Searching for the best things to do this weekend in NYC? No need to worry–we already did the work for you.
Weekends are prime real estate, and with spring finally making its entrance we’re not about to waste our time on mediocre plans. Your Saturdays and Sundays deserve main character energy, not “guess we’ll just wander around” vibes.
Lucky for you, the city is stacked right now. We’re talking pop-ups, shows, new bites, and exhibits that are actually worth leaving your apartment for. Ready to make some plans?
And if your weekend mood says “out of office,” we’ve got spring getaway ideas waiting too:
- This 300-Mile Train Ride Connects NYC And Vermont—With Historic Spas, Maple Syrup Stops, And Green Mountain Views
- This $15 Train Ride From NYC Takes You To A Charming Riverside Town That’s A Spring Must-Visit — It’s A Cinematic Gem That Inspired Your Favorite Hollywood Thrillers
- You Can Ride The Most Scenic Train Route In The Northeast From NYC To This Historic Victorian Island Resort — Experience 360 Degree Lake Views, Gilded Age Glamor And Scenic Sunset Cruises
- Take A $30 Train Ride From NYC To This Historic Seaside Town—The Backdrop To ‘Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind’ & Inspo For ‘Stranger Things’
— With contributions from Sydney Hargrove and Corey Fuller
Get the very best out of Secret NYC and New York City life by joining our Secret Club, boasting premiere perks and benefits to use across the city! This must-try membership provides unbeatable deals, discounts, giveaways, and more around NYC.
Some of our current offerings include:
- $1 beers at Clinton Hall (ends May 25, 2026)
- $15 off a session at Official Ritual (ends August 31, 2026)
- 20% off live music events like piano brunches and concert tributes
Cool off with a Samoa Sundae via The Corner Store’s new pop-up series
SoHo’s The Corner Store is reimagining classic American comfort dishes through refined technique and premium ingredients–and they’ve teamed up with DoorDash Reservations for an exciting pop-up series.
This weekend, New Yorkers can get their hands on the pop-up series’ second drop: the Oli’s Sundae Shoppe.
The Samoa Sundae base starts with house-made coconut soft serve, topped with brown butter caramel, valrhona chocolate fudge, salted shortbread crumble, and toasted coconut–all served in a limited-edition souvenir helmet cup.
DashPass members can reserve a pick-up window via DoorDash Reservations on the app. Walk-ins will also be available daily on a first-come, first-served basis.
If Willy Wonka’s factory existed in real life, we’d imagine it to be somewhat like iCandy, a multi-floor, immersive candy adventure with a NYC theme.
Even better? You can fill up a container with sweets on each new level. Yes, please! Get tickets now!
Imagine strolling down Park Avenue without a yellow cab in sight. This Saturday, May 16, that dream becomes a reality as one of Manhattan’s most famous stretches shuts down for Park Avenue Day 2026.
The massive cultural festival will bring over 200 vendors, world-class art, and local bites to Park Avenue between 34th and 40th Streets. Read more.
If you’re anything like us, you won’t say no to a delicious bowl of mac – we especially can’t go past one that is easy to whip up at home. This weekend, GOODLES wants everyone in NYC to celebrate in a big, joyful and colorful way – so they are taking over a little corner of NYC and everyone is invited!
Look for the brightly colored space at 188 Lafayette Street in SoHo on Friday May 15 from 1pm-6pm or on Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17 between 11am-6pm. There will be samples and tastings galore, alongside plenty of merch and giveaways. Click here for all the details.
One lucky New Yorker will score the ultimate sports fan dream job as FOX Sports’ “Chief World Cup Watcher,” earning $50,000 to watch all 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup live in 4K over the course of the 39-day tournament.
The role also includes creating social content throughout the tournament, with the winner announced live this June before the World Cup kicks off. Learn how to apply by May 17.
Experience Taylor Swift and Beyoncé like never before as these Broadway-style tribute shows take over The Cutting Room
Experience performances by veteran Broadway and TV stars backed by a full, live acoustic band! Plus enjoy delicious cocktails and a full menu of food as you listen. Here are some upcoming shows you’ll want to bookmark:
- Broadway Sings: Taylor Swift (May 17th)
- Broadway Sings: Beyoncé (May 22nd)
Explore a living archive of fashion history at Isle of Monday’s one-weekend Rental Suite Pop-Up
For one weekend only, Isle of Monday–the first on-demand rental platform dedicated exclusively to unsigned, designer, and archival vintage fashion–will open the doors to its inaugural in-person pop-up, creating a living archive of fashion history out of a SoHo storefront.
