Spring in New York City is pure magic and there’s so much to do in New York City this spring. Whatever you like-nature, culture or events, NYC has got you covered. Keep reading to see some of the best things to do in New York City this spring and places to go this season.
Highlights:
- Spring is a great time to visit NYC parks including Central Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden that are in bloom.
- The season is filled with great events from the Flower Show at Macy’s to the Orchid Show at New York Botanical Garden.
- From outdoor art installations to live music festivals, spring in NYC is all about experiences that showcase the city’s diversity and energy.
Things to Do in New York City This Spring 2025
1. See Central Park in Bloom
Central Park is a sight to behold in the spring with the cherry blossoms blooming, greenery and flowers everywhere, it’s a perfect setting to relax and play. The 693 acre urban oasis invites you to take a leisurely walk through its many landscapes from the serene Reservoir to the famous Bethesda Fountain and Bow Bridge. The cherry blossoms are mostly between 72nd and 96th Street around the Reservoir and Cherry Hill and bloom mostly in early to mid April when everyone comes to see them.
Central Park has so many ways to entertain in the spring: sunbathing or picnicking on the Great Lawn, remote control boating on Conservatory Water-the list goes on and on. You can also visit the Central Park Zoo where animals of many species live in beautifully designed habitats.
And of course, bring your camera for flowers in bloom-colorful spring display. Central Park in bloom is the ultimate New York City experience in spring, a peaceful escape from the city. Take a walk, join a tour or just sit back and enjoy the view at Central Park for the perfect place to celebrate spring in NYC especially if you visit the Central Park confetti room.
2. Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
If you’re looking to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossom trees in NYC, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of the best places to visit. Usually bloom is late March to early May and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden becomes a sea of pink and white blossoms. Quiet paths and serene settings invite you to take a leisurely walk, picnic and exercise your photography skills.
The paths and walkways have vendors for everything from souvenirs to snacks to sweeten your visit. For nature lovers and those looking to escape the daily grind and noise of the city the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one great place where spring is in full bloom.
3. Visit the High Line Park
The High Line Park is a great overview of New York City from an abandoned elevated railroad turned green. Running along the West Side of Manhattan this park has a great diversity of flora, seating areas and great views of the Hudson River and the city skyline. Designed as a landscape with a seasonal nature to its form, it changes mood and composition with the placement of plant species.
The High Line is especially beautiful in the spring when the gardens are in bloom and the weather is perfect for a leisurely walk. For art lovers, the installations throughout the park add an extra layer of interest to the walk. Notably the found-object sculpture by Arthur Simms will be in place from August 2024 to July 2025 and will be new every time you visit.
Whether you take a guided tour or go solo, the High Line Park is a great escape from the city. With nature, art and great views it’s one of those places to visit in NYC in the spring.
4. See the Orchid Show at New York Botanic Garden
Every spring the New York Botanic Garden hosts its Orchid Show-a spectacular display of orchids and floral arrangements that are out of this world. This year’s show is fashion themed featuring floral designs from New York’s up and coming fashion designers. It’s a sensory feast that combines horticulture and haute couture in a way that will delight visitors of all ages.
If you’re a member of the garden there are many discounts and special events for Orchid Show attendees that make it even more worth it. Tickets, adults are $35, not bad for such an unforgettable spring experience in NYC fashion.
5. Walk Through Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is in the heart of Greenwich Village, a lively gathering place with street performers, buskers and musicians. The famous Washington Square Arch is the backdrop for many activities and events; it’s also a great place to watch and relax. The energy and history make it a must see in the spring.
Among its many features is the famous chess plaza where chess enthusiasts gather to play and sometimes stage exhibitions. Whether you’re a player or just an observer the chess plaza adds to the park’s eclectic atmosphere.
From within Washington Square Park you can walk through it and see all the cultural scenes of Greenwich Village and the ultimate way to spend a spring day in NYC parks.
