25 Best Things To Do In NYC This Spring: The Ultimate Bucket List
Sure, sometimes it seems uncertain that the warmth will ever stick around long enough to properly enjoy it, but considering it’s almost spring and the sun has been shining quite a lot, it’s safe to say winter is almost behind us.
Which is to say, it’s time to do some exploring! If you’re looking for plans during this magical time of year, here’s an a list of the best things to see and do in NYC this spring!
1. Cherry blossoms
You can spend a beautiful day walking around NYC taking totally Instagrammable pictures with the pink and white blooms. We haven’t quite hit bloom just yet, but they should be arriving in the coming weeks! In the meantime, study up on the best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC so you can beat the crowd!
2. The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion
The New York Botanical Garden’s 2024 iteration of The Orchid Show is one of the best spring outings, and their theme this year is Florals in Fashion. The exhibit is inspired by the runway, and features the world’s most fascinating flowers connecting fashion with the botanical world. Snap photos, walk down the runway, and even visit for “Orchid Nights” for after dark music, food, and drinks. It’s a must-hit! Learn more about The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion here!
3. NYCFC Games
New York City FC’s season is officially underway and heading to a game this spring is a fun way to get outdoors! Their home opener is slated for March 9 against Portland at 2 pm! Come see star players like James Sands, Maxi Moralez, and more score goals at a packed out Yankee Stadium! Check out their full schedule here.
4. St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is only a few weeks and it’s one of NYC’s favorite holidays to celebrate (and drink to!). In our city, you’ll find some of the oldest Irish pubs around (like McSorley’s Ale House in East Village) that make you feel like you’re drinking a pint straight from Dublin. To get in the St. Patty’s Day mood, stop by the famous parade or go full out and celebrate with one of these green-themed happenings!
5. Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month and that means celebrating all of the fantastic women-led elements of our great city. From supporting locally female-owned businesses to attending performances and exhibitions illustrating female success, there’s so many ways to celebrate. Check out all our favorite women-focused events happening across the month here and get involved!
6. Macy’s Flower Show
Making its return once again, Macy’s Iconic Flower Show is set to bloom again this spring beginning March 24 through April 7 at Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square. This year, the colorful showcase will be in partnership with Dior, and “will be staged in distinct fashion with playful, whimsical displays featuring several gravity-defying elements.” Think of this year’s iteration as a “dreamscape of fluffy clouds and whimsical floral landscapes.” Learn more Macy’s Flower Show here.
7. Queens Night Market
One our favorite NYC night markets is returning to the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park this spring, happening every Saturday night starting April 13. The open-air night market will feature up to 100 vendors selling one-of-a-kind merchandise, art, and food! The best part is that their $5/6 cap on food prices will remain in tact this year! Learn more about Queens Night Market here.
8. The Roof Garden Commission: Petrit Halilaj
Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj has been tapped to work on 2024’s iteration of the rooftop exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its theme will explore the Balkan political tensions of his home nation that entrenched his youth. It’s set to debut on April 30! Learn more about the commission here.
9. Hanami Nights at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is in full bloom for spring, and that means all the flowers are out and about! On April 23-25 (5-8 pm), they’ll be hosting Hanami Nights, encouraging visitors to come find a spot on Cherry Esplanade to enjoy the cherry blossoms, lit up for maximum effect! There will be live performances, a bar selling Japanese beer and cocktails, pop-up food vendors, and more! Learn more about Hanami Nights here.
10. Bronx Night Market
You know spring is around the corner when NYC’s tasty food festivals start to return, and on April 6 the Bronx Night Market will be back and happening on the first Saturday of the month through October! Returning for its seventh season, the mouth-watering market will be serving up some of the best global cuisine the city has to offer. We’re talking 50+ vendors featuring food from over 20+ countries. What could be a better way than ringing in spring with a mac & cheese fried burrito or watermelon pizza? Learn more about the Bronx Night Market here.
11. Governors Island glamping
Governor’s Island’s lovely glamping experience is a great way to roll into the warmer weather! Camp under the stars and enjoy morning meditation, culinary classes, and campfire s’mores as you stare out at the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Accommodations are able to be booked now, and activities are always running!
12. The Great Gatsby on Broadway
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Source / Evan Zimmerman
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s beloved novel The Great Gatsby is getting its very own Broadway adaptation, with performances beginning on March 29 and an official opening set for April 25. Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada will be starring as Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan respectively. It’s arguably one of our most anticipated Broadway shows coming this spring!
