New Yorkers needing to beat the heat this week can find fast relief with help from thousands of kiosks displaying real-time information about cooling centers across the city, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Thursday.
With 90-plus-degree temperatures expected through Friday, more than 2,200 LinkNYC kiosks — which showed coverage of the Knicks’ dramatic comeback in NBA Finals Game 4 on Wednesday night — will display real-time walking directions to the nearest NYC cooling center within a 10-minute walk, the city said.
The kiosks — those tall metal structures on Big Apple sidewalks that offer Wi-Fi and phone charging — will automatically update using data from the city’s Cool Options Finder as cooling centers open and close throughout extreme heat events.
The new information system is the result of a partnership between New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), the Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) and LinkNYC.
“In an emergency, information can save lives,” Mamdani said. “Extreme heat becomes deadly fast, and New Yorkers — especially seniors, working people and families without reliable air conditioning — are vulnerable when temperatures soar. By turning thousands of LinkNYC kiosks into real-time guides to cooling centers, we’re using public technology to connect people with the resources they need to stay safe. This is what city government should do: meet New Yorkers where they are and make it easier to access the services that protect them.”
LinkNYC kiosks are funded primarily by advertising displays.
“This initiative shows what’s possible when public and private partners use technology to solve real-world challenges,” said Nick Colvin, CEO of LinkNYC. “By partnering directly with city agencies, LinkNYC is helping to deliver timely, location-specific information to New Yorkers exactly when and where they need it.”
Lisa Gelobter, commissioner and chief technology officer at OTI, said technology can help people stay safe during dangerous heat.
“As temperatures rise to dangerous levels, OTI is glad to be able put technology to use, meet New Yorkers where they are and help residents and visitors stay safe,” she said.
Dangers of extreme heat
City officials said the most effective way to stay safe during extreme heat is to find air conditioning, which cooling centers provide.
“High heat can be dangerous; it is the deadliest emergency we face in New York City. It is vital that every New Yorker know about the cooling centers available to them throughout the five boroughs during extreme heat events,” NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell said. “Our partnership with LinkNYC enables us to reach even more New Yorkers and keep them informed before, during and after heat emergencies.”
According to a 2025 NYC heat-related mortality report, an estimated 525 people died annually due to heat from 2018 to 2022.
More information on cooling centers in NYC
Many, but not all, cooling centers are pet-friendly. The city has a partnership with Petco to offer additional space for pets and their humans to beat the heat. These locations can be found on the city’s cooling center finder. New Yorkers should call the facility directly to find out more information.
In addition to real-time information on kiosks, the NYC Cool Options map offers locations, phone numbers, hours of operation and accessibility information for cooling centers around the city. New Yorkers can also call 311.