By: Stefanie DiMartino

August is here, but summer in NYC isn’t over yet! From the biggest dance party to champagne brunch to kayaking for free, there are tons of great things going on in the city this month! I’m sharing the best things to do and see, the best in dining/drinks, and the best entertainment and art/exhibits. These are my top NYC picks for this August!

The Top 16 Best Things to do in NYC this August

THINGS TO DO/SEE + PARTIES

POSTER HOUSE BLOCK PARTY

Poster House, 119 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011

Saturday, August 6, 2022 | 12-5pm | FREE!

Poster House, the first museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to posters, is hosting their first-ever block party! 

“Join us on Saturday August 6 from 12–5pm in the Flatiron Plaza for a fun-filled day of activities, free museum tours, performances, giveaways, and more! Attendees also get free admission to Poster House all day. With a full slate of activations and performances, there’s something for everyone! Stay tuned for the full performance lineup, and be sure to register to be the first to receive exciting updates.” – Poster House 

DANCE PARTY NYC

Saturday, August 6, 2022 | Various locations | FREE!

The biggest, simultaneous dance party NYC has ever seen is happening on Saturday, August 6. Taking place at over 80 locations, New Yorkers across all five boroughs are encouraged to get on their feet and bust a move! This dance party is taking place to celebrate the comeback of New York! 

PEACHES AND WINE FESTIVAL

Weed Orchards & Winery, 43 Mount Zion Road, Marlboro, NY 12542

Every weekend in August! | 11am-5pm | $10+

For a city escape this August, head up north for the Peaches and Wine Festival! 

“The Peaches and Wine Festival will be a special experience where guests can pick-your-own peaches, enjoy delicious peach food & drinks specials, enjoy live music, and beautiful views at the farm and winery. Special menu items will include Peach Sangria, Drunken Peach Sangria, Peach Wine Slushies, Peach Bacon Pizza, Peach Balsamic Chicken Sandwich, and many more. This event is family and kid friendly. Children 5 and under are free.” – Weed Orchards & Winery 

SWINGERS CRAZY GOLF NOMAD

35 West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001

Tuesday-Sunday | $26+ | Age 21+

For adult-only crazy golf and fun, you must check out Swingers! This space has three crazy golf courses, six cocktail bars, and four gourmet street food brands! 

“Swingers, the crazy golf club, has reinvented mini golf for an adult audience by adding gourmet street food, cocktails and a party atmosphere. The idea behind Swingers was to create the most ridiculously fun venue possible. That’s why we teamed crazy golf with delicious street food, sensational cocktails and top-notch service in a totally unique, theatrical space. We think it’s the perfect place to lose a few hours – come and try it for yourself!” Swingers/Matt Grech-Smith

GAME OF 1000 BOXES

Lightbox, 248 West 37th Street, New York, NY 10018 

Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays | $39+ 

Be sure to catch Game of 1000 Boxes this August! It’s NYC’s first and only live game show experience. It’s a fun experience to do with friends, family, coworkers, dates – anyone! 

“Game of 1000 Boxes is part live game show, part audio-visual thrill ride. Step into the projection-mapped venue, drenched in 360° visuals, for a 1-hour long experience with a dozen ever-evolving games! No two shows are exactly the same, with a narrative of twists and turns that go from raucous to sublime. Easy to play, but maybe impossible to master. Team up with your friends for a rollercoaster of high-energy party games that tap into teamwork, reaction time, puzzle-solving, trivia, social strategy and more!” – Game of 1000 Boxes

KAYAKING ON THE HUDSON

Pier 96 Boathouse, 56th Street in Hudson River Park, New York, NY 10019

Now – October 9, 2022 | Saturdays & Sundays, 12pm-6pm | FREE!

NYC is known as a concrete jungle, but you can enjoy time on the water too! August is the perfect time to enjoy some water sports. Manhattan Community Boathouse offers kayaking on the Hudson River, for free! Kayaking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not required, but you can sign up in advance. 

Note: You will get wet, so dress accordingly! 

CANDYTOPIA

111 West 32nd Street, New York, NY 10001

Extended until September! | Thurs-Sun, 10am-9:30pm | Adults $36, Ages 4-12, $29, Under 3, FREE! 

