When the City Heats Up: Scenes from a New York Summer

A New York winter can be brutal. There’s slush in the streets, wind tunnels down every avenue, and it feels as though the city is enveloped in a bleak, monochromatic grayscale. But, hope is not lost, because when that first warm breeze arrives and replaces the puffy coat can finally be put away, we’re all reminded how alive the city becomes during sunny times.

With Memorial Day Weekend serving as the unofficial kickoff to Summer, today we’re digging through our image archive and looking back at our neighborhood during past warmer times.

There is no denying it, summer in New York is hot, and experts predict temperatures will only continue to rise. Subways become sweltering saunas, a hazy heat looms, and even the shade can feel unbearable. So, to beat the heat, New Yorkers activate their street smarts and find respite in fire hydrants and park fountains.

For decades, Washington Square Park has served as the perfect summer playground for New Yorkers. The park’s known for its glorious arch, situated at the base of Fifth Avenue. Just a short walk inside, however, one will see the park’s incredibly memorable central fountain, which was originally found at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street and relocated to the park in the mid-1870s. Over time, this fountain has become a lively stage for street performers, a hangout for skateboarders, and a refreshing urban oasis for weary locals. Pictured above, a group of unidentified children plays joyfully in the cool fountain spray.

In summer, NYC stoops become lively extensions of the home—makeshift porches where neighbors gather, kids play, and people watch the world go by. Stoops are a defining feature of urban life, especially in New York, and give residents a platform to observe the goings-on of their block. Echoing Jane Jacobs’ “eyes on the street” ethos, there is much to be gained from watching and studying a New York City block, from ensuring city safety to cultivating a rich community. The perk of doing it in summertime is you can do this all while getting a nice tan!

As the city thaws from its winter freeze, New York’s neighborhoods come alive with the energy and color that only summer can bring. Though the heat can be intense, New Yorkers always find fun, and creative, ways to get through the dog days. Check out the rest of our image archive collection here. And if you only want to see those images of summer, just click on “Images” at the top of the page (rather than “collections,” the default setting), tick off “summer” under the tags which will then appear at the top of the page, and click “apply.” Voila! — all of and only our summer images will appear.