Saturday, March 28, 2015

Spring is Coming ( Slowly) to NYC

Before you know it, those early signifiers of

16 things you have to do this spring in NYC

Updated March 25, 2015 8:42 AM
By GEORGIA KRAL & MELISSA KRAVITZ

Spring officially started on March 20 and we expect plenty of beautiful weather and sunshine ahead.

From outdoor activities to new openings to enjoying fresh foods, here are the season's must-dos in NYC.

1. Eat outdoors!

(Credit: Pok Pok NY)

What's better than eating delicious food? Eating delicious food outside. A nice breeze, some greenery maybe, a chilled glass of rose... those days are not as far away as you think!

Here are some of our favorite gardens in NYC restaurants, Pok Pok NY (pictured) included. It's not too early. Just keep repeating that to yourself.

2. Enjoy fresh spring produce

(Credit: Instagram/ @unspgreenmarket)

Towards the end of March, the city's greenmarkets really start to come alive with spring produce. From early microgreens grown in greenhouses to tulips and ramps (pictured - !!!!) the best moments in spring are when home cooks and restaurants can begin to cook fresh, green veggies. Start menu planning now!

3. Visit NYC Greenmarkets

(Credit: FLICKR/tabor-roeder)

While many NYC Greenmarkets have stayed open through winter, we're excited to see the colorful produce return to the scene! Plus, we won't be freezing while picking out root vegetables but rather actually enjoying our time frolicking through farmers' markets.

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4. Explore NYC parks!

(Credit: FLICKR/112735471@N02)

After all that ice and slush melts away we can finally enjoy all the beautiful green space in NYC! We're excited to discover even more secrets of Central Park, explore Prospect Park and just be outside!

5. Binge watch spring TV

(Credit: Netflix )

Okay, we know, it's finally time to get outdoors, but we need to relax from all that outside activity. We have 29 new shows for you to check out this season! Stream your favorite via iPad in the park, just use headphones...

6. Shop outdoors

(Credit: FLICKR/thestrangernyc)

As the weather gets nicer, plenty of new marketplaces will open or re-open. We're excited to walk around the Brooklyn Flea, LIC Flea and Food, Hell's Kitchen Flea, Brooklyn Pop-Up Market and more!

7. Get into spring fashion

(Credit: Getty Images)

We are SO ready to put the puffy coat away. Come on face it, no matter how stylish you think your Canada Goose is, you're sick of pulling it on, zipping it up and fighting the subway crowds in it. The idea of lighter clothing on our bodies, dresses without tights and boots and crop tops has us swooning! These hot looks from Fashion Week, by Christian Siriano, Rebecca Minkoff and Michael Kors illustrate what we're talking about. So get ready and check out these spring fashion trends we can't wait for.

8. Explore hidden green spaces

(Credit: Emilio Guerra)

Okay, so we already admitted we can't wait to dine outside and enjoy NYC's parks, but hidden green spaces throughout the five boroughs bring a whole new level of excitement. We're excited to stumble upon new green peaceful spots where we least expect them, or visit some of our favorite unexpected green spaces in the city.

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9. Get some free food

(Credit: FACEBOOK/benandjerrysUS)

Spring means plenty of time to enjoy free food in NYC. Monday, March 16th brought free cone day to Dairy Queen (54 W. 14th St.), Friday, March 20th Rita's (2486 Broadway) celebrates the first official day of spring with free flavored water ice and Ben and Jerry's free cone day is coming up on April 14th!

10. Eat all the ice cream

(Credit: Davey's Ice Cream )

While full-blown ice cream weather may not hit until June, we're excited to be able to enjoy ice cream without suffering from the shivers. We're ready to get scoops of New York's most unique ice cream flavors, try out vegan ice cream and just return to old favorites.

11. Biking! Everywhere!

(Credit: FLICKR/japp1967)

It's finally time to break out that bike (or Citibike) again! This past September, New York was named the best biking city in the country so we can't wait to get back on those bike paths!

12. Cook something new and fresh

(Credit: Ecco Publishers )

You don't have to be a chef to take a break from Seamless. After a long winter of hot food delivery, we're ready for some light food prep on our own. We're excited to try recipes-like the salad sandwich- from April Bloomfield's new veggie cookbook 'A Girl and her Greens' or heartier dishes like Dos Caminos' vegetal tacos!

13. Listen to new spring music

(Credit: Getty Images )

Spring brings outdoor concerts, festivals and new album releases to NYC! Check out our Spring Music Preview for the best way to treat your ears this season.

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14. Ferry over to Governors Island

(Credit: FLICKR/ataferner)

After months of being closed for the cold, Governors Island finally re-opens on May 23rd! Get ready to board the ferry, take in