NYC weather surely has its ups and downs, but we’ve already experienced some gorgeous temperatures that have inspired us to make all those plans we’ve been holding out on.
From a reinvention of NYBG’s annual Orchid Show to spending your weekend brunching, here are tons of awesome things to do this March in NYC!
1. Bask in the luck of the Irish with these NYC St. Patrick’s Day events
Cue the leprechauns—St. Patrick’s Day is approaching on Monday, March 17th! In honor of our favorite green holiday we’ve rounded up our favorite ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in NYC this year, from bar crawls and boat cruises to the beloved St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Grab a pint of Guinness and find the best ways to celebrate this holiday here—or, explore NYC’s Little Ireland!
2. Absorb some warmth and early Spring vibes at Orchid Nights
The Orchid Show at New York Botanical Garden is always stunning, and this year, the theme is Mexican Modernism, which will be even more vibrant. But there’s a twist: Orchid Nights (for those 21+ only) are happening!
Starting on opening day, February 15, there will be cumbia sonidera music, dancing, drinks, and light bites. Hit the dance floor with your friends this Spring on March 8, 15, 22, and 29 and April 5, 12, 19, 25, and 26. Catch The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism, until April 27th, and be sure to enjoy Orchid Nights on those select evenings!
3. Compete in a real-life version of Squid Game
See if you have what it takes to survive in a real-life Squid Game here in NYC. Journey through five, heart-racing challenges to see who comes out victorious. Don’t miss out on the Korean-inspired night market afterwards to grab a bite to each and exclusive merch! Grab your tickets now!
4. Spark your senses at Dining in the Dark
This transformative culinary experience will surprise your senses as you dine in a restaurant completely blanketed in darkness. You’ll have to rely on your other senses while you enjoy your meal, which eminent psychologists have advocated will elevate your tasting experience. Book your table now.
5. This majestic production is only here throughout March
Due to overwhelming demand, the ethereal multi-genre concept that is AVALONA: A Musical Legend has been extended from March 1st to 29th! It’s only at the St. Paul & St. Andrew Church Theatre, located at 263 W 86th St.
Go on this spiritual journey with an incredible cast, including Broadway’s Jenna Rubaii, Tony-award-nominated actor Constantine Maroulis, and creator Dina Fanai. The ensemble cast performs in this astounding production that combines song, dance, and 3D projections! Get more information and tickets here.
6. Take a walk amongst an imaginative trail that lights up the night
Queens Botanical Garden has been entirely transformed into an illuminated path of wonders with colorful floating fish, vibrant dragons and a field of glowing flowers. Buy your tickets today.
7. Cozy into an AMC theater and catch the latest released flick
Sometimes nothing beats a day at the cinema! Choose which tantalizing movie you’ve been eager to see and book your ticket at a discounted promotional price when you buy yours now. Valid for any 2D movie on any day at participating AMC theaters.
8. Enjoy a boozy evening of Shakespearean revelry
Celebrate some of the most prized works of literature in a drunken haze at Drunk Shakespeare. Located in a hidden Victorian drawing room, follow excellent storytelling with a bit of a twist. The actors will actually be joining you in a drink (or five) as they take on the classics. It’s sure to be an unforgettable show like nothing you’ve ever seen. Secure your tickets here!
9. Discover the wonders of Egypt at Horizon of Khufu
Embark on a VR experience that will take you back 4,500 years to visit the Giza Plateau and the Great Pyramid of Giza at this unmissable event, Horizon of Khufu, in NYC. Get your tickets now.
10. Enjoy a lavish champagne dinner
Book a table at one of NYC’s most beautiful restaurants, Gramercy Tavern, for an unforgettable, lavish evening. Pressoir will host its Grands Champagnes Dinner at Danny Meyer’s iconic destination on March 20th at 6:30pm, where they will pour “exciting wines from our favorite producers Chartogne Taillet, Agrapart, Salon, Bollinger, Laval” among others. Learn more and reserve your spot online.
11. Explore a new park or secret garden
It can be easy to forget about the parks, courtyards, and secret gardens when you think of the “concrete jungle,” but if you take a stroll through your neighborhood you’ll definitely stumble across some greenery. Now that spring is nearly here we can’t get enough of the fresh vegetation. Aside from the large park areas and botanical gardens, there are countless community parks, restaurants, shops, and courtyards covered in lush foliage:
- The Church of St. Luke in the Fields
- 6BC Botanical Garden
- The Met Cloisters
- Untermeyer Gardens (Yonkers)
12. Celebrate Women’s History Month
The whole month of March is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women throughout history, and while these achievements should be celebrated year-round, this is the perfect time to explore all the awesome things women are doing across the city and support them.
