Outdoor Movies NYC are a highlight every summer. Watching a movie under the stars is a great thing to do just about anywhere, but in NYC, we throw in a view of the Brooklyn Bridge or NYC Skyline, the sound of the water lapping, the scenery of Central Park or just the fact that you’re on the Flight Deck of a war ship!
Each free summer outdoor movie festival has it’s own theme, allowing you watch classics, kid-friendly films or the latest blockbusters.
Add your Outdoor Movie to the New York City Events calendar.
Annual Intrepid Museum Summer Movie Series
June 30, July 28 & August 25, 2023
The Intrepid Museum’s summer movie series returns this summer! Watch a movie on Intrepid’s flight deck, featuring classic films enjoy FREE FRIDAYS (select 2023 Friday nights April 28, June 30, July 28, August 25, September 29)! Enjoy FREE sea, air & space themed movies under the stars all summer long on the Flight Deck!
- Friday, June 30: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
- Friday, July 28: Crimson Tide
- Friday, August 25: Top Gun: Maverick
The flight decks opens at 7pm, film begins at sunset. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, however no outside alcohol is permitted.
More Info:
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Bryant Park Movie Nights
June 12 – August 14, 2023 (lineup announced in May)
Every Monday night throughout the summer, Bryant Park shows free classic movies. You can bring your own picnic or order food from any of the dozens of local vendors, even sometimes in advance.
More Info: Bryant Park Movie Nights
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Lincoln Center Outdoor Movies Under the Stars
2023 Movies will be a celebration of pioneering musician Terence Blanchard, Can’t Stop the Street: Hip Hop on Screen, a five-film mini-festival, and an evening curated by the New York Asian Film Festival.
- Wednesday, June 14 at 9:00pm – Eve’s Bayou – Terence Blanchard Celebration, “See Me As I Am” Series
- Friday, June 16 at 9:00pm – Love & Basketball – Terence Blanchard Celebration, “See Me As I Am” Series
- Wednesday, June 21 at 9:00pm – Da 5 Bloods – Terence Blanchard Celebration, “See Me As I Am” Series
- Thursday, June 22 at 9:00pm – Style Wars – “Can’t Stop the Street: Hip Hop on Screen”
- Friday, June 23 at 9:00pm – Scratch – “Can’t Stop the Street: Hip Hop on Screen”
- Thursday, June 29 at 9:00pm – Juice – “Can’t Stop the Street: Hip Hop on Screen”
- Friday, June 30 at 9:00pm – Friday – “Can’t Stop the Street: Hip Hop on Screen”
- Wednesday, July 12 at 9:00pm – Wild Style – “Can’t Stop the Street: Hip Hop on Screen”
Lincoln Center Summer for the City
June 14 - August 12, 2023
Touted as the "The Ultimate New York Festival," Lincoln Center is back this year with a bang - hosting over 300 events all summer long. Dancing Under the Stars (formerly Midsummer Night Swing), free outdoor movies, dancing, singing, readings, celebrations, flamingos, disco ball, poetry, Mozart, concerts, crafts, Juneteenth and much more!
More Info: Lincoln Center Summer for the City
Summer on the Hudson Pier I Picture Show
Free outdoor movies under the stars on Manhattan’s west side waterfront!
Movies start at Dusk, around 8:30pm. Free Popcorn! Beverages and snacks available for purchase.
Summer on the Hudson 2023
Pier I @ 70th St
Wednesdays, July 5 – August 16, 2023.
Pier I @ 70th St Movie Line Up:
- July 5 Enchanted (2007) PG | 1h 47m
- July 12 Back to the Future (1985) PG | 1h 56m
- July 19 Luca (2021) PG | 1h 35m
- July 26 My Cousin Vinny (1992) R | 2h
- August 2 Pleasantville (1998) PG-13 | 2h 4m
- August 9 Roman Holiday (1953) NR | 1h 58m
- August 16 The Terminal (2004) PG-13 | 2h 8m
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Annual Central Park Film Festival FREE
Every year in August, Central Park hosts a week of evening film screenings in the landscape just north of Sheep Meadow and south of the 72nd St. Cross Drive. Attending the Central Park Film Festival is free, the gates open at 6:30pm and movies start at 8pm. Make sure to bring your picnic and blanket!
© Photo Central Park Conservancy
August 16–19, 2022 Central Park Movie Lineup (Documentaries):
- August 16: The Territory (premiere screening)
- August 17 – America’s National Parks
- August 18 – Fire of Love
- August 19 – JANE
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Seaport Cinema 2023
Summer flicks. Skyline views. Seaport Cinema is back and bringing your favorite films (and some new ones) to The Rooftop at Pier 17. Enjoy snacks and drinks during the movie with a menu of popcorn, tater tots, chicken fingers, pretzels, candy, beers and cocktails (for purchase).
