Fun NYC Activities You Should Try this Season
As warmer weather approaches, NYC locals and visitors alike are keen to flee outdoors and enjoy all the offerings of the Big Apple. Many businesses — not to mention our physical well-being — have suffered during the last year of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why I want to encourage you to engage in some charming (and safe) happenings about town this Spring. Discover the glory of the city in springtime with these 8 activities:
Explore NYC’s Newest Public Park “Little Island”
NYC’s newest public park, dubbed “Little Island,” is a toadstool-like structure at Pier 55 on the Hudson River. Sitting on 2.4 acres, it features an outdoor amphitheater and other spaces for year-round performances throughout the park. It’s also a maritime botanic garden with 35 species of trees, 65 species of shrubs, and 270 varieties of grasses, perennials, vines, and bulbs. It opens this Spring and is not to be missed — be sure to check it out! Click here for more info on visiting the park and to see an up-to-date list of performances.
Cruise the City by Boat with Classic Harbor Line
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 come April. Sip a mimosa while sipping in gorgeous views of the Big Apple. Click here to see a full list of Spring cruises, schedules, and offerings. And click on the video in this post to check out my experience!
Picnic in Central Park
A go-to that never gets old is a classic picnic in Central Park. Invite friends and family for a socially distanced picnic! Pick from one of the many beautiful fields, like Sheep's Meadow, pack a delicious picnic lunch, and soak in some sunshine!
Capture Floral Store Facades
As spring flowers come to full bloom, floral stores are teeming with exotic and seasonal flora. Peruse floral store facades and get inspired to create your own floral sanctuary at home.
Find the Prettiest Cherry Blossoms
Springtime is synonymous with the bursts of pink cherry blossoms. Peep some blossoms by visiting Central Park, the Flatiron District, Union Square, and Soho. If you want to truly indulge in cherry blossom season, check out the annual Sakura Matsuri festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. The festival is typically held the last weekend of April. Click here for details.
Explore Medieval Art & Architecture in Fort Tyron Park
Take a trek uptown to visit Fort Tryon Park located in the Hudson Heights and Inwood neighborhoods of NYC. The 67-acre park is situated on a ridge in Upper Manhattan, close to the Hudson River to the west, and is full of cool medieval art and architecture. Explore the Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art that houses nearly 5,000 medieval works. After taking in ancient artwork, visitors can dine at the New Leaf Restaurant & Bar open for dinner and brunches. Click here to learn more and plan your visit today!
Take a Trip to Governors Island
One of NYC’s best gems is a 172-acre, bike and pedestrian-only island, Governors Island. You can take a NYC ferry over there for just the price of a subway ride! It’s a beautiful boat ride around the tip of Manhattan, boasting views of The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, The Brooklyn Bridge, and downtown Manhattan. Grab a bike, a picnic, and some friends and head over for a fun-filled afternoon. Click here to learn more and plan your visit today.
Scale the Heights of NYC’s Highest Observation Decks
Remind yourself of why you love NYC when you view it from its many observation decks. In midtown there’s Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, downtown there’s One World Observatory (the tallest building in NYC), and the newest is the Edge at Hudson Yards, which is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere! Check them out for some sweeping 360-degree views of spring sprouting up in the Big Apple.
Want more ideas? Check out this post for more fun things to do around the city this season!