Sure, sometimes it seems uncertain that the warmth will ever stick around long enough to properly enjoy it, but considering it’s almost spring and the sun has been shining quite a lot, it’s safe to say winter is almost behind us.
Which is to say, it’s time to do some exploring! If you’re looking for plans during this magical time of year, here’s an alphabetical list of 26 things to see and do in NYC this spring!
A– Art
New York is known for its vibrant art culture and spring is one of the best times to head outdoors and see all the public art installations there is to find around the city! From statues to street art, anything in New York is a canvas. Check out some of our favorite public art exhibits like “The Big Button” and Anish Kappor’s “The Bean” here.
B– Bronx Night Market
You know spring is around the corner when NYC’s tasty food festivals start to return, and on April 29 the Bronx Night Market will be back! Returning for its sixth season, the mouth-watering market will be serving up some of the best global cuisine the city has to offer. We’re talking 50+ vendors featuring food from over 20+ countries.
The best part? 70% of vendors classify themselves as micro-, small-, POC-, immigrant-, LGBTQIA+-, and female-owned businesses, so it drastically helps them out! What could be a better way than ringing in spring with a mac & cheese fried burrito or watermelon pizza? Learn more here.
C– Cherry Blossoms
You can spend a beautiful day at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden walking through the trees and taking totally Instagramable pictures with the pink and white blooms. We haven’t quite hit bloom just yet, but they should be arriving in the coming weeks! In the meantime, study up on the best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC so you can beat the crowd!
D– Dinner Cruises
With spring comes warmer weather, and that means setting sail on NYC waters! Intimate dinner cruises are always our favorite thing to do when it’s nice, and this 3-course dinner is an absolute must. After you board a yacht with 3 panoramic decks, you’ll be treated to a meal, complimentary glass of champagne, live DJ performance, and gorgeous views of the NYC skyline! Buy your tickets here now!
There is also a festive Easter Dinner Cruise happening as well in April. Buy tickets to that experience here!
E– Eats in Queens Restaurant Month
The whole month of March is now officially “Eats in Queens Month” which is celebrating the diverse food culture of the NYC borough. Hosted by the Queens Together Restaurant Association, restaurants from over 30 Queens neighborhoods will be spotlighting their food for NYC patrons. Plus, it’s also serving as a fundraiser. Anyone who donates $25 to Queens Together will receive an unlimited discount pass to participating restaurants! Check out the restaurant list and learn more here.
F– Museum of (F)ailure
Grab some laughs at the Museum of Failure, an exhibition that takes a look at hilariously failed inventions and products from around the world! Its message is to embrace failure and inspire and stimulate discussions and ideas. You’ll find everything from Colgate-flavored beef lasagna to plastic mask face toning systems, it’s full of all sorts of commercial flops you won’t find anywhere else!
G– Governor’s Island
Governor’s Island’s lovely glamping experience is a great way to roll into the warmer weather! Camp under the stars and enjoy morning meditation, culinary classes, and campfire s’mores as you stare out at the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Accommodations are able to be booked now, and activities are always running!
H– Hidden Outdoor Dining
While we wait for the weather to get a little warmer for rooftop bars, we can at least get a glimpse of the sunshine at a hidden outdoor dining spot. We’re talking everything from cute backyard patios to secret-staircase hidden gems. Dine on some of the yummiest food in NYC at these spots covered in stunning flowers, foliage, and sunshine rays. Check out our list of favorite hidden outdoor dining spots here!
I– Irish Pub Crawling For St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is only a few weeks and it’s one of NYC’s favorite holidays to celebrate (and drink to!). In our city, you’ll find some of the oldest Irish pubs around (like McSorley’s Ale House in East Village) that make you feel like you’re drinking a pint straight from Dublin. To get in the St. Patty’s Day mood grab a Guinness at one of NYC’s Irish pubs, or go full out and celebrate with one of these green-themed happenings!
J– Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island
Returning for its 18th anniversary this spring is The Jazz Age Lawn Party on the weekends of June 10-11 and August 12-13. The Prohibition-era-inspired lawn party will include live jazz, photo booths, vintage clothing vendors, a pop-up beer garden and more. Grab tickets to return to the ’20s here!
K– Karaoke
Almost anyone can have a great time belting out “I Want It That Way” or “No Scrubs” at the top of their lungs, and singing karaoke is the best way to forget about your problems and have a good belly laugh. These are some of our favorite spots.
L– Little Island
Although some say it’s touristy, check out the 66,000 + gorgeous flower bulbs that bloom on Little Island is hard to top. With daffodils, tulips, and crocuses galore, it’s hard not catching the spring fever when surrounded by the colors! Be sure to stop by on a sunny day in the coming weeks to get the full flower experience, and consider even bringing your yoga mat or running shoes to get a sun-kissed workout in! That is…while we wait for Little Island’s summer announcements of course!
