June is the month when New York City turns the liveliest. During this month, the alpha city attracts the most tourists every year. Traveling to New York can be the most exciting and fulfilling experience of your life. Before traveling to New York in June, you must have an itinerary, and a well thought out plan to make the most of your time in the city that never sleeps. As the largest City and business hub of the US, New York, is a destination that has a lot to offer – from sights and sounds to eateries, and from skyscrapers to lively nights – it has got you covered. The magic lies in catching up with the hustling and bustling life of the city.
New York offers plenty of activities for adventurous people who want to have the experience of their lifetime while in the city of lights. It is a city for tourists, explorers, history buffs, and art lovers, especially considering its colonial past. And if you want to try something different, you can take a cruise ship and enjoy playing with the majestic Hudson River waves.
Being the alpha city, traveling to New York can be an expansive experience. But once you are here, you will enjoy every bit of your time. In June, New York hosts a number of sports and cultural events, so if you are planning to travel to the city at this time of the year, you are in for an exceptional and enthralling experience that you’ll cherish for your life.
We have curated a list of 21 most important and fun things to do in NYC in June. Read this blog in full to get an idea what New York City has to offer.
Here Are Some Fun Things To Do In NYC In June
Here is a comprehensive list of things one can do in New York City in June. This is not an exhaustive list of most unusual things to do in New York for first-timers, but if you are traveling to New York, for the first time, there are many things you can do to enjoy your time to the fullest.
1. Attend Pride Parade
June is National Pride Month, and the proponents of the movement join the celebrations in large numbers. Why should a city as massive as New York hold back then? New York hosts an annual pride parade. It is all about celebrating differences and celebrating everyone, that’s why, whether you identify as LGBTQIA+, cis, or trans, this parade is for you. It is definitely one of the most important things to do in New York for free because love doesn’t cost a cent.
2. Watch Some Dance Performances
The City of New York is a heaven for artistes. It’s famous for its art-friendly eco-system. The city hosts multiple concerts and dance performances throughout the year. In winter, figure skating is a prominent sport that attracts thousands of performing arts lovers. In Spring and Summer salsa, flamenco, ballet, and freestyle dancers entertain you to the core.
3. Attend A Candlelight Concert
NYC Spaces hosts one of the most romantic candlelight concerts, if you get a chance to attend it, it’s surely one of the most romantic things to do in NYC. You can enjoy everything from modern hits to cult classics in a gorgeous candle-lit setting. Discover the variety of choices; there are concerts to suit every taste, and you can book the tickets online to have an experience that’ll leave you awestruck.
4. Participate in the Juneteenth Parade And Educate Yourself
June 19 is referred to as Juneteenth. It is also known as Freedom Day that commemorates the day on June 19th, 1865, when slavery was abolished in the United States by President Abraham Lincoln through the historic Emancipation Proclamation. After NYC schools observed the day as a vacation in 2020, former governor Cuomo signed it into an official state holiday. There is an annual parade organized to symbolize and celebrate the occasion. Participating in Juneteenth can be one of the most unusual things to do in New York.
5. Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards has become an integral part of the it-culture in NYC. If you want to enjoy your weekend in New York, go and check out Hudson Yards. It can be one of the fun things to do in NYC on the weekends or on your vacation. An exciting third season of “Backyard at Hudson Yards” is on the way in June 2024! ‘The Bowery Presents’ presents a series of weekly concerts that showcases and celebrates new and upcoming talents.
6. Boogie Away Your Blues At Lincoln Center
Want to share the stage and move your legs with disco dances? Are you ready to grove? Lincoln Center is the perfect place to show your talent. It has the biggest dance floor, and you can definitely put your moves to the test there. For the summer, Lincoln Center Plaza is all set to become a dance floor. Apart from the dance floor, hundreds of artists and cuisines from all across the city will perform to enthral the New Yorkers and let them enjoy to the fullest.
7. Score Tickets To Broadway
Broadway is one of the most celebrated theatres in NYC. Going to a Broadway show is on the bucket list for many people in New York. This is why, when you are in town, allow yourself to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience in New York. You can also make a date out of it.
8. Catch A Helicopter Ride
This is for the adventure-lovers who dare to spend their bucks and live on their own terms. One of the most adventurous things to do in New York is to take a helicopter ride across the New York skyline, which is one of the best ways to have an aerial view of the city. This doesn’t need to be super expensive, as there are several budget-friendly options available for tourists as well.
9. Take A Cruise
Want to try some out-of-the-box date night ideas? A cruise dinner date is one of the many romantic things to do in New York at night. You may find many cruise sites, dotting New York’s vast coastline. You can choose a deal that fits your budget and requirements. The best date night ever awaits you.
10. Check Out the Governor’s Ball
Don’t be alarmed; it is not the tuxedo-bow affair. It is an annual music festival that takes place every summer. You can attend this event with your family. It is one of the best things to do in NYC with teens. This year, the most awaited music festival in New York City returns with an incredible line-up – SZA, Post Malone, 21 Savage, and the Killers – that promises to make you dance through the night. The event will take place from Friday, June 7th, to Sunday, June 9th.
11. Comedy Shows
Comedy shows attract a large number of audiences especially in June. The month sets the ball rolling for comedians. If you happen to attend a comedy show, it’s going to be the craziest things to do in New York. If you are into comedy and don’t mind laughing out loud, you can book a ticket and enjoy your time with friends and family.
