New York City is magical when it bursts into full bloom every Spring. We all crawl out of our winter caves, and locals and visitors alike are eager to get outside and explore the city’s hidden gems. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we still need to choose safe activities, but we also want to support our city’s businesses again. So, I’ve come up with a list of my top eight, safe springtime activities to indulge in this season in NYC. Go out and enjoy the sunshine and all this wonderful city has to offer! Here are my suggestions:

1. Central Park Boat Ride & Loeb Boathouse Lakeside Dining

   Rent a rowboat in Central Park’s iconic boat lake. Take in gorgeous sights of the city, birds, plants, and spring flowers in bloom! Follow up your boat ride with a visit to the Loeb Boathouse, which has reopened for lakeside dining.

2. The Orchid Show at New York Botanical Garden

   What better way to usher in the start of Spring than with The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden? Indulge in all the colors and array of orchid species when you visit this spectacular show. Note: The Orchid Show is included with the All-Garden Pass ticket, which also includes access to the Garden’s grounds, Tram Tour, daily programs, and more. Click here to reserve tickets and plan your visit.

3. Bike the City During #BIKEMONTHNYC

   Did you know that May is considered bike month in NYC? Explore the city on wheels (and get some exercise too!) when you bike around the city. You can rent a Citibike for the day, or bring your own. Either way, this is a great socially distanced activity to do on a beautiful Spring day!

4. Set Sail on the Hudson River

   I’m always a fan of seeing the sights of the city by boat. Classic Harbor Line is my go-to and they’re about to start offering brunch cruises starting this month. Sip a mimosa while sipping in gorgeous views of the Big Apple. See how much fun I had on their Champagne & Cheese Cruise here. And, click here to see a full list of Spring cruises, schedules, and offerings. 

5. Head to the Tribeca Film Festival

   NYC’s iconic Tribeca Film Festival is coming back in 2021! Celebrate two decades of state-of-the-art storytelling by reserving tickets to the film festival, slated to start June 9th to June 20th, 2021. Click here to learn more details.

6. Take a Virtual Cooking Class

   Travel the world from the comfort of your home when you take a virtual cooking class with The League of Kitchens. The League of Kitchens is a multicultural cooking school led by women around the globe, sharing their secret family recipes. Grab a friend and an apron...and get cookin’! Click here to learn more and reserve your spot in class today.

7. Explore Central Park’s Belvedere Castle

   One of the Central Park Conservancy’s tucked-away gems is Belvedere Castle. Open daily from 10AM to 5PM, it’s free to wander around the grounds of this stunning structure, completed as an Italian-style villa in 1872. It sits atop Vista Rock and boasts 360 views of the park including The Great Lawn, The Ramble, and Turtle Pond. Click here to learn more and plan your visit. 

8. Walk the High Line

   One of NYC’s newest and most popular parks, the High Line is a wonderful way to get a current and historical look of the West Side of NYC. There’s a free timed-entry reservation system, and limited capacity for social distancing, to ensure your safety. Click here to learn more and plan your visit today!

9. Grab delicious artisan Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

   Anytime I’m near a Van Leeuwen in the spring or summer, I make it a point to grab an ice cream! I especially enjoy their Honeycomb ice cream – it’s caramel candy (yum!). The New York City-based brand also sells pints made from cow's milk, but offers vegan options as well.

Here are some flicks I’ve taken during this beautiful spring season so far…