Even though NYC is shut down, it’s a new month and there’s still loads to do…all from the comfort and safety of your home, of course.
From learning new skills to taking advantage of unbelievable virtual tours and exhibits, we’re determined to help you have the least-boring month possible while inside!
1. Learn How To Knit From Your Couch With We Are Knitters
Isolation is the perfect excuse to learn a new hobby: you have loads of extra time to yourself indoors, and even being just a little bit productive can help ease feelings of boredom. Learning how to knit is especially perfect for this time, as studies show that knitting reduces stress and anxiety. It’s also great for restless kiddos since it helps them improve mind-to-motor skills.
The startup We Are Knitters is offering amazing luxury knitting kits that come with everything you need: needles, yarn, and instructions on how to make the coziest items of your dreams. Choose from luxe sweaters, blankets, scarves and more. They’re becoming even more popular during quarantine as more people are looking for fulfilling, indoor activities to keep them entertained.
We Are Knitters is also planning to launch new eco-friendly products by mid-April, so stay tuned! Their yarns are always made from 100% natural materials like soft cotton and merino wool, and the color options like pale pinks and marigold yellows are ideal for spring. Check them out here. ⭐️Sponsored⭐️
2. Try To Play the Guitar
Or ukuele! Or bass! Fender, the guitar manufacturing company, is offering three free months of their online music lessons during the coronavirus outbreak. Their online music program, Fender Play, will be free to everyone who wants to learn how to play while they’re practicing social distancing. How thoughtful!
3-6. Taking A Cooking Class
Or FOUR! Our favorites are:
- Michelin-Star chef Massimo Bottura’s free cooking lessons on his Instagram
- This adorable Italian Nonna will teach you how to pasta the traditional Italian way!
- Antoni from Queer Eye is also joining IG Live with cooking tips
- Don’t forget, NYC’s favorite eccentric Italian chef is still serving up his killer cooking ‘methods’
7. Participate in the Ultimate Virtual Dance Party
Shake things up with this incredible online quarantine party! As the lockdown continues and you find yourself still sitting at home, as you should be, you might be feeling a little bored. Well, we’re here to help, because Fever is hosting a fantastic free online quarantine party for you and your friends every Saturday. Sign up here.
8. Bake the Perfect Cookie
Most New Yorkers are utterly in love with Christina Tosi’s genius cereal milk ice cream and sugary cake truffles, but now you can learn her epic baking skills for yourself! The pastry chef and Milk Bar owner (who opened her official NYC flagship at the end of last year) started taking to Instagram Live for baking lessons, and now will be doing them daily at 2pm EST on her personal Instagram account.
9. Beat The Clock In This Trap Door Escape Room Live Stream
Solve the puzzles and unlock mysteries, live and from the comfort of your own home! In this thrilling virtual escape room, an actor takes you box by box and relies on you to solve all the puzzles via a live video feed and a chatroom. You’ll tell them where to go and what to do through virtual tours. These are sure to pump your adrenaline with found footage style production! Get tickets here.
10-12. Take A Virtual Trip To Europe With These Incredible Themed ‘Walking’ Tours
See Your City is helping people from all over the world take a quick trip to beautiful London, thanks to their amazing virtual walking tours of the city. The company, which runs these tours in person during “normal” life, has now taken some of their best-loved tours online. And you can do them all without leaving your bed! There’s a Jack the Ripper tour, which follows the trail of London’s most notorious serial killer, a virtual walking tour of London’s magical film locations and one of Edinburgh, Scotland’s enchanting filming locations!
13. Test Your Knowledge With This Epic LIVE Fantasy Quiz
Behold wizards, witches and werewolves as we bring to your screens a fun, mystical and mythical online trivia competition! Don your robes, gowns, wizard hats and more importantly your general knowledge as you battle it out for the coveted virtual trophy and redeemable prizes. This trivia series is designed for all lovers of fantasy and sci-fi, spanning across several genres with a broad focus on popular fantasy over the last few decades. Grab tickets here!