12. Attend Free Concerts
There are plenty of things to do in New York for free. You can attend a concert for free. Yes, it’s true. New Yorkers find ample time to attend such concerts during the scorching summer. If you want to attend one, ask your friends to get ready for a free treat.
13. Celebrate The Puerto Rican Day
New York is one of the most diversified cities in the world. The New Yorkers value diversity. The National Puerto Rican Day Celebration is one of the finest examples where everyone participates in the parade. Sunday, June 9th, 2024, marks the 67th anniversary of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. The event will commence at the Fifth Avenue in commemoration of and celebration of Puerto Rican leaders, educators, artists, and celebrities who have influenced the cultural identity of the country. Attending this parade is fun and it is one of the free things to do in New York.
14. Celebrate Father’s Day With Craft Brews
New Yorkers celebrate Father’s Day with fervor. If you want to give a precious present to your father, or surprise him, take him to one of New York’s famous breweries that offer Craft Brews to make his special day, awesome. It is definitely among the unique things to do in NYC.
15. Check Out The Speakeasies
Do you want to enjoy a drink in a typical New York? The vibrant city has quite a few of those speakeasies, and you can find them on Google. Definitely not the most hidden thing to do in New York.
16. Eat Your Heart Out At The Outdoor Food Market
Who doesn’t love food? New Yorkers’ love for food knows no bounds. There are quite a few famous food markets in NYC. You can order your favorite pizza or a crunchy waffle to tantalize your tastebuds. Enjoy your night out with family and make the most out of it. The experience is simply mind-blowing. It could be a very fun thing to do in New York for a birthday. Walking around, hopping one shop to another can serve as a good exercise.
17. Check Out Luna Park at Cooney Island
If you want to spend quality time with kids while in New York, visit the historical and famous Central Park. It has a lot to offer. It could be a fun thing to do in NYC with kids. Let the kids enjoy various rides, while you take time for a stroll with your better half. You can also visit Luna Park or Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park to enjoy the city’s landscapes.
18. Salsa At Hudson River Park
Imagine you are engaged in a Salsa competition at the Hudson River Park? It can become a reality. If you are traveling to NYC, you can get a chance to show your moves at the beautiful Hudson River Park. In June, the site gets transformed into a burning dance floor. All Salsa dancers are invited, so you can have your chance. There is a vibrant mix of dancers who participate in regular dance sessions, choreographed by Talía Castro-Pozo. You won’t get this chance anywhere; this is indeed a very unusual thing to do in New York.
19. Stroll Around The Night Market
If you are traveling to New York, you are lucky. You have a chance to appreciate and celebrate the rich culture at Queens, a famous neighborhood, known for its night life. It presents a vibrant collection of taste, fashion, music, shopping, and what not. It can be a fun and cheap thing to do on a NYC trip.
20. The Annual Mermaid Parade
Traveling to NYC with your mermaid-obsessed toddlers? Well, here is one fun thing to do with toddlers in NYC. Coney Island has been celebrating summer with an annual Mermaid Parade for more than 40 years. It is one of the most incredible things to do in New York City in June, and the fun fact is that you can also participate in this parade! Register to march through Coney Island dressed like mermaids alongside hundreds of other New Yorkers and tourists. The scene is reminiscent of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras streets, except in New York City.
21. Check Out Brooklyn Flea Market
Thrifting is sustainable, and Gen Z loves to save money. If you are a thrift connoisseur, you can engage yourself in a cheap thing to do in NYC. Every Saturday and Sunday in June, DUMBO—under the Manhattan Bridge—is home to the Brooklyn Flea Market. It’s the largest flea market in Brooklyn, with sellers offering a wide range of goods – from jewellery and crafts manufactured by local designers and artists to vintage items. Of course, there’s an abundance of delicious food to keep you going as you shop.
Conclusion
In a city as big as New York, there is nothing short in supply. There are a number of things to do in NYC in June, and turn your trip into a memorable, lifetime experience. We have curated a list of 21 unusual and fun things to do in NYC with your friends and family. What’s stopping you? Book your flight to New York, and live a life that you deserve!
Is June a good time to visit NYC?
June is when things truly get moving in New York! You can enjoy the sun-baked sandy beaches without worrying about the holidays. If you’re determined to visit the city in June, the time is now.
What is there to do in New York City in June?
June in New York is a time of celebrations and happiness. There are many festivals that attract a large number of tourists from across the world. From Governor’s Ball to Hudson Park summer concerts and many other things that offer great entertainment to tourists and locals. Parades like Pride, Puerto Rican Day Parade, and Juneteenth Parade serve a great purpose for city dwellers and tourists to unite for a cause and celebrate inclusivity. There are other activities that you can go for to keep your children motivated and entertained during their much-awaited summer break.
How should I dress in New York City in June?
Dress however you like, but it should be appropriate and modest. You can opt for tank tops, light blouses that are made up of breathable fabric. Gents can wear shorts, casual shirts, or tees. Summer is all about wearing light, airy, and breathable clothes, and you should do just that. New York is the fashion hub, so you can go as wild as you can with dresses that look good on you. Just don’t forget to have a sunscreen and a wide floppy hat if you are too sensitive to the sun.
