7 ways to escape the humidity in NYC

Summer in New York City is humid, there’s no doubt about it. With averages of 50- to 75-percent humidity (and most recently, with the scale hitting 82 percent), you’re probably wondering what you can do to escape this heavy weather. Well, we’ve got you covered.

Photo: Wing Y., Yelp

1. Check out a museum

Museums and galleries abound in New York, and almost all of them have super-strong AC alongside mind-expanding exhibitions. Our top recommendation goes to The Met, simply because it’s so big that you could spend an entire day there gazing at the more than 5,000 years of art history — plus, it offers pay-what-you-wish admission for New York residents, so there’s no need to worry about breaking the bank. 

We also love the Mela Foundation’s Dream House, a brightly colored space filled with AC and pillows to whittle the day and night away, as well as The New York Earth Room, a giant display room filled with cooling earth across the floor.

2. Head to an indoor garden

The city has several indoor gardens that allow you to enjoy the best of nature while still feeling the AC breeze. Our favorite is the Ford Foundation Atrium nearby Grand Central, tucked away inside glass panels in the Ford Foundation building. This 160-foot-tall garden is filled with trees and tropical plants, and even has its own reflection pool. It’s the perfect place to enjoy fresh air without the moisture of the NYC outdoors.

Photo: Christin M., Yelp

<h3style="text-align: left;">3. Shop inside

Air-conditioned malls are an obvious way to escape the humidity, although in New York there’s more to it than that. We love Brookfield Place for window-shopping and dining in the summertime, but there are also plenty of less conventional mall options, including flea markets like The Alley Flea Market in Bushwick or Artists & Fleas in Williamsburg, which include indoor areas. 

4. Play some games

Board game cafes are your answer to air-conditioned, daytime fun. We love The Uncommons near Washington Square Park as an escape from the heavy NYC air. Enjoy a selection of hundreds of boardgames, as well as coffee, WiFi and good vibes.

Photo: Mandi W., Yelp

<h3style="text-align: left;">5. Head to the library

The New York Public Library is an amazing thing. With 92 locations across the city filled with AC, it’s the perfect place to escape the humidity. Of course, we love the main Stephen A. Schwarzman Building branch for its imposing architecture and cool white marble.

6. Check out a Broadway show

If you’re looking for an indoor activity without the high temperatures, why not check out a Broadway or an Off-Broadway show? These shows are a major NYC bucket-list item and often have affordable tickets for the lunchtime matinees. Try TodayTix for reduced-price seats or turn up at the box office early in the morning for cheap same-day tickets.

7. If you have to be outside…

Sometimes the best things are outside. If you have to or want to be out in the humidity, make sure you wear lightweight clothing. Another tip is to bring a second shirt to change into after your sweaty walk or subway expedition, so you can arrive looking half decent at your destination. Even with the humidity, NYC is still buzzing with things to see and do in the summer.

Don't overlook the wonderful activity you enjoy doing at home. The pace of life in New York is unique, and occasionally, just looking out the window can elicit strong emotions. What could be more enjoyable than a cup of coffee in the morning with a friend? Living together, of course, since spending the summer in New York with pals is worthwhile.