Top Summer Activities in NYC: A Guide from Aliz Hotel Times Square

With its illuminated marquees, bustling pedestrian plazas, and around-the-clock activity, Times Square remains one of NYC’s most iconic experiences. A global destination year-round, Times Square takes on a different rhythm in the summer, shaped by outdoor activities, cultural programming, and opportunities to explore at a different pace.

 

From its central location in the heart of the Theater District, Aliz Hotel Times Square sets guests within easy reach of many of the season’s most memorable events.

 

If you’re looking for fun things to do in NYC this summer, these experiences offer some of the best ways to explore the Big Apple.

 

Catch a New Broadway Show

Broadway has welcomed an impressive lineup of new productions in 2026. Among the latest to hit the stage, these shows are generating the most buzz around the city.

 

Every Brilliant Thing invites the audience into an intimate, interactive story about a person who begins compiling a list of reasons why life is worth living. What starts as a simple exercise to uplift their depressed mother evolves into a heartfelt and humorous exploration of family, memory, and human connection.

 

• Showing at: Hudson Theatre
• Starring: Mariska Hargitay (May 26–July 5) and Tracee Ellis Ross (July 7–August 9)

 

Death of a Salesman is the 2026 revival of Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, following traveling salesman Willy Loman as he grapples with ambition, identity, and the realities behind the American Dream. Fresh off six Tony Award® wins — including Best Revival Play — the production has emerged as one of Broadway’s most acclaimed shows of the season.

 

• Showing at: Winter Garden Theatre
• Starring: Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, Christopher Abbott, and Ben Ahlers

 

Cats: The Jellicle Ball reimagines Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1981 Cats through the lens of modern drag and ballroom culture, following a vibrant ensemble of performers competing at an LGBTQ+ vogue ball. Winner of three Tony Awards®, including Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography, the show offers a fresh and imaginative take on the beloved musical.

 

• Showing at: Broadhurst Theatre
• Starring: Andre De Shields, Sydney James Harcourt, Junior LaBeija, and Sydney James Harcourt

 

Titaníque, a spoof on the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, introduces the main character, Céline Dion, played by Marla Mindelle, who interrupts a Titanic museum tour to share what “really” happened to Jack and Rose on that fated RMS.

 

• Showing at: St. James Theatre
• Starring: Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, Melissa Barrera, Jim Parsons, Deborah Cox, and Frankie Grande

 

Celebrity Autobiography brings a rotating cast of stars to read aloud the most scandalous portions of other celebrities’ autobiographies, including excerpts from Vanna White, Mr. T, Tommy Lee, Sylvester Stallone, *NSYNC, and Madonna.

 

• Showing at: Shubert Theatre
• Rotating cast features: Kathy Griffin, Ken Jeong, Cheri Oteri, Anthony Anderson, Ray Romano, Jennifer Tilly, and more

 

Experience TSQ LIVE

Every summer, hundreds of artists, performers, and cultural producers flood to Broadway to transform the pedestrian plazas of Times Square into one of the world’s most visible stages during Times Square Live, aka TSQ Live.

 

Through September 29, the series offers a full schedule of free, immersive weekly events, including:

• DJ sets featuring top electronic/house DJs from NYC and around the world, including Benny Benassi and Harlem-born selector Austin Millz.
• Dynamic live performances from MTA Music artists, showcasing a diverse range of instruments, from the Gambian kora and Korean drums to West Indian steel drums and Andean pipes.
• Dance workshops led by Ailey Extension instructors and NYC-based dance artists, spanning Zumba®, mambo, Afro’Dance, Jamaican dancehall, and more.
• Live music in collaboration with internationally acclaimed institutions, including Carnegie Hall Citywide and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
• Summer Friday Concerts, featuring pop-up shows from top-charting artists and emerging NYC and international talent.

Celebrate Summer at Rockefeller Center

Just beyond Times Square at Rockefeller Center, visitors can enjoy a mix of outdoor dining, immersive exhibitions, and exclusive programming celebrating the upcoming 2026 Soccer Tournament.

• At The Rink, Rockefeller Center’s iconic ice-skating rink gives way to lively, open-air dining featuring seasonal offerings from Pebble Bar, outdoor seating from NARO and Jupiter, and a selection of local food trucks.
• For 2026 Soccer Tournament fans, the immersive Legacies of Champions exhibit reflects on nearly a century of tournament history through original memorabilia from influential players, the historic Jules Rimet Trophy, and installations commemorating every tournament since 1930.
• Throughout the tournament, fans can immerse themselves in the excitement of the world's game through live match screenings, interactive experiences, and spirited celebrations that bring the global soccer community together. 

Spend the Day at Bryant Park

A short walk from Aliz Hotel, Bryant Park is a fixture of life in the city year-round. But summer is when it truly shines, with an extensive list of outdoor events that invite visitors and locals of all ages to linger a little longer.

• Kids can ride Le Carrousel, enjoy magic and puppet shows, explore sensory stations, and get creative with hands-on art and gardening activities.
• For adults, the park offers regular yoga, tai chi, and Muay Thai classes, board-game meetups, community socials, and creative activities at the Art Cart.
• If you’re bringing the family along, live music, the park’s Picnic Performances series, and Paramount+ Movie Nights offer the opportunity to spread out, settle in, and spend quality time together.

Your NYC Summer Awaits

Whether you’re planning an afternoon in Bryant Park, an evening on Broadway, or a day exploring Rockefeller Center, there’s no better time than summer to discover Times Square and all that Midtown has to offer.

Reserve your stay at Aliz Hotel Times Square and experience the season from the heart of one of NYC’s most renowned neighborhoods