By: Stefanie DiMartino

It’s June! That means the weather is warming up and summer is right around the corner! And, there is plenty going on this month in NYC! So, if you’re looking for all the best things to do and see, the best events, the best entertainment, and the best art and exhibits, then these are my top NYC picks this June!

For even more NYC, watch my official 2022 guide here!

The Top 14 Best Things to do in NYC this June

THINGS TO DO/SEE + PARTIES

MOONRISE: A NOUVEAU AND IMMERSIVE CIRCUS

Saturdays (June 11, 18, & 25) | 8pm, 8:15pm, or 8:30pm | $70+

1329 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237

“Enjoy an immersive, theatrical experience highlighting the stories of each moon goddess through high level nouveau circus-based acts and multi-sensory interactive installations. The featured goddess changes with every moon phase, eventually depicting all 13 mythological moon goddesses. Acts will include unique aerial performances and sculptures as well as a mesmerizing balance act that was performed at Cirque du Soleil for 10 years, originally created by Rigolo the family of the owners of MoonRise. Prepare to be taken on an astrological journey!” – MoonRise

DAYBREAKER NYC NATÜRE TOUR

Sunday, June 12, 2022 | 6-9am | $49+

Summit Rock @ Central Park, Central Park West & West 83rd Street, New York, NY 10024

“In NATÜRE we dance among the leaves, honoring the wisdom of Mother Earth and the mysteries that bind us all together. An immersive dance party and theatrical show — at sunrise. Kicked off by a magical yoga practice scored by live musicians. This tour only happens once. Bring a mat, bring a water bottle. Get ready to dance — and ready to be blown open.” – Daybreaker

JAZZ AGE LAWN PARTY

Sunday, June 12, 2022 | 11am-5pm | $50+

Governors Island, 10 South Street New York, NY 10005

The Jazz Age Lawn Party is back! It is selling out fast! There are some tickets left for Sunday, June 12, so make sure you buy quickly!

“Jazz Age Lawn Party is celebrating its 16th anniversary! The event attracts thousands of time travelers each year, who come together to discover the music and zeitgeist of the 1920s. Relive one of the most colorful and formative periods in American history at this unique and interactive vintage fest! Break out your best flapper dresses, linen jackets, straw hats and spats, and 100-year-old Gatsby-inspired attire! Enjoy live music, retro cocktails, and 20s Prohibition era entertainment. Explore the park and join dance lessons, take a vintage portrait, check out the antique 1920s cars, play croquet, enjoy a gourmet picnic, and more. So whether you are looking for a romantic getaway with your partner in crime à la ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ or a solo afternoon surrounded by nature, this is the vintage party for you!” – Fever/Jazz Age Lawn Party

NYC LAVENDAR FESTIVAL

June 18-19, 2022 | 11am-5pm | Free! | Events start at $12

Lavender Field, Governors Island, 301 Comfort Rd, New York, NY 10004

Get ready to see some purple! “The annu­al NYC Laven­der Fes­ti­val offers two days of tours, demon­stra­tions, mak­er work­shops, har­vest­ing oppor­tu­ni­ties and fun fam­i­ly activ­i­ties at the Laven­der Field on Gov­er­nors Island – a heal­ing space for com­mu­ni­ty, bees and the earth, and the only laven­der field in New York City! Vis­it June 18 – 19 to dive into the heady fra­grance of laven­der, see the field in bloom and take advan­tage of spec­tac­u­lar pho­to opportunities.” – Governors Island 

GARDEN PARTY CELEBRATION OF PRIDE

Tuesday, June 21, 2022 | 6pm | $85+

Pier 84 at Hudson River Park, 555 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10036

“The Center has been a place of celebration and Pride for all LGBTQ New Yorkers since our founding in 1983, and this year’s Garden Party will be no exception. Join us for an evening of entertainment and celebration, including performances by Paula Cole (performing “I Don’t Want to Wait” and “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?”), Sophie B. Hawkins (singing “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover” and “As I Lay Me Down”), the world-renowned Haus of Tisci, and more to be announced! Delicious bites, seasonal cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and over two hours of on-stage entertainment will be available while you watch the sun set over the Hudson River.” – The Center

THE MARCH

Sunday, June 26, 2022 | 12pm | Free! 

West 25th Street and 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Join the annual NYC Pride March on Sunday, June 26. “The first March was held in 1970 and has since become an annual civil rights demonstration. Over the years, its purpose has broadened to include recognition of the fight against AIDS and to remember those we have lost to illness, violence and neglect.”

