Swimming in New York

Swimming in New York is a fun activity if you want to escape the summer heat. During the summer months, Manhattan can get very hot, and humid, so if you’re planning on booking a trip in July or August, be prepared. New York is a crowded city, full of buildings and traffic. Air-conditioning seems to be the only way to keep cool. Manhattan doesn’t offer many places to swim but there are several outdoor options, in other parts of the city. There are also lots of activities and places you can go to beat the heat: New York has several nice beaches!

Contents

1 Beaches in New York
2 Water sports in New York

Beaches in New York

If you love going to the beach, New York has a few good options. For instance, spend a day at the Hamptons and mingle with the rich and famous. The Hamptons is quite far from Manhattan and it will take you a while to get there using public transportation. If you want to visit, it’s best to book your New York to The Hamptons day trip in advance.

In Brooklyn, you’ll find Coney Island: known for its large beach and amusement park. The beach isn’t that close to Manhattan either, so the best way to get there is by bus! Why not take the Pizza Tour to Brooklyn and Coney Island? During this tour, you’ll discover Brooklyn, taste pizza and visit Coney Island. You can then stay in Coney Island for as long as you like, to enjoy the sun.

Another New York beach is Rockaway Beach on the south side of Queens. The easiest way to get here is by taking the Rockaway route of NYC Ferry, offering you a nice boat ride at the same time. You can enjoy the beach and the Atlantic Ocean without any hassle if you choose to rent your beach chair, beach umbrella and beach towel!

Eric’s Tip: The Royalton Hotel in New York (formerly known as the Gansevoort Hotel) has a pool and rooftop bar. If you want to enjoy a rooftop dip every day, book a room at this Park Avenue hotel.

Water sports in New York

There are lots of other summer activities that you can do in New York in order to escape the heat. Please note that all the listed activities are seasonal. So don’t miss out if you’re planning on going to the Big Apple during the summer holidays!

Jet skiing

Did you know that you can go jet skiing in New York? While cruising the waters, you’ll be able to admire all major highlights of the city. You’ll pass by the Statue of Liberty at 90 km/h! This activity starts and ends at Rockaway Beach. After your jet ski experience, you can enjoy the beautiful weather on the beach.

Eric’s Tip: Yes I did it and yes it’s worth it. And yes you really go that fast! And I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to do it again.

Kayaking

If you love water sports, but don’t like speeding, kayaking on the Hudson is a good option. You can even go on a tour if you’ve never kayaked before. With a tour, you combine sightseeing and sports. You’ll be able to practise for a while around the dock before following the guide towards the Hudson.

Rowing in Central Park

You can also rent a rowing boat in Central Park. This is a fun activity on a hot summer day. You can sail across the lake in Central Park in a classic rowboat and enjoy the beauty of the park from the water. This activity is booked in combination with renting a bike for the day, which gives you the opportunity to fully explore the park in every way.

Eric’s Tip: Are you travelling with kids and looking for a cooling activity? Many playgrounds in New York offer different water elements where kids can splash around. Head to the Heckscher Playground in Central Park, for instance, just make sure kids have waterproof shoes on!

Posted in Activities in New York