14. Be Hypnotized By A Celebrity Magician
Now you can experience what Johnny Wu does for celebrities from the comfort of your own home. If it’s real magic then he should be able to perform it virtually right? You’ll have a 40 minute Zoom call performance that includes hypnosis and live tricks! This is the most unique way to experience magic–turn up your speakers & share this virtual experience with your entire family. Get your tickets here.
15. Have An At-Home Date Night Scavenger Hunt
Date night is still on! Cure your cabin fever and get the sparks flying on an in-home date scavenger hunt! Let’s Roam from Home Hunts help couples deepen their connection and have a blast. All you need is your phone and your significant other. The interactive Let’s Roam app will present you with a series of challenges and questions ranging in difficulty and point value, all designed to bring you closer together. Check them out here.
16. Peek Through The Keyhole Into Romantic 19th Century Paris
The popular immersive Unmaking Toulouse-Lautrec show by Bated Breath Theatre Company has now transformed into an exciting digital experience: Toulouse Lautrec’s Through the Keyhole! You’ll meet the women behind some of the most beautiful post-impressionist paintings in history, in five personal episodes that will share the stories of those who inspired the iconic artist. Get your tickets to this spellbinding experience here.
17. Buy Pizza for a Hospital
Sauce Pizzeria, known for its unique flavors like an Al Pastor Pie, recently started working with local hospitals to help feed the doctors and nurses working so hard to care for patients with COVID-19, often putting themselves in harm’s way. They started by allowing New Yorkers to “Purchase a Cheese Pie for a Hospital” while online ordering, but now they have shifted to a GoFundMe page which is easier for more people to contribute to and also allows them to scale faster to feed more workers. They’re still matching a free pie to every pie donated, so that equates to $110 buying 10 pies and providing 40 meals. You can contribute whatever amount you are able to!
18. Watch the Northern Lights
Did you know you can watch the Aurora Borealis from literally anywhere in the world? Many have always dreamed of seeing the northern lights up close, but it certainly won’t be happening any time soon, thanks to a certain global pandemic. But, thanks to the internet, we’ve found a compromise…find out how you can now stream them here.
19-22. Look Forward to Incredible Events This Summer and Fall
Even though we’re staying safe at home right now, it’s still fun to plan how we’re going to celebrate later this summer and fall. Don’t miss these fantastic events coming to NYC later this year:
- This amazing submarine-themed tiki bar will be making splash in NYC this fall
- These enlightening Fever Talks will inspire you this summer in NYC
- Also this summer, experience the magic of classical music by candlelight in stunning NYC churches
- This Roller Disco brunch out of an ’80s dream is also back in NYC this summer
23. Watch the New York Philharmonic in Concert
More at-home entertainment! The New York Philharmonic is the latest NYC entertainment institution to share streams of its performances online while New Yorkers are stuck at home. Every Thursday at 7:30pm EST they will post a new concert performance on their Facebook page here.
24-26. Livestream an Epic Concert
Live Nation is turning canceled concert tours into the ultimate livestream sessions right from your couch with their new “Live from Home” feature. We have our eyes on:
- Hozier on Fridays
- Miley Cyrus’s daily “Bright Minded” interviews on Instagram
- Diplo’s Coronight Fever on Saturdays
You can see all the artists doing livestreams every single day right from their website.
27. Look for a Rainbow on Your Daily (Socially Distant) Walk
Little moments of kindness and comfort do a lot to lift spirits during this challenging time, and Brooklynites have been doing their part in such a sweet way: by putting rainbows in their windows. The “Rainbow Connection” first began as a way to entertain children on daily walks, according to Buzzfeed, since they couldn’t see their friends or go out to playgrounds anymore. Neighbors started putting rainbows in their windows, whether in the form of drawings, paintings, etc., so children could try to spot as many as they could while out and about. Now there is a map where you can see all of them!
28. Watch a Broadway Show
You already know that Broadway stars are performing live on YouTube nightly, but did you know you can also stream the actual shows themselves? BroadwayHD has been around since 2015, but feels especially prevalent right now. With the service you can get a monthly or yearly membership to stream hundreds of professionally recorded Broadway musicals and plays. Choices range from Carousel to Cats to Kinky Boots to Sweeney Todd to Romeo and Juliet, plus many more.
