July in New York City is full of festivals, Fourth of July fireworks, outdoor dining, and plenty of tourists. The weather during this popular summer month ranges between warm and hot, and it’s a great time to sightsee and attend summer events.
This guide will help you figure out what to wear on your July trip, so you can stay cool and enjoy the Big Apple.
This article was written by our New York residents, who have lived in NYC for over 11 years and have found July to be one of the hottest months (second only to August).
It’s a great time to stay cool in indoor museums and shops in the afternoons.
💡 Visiting during another summer month in June or August? Read our
The weather cools down at night and in the early mornings, making it ideal for rooftop bars and outdoor brunches and dinners. There is something for everyone to enjoy in July here.
Top Tours & Tickets
Before we get into the outfit tips, here is a quick weather overview for this month:
Weather
July is usually a hot month, with somewhat cooler temperatures at night and in the early mornings. You may need a light jacket for some windy nights. Especially in the afternoons, it can be hot and humid, so pack some sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for shade during the daytime.
Here are the average high temperatures:
- Early July: 83°F (28°C)
- Mid-July: 85°F (29°C)
- Late July: 84°F (29°C)
A Typical Day
A typical day in July is hot and oftentimes humid, with the highest temperatures in the afternoons. There may be some wind and a drop in temperature after sunset so a light jacket is good to have for nighttime excursions.
The month of July in NYC is consistently warm and hot, with the highest temperatures during the afternoons. Therefore, wear lightweight summer clothes for the daytime, including shorts or skirts, tank tops or tee shirts, and sunglasses for sun protection.
Also, bring comfortable sneakers to walk around the city and sightsee. More clothing tips later.
Daily temperature progression on a typical day in July:
- Morning (8 AM): 74°F
- Afternoon (3 PM PM): 83°F
- Evening (10 PM): 73°F
Rain
July usually has several rainy days in NYC, with an average of 10 days of precipitation during the month. Most rainy days in July include short periods of rainfall so an umbrella should be enough rain protection for your trip.
Rain often brings humidity so carry a water bottle to stay hydrated and cool. Wear lightweight, breathable clothing.
Nee more weather details? Make sure to read our complete NYC July guide with weekly weather insights and many unique local tips.
What to Wear | What to Pack | Outfits
For a New York City trip in July, pack jeans, short-sleeved shirts or tank tops, a light jacket, shorts, and comfortable shoes. You can wear lightweight summer clothes as the days a usually hot. Bring a jacket for evening outings when it gets windy and a little cooler at night.
💡 If you plan to go to clubs or theater events, bring some evening wear such as a nice pair of shoes, flats, heels, or low boots (not tennis shoes or open-toed sandals), a button-down shirt for men, and a dress or skirt for women.
July is a hot time of year in NYC, with hot and humid days and slightly cooler temperatures in the early mornings and at night.
It rains occasionally, so bring an umbrella or a poncho. It’s a good month to wear tank tops, shorts, and summer skirts and dresses.
Tip: Casual Summer Dress
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July is a good time to wear summer dresses. We like to wear biker shorts or similar shorts under dresses and skirts as you will be going up and down stairs a lot in the subway and people may be able to see up your skirt if you don’t have any shorts under it.
Shoes
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New York City is a walking city. Even if you take the subway, you will be walking and standing a lot so bring comfortable shoes. Make sure you “break in” your sneakers and walk in them regularly for at least a week before your trip so you know they’re comfortable.
Women’s Outfit Tips
For women visiting NYC in July, pack lightweight clothing and a jacket for nights that sometimes get windy.
💡 Bring short-sleeved shirts, tank tops, jeans, shorts, a jacket, and an umbrella or poncho.
Also, don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen for sunny days. You may want to bring summer dresses or skirts, especially if you plan to go out to clubs or formal events.
Local Tip: We like to wear biker shorts or similar shorts under dresses and skirts. When you take the subway, you will be going up and down stairs and people may be able to see up your skirt if you don’t have any shorts underneath.
Tops
Bring lightweight summer tops like tank tops and t-shirts for your trip. The afternoons will get hot and humid, so pack shorts or lightweight jeans to go with your tops.
Bring a jacket for possible windy nights (find more jacket tips below).
If you will be attending nighttime events or lounges, pack some evening wear such as flats or heels, a nice jacket, and a summer dress or skirt.