2023 Seaport Cinema Movie Lineup:
- June 12 – Air Bud
- July 25 – Jaws
- August 16 – Step Up
- September 21 – Pitch Perfect
Doors open at 6:30pm. Come early to stake out your spot (seats are first come, first served) and settle in. The Seaport Cinema
Brooklyn Bridge Park – Movies With A View
Celebrate the 23rd season of Brooklyn’s beloved outdoor film series! Movies take place on eight consecutive Thursdays in July and August, organized by Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy.
2023 dates include July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3, August 10, August 17, and August 24 at Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn. Doors open at 6:00 PM, movies start at sundown.
Celebrating the theme of “We Are Family”, movie titles will include: Despicable Me, E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Goodfellas, Psycho, Smoke Signals, Top Gun, and a public choice vote of The Addams Family (1991), Little Women (2019), or Romeo + Juliet (1996).
More Info: Brooklyn Bridge Park – Movies With A View
More Outdoor Movies NYC
- More Free Summer Movies in NYC
- Rooftop Cinema Club NYC -Tickets Required. Outdoor Cinema Screening Cult Classics, New Releases & Cinematic Icons On Rooftops In Manhattan & Brooklyn.
- More free movies at NYC Parks
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More Summer NYC Events
100 Free Things to Do in New York in Summer
Free things to do in New York in Summer are everywhere, every day and every night! Kids, adults, outdoors, indoors, active, lazy...you name it! Free summer activities in NYC include concerts, movies, sports and fitness, arts and culture, museums, tours. So whether you want free tennis, an outdoor concert, a movie under the stars or free opera outdoors in the park, we have you covered with over 100 FREE things to do in NYC this summer.
New York City Events June
New York City June Events are packed with amazing outdoor culture and adventures, along with tons of free things to do in June.
Our must-do events include Shakespeare in the Park, New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Lincoln Center Summer for the City, Free Outdoor Concerts and Movies, Museum Mile Festival, Pride Week, Belmont Stakes, Puerto Rican Day Parade, Taste of Times Square. More Info:
New York City Events July
New York City Events July include July 4th Fireworks, Met Museum Roof Martini Bar, Restaurant Week, Central Park SummerStage, Lincoln Center Social Dance, NYC Summer Restaurant Week, Bryant Park Movie Nights, Yankees & Mets.
More Info:
Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
NYC Hotel Rooftops offer some of the best skyline views in the whole City, along with cocktails and food, views, pools, cabanas, sundecks and retractable roofs. Our top picks for the most surreal views and cocktails include:
- Ink48 Hotel - right next to the Intrepid Museum and my ALL time favorite rooftop!
- The Ready @ Moxy NYC East Village - all-season rooftop with an amazingly eclectic vibe and great skyline views. (photo)
- The Empire Hotel - year-round indoor/outdoor rooftop with seasonal pool and cabana rentals
See More: Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
More Things to do in New York City
Fun Things to do in New York in Summer
- 100 FREE things to do in NYC in Summer
- Things to do in NY in June
- Things to do in NY in July
- Things to do in NY in August
- July 4th in New York City
- Volleyball in New York City
- Tennis in New York City
- Biking in New York City
- Insider Guide to Central Park
- Best NYC Hotel Rooftops
- Labor Day Weekend in NYC
- Free Things to Do in New York City
NYC Printable Guides - Available for Immediate Download
Honestly this was the best book I’ve ever purchased and it was worth every single dollar I spent on it!!
Newest NYC Experiences - Be The First!
Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
NYC Hotel Rooftops offer some of the best skyline views in the whole City, along with cocktails and food, views, pools, cabanas, sundecks and retractable roofs. Our top picks for the most surreal views and cocktails include:
- Ink48 Hotel - right next to the Intrepid Museum and my ALL time favorite rooftop!
- The Ready @ Moxy NYC East Village - all-season rooftop with an amazingly eclectic vibe and great skyline views. (photo)
- The Empire Hotel - year-round indoor/outdoor rooftop with seasonal pool and cabana rentals
See More: Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
Museums
Museums and attractions are open, some with reduced capacity, safety protocols, reservations and vaccination proof. Check out the new Museum of Ice Cream (SoHo), Guggenheim, MoMA, Whitney and so many more NYC Museums from which to choose.
Attractions & Sightseeing
NYC attractions are open, some with reservations required. Whether you want to sightsee from the sky or selfie with celebs @ Madame Tussauds, you can be safe and explore.
Go HIGH or Go Home
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or the new SUMMIT? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.
- Empire State Building - (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
- Top of the Rock - (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
- One World Observatory - (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
- Edge - (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
- Summit One Vanderbilt - (91-93 floors) Opened Oct 2021, all glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building. One of the hottest tickets in town
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Sightsee from the Sky
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or Summit? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.
- Empire State Building - (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
- Top of the Rock - (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
- One World Observatory - (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
- Edge - (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
- Summit One Vanderbilt - (91-93 floors) Opens Oct 2021, all glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building
See All: Top New York City Tourist Attractions
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New York City Night Cruises
See our beautiful Skyline from all angles - in any weather!
