7 Reasons To Visit New York This Summer

For decades, New York has been one of the most famous and captivating cities in the whole world.  It is often referred to as the city that never sleeps or the ‘Big Apple’ and is synonymous with opulence, glamour, energy and entertainment.

As a result, the city attracts around 60 million visitors every year, and 60 million people can’t be wrong!

With so much to see and do, New York should definitely be near the top of your travel list this year. But in case you still need some inspiration or a little nudge before you book your tickets, here are seven reasons you should visit New York this summer.

1. To see the five boroughs in all their glory

Despite many having heard these names used, not everyone realises that New York is actually split into five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.

Far too many will gravitate towards Manhattan without giving much time or thought to the others. But if you truly want to experience New York, you need to visit every corner of the city – and what better time to do it than in the summer?

Manhattan is great for hotels, seeing all the tourist hotspots and getting a feel for the New York vibe. But Queens is great for delicious food and exciting restaurants, and in the summer, the Bronx Botanical Gardens are bursting with colour and beautiful flora.

Then you have Brooklyn which is great for art, fashion and enjoying beautiful green spaces, and finally, the Staten Island ferry is a great trip and a wonderful way to see the sites from the water.

2. For the beautiful accommodation

New York is home to some of the most charming, luxurious and cosy hotels the nation has to offer. You can also experience quirky hotels and those with famous pasts that played an interesting role in history.

As you know, when planning a trip anywhere you want to stay somewhere comfortable that you will enjoy. And from Hotel Edison and The Plaza to more affordable hotels and even AirBnbs further out of the city centre, there are so many great places to stay in and around the city.

3. To catch an unmissable Broadway show

New York’s theatre scene is famous across the globe and this summer there are loads of incredible performances not to be missed. From Chicago, Lion King and Wicked to Aladdin, Hamilton and The Book of Mormon, there is a show to suit every taste and mood.

If you love musicals, you certainly won’t be disappointed, but if not, you can also choose from a range of fairytales, dramatic plays and comedies.

Best of all, you can book your tickets before you go to guarantee seats. This is ideal if there is a show you really want to see. But if you’re not committed to any one title, then you can even buy on the day for a spontaneous show at discounted prices.

4. To soak up the skyline

The lights of Times Square, yellow taxi cabs and the Statue of Liberty are all iconic images of New York. But one thing’s for sure, when you think of the Big Apple, you think about the towering skyscrapers of the New York skyline.

Of course, this is a beautiful and iconic scene at any time of year, but in the summer you’ll get the contrast of a beautiful, bright sunny skyline and then later in the evening, the warm glowy sunset becomes the backdrop to a silhouette of skyscrapers.

Best of all, there are loads of great places you can go to get the best views of the Manhattan skyline.

If you want to enjoy it from the ground, check out Sunset Park in Brooklyn, Astoria Park on the East River or Wave Hill in the Bronx. Alternatively, if you want to get a better view, Summit One Vanderbilt is on the 67th floor of the One Vanderbilt skyscraper where you can enjoy impressive views.

You could also go up the One World Observatory, Empire State Building or get tickets for Top of the Rock.

5. For music, sports and entertainment

Broadway isn’t the only form of entertainment in the city. Far from it, in fact! There are loads of exciting music and sporting events taking place every day, as well as stand-up comedy, drag shows, art exhibitions and so much more.

With huge venues like Madison Square Garden and Brooklyn’s Barclay Centre, the city attracts huge names, and this summer you can see the likes of Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, Brian Adams and even the comedy stylings of Ricky Gervais.

However, there are loads of lively local performers you can enjoy too, in pub gardens, parks, small theatres and other cosy venues.

The city is also home to Yankee Stadium and baseball, football and basketball are all very popular there. So, if you’re into sports, keep an eye out for any games taking place, whether that’s huge national teams or small local players.

So, if you’re planning a trip to New York you should always be on the lookout for events taking place across the summer. And trust us when we say there will be plenty to see, you just need to keep your eyes peeled and you’re bound to find some sort of performance, gig or event that you’ll love.

6. For the food

New York is also famous for its food scene. As well as classics like pizza, cheesecake, bagels and giant pretzels, it also boasts cuisines from around the world.

 

Covering everything from burger joints and diners to Michelin Star restaurants, every borough has something different to offer. There is Little Italy and Chinatown for starters, but over the summer, you can also enjoy a huge variety of cuisines from food markets, exciting pop-ups and food trucks.

7. To see world-class art galleries and museums

Last but by no means least, New York is home to some fascinating museums and is well-regarded for its art scene.

Across the city, you can enjoy an array of artistic displays, whether you stop by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim art museum or simply just take in some of the truly amazing graffiti around the city.

If you are a bit of a history buff, you can learn about historic moments dating back as far as 3.96 billion years (the oldest known rock in the world) at the American Museum of Natural History.

You can also learn more about modern history if that’s more your style at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum or the Ground Zero Museum.