By Blake Guthrie
Things to Do in New York City in June
June is when
New York City shakes off the last remnants of spring and settles in for the hot and muggy season. It is also when the city really comes alive on the outside, as people head for the parks and water and take to the streets more often as summer fever sets in. June is also when the pump is primed for a multitude of cultural activities that can't be experienced in springtime.
Shakespeare in the Park
This is one of the great traditional summertime things to do in New York City, and it's free. Shakespeare in the Park starts in early June and runs through September. It is a point of pride for some of the biggest names on stage and screen to make their star turn at this longstanding series at the open-air Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. Free tickets are given out the day of the show at the box office. Be sure to spend some time strolling and relaxing in the park after you get your tickets. If time permits, take in one of the two world-class museums that sandwich the Delacorte: the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History.
Delacorte Theatre Box Office
81 Central Park
New York, NY 10023
(212) 539-8750
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10028
(212) 535-7710
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024
(212) 769-5100
Puerto Rican Day Parade
Whether you're Puerto Rican, if you are anywhere near Midtown Manhattan on the second weekend in June, you need to know about this parade. There is a large Puerto Rican population in New York City, and it makes its presence known with a boisterous parade on Fifth Avenue to celebrate its history and culture. The parade, and events surrounding it all weekend, have been known to stop traffic cold for hours at a time, even pedestrian traffic. Unless you want to witness or be a part of the festivities, book your hotel far away from Fifth Avenue in Midtown on this weekend.
Music in the Parks
New York City has a lot of parks, and starting in June, they come alive with organized series of live music performances. The most widely known are put on by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera through their "Concerts in the Park" series, which occur at different parks throughout the city. There is also the "SummerStage" concert series in Central Park, which focuses more on pop, rock, hip-hop, folk and ethnic music. New York City has many street musicians who are unassociated with any organization. These performers populate city parks in the summer to maximize their exposure to passers-by. Check out Thompkins Square Park in the East Village and Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village for the best, or at least the more eclectic and unique, street musicians.
Sightseeing From a Boat
June is a good time to get on a boat and see the sights from the water. The city may be sweltering, but it's always windy and a few degrees cooler on the rivers and in the harbor. The Circle Line cruises are widely known for their guided three-hour tours that circumnavigate Manhattan. For a free, unguided tour, catch a ride on the Staten Island ferry. The ferry is part of the city's public transit system and departs from Whitehall Terminal at the southern tip of Manhattan. Stay on the back of the ferry when it leaves the terminal to catch great harbor and skyline views. Allow 90 minutes for the round-trip ride.
Circle Line Cruises
Pier 83, West 42nd Street
New York, New York
(212) 563-3200
New York Botanical Garden
The Bronx may not be the first place you think of when planning a June visit to New York, but the New York Botanical Garden is worth a trip, even with kids. This is a first-rate attraction that sits on 250 acres (including an unspoiled 40-acre forest where you can get an idea of what New York City looked like before it was settled and overbuilt) in the middle of the Bronx. The property adjoins the Bronx Zoo, but the two attractions aren't directly connected. It is a 1/2 mile between the two entrances, which is walkable, but there is also a shuttle. Separate admission is required for the zoo.
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd.
Bronx, NY 10458
(718) 817-8700
The Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Blvd.
Bronx, NY 10460
(718) 220-5100
About the Author:
Blake Guthrie has been a professional journalist since 1996. His articles have been featured in the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution," "Creative Loafing" and on Travels.com. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from Auburn University.
Photo Credits:
David Shankbone
