No matter the time of year, New York is the place to be. Having said that, there’s just something about the city when the calendar turns to spring. And wouldn’t you know, right on schedule, spring is just around the corner! It’ll be here before we know it, which means it’s time to start making plans. Here are ten things to do in New York City this spring.
Unleash Your Inner Sports Fan
Spring is a great time to be a sports fan in New York City. Baseball has started again, which means both the Yankees and Mets are back in action, but that’s only part of the story. The Knicks and Rangers are still playing regular season games for a few more weeks, while Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls (who play just across the river in New Jersey) and the Manchester City-owned New York City FC are beginning their seasons, too. Add it all up and you’re spoiled for options. If you don’t have time to take in an entire game, or the team is on the road while you’re in town, consider taking a tour of iconic Yankee Stadium or legendary Madison Square Garden.
Take Time for a Tour
No matter whether this is your first time visiting New York, or you’ve been in the city more times than you can remember, it’s never a bad idea to take a guided tour here. New York City is constantly changing, and an effective way to learn more about this ever-evolving place is from those who know it best. Embrace the arrival of spring by going on an open-top, hop-on hop-off bus tour. Stretch your legs on a walking tour of a neighborhood you’ve never explored before. Or just rent a bike from a vendor near Central Park and set off on a joy ride in the fresh spring air.
Make March Museum Month
Just because the weather is steadily improving and the days are slowly but surely getting longer, that doesn’t mean you have to immediately begin spending every waking second in the great outdoors. In fact, the spring is a terrific time of year to check out one of New York City’s world-famous museums. In addition to their acclaimed permanent collections, institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art run special exhibits all throughout the spring months. Plus, each one of these establishments have outdoor terrace areas that are perfect for a casual lunch or a leisurely cup of coffee.
Leave Land Behind (for an Hour or Two)
Some of the best views of New York City and its extraordinary skyline are to be had from the water. As a result, consider taking a sightseeing cruise around New York Harbor with a boat tour operator like Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises and Hornblower City Cruises. Along the way, you’ll have unparalleled opportunities to see (and photograph!) attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, and more. If you’re feeling particularly daring, book a seat on a night cruise and make a splendid spring evening out of watching the bright lights twinkle on the East River.
Go on a Spring Shopping Spree
Now that it’s spring and we can at long last pack away the scarves, hats, gloves, and big puffy coats for a few months, it’s time to take stock of the state of your wardrobe. Fortunately, you find yourself in New York City—the perfect place to go shopping and freshen up the closet just in time for warmer weather! From the luxury brands of Fifth Avenue’s glamorous storefronts to the unique experiences of Brooklyn’s hippest boutiques and everything in between, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for and more when shopping in New York City.
Pack a Lunch and Hit the Park
For all its crowded sidewalks, busy streets, and soaring skyscrapers, New York is a city of parks, too. Beautiful public spaces abound throughout New York City, and springtime is the perfect season to take advantage of these civic treasures. Naturally, when one thinks of parks in New York City, remarkable places like Central Park, Prospect Park, the High Line, and Brooklyn Bridge Park spring to mind—but there are plenty of other outstanding options out there to choose from. Put on comfortable shoes, grab take-out from that lunch spot you’ve read about, and make an afternoon of it.
Embrace the Luck of the Irish
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting New York on St. Patrick’s Day, well then you’re pretty lucky, because March 17th is a special time to be in the city. The St. Patrick’s Day parade, which runs for some 40 blocks along Fifth Avenue, is a can’t-miss event, but that only scratches the surface of the fun to be had in New York City during this celebration of all things Irish. Grab a pint of Guinness at one of New York’s fine Irish pubs, or enjoy a modern take on classic Irish cuisine at one of the city’s upscale Irish restaurants. Or, do both of those things and then take in a play at the Irish Repertory Theatre and a concert at the Irish Arts Center. Whatever you decide to do, just remember to wear something green while you’re doing it!
Set the Kids Free
You know who else is psyched that spring is in the air again? Your children: so why not make their day and let them put a stop or two on the itinerary? Trust us, New York City is overflowing with kid-friendly attractions. Whether they steer you toward the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, the Central Park Zoo, or the American Museum of Natural History, it’s sure to be a destination that’ll prove to be fun for the entire family.
Stop and Smell the Roses
New York City is home to a number of fabulous gardens just waiting for you to venture forth and explore them on a lovely spring day. In Central Park you’ll find two popular smaller gardens, the Conservatory Garden and Shakespeare Garden, well worth a visit. In the shadow of Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Museum you’ll encounter the charming Brooklyn Botanic Garden, while the nation’s largest urban botanical garden, the New York Botanical Garden, is located right next to the Bronx Zoo. Its 250 acres contain over one million plants, making it an incredible place to stroll regardless of whether you favor roses, lilacs, or azaleas—or if you just want to wander through the biggest herb garden you’ve ever seen!
Discover Something New
Spring, as they say, is the season of renewal, a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. When in doubt, devote part of your springtime New York City visit to discovering something new and/or doing something fresh. Visit that neighborhood you’ve always wanted to explore. Try that cuisine you’ve always wanted to taste. Embrace that adventure you’ve always wanted to take. It’s springtime in New York—have fun and make the most of it!