Rossilynne Skena Culgan

If you need another reason to get outside this summer, NYC street fairs take over various blocks in all five boroughs when the weather gets warmer. While frolicking along the city's sidwalks, snack on sensational eats from the best restaurants in NYC and score stellar throwback wares and antiques as you would find at our city’s finest vintage clothing stores. As enjoyable as eating and shopping can be, there are many more things to do outside, from rocking out at outdoor concerts to peeping at some street art. Take advantage of the beautiful weather, including awesome free things to do, while the streets are full of fun. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in the summer in NYC

There are plenty of things to do outside in New York year-round, but when the weather gets to be just right and you want to spend as much time outside as possible, the city has some amazing options for a fresh air hang.  NYC parks are beautiful urban oases where you can picnic, play or just relax. Come spring, you can even spot cherry blossoms. All around the city you can find outdoor restaurants, bars and beer gardens. When temps really rise, head further out to cool off at NYC beaches. There’s no shortage of outdoor activities in New York, and after a long winter, it’s important to get out, feel the breeze and soak up some sun. Read on for the best things to do outside in the city, but if you need a little more nature with your outdoor adventures, check out the best places to go camping near NYC and the best hikes near NYC. RECOMMENDED: Guides for things to do in spring and things to do in summer in NYC

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: WestFest Dance Festival, the Lost New York exhibit, a Black comic book festival, Grand Bazaar, the Brooklyn Bookstore Crawl, and free events around town. All you have to do is scroll down to plan your weekend! 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 2024. 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

There's more than one kind of New York City music festival. The first events that come to mind might be the big-tent fests like Governors Ball, but just as important are staple series like City Parks SummerStage and BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, which keep crowds coming out to our beloved green spaces all season long. Overwhelmed by all the choices? Check out our hand-picked this guide to the very best summer music festivals hitting town this year. We'll keep updating this as summer approaches, so stay tuned. RECOMMENDED: The 100 best things to do in NYC for locals and tourists

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’ve 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

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 Brooklyn Bookstore Crawl, Spaghetti Disco: Mob Wife Edition, a Barbie-themed Schtick a Pole In It, the Black Comic Book Festival, the Lost New York exhibit, and 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. 

Celebrating 4/20 is always a buzz, but the holiday in NYC has become an even bigger deal now that cannabis is legal for adult use in New York. Here's the rundown on everything you need to know about marijuana legalization in NYC. If you want to celebrate 4/20 in a big way this month, we know just the places to elevate your roll. You may gain some extra inspiration from watching the best stoner movies and best weed songs. Just remember to mind your manners with these weed etiquette tips from the Emily Post Institute. To keep the buzz going, check out the following 4/20 events in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to NYC events in April

It’s rare to be in the greatest city on earth and not have plans, but if you’re stumped for things to do in NYC today, consider us your entertainment saviors. Daily, there are awesome events to stream and new attractions to see, but if you’re searching for something really specific like new happenings at the city’s top destinations or something low-budget—like free things to do—we have everything you need listed right here. RECOMMENDED: Full NYC events calendar

Finding free things to do in New York City is like striking gold. NYC is one of the greatest cities in the world, but holy cow, is it pricey. Seeing Broadway shows or dining at one of the city’s most buzzed about restaurants will cost you a pretty penny. Luckily for us, the city also offers a prime list of free museum days, walking tours, exhibits, comedy shows and more. Read on for our list of NYC's best gratis activities. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to our best things to do in NYC

Some the best NYC events in April celebrate Earth Day. NYC isn’t the greenest city, but New York sure knows how to give Mother Nature a proper party and some much-needed recognition. The best Earth Day events in NYC including volunteering to clean up parks in NYC or beaches to ensure they stay litter-free. There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy themed music, sustainable art and natural beauty. Get ready to do some tree hugging and check out fun things to do outside and inside. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Earth Day in NYC

New York City is full of free outdoor art that you don't even have to go to a museum to see. Sculptures, murals and photographs can be found in its parks, sidewalks and on its buildings! Locations such as the High Line, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn, Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens and other NYC locales all have a wide variety of pieces awaiting you, from massive sculptures to eye-popping murals and graffiti. Best of all, it costs you nothing to pay a visit. Below, find the best outdoor art in NYC to stroll by on a spring day. RECOMMENDED: The best art shows and exhibits in NYC

