2019 Bryant Park Summer Guide- The Adventuring Millennial

If you need me this summer you can find me hanging out in Bryant Park. Bryant Park is one of my favorite spots in NYC and it is conveniently located at 42nd street just a few blocks from Times Square.

Seriously, this midtown Manhattan park is my favorite place to spend a sunny afternoon. You can relax with a picnic on the lawn (which opened for the season on May 2!) or participate in one of the many FREE programs held in Bryant Park. They offer something for everyone, from birding tours to boot camps.

My Bryant Park Summer Guide includes the highlights of the 2019 programming. Ready to plan your summer adventures?

Fitness

NYC Summer Series: Your Complete Bryant Park Summer 2019 Guide- The Adventuring Millennial

Yes, Bryant Park is the perfect place to work up a sweat this summer. Check out one of these fun series to get your blood pumping:

Bootcamp- The Rise NYC offers free boot camp classes every Wednesday from 6:30-7:00 am on the Fifth Avenue Terrace. Expect to rotate through routines like crunches, situp, pushups, cardio, and more. No equipment required!
Pilates- Pilates Initiative and Return to Life Center provide mats for the first 30 people who attend pilates from Mondays, May 6, 2019 – August 26, 2019, on the Fountain Terrace Mondays from 7:30-8:30 am.
Yoga- This is Bryant Park’s signature fitness event. Thousands of people attend every year, and if you are going to do one Bryant Park summer event, make it a yoga class. Registration isn’t required but you can sign up on the MindBody app. Mats are available first come first serve. Get there at least 30 minutes early or bring your own mat. Classes are offered from May 30, 2019- August 29, 2019, on Tuesdays from 10:00am-11:00 am in the Upper Terrace and Thursdays from 6:00pm-7:00 pm on the lawn.

Movies

On select summer nights, the lawn is transformed into an outdoor movie theater. Move nights are extremely POPULAR. As soon as the lawn opens for the evening, people sprint to secure a spot (I’m not kidding). If you arrive too late you might completely miss out on a lawn spot.

Here’s how to make sure you get a spot:

Arrive at the park around 4:00 pm when the gravel area surrounding the lawn opens to the public. Head to the gravel area and get ready to have your bag searched. At 5:00 pm the lawn opens so RUN! Secure that good spot right in the middle of the lawn. Lay out your blanket, unpack your picnic basket, and enjoy the good weather. The movie won’t start until dark (around 8:00 pm-9:00 pm) so make sure you come prepared to lounge.

Around the lawn, you can purchase food, drinks, and snacks from the Hester Street Fair which sets up specifically for the movie nights.

Here is the lineup:

June 10: Big
June 17: Big Daddy
June 24: Fan Choice: Vote on Twitter @vulture starting June 3
July 8: Carrie (1976)
July 15: Bad Boys
July 22: Coming To America
July 29: Goodfellas
August 5: Anchorman
August 12: Fan Choice: Vote on Twitter @vulture starting July 22

Workshops

If you want to learn a new skill or just spend some time crafting, check out these workshops (P.S. this picture was from a 2018 craft night. I will update this list if these are announced for 2019!):

Photography- A variety of classes are offered for newbie photographers. Check the website for the latest updates. You will need to bring your own camera to participate but registration isn’t required. Upcoming classes are on May 18 from 3:00-5:00 pm and May 28 from 5:30 pm–7:30 pm.
Beekeeping- Beekeeping in Manhattan? Why not! Classes are held on the last Fridays of April, May, June and July from 12:30 pm- 1:30 pm in the Reading Room.
Language-Inlingua offers free weekly language classes for 20 students (email inlinguainBryantPark@inlingua.com to register a week in advance). Languages vary each week but you can expect Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French classes. Classes are held Mondays from 11:45 am- 12:30 pm from April 29 – August 26 (no class May 27).
Writing- Gotham Writers offers workshops on Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm from July 11, 2019 – August 29, 2019. The full schedule hasn’t been announced yet, but these classes are a great way to meet other writers and practice your skills. Or just have fun with it if you are a new writer!
Fencing- The Manhattan Fencing Center provides all the equipment for these intro to fencing classes. If you’ve ever wanted to try fencing, this is your chance. Register online (P.S. this is only open to people age 16+). Classes are held April 19 – June 21, 2019, and September 6- October 11, 2019, on Fridays from 1:30 pm- 2:30 pm.

Games

During the summer, you can find a game cart with 50+ board games that you can borrow and play in the park. Or try your hand at the Ping Pong tables. There are also a few organized gaming events that you should know about:

Musical Chairs– The date and time haven’t been announced yet, but this annual event is tons of fun. I participated last year and can’t wait to check it out again this year. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. 400 chairs arranged in small circles throughout the lawn. Music plays, groups move around the chairs, and one person eventually wins. It’s fun to play or watch!
BINGO!– On June 6, 13, and 20th at 7:00 pm you can join a large game of Bingo. Arrive early to get your board. Prizes are awarded!
Game Nights– Weekly game nights are held from May-August from 5:00-7:00 pm which allow you to meet fellow board game lovers or challenge your friends to a round or two. Each night is themed, but you can play Catan on Wednesdays or Mah Jongg on Mondays and Thursdays.

Performances

Free live theater? I’m in! Sure Shakespeare in the Park gets all the hype, but there are some great performances coming to Bryant Park this summer, too:

Broadway- Dates and shows haven’t been announced yet, but most of the popular Broadway productions put on at least one Bryant Park performance each summer.
Shakespeare-The Drilling Company is set to perform a two Shakespeare production this summer. Arrive early to secure a seat and to enjoy the pre-show performances. Hamlet: Princess of Denmark will be performed from May 16 – May 25 (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) and Othello is scheduled for August 30 – September 1 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and September 5 – September 7 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Each show takes place from 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm.
Opera- On select nights the New York City Opera puts on performances of their popular shows. Upcoming productions include La Bohème on May 20 and Carmen on August 26. Both are held from 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm.
Music– The Emerging Music Festival will take place on August 23-24 and will feature 8 up and coming artists and/or bands. The lineup will be announced later this summer but expect thousands of people to attend + food carts + great live music!