A CUNY Student’s Guide to Summer in NYC

Summer is just around the corner, which means you can finally put your coat in storage and savor this well-deserved break.

If you need things to do, we’ve got you covered. As New York City residents and CUNY students, there is so much to do, and you should take advantage of every opportunity. From summer picnics to summer courses, here’s a roundup of things (many of which I’ve done) you can do to fend off boredom and make this summer unforgettable!

1. Thrill and Chill at Coney Island

Coney Island is the place for a thrilling summer, and Luna Park, its iconic amusement park, is a summer tradition for me and my friends. We challenge ourselves to go on all the rides, including the Sling Shot that sends you into the sky at up to 90 mph and more than 150 ft high, held in place with just a few cords. Afterwards, we explore the park and beach and eat lots of snacks. 

The Brooklyn Cyclones also play baseball throughout the summer, and they sometimes have fireworks displays after their games.

I got a photo with the Brooklyn Cyclones’ mascot last year. Of course, it’s a seagull.

2. Have a Picnic

Picnics are a great way to enjoy the summer weather and the city’s environment. 

Central Park is the perfect place for a picnic. You can sit by the lake, in the sun or under the shade! My friends and I had a picnic potluck last summer. We brought our cameras, Uno cards and a bracelet-making kit for a memorable afternoon. 

Our picnic setup in Central Park.

You can also find great picnic spots on CUNY campuses, including City College, Bronx Community College and Brooklyn College.

3. Sing Your Heart Out

The city is filled with fun and affordable karaoke spots!  

My favorite is Karaoke City in Manhattan’s Koreatown. I went on my birthday this past May with four of my friends, and we had an absolute blast. You’re put in a room with microphones and a TV with unlimited songs. You also have the option to order food and drinks. The only downfall of the experience was losing our voices by the end of it! The price is $50 an hour, but we split it and ended up paying $10 each. 

My friends and I singing our hearts out to Wicked’s “Defying Gravity.”

4. Try New Foods

During the summer, NYC has plenty of food festivals and markets with intriguing food options. Here are a few noteworthy ones:  

• Japan Fes is a large Japanese food festival that visits different parts of NYC throughout the year. This is your chance to try ramen, sushi, tempura and bubble tea all at once.
• Check out Smorgasburg. Through October, this open-air market runs Friday, Saturday or Sunday at three different locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Giant milkshakes and mozzarella sticks, birria tacos, rainbow grilled cheese sandwiches and raindrop cake are some of the many food choices I’ve enjoyed. 
• The Queens Night Market features cultural food from around the world, and items are capped at a max price of $5 or $6 to keep things affordable! The market is open every Saturday at Flushing Meadows Corona Park from 4 pm to 12 am, and will run until Oct. 25 (There will be a short break to accommodate the U.S. Open).

5. Ground Yourself With Nature

The Bronx is home to Wave Hill and the Bronx Botanical Garden, both of which offer nature-focused activities. Wave Hill offers garden walks, animal viewings and tree and plant potting sessions. The Botanical Garden’s Edible Academy offers programs about growing and preparing crops and practicing environmental stewardship. Wave Hill offers free admission on Thursdays, and the Bronx Botanical Garden is free on Wednesdays to NYC residents.

Bryant Park in Manhattan also has free outdoor activities like bird watching and tai chi.

A selfie taken in Bryant Park with some CUNY merch!

6. Take a Trip to Governors Island

Governors Island is a hidden gem in NYC. It’s a car-free environment open year-round with food trucks, bicycle and quadricycle rentals, photo backdrops and several events. You can get there by ferry from downtown Brooklyn or downtown Manhattan.

One of my favorite events there is the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party, which takes visitors back to the 1920s with vintage shops, outfits, photo booths, music and more.

7. Take a Summer Course

Like the spring and fall semesters, CUNY’s summer session (from May to August) offers in-person, hybrid and asynchronous courses, making it possible for you to learn new things and collect those credits towards your degree!

My goal is to graduate within four years, and taking summer classes has always given me more time to gain the credits I need to accomplish this. Enrolling in the summer session at different points in college is also helpful in that it makes returning to school less of a drag since I am keeping my mind active during the break.

8. Explore Arts & Culture with CUNY Arts

As CUNY students, we get free or discounted access to Broadway shows, The Met, MoMA and other unique arts and cultural opportunities in NYC.

9. Prepare for the Future

Don’t wait until the day before classes start to get ready for the fall semester (and beyond!). Lazy summer days are perfect for planning ahead. Here’s how to do that: 

• Chart A Path To Your Goals

Whether you want to get a 4.0 GPA, build relationships with your professors or make more friends, figure out what your objectives are for the next semester and make a plan to accomplish them. Every year, I like to make a vision board with my academic and personal goals. I look at it before and throughout the semester to keep myself on track.

My 2025 vision board that I created on Canva using images that remind me of all the goals I want to achieve for the year. The laptop in the middle left reminds me of how much I love making vlogs with my friends.

• Get Ready for Your Next Opportunity

Advance planning is key if you want to apply for popular opportunities. Use this time to get a head start on internship, fellowship job or graduate school applications for 2026. For any applications that require you to write a personal statement, here’s some advice.