6. Find Outdoor Art Installations
From sidewalk sculptures to wall to wall photographs and murals the great outdoors of New York City is a giant canvas. SOHO becomes an open air gallery with avant-garde displays to virtual reality experiences. The Color Factory was in Soho; a new interactive installation came to town and promised to deliver immersive fun through color saturated surroundings and interactive elements.
The best thing about finding outdoor art in NYC is that it’s free so it’s for everyone. Guided walking tours or just wandering- the city’s outdoor art is a dynamic and ever changing way to experience New York’s cultural landscape.
7. Go to the Macy’s Flower Show
The Macy’s Flower Show is one of the big spring events in New York City, filling Macy’s Herald Square with thousands of flowers and interactive displays. This year’s show is March 23 to April 6, 2025 (estimated date) and features an immersive experience with the Miss Dior fragrance. It’s a visual and sensory feast since it’s all about colors and scents.
The Macy’s Flower Show is free and open to everyone, running during store hours. It’s the perfect way to welcome spring and enjoy a beautiful, stress-free outing! Whether you’re a garden lover or just looking for an indoor oasis this is one event that says “Spring has arrived in NYC”.
8. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in NYC
St. Patrick’s Day in New York City is a vibrant celebration of Irish heritage, and it’s home to the world’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade—a tradition you won’t want to miss! Founded in 1762 it has over 150,000 participants including pipe bands, dancers and other performers in their finest traditional attire, viewed by over 2 million people. It’s on March 17, 2025 this year. It’s going to be a party.
In addition to the parade Stone Street will host a St. Patrick’s Day Street Fest on March 16th and 17th with Irish food and live music for all.
9. Take a Scenic Cruise on the Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is a great and free way to see the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. The 30 minute one way ride gives you plenty of time to take photos and sightsee, with indoor and outdoor seating and great views. For the best Statue of Liberty views be sure to stand on the right side of the ferry as you head to Staten Island.
Beware of the ticket scalpers outside the terminal: the ferry is free and there are no tickets. Taking the Staten Island Ferry is a true New York thing to do with great views and a relaxed way to see some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
10. Eat Ethnic at Open Air Night Markets
The night markets of New York City are an open air food adventure serving up everything from ethnic eats to local specialties. Night markets celebrating the city’s diversity and heritage start in April. The Queens Night Market has over 100 independent vendors including food from popular local restaurants. A portion of the ticket sales go to Heart of Dinner for food insecurity among Asian American seniors.
In addition to all of the above Coney Island has pop-up markets that open in the summer to sell local crafts and food. Be a foodie, be an adventurous eater-NYC open air night markets are the most colorful and delicious way to see the city’s culinary diversity.
11. See a Broadway Show
Spring is a very busy season for Broadway with new musicals opening. This year’s new openings will include ‘Gypsy’ and ‘Eureka Day’. Meanwhile ‘The Great Gatsby’ is getting a musical treatment that has the audience under its spell. ‘Cabaret’ is back with a new production and is still a favorite among theatergoers.
If you prefer an intimate theatre experience Greenwich Village has many smaller off-Broadway theatres that are cheaper than Broadway too. Whether it be a dazzling Broadway show in Times Square or a theatre gem in the Village, the theatre scene won’t disappoint in NYC.
12. Visit the American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History has an enormous number of exhibits from a vast collection of one of the world’s largest and most impressive fossils to many representatives of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. It has a full size model of the T. rex to show you how big these prehistoric monsters really were. The facility has huge sections dedicated to the marine display, taxidermy mammals and historical artifacts of Native American life.
Interactive exhibits in the museum allow you to get hands on with paleontological research and discoveries making it a fun and educational experience for all. The American Museum of Natural History is a journey through time and science that will leave you awestruck-whether you’re a history buff or just a nature lover.
13. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a classic New York experience with great views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skyline. This National Historic Landmark has a pedestrian walkway separate from the cars so it’s safe for walkers. It’s especially romantic in the spring when the weather is nice.