Forget the Sunday Scaries. Instead, spend your Sunday evening laughing with the Shades of Melanin comedy show. The show puts a spotlight on hilarious BIPOC comics during a performance on Sunday, April 28 at Williamsburg Comedy Club where "the vibes will be as free flowing as the whiskey and beer," event orgazniers promise. Extra bonus: There's no drink minimum.  After the 6pm show, head across the street for a chill after-party at Horses and Divorces to chill with the comics you just saw perform, have a few drinks, and get the week started off right.  The show lineup includes: Sherrod Small, Alex Carabano, Jess Henderson, Peng Dang, Meka Mo, Jilberto Soto, and Frankie Benz. Shades of Melanin is created by Purple Park Comedy and XO Comedy.

This experimental variety show hosted by River L. Ramirez draws guest performers from NYC’s various scenes: Comedy, music, burlesque, writing, and dance. The common thread? They all "honor the expression of life." Expect seances, dance exorcisms, sermons, group rituals and more. "Allow yourself to be transported into the feeling of our shared humanity with Ramirez’s playful take on spirit theatre," event organizers suggest. For the April 28 show in Brooklyn, performers include Larry Owens, Peter Smith, and Sister Selva.

This free outdoor French film festival is back with a sports-themed lineup in honor of the Olympics in Paris this summer. The festival is hosted by Villa Albertine, and this year’s edition features 11 French films with English subtitles across Manhattan and Brooklyn parks. Expect a mix of classic and contemporary movies, all on the theme of “Sports on Film.” "The lineup proves that sports films, a stereotypically American genre, are very much alive and thriving in French cinema," event organizers say. Here's the 2024 schedule: — May 31, Central Park: Sink or Swim by Gilles Lellouche— June 7, Washington Square Park: Final Set by Quentin Reynaud— June 14, Washington Square Park: The Odyssey by Jérôme Salle— June 21, Transmitter Park, Brooklyn: My Donkey, My Lover & I by Caroline Vignal— June 28, J. Hood Wright Park: The Triplets of Belleville by Sylvain Chomet— July 5, Seward Park: Marinette by Virginie Verrier— July 12, Seward Park: Air of Paris by Marcel Carné— July 19, Riverside Park, Pier I: Les Cinq Tulipes Rouges by Jean Stelli – U.S. premiere— July 26, Riverside Park, Pier I: The Golden Ball by Cheik Doukouré— Sept. 6, McGolrick Park, Brooklyn: Racetime by Benoît Godbout— TBA, Ride Above by Christian Duguay All screenings will be subtitled in English, free and open to the public. Screenings begin at sunset. Here's more about each film and exact show locations.

This annual festival takes over the Westbeth Artists Residence building in the West Village, offering a peek at the famed building and incredible dance performances. Events run from April 25-28. Twenty-six dance companies will perform within the storied space, offering two original site- specific shows. Top Floor presents two programs of visionary artists in a traditional theater setting at the Martha Graham Studio Theater, located on the 11th Floor of Westbeth Artists Housing. You'll need tickets for the Top Floor programs. The second option, called All Over Westbeth, features a guided opportunity to tour Westbeth’s unique architectural history, with original site-specific dance creations tailored to the community’s most iconic spaces. It's free to attend All Over Westbeth.

On select Friday nights this summer, the Intrepid Museum opens its doors for free (tickets are usually $36/adult), allowing visitors to explore the museum and enjoy free after-hours programming. Free Fridays run on the last Friday of the month (June 28, July 26 and August 23).  On Free Fridays, visitors can explore the museum free of charge and enjoy after-hours programming. Doors open at 5pm and close at 8:30pm.  While you're there, be sure to check out the incredible fascinating exhibit  "Apollo: When We Went to the Moon." With archival speeches, historic documents, and incredible space equipment, the exhibit whisks visitors back to the 1960s, an era when humanity first ventured into the unknown.  If you've got time, stick around for free movie nights, too! In connection with the Apollo exhigit, all of this summer's movies will feature stories about humankind’s exploration and fascination with the Moon. Check the Intrepid Museum's online calendar for Free Friday programming details as the dates approach. Find the Intrepid Museum located at Pier 86 (46th Street and 12th Avenue) along the Hudson River.