29. Catch Up on “Good News”
Reading the news can be a tough task right now. Bad news seems to submerge most of what we digest as we remain in the midst of a global pandemic. But, John Krasinski, also known as Jim from The Office, is here to provide us with nothing but the good stuff. Read all about his new YouTube channel here.
30. Order-In Brunch
New York is closed, but that doesn’t mean weekend brunch has to end! Luckily one Brooklyn restaurant is offering their weekend brunch menu for pickup and delivery. The best part? Concord Hill in Williamsburg has “build your own cocktail” kits, with everything you need to make fresh-squeezed Blood Orange Mimosas or Bloody Mary’s for four to six people.
31. Tune In to the Washington Square Piano Player
If you frequent Washington Square Park, you probably recognize Colin Huggins, who wheels his 800-pound piano into the park every weekend, in all types of weather. And since coronavirus basically shut the city down and that is no longer possible, he has taken to playing on his Instagram Stories Live, most weekdays at 7pm. You can find his Instagram here, at @howdidyougetthepianohere (find out how he actually did, here!).
32. Explore a Free Virtual Basquiat Art Exhibit
The closure of museums, galleries, and venues across the globe has led to a surprising benefit. It’s no reason to jump and shout for joy of course, considering the trying circumstances that we are all facing, but due to the closure of the National Gallery of Victoria in Australia, people from all around the world will find themselves fortunate enough to view the NGV’s newly-launched virtual programming. This includes the unprecedented and world premiere exhibition Crossing Lines, showcasing the works of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
33. Play Games with Your Pets
https://twitter.com/iqraanabi/status/1239294114094632961
In these desperate times, people have taken to doing “social distancing” activities with their own pets (and they’re pretty hilarious). While the pandemic grips the world, many of us are stuck in self-quarantine or self-isolation. Human contact is going through an awkward phase and pets are seeing more of their humans than they ever cared to.
34. Tour the American Museum of Natural History, Digitally
The museum may be closed, but the education is still ongoing! Even though the American Museum of Natural History had to close its doors, they are still keeping the museum alive online. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 2pm ET, they are playing previous recorded Facebook Live videos of its halls and collections, and they are also doing fun watch parties with science experts. So far they’ve shown the Hall of North American Mammals, the Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs, and the iconic Blue Whale.
35. View Over 800 Frida Kahlo Artifacts & Artworks
Google Arts & Culture has partnered with museums from all over the world to put on the ultimate Frida Kahlo exhibit. What a time to be at home, because now we finally have the opportunity to explore 33 different museums at the same time and enjoy all of Frida Kahlo’s amazing works—without ever leaving the couch! Google Art & Culture’s online exhibit, “Faces of Frida,” features more than 800 pieces by (and of) the artist in what might be the most epic exhibition yet!
36. Enjoy a Shakespeare Sonnet Read by Patrick Stewart (Every Day!)
Sonnet 12. I hope you’re ready for this. #ASonnetADay pic.twitter.com/B4v1leZ2qi
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 31, 2020
A sonnet a day, as promised by Sir Patrick Stewart, will keep the doctor away. Sir Patrick Stewart’s reading of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 has clocked up more than one million views on Twitter since it was posted, and the grand response has consequently led him to shower us with more readings. Watch them here!
37. Order-In Board Games
Everyone loves NYC restaurant Clinton Hall for its epic array of bar games just as much as its deliciously indulgent pub grub. Sadly with the city shutdown, no one can can gather with friends for a round of drinks, or Cards Against Humanity. Luckily though, you can now bring the fun home! That’s right, along with delivery of comfort food, canned beers and bottles of wine, you can add board games and essentials like toilet paper to your order from Clinton Hall’s 16 W. 36th St. and 90 Washington St. locations every day from 1pm – 9pm.
