NYC’s Summer Streets, circa 2023 & #PROTIPS

What is Summer Streets, you say?

plus 2024 updates in green

this is what it looks like, pretty much. But you can run into the Brooklyn Bridge all the way to Brooklyn to add a few more miles.

On three consecutive Saturdays in August, over eight miles of New York City’s streets are opened up for everyone to play, run, walk and bike. It is an annual celebration of NYC’s most valuable public space – our streets!

If you haven’t seen it, GET TO IT. It is SO SO SO worth it.

I love Summer Streets! You get a straight line of streets without traffic from 7 am to 1 pm on the Upper East Side. You can walk, run, and cycle. There are events, water stations all over, and you really feel like you own the streets. I love love love love Summer Streets, did I tell you already?

OH GOES TO 3pm THIS YEAR!! Distance, if you want to plan is about 8 miles from the base of the BK bridge.

The route

From Brooklyn Bridge to West 125 Street

Lafayette Street and Park Avenue between Brooklyn Bridge and East 109 Street
East 109 Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
5th Avenue between East 109 Street and Central Park North
Central Park North between 5th Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard
Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard between Central Park North and West 125 Street

Here are a few pictures so you can get a good idea of what it looks like:

Rest Stops (where you’ll get water and goodies)

PROTIPS for your next Summer Streets.

1- start very early, as early as possible. It officially starts at 7. After 9 am it is too crowded for my taste, and almost not fun or worth it. The first Saturday might be okay, but on the second or third, it gets even crowdeder later.

2- bring a bottle or a cup. There are these amazing nyc water tables with water but you can’t touch it with your hands or mouth so bring a bottle or cup to refill. The stops are about each 1.5 miles. check the current list of rest tops I listed up.

3- bring patience, there will be light stops. Nothing you can do about it. Respect the signals and listen to the volunteers.

4- Bring a running backpack/plan your finish. So, there will be treats, food, drinks, fun activities, etc. Check the vendors and then you can finish by your favorite to grab a good snack or gift.

5- Look at the map, and plan your route. The route changes (expands!) every year, and it has doubled the distance since its first (2008?) year so don’t miss out!

6- take pictures, it’s so amazing. I can never get over it.

7- plan a post-run brunch along the course, so you can watch everyone go after you finish your run!

Promise me you’re going next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I took out my adidas 4dfwd Pulse for a good long spin and they were so fun. Comfy, bouncy with lots of support, propulsion and cushioning to take on the streets. I have been using them on shorter runs so 18 miles was a bit of a test for them but they did amazing and took on the street fun easily and kept my feet from getting blisters or getting too sweaty.