101 things to do in New York City in the spring

21. Marvel at street art
From Banksy to Shepard Fairey, tiny portraits and splashy murals are all the rage on the streets. Hook up with Graffiti Tour New York's (grafftours.com) Gabe Schoenberg for a special TONY-designed van tour, a two-hour ride that will take you through Harlem, Soho and Long Island City to scope out works by artists like OverUnder, Dan Witz and White Cocoa—or see our NYC street-art guide to find out where to hunt down the goods yourself.

22. Make a pilgrimage to 5 Pointz
Trek out to graffiti mecca 5 Pointz (45-46 Davis St at Jackson Ave, Long Island City, Queens; 5ptz.com), an industrial complex covered in street art, which has displayed work by aerosol artists like Stay High 149, Cope2 and Tracy 168. While you're out there, stop by MoMA PS1 (22-25 Jackson Ave at 46th Ave, Long Island City, Queens; 718-784-2084, ps1.org; Mon, Thu--Sun noon--6pm; suggested admission $10, seniors and students $5), the contemporary outpost of the midtown museum. For a little LIC love, check out Francis Als's installation "The Modern Procession," (on view from May 8) a work that documents a ceremonial procession from MoMA to PS1 in 2002.

23. Shop at Eataly and picnic on the High Line Section 2
Have an outdoor feast by combining the ultimate destination for Italian foodstuffs, Eataly (200 Fifth Ave between 23rd and 24th Sts; 212-229-2560, eataly.com), and the much-anticipated green space at the High Line Section 2 (enter at 14th or 16th St; thehighline.org; opening date TBA), which will feature a lawn, a steel walkway and a wildflower field along Manhattan's west side. Pick up cheese and charcuterie at Eataly spot La Piazza, or made-to-go sandwiches from Paninotca or Rosticceria (or browse our Eataly guide for more options), and settle in on Sections 2's built-in seating for an afternoon of gorging and gazing.

24. Visit the Brooklyn Lyceum Spring Craft Market
More than 60 artisans will show their goods at the third annual Spring Marketplace at the Brooklyn Lyceum, on April 30 and May 1 (227 Fourth Ave between President and Union Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-857-4816, brooklynlyceum.com; 11am; free). The craft convention will feature food, drink and performances from musical groups who have played at the historical space over the past ten years, for a weekend of community celebration.

25. Browse outdoor art in Washington Square
Want to people-watch, see weird dog breeds or listen to street musicians? Washington Square Park is your spot. Come May, it also makes an ideal fresh-air art gallery, when countless vendors of acrylic paintings, graphic art, crafts and more set up shop for the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit. Get in a weekend walk and find some flair for your blank walls in one go. Washington Square Park between W 3rd and E 12th Sts (212-982-6255, washingtonsquareoutdoorartexhibit.org). May 28--30, June 4, 5; free.

26. Stimulate the senses at the Museum of the Moving Image
Indulge your love of movies with something slightly more highbrow than the upcoming summer blockbusters at the recently reopened Museum of the Moving Image. The $67 million expansion incorporates sleek amphitheaters and installations, including those in the "Real Virtuality" exhibit, a collection of engineered environments designed to stimulate and confuse the viewer. For something a bit less technical, check out the film series "Dave Kehr: When Movies Mattered" (opening March 26), including picks from the New York Times columnist, like the 1978 thriller The Driver. Film buffs should also check out the complete list of MoMI features. 35th Ave at 37th St, Astoria, Queens (718-777-6888, movingimage.us). Tue--Thu 10:30am--5pm; Fri 10:30am--8pm; Sat, Sun 10:30am--7pm. $10, seniors and students $7.50, children 3--18 $5, members and children under 3 free; Fri 4--8pm free.

27. Browse—and buy—at the Affordable Art Fair
Give your walls a makeover and banish those college concert posters with the Affordable Art Fair, where you can pick up reasonably priced landscapes, abstract gems and more from 80 galleries and art spaces (The 7W New York, 7 W 34th St at Fifth Ave; 212-255-2003, aafnyc.com; May 5--7 11am--8pm, May 8 11am--5pm; $20, students $15, groups of ten or more $10, children under 12 with an adult free. May 5 6--8pm and on Mother's Day for Moms with an accompanying child free). For something a bit more avant-garde, check out the alternative offerings at Fountain Art Fair (Pier 66, 26th St at Twelfth Ave; 917-650-3760, fountainexhibit.com; Mar 3--6 noon--7pm; $10), or refer to our art-fair guide for more festivals.

28. Fight cancer at the EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women
A scenic 3.1-mile stroll (or, for the more ambitious, jog) from Times Square to Central Park and a chance to raise money to fight women's cancers? There's really no excuse. Round up a group of friends for a day of do-gooding and fresh air at this event, which will benefit cancer research and social services for those suffering from the disease. Apr 30; $40, advance $35 (do.eifoundation.org)

29. March in the Veggie Pride Parade
Bust out your Jolly Green Giant suit and take to the streets to declare your love for plant-based diets at this procession, starting at the intersection of Ninth Avenue and Gansevoort Street and ending in Union Square. Speakers like Bruce Friedrich of PETA will make the case for vegetarianism and against animal cruelty, while more information (and food) will be available from exhibitors at the end of the parade, like the American Vegan Society and healthy-snack-bar brand Raw Revolution. May 15 noon; free (veggieprideparade.org)

30. Celebrate the fashion genius of Vivienne Westwood
Starting March 8, Dame Westwood will be the subject of the Museum at FIT exhibit "Vivienne Westwood: 1980--89," a look at the designer's artistic transition throughout the '80s. Through 1981's Pirates collection to a more feminine sensibilty seen in the iconic "Rocking Horse" boot at the '87's Harris Tweed show, you can see how Westwood reconciled her street-punk aesthetic with high fashion. The best part? This look at high culture doesn't come with a lofty ticket price—mercifully, admission to the museum is free. For a preview of more mega museum shows, check out our roundup of the season's essential exhibits. Seventh Ave at 27th St (212-217-4558, fitnyc.edu). Tue--Fri noon--8pm, Sat 10am--5pm; free.