When we say New York is the city that never sleeps, we mean never, and there is plenty to do throughout the five boroughs as summer winds down. While the average daily temperature might climb into the 80s (or even 90s), it’s nothing that some sunscreen and shade can’t help.
Make your way to Flushing, catch a ferry to Governors Island, or wander up to Harlem to experience the best of what NYC has to offer in August. If you’re looking for things to do in Midtown, take a look at the full list of Rockefeller Center events and programming here.
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Fun Things to Do in NYC in August
1. Free Outdoor Films at Governors Island
Fridays starting August 5
Governors Island might just be the perfect Manhattan escape – close, but not too far. After all, there aren’t many places where you can stand in a rolling field while admiring the skyline in the distance. Throughout August, the island’s Parade Ground transforms into an outdoor movie theater. In partnership with Film at Lincoln Center, Governor’s Island will offer free outdoor films accompanied by pre-show entertainment, food, and drink. The festivities begin on August 5 with a screening of Sidney Lumet’s The Wiz, an iconic remake of The Wizard of Oz featuring the likes of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Richard Pryor. So hop on a ferry (running every half hour from Lower Manhattan), grab a patch of grass, and enjoy the show before summer slips by!
2. NYC Restaurant Week
Through August 21
In August, foodies can get a seat (and a cheaper bill) at a Michelin-starred restaurant. During Restaurant Week, eateries of all stripes throw their doors open, and multi-course menus are fixed at $30, $45, or $60 a head. Hundreds of places are taking part this year, and diners can enjoy llunch, dinner, or both. Browse participants and reserve your table here.
3. Harlem Week
August 12-August 21
Harlem Week is an annual festival that celebrates one of New York’s most vibrant neighborhoods. What started as a single-day event nearly 50 years ago is now a full ten days (despite the name) of in-person and virtual programming that celebrates the history, food, culture, art, and spirit of the uptown neighborhood. Attendees can enjoy an impressive range of activities from jazz performances and dance parties to running races and even a career fair. Local organizations like The Apollo Theater also get involved, and Uptown Night Market will host a food experience that includes a curated roster of local Harlem vendors, food, and drink. For the full line-up of events, click here.
4. Machine de Cirque at Little Island
August 26-28
From August 26-28, Little Island will present Machine de Cirque, the Quebec City-based performance company that blends traditional circus acts with theatrical and musical innovations. The group will be performing Robot Infidele, a brand-new production that follows a laborer in his workshop as he struggles to balance creativity with productivity. An enjoyable mix of mind-blowing stunts, cheery humor, and old-time showmanship, Machine de Cirque’s performances will surprise and delight audiences of all ages.
5. US Open Tennis
Starting August 29
Beginning August 29, the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year returns to Flushing Meadows in Queens. Each summer, the infamous US Open serves up world-class tennis at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home to Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis venue in the world. Tennis fanatics and casual spectators alike will be delighted by the level of play, rowdy night matches, and signature Honey Deuce cocktails. The play continues rain or shine (thanks to that new retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium), so grab a seat on the 7 train and make your way to one of the greatest sporting events of the year.
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