Spring is number one on our list for best season of the year.
Sure, sometimes it seems uncertain that the warmth will ever stick around long enough to properly enjoy it, but on beautiful days like this past Tuesday it would be blasphemous to not 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 the spring!
A– Art
New York is known for its vibrant art culture and spring is one of the best times to experience it. Check out one of the multiple museums or get lost wandering around looking for street art!
- The Met’s Annual Rooftop Garden Exhibit Is Getting A ‘Sesame Street’ Twist This Year
- A Canine Paradise – Museum of the Dog
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
- Poster House
B– Brunch
What more is there to say? Brunch is amazing during any season. Here are some of our recommendations.
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. You can keep track of the flowers through the BBG tracker. Here are 8 other places you can see the cherry blossoms in NYC.
D– Drive-In Movies
Though many New Yorkers don’t have cars, drive-ins have become all the rage in the city in the age of a pandemic. Skyline Drive-In NYC opened this summer in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, at 1 Oak Street. The prime spot, with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, is also a popular photo and filming location for commercials and TV shows (so you know it’s gorgeous!).
E– Eataly
The Flatiron eatery is a destination year-round, but they’ve just reopened their rooftop for the spring and it’s a blooming greenhouse. Head over for a spritz, burrata, and sunshine.
F– Fly
Take a private helicopter tour and soar above Manhattan with stunning aerial views of the city.
G– Governor’s Island
Governor’s Island is back with a lovely glamping experience for a fourth year! 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. Or even check out their newest employees: adorable sheep!
H– High Line
Take a stroll on the 1.45 mile long elevated park and check out the new public art installation that will takeover the Spur at 30th St. and 10th Ave.
I– IKEA
Out with the old and in with the new! What would spring time be without a spring cleaning? Check out the first IKEA Outpost in Queens because what better time than now to give your apartment a fresh redesign than spring?
J– Jazz
Join Jazz Age Lawn Party for an incredible jazz brunch experience!
K– KAWS Exhibition
Take a trip to the Brooklyn Museum and check out over 100 ranging works from Brooklyn artist KAWS as he explores pop culture, commerce, and the world of art.
L– Lincoln Center
As part of their Restart Stages program, Lincoln Center will be turning its iconic Josie Robertson Plaza into an enormous green space for all New Yorkers to enjoy called “The GREEN,” which will be unveiled on May 10.
M– Mini Green Lawns at Pier 17
Get your own personal backyard experience in the city thanks to the returning rooftop pop-up called “The Greens”! They officially reopen for the season on Monday, May 3. The Greens features 32 10×10 square-foot “mini lawns” that can serve up to eight people. Dine, drink, and listen to music while you sit back and admire some stunning water views.
N– NYC beaches
All NYC beaches (Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Park Beach on Staten Island) will open Memorial Day Weekend, with lifeguards on duty daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
O– Outdoor dining
For a while it was the only way we could dine at all (and restaurants could keep their businesses afloat), as owners expanded onto the sidewalks and streets thanks to the now-annual Open Streets program. Now, almost every restaurant in the city is offering outdoor seating in some way, providing ample opportunity to take in the sun and fresh air in the busy city. Check out our extensive list of recommendations!
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 at Sheep Meadow. Sounds like a lovely day to us!
Q– Queen’s M Tea
With two floors of PINK on PINK with pink cloud walls, pastel pink couches and mini pink and white hot air balloons hanging from the ceiling and even one giant hot air balloon couch, this bubble tea shop in Flushing is ideal for sipping your drink (or, you know, loading up on Instagram content). See more here.
R– Rooftop Bars
Rooftop bars and warm, sunny days go hand in hand. Check out this list of some of our recommendations that’ll keep you busy until next winter.
S– Speakeasies
While there are plenty of speakeasies across the city we’ve narrowed our list down to the best twelve. From back rooms that were actually around in the 1920’s to new interpretations of what a speakeasy was like during the Prohibition era, here are some of our favorite spaces we think everyone has to try at least once.
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 9th-20th this year.
U– Union Square Greenmarket
Although the Union Square Greenmarket takes place all year long, what better time to take a walk through and get some fresh produce or artisan breads and cheeses than spring?
V– Vintage Shopping
After you’ve finished your obligatory spring cleaning, head over to thrift stores and vintage shops to either trade your items for new pieces, or replenish your closet with new goodies for the season. These are some of our favorite shops that won’t break the bank.
W– Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is one of the most beautiful places to spend a few hours once the weather warms up.
X– XXX Check out the Museum of Sex
This radical museum is a hysterical and fun way to bring in the season of love.
Y– Yankee Game
Spring marks the official baseball season! We all know the Bronx Bombers are the real city favorite so make sure you have a game marked somewhere on your calendar. Yankee stadium is still having fans come and watch but at 20% capacity to comply with safety measures. Learn more here.
Z– Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the country. With over 265 acres of land and 4,000 animals, taking a stroll through this beautiful park is a great way to spend the day. Check out some adorable photos of the animals playing in the snow from earlier this year!
featured image source: istockphoto
See also: The World’s Largest ‘Harry Potter’ Store Is Opening In Flatiron This June
Also published on Medium.