The hottest season of the year is classically associated with broken air conditioners, crowded pools, mad ice cream dashes, and other desperate measures to stay cool. Summer is also a time, however, when many cities celebrate certain films by showcasing them, typically for free, at prominent locations. Going to an outdoor movie is a great activity to do with friends, family, and even as a date. Here’s our rundown of the best places to see an outdoor movie in a major city near you!

Boston

WBZ Radio graciously sponsors “Free Friday Flicks” at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade every friday night, a hit with local Bostonians. Moviegoers usually bring blankets and picnics to these dusk showings (the schedule for which can be found here: http://www.celebrateboston.com/free-friday-flicks.htm) and getting there a little early to pick out a good spot is definitely a must.

The Boston Harbor Hotel’s “Movies by Moonlight” series is a fantastic opportunity to see some great classics down by the waterfront. Films are shown every Friday night (also starting at dusk) and include some great flicks, like Field of Dreams on the 16th and The Raiders of the Lost Ark on September 3rd. For the full schedule, check out, http://www.bhh.com/pdf/SummerSeriesBrochure_10.pdf

New York City

Rooftop Films is definitely a great place to start if you’re interested in the outdoor movie scene in the big city. With over 11 outdoor venues and constant showings, not to mention music performances, a great website, and even the opportunity to rent equipment for your own outdoor showing, RF is a fantastic activity for anyone without something to do on a nice summer night. Showings are typically on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, and a full schedule is available at http://www.rooftopfilms.com

HBO and Bryant Park have teamed up again to offer the “HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival,” which consists of movie showings every Monday night at around 8 or 9pm. The lawn opens up a little earlier for picnicking and the movie choices are fantastic (Monty Python and the Holy Grail on the 26th). The full schedule is available at http://www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/filmfestival.html

Chicago

One of the more extensive city-run outdoor movie programs is Chicago’s “Movies in the Parks,” which prominently features family-friendly and generally excellent blockbusters in parks all over the city, and on almost every night of the week! Unfortunately, the website doesn’t allow one to search for movies based on a specific park, but the list is so long (over 160 screenings) that you’re bound to find something you like, at a convenient location. As is the trend, all movies are free and begin at either 8pm or 8:30pm each night. Check out http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/events.results/object_id/b85d63cb-6aec-45f0-8cdb-9c38d0a57e19.cfm for the full listings!

San Francisco

The website isn’t too strong, but the movie offerings definitely are. The San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation and Pop Secret have teamed up to offer six summer movies at three different parks around the city, all starting at dusk. The small number of shows means that there isn’t much flexibility (more of a planned activity than a spontaneous one), but the schedule is definitely worth checking out at the SFNTF website: http://www.sfntf.org/

Washington D.C.

D.C. has over TEN, that’s right, TEN different organizations playing movies outdoors this summer, in locations like the National Mall, the NoMA, and at the National Harbor. A full listing of all the locations and films is available here (courtesy of Suite101.com): . “Screen on the Green” seems to be the most popular D.C. tradition, offering four movies throughout the month of July and in the beginning of August. Take a look at the Washington Post’s review of the screenings for the schedule and details: http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/misc-events/screen-on-the-green,1044011/critic-review.html