Gardens and parks are in full bloom. Street festivals bristle with energy. The sidewalks buzz with people out for a stroll on a spring vacation in New York City. Book a spring hotel in New York City and discover the city as it wakes up from its winter slumber.
Street fairs pop up all around the city in May, but one of the biggest and best draws food – and food lovers – from all over the globe. Stroll through this 20-block fair and tempt your taste buds with wood-fired Italian sausages, spicy chorizo sandwiches, savory jambalaya, plump empanadas and meatball heroes. Street musicians, dance performances and bands keep the festivities lively. Bring an appetite and indulge in a swirl of flavors.
With sunny days and mild temperatures, join New Yorkers scouring some of its best shopping venues for the latest fashions and the greatest bargains. Find a favorite book at Biography Bookshop or browse jazz CDs at Bleecker Street Records in the West Village along peaceful Bleecker Street. Check out stunning new designs at boutiques like Giorgio Armani and Yves Saint Lauren along Madison Avenue. Or duck in the funky boutiques of NoLita, pausing for some fashion-conscious people-watching along the way. The multistoried department stores of Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s tempt the rainy day shoppers to sift through the latest spring ready-to-wears.
Robert DeNiro’s film festival takes center stage for 12 days in April. More than 250 films are shown in theaters around town, and the neighborhood buzzes with industry folk, journalists and film fans, as they check out the newest independent flicks. Special events such as the Family Festival Street Fair, music performances, art exhibitions and outdoor "drive-in" films round out the festivities.
No spring break in New York City is complete without spending an afternoon in Central Park. Pick up an overstuffed sandwich in a nearby deli and spread out a blanket on the Great Lawn, awash in bright shades of green. Or just stop and smell the flowers that line the pathways of Shakespeare Garden. Jugglers and street musicians vie for attention and tips under the elm-tree canopy on The Mall. Before leaving, ponder the West Side skyline from the top of Cherry Hill.
On the second Tuesday in June, an intoxicating mix of string quartets, artists and street performers put on a lively show for the crowds that fill the 20-block stretch known as Museum Mile. But the real stars of the show are the city’s top museums – including the Solomon R. Guggenheim, the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of the City of New York, which offer free admission during the event.
Rest your feet after a sunny spring day of sightseeing at one of the many restaurants with outdoor seating. Get in line with other burger lovers at Shake Shack in Madison Square, where the wait is worth it. Or people- watch from a sidewalk table at Pastis in the Meatpacking District. Stop for a glass of wine at a West Village café, or a latte and snack on the rooftop terrace at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