Many free outdoor movie screenings are taking place all over town this summer, but none boast an ambiance quite like that of the Intrepid Museum's Summer Movie Series. After all, you get to watch some awesome movies while hanging out on aircraft carrier's flight deck at sunset. How cool! In connection with the museum's fascinating newest exhibition: Apollo: When We Went to the Moon, all of the movies this summer will feature stories about humankind’s exploration and fascination with the Moon. Here is the upcoming schedule: — Friday, May 24: Top Gun: Maverick — Friday, June 28: Apollo 13 — Friday, July 26: First Man — Friday, August 23: Moonfall The movie will be played on a huge inflatable screen, so there's not a bad seat in the house. Doors open at 7pm and the movie starts at sunset. Make sure to bring some blankets and lawn chairs along. You can also bring your own food and drinks (alcohol is not permitted, though), and light snacks will be sold at the event.  Fair warning: the spots fill up fast, so make sure to get there pretty early! Several of the movie nights also coincide with The Intrepid's Free Fridays (held on June 28, July 26, and August 23), where you can learn some cool science and history while you're onboard.

The Naked Comedy Show promises "New York's nakedest stand-up comedians in Brooklyn's sexiest venue." Yes, the comedians are legit naked—and you can be, too! The first two rows of seating will be considered a clothing optional space. This "night of jokes, genitals, and some sexy giveaways" will take place on Friday, April 26. Just to be clear: Phones are not allowed out during the show.  Ticket holders get the exact address sent the day before with their confirmation email, but it'll be somewhere near the Myrtle-Broadway JMZ stop.  Here's the line-up:— 8pmShalewa Sharpe (HBO, Comedy Central)Patrick Holbert (TruTV)Julia Desmond (New York Comedy Festival)Bridget Foley (New York Comedy Festival)James King (Amazon Prime) — 10pmDylan Adler (Comedy Central)Dwayne Cullen (New York Times)Hanna GerlanderGabby Jordan BrownCamille Roberts Both shows are hosted by Billy Procida (bad Lifetime dating show). Extra perk: There's now a discounted ticket option if you want to stick around for both shows.

Some things get better with age. The Empire State Building—now approaching its 100th birthday—is definitely one of them.  The Empire State Building became an icon when it opened in 1931 as the world's tallest building. Though the landmark may have lost its No. 1 height status, it's remained a beloved destination with incredible views of the city. Thanks to recent updates, it's not just about the views anymore. The building now spotlights art, architecture, and history; plus, it offers a slew of cool events and excellent dining options.  Tourists tend to make the Empire State Building their first stop upon arriving in New York City, and they're onto something—it's worth a visit, no matter if you're a lifelong New Yorker or just passing through town. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to this essential gem of the Manhattan skyline. RECOMMENDED: 101 best things do in NYC Why is the Empire State Building so famous? This building was a Very Big Deal since day one. It was the world's first buidling to soar higher than 100 stories, and it was completed in a record-breaking 1 year and 45 days thanks to seven million man hours of hard work. The 102-story skyscraper opened to plenty of fanfare. On May 1, 1931, President Herbert Hoover pressed a button in Washington, D.C., officially opening the building and turning on the Empire State Building's lights for the first time. The building quickly became a tourist hotspot, even moreso when it became the setting

You won't believe how seamlessly good comedy can work with pole dancing (you can read about it here). While stellar stand-ups deliver sets, pro dancers give the crowd something stare at. Think of it as a full-brain experience. Comics Dan Goodman, Joanna Ross and special guests will welcome talented pole dancers and comedians from across NYC.  Each show features a different musical theme, and each one is full of surprises. As the event organizers say: "If you don't see shows like this, why are you even paying the NYC rents?"

This hilarious show at Caveat takes the best international TV game show formats and brings them to life on stage. See "Duty Free Live! Unauthorized Imported Game Shows" on Friday, April 26. The show merges segments from two hit international game shows, "Would I Lie To You" and "Schlag Den Raab," from the UK and Germany respectively. The show's led by Kento Morita, Grant Mulitz, and Christopher Morucci with players Kendall Davis, Ian Goldstein, Michelle Chan Bennett, Billy Soco, Rocky Paterra, Lauren Arnett, RJ Williams, Jake Lucas, Emily van den Blink. Time Out readers can use the code LESSDUTY for discounted tickets.