Bonus: 10 Statues & Murals Honoring History-Changing Women Across NYC
13. See Pointeworks on Tour
Ideal for spring and Women’s History Month, Pointeworks on Tour is headed to Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater on March 21st and 22nd. The nonprofit ballet company, which places a special emphasis on female artists, will put on a dazzling show with sweet visuals, live music, and amazing choreography that feels like a breath of fresh air. Learn more on the Pointeworks website.
14. Cozy into NYC’s best winter rooftops before it becomes true rooftop weather
Make the most of NYC’s winter rooftops with their comfy blankets and warming fireplaces before spring arrives. Some standouts include:
15. Check out the New Colossus Festival
16. See Joan Didion’s archive at the NYPL
The New York Public Library will shine a new light on literary icon Joan Didion this March with over 300 boxes of (mostly) private archival material. Not only is the forthcoming display an intimate deep dive into the author’s professional and personal relationship with husband, writer John Gregory Dunne, but it offers a different perspective on how her work came to be. Those stopping by the new exhibit, which opens on March 26th, can expect new typescripts from the author’s interviews with Manson Family member Linda Kasabian, singer Joan Baez, and classic rock band The Doors, records and dinner party menus with guests like Warren Beatty and Annie Leibovitz, notes from her time at Vogue, and even Didion’s “Babyhood” book.
17. Attend Kids’ Night on Broadway
Kids’ Night on Broadway is an annual event — taking place this year on March 4th — that makes seeing a show more accessible. A program of The Broadway League and The New York Times, it invites kids 18 and under to see a show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult.
18. Attend Tulip Day in Union Square
Our newfound warm-weather tradition, the annual Tulip Day returns on Sunday, March 30th in Union Square, so mark your calendars accordingly. (FYI, though the event is free registration will be required; tickets will be released in March.) There will be over 170,000 blooms to choose from (for free) and you can walk home with a bouquet of 10!
19. Treat yourself to a spa day
Tranquil and transformative wellness experiences await you in NYC, and from a parking-garage-turned-bathhouse to a breathtaking Italian spa on Governor’s Island, NYC is filled with stunning spas. See some of our favorites below and more here.
20. Get lost inside this 40,000-square-foot indoor adventure park
Area 53 in Williamsburg opened an enormous indoor adventure park that’s sure to make you feel like a kid again. Walk the ropes course, play laser tag, and even get through a ninja course for endless amounts of fun. See what else Area 53 offers here.
21. Celebrate Holi in NYC
Holi, the Festival of Love, the Festival of Colors, or the Festival of Spring, will be celebrated on Friday, March 14th. From Bhangra dance lessons to puppet shows, find the best ways to celebrate Holi in NYC here.
22. Make a splash at New York’s largest indoor water park open year-round
The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark, located only 90 minutes outside of NYC, offers two-acres-worth of endless fun. Complete with several water rides and slides, a lazy river, a rope bridge across the water, and more than 100 water adventures including a massive dump bucket, there’s fun to be had at the water park year-round. See what else Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark has in store here.
23. Eat your way through dozens of Japanese vendors at this epic Japanese Food Fest
On Saturday, March 29th explore and eat your way through dozens of Japanese vendors like Menya Jiro, Tonkatsu Me and so much more in the East Village! Japan Fes. a rather affordable way to immerse yourself in delicious Japanese cuisine, with food items averaging at $10, and the event normally brings in over 250,000 yearly visitors! Read more here.
24. Enjoy some incredible outdoor public works of art around NYC
As the weather continues to warm, it’s the perfect opportunity to take the time to check out of some of the best outdoor art installations currently on view around NYC. Here are some of our favorites:
25. Keep an eye out for gorgeous cherry blossoms
One of the most magical sights to see in NYC is the cherry blossoms in bloom. These beautiful flowers begin to bloom between late March to early April, so be on the lookout! For now, you can admire all of the gorgeous photos from years before.
26. Explore the Catacombs of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral by candlelight
Head to Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Nolita for a one-of-a-kind tour of its historic catacombs. This underground space used to be sealed off from the public, but those brave enough can now explore it…by candlelight! This unique experience shines a light on the final resting place of notable New Yorkers and the achievements and hurdles faced by New York’s historic Catholic residents, and you can grab your tickets here.
