If it’s variety you seek for spring activities with your family, look no further than New York City. New York is notorious for its countless museums, sightseeing opportunities and parks that are sure to keep the whole family entertained during all of April and May. And although these are offered year-round in the city that never sleeps, there is something extra special about New York in the Spring, when the city is just starting to shake off winter. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly spring activities in and around The Big Apple.
What is spring without baseball?
New York is home of the Yankees, one of baseball’s most decorated teams in Major League Baseball. The Yankees’ season is off and rolling already, and they’ll be playing all the way through a hopeful playoff run in October - knock on wood. There’s no better time than the spring to catch a ball game with your family. If you plan ahead of time, you can book a family tour of the stadium before the game and get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the 27-time World Champion team and their home turf.
New York is also home base for the Mets and the team will have a handful of home games at their stadium through the spring as well. Both the Mets and the Yankees are some of the most successful franchises in baseball history. The Mets are off to their hottest start in quite a while and have a loaded batting lineup featuring All-Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Central Park
Take the family on a relaxing walk through one of the most beautiful and famous parks in the world. After experiencing the hustle and bustle of the city, Central park can be a calm place to lounge. If you’re looking for a fast-paced activity, explore bike rentals near Central Park.
An iconic American food restaurant, Tavern on the Green in Central Park, has attracted prominent people throughout the decades. This dining hot spot has even been mentioned in popular movies like Ghostbusters. Tavern on the Green was recently reopened in 2014 under new ownership.
The Central Park Zoo is open year-round and encourages visitors to get close with a variety of animals. There are viewing opportunities for penguin and sea lion feedings. This is a wonderful spot to take children while on a family spring break trip and makes for a fun, interactive day of entertainment.
Special Spring Events
Depending on exactly when your family’s spring break is or when you have some time off, major parades and other events will be strolling through the city. For a flower-filled springtime themed day, go to the Orchid Festival, otherwise known as New York’s nod to the changing season. 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. The Botanical Gardens will be in full bloom with thousands of orchids through all of April.
For a rainy spring day, take the kids to visit the Brooklyn Museum. Relive the glory days by stopping by the new David Bowie exhibit that portrays Bowie’s life through pop culture multimedia that includes audio, video and animations that coincide with various items on display. The exhibit features interactive attractions from his early teenage years all the way through his peak of superstardom.
The land of witchcraft and wizardry returns next week as the popular theatrical play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Parts 1 & 2 hits the Broadway stage. Performances for the play began on April 7th and will last through May 13th. Browse online deals for tickets to this Harry Potter spectacle or theater shows around New York City.
What to Eat
Eataly is a huge Italian marketplace with some of the best Italian cuisine downtown. It’s not exactly the most obscure attraction but it’s a neat little atmosphere with some incredible food and is home to authentic Italian groceries and dining. Eataly is still fairly new to the city, having opened in NY back in 2010, but there are locations all over the world.
Located on the southern tip of Manhattan in Battery Park City is Pier A Harbor House, a beautiful restaurant right on the water. With incredible views at this place, the Harbor House makes for a great family afternoon with tasty seafood and some neat surrounding parks to walk off the buttery lobster lunch.
One of the most popular outdoor restaurants downtown is the Hudson Clearwater in lower Manhattan. Folks dine here in the spring for the Southern Eggs Benedict and seasonal fresh fruit. Though known for its tasty brunch menu, this New American restaurant also offers creative cocktails and healthy vegetarian options.
Guest Blog by Jeremy Alderman