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Take in ALL the Tours, Landmarks and Attractions and SAVE
NY Sightseeing Pass, New York Pass, NY Explorer Pass, CityPASS Compared
- Sightseeing Pass - Unlimited Hop on Hop off Buses, One World Observatory, Edge
- New York Pass - 80+ tours and attractions, Choose 1-10 Days
- Explorer or Go Select - Choose from 55+ sights or Build your Your
- New York CityPASS - 6 top attractions, good for 9 days from first use
See All: New York City Pass Comparison Chart
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Secret NYC Insider Tours
Explore our subways secrets with a local guide, go behind-the-scenes at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, uncover surprising gems and historical tales of Grand Central Station, cocktail your way through Manhattan’s best and most secretive speakeasies and much more!
Things to do in New York with Kids
One of the best parts of NYC is that what is fun for kids is usually just as much fun for adults. If you are joining us in NYC for a family vacation, then please read all about our local kid's favorites, along with special tips just for visitors.
- Things to Do in New York With Kids - best NYC activities, tours, attractions and Insider Tips for kids and families
- Broadway and Off Broadway Shows for Kids - choose a dream show, like Aladdin, Wicked or Lion King, see the latest Kids shows, or save BIG and entertain kids and little ones under 4 with an awesome Off Broadway Show
- Best NYC Hotels for Families - special perks, freebies, bunk beds, larger rooms, suites
See All: Visiting New York with Kids.
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FREE Things to do in New York City
There are tons of free things to do in New York all day, every day! Tours, attractions, museums, events, shows, sports, movie and more. Kids, adults, outdoors, indoors, active, lazy...you name it!
- NYC Museums Free Days and Times - weekly guide to free museum admissions
- Free New York City Walking Tours - guided or downloadable free NYC walking tours
- More Things to Do in New York City - kids, by month, by season, free, budget
See All: Free Things to Do in NYC - weekly calendar of all free walking tours, free museum admissions, free things to do by season and more
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New York City Shopping Guides
- New York City Shopping Guide
- Shopping in NYC Department Stores
- Discount Budget Shopping in NYC
- Resale and Consignment Shops
- Shopping Guides by Neighborhood
- NYC Designer Sample Sales
- New York Outlet Malls
- New York City Gift Shopping
- Holiday Markets in NYC
- New York City Shopping Tours
- Add YOUR NYC Shop,Tour, Sample Sale
New York City Nightlife
How do you make the most of your time in the city that never sleeps?? Some of the best 'only in NYC' nightlife experiences include skyline views, dinner cruises, Museums and attractions open late til 2am, rooftops, night tours, comedy clubs and more. Some of our top NYC Nightlife picks:
- NYC Rooftop Lounge Tour - guaranteed access to exclusive nighttime hot spots as you sip cocktails under the sky
- InviteOnly Party @ the Hottest NYC Clubs - VIP access to NYC Clubs with Bottle Service and dancing.
- New York Dinner Cruise - family-friendly and/or romantic cruise with excellent service, spectacular sights and delicious menu offerings.
- Broadway Comedy Club - laugh out loud all night long
- NYC Night Bus Tour - From Times Square to the Brooklyn Bridge, see our city wink and twinkle right at you.
See all our Top Picks: New York City Nightlife
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Save HUGE $$$$ in NYC
- New York City Coupons Guide
- Save on NYC Hotels
- Half Price NYC Tickets
- Ticketmaster Deals
- NYC Museums FREE Days
- Free NYC Printable Maps
- NYC Restaurants and Food Discounts
- New York Attractions Discount Passes
- Free New York City Walking Tours
- Free Things to Do in New York City
- NYC Designer Sample Sales
- Visiting New York on a Budget
Romantic Things to Do in NYC
There are tons of things to do on your romantic New York City vacation. Attractions open late with skyline views, Central Park Tours, VIP Experiences, a helicopter ride. Some of the most popular romantic ways to see NYC include:
See more romantic things to do at: Romantic New York City Vacation and Valentine's Day in NYC
Explore and Indulge Like a Real NYC Foodie
There is no shortage of pizza, bagels, street vendors, cupcakes, craft beer and cocktails, rooftops and mini food parks to explore and so many more food choices in the five boroughs, along with wonderful guides who can't wait to show you them all!!!!
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Spot Celebrities in NYC
Where to find celebrities in NYC or which celebrities are living in NYC today are common questions by all, but celebrity sightings in NYC are way easier than you may think and happen all the time. You will, of course, see them on the subway, in Central Park, at the gym, in restaurants, at all the current hotspots, at shows and more. But here are some unique ways to see celebrities all over the city.
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Get Out of Town for a Day
NYC is within 3 hours of so many other cities and areas you can visit for just one day. Easily head to Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, the Hamptons, Woodbury Common Shopping Outlets and more. Whether you live in NY or are visiting, and no matter how much you love NYC, escaping for a day is a treat for everyone. Top choices for 1-day Out of Town:
See All: Day Trips Out of New York City
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