Jacket
July is usually hot here, but sometimes it gets windy and cool at night. Bring a light jacket for nights out, and make sure it’s stylish for clubs or evening events.
A jacket can also help protect you in case it rains. Check out our top picks above for jacket suggestions.
Alternative: If you prefer to bring a more stylish jacket instead of a rain jacket, we recommend packing a poncho as an additional item.
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Ponchos are lightweight, easy to pack, and can offer the same rain protection as a jacket. Plus, they can be quickly put on over whatever you’re wearing, making them convenient for unpredictable weather changes.
Shoes
Shoes are your most important asset in New York because you’ll be walking a lot on your trip. Pack sneakers to explore the city. (Check out our tips on the best NYC attractions to hit at the end of this article!).
Wear comfortable sneakers in plain dark colors because they will be easy to match with your outfits and will not show dirt from the city streets. Also pack ankle boots, heels, or dress flats if you plan to go out in the evenings or attend Broadway shows.
Make sure you try out new shoes before your trip so you know they’re truly comfortable.
Local tip: If you are dressing up and going out in the evening in heels, consider wearing your comfortable walking shoes and bringing the dress shoes in your bag for when you get to your destination. In New York, we like to be able to walk easily on the subway and city streets and often use this method of carrying heels.
Pants
Summer in NYC is good for shorter-length jeans, shorts, and skirts. Stay cool with lightweight bottoms.
Jeans Tips
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These summer jeans are lighter in weight and are perfect for the warmer weather.
Accessories
July in New York is usually hot, so pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for shade.
When you go out at night, bring a purse or small bag. During the day, you may need a larger bag for water, your wallet, phone, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Additionally, we always recommend a bag with anti-theft features (see our recommendation above) to keep your belongings safe in the city!
Men Outfit Tips
For men traveling to New York City in July, pack jeans, shorts, short-sleeved shirts, and a hat and sunglasses for sun protection.
Bring your most comfortable sneakers for exploring the city. If you plan on going to theater events or clubs, bring a nice button-up shirt and dress shoes or boots.
Tops
July is often hot and humid in NYC, especially in the afternoons. Wear lightweight summer clothes and jeans during the daytime and bring a light jacket for nights that can be windy or when you want to dress up.
Jacket
This is a hot month here but sometimes it gets cooler and windy at night. Bring a light jacket for nighttime excursions.
Jeans
Jeans are versatile for traveling in New York, and you can create different looks by wearing a variety of shirt styles, including t-shirts and button-up shirts.
Rain Gear
There are usually mild rain showers in NYC during the month, so bring an umbrella or a poncho for protection.
Shoes
Wear comfortable walking shoes for your trip so you can enjoy exploring the city. We like to wear dark sneakers that don’t show dirt.
Packing Checklist
- Light jacket
- Rain boots
- Sneakers
- Dress shoes
- Jeans
- Short-sleeved shirts
- Hat for shade
- Tank tops
- Socks
- Umbrella
- Sunglasses
- Poncho
- Shorts
- Toiletries, including sunscreen
Things To Do
July is a fun time of year in the city, and a great month to visit. It’s the perfect time to enjoy Central Park, outdoor attractions, Fourth of July fireworks, theater, nightlife, shopping, restaurants and dining, museums, and cultural activities.
Some ideas for traveling in July in NYC include:
- Enjoy 4th of July fireworks over the city’s waterways
- See a Broadway show
- Visit Central Park
- Visit the High Line and City Island
- Attend a music festival
- Visit Smorgasburg weekend outdoor food festivals in Brooklyn and downtown Manhattan
- Enjoy an outdoor brunch
- Shop at the outdoor market Brooklyn Flea for vintage items and collectibles in Brooklyn and Chelsea, Manhattan
- Art museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Guggenheim Museum
- Try New York-style pizza
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
- Enjoy rooftop bars with city views
- Enjoy neighborhood street festivals in Manhattan and Brooklyn
- Rooftop views from the Empire State Building
- Bars and nightclubs in Greenwich Village and the East Village
Must-Visit Attractions
July is a popular time to visit New York City for summer weather, festivals, and sightseeing. The warm weather makes it easy to get around on foot, by bike, or on public transit.
July is a good time for outdoor activities like visiting Central Park, having outdoor brunch, and enjoying rooftop bars, music festivals, street festivals, and many outdoor sites. July is one of the busiest months for tourism in NYC, so get advanced tickets for major attractions like the Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock), and the Statue of Liberty.