Searching for the best things to do this weekend in NYC? We have you covered.
Saturdays and Sundays are precious real estate, and you wouldn’t want to waste your time with subpar events. Fortunately for you, we found the coolest and most exciting activities the city has to offer, from seasonal events and cool shows to new bites and can’t-miss exhibits.
Start off with some brunch, peruse our recs, and then head out on your merry way. You won’t want to let a moment of spring go to waste!
1. Visit the New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show…
We might be waiting for cherry blossom season to peak, but in the meantime, focus your floral energy on gorgeous orchids. (You won’t regret it!) NYBG’s annual event has a new theme for 2025: “Mexican Modernism,” which draws on inspiration from architect Luis Barragán.
2. …and the 21+ Orchid Nights
No kiddos in tow? Perfect! Orchid Nights, a take on NYBG’s Holiday Train Nights, is a 21+ gathering with handcrafted cocktails, music, and an evening of dancing. Before the spring weather truly hits, this outing will provide plenty of botanic-themed photo opps that Mother Nature has yet to gift us, so use your surroundings wisely!
3. Enjoy a spring Candlelight concert
Imagine this: a strings ensemble, your favorite tunes, a gorgeous venue, and of course, thousands of (faux) candles. That’s exactly what you’ll be treated to at a Candlelight Concert. The performers set up shop at locations throughout the city, such as St. Ann’s in Brooklyn Heights, for a thrilling ode to today’s most popular artists — from Taylor Swift to Metallica and everyone in between.
4. Reserve your spot at the Jazz Age Lawn Party
No time machine needed: the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party is a blast from the past that transforms Governors Island into a celebration of the roaring 20s. From live jazz music to vintage clothing vendors and old-timey snacks from viral food vendors, this is one throwback you can’t miss. The 2025 dates are June 14th to 15th and August 9th to 10th. Get your tickets to the bees knees of summer gatherings.
5. See if you can survive Squid Games
Squid Games might be a little intense (to say the least) but we assure you this massive arcade-like experience is as entertaining as the Netflix show is thrilling. Try your hand at games you see in the show including “Red Light, Green Light,” “Marbles,” “Glass Bridge,” and wrap up your adventures with a pitstop to the Korean market to refuel.
6. Get lost in Banksy’s art
Spend an afternoon roaming 15,000 square feet of artwork at The Banksy Museum in New York City. Expect beautiful projections and visual surprises at every corner, highlighting beloved work from one of the world’s most enigmatic artists. Grab your tickets today!
7. Cheer on your favorite team during March Madness
Will NYC’s St. John’s University take home the W this season? Or can we expect the likes of UConn and Villanova to swoop in? We’ve rounded up the best places to watch March Madness throughout the city and we’ve provided a guide to the Big East tourney at MSG (and pop-up), should you feel like seeing the action unroll live.
8. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Since St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday, might as well use this weekend to revel in the luck ‘o the Irish: enjoy a corned beef and cabbage meal, snag a Guinness at a bar crawl, and enjoy classic cocktails and bites at NYC’s best Irish bars.
9. Enjoy a Holi celebration
Known as the Festival of Love, the Festival of Colors, and the Festival of Spring, Holi is a vibrant Hindu celebration that is a welcome way to usher in the spring season. Enjoy the bright colored powders thrown about, a delicious dinner, and so much more.
10. Honor Women’s History Month
Whether you’re shopping at women-owned businesses or enjoying a lecture or celebratory event, NYC’s plethora of Women’s History Month activities are an empowering way to ring in March.
11. Mark the five-year COVID anniversary in a meaningful way
Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s sound installation called “loved” will be played hourly on Cherry Esplanade from March 15th to 30th from 10 am to 5 pm, honors those we loved and lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
12. Stop by Astoria’s first-ever fig tree swap
If you’re Queens-bound this weekend and have a green thumb, the first-ever Astoria Fig Tree Exchange is calling your name. If you already grow the beloved tree or you’re “fig curious,” the Astoria Food Pantry is inviting you to join the stick swap on Sunday, March 16th at 1pm at 25-82 Steinway Street.
13. Cheer on runners of the NYC Half Marathon
Do you have your signs of support ready? The Half Marathon — a whopping 13.1 miles — will kick off on Sunday March 16th at 7am from the Brooklyn Museum and wrap up in Central Park on West Drive. For more about the routes, street closures, and other important tidbits, our guide will help you out. Good luck!
14. Head to the new GITANO NYC
GITANO NYC, under luxury hospitality group Grupo Gitano, opened its first permanent NYC location at the Seaport. We can’t think of a better way to welcome the warm weather than with a visit to the luxurious, boho establishment. The Tulum-born paradise will be a full-scale dining and nightlife experience all year-round, and that’s cause for a cheers.
15. See Paul Mescal at BAM
This spring, Secret NYC’s favorite actor and Irish transplant Paul Mescal is taking the stage at BAM for a rendition of A Streetcar Named Desire, his Off-Broadway debut. He’ll play Stanley Kowalski in the Tennessee Williams play alongside Anjana Vasan as Stella Kowalski and Patsy Ferran as Blanche DuBois.