Forget Coachella, head to Queerchella. This monthly music festival showcasing queer talent in NYC is back on Sunday, April 21 at Three Dollar Bill in Brooklyn. As the event organizers say: Come discover your new favorite queer artist. The evening features nine performers for an evening of entertainment you won't want to miss. Plus, there's a spiritual/healing team, tarot, and cool vendors.  

Hear the best new inventions from local comedians at the delightful show "Ha! or Nah!: A Joke Lab." It's hosted at Capish?! Club at Lunella in Little Italy, where comedy nights are known for a heartwarming tone with a bit of sass. The show on Wednesday, April 17 is led by Lauren LoGiudice with Helen Wildy, Ethan Hardy, Cynthia Levin, Stephon Hightower, Kevin Karpinski, Allison Hout, and a secret VIP guest comedian. Expect new jokes, hilarious characters, and a friendly atmosphere whether you're coming solo or with a group. Audience members have said that it feels like a "communal experience" that they "didn't expect it to be so unhinged." Plus, reviewers say, "if a tourist happens to find it they're lucky." Get there early for the pre-show mingle.

For decades, the Tenement Museum has been dedicated to telling stories of New York City's immigrants, migrants, and refugees. And an important part of understanding that story is through food.  The museum used to host a popular series of food tours, but tours were canceled amid the pandemic. Now, after a four-year hiatus, the Tenement Museum’s popular walking tour Foods of the Lower East Side is back, exploring 150 years of immigrant cuisine.  RECOMMENDED: First look: The Tenement Museum’s first exhibit about a Black family The food tour covers 10 stops at historic neighborhood sites with five tastings from local Lower East Side vendors, offering diverse cuisines from Eastern Europe to Italy and Puerto Rico. All-age tours are available on Saturdays for $55/person. Expect a half-mile walk over the course of 90 minutes. Tour stops include: Cafe Katja, an Austrian restaurant where visitors are treated to pretzels with traditional spreads and beers Que Chevere, a Puerto Rican restaurant serving tostone cups with pulled pork or rice and beans Pickle Guys, the last remaining pickle vendor in a neighborhood that was once famous as a producer of pickled foods Essex Olive and Spice offers olive oils from the owner’s family olive grove in Morocco Chinatown Ice Cream Factory within Essex Market, a family-run business and local favorite. At Essex Market, guides will also dig into the space, which was once a hub for independent pushcart peddlers and open-air markets made up of immigrants

Here’s an important spring PSA: Pink petals are at their peak at Brooklyn Botanic Garden right now. The garden’s cherry esplanade and cherry walk are now in peak bloom. The blooms will likely last another week or so before they begin floating down to the ground, creating a pastel carpet of petals, according to BBG’s director of horticulture, Shauna Moore. So make sure to get there this week or weekend. RECOMMENDED: The best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC Brooklyn Botanic Garden is home to one of the best cherry blossom displays in the city. It maintains a vast collection of flowering cherry trees—26 species and cultivars, to be exact!—that bloom at different times during the spring season. Typically, cherry blossom season runs until mid-May.  Photograph: By Peter Slattery/Brooklyn Botanic Garden Though some of BBG's trees are past their peak bloom, the garden's Prunus × dawyckensis species still are in pre-peak, meaning there's plenty of time to enjoy those whitish blooms. The garden offers a Cherry Watch tracker on its website, so you can see a map of all the trees and exactly when they'll be in their finest form. Tickets to BBG cost $22/person and you can book them online in advance here. If you can't make it to BBG this year, here are a few photos that'll make you feel like you're there among the flowers.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Allan Clements (@cygnal) View this post on Instagram A

