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Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this weekend: the returns of Frieze New York and the NYCxDESIGN Festival, the arrival of the Lombardi Trophy and other athletic artifacts at the Natural History Museum, a sporty version of The Whitney's Free Friday Nights with the New York Liberty, the unveiling of an Iris van Herpen exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, chili cook-offs, oyster fests, dance parades and more, plus free events around town. All you have to do is scroll down to plan your weekend! And cap off a great month with our round-up of the best things to do in May.  RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in NYCRECOMMENDED: The best New York attractions Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

Now that spring is in full swing, there’s no shortage of outstanding NYC events in May 2026. We encourage you to find things to do outside and take in all the greenery by visiting some of the best NYC parks while the flowers are blooming. As for the month’s major holidays, don’t miss out on all the awesome things to do for Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.  From parades to performances and art exhibits to night markets, there's no shortage of ways to have fun in NYC this May.  RECOMMENDED: Full NYC events calendar

This one-night experience celebrates Asian creators, innovators and changemakers shaping what’s next for themselves and for the world. Guests will journey through four cultural stations, sample featured dishes from Asian-owned vendors Okiboru and Wayla, and hear from changemakers on stage before closing the night with a live AAPI DJ set on the fifth-floor terrace. Every guest who completes the journey enters for a chance to win $5,000 toward their next bold move! Date & timeThursday, May 21 @ 6pm LocationTime Out Market New York in Dumbo, 55 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY What to expect Four cultural stations inspired by Chinese calligraphy, Korean Dancheong patterns, the Kalava thread-tying tradition, and Vietnamese strategy games Food from Wayla and Okiboru, two Asian restaurants featured at Time Out Market New York in DUMBO* A signature cocktail program rooted in Asian flavors, with non-alcoholic options for every drink A Changemaker Q&A panel with Asian creators and innovators on the fifth floor The Call Your Shot Wall, where guests place their card and enter the sweepstakes A $5,000 sweepstakes from Time Out toward one guest's next chapter, presented by Toyota A live AAPI DJ set to close out the night A Time Out Market gift card and drink ticket for the first 100 guests RSVP * Featured dishes available for purchase

If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week, or even for today, there are tons of fun options, including the official opening of NYC beaches, the start of Shakespeare in the Park, Japanese wrestling matches, African film festivals, a Radiohead fan experience in Brooklyn and more, plus awesome free events in NYC. For more ideas, scroll down to see this week's best things to do in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in New York Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

Painting is an ancient medium and even with the introduction of photography, film and digital technology, it still has remained a persistent mode of expression. So many paintings have been limned over dozens of millennia that only a relatively small percentage of them could be construed as "timeless classics" that have become familiar to the public—and not coincidentally produced by some of the most famous artists of all time. It leaves open the question of what mix of talent, genius and circumstance leads to the creation of a masterpiece. Perhaps the simplest answer is that you know one when you see one, whatever part of the world it's being held in. We, of course, have our opinion of what makes the grade, and we present them here, in our list of the best paintings of all time. Argue amongst yourselves. RECOMMENDED: 🎨 The best museums and galleries in the world ⛰️ The most beautiful places in the world 🗺 The world's most underrated travel destinations 🧭 The best places to travel solo

Picture Formula 1, but the track is the Hudson River, the stands are actually boats that sit right at the water's edge and the cars are 50-foot hydrofoiling catamarans racing over 60 miles per hour. That's the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, and it's back on May 30–31 for what is shaping up to be the most anticipated event yet in the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship. International teams—including a genuinely fired-up United States SailGP Team that just snapped a two-season win drought in Sydney—will race in identical high-tech F50 catamarans just off the perimeter of the Hudson, close enough that you'll feel the spray. Last year's edition set a U.S. record with over 10,000 ticketed spectators across the weekend. This year, spectators will be closer than ever to the action. Photograph by Mike Lawrence for SailGP, courtesy of SailGP If you haven't seen SailGP in person, here's what to expect: it's less "regatta at the yacht club" and more "stadium sport that happens to be on water." The athletes—drivers, not sailors—compete nation-versus-nation in races that are tight, tactical and occasionally chaotic. Capsizes happen. Lead changes happen. The leaderboard flips and all of it with One World Trade Center looming in the background. Photograph by Felix Diemer for SailGP, courtesy of SailGPU.S. SailGP Team celebrate with the Winners Wheel The United States SailGP Team, for its part, has quietly become the story of the 2026 season. After finishing dead last in 2025, the team...