16. Go shopping at the new Halal Supermarket in Manhattan
After years of waiting, the beloved Brooklyn market has finally entered Manhattan territory. Part prepared foods emporium, part supermarket, and part snack shop, the West Village spot is 1,525 square feet of delectable options, from Central Asian and Soviet dishes to a few staples from Western cuisine.
17. Get late-night (or early-morning) burgers
If you’re unconvinced that New York is still the city that never sleeps, meet Highlife. A labor of love from the team behind Electric Burrito, the new burger spot just opened in the East Village and offers irresistible midnight snacks (and beyond) for hungry night owls. Thanks to weekend closing hours at 3am (and 1am during the week), wonder no more about snagging greasy food after your bar visit.
18. Stop by Bradley Cooper’s Philly cheesesteak spot
Bradley Cooper is unleashing his Philly roots in the East Village. The Maestro star joined forces with Danny DiGiampietro, the owner of Angelo’s Pizzeria in South Philly, for Danny & Coop’s Cheesesteaks. At this time, the hotspot (151 Avenue A between Ninth and 10th Streets) typically just serves Fridays through Sundays beginning at 12, and the menu is limited. As more gets underway at the Hollywood star’s eatery, we’ll keep you posted.
19. Head to date nights at The Met
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.
20. Get tickets to The Met’s Fridays Under 40
Shutterstock/Stefano Politi Markovina
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. Now’s the time to get that tux and gown out of the closet, folks.
21. Check out free things to do in NYC
It’s no secret that NYC living costs a pretty penny, but there are discounts to be had — you just need to know where to look. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up complimentary activities to enjoy throughout the city, whether it’s free museum admission, complimentary classes from the New York Public Library or outdoor workouts, there’s plenty to explore.
22. Check items off your NYC bucket list
Yes, it’s cool to be a tourist in your own city — don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Between all of the iconic attractions in NYC, it’s hard to actually make your way to everything. We’ll help you pinpoint the essentials — a photo at the top of One World Observatory, long strolls through the halls of The Met, a bike ride across Brooklyn Bridge. Go ahead, indulge in a touristy state of mind.
23. Check out a concert in NYC
From sold-out shows at MSG to intimate gatherings at Mercury Lounge, NYC concerts have a wide array of options for music fans of all genres. This March, you can see Dom Dolla, Disturbed, Cleo Sol, and J Balvin in NYC.
24. See a new movie
Once you start mapping out all of the movies releasing in 2025, you’re liable to wind up with a pretty lengthy list. From remakes to horror newbies, family-friendly animation and the end of a long-standing action franchise, 2025‘s lineup is guaranteed to turn anyone into a film buff.
25. See what’s happening on Broadway…
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 or Sunset Boulevard, the selection is unparalleled. Be sure to have a look at all of the Broadway shows debuting in 2025.
26. …and Off-Broadway
While it may seem that Broadway steals the headlines of NYC’s Theater District, there are so many more productions to discover. Beyond the famed marquees lies a captivating world of intimate, innovative, and exciting performances that are equally amazing. A few of our favorites include Titanique the Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, The Office! A Musical Parody, and Gazillion Bubble Show.
27. Take a walking tour of NYC
Put on a comfy pair of sneakers and prepare to hear all about NYC’s rich history from one the many walking tours available. Dive into spooky secrets, Broadway magic, and our personal favorite food tours.
28. Check out a new exhibit
As the saying goes, “Earth without art is just ‘eh,’” so why not explore the best museum exhibits in NYC for a much-needed dose of creativity? Whether you have a passion for impressionism, want to take a step back in time, or feel inclined to revel in pop culture’s best moments, NYC museums have just about everything you can imagine.
29. Grab a bite from the best food trucks
No reservation required! The best food trucks will provide great eats on the go, whether you’re opting for tacos, halal, desserts, and more.
30. Join a reading group
So, you finally finished the last chapter of your new book and you need to vent. (We totally get it!) Why not find a reading club in NYC? They’re the perfect way to connect with a literary-minded community and gush over recent reads. Whether you’re meeting up with peers at an indie bookstore or one of the city’s most beautiful libraries, there are plenty of events worth bookmarking. To make matters a little easier for you, we’re sharing a few of our favorites. Where can we expect to see you next?
31. Scratch items off your spring bucket list
Whether you’re snagging free tulips or heading out for a picnic in the park, spring in NYC is worth celebrating. Enjoy the warm weather and bright skies with our list of fun ways to ring in the warm weather.
32. Keep an eye out for cherry blossoms
Our favorite pink blooms are due soon! Though it’s difficult to predict when the fickle floral will pop up, we have the handy Central Park Cherry Blossom Tracker and Brooklyn Botanic Garden Cherry Blossom Tracker to assist. Additionally, we’ve rounded up our favorite places in NYC to see cherry blossoms when the moment strikes.
33. Enjoy public art installations
No need to go gallery hopping to enjoy the best art in the city — it’s right outside. Whether it’s a larger-than-life pigeon hanging out on the Highline or an ode to love in all its forms in Union Square, creativity abounds from every corner, quite literally.
34. Feel like you’re in a fairy tale, right in NY
There are plenty of storybook qualities nestled in concrete jungle and beyond, and they’re totally worth exploring as spring kicks into high gear. For the ultimate princesscore inspo, look no further.
When you need a little breather from the big city — no stress, we all do every once in a while — why not head out of town? Let Airbnb’s top spring travel trends be your guide.