An array of colorful kites will take to the skies next month as part of Sound & Color!, a free spring festival in Brooklyn on Saturday, May 18.  It's the one day of the year when kite flying is open to the public at the Park's Pier 5, so you don't want to miss it. Whether you bring your own kite, buy one there, or make your own at a workshop during the event, the festival promises a fun kickoff to the warmer months.  RECOMMENDED: NYC events in May 2024 Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy hosts the family-friendly event, which takes place across its namesake park from 11am-5pm on May 18. Last year's festival brought together more than 5,000 attendees, so this year event organizers are expanding the event to include additional musical festivities across the park. Though kite-flying at Pier 5 is the main draw, also expect more kids' activities plus food vendors.  Photograph: By John Eng Even if you've never flown a kite before, expert instructors at the festival will help your flying contraption soar over the Manhattan skyline. Workshops will explore how to make kites in the Caribbean tradition. The festival not only kicks off spring, it also celebrates colors, culture, and unity by merging STEAM concepts with the Caribbean's rich history of kite-flying. All of those themes combine to create a day of outdoor fun for all ages.  Photograph: By John Eng As for music, expect an energizing live performance by Eruption Steel Orchestra's steel-pan drum line. Plus, Igmar Thomas (a maes

There’s only one constant in New York City: Change. A new exhibit at the New-York Historical Society explores the rapid development of the city and what’s been left behind.  The exhibit, titled Lost New York, transports viewers to a time when pigs roamed the streets, shopping was a radical act, and New Yorkers used to brave polluted waters for a swim. The exhibition also documents long-gone landmarks like the original Penn Station, Met Opera House, Chinese Theater, and Croton Reservoir. See it at the Upper West Side museum now through September 29.  RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now More than 90 paintings, photographs, objects, and lithographs combine to tell the story of the city’s history and the importance of preserving pieces of our otherwise vanishing past. Though the idea for an exhibit like this had been brewing for some time, the concept solidified when the museum acquired two trompe-l’œil paintings by Richard Haas. One painting depicts Manhattan in 1855 with the Crystal Palace and original Croton Reservoir in view. The second painting depicts the same view during 1994 with Bryant Park and the Empire State Building in focus. The contrast is dizzying.  Photograph: By Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out | Paintings by Richard Haas. Museum curators focused not just on lost landmarks but also on lost communities (think Seneca Village), environments (like bathhouse culture), monuments (such as the Hippodrome), pastimes (cruising on a penny farthi

Even if you've been just about everywhere in New York City, you likely haven't been to Floyd Bennett Field in the far reaches of Brooklyn. This once historic airport played an important part in aviation history, but its now-dilapidated airplane hangars fade away as relics from another era. To artists, though, these worn-out facades in a dark, unspoiled stretch of land make for a perfect canvas. As part of the first-ever Floyd Bennett Field! Public Arts Festival, artists will showcase massive video artworks on the side of the hangars, making for a truly dazzling spectacle. Other events during the free festival, which runs April 19-21, include a silent disco, live music, lawn games, and hangar tours. RECOMMENDED: This giant sculpture in the Garment District is made of rubber tires The weekend-long celebration merges art, architecture, and history, showcasing the talent of 24 exceptional artists, including Derrick Adams, Peter Burr, Eto Otitigbe, and Ryan Hartley Smith. Each artist will unveil original works, creatively video mapped onto the 11,000-square-foot facade of two monumental airplane hangars. The video mapping is so detailed that it blurs the line between real life and the theoretical.   Each artist put their own spin on the digital projects. Adams' work, for example, highlights topographies and waterways of the region through an aerial adventure. Burr's piece evokes a labyrinth, while Smith created a love letter to the Rockaways, especially the historically queer sect

Giant puppets will parade through the Lower East Side on Saturday, May 11, to raise awareness for a giant issue: Climate solutions. "Ecological City: Procession for Climate Solutions" is described as "an urban ecological pilgrimage." Marchers will stop at more than a dozen gardens throughout the neighborhood showcasing visual art, music, dance, theater, and poetry. Expect to see 500 people in spectacular costumes during this theatrical pageant, along with mobile sculptures and larger-than-life puppets. RECOMMENDED: The best Earth Day events in NYC Though the event falls after Earth Month, it keeps alive the important conversations about sustainability, climate change, and climate solutions.  Photograph: Courtesy of Rachel Elkind The event’s organizers highlight community gardens on the march as a way to show the importance of these green spaces within the city. Not only are these green spaces beautiful, but they also offer pollinator gardens, solar gazebos, permeable paths, and trees that improve air quality.  "The gardens provide a myriad of solutions including sequestering carbon, filtering air pollution and run-off, as well as absorbing flood water from storm surges and sea level rise," event organizers said in a press release. "Visionary green infrastructure projects throughout the neighborhood include bio-swales, rain and pollinator gardens, solar gazebos, permeable pathways, vertical farming, green roofs, CSA-community supported agriculture/urban farming/environmental

