Springtime in New York City is the best. You can see it on the faces of the New Yorkers around you - the pure happiness everywhere when the sunshine comes out after a long and cold winter.

When the flowers bloom in spring - this city comes alive. And out of the cold ground, and the grey skyline comes unbelievable color and beauty.

More than anything else, last spring was TOUGH. We were all stuck inside, and looking at the world through a window or a screen. SO we have some lost time to make up for, don’t you think?

Though Covid hasn’t disappeared, New York is taking steps to move forward with vaccinating a majority of the population. And the city is slowly reopening and New Yorkers are getting back out there again.

Looking for things to do in New York City this Spring? Read some of my favorite activities here!

Stroll Around the Neighborhoods

Trust me, you won’t feel the same spring vibes walking around Midtown as you do in the village. But you can walk for miles and miss some of the best neighborhoods! So if you’re looking to walk around the city underneath the blooming trees, and past flower beds, then follow along with me.

First stop, enjoy a stroll in my favorite neighborhood - the West Village. This is the cutest area of the city, in my opinion. The small residential streets dotted with shops and cafés always feel so dreamy. But it’s a showstopper in the Spring! Flowering trees, lush and overflowing window boxes, and decorated stoops around this area make it even more special.

Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Manhattan to stroll around in the Spring.

Gramercy
Chelsea
Flatiron
Soho
Upper East Side
East Village
Seaport
Meatpacking District
Upper West Side

Here’s just a glimpse of these beautiful areas.

Hang at Hudson Yards

A neighborhood that’s definitely worth spending time in is Hudson Yards! There are a lot of shops, restaurants, and activities here. Plus its a relatively new neighborhood, so if you’ve already explored most of New York then try something new on the west side!

From walking the High Line park, to the shopping mall at Hudson Yards, to climbing the Vessel, to tasting bites at Mercado Little Spain or braving heights on the observation deck of the Edge 100 stories above. There is no shortage of things to do.

Grab a coffee at the cutest cafè called Il Piccolo Ristoro on 28th Street. It’s right below a staircase to access the High Line park so it provides easy access and a scenic view on your way to the center of Hudson Yards.

The area has had so much development in the past few years. In a matter of months, massive skyscrapers went up. The neighborhood is packed with office buildings and residential luxury apartments. It’s actually changed the view of our skyline! This i… — The area has had so much development in the past few years. In a matter of months, massive skyscrapers went up. The neighborhood is packed with office buildings and residential luxury apartments.
It’s actually changed the view of our skyline!
This interesting viewpoint can be found in Chelsea where a row of old, tiny, and colorful townhomes contrast with the modern glass architecture towering in the distance.

Ferry over to Brooklyn!

One of my favorite activities is to take the NYC Ferry from 34th street to Brooklyn. No matter the destination, you are bound to have a good adventure! Here are some plans for an awesome day in BK.

Greenpoint: Stop by some of the best vintage shops like Feng Sway, Line & Label or Marmalade, grab a slice at Paulie Gee’s, buy some new plants for Spring in stores like TULA, sip a cocktail at Ramona’s, and then dine at Oxomoco.

Williamsburg: Grab a coffee and pastry at Butler, shop on Bedford Street, hang in Domino Park, enjoy drinks at the Hoxton hotels' rooftop bar Summerly, and end your day with an amazing meal at Misi.

Dumbo: Walk around the waterfront, grab drinks at the 1 Hotel Harriet’s Rooftop, enjoy a meal at Cecconi’s and take in the most beautiful views with a walk back over to Manhattan on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Shopping in Soho

The shopfronts in Soho are decorated beautifully in Spring. My sister and I spent last Saturday going up and down every street because we didn’t want to miss any, and I still don’t think we covered them all! There are so many shopfronts adorned with beautiful floral arches and greenery. It brings so much life to the city streets!

Be sure to check out my SHOPPING MAP for twenty of the best stores! Must-visit locations are Loveshack Fancy, Ulla Johnson, Sezane, and Nadaam.

Be sure to swing by the floral mastermind behind so many of these amazing storefront installations, Julia Testa on Thompson Street!

And while downtown, enjoy some outdoor dining at one of the many restaurants that boast an elaborate curb appeal like Little Prince.

See the Spring blooms in NYC Parks

Take a walk or bike around some of the beautiful New York City parks. It’s always a good spring activity, and you can get some exercise! Take a reprieve from the shadowed sidewalks and enjoy uninterrupted sunshine, gorgeous flowers, and grassy knolls.

Central Park
West Side Highway
East River Park
Washington Square Park
Bryant Park
Gramercy Park
Prospect Park

There is nothing better than setting up a picnic in the park with some drinks and snacks. It’s such a fun way to get together with a large group right now in my opinion.

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Sip Drinks at These Reopened Rooftop Bars

After a year of being closed, rooftop bars are finally back! So when all else fails, there is always a place to grab a drink outside on one of the cities many amazing rooftop bars.

Here are some of my favorites, and the best-rated rooftop bars in our city.

Go get out there!

Here are some of my favorite suggestions for activities this Spring!

Catch a drive-in movie at Skyline Drive in Greenpoint
Citi Bike ride down the west side highway from the UWS to Battery Park
Golf at the driving range at Chelsea Piers
Enjoy delicious BBQ and beers at Pig Beach Brooklyn, an outdoor bar!
Sail on a sunset cruise around Manhattan
Take an Outdoor SoulCycle spin class in TriBeca
Pick fresh flowers and produce at the Union Square Farmers Market
If you don’t mind shelling out $700 - book this amazing hot tub boat ride around NYC!
Be a kid for an afternoon at the Central Park Zoo
Spend an afternoon in the Seaport District shopping around, drinks at The Greens on the Pier 17 rooftop followed by dinner at Malibu Farm!
Sip drinks on a docked boat bars like Grand Banks, Drift In, or the Pilot

This is the best time to get out and explore new places! Or revisit your favorite spots. When the Spring weather is so nice, there is so much more to do in the city.

Get outdoors and take advantage of a warm spring day and before the summer humidity rolls in.

Xx Gab