The pop-up offers a rare real-life touchpoint with gallery-worthy fashion, featuring archival runway pieces and one-of-a-kind vintage garments from the most iconic designers including Roberto Cavalli, Vivienne Westwood, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Mugler, Alaïa, and more, alongside pieces previously worn by cultural idols like Aaliyah, Ashanti, Naomi Campbell, and Helena Christensen.
The pop-up takes place from 11 am to 6 pm.
Feel the rush of high‑speed SailGP racing against the NYC skyline.
The Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix is set to bring world‑class F50 catamaran racing to New York Harbor, with elite international teams and prime shoreline viewing. This global sports championship combines cutting-edge tech, epic venues, elite athletes, and record-breaking speeds to create the most riveting racing.
Take part in one of New York’s largest annual Thai arts fairs
ThaiNext is one of New York’s largest Thai arts fairs. This year’s theme, “When the Seeds Bloom,” celebrates the evolution of Thai art and culture as it takes root and flourishes on the global stage.
The event will feature a full day of Thai art, live performances and painting, artist showcases, and a wide variety of Thai food, merchandise and activities. It takes place 11 am to 5 pm. Learn more.
Celebrate the launch of Nutella Peanut with games, personalized keepsakes, & free Nutella Peanut sandwiches
To celebrate the launch of Nutella® Peanut–the brand’s first flavor innovation in over 60 years–Nutella is transforming a NoHo storefront into the first-ever Nutella Peanut Pop-Up.
The free, open-to-the-public experience invites guests to flow through a series of quick-hit games, each unlocking Nutella Peanut-themed prizes, personalized keepsakes, and the ultimate reward: free Nutella Peanut sandwiches and dippable snacks.
The pop-up will open at 12 pm and close at 6 pm–no tickets or reservations required.
Step into a haunting, otherworldly audiovisual journey inspired by Radiohead.
If you’re looking for something immersive and a little surreal, check out Motion Picture House featuring Kid A Mnesia–a limited-run, 75-minute audiovisual Radiohead installation at Brooklyn Navy Yard (Agger Fish Building) running from May 6–June 28, 2026. It’s an immersive reinterpretation of Kid A and Amnesiac.
If your weekend plans revolve around a great meal, New York City is a culinary paradise with its extensive range of restaurants–over 23,000 to choose from!
The New York Times’ 2026 list spotlights NYC’s top 100 dining destinations right now, spanning all five boroughs, countless cuisines, and every type of dining experience imaginable. Find it here.
There’s never a shortage of shows on the Great White Way.
Whether you’re thinking of channeling your roots with Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, want to sing your heart out at Wicked, or prefer something a little more serious like The Outsiders, the selection is unparalleled.
Have a meal at one of the restaurants we’ve recently been loving
Between the impossible-to-book tasting menus, beloved neighborhood staples, and hole-in-the-wall spots worth trekking across boroughs for, deciding where to eat next in NYC can practically feel like a full-time job. Thankfully, we’re here to help.
Here are some restaurants we’ve been loving lately:
- Cecchi’s (West Village, 105 W 13th St) – for happy hour leans into classic New York vibes, stunning murals by Jean-Pierre Villafañe, and a beautifully lit, sexy space
- Seirēn (Chelsea, 94 7th Ave) – for a transportive, coastal feel to with a setup that leans into the spirit of a laid-back European aperitivo hour
- S & S Calabro Pizzeria (Astoria, 30-65 14th St) – a hole-in-the-wall pizzeria serving slices and pies alongside pasta and sandwiches
Explore audiobook sampling, listening rooms, and more at the world’s first-ever “bookless bookstore”
If you’re more of a “headphones on” rather than “crack open a book,” kind of reader, this one’s for you: Audible Story House has opened in NYC–the world’s first-ever “bookless bookstore” devoted entirely to immersive audio storytelling.
The space is packed with interactive ways to listen, explore, and unwind, including:
- Story “tiles” visitors can tap to sample audiobooks
- Seven distinct listening rooms outfitted with Sony headphones and Dolby Atmos surround sound
- A pop-up café from Brooklyn favorite Land to Sea
- And more immersive surprises throughout the space
Grab a blanket and hang out on the Bryant Park iconic lawn–now open for the season earlier than ever
Bryant Park’s iconic green lawn has reopened two weeks ahead of its usual schedule for sprawling out on the grass, picnics, soaking up sunshine, and more!