The sweetest exhibit in all of NYC has been extended through early September. Candytopia is museum exhibit meets art installation meets interactive show. The minute you step off the elevator, you know you’re in for a sweet treat. The space is 24,000 square feet with 17 detailed and interactive rooms. It’s a full sensory experience unlike any other. Some of the fun exhibits include the signature Candytopia marshmallow pit, a New York-centric candy art room, a colorful candy confetti room (and trust me, you will find confetti long after you leave), as well as an infinity mirror room, Ring Swing Garden, Sugar High Theater (where the s’mores pillows actually smell like s’mores), and an indoor zip-line! The exhibits are really thought out and detailed and everything in Candytopia provides an amazing Instagram-worthy photo opportunity! 

So, unleash your inner kid and enjoy the sugar rush! Candytopia is unbridled fun for all ages and sure to be an unforgettable experience.

SEA THE CITY HOT TUB TOUR

Liberty Landing Marina, 84 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City, NJ 07305

Sea The City is a unique experience all year round, but is the perfect summertime activity! They offer hot tub boat tours, yes, you read that right. Hot tubs ON a boat! Truly, this is a one-of-a-kind experience that you do not want to miss!

This boat has two full size hot tubs on it and sails to the Statue of Liberty and back, offering stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. I went with about 20 friends (10 per hot tub). The ride is BYOB and 90 minutes long. Coolers, Ice, and Cups are provided free of charge. Don’t miss it this summer!

PS: For FREE towels on your tour, write FUNK TOWELS in the booking comments and let them know that you got the idea from me!

FUNKY EXPERIENCES

Saturdays, Sundays, Custom day + time | Starting at $49+

I love New York City so much that I started a tourism company here. We offer a variety of tours around the city, from history, to sightseeing, to shopping, and one of my favorites – our food tour! 

Rated 5-stars on TripAdvisor and the winner of the “best of the best” award in NYC, you definitely do not want to miss out on any of these amazing tours! There are different tour options available to choose from to fit your interests AND your budget! For a truly unique experience, book a custom-designed private tour with our expert NYC guides!

Brand new to our tour lineup is the Must-See Manhattan tour with tickets to the Top of the Rock included! That’s right, this experience not only shows you Manhattan’s most iconic sites during a 2-hour walking tour but also includes Top of the Rock tickets. You’ll end with breathtaking views of the city’s skyline on a historic skyscraper! How cool is that?

Visit and learn the unique history of iconic sites such as Times Square, Grand Central, the NY Public Library, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and more! Plus, we’ll take you inside Grand Central for an exclusive tour of its secrets.

For the best of both worlds, with food and sightseeing, consider joining the Best of New York Food Tour offered on Sunday mornings. The tour includes five dishes at delicious restaurants and a historic walking tour through Brooklyn!

Another option is to join the Secrets of New York Tour on Saturday mornings and visit hidden locations in lower Manhattan and learn secrets most New Yorkers don’t even know! Tours book up fast, so get your tickets today!

Planning a vacation to NYC? If you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, we are here to help! With Funky Tours Concierge, our team of experts can help you plan your dream NYC vacation! You can make your NYC trip and experience more special with custom-designed plans that fit your budget and your unique interests.

DINING/DRINKS

NYC RESTAURANT WEEK

Now – August 21, 2022 

Restaurant Week is a New York City staple! Restaurant Week takes place twice a year, in summer and winter. This summer, NYC Restaurant Week is celebrating its 30th anniversary – how amazing is that? In honor of it’s 30th, it’s going to last for 30 days! There are tons of special prix-fixe menus to choose from at hundreds of NYC’s best restaurants across all five boroughs.

CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH

Gallow Green, 542 West 27th Street, New York, NY 10001

Saturdays & Sundays, August-September | 10am-2pm | $55+

Gallow Green is surely the dreamiest green rooftop in NYC! And what summer weekend is complete without brunch? Take it up a level and enjoy Champagne Brunch at Gallow Green every Saturday & Sunday in August and September! I love it so much because the vibes are amazing and the food is always delicious! 

