Spring is all about fresh starts.
Cleaning out your closet.
Flowers blooming.
Matching your transitional SNOWMAN jacket with your new maxi dress.
Staying indoors is anything but an option as the days are longer, sunnier, and might I say happier? New York Springs are especially memorable as everyone decides it’s five o’clock somewhere and are out and about celebrating just about anything. Afterall, you’d celebrate too after being cooped up in your apartment for far too long over this past winter. I know you’d be surprised if I said there’s a ton of bright, colorful, and cheery things to do in New York but cherry blossoms do find a way to grow through the cracks of this concrete jungle. Spring has sprung so grab your friends and family and hit the city streets as we list our top things to do in New York this Spring season.
Frieze New York
Mark your calendars because the first weekend of May is one you can’t miss. No, I’m not talking about Cinco de Mayo. Instead ferry it over to Randall's Island as over 1000 artists display their work for this grand art fair. Now in its eighth season, Frieze New York allows you to view and buy works of art, sit in on curated panels, and watch live performances from artists and galleries from over 30 countries. Frieze literally means a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration and this year they’ve included a new layout to display the artwork so it’s like art within art. Once you’ve experienced art in the park and lived your own version of Artception, you can go ahead and grab that margarita.
Shakespeare in the Park
Re-do those dreadful high school english classes where you dissected every Shakespearian word on top of deciphering whether the man ever existed by grabbing a glass of wine and watching one of his plays in the park. This year catch Much Ado about Nothing and Coriolanus outdoors and under the stars at the Delacorte Theatre. This outdoor theatre in Central Park makes you feel like you’ve been thrown back in time as you may recall theatre first started as outdoor performances. Shakespeare in the Park is free so make sure to be one of the first in line to grab your ticket.
The Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival / The Orchid Show
It wouldn’t be spring if we didn’t suggest actually going to see some flowers. The Cherry Blossom Festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden is in a field of its own as the sea of pink petals leave you feeling like your walking straight into an instagrammed photo. Immerse yourself with Japanese culture as the festival offers activities and performances by Taiko drummers and samurai sword masters. The festival only runs for two days so don’t miss your opportunity to visit Japan without ever having to leave New York. If two days isn’t enough then visit the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden. Honoring Singapore and its national flower, surround yourself with thousands of orchids as they hang from towering structures and arches. Make it a truly one of a kind experience by visiting the Orchid Show after dark complete with DJs, drinks, and a lightshow. I must also mention that you’ll get to taste Asian inspired dishes. No need to visit any of those crowded NYC rooftop bars.
World’s Fare
Not only are music and trends coming back from the past but so are actual events. This years World’s Fare is like the long lost son of the original in 1964. Keeping the tradition alive, over 100 vendors will celebrate New York City’s diversity through food, drink, and music. As their website says, pay homage to the largest event ever to take place in New York City and get a taste of the world May 18th in the Citifield parking lot.
Dancing in Bryant Park
New Year’s Eve isn’t the only day you can throw it down in the middle of midtown traffic. Head to Bryant Park every Wednesday as experts in Salsa, Swing, Tango, and many other genres teach you how to dance. No experience is needed, all ages are welcomed and lessons are free. The best part is you get to really see what you got as you test the moves you learned at the end of the lesson while a band plays live music. Ready to 1, 2, cha cha cha?
Now that’s it’s warmer, New York City is ready for you to awaken your senses. Whether it’s getting cultured with contemporary art and food, watching a live play, smelling fresh flowers, or hitting the dance floor, spring is the best time to get out of your apartment and enjoy the outdoors. When in doubt, take a seat at a restaurant or bar that has outdoor seating and bask in the sun. Remember, it’s five o’clock somewhere.