Best things to do in spring in NYC

Things get super tropical at New York Botanical Garden just in time for spring. The theme for the 17th annual flora festival is The Orchid Show: Singapore. The display features thousands of orchids in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. As usual, there will be special Orchid Evenings during which visitors can enjoy the attraction after dark and see the Supertrees, including a gorgeous display of lights, among the orchids. There will be alcoholic beverages and snacks for purchase, as well as live entertainment. 

Women’s History Month in NYC means it’s time to attend some incredible panels, movie screenings, parties and more hosted by badass females that are making New York a better place to be. Many of these lady-led affairs are considered the best NYC events in March, so get your tickets, blast your favorite feminist songs and go to show your support for women everywhere. You can also get involved by volunteering at women's shelters or donating to nonprofits like Planned Parenthood. 

Witnessing the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s picturesque cherry blossoms is just the icing on the millennial-pink cake when you attend the always crowded Sakura Matsuri. Taiko drummers, samurai-sword masters, J-rock bands and stand-up comics grace the festival’s two stages. You’ll also find a Japanese tearoom, an art gallery, and a mini flea market that hawks mouthwatering Raaka Chocolate, wall scrolls, silk wraps and a profusion of pretty flowers.

New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike flock to this floral-filled exhibition, where jaw-dropping arrangements decorated to fit a specific theme are on display for two weeks. The subject for 2019's installment at the megachain’s Herald Square location is Journey to Paradisios. Translation? It's a cosmic dream offering revelers an out-of-this-world representation of outer space. Flower arrangements are designed to show off the "mystery of the cosmos," so we imagine there will be nods to comets, stars, planets and more astrological wonders.  

Trick out your brunchtime cocktailing at the 7th Annual addition of this fest for the tomato-obsessed. During the event, going down this year at Brooklyn's Industry City, you'll sample inventive pours from participating hotspots including: Lobster Joint, Crave FishBar, Dos Caminos, The Ryerson, Black Swan, The Farmer's Touch, Maria's Bistro Mexicano, Catfish, Due West, The Grayson, The Wilson, Demitri's Gourmet Mixes, Toma Bloody Mary, The Pickled Chef, The Murph's Famous Bloody Mary Mix and Vermont Fermenters. Guests will have the chance to taste them all before voting for their favorite via the “People’s Choice Award," and in the meantime, a panel of industry judges will also select the “Best Bloody Mary in New York City.”  A ticket in gets you unlimited bloody marys spanning sweet, spicy, tangy and salty, and yes, that sounds like a challenge to get your moneys worth (drink responsibly!). There will be also be a NYC bagel bar and other food and drinks onsite to sample. You can pick from two sessions to attend, one from 10:30am-1:30pm and the second 3:00pm-6:00pm. General admission tickets will cost you $52.50 and early entrance VIP tickets are $65.50.