August 15), Clueless (in Prospect Park on July 17), and Moonstruck (in Union Square Park on July 18). Impress your date by packing dinner and drinks via picnic basket, and don’t skimp on the popcorn or movie candy.
Baseball
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What’s more American than enjoying a baseball game on a hot summer night? In NYC, there’s no shortage of ballparks. Fans can wear their best blue and white to spend an evening in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium, or don blue and orange over in Queens, cheering on the Mets while devouring what’s been rated as some of the best stadium food in the country. And if you’d rather watch a game before or after hitting the beach, minor leaguers The Brooklyn Cyclones play home games at Maimonides Park, situated just off the famous Coney Island Boardwalk.
Coney Island
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Speaking of Coney Island, it’s not a New York City summer until you’ve screamed on the landmark wooden coaster The Cyclone, or eaten funnel cake before taking a spin on the park’s crown jewel, the instantly recognizable Wonder Wheel. Luna Park, the formal name for the entity operating Coney Island’s many rides and attractions, offers extended hours in the summertime — open until at least 10 pm on weeknights and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. If you’re a true thrill-seeker, key roller coaster The Thunderbolt — celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and known for its 100-foot vertical loop — is not to be missed, especially at night. There’s something extra magical about running around an amusement park after hours, especially when you’re there with someone you’re falling for.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival
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For almost 50 years, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival has brought an exciting, eclectic lineup of artists across many genres to Prospect Park’s Lena Horne Bandshell. The free concert series never disappoints, and is the perfect place for an early-in-the-game date with someone who shares a love of live music. The festival always features great, local food stands and a wide array of drink options — which can get pricier, but when you’re enjoying hours of top-tier, live performances for free, the night as a whole will feel like such a steal.
SummerStage in Central Park
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Back in Manhattan, one of the best live events you can make your way to each summer is SummerStage in Central Park. The upcoming 2024 lineup for the city’s premier outdoor concert experience includes Counting Crows, Madison Cunningham, Snail Mail, a night of comedy headlined by David Cross, a weekend celebration for Bastille Day, and so much more. Some shows are free and others are ticketed; should you be eyeing one of the ticketed offerings this year, it’ll be well worth the price of admission. Hearing incredible music nestled within the east side of Central Park is nothing short of transcendent summer bliss.
Governors Island
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Governors Island is an enclave situated in the East River, just south of lower Manhattan and west of Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens neighborhood. Taking the NYC ferry to the Governors Island stop is a summer rite of passage in and of itself, as feeling the breeze hit your face on the ferry’s upper deck is its source of joy. But once you arrive on the island, you’ll be treated to 22 acres of beautiful parks, art installations, and breathtaking views of the city. This summer, New Yorkers can look forward to sporting their Gatsby-era best for events like August’s annual Jazz Age Lawn Party, but the best way to enjoy Governors Island might just be a leisurely weekend evening — soaking up the views and planning a dinner date around Island Oyster’s delicious seafood and Threes Brewings’ refreshing, local craft beer.
New York Liberty
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The NBA season may be over, but thankfully the WNBA is in full swing. Catching a New York Liberty game at Barclays Center is a strong contender for the absolute best way to beat the heat on the most sweltering of summer nights. The team (as of July 10th) currently leads the WNBA’s Eastern Conference, guaranteeing a supremely entertaining, action-packed night in Brooklyn’s iconic arena. After the game, you’ll be within walking distance of some of the borough’s best restaurants. Grab drinks and appetizers at the prettiest bar you’ve ever seen at Clinton Hill’s New American outpost, Sisters; then, settle in for ramen at Chuko or a Mediterranean feast at Miss Ada.
Date Night at the Met
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Though it happens year-round, Date Night at the Met is a special summer outing. Held at the famed Upper East Side museum on Friday and Saturday nights from 5-9 pm, patrons are treated to live music programming and delicious drinks, in addition to its world-class art — over 1.5 million pieces of which are currently on display. Museum admission is always pay-what-you-wish for New York residents; otherwise, adult tickets cost $30 each.
Ice Cream Crawl
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What’s better than savoring an ice cream cone with someone you love, to stay cool on a summer walk? Well, going on an ice cream crawl, perhaps! The city has no shortage of boutique shops that are whipping up refreshing and inventive flavors. Start your crawl with NYC’s summer staple: a soft-serve cone with rainbow sprinkles from the first Mister Softee truck you and your date come across. If you’re in Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens’ 1950s-era soda shop, Brooklyn Farmacy, is a must on your list — order a root beer float with two spoons. Afterward, you could wind your way into Cobble Hill to experience Malai, a shop that effortlessly incorporates Southeast Asian spices in flavors like masala chai, or stop by Dolce, a Carroll Gardens window serving up delightful gelato and sorbetto. If you’re staying in Manhattan, race over to Morgenstern’s in Soho before the line forms — their team has perfected the classics, while also offering up wild flavors like chocolate with Sichuan peppercorn. Then, end your crawl at Caffè Panna, the Roman-inspired shop near Union Square with an affogato sundae to die for.
Domino Park + Westlight
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Domino Park in Williamsburg boasts some of the most sparkling views of Manhattan. A perfect Brooklyn date night will often begin with grabbing some nachos and happy hour margaritas at the park’s year-round taco stand, Tacocina, and enjoying the start of the golden hour on the lawn. But Williamsburg also has some of the city’s liveliest and most worth-the-wait rooftop bars, so you should make your way over to Westlight, at the top of the William Vale Hotel, in time for sunset. In addition to the panoramic views, the bar has a great dinner menu, highlighted by melt-in-your-mouth octopus skewers and a serious burger. Try to snag a reservation ahead of time, but they do accommodate as many walk-ins as possible each night.
Japan Fes
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One of the best parts of living in New York City is knowing you can taste cuisine from every corner of the globe at the drop of a hat, whether you’re at a highly-rated restaurant or stopping by a food festival. One of the summer’s best festival offerings is Japan Fes, where you can count on finding exceptional ramen, sushi, matcha-flavored treats, boba teas, takoyaki, and so many other delicacies. Japan Fes has already begun this year and will continue popping up in different neighborhoods, including Chelsea, the East Village, the Upper West Side, and Park Slope, throughout July and August. It’s a perfectly unique, outdoor dinner date.
Red Hook
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Red Hook is best reserved for a day-to-night date on the weekend, as there’s so much to do and it’s a little hard to get to (you’ll take the ferry, a car, or Citi Bike, depending on where you live). The historic South Brooklyn port neighborhood is a foodie’s paradise, especially in the summer. Start the day with lunch at Brooklyn Crab, a multi-story crab shack with fresh seafood, flowing drinks, and games like cornhole and mini golf in its large backyard. Then, you’ll have to try Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie — the iconic stand makes mini chocolate-covered key lime pies that are best enjoyed down the block in Louis Valentino, Jr. Park, where you’ll have a picturesque view of the Statue of Liberty. Sunny’s, a favorite Red Hook bar, almost always has live bluegrass music — spend the late afternoon here and let the old-school saloon transport you out of NYC for a couple of hours. Before heading back home for the night, join the line at Hometown Bar-B-Que and treat yourselves to the city’s best ribs, coleslaw, and mac and cheese. Red Hook offers some of the most delicious cuisine that other areas in the city are lacking, so prepare to end the day by planning your next visit to this special neighborhood.