The space is one of Manhattan’s most coveted warm weather spots, offering wide open grass, skyline views, and just enough buzz to make people watching a full blown sport. Read more.
Step into ancient China in Flushing with Hanfu robes, nightly performances, and tongue-tingling Sichuan food.
Chuan Bistro 三杯叙 (Sānbēi Xù) is a new immersive Sichuan restaurant in Flushing that combines Han Dynasty-inspired decor, nightly traditional performances, Hanfu rentals, and a spice-forward Sichuan menu–an easy pick if you’re looking for a dinner plan that feels like a full on experience.
Enter a gripping immersive exhibition that places you inside an FBI‑style case file.
If you’re in the mood for something seriously chilling this weekend, Mind of a Serial Killer: The Experience is an exhibition in NYC featuring reconstructed crime scenes, archival artifacts, and a VR investigation that immerses visitors in forensic casework.
The New York Transit Museum is bidding adieu to the MetroCard with “FAREwell, MetroCard,” an exhibit that celebrates its inception, the technology behind the fare system, and all of its significant moments along the way.
The exhibit is open now through June 2026.
Need a new read? The Secret NYC book club via Fable has you covered. Check out what’s happening with the club and join our discussion!
Ready your vocal chords: a new karaoke bar has opened in the West Village.
Beatbox features private suites, multiple game modes, and of course, great bites and drinks. Why not up on fries and pretzel bites before belting out some Celine Dion?
If you were to rewind about 400 years, you’d barely recognize NYC–and the New York Botanical Garden’s new exhibit, Before New York, is bringing that long lost landscape back to life.
Based on more than two decades of research, the exhibit blends a mix of large-scale visuals with digital renderings to reimagine the city’s original landscape–one shaped entirely by nature.
It’s on view now through November 15, 2026 at NYBG’s Ross Gallery, but it will appear across all five boroughs throughout the year. Learn more.
Experience classic masterpieces reborn through immersive light, sound, and motion.
If you’re looking for a mind-blowing indoor pick, ARTE Museum New York at Chelsea Piers brings Monet, Van Gogh, and Musée d’Orsay works to life using light, motion, and sound. The result:an immersive fusion of fine art and technology that transports visitors into art history.
Add extra butter to your popcorn and grab a drink: the 2026 movie release lineup is one for the books: book-to-screen adaptations, blockbuster sequels, pop culture favorites and more await, including Wuthering Heights, Project Hail Mary, and The Devil Wears Prada 2.
What could be better than an evening of outstanding art and time spent with your love bug? Friday and Saturday night dates at the Met not only include picturesque scenes but drinks, music, and more.
Make note: the fun gets underway from 5–9pm.
For a sophisticated date night à la Ronnie Cammareri and Loretta Castorini, turn to the Met’s Fridays Under 40, one of the most unique experiences you can have on the Upper West Side.
The longstanding tradition makes opera more accessible to a younger crowd and provides a unique way to spend an evening. Every Friday, those who have yet to reach the big 4-0–yes, you’ll have to prove your age–can score tickets to classics like Le Nozze di Figaro, Antony and Cleopatra, and the mother of all performances, La Bohème, at a discounted rate.
Looking for something wildly different to do this weekend? Check out BATSU!, a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud live comedy game show where comedians compete in ridiculous challenges, improv games, and over-the-top punishments.
It’s unpredictable, high energy, and feels like a party you’re watching (and sometimes yelling at) in real time. Perfect if you want something fun, chaotic, and totally memorable.
Step into NYC’s brand-new high-energy game show experience where you are the contestant.
Grab your friends, smash real buzzers, spin giant wheels, and battle through fast-paced mini games on a hidden soundstage–confetti and bragging rights included. If you’ve ever dreamed of being on a game show, this just-opened experience lets you live it IRL, and it’s perfect for a weekend win.
Head to MoMA PS1–for free
Quality art. An accessible price point…or lack thereof, for that matter. Count us in! MoMA PS 1 recently became the largest free museum in NYC, courtesy of assistance from creative entrepreneur, Sonya Yu.
Check out the current exhibitions and plan your visit ASAP
