Whether it’s your first time in New York City or you’re a seasoned visitor reacquainting yourself with the Big Apple – our springtime roundup of top things to do in New York will have something in store for you.
King Pleasure, an exhibit of works by Jean-Michel Basquiat
This highly anticipated exhibit of works by the controversial, ground-breaking artist is organized and curated by the artist’s family. Featured in the Starrett-Lehigh Building in West Chelsea, the exhibit presents over 200 never before seen works in a variety of mediums, all of which weave together the story of Basquiat’s art with his personal life against the backdrop of the time in which he lived. The exhibit runs through September 4, 2022.
Dinner at Majorelle
Majorelle welcomes Spring with bright new dishes reflecting the best of the season, along with Majorelle’s beloved classics. The majestic floral arrangements in the main dining room enliven the space with a showcase of seasonal blooms such as forsythia and cherry blossoms along with the classic orchids and lilies. Click here to book your reservation now.
Broadway is back!
This Spring, the Great White Way shines brighter with notable screen stars making their way back to the stage. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick return to the stage in a revival of Neil Simon’s The Plaza Suite. Not since their run in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying have they shared the stage, so this limited-run show is not to be missed! Beanie Feldstein, one of Hollywood’s rising talents, stars in the first ever revival of Funny Girl, the career-defining role that Barbra Streisand brought to life on screen and onstage. Fresh off retirement as James Bond, Daniel Craig headlines the latest Broadway production of the ambitious, guilt-ridden Scottish King, Macbeth.Lastly, Broadway veteran Hugh Jackman stars opposite Sutton Foster in a revival of The Music Man. This Broadway favorite is packed with Tony-Award winners,from both Jackman and Foster, to director Jerry Zack and choreographer Warren Carlyle. It is classic Broadway at its finest.
Little Island
At Pier 55. The artificial island park opened in May 2021 and it’s one of the most unique green spaces in all of New York City. The undulating grounds of the park were intentionally designed to look like a floating leaf. 132 concrete tulips support the 2.6 acre park and give the grounds its signature wavey design. Each section of the island was designed by a different landscape architect, so you’ll notice the variety of textures throughout the park. Little Island’s landscape includes 35 species of trees, hundreds of varieties of shrubs, native grass, perennials and vines. The winding paths, grassy inclines and rocky outcrops make it an interesting place to explore, especially for kids. Besides the terrain and incredible views of the Hudson River, the park offers a variety of tasty food concessions, public performances and artist in residence shows in the amphitheater. Visit the park’s website to see what programs are offered throughout the season.
The Whitney Museum
Located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, the celebrated venue offers the finest collection of twentieth-century contemporary American art in the world. The museum boasts over 15,000 pieces of art and includes work by masters such as Alexander Calder, Willem de Kooning, Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns, Louise Nevelson,Georgia O’Keeffe and Claes Oldenburg. Make sure you time your visit to New York City with the Whitney Biennial 2022, a stellar biennial exhibition of contemporary American art. It’s a stimulating show that typically focuses on young and lesser-known artists working within a variety of contemporary art mediums. The popular exhibition has been a fixture at the Whitney Museum since 1932. First as an annual show and later on in 1973 when it became a biennial show. Quiet As It’s Kept is the biennial theme for 2022, and it runs from April 6 through September 5,2022.
The Great Jones Distilling Company
This isn’t your typical Whiskey distillery. In fact, it’s the first whiskey distillery in New York City since the Prohibition era.The venue's name pays homage to Great Jones Alley, the infamous alley, located behind the distillery that was once known for its secret liquor tunnels and illegal prohibition-era activity. You won’t find anything illegal in this newly opened spot. In fact,it’s quite the opposite. The venue offers a signature line of tasty bourbons and rye for purchase. They offer tours of the distillery as well as whiskey education classes from experts. Feel free to bring your non-whiskey loving friends to the Great Jones Distilling Company too. The venue has tasting rooms, a full bar as well as a restaurant that offers elevated classics from New York States past and present. The venue offers fantastic live performances from top jazz, soul, and funk artists in their art-deco lounge on the first Friday of each month.
The New York Philharmonic
Taking in a performance by one of the“Big Five” orchestras of the United States is one of those quintessential New York things you do whenever you’re in town. Founded in 1842, the New York Philharmonic is amongst the oldest symphony orchestras in the world. Plan your visit around the celebration of their 2022 - 2023 inaugural season in the David Geffen Hall, a gorgeous building designed by architects Max Abramovitz,Wallace Harrison, and Philip Johnson. On May 6, the NY Phil takes center stage at Carnegie Hall. The performance includes Johannes Brahms’ quintessentially Romantic Concerto by soloist Igor Levit. Music Director Jaap van Zweden conducts Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra in this very special evening.
Lastly, families and children can enjoy the incredible sounds of the New York Philharmonic with special performances of Disney’s Fantasia in Concert.
Take an Architecture Tour
From iconic landmarked buildings and historic districts, to modern marvels and designer skyscrapers, NYC offers one of the biggest case studies of architecture in the United States. New,old, and even sustainable architecture. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the resident experts of architecture in New York City. We suggest their Madison Avenue, High Fashion and Historic Preservation Tour. AIA partnered with the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District to highlight the very best Upper Eastside architecture. You’ll see the landmarked buildings of Madison Avenue and also learn how high fashion retail has been incorporated into the district.A few more notable architectural tours are Rockefeller Center Art and Architecture Guided Tours. If you’re an Art-Deco enthusiast, then make sure you take part in the Art Deco and Architecture Midtown Landmarks Tour. If you’d rather appreciate architecture from the waterways of New York Harbor then this tour is for you. Around Manhattan: Official NYC Architecture Cruise.