M– Macy’s Iconic Flower Show
Making its return once again, Macy’s Iconic Flower Show is set to bloom again this spring beginning March 26 through April 10 at Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square. This year, the colorful showcase will be in partnership with Dior, and “will be staged in distinct fashion with playful, whimsical displays featuring several gravity-defying elements.” Think of this year’s iteration as a “dreamscape of fluffy clouds and whimsical floral landscapes.” Learn more here.
N– New York Knicks Basketball
Dare we get excited for the home stretch of the season…but our New York Knicks are putting together quite a good season, and there’s still time to catch a game before it’s over! Watch Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, and the rest of the crew ball out while there’s still time!
O– (The) Orchid Show: Natural Heritage
The New York Botanical Garden’s yearly floral exhibition is open now, showcasing a “meditative and captivating design.” This year’s version is titled “Natural Heritage” which was inspired by guest designer Lily Kwong’s ancestral connections to the natural world. It features thousands of orchids and draws from classical paintings of Chinese mountainscapes that were passed down through her family. You can get tickets now, or wait for their “Orchid Evenings” events will return to NYBG on select Saturdays in March & April from 7-10 pm. Learn more here.
P– Picnics
On sunny spring days there’s nothing better than a good picnic in the park. A little bit of wine (or a lot, we’re not judging), some cheese, crackers, maybe a sandwich, all under the sun. Sounds like a lovely day to us, and we put together a list of our favorite spots to head!
Q– (The) Queens Ball: A Bridgerton Experience
Take a journey into this Netflix and Fever co-produced event for a night of elaborate performances, stunning decor and period costumes, and live music! Dress to the nines and immerse yourself in this Bridgerton interactive experience that you surely will never forget! Of course there will be show-inspired cocktails like the Whistledown & Dirty, as well as photo ops, merchandise, and so much more! This is a one-of-a-kind experience for any Bridgerton fan!
🇬🇧 Buy tickets to The Queens Ball: A Bridgerton Experience here!
R– Rooftop Reds
Get ready to jump back into wine testing season when Rooftop Reds kicks off their 2023 season, starting with a pre-season opener on March 25-26. Located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, this is the world’s first commercially viable rooftop vineyard. They grow Bordeaux varietals including Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, & Petite Verdo. Once their official season kicks off in April, they’ll be hosting all sorts of fun programming including wine tours and tastings, movie nights, chef pop-ups, and intimate wine and chocolate tastings. Learn more here!
S– Small is Beautiful
Open now through April 9, Small is Beautiful is the neatest little big exhibit you’ll find in NYC! With over 130 intricate miniature artworks, you’ll be totally awed and mind blown about how complex the small works are. You’ll witness everything from a tennis match on a watermelon to humans carved into the tip of a pencil! Grab your magnifying glass and purchase your tickets now!
T– Tribeca Film Festival
This festival gives movie lovers the chance to chase movies all over Manhattan in theaters from Tribeca up to Chelsea and goes on from June 7th-18th this year. Get ready to check out innovative storytelling across film, TV, immersive, games, talks, audio storytelling, and more!Find out more on their website here.
U– URBANSPACE Markets
URBANSPACE is one of NYC’s most beloved market makers, and their various markets across the city are sure to put you in the spring mood. You can check out their vendors and food halls here, and start planning your next visit now! What we’re most excited for though is their yearly pop-up spring market in Bryant Park, which is set to return for three weekends in May!
V– Vintage Shopping
Warm weather means it’s time for a new wardrobe! Go crate digging around NYC’s vintage and thrift stores to score your next spring outfit! Of course there’s popular destinations like L Train and Buffalo Exchange, but use our list of stores to help you score some hidden gems for the spring time!
W– Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month and that means celebrating all of the fantastic women-led elements of our great city. From supporting locally female-owned businesses to attending performances and exhibitions illustrating female success, there’s so many ways to celebrate. Check out all our favorite women-focused events happening across the month here and get involved!
X– XXX: Museum of Sex
This radical museum is a informative and fun way to spend your weekend. Experience four floors of erotic amusements including a 4-D immersive “Tunnel of Love,” an erotic fortune-telling machine (modeled as RuPaul), a mechanical bull, and more.
Y– Yankee Game
Spring marks the official start of baseball season, and Yankee games are way too fun to miss out on — Opening Day is officially set for March 30. Make sure you add one to your calendar! Find the schedule and tickets on their website here.
Z– Zoo
Check out NYC’s wildlife at one of our zoos, and thankfully there is one in every borrough! Of course, The Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the country with over 265 acres of land and 4,000 animals, but there’s many other zoos around the city too that are worthy of a day of exploration! Check them all out here and buy tickets below!
Buy Bronx Zoo tickets here! Buy Central Park Zoo tickets here!Written by Corey Fuller, Bianca Bahamondes and Brianna Perry
Also published on Medium.