You don’t pay to cross the Brooklyn Bridge. So that’s fun for all: not expensive but with amazing views. When you walk towards Manhattan from the Brooklyn side you get great views of the NYC skyline; you can stop to take a shot just about anywhere on the way to Manhattan.
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a must do in NYC whether you’re a local or a visitor.
14. See Music at Governors Ball Music Festival
The Governors Ball Music Festival is a must see in NYC’s spring music calendar. Mark your calendar for June 6-8, 2025 (estimated date) as it takes place in the beautiful Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The festival grounds are easily accessible by public transportation and you can get there from anywhere in the city.
In addition to the performances there will be interactive experiences like the Aperol Spritz Piazza and the Bud Light Backyard where you can have fun in every way. The upgraded ticket option for this year’s events includes a few special access areas and other perks that come with it.
The Governors Ball Music Festival brings together a bunch of talent into one energetic weekend that any music lover wouldn’t want to miss.
15. Visit Little Island
Little Island is a brand new, man made park on the Hudson River between Chelsea and Greenwich Village. It’s an oasis from the chaos of the city. Creative spaces in this new park include waterfront amphitheaters, live performances and music makers throughout. The paths of the park are for biking, walking or other activities like yoga and running.
There are some great spots to sit and meditate amidst nature and art in the boulder scrambles at Little Island. Whether to catch a live performance or just to chill out, Little Island is a must see this spring in NYC.
16. See the Vessel at Hudson Yards
Well the Vessel at Hudson Yards is an architectural marvel that has stunning views of New York City and the Hudson River. Open to the public March 15, 2019 this honeycomb of stairs and platforms is 16 stories high designed by the great Thomas Heatherwick. When you get to the Vessel you can climb up these different sets of stairs and take in the views or maybe take a photo from other angles.
Hudson Yards is a whole neighborhood of shops, restaurants and art installations so it’s not a bad place to spend a spring day. At Hudson Yards you’ll get a modern, urban experience right in the middle of NYC whether you’re exploring Vessel or the surrounding attractions.
17. See a Comedy Show at Second City
Laugh the night away at Second City in Williamsburg with choices of comedy shows from the most popular improv shows. This is one of those places where you’ll see you, performances from famous comedians and an hour of eclectic improv with top notch talent.
Second City is a mix of improv and stand-up comedy to keep you entertained all night. Going to a comedy show at Second City is a great way to have fun in NYC.
18. Take a Tour of the Met
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or The Met, is a museum that has a collection of over 5,000 years of the world’s greatest achievements in the arts from every corner of the globe. A guided tour at the Met will be super valuable in enriching the experience because local guides give you different insights into the art and history. Tours are given by curators, conservators, educators and artists so you’ll get even more in depth knowledge about the collections and exhibitions.
They offer themed tours for every interest; private tours can be arranged for those who want a more personalized experience. Some tours may include interactives so The Met is a place to get in and explore.
A tour of the Met is one of those things you have to do in NYC whether you’re an art lover or not.
19. Go to Greenwich Village
Tree-lined streets, historic brownstones and cozy cafes make Greenwich Village charming and lively this spring. The Village Vanguard is one of the great jazz clubs in the world and has been a home to many great performers since 1935 so it’s part of the musical DNA of this neighborhood.
Greenwich Village has history, culture and entertainment all in one of the most popular neighborhoods in NYC.
20. Take a Break at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade
There’s nothing quite like the Brooklyn Heights Promenade is famous for its views of Downtown Manhattan, the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. The quiet surroundings are a haven for joggers and walkers alike-a haven from the city.
It’s a great place to sit and enjoy New York City from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, whether you take a casual stroll or just sit on a bench and look out at the views. It’s very relaxing in the spring.
When you’re planning your spring in NYC don’t forget to take advantage of the free and low cost activities that will get you in the spring spirit. Outdoor art installations to community festivals, NYC has it all. So get out there, enjoy the moments and make memories that will last a lifetime.