Surviving NYC's Summer Heat: Activities, Tips & Packing List

<p>New York City can be very hot, humid, and sticky during the summer months. Additionally, June is one of the wettest months in New York City. This makes for an interesting and unique experience when traveling to New York in the summer.</p><p><strong>In this article, we&#39;re going to help you prepare for NYC&#39;s summer heat with tips on:</strong></p><ul><li>Understanding the challenge of the subways</li><li>Packing for the heat</li><li>Things to do</li><li>The best food and drink options for hot summer days in New York City</li><li>A common travel challenge in the summer</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em><strong>The NYC Heat &amp; Subway Experience</strong></em></p><p>While you may think you&#39;re used to hot weather, there is a big difference between dry heat and wet heat. <strong>New York City often has humidity at 80% or higher, and when coupled with 90+° temperatures, it makes for a very sticky situation.</strong></p><p>Being in New York City in the summer is like being in a wet hair dryer. The second you step outside, you will feel slightly damp and be a little bit sweaty. That&#39;s just the way it goes.</p><p><em><strong>Subway Temps</strong></em></p><p>One of the stranger experiences is the intense heat inside subway stations. There is no AC in New York City subway stations, and while you think it would be cooler underground, the energy from the subways makes it extremely hot.</p><p>Subway stations are frequently 10-15° <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44333-026-00083-7" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">hotter</a> than the outside temperature. An <a href="https://project.wnyc.org/subway-heat/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">analysis</a> conducted in July of 2015 found that the Brooklyn Bridge City Hall 456 platform hit 106.6°F, despite the outdoor temperature hovering around 90°F.</p><p><em><strong>NYC Packing List for Summer</strong></em></p><p>While we have a general <a href="https://bettertogetherhere.com/nyc-packing-list/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">NYC packing list</a>, we&#39;ll cover some essentials for the hot summer months.</p><p>Here are items you should bring to NYC during the summer:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=travel+sunscreen&crid=1HMIVKJAHJIJE&sprefix=travel+sunscre%2Caps%2C328&linkCode=ll2&tag=bettertogetherhere-20&linkId=437ef1612f2afd1b04d256e7e4ef1278&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Travel sunscreen</a></li><li>Sunglasses</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Handheld-PlayHot-Personal-Rechargeable/dp/B0D97YVVQ2?crid=1MAJT2MXG3DLY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.n5MMUxppKE8ln7bA7vtigA8bKL_Vk9xa4GPnjWKOR9UltNJkyDP9J8oxdKwvhcoxORmjI42VnOwBlWsUCHVPO6769V7pn-UA2ir8By5dX_F_LUq-T3xeFC-Eow3RDM-oJOQ3sCM17osp3BRyN56wzLhazkXsJq63e1Vv1PjJyKkKfEb34Tfk65lq4_TFbtBFM3tuRIqzKkmhAgopiNv8hNyoMueXAmIavqwkMNfxAGq5J6FJjADItDjtR9lSl3pL6FLEUx1jJDi3kytGzrW0V-FnxakwVjsPGK1XqOt80DI.q0Kx1J3peg3n2KdAo6ZaxhbD9F2oNYl5VgiVEUB31UU&dib_tag=se&keywords=portable%2Bfan&qid=1783971060&sprefix=portable%2Bfan%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-6&th=1&linkCode=ll2&tag=bettertogetherhere-20&linkId=f6bc3c6e717c15551c937bdd8a0c7b5a&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Portable fan</a></li><li>Hat</li><li>Lightweight, breathable clothing</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=electrolytes+packets&crid=RP9YNO21RXYE&sprefix=electrolytes+packe%2Caps%2C208&linkCode=ll2&tag=bettertogetherhere-20&linkId=46e4b8f908e066f055494448aa194188&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Electrolytes</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3WX3tkV" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Reusable water bottle</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/45RFUy7" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Compact umbrella</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><em><strong>Activities &amp; Things to Do</strong></em></p><p>NYC has no shortage of fun activities, and that&#39;s true even in the summe