June in New York City: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Citi Field Baseball Park in NYC, NY

TripSavvy / Brakethrough Media 

June is a wonderful time to visit New York City—the weather is warm, but not usually terribly hot, and the crowds of summer vacationers have yet to invade the city. Some of the city's well-known summer events begin in June, so you can enjoy a lot of the benefits of summer in the city without the downsides.

Sports fans can get tickets to see opening day games at Citi Field (home of the NY Mets) or Yankee Stadium. The second Tuesday in June visitors and locals alike can enjoy the free Museum Mile Festival, New York's biggest block party, and access some of NYC's great museums for free. June is a perfect time of year for New York's many walking tours, including some that are free.

NYC Weather in June

June's warm weather welcomes visitors who want to enjoy walking the streets of New York City and visiting some of its great parks and the many exciting summer activities in the city.

  • Average High: 79 F (26 C)
  • Average Low: 64 F (18 C)

Spring, April through June and fall (October through November) are mild and ideal times to visit NYC. July through August is hot and humid and, unfortunately, more crowded with visitors. So June is an ideal time to visit.

The Summer Solstice in on June 21st and this day will be 5 hours, 50 minutes longer than the Winter Solstice in December. In June, you'll have 14 hours or more of daylight to do your sightseeing. You can expect an average of 4.4 inches of rain in June spread over 11 days.

What to Pack

June is warm, but you may encounter a rain shower or two. Layering is ideal with a sweater or light jacket to put on when you go into air-conditioned museums or go out at night.

  • Pack an umbrella.
  • A sweater, windbreaker or light jacket for layering when it gets cool out.
  • Closed toe shoes, comfortable for walking, and water-resistant if possible.
  • A picnic blanket is great if you want to check out some of the free concerts and movies.
  • It's best to pack for a range of temperatures since it can be cool in the morning/evening, but quite warm during mid-day. Of course, it can also be cool inside museums and stores, so having a light layer to put on can greatly increase your comfort.
  • Although casual clothes such as shorts and t-shirts are fine for visiting most tourist attractions, you might want to pack slacks or dresses if you're planning to include any nicer dinners on your itinerary.

June Events in NYC

June brings warm weather for visiting New York City, but not as hot as the rest of summer so you'll want to be out and about enjoying the sights, concerts, and events. These are some great things to do in June:

  • It's a perfect time of year for New York's many walking tours
  • The annual Museum Mile Festival gives you free admission to nine museums and the fun of a huge block party.
  • Take in the many summer concerts and outdoor film festivals (most of which are free!) If you want to go to any of the movies or free concerts in New York City parks, bring a blanket and pack a picnic dinner—you can even bring some wine and beer if you're discrete. It's a great experience and truly gives you a taste of being a local New Yorker.
  • Depending on the year, Restaurant Week can start in June, so you can enjoy the opportunity to try some of New York City's restaurants at bargain prices.
  • The famous Belmont Stakes takes place in early June. This Thoroughbred horse race takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
  • Have fun at the colorful Puerto Rican Day Parade marching down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
  • You can soak in the culture and be outdoors at the same time at the Met Opera in the Parks performances, the Bryant Park Film Festival and Shakespeare in the Park.
  • Baseball Season means its time to cheer on the New York Yankees or New York Mets.
  • Pride Week and the Pride Parade will be celebrated big time this year in NYC. June 2019 marks 50 years since the Stonewall Uprising.

June Travel Tips

Book hotels early, especially for weekend visits to NYC. There's so much going on that many will be coming into the city for an overnight or weekend getaway.

Prepare to be outdoors. Have a picnic in Central Park, have a cocktail at a rooftop bar, or go to an outdoor sports event. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

If you are planning to take in a Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tour, make your reservations and purchase tickets early online. And, be sure to plan some time to take in NYC from the water on the iconic Circle Tour.