Choosing a favorite restaurant in New York City is a joyful task with myriad possibilities depending on the occasion, mood and even the time of year. Your favorite dive, fine dining destination and neighborhood favorite might all occupy top spots on your personal best list in spite of their disparate qualities.  Our list of NYC’s 45 best restaurants is the same, spanning each of those categories and more to comprise a catalog of all the places we wish we were at right now. They don’t have to be the newest or the most recently reviewed, just places that we’ve been to and want to return to again and again, and that we think that you will, too.  Best NYC restaurants at a glance: For an excellent slice: L'Industrie - The New York slice shop that made us fall in love with Burrata slices, now has a new locale in Little Italy (Little Italy, West Village and Williamsburg) For a spin on a classic diner: Thai Diner – Even six years later, crowds line up for Thai tea babka, French toast, and disco fries from this Thai diner. (NoMad) For killer tacos: Carnitas Ramirez – The taqueria is home to nose-to-tail pork cookery, just in taco form, and it all goes down in a laid-back setting (Lower East Side) For a classic steak: The Dynamo Room - The throwback steakhouse offers prime cuts of steaks and classic cocktails right off of Madison Square Garden (Penn Station) Updated May 2026: Despite the rain and stretches of grey, spring is still here. We've pre-emptively given our rooftop...

New York City has tons of things going for it, from incredible buildings to breathtaking parks. But surely, the top of the list includes NYC’s vast array of museums and galleries, covering every field of culture and knowledge: There are quirky museums and interactive museums, free museums and world renowned art institutions like the Met. Between them, they offer so many exhibitions of every variety and taste that it's hard to keep track of them. But if you’re starting to suffer a sudden attack of FOMA (that's fear of missing art), don't worry! We've got you covered with our select list of the best museum exhibitions in NYC. Don't waste any time—head to NYC's best museum exhibits now! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to museums in NYC

Last updated April 13, 2026: Pickleball is back in Central Park, outdoor movie season is finally here, and Veselka is again turning out pierogi 24/7. Make the most of the spring season both indoors and out as city's iconic museums, big attractions and favorite restaurants host the coolest exhibits, shows and menus right now.  How we choose the best things to do in NYC: Time Out editors traverse New York City from end to end looking for the coolest things to do, the most delicious places to eat and the most impressive shows to see. We then pick the very best items to make it to this list each month.  From its art museums (The Met and MoMA) to its attractions (Broadway theaters and sunrises from the Empire State Building), we are certain that New York City is the best city in the world. Its dining and drinking scenes are still unbeatable with unrivaled bars, restaurants and creative culinary inventions. Every day, we’re discovering something new and wonderful about our city, whether it’s one of the best parks, incredible views, cool hotels, must-see art or quirky museums—and we’re highlighting the best of the best right here. Quick picks: The best things to do in NYC at a glance Central Park: The world's most famous green space, stop by to enjoy some peace and quiet. (Free entry) The Metropolitan Museum of Art: This massive museum spans 5,000 years of art history to get lost in. ($30/adult)  The High Line: This innovative reclaimed space turned railroad tracks into a cool...

Memorial Day is about remembering service members who gave their lives in defense of our country, and there are several parades and special events to honor their lives. The holiday weekend also serves as the unofficial kick-off to summer. Whether it’s heading to a massive barbecue, hanging out at the beach, or taking a brunch cruise around Manhattan, there are plenty of memorable ways to spend your three-day weekend. If you want even more ideas, check out our best things to do in NYC this weekend guide. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Memorial Day in NYC What to do in NYC on Memorial Day weekend? There are a ton of activities in NYC for Memorial Day Weekend, from rooftop parties to street parades, outdoor movies to tours of Naval ships, and more. Read below for what's going on. Is NYC busy on Memorial Day? Between the parties and cookouts, NYC is pretty chill on Memorial Day unless you head to one of NYC's parades. Where is the Memorial Day parade? There are two main parades in NYC, actually. Both are held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. The Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade kicks off in Bay Ridge at 11am on Monday, May 25 from 78th Street and Third Avenue. The route contiunes along Third Avenue to Marine Avenue up Fourth Avenue and over to John Paul Jones Park. The Little Neck Douglaston Memorial Day Parade steps off at 2pm on Monday, May 25 from Jayson Avenue and Northern Boulevard; here's a map of the route. Event organizers say it's the largest continuously-held Memorial Day...