Best things to do in NYC this Spring

Spring has sprung – the evenings are getting lighter and the days are getting warmer!

If you’re thinking of venturing out of your house to soak in the delights that NYC has to offer in spring, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our list of best things to do in NYC in spring below.

Visit Swingers

In our (definitely unbiased) opinion, Swingers is a great visit year-round. 

Head to NoMad for our Weekend Set, an outrageously fun bottomless brunch offering. We’ve got bottomless cocktails and mocktails to mix and match, gourmet street food (with choices between pizza, tacos, burgers, and sweet treats, everyone will be happy!), and a party atmosphere thanks to our resident DJs.

It’s a great way to challenge your friends – our crazy golf courses are the best place to amp up some healthy competition.

Specific to spring, celebrate International Women’s Day at Swingers (running throughout March in NoMad and from March 4th-18th in Dupont Circle). In collaboration with female-owned and operated La Gritona, we’ll have three specialty cocktails on offer, prepared by our talented female bar team. $1 from each cocktail on the International Women’s Day menu will go towards the Women’s Sports Foundation, matched in full by La Gritona. 

Find out more about the cocktails on offer at NoMad and Dupont Circle.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Spring is the time of year when the flowers are in bloom. Most significant for this time of year is the flowering of cherry blossom trees, which showcase spectacular pink blossoms throughout the season.

The best places to visit in New York to see the cherry blossoms are:

1. Central Park: You can find cherry blossoms adorning the bridal path at 90th Street, East Drive at 66th Street, the eastern side of the Boathouse at 74th Street, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and Cherry Hill in the middle of the park at 72nd Street. Additionally, across from Belvedere Castle, you’ll discover them, enhancing the castle’s magic with their princess-pink blooms.
2. Green-Wood Cemetery: Take a leisurely stroll through this beloved Brooklyn destination, and you’ll encounter trees adorned with stunning pink blossoms, perfect for a spring-themed photo shoot. Wander along Battle Avenue, and you’ll be greeted by a combination of pink and white blooms framing the mausoleums. Amidst this serene setting, take in the sight of 172 cherry blossom trees scattered throughout the landscape.
3. Little Island: An addition to the roster of cherry blossom destinations, Little Island offers a delightful experience of springtime blooms. Amidst the island’s landscape, Akebono Yoshino cherry trees will burst into bloom, harmonizing with a colorful array of daffodils, tulips, lilies, pasqueflowers, and numerous other flowers that emerge from the park’s vast collection of over 66,000 bulbs.
4. Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden boasts a diverse collection of flowering cherry trees, comprising 26 distinct species and cultivars ranging from the elegant “Kanzan” to the graceful “Pendula Rosea.” Visitors can meander beneath the canopy of pink petals during the blooming season, typically spanning from late March to mid-May. With such a variety of trees in the garden, there’s a good chance of witnessing a splendid bloom regardless of when you visit during spring. 
5. Sakura Park: In 1912, New York City received a gift of 2,000 cherry trees from Japan. Offered by the Committee of Japanese Residents of New York, these trees were a symbol of friendship. They were planted in Riverside Park and a nearby small park, which later became known as Sakura Park, a nod to the Japanese term for “cherry blossom.” Located between Riverside Church and International House in Morningside Heights, around West 122nd Street, Sakura Park remains a cherished spot where visitors can appreciate the beauty of these trees. 

Celebrate St Patrick’s Day

New York is inhabited by over 2.1M people of Irish heritage, second only to California. As a result, St Patrick’s Day is a huge celebration in the city, with over 2 million people flocking to see the St Patrick’s Day parade every year.

The NYC St Patrick’s Day parade falls on Saturday, March 16th this year, starting at 5th Avenue at 44th Street and ending on 5th Avenue at 79th Street. Don some green and celebrate St Patrick’s Day surrounded by other revelers.

Macy’s Flower Show

Get into the spirit of spring by visiting the floral displays at Macy’s Flower Show. 

This year’s installation is created in partnership with Dior, and features a variety of blooms reflecting the brand’s fragrance selection. It will also feature designs by students from The Fashion Institute of Technology. 

Head to Macy’s Herald Square between Sunday, March 24 and  Sunday, April 7 for a chance to catch the installations.

See a show on Broadway

Broadway is an internationally recognized cultural capital of the world, boasting 41 theaters in the district. While shows run throughout the year, this spring’s offerings include a theatrical version of the 2004 hit The Notebook, a stage adaptation of 2006 novel Water for Elephants, classic Wizard of Oz reimagining The Wiz, and fun and decadent Cabaret.

Find the full list of shows here.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

A state as diverse as New York means that there’s always an opportunity to celebrate different cultures. 

If you’re looking to celebrate with tacos, take a trip to Swingers where Tacos Fonda provides a delicious selection of meat, fish, and mushroom taco delights, as well as delicious tortas. Wash it down with our Grand Mana Margarita, a fruity and spicy take on a classic for the ultimate Cinco de Mayo treat. Finish with a competitive play on the mini golf course.

Take part in the start of baseball season

Home of the New York Yankees, NYC is surely the best place to celebrate the start of the baseball season!

Bring some friends and take a trip to the Yankees stadium in the Bronx and cheer on your team alongside some delicious street food, perhaps a Grand Slam Shake, or a beer. 

Visit Governors Island

Looking to get out of the bustle of the city to make the most of spring? Take a ferry to Governors Island and stroll around the green space, with fabulous views of the Financial District, Red Hook, and Downtown Brooklyn across the water.

Rent a bike and explore the island – with 43 acres (including 7 miles of car free bike paths) to explore, you’ll be kept busy all day.

A number of art and cultural events take place on the island across the year – check out the events schedule close to your visit to see what’s happening.

Run Brooklyn Marathon

If you’re of a sporty inclination, the Brooklyn Marathon should be a staple in your spring calendar. This year, the run falls on April 28th, so get to training if you haven’t already!

A great opportunity to take in the scenery around Brooklyn and Manhattan, the route runs along the waterfront, so you can enjoy the sights of Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn bridges.

Feel the support of supporters cheering you on throughout the route, and be rewarded for your efforts with a medal and t-shirt at the finish line.

Grab a photo of Manhattanhenge

You might not be aware of Manhattanhenge – it falls towards the end of May and is when the sun sets at a specific angle that’s perfect for capturing a photograph. As the sun is aligned perfectly between skyscrapers, the sunset looks like it’s been captured in between the buildings and makes for a breath-taking shot.

You’ll find a real community spirit around the event – with everyone gathering to find the perfect spot to capture the moment. Head to a gap between buildings east-west of the main street grid in Manhattan at the below times for the chance to snap a shot:

• May 29, 2023: 8:13 pm (half sun)
• May 30, 2023: 8:14 pm (full sun)