STRANGER THINGS THE EXPERIENCE

Now – August 2022 | Wed-Fri, 4:30-9:30pm, Sat & Sun, 10:30am-9:30pm | $44+

Duggal Greenhouse, 63 Flushing Avenue, Building 268, Brooklyn NY 11205

Things are about to get stranger in NYC! The brand new immersive Stranger Things Experience is in Brooklyn! Flash back to 1985 and enter the mysterious world of Hawkins. If you are a Stranger Things fan, this experience is definitely for you! 

CLASSIC HARBOR LINE: CRUISES

All of June | $78+

Chelsea Piers, Pier 62 (W. 22nd St.) New York, NY 10011

Classic Harbor Line cruises offer a one-of-a-kind way to see NYC! Being on the water and taking in the fabulous skyline views is memorable and fun. With so many offerings, such as brunch cruises, sunset cruises, jazz cruises, and more, you can’t go wrong. Surely, these cruises are the perfect outing with friends, family, significant others, coworkers – anyone! Don’t miss out on this incredible experience!

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, beginning Friday June 17th is the Must-See Manhattan Tour with Top of the Rock access! 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?

Highlights include:

• 2-hour walking tour with a professional hand-selected guide by me!
• Tickets to Top of the Rock Observation Deck + Museum included in ticket price!
• Go inside Grand Central’s deepest secrets
• Visit Times Square, the NY Public Library, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, and Radio City Music Hall.

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.

MUSEUM + ART EXHIBITIONS

L.E.A.F FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS

June 10 & 11, 11am-6pm | June 12, 11am-5pm 

Meatpacking District, Horatio to 17th Street, 8th Avenue to the West End, New York, NY 

New York’s contemporary flower show is blooming again this June! For 3 days only, the Meatpacking District will be transformed into a colorful, floral landscape. “L.E.A.F will feature a European-style flower market with large scale floral installations and displays, as well as retail and hospitality activations and experiences around the neighborhood.” – L.E.A.F

BANKSY: BUILDING CASTLES IN THE SKY EXHIBITION

Now – September 5, 2022 | Mon-Thurs, 11am-6pm, Fri-Sun, 10am-7pm | $36+

250 Bowery, New York, NY 10012

“Art lovers, stop what you’re doing! Banksy: Building Castles in the Sky, a new exhibition showcasing the works of the enigmatic British artist, is coming to NYC. Discover the mysterious universe of the Bristol-born street artist, offering you an incredible private collection of original and authenticated pieces. Highly successful, Banksy is regarded as one of the most valuable artists of our time. Don’t miss this opportunity to delve deeper into the elusive artist’s masterpieces!” – Fever/Banksy 

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Now – August 14, 2022 | $23+ 

200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024

Sharks, an exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History, features dozens of life-sized models that range in size from 5.5 inches to a staggering 33 feet! The exhibit offers a look into the history of sharks and along with the shark models, you can also view a variety of fossils. Some interactive aspects include “hunting like a hammerhead” and stepping into a replica of the jaws of the prehistoric megalodon—the biggest predatory fish of all time, also known as the “Tyrannosaurus Rex of the seas.” 

BROADWAY + SHOWS

LINCOLN CENTER SPEAKEASY 

Jaffe Drive from 62nd St and Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10023

Now – August 13, 2022 | Free! 

“Upper West Side nights in New York City just got a little bit cooler. From now until August 13, Lincoln Center goes underground with The Speakeasy, designed by Tony Award-winning costume and set designer Clint Ramos. Stop by on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays for FREE comedy shows in collaboration with comedians Suzette Simon of NY Laughs and Wali Collins, jazz sets presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center, and spoken word and poetry performances curated by Poet-in-Residence Mahogany L. Browne. You’ll find the pop-up Speakeasy below the Lincoln Center campus in the Jaffe Drive parking lot, located via a fully accessible ramp adjacent to the iconic Revson Fountain. These rain-or-shine evening events will feature a cash bar and offer a welcoming space for every audience to engage with Lincoln Center as their own: to dance in, to laugh, to meet up, and unwind.” – Lincoln Center

SIX

Now – November 2022 | $99+

Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 West 47th Street, New York, NY 10036 

“Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an exuberant celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over.” – Six Broadway

In conclusion, these are the top 14 best things to do in NYC this June. Have fun and stay safe!