13. Outdoor public art
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Source / Gabby Jones & Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance
New York is known for its vibrant art culture and spring is one of the best times to head outdoors and see all the public art installations there is to find around the city! From statues to street art, anything in New York is a canvas. Check out some of our favorite public art exhibits like “Parabolic Light” and “City Ecology” here.
14. Boat and dinner cruises
With spring comes warmer weather, and that means setting sail on NYC waters! City Cruises New York is offering tons of springtime offerings this year, including Easter and Mother’s Day brunch and dinner cruises, specialty viewing tours, and more! What could better than curated menus, onboard entertainment, and panoramic skyline views? Learn more about City Cruises’ options here.
15. Tribeca Film Festival
This festival gives movie lovers the chance to chase movies all over Manhattan in theaters from Tribeca up to Chelsea and goes on from June 5 – 16 this year. Get ready to check out innovative storytelling across film, TV, immersive, games, talks, audio storytelling, and more! Learn more about the Tribeca Film Festival here.
16. NYC Zoos
Check out NYC’s wildlife at one of our zoos, and thankfully there is one in every borough! Of course, The Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the country with over 265 acres of land and 4,000 animals, but there’s many other zoos around the city too that are worthy of a day of exploration! See all of NYC’s best zoos here.
17. Easter Parade & Easter Bonnet Festival
The annual vibrant Easter Parade & Easter Bonnet Festival will happen this spring on Easter Sunday when everyone is welcome to join near St. Patrick’s Cathedral in their holiday attire. The celebration is all about the bonnets of course, and the outfits to match. The parade begins at 10 am on Easter Sunday (March 31). Learn more about the parade and festival here.
18. Frieze New York
One of the world’s most renowned international art fairs, Art Frieze, will return to The Shed this May featuring 60 galleries spanning 25 countries. Many renowned New York-based galleries will be participating this year (including Pace Gallery and David Zwirner to name a few), with many international ones too. There’s also set to be a Focus section, dedicated to solo presentations of emerging and lesser-known artists. Learn more about Art Frieze here.
19. New York City Ballet’s spring season
See the city’s greatest choreography this spring as the New York City Ballet’s spring season runs from April 23 – June 2. Highlights of the program include premieres from NYCB Resident Choreographer Justin Peck and NYC-based ballet and theater choreographer Amy Hall Garner, and encores of recent hits including Kyle Abraham’s Love Letter (on shuffle), Gianna Reisen’s Play Time, and a season closer of George Balanchine’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Learn more about NYCB’s Spring ’24 season here.
20. Brunch in New York City
We love brunch. But in the spring…we love OUTDOOR brunch! Start your spring morning with some tasty pancakes and mimosas before hitting Central Park for a little stroll. Because trust us, nothing beats a little fresh air and some mimosas. Check out our favorite places to have brunch in NYC here.
21. Fleet Week
Get up close and personal with the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard at Fleet Week which will return this spring! Happening from May 23 – 28, NYC locals and tourists alike will be able to explore public ships, check out a variety of military demonstrations, and much more! Stay tuned for more details coming soon here.
22. New York Yankees & New York Mets game
Spring marks the official start of baseball season, and baseball games are way too fun to miss out on! Opening Day is officially set for March 28 for the Mets and April 5 for the Yankees. Make sure you add one to your calendar! Find the schedule and tickets on their website here.
23. Walk the High Line
Stop and smell the flowers on The High Line, the west side’s most famous walkway, especially when the weather gets nice. You make an entire day out of it…check out the art installations, nearby Little Island, Chelsea Market, and more.
24. Broadway Shows
Broadway shows are one of the best forms of entertainment in NYC, and grabbing tickets this spring is definitely worthwhile! Not only is there recurrent shows happening that we always love, a whole new roster of productions is set to land. Expect titles like The Notebook, Water For Elephants, The Outsiders, The Wiz, The Great Gatsby, and more to land this spring!
25. Rooftop bars in NYC
Raise the roof because the temperatures are creeping up! One of the best things to do in warm weather is enjoy a nice rooftop cocktail and these NYC bars are the best place to do it! Enjoy skyline views and nestle onto a rooftop bar’s patio to get that ultimate Spring Fever feeling. Check out our favorite rooftop bars in NYC here.
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