If you’re a New Yorker, or taking a trip to the Big Apple sometime soon, check out our list of 20 best things to do in NYC this weekend.
No matter what your idea of a good time is, you are sure to find something to suit your fancy in New York City. It is one of the most diverse and entertaining places in the entire world, and has locals to match. If you have the fortune of visiting NYC during Spring time— widely regarded as the most beautiful time of year for our city— you will be sure to enjoy a marvelous selection of things to do and see.
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From the more flashy Broadway show type of night, to a casual afternoon sipping coffee on a park bench, there is no shortage of options for things to do in New York. There is so much to do and see here that it is truly astounding. I have lived here for years and still haven’t done even everything on this list. Though NYC can get very expensive if you are not careful, there is also a plethora of cheap and free activities to take part in, as long as you do a little planning and know where to look. While you’re at it, you can also check out the best things to do in NYC in April.
In looking for the best things to do in NYC in this weekend, we consulted some reputable sources for cool weekend events and outings in the New York City area. We sourced our information from Trip Advisor, Eventful, and NYC Gov Parks. We compiled a list of each attraction listed in each source, and then took different tastes into consideration when choosing which activities made the final list. It should be noted that this list is ranked in no particular order.
Continue reading to learn more about the best things to do in NYC this weekend.
10. Bateaux New York Dinner Cruise
This 3-hour dinner cruise will allow you to savor the beautiful NYC sunset in style. The cruise travels around Manhattan and Brooklyn, where you can soak in the beauty of the iconic skylines, as well as catching a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty and Freedom Tower. Included with the cost of your ticket is a sumptuous dinner and live jazz music.
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9. Free Movies Under the Stars
This Staten Island event is popular for families and couples, featuring family-friendly movies shown in an outdoor setup. Bring a fluffy blanket and some snacks, and enjoy watching movies under the stars in a picnic-style setting. It doesn’t get more fun and romantic than that.
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8. Big Bus New York Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Embrace the tourist in you with this interesting bus tour. The tour will enable you to explore NYC’s popular tourist spots without having to walk for hours to get to all of them. As you pass landmarks, your local tour guide will give you a brief lesson on each. You can choose to hop off and hop back on, allowing you the opportunity to check out anything that suits your fancy.
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7. Gossip Girl Sites Tour
The series might be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reminisce about your favorite episodes of Gossip Girl on this fun tour that is ranked 7th in our list of the best things to do in NYC this weekend. Relive the most memorable scenes as Serena, Blair, or Chuck for a day, and don’t forget to take a great selfie on the steps outside The Met.
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6. Hangout at Central Park
Technology has completely changed how we spend our weekends. Do something a little different, and hang out at Central Park this weekend. Take your friends with you, bring sandwiches, and spend the day bonding together in the beauty of nature.
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5. Visit Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Not only will this amazing garden leave you awestruck with all of the beautiful flowers in bloom, it will also wow you with its beautiful lake and walking paths. And don’t forget about the various annual and weekly special events held at the garden.
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4. Go to The New York Earth Room
Get in touch with Mother Nature in a modern way, by visiting the New York Earth Room. This exhibit features an interior earth sculpture to explore. What’s even better about this attraction is that admission is free! Visit the Earth Room with some friends for a unique weekend.
3. Attend yoga at Bryant Park
While official classes take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, you can still go and do some impromptu yoga with your friends anytime when classes are not the available. The surroundings are beautiful and quiet, making Bryant Park a great place to unwind and relax after a stressful week at work. And now, let’s see the top two entries in our list of best things to do in NYC this weekend.
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2. Ride the Staten Island Ferry
Not only does a ride on the ferry cost you almost nothing to travel between Manhattan and the less-explored borough of Staten Island, you will also be able to sit back enjoy the ride without worrying about traffic jams or crowded subway cars. Plus, the ferry has a bar onboard. Why go to a bar for happy hour when you can enjoy your drinks on the go?
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1. Visit the Brooklyn Brewery
Discover the art of craft beer making in the famous Brooklyn Brewery. You can take your friends with you for a scheduled small batch tour, which will show you just how they create their famous brews. Also, be sure to take advantage of the beer samples that you can enjoy for a discounted price.
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We hope you enjoyed our list of best things to do in NYC this weekend. New York City offers a whole lot more than just these attractions, so be sure to explore all of your many options, and to visit during other times of year as well!