Take your movie-going experience to the next level this summer at Rooftop Cinema Club. The experience offers a chance to watch a movie on a Midtown rooftop with vegan popcorn, classic theater candy, and craft cocktails. Kicking off on May 1, this season's rooftop movie schedule includes classics like When Harry Met Sally, Dirty Dancing, Grease, Mean Girls, Clueless, and so much more. Also expect special programming for Star Wars day, AAPI Heritage Month, Black Music Month, and Pride Month. Plus, it’s adding a Saturday Cereal Club and Mimosas & Muffins Sundays. Keep scrolling for the full lineup, and get tickets here. RECOMMENDED: 60+ concerts are coming to The Rooftop at Pier 17; here's what to see Photograph: Courtesy of Rooftop Cinema Club Movies to see at Rooftop Cinema Club this summer May  To celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, the schedule features films that celebrate the many facets of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in cinema, both in front of and behind the camera. To name a few, Parasite, Past Lives, and Everything Everywhere All at Once are on the lineup.  Given the popularity of May for weddings, the theater's also showing some iconic wedding movies, like Wedding Crashers, The Proposal, and Runaway Bride.  June  June's lineup honors Black Music Month and Pride Month. Black Music Month offerings include Brown Sugar, Love Jones, and Poetic Justice. For Pride, see But I'm a Cheerleader, The Color Purple, Showgirls, and more.  July  In July, get nostalgic with tee

The Rooftop at Pier 17 has long been one of our favorite concert venues in New York City. The panoramic views, the chill vibe, and the stellar acoustics make it a truly special spot to see a show. And with this year's stacked lineup of 60+ concerts this summer, it's definitely worth heading there for a night of live music. The sixth Summer Concert Series on The Rooftop at Pier 17 features more than 60 artists in genres from rap (Isaiah Rashad) to rock (Social Distortion) to electronic (Electric Callboy) and more. Plus, there are several bands on the roster that will make Millennials swoon with nostalgia (like Taking Back Sunday, Something Corporate, Two Door Cinema Club, and Mayday Parade). Read on for the full lineup and get tickets here.    RECOMMENDED: Governors Ball 2024 just announced its lineup Photograph: By Ryan Muir Here's the full Pier 17 lineup for summer 2024 May 4 - Social Distortion and Bad Religion May 8 - Bad Religion and Social Distortion May 11 - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib with El Michels Affair May 13 - Electric Callboy with Bury Tomorrow and If Not For Me May 31 - NEEDTOBREATHE with special guest Judah & The Lion June 1 - Isaiah Rashad June 14 - Greensky Bluegrass June 15 - Reggae Fest Blaze June 16 - Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Neal Francis June 21 - Something Corporate June 22 - Billy Currington with Larry Fleet and Redferrin July 6 - Everyday People with DJ Moma & Friends July 9 - Cavetown & Mother Mother July 10 - Mother Mother & Cavetown July

"Let Me Tell You" is a series of columns from our expert editors about NYC living, including the best things to do, where to eat and drink, and what to see at the theater. They publish each Tuesday so you’re hearing from us each week. Last time, Things to Do Editor Rossilynne Skena Culgan suggested ideas for the long-vacant Times Square Sbarro.  In a borough where rents soar, sirens wail, and tall buildings eclipse the sun, finding a meditative moment in Manhattan can feel nearly impossible. Dedicating time for wellness often feels like an indulgence reserved only for the ultra-rich (ahem). But I experienced three completely free experiences over the past week that left me feeling a lightness without lightening my wallet. Allow me to share, and I hope you'll head out to these spots for a piece of peace.  Photograph: By Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out | Field of Light 1. Field of Light at Freedom Plaza On the far east edge of Manhattan, 18,750 glowing orbs of light sprout from the ground. They gleam in green, blue, pink, and purple tones, each one emerging from the Earth like an avant-garde flower. The fiber optic lights are part of an otherworldly experience called Field of Light.  The 6-acre installation was installed by British artist Bruce Munro who’s known for using light to create an emotional response. For me, his intention definitely worked. I reveled in the quiet walk along winding paths, watching as the color of the orbs evolved. Instead of my typical hurried