27. Take advantage of extended daylight hours with NYC’s first 7pm sunset of the year
Though the last sunset milestone we looked forward to was the year’s first 5pm sunset, due to daylight savings and the clock shift we’re going to skip straight over a 6pm sunset and jump right to 7pm sunsets. Learn more and find out when it’s happening here.
28. Check out all of NYC’s most recent bar and restaurant openings
There have been plenty of new restaurant & bar openings in the NYC food & drink scene, and we’re here to tell you which ones are a must-visit! Explore some of our favorites now.
29. Roam the Met for their romantic ‘date nights’
The Met just got a lot more magical! Take your friend, partner or self through the beautiful halls of the Met at their date nights hosted on Friday and Saturday nights. Complete with cocktails, gallery access, and live music, it’s sure to be an unforgettable time. Learn more here.
30. Enjoy Italian fine-dining at legendary Delmonico’s Steakhouse’s new ‘sister’ trattoria TUCCI
Delmonico’s Steakhouse is a classic FiDi gem with a rich history dating all the way back to 1837, and now it has a new sister trattoria, TUCCI! The 60-seat establishment serves contemporary northern and southern dishes inspired by the Tucci family’s Italian heritage. Learn more about TUCCI here.
31. Fill your calendar with the best free things to do in NYC
There’s no questioning how energetic, unique and diverse New York City is. But if there’s one negative? It’s definitely the cost. The good news–we’re sharing our favorite FREE things to do in NYC! Look at our full list now.
32. Welcome spring at some of NYC’s prettiest floral restaurants
What better way to enjoy the arrival of spring than dining under floral canopies that will whisk you away to paradise? Some of the most gorgeous spring floral outdoor dining setups can be found here.
33. Listen to enchanting performances at these candlelit concerts
Calm your mind and experience amazing music in a new light with these sensational concerts by candlelight in some of NYC’s most beautiful spaces. From concerts at historical NYC churches to stunning hotels, you’ll be whisked away by the magical sounds of both classical music and movie scores. Here are some of our favorites going on in March:
Or, get a gift card for a friend or loved one and let them choose!
34. Cross off all the things every visitor and local should do in NYC at least once
New York City is a one of a kind place, and whether you’re someone who’s lived here for years, or are visiting on vacation, we’ve created the ultimate list of things you have to do at least once! You can find them here.
35. Grab a drink at all of NYC’s best hidden bars
From speakeasies that were actually running during the Prohibition era, to laundromat fronts and random, unmarked street doors, NYC is filled to the brim with hidden bars in the most unassuming spots. NYC’s best hidden bars with secret entrances to head to can be seen below, and the rest can be found here.
- The Office of Mr. Moto, East Village
- 929, LIC
- Loulou, Chelsea
36. Catch a Broadway show
Broadway hosts the absolute best of the best productions, right here in NYC! Since there is always so many things to do in NYC all the time, and shows are constantly coming and going, it’s hard to keep track of what’s currently on. But some of the best shows can be found here.
37. Explore one of NYC’s many neighborhoods
It seems as if NYC goes on forever with how much there is to explore, and we’re making it our mission to explore every last nook and cranny of the city we call home. We love to go to different spots around the city and create our own guides with our favorite things to do in the area, so that once you go to explore that neighborhood you know exactly what can’t be missed! Some of our favorite neighborhood guides include:
- 20 Charming Things To Do In Chinatown, Manhattan
- 30 Sensational Things To Do In SoHo, NYC
- 28 Coolest Things To Do In Bushwick, Brooklyn
- 30 Amazing Things To Do In Astoria, Queens
- 23 Unique Things To Do On City Island, The Bronx
38. Try your hand at one of NYC’s most exciting classes
There is no shortage of classes and workshops in the Big Apple to get your creative juices flowing. Whether you want to learn to make candles, create pottery, make pasta from scratch, or even learn to DJ, the possibilities are endless! After all, New York was declared the most productive state last year! Find some of our favorite classes here.
39. Explore NYC’s best museum exhibits & installations
Art moves people, challenges them, sparks creativity, and so much more. And we’re lucky enough to have some of the best art exhibits in the world, right here in NYC! Some of the most exciting exhibits that are currently showing or coming soon can be found here.
40. Catch a movie
