The best things to do in spring in NYC
Spring in NYC has spring! Get excited for flower shows, festivals, street fairs and awesome outdoor flea markets
The best things to do in spring in NYC require you to spend some much-needed time outdoors. (No complaints here.) There’s no shortage of delightful events and happenings in the city when the flowers are in bloom. From strolling through some of the best NYC parks, to scoring vintage duds at outdoor flea markets and street fairs, to pigging out at the best food festivals, we have everything you need to enjoy this supremely lovely season.
Best things to do in spring in NYC
The Orchid Show
The Orchid Show—NYC’s ode to springtime—should not to be confused with the season’s other stupendous garden party, the Macy’s Flower Show. However, both bloom fests are worth a visit. If you’re not familiar, The New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show exhibits thousands of species of beautiful blossoming orchids, and it’s one of the best NYC events in March, which lasts through April.
"David Bowie Is"
Over the course of five decades, David Bowie drafted the new rules of rock & roll—and the rest of us are still trying to keep up. After breaking ticket records at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, the touring exhibition “David Bowie Is” hits NYC in March, with more than 400 objects from the celestial pop icon’s life, including costumes, lyric sheets and performance clips. Here’s what you should look (and listen) for in this celebration of all things Thin White Duke.
The Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival
Sakura Matsuri, one of Brooklyn's best spring festivals, is an annual celebration of Japanese culture. At the Cherry Blossom Festival, NYC-folk and out-of-towners can partake in a bunch of activities while being surrounded by blooming, pink-petal trees at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which beckons the beloved tradition as one of the best things to do outside in the city.
The Macy’s Flower Show
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 theme for this 44th annual installment at the megachain’s Herald Square location is "Once Upon A Springtime," so expect to see a lot of plays on fantasy-inspired settings and storybook scenes.
Women’s History Month
NYC offers a bevy of ways you can show solidarity for your sisters during Women’s History Month. New York ladies are getting in formation by hosting a series of cool events that range from nabbing beauty services at one of the best blow dry bars to an all-female jazz festival, comedy show and more. You can even attend a global protest to fight for women’s rights!
Frieze New York
Every May, Randalls Island becomes the epicenter of the art world for four days thanks to Frieze New York, the art fair housed under a massive tent. Every year since 2012, dealers and deep-pocketed collectors have descended on the fair from all over the planet, and Frieze New York will be no different, as more than 200 art galleries bring bushels of artworks of every conceivable size and medium and then some.
The Tribeca Film Festival
Robert De Niro and co.'s Tribeca Film Festival has long shown a spotlight on local indie features, documentaries, foreign films, the latest from big-name talent and the greatest from up-and-coming filmmakers. We've got your complete one-stop-shopping guide to Tribeca Film Festival: our personal must-see picks, movie screenings, ticket info, a list of nearby bars and restaurants and oh-so-much more.
Night of 1,000 Carries
Some of the city's sharpest comedians and drag queens gather to toast the legacy of the eternal, indelible Carrie Fisher at this fund-raiser for the International Bipolar Foundation. Show up in your finest look from Fisher's numerous film roles—or dress as Debbie Reynolds to one-up your competition—and gag to performances by Brita Filter, Sherry Vine, Jan Sport, Elizabeth James, Bobby Hankinson, George Civeris and other acts.
The Bloody Mary Festival
Trick out your brunch-time cocktailing at this afternoon fest hosted by the tomato-and-vodka obsessed Bloody Mary Liberation Party. Sample various inventive pours from New York watering holes over the course of 2.5 hours while getting down to beats by a live DJ.
Daffodil Celebrate and Wine Weekend
We all know spring is the season for garden parties, and it’s hard to think of a lush green space more perfect for a booze-filled afternoon than the New York Botanical Garden. Take in the fairy-tale–like scenery of 300,000 freshly planted daffodil bulbs while sipping glasses of New York and out-of-state wine from your souvenir chalice and listening to live music. And don’t stop there: Your ticket grants entry to all of the NYBG’s 250 acres, including the Perennial Garden, with its colorful tulips and pansies, as well as the Native Plant Garden, which is filled with wildflowers and ferns.
More things to do in spring
The top 10 spring art shows in NYC
Check out our handy guide to the absolute best spring art shows at some of New York's top museums and art galleries
The best spring festivals in NYC
Take advantage of the warm weather at one of these outdoor (and indoor) spring festivals covering music, food and more
The top 15 New York theater shows to see in spring 2018
Our guide to the best musicals and plays headed to New York City in spring 2018, on Broadway and beyond
The best food festivals in NYC this spring
Score outdoor eats, free-flowing booze and live music at the city’s best food festivals and events this spring
How to have the perfect spring staycation in NYC
Take inspiration from this list of 13 tours, experiences and days out that just might make you feel like a tourist in your own city
Find an awesome spring concert in NYC
Spring concert season is here, with a smattering of great shows to get you out of the house and enjoying the weather
Your ultimate spring in NYC bucket list
With so many cool art shows to attend and things to do outside in gorgeous NYC parks, your calendar will be full from March through June
The best spring date ideas in NYC
Warm weather has finally arrived! Make the most of it with our list of the best spring date ideas in NYC.
The 20 spring movies we can’t wait for
The warm weather is still a while off, but these 20 titles—from superheroes to K-Stew—already have us hot and bothered
The best spring comedy in NYC
Don’t miss these stellar stand-up, improv and talk shows from your favorite big-name and rising comedians
Major spring events guide
Events by month
NYC events in March
Make the most of the last month in winter by partaking in the best NYC events in March including St. Patrick’s Day
NYC events in April
Check out our picks for the best NYC events in April including awesome outdoor events at NYC parks and great festivals
NYC events in May 2018
Plan your month with our events calendar highlighting the best NYC events in May 2018 including major holidays
Absolutely love Botanical garden in the spring time. Some more cool places to explore in Spring - https://www.renthop.com/blog/2016/10/top-10-hiking-trails-in-new-york-city/
NYC is a great place for having good time in Spring Season. This year I have a plan to visit DC through this https://www.getbustours.com/washington-dc-departures/ and after this will go ahead around NYC. I am very excited for enjoying the charm pink flowers on both of these places.
One more cool idea Pedicab Tours http://centralparktoursnyc.com
May I suggest taking a 20 minute PATH train ride to Newark to see the largest and most beautiful display of Japanese Cherry Blossoms in the country. Why not see the best, especially since it is closer than Brooklyn Botanical Gardens for many New Yorkers.
I've never seen that tour company Bruce, thanks for the heads up. It's always nice to have a couple recommendations when family and friends come into town. I'm always referring them to Get Up and Ride in Brooklyn since I'm a Brooklynite myself and have gotten amazing feedback. Check them out at http://getupandride.com. I'm really looking forward to trying their new sunset bike tour and rustic dinner bbq in May.
One of the joys of living or visiting New York is to rent a bicycle in Central Park, and bring a picnic lunch with a bottle of vino. Let the sun shine in. And later in the afternoon keep your aerobic muscles working by taking a walking food tour; http://walkingtoursmanhattan.com