With their vibrant colors, delicate ruffles, and dramatic shapes, orchids love to show off their looks. This spring, the New York Botanical Garden is giving the divas of the plant world their moment in the spotlight as part of “The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion.” Three up-and-coming designers created massive installations inspired by these fashionable flowers. In one, you'll see orchids turned into avant-garde clothing. Another features a regal orchid queen. The final section draws upon AI to create anthropomorphic creatures who don floral outfits. Florals in Fashion is on view from February 17 through April 22 at NYBG in the Bronx; adult tickets cost $35. RECOMMENDED: The best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC For the past 21 years, the annual orchid show has offered a sure sign of spring for winter-weary New Yorkers. Thousands of orchids fill the Haupt Conservatory for what the botanical garden's CEO Jennifer Bernstein calls a "picture perfect celebration of all things orchid." To take the floral fun up a notch, NYBG is hosting several Orchid Nights, 21+ events with music, performances, cocktails, and light bites. Orchid Nights will be held on March 30 and April 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20. Here are five things to see at this year's orchid show Photograph: By Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out | Design by Olivia Cheng (Dauphinette) 1. Orchids as avant-garde clothing The show begins in what looks like a high-end fashion boutique. Mannequins pose in floral dresses desig

For more than a century, the Statue of Liberty has offered inspiration as a beacon of freedom, equality, and democracy. And for just as long, she has also served as an inspiration for tattoo artists.  A new exhibit at City Reliquary, a jewel box of a museum in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood, features vintage Statue of Liberty tattoos. As the first show devoted to Lady Liberty ink, it also traces tattooing history in NYC since the 1800s. "Liberty the Tattooed Lady: The Great Bartholdi Statue as Depicted in Tattooing" is now open through January 12, 2025. RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now The exhibition spotlights antique flash, vintage photographs, drawings, and other ephemera that show how Lady Liberty has been a popular subject in tattooing for as long as she’s stood in New York Harbor. You'll even get to see vintage tattoo art that's never been on display before. Photograph: Courtesy of The City Reliquary This show brings together artifacts from some of the most legendary tattooers of the early twentieth century, including Charlie Wagner, Bert Grimm, Owen Jensen, Dainty Dotty, and Lou Normand. The modern-day electric tattooing process actually began right here in the Bowery, City Reliquary Museum founder, Dave Herman explained in a press release. Back in 1891, when the New York tattooist Samuel O’Reilly saw a Thomas Edison engraving pen in the window of a downtown stationer, he saw something that Edison may have never imagined. "Soon, using i

Year after year, New York City serves as the backdrop for countless works of literature, film, and TV. Today, 11 new books set in New York City have been selected as finalists for the Gotham Book Prize, and one will soon be awarded the grand prize of $50,000.  Fiction and nonfiction works can be considered for the prize, so long as they feature New York as a topic or setting and were published within the calendar year. Their settings range from 1970s Harlem to a Brooklyn apartment to the Bronx Slave Market in 1944. They're all worth adding to your reading list. But only one will win the grand prize on June 5 during the Queens Public Library’s annual gala. RECOMMENDED: The Best Bookstore Cafés in NYC The Gotham Book Prize began during the early days of the pandemic as a way to encourage and honor writing about New York City. Bradley Tusk, who founded independent bookstore P&T Knitwear, teamed up with Howard Wolfson, who works for Bloomberg Philanthropies, to create the prize.  Here are the 2024 finalists All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Brinkley Between Two Moons by Aisha Abdel Gawad Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead Flores and Miss Paula by Melissa Rivero Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim by Patricia Park Rikers: An Oral History by Graham Rayman and Reuven Blau The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis by Maria Smilios The Slip: The New York City Street That Changed American Art Forever by Prudence Peiffer Th