Looking for things to do this week in NYC, or even today? Scroll no further, we’ve found perfectly selected events and happenings that you should check out! From brand new museum exhibitions to the best spring activities, there’s so much to do! Here’s Secret NYC’s picks for the best things to do in NYC before the weekend rolls around:
1. The Great Gatsby on Broadway
Get ready to follow the green light…because one of Broadway’s most anticipated productions, The Great Gatsby, is debuting in NYC this Thursday! Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada are set to star in the stage adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel at Broadway Theatre.
The Secret NYC staff got a sneak preview of the show last week and we can confidently say it’s one of the best Broadway shows we’ve ever seen. The acting, the music, the stage design…chef’s kiss. Learn more about the show and grab tickets here.
2. Hanami Nights at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
From Tuesday – Thursday this week (5 pm – 8:30 pm), stop by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for their special Hanami Nights event series. It’s their huge cherry blossom event of the year, and will include origami workshops, live performances, a bar selling Japanese beer and sake, pop-up food menus curated with Sunrise Mart, and of course cherry blossoms all through the Cherry Esplanade and Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden! Learn more about the event here.
3. Dante x Bemelmans Bar Takeover
Two legends of New York City cocktail culture are teaming up this week, as West Village staple Dante will be taking over Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel for a 3 day cocktail experience. From Monday – Wednesday (2 – 5 pm), guest sill be able to indulge in 8 of Dante’s award-winning drinks, signature light bites, and jazz music from its own Louis B Middleton! Plus, there will even be an exclusive cocktail called the “Sleeping Beauty” inspired by the upcoming Met Gala’s “Garden of Time” theme (pictured above).
Where: 35 E 76th St
4. Celebrate Passover
Passover begins begins today Monday, April 22 at sundown, and many NYC restaurants are serving up special seder meals to celebrate. We’re talking everything from prix-fixe menus to a la carte matzo ball soup! Check out all of the best Passover specials happening in NYC here.
5. West Side Community Garden Tulip Festival
If you find yourself on the Upper West Side this week, stop by and check out the West Side Community Garden, which is draped out in thousands of tulips for the entire month! It’s the perfect way to get you into the spring spirit and it’s completely free! Learn more about the festival here!
Where: 123 West 89th St (between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues)
6. Candlelight Spring: A Tribute to Beyoncé
Say hello to spring during this breathtaking candlelight concert themed around Beyonce hits! This magical and multi-sensory musical experience will take over the St Ann & the Holy Trinity Church this Thursday night for an evening of the pop star’s songs performed elegantly by the Highline String Quartet!
🕯️ Reserve your spot at Candlelight Spring: A Tribute to Beyoncé here!</p>
7. Whitney Biennial
The Whitney Museum of American Art’s annual Whitney Biennial is officially up and running! The longest-running survey of contemporary art in the country features 71 artists and collectives, displaying different works and exhibits themed on today’s most important issues. This year’s rendition, Even Better Than the Real Thing dives deep into how the world of AI is affecting society, and . Learn more about the Whitney Biennial 2024 here.
8. Star Wars Takeover at Empire State Building
Stop by the Empire State Building this week to take in the brand new Star Wars takeover that’s happening throughout the landmark! This one-of-a-kind experience features special Star Wars-themed window displays, life-size brick-built recreations of Darth Vader and Darth Maul, and so much more! Learn more about the takeover here.
9. Apollo: When We Went to the Moon
The Intrepid Museum recently opened a brand new astronomical exhibit exploring the history of the Apollo program and setting the stage for NASA’s current Moon to Mars campaign. Apollo: When We Went to the Moon shows off rare media, photographs, and rarely-seen artifacts from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center® archives, and tells the tale of what it took to beat the Soviet Union and be the first on the moon. Learn more about this enthralling new exhibit here!
10. Macy’s Flower Show
NYC is no stranger to flower exhibitions, and the decadent flower exhibition that Macy’s holds every year is officially blooming once again! Featuring a tunnel of florals, kaleidoscope displays, and more the show will run through Sunday, April 7th. Learn more about it here.
11. Cherry blossoms in NYC
With March in full swing, that means that NYC’s cherry blossoms are starting to bloom! From Central Park to Brooklyn, there are lots of parks to go leaf peeping this week while the weather is nice. Check out the best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC right here!
12. The Masked Singer: Behind the Mask! Spotlighting the Costumes That Captivated America
The Paley Center just debuted their latest blockbuster exhibit, which showcases the stunning costumes from FOX’s hit show, The Masked Singer. Open now, you’re able to get up close and personal with fan favorites like fan-favorites Miss Monster, Flamingo, Chameleon and Gazelle. Plus, there are also video highlights from the show, artifacts, photography, and family arts & crafts. Learn more about the exhibit here.
