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Two children play-fight with toy swords and shields on a city sidewalk. One child wears a t-shirt and jeans; the other wears a cap, t-shirt, and shorts. Parked cars and apartment buildings are in the background.

20 Vintage Photos of New York City in the Summer

Vintage Photos History Nostalgia May 19, 2025 by Matt Staff

Last Updated on May 19, 2025 by Matt Staff

New York City in the summertime has always possessed its own unique rhythm. You’ve got the iconic sticky streets, all the open fire hydrants, and the generally electric buzz of people trying to soak up as much sun as they possibly can. These 25 vintage photos aim to capture all the glory of the city’s warm-weather spirit.

1. New York City, what’re friends for, Summer of ’69

Three boys are on a city sidewalk; two walk arm-in-arm, smiling, while a third stands beside a bicycle decorated with small American flags and a furry object on the handlebars. Cars are parked along the street in the background. — deleted

2. Cooling off in New York City, Summer 1943

A woman in a swimsuit pours a bucket of water over another seated woman on a city rooftop, with tall buildings visible in the background. — grosstuff

3. New York City Summer 1968

Four young people sit on a stone ledge outdoors; one plays guitar, two converse, and one looks away, while a man in a suit stands behind them. Trees and buildings are visible in the background. — anonymous

4. She’s got that New York City summer glow

A woman in a white lace blouse and purple mini skirt walks confidently down a city sidewalk, holding a newspaper and purse, with cars and buildings in the background. — deleted

5. Now that’s a beautiful view of the city if I’ve ever seen one

A group of children, dressed in bright clothing, stand and sit by a black fence looking across the water at the New York City skyline, with the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center visible in the background. — anonymous

6. Summertime in the Bronx in the 1980s

Five boys in athletic clothes and sneakers hang out with their bikes on a city sidewalk. One boy performs a jump on his bike over two parked bikes while others watch. A Coca-Cola sign and shop windows appear in the background. — maureen0569

7. Getting some ice cream, Times Square, New York City, 1982

A shirtless young boy in red shorts and striped socks stands at a Carvel ice cream cart on a busy city street, talking to the vendor. Classic yellow taxis and storefronts are visible in the background. — diosmiosmios

8. Ain’t no party like a Brooklyn block party, 1977

Five women sit and stand around tables covered with white cloths on a city sidewalk. A parked blue vintage car is in the background, and it appears to be a casual gathering on a sunny day. — l0stinthestars

9. Brooklyn kids having a great time in the 1980s

Five smiling children pose together in a grocery cart on a sunny sidewalk, with cars and trees in the background. The kids appear happy and playful, enjoying a carefree moment outdoors. — anonymous

10. Trying to stay cool on a Brooklyn rooftop, summer 1976

A young girl sits in a wooden rocking chair on a sunny porch, holding a book. She faces a small round table with a pie and a camera resting on it. Shadows from railings create diagonal lines across the scene. — maureen0569

11. Brooklyn, NY, USA, early 1980s

Two boys stand confidently on a busy city sidewalk with arms crossed, wearing hats, gold chains, and streetwear. People and cars are visible in the background near a restaurant called "Sizzling Chicken. — lizard_king0000

12. New York City in 1989

A busy city street with people walking, surrounded by large signs and billboards including Coca-Cola, Sony, McDonald’s, Batman, and Star Trek. Some signs show neon lights. Tall buildings rise in the background.

13. All these kids look thrilled to be there

A group of children and three adults pose outdoors, smiling, in front of a house. The children wear "Beacon Day Camp" shirts, and a sign reading "BEACON DAY CAMP" is in front of the group. — deleted

14. In 1948, the iconic stoop culture of Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens neighborhood provided a snapshot of daily life in New York City.

A group of people, including men, women, and children, sit and stand on the steps of a brick building next to a candy and cigar store. Some are talking, while others look toward the camera. — anonymous

15. Man vs. ice cream at the Sheepshead Bay Annual Art Show in Brooklyn. New York, 1973

A man in a striped shirt and jacket eagerly drinks a large, colorful ice cream sundae with a cherry on top using a straw outdoors. — deleted

16. 1980s Brooklyn, kid with boombox and spray paint cans

A young person in sunglasses holds a large boombox and two cans of spray paint, standing on a street with graffiti-covered walls, wearing a striped polo shirt, navy pants, and white sneakers. — anonymous

17. “The Flower Children of Harlem” 1969

A group of stylish young adults in colorful 1970s fashion pose together on a city sidewalk, some with bicycles, smiling and relaxed near an outdoor shop. — onepersononeidea

18. Talk about a stunning skyline

Two couples socialize near a car in a lot at sunset, with the New York City skyline and the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center prominently visible in the background. — deleted

19. Looks like a lovely day out by the bridge

A person with spiked hair wearing a denim jacket and dress stands by a railing near the water, with the Brooklyn Bridge and city buildings visible in the background. The photo is in black and white. — anonymous

20. Wood plank sword and trash can shield combat, New York City, 1978

Two boys play-fighting on a city sidewalk with makeshift shields and toy swords. A parked car, trees, and apartment buildings are visible in the background. Water sprays in the air between them. — anonymous

Explore more nostalgic content:

Summer in New York City has always had a magic all its own—hot pavement, open fire hydrants, and communities buzzing with life. If these photos took you back, don’t miss 37 Vintage Photos of the Late ’70s, and 35 Vintage Photos of the 1980s.

Tags: 1960s 1970s NYC

About Author

Matt Staff

Matt has spent over the last 8 years as both a writer and editor, working in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally maniacal, pigeons. They always have a lot to say. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a new book and/or some friends, or just as easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.

These days Matt's caught up in trying to provide folks as many vivid glimpses into the days long since passed as he can, through fun and engaging collections of hand-picked vintage photos.

View all posts by Matt Staff

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