“Included with your ticket will be live music by MK Groove, Gallow Green’s famous rooftop buffet and our flowing full champagne bar. Featuring a variety of savory dishes, omelette stations, carving station with whole baked Salmon and crispy Suckling Pig, vegetarian choices and homemade breads, french toast, and dessert.” – Gallow Green

MUSEUM + ART EXHIBITIONS

WHITNEY BIENNIAL 2022: QUIET AS IT’S KEPT

Ending September 5, 2022 | $25+ 

Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014

“The Whitney Biennial has surveyed the landscape of American art, reflecting and shaping the cultural conversation, since 1932. The eightieth edition of the landmark exhibition is co-curated by David Breslin, DeMartini Family Curator and Director of Curatorial Initiatives, and Adrienne Edwards, Engell Speyer Family Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs. Titled Quiet as It’s Kept, the 2022 Biennial features an intergenerational and interdisciplinary group of sixty-three artists and collectives whose dynamic works reflect the challenges, complexities, and possibilities of the American experience today.” – The Whitney Museum of American Art

BROADWAY + SHOWS

TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL

Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036

Last Chance! Ending August 14 | $94+

Broadway, music, and Tina Turner fans – this show is for you! It’s ending August 14, so if you haven’t seen it yet and it’s been on your show list, get tickets now! 

“With raw emotion in her voice and fire in her belly, Tina went from the little girl in small-town Tennessee to the legend that ignited the globe with hits like, “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Proud Mary,” “Private Dancer” and “River Deep.” She made her own rules—defying the world’s notions of race, age and gender. And it took blood, sweat, tears and triumphs to reach the top. This is Tina’s story, her way.” – Tina: The Tina Turner Musical 

BROADWAY SINGS SERIES

WHITNEY HOUSTON

Sony Hall, 235 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036

August 8, 2022 | 8pm | $40+

Hear Broadway powerhouses sing the songs of the iconic powerhouse Whitney Houston. 

“The team behind the acclaimed Broadway Sings concert series is thrilled to present its next large-scale show, Broadway Sings Whitney Houston. Dubbed “sheer brilliance” by the New York Times, Broadway Sings rearranges pop stars’ hits to highlight the spectacular vocals of major Broadway stars, backed by a full orchestra playing original orchestrations. Join us to hear this iconic music sung in a fresh, new way by the best voices Broadway has to offer, with songs including “I Will Always Love You,” “So Emotional,” “I Have Nothing” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” – Broadway Sings

BEYONCE

Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012

August 27, 2022 | 7:30pm | $50+

“Listen to Beyoncé’s best hits as performed by Broadway stars! Broadway Sings brings to life the greatest artists of our time in a fresh, new way. You’ll be singing along to all of your favorite songs and dancing the night away as the talented singers and orchestra pay homage to the pop superstar that is Beyoncé. It all makes for a high-energy musical party you won’t soon forget. Get your tickets for Broadway Sings Beyoncé: The Experience in New York!” – Broadway Sings 

COMPANY XIV: SEVEN SINS

Théâtre XIV, 383 Troutman Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Last Chance! Ending August  | $105+ | Age 21+

Sadly coming to an end this month is Company XIV’s Seven Sins. If you have not had the chance to see this show, do it now! 

Sinning has never been sexier! Seven Sins is based on the creation story of Adam and Eve – but with a provocative twist. Temptation is all around and it’s surely a feast for the senses. As is typical of a Company XIV show, it combines burlesque, acrobatics, aerial arts, theatre, dancing, and singing. All of this is rolled up into one incredible show and an unforgettable night. Seriously, there is no sexier date night than one spent relishing in Seven Sins. 

The show is enthralling, enticing, hedonistic, entertaining, imaginative, provocative, sexy, and simply put, ah-mazing! Enjoy a curated list of immersive cocktails, champagne, absinthe and treats. I highly recommend the Champagne Couch for Two! It offers a great stage view and with a half bottle of champagne included, you have the secret sauce to a sexy date night in NYC. Company XIV consistently puts on productions that rival Broadway. And, the show has the most talented and good-looking people I’ve ever seen. The seven sins are all distinct and easily identified and interpreted in the most creative ways. I really cannot say enough good things about this show. Get tickets while you still can! 

In conclusion, these are the top 16 best things to do in NYC this August. Have fun and stay safe!