38. Take a 360-Degree Virtual Tour of NYC Street Art
Though clicking around Google maps isn’t quite the same as going on a walk, their Arts & Culture program is letting you experience our amazing street art once again. If you visit their “9 Amazing Street Art Murals in New York,” you’re able to click into the murals they’ve selected from a street view, moving around 360-degrees to take it all in.
39. Binge-Watch Tiger King
It hasn’t been on Netflix for long, but the streaming service’s latest documentary, Tiger King, has had viewers absolutely hooked. Based on the uber-dark true story of Joe Exotic, real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage, the documentary features seven episodes of absolute madness, perfect for spending the weekend snuggled up in front of the TV.
40. Participate in a Piano Bar Sing-Along
If you think belting out a show tune will help keep you sane during this quarantine, Marie’s Crisis has you covered, just like old times. Known for its fantastic piano sing-alongs where patrons crowd around the piano and sing show tunes to their heart’s content. If you thought the magic ended when they were forced to shut down to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, you’d be wrong. Marie’s is still doing a live virtual piano bar every evening on Facebook (and most on Instagram too).
41. Visit the “Happiest Place on Earth”
The best part—no lines! Disneyland might have shut its doors temporarily, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun. Now, you can enjoy all your favorite rides without having to do much traveling past your couch. In response to the temporary shutdown of Disneyland and Walt Disney World, previous visitors have started sharing the wonderment of their ride experiences online (and we’re not totally sure yet if it’s giving us FOMO, but we’re so glad these exist!).
42. Watch LIVE Performances from Broadway Stars
Broadway is shut down, but you can still enjoy the tremendous talents of its stars! Theater performers are the latest to turn to online streaming in these times of quarantine, bringing famous songs straight into your living room. The Actors Fund announced they are producing online mini-Broadway shows every day to help entertain those stuck inside while also helping to raise money for the nonprofit organization.
43. Go to the Opera or Lincoln Center
Now’s your chance to finally “go to the Opera”! Even though it’s closed…Though the Metropolitan Opera is shut down, they will be streaming different performances online each week. Lincoln Center will also be following suit with their #LiveFromLincolnCenter series. You can watch gorgeous chamber music concerts on their Facebook page!
44. Learn How to Play 40 Different Board Games
Staying inside doesn’t have to be board-ing…see what we did there? One of our favorite ways to spend a day inside is to play board games, so we’ve put together a list of entertaining tabletop fun you can have while you wait out the coronavirus pandemic. Here are some of our favorite board games and for easy access, we’ve also included video instructions so you can get started right away!
45. Clap Every Evening at 7pm for Healthcare Workers
Following suit from the U.K., Spain and Italy, NYC joined the world in thanking all of its essential workers with a round of applause on Friday, March 27. The city-wide clap was organized via social media and asked residents in all boroughs and neighborhoods to participate by leaning out their windows, balconies and fire escapes to cheer for all essential workers from medical professionals to sanitation employees. And now, many NYC neighborhoods have taken it upon themselves to continue the tradition every evening at 7pm, right when most healthcare workers are switching shifts. Join in if you can!
46. Be Put to Sleep By Dolly Parton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ia-ozHDaLs
‘Goodnight With Dolly’ is now here! With the world in a fairly odd state right now, drifting off to sleep may not be as easy as it once was. However, we’ve found a brilliant way to get some no-sweat shuteye, and it doesn’t involve counting sheep. In fact, all you need to do is lie there, and let the dulcet tones of legendary songstress Dolly Parton rock you gently to sleep, as she reads from a collection of bedtime stories. Find out more here.
47-55. Take a Virtual Museum Tour or Classes
From virtual tours to podcasts to online collections, here’s how you can visit NYC museums without actually visiting, plus a few other venues that are getting creative with how they’re connecting with visitors online! Find out all the details here.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The Guggenheim Museum
- The Museum of Modern Art
- The Museum of the City of New York
- The New-York Historical Society
- The Morgan Library & Museum
- The New York Public Library (technically not a museum, but they offer tons of e-books and other digital resources!)
- Brooklyn Museum First Saturdays
- Yayoi Kusama’s Breathtaking Infinity Rooms
featured image source: Photo by Norbert Kundrak on Unsplash