13. The Culture of Creativity at Tiffany & Co. The Landmark
Stop by Tiffany & Co this week to check out their newly unveiled exhibition at The Landmark in collaboration with renowned architect Peter Marino. The store’s interior features nearly 70 works by 26 artists, including Damien Hirst, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and many more. It’s on display through May 20.
Where: 727 5th Avenue
14. Smorgasburg
Our favorite open-air food market is officially back open for the 2024 season, and they’ll be popping up all weekend long, starting Friday in the Financial District! You’ll be able to stop by the row of vendors selling mouthwatering food from 11 am – 6 pm at The Oculus, near Fulton St and Church St. Plus, during the weekend their Saturday location in Williamsburg and Sunday location in Prospect Park will be open too. Learn more here.
15. Pretzel and Craft Beer Festival at Loreley Beer Garden
LES favorite Loreley Beer Garden is kicking off their Pretzel and Craft Beer Festival starting April 18, which will feature classic and giant pretzels, pretzel buns, rolls, balls and even pretzel garlic knots, all to be enjoyed with beer cheese dip, bratwurst and, of course, craft beers. It’ll be accompanied by the beautiful heated outdoor garden decorated for spring with flowers and plants. It’s happening from April 18-28!
Where: 7 Rivington St
16. Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys
A brand new exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum opened, and it’s straight from the collection of music icons Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys! Giants is a collection of works straight from the pair’s personal vault, which highlights works by Black diasporic artists including Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and many more! Learn more about Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys here.
17. The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism
This brand new exhibit just opened up at The Met over the weekend, and it pays homage to the influential Harlem Renaissance era of 1920s-40s NYC. It features over 160 works highlighting the booming rise of Harlem as many African Americans fled from the segregated South during the Great Migration. Featured artists include Charles Alston, Aaron Douglas, Meta Warrick Fuller, and more. Learn more about the exhibit here.
18. The Notebook The Musical on Broadway
The beloved romance The Notebook has officially hit Broadway and it’s one of our must-hit shows to see right now. Just as timeless as the book and film, it tells the tale of two lovers who are forced to separate before finding themselves together once again. It’s romantic, it’s heartwarming, and it’s excellently adapted. There are showings starting on Tuesday, and you can learn more about how to get tickets here.
19. Amateur Night at The Apollo
Legendary Harlem venue The Apollo Theater is hosting their 90th anniversary of the theater’s signature program, Amateur Night at The Apollo on Wednesday! The show will feature a dynamic new group of artists who will battle it out in one of NYC’s most famous talent shows for a $20,o00 grand prize. Over the years the event series has launched the careers of stars like Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill, and H.E.R (just to name a few), so you don’t want to miss it! Learn more about Amateur Night at The Apollo and grab tickets here.
20. Four Seasons of Central Park
A brand new NYC-themed exhibit just opened up at the Museum of the City of New York called Four Seasons of Central Park, which you should check out this week. They’re 4 watercolor masterpieces of the iconic Central Park, crafted by New York artist Frederick Brosen. Capturing the landmark across summer, fall, winter, and spring, these paintings “capture a year in some of the most historic places in this verdant urban masterpiece.” Learn more about the exhibit here.
21. Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature
The Morgan Library & Museum recently welcomed a new exhibition showcasing the works 0f famed children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter! Take a trip down memory lane and get up close and personal with old friends like Peter Rabbit, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle…or step inside a recreation of her home where you can hang out with a book and read for a while. It’s on show through June 9. Learn more about the exhibit here.
22. Broadway Shows
The theater is always alive during the week, with nearly every Broadway show offering weekday performances. From Aladdin to The Book of Mormon, there’s many options to choose from. Check out every show that’s playing on Broadway this week here.
23. Brunch in NYC
Start off your New York City morning with a tasty martini, scrumptious stack of pancakes, and avocado toast! Brunch in NYC is now a food and drink staple in the city, and there are so many great places to try out. Grab a late morning/early afternoon reservation at one of these NYC brunch spots!
24. Night clubs in NYC
Looking for somewhere to dance out on the town this week? From Manhattan dancefloors to under-the-radar Brooklyn clubs, there’s so many spots for nightlife in NYC. Check out our favorite places to dance in New York City right now here.
25. Best restaurants in NYC
Treat yourself to a lovely midweek dinner at one of NYC’s most tastiest restaurants! From pasta and Italian to the finest sushi around, there’s so many great dining spots to be discovered! Check out the best restaurants in NYC right now here.