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. 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:
- Candlelight: Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop Favorites
- Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More
- Candlelight: Classic Rock on Strings
Or, get a gift card for a friend or loved one and let them choose!
2. Bask in the stunning 21st annual Orchid Show at NYBG
The Orchid Show transforms the New York Botanical Garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a floral oasis covered in fascinating, show-stopping flowers and installations. This year’s theme is, “Florals in Fashion,” and features visionary designers that bring florals, nature conservation and fashion together! The bold and vibrant installations will create an entirely new floral experience that you absolutely must see. It’s on now through Sunday, April 21st. Learn more here.
3. Laugh Out Loud On This Epic Theatrical Journey That Is Titanique
The side-splitting Off-Broadway musical Titanique is a love letter to the icon Céline Dion! This comedic show uses Dion’s music to celebrate the beloved movie “Titanic.” Nothing can conquer the love of Jack and Rose…except Céline Dion!
See what happens when Dion disrupts a Titanic Museum tour and captivates the audience with her very wild take as she recreates certain memorable “Titanic” moments and characters with her iconic songs! Located at the Daryl Roth Theatre (101 East 15th Street), Queen Dion’s birthday is on March 30th, so what better way to celebrate all month long than by attending the epic Titanique! Details and tickets here.
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. …Or send strangers secret messages while dining
Each week Swiss restaurant and wine bar Lavaux Wine Bar (where you can sip Swiss wine in a stunning 1970s gondola) encourages strangers to meet by hosting a Secret Message Party. Guests that opt in to participate in the Secret Message Party will be given paper and a pen to write a message and have it anonymously delivered to a person of your choice–you could potentially leave with a new friend! Read all about the party here.
6. 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 Sunday, 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.
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 here. 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. Reserve your weekends for brunch
Every New Yorker knows the weekends are for brunch, so prepare for dynamic tunes, delectable drinks, and bountiful brunch! Admire the elegant atmosphere while you listen to dreamy music by Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra and peruse delicious brunch offerings. Grab your tickets today.
10. Have an unforgettable meal at NYC’s most beautiful restaurants
Nothing pairs quite as well with a cocktail than a gorgeous ambiance, and lucky for us, NYC has plenty of that. From sky-high views to whimsical backdrops, we put together some of the city’s most beautiful restaurants that are perfect to add to your running list. See some of our favorites below and more here.
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. Clear your mind with this enchanting wellness experience at GAIA NoMaya in Brooklyn
End your week with Sonic Sanctuary Sundays in Brooklyn! Take a deep breath and immerse yourself in serene experiences which include an ancient Mayan Cacao Ceremony, sound healing meditation and holotropic breath work.
Be whisked away during a serene live instrumental concert in a salt cave with salt therapy & a one of a kind gong experience! Head over to GAIA Nomaya at 510 Flatbush Ave. Tickets are $65 for this three-hour experience and there are additional services you can try such as, massages, and reiki sessions!
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. Listen to 100+ bands & artists at this 5-day NYC music festival
The New Colossus Festival, a 5-day music festival, will bring more than 100 bands and artists to NYC’s Lower East Side Wednesday, March 6 to Sunday, March 10. The lineup features a wide variety of genres, including everything from post-punk and shoegaze to indie and alternative, and you can learn more about it here.
16. 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.
17. Take a walk amongst the stars at Astra Lumina before it closes
Queens Botanical Garden has been entirely transformed into a celestial pathway full of lustrous light, cosmic visions, and astral song. Don’t miss the last month to embark on this epic journey into the stars before it closes on March 17th. Grab your tickets here!
18. 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.
19. Celebrate Holi in NYC
Holi, the Festival of Love, the Festival of Colors, or the Festival of Spring, will be celebrated on Monday, March 25th. From Bhangra dance lessons to puppet shows, find the best ways to celebrate Holi in NYC here.
20. Discover a perfectly pink paradise at Pier 15
Head to the world’s first all-pink pier at Pier 15, perfect for sweethearts, besties, and families. Grab a cocktail and take in astonishing views of the Brooklyn Bridge in the background of your very own pink igloo. Secure your spot here.
21. 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.
22. Eat your way through dozens of Japanese vendors at this epic Japanese Food Fest
On Saturday, March 23rd explore and eat your way through dozens of Japanese vendors like Menya Jiro, Tonkatsu Me and so much more! 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.
23. 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:
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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, which occurred on Monday, January 22, 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.
27. 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! Some of our favorites are below, and you can find more here.
- A cozy art-gallery-turned-restaurant emphasizing natural wines
- This new restaurant in the West Village likened to a favorite childhood book “on LSD”
- This omakase restaurant that’s leaving fish off the menu
28. Be dazzled by seductive cirque-style cabaret dinner shows
This one-of-a-kind event in New York combines a circus dinner show with the excitement of a cabaret, all performed by stunning aerial acrobats. Explore love, passion, and sensuality while being wowed by world class talent. Don’t miss out on what is guaranteed to be a show to remember! Secure your tickets here.
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. Experience this noir-inspired adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth before it closes for good
Sleep No More, the Off-Broadway production that takes guests on a thrilling theatrical experience based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth tragedy, is coming to an end March 31, 2024–so you’ll definitely want to check it out while you still can! The award-winning theatrical experience tells Shakespeare’s Scottish tragedy through a darkly cinematic, film noir lens, and you can read more about it here.
31. Head to Central Park’s iconic Loeb Boathouse, which fully reopens this March
The Loeb Boathouse, which opened in the 1950s and has been a go-to dining destination within Central Park, closed down in October 2022 before partially reopening in June 2023–but now it’s set to fully reopen on Monday, March 4th! Learn more here.
32. 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 will serve contemporary northern and southern dishes inspired by the Tucci family’s Italian heritage, beginning Friday, March 15th. Learn more about TUCCI here.
33. 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! Some can be found below, and the rest of the list can be found here.
- Pay-what-you-wish at Brooklyn Botanical Garden
- Explore NYC’s outdoor public art
- Cozy in with a book at the New York Public Library
34. 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.
35. 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.
36. 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
37. 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.
38. 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
39. Lace up your skates at this nostalgic, retro roller rink
Roller Rock, a nostalgic retro roller rink complete with a checkerboard floor and dazzling disco ball, is making its return to The Rockaway Hotel + Spa for its second year, and it’s bringing with it a whirl of fun! It’ll be open through March 18th, 2024, and you can read more about it here.
40. 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.
41. 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.
42. Have the millennial night out of your dreams
Matinée Social Club, a company dedicated to bringing you a fun night out, yet promising you’ll be in bed before 11pm! Each party runs from 5pm-10pm, ensuring all guests can make it home before midnight if they so please. Attendees are promised music, dancing, and a great night’s rest. Read all about it here.
43. Have a fun family day with the best things to do in NYC with kids
There are so many family attractions to do in the city, it was hard to narrow them down into a list! Nonetheless, whether you’re visiting NYC and need some kid-friendly ideas, or you’ve lived here all your life and want to spend a fun day with your children, we’ve got some options of things to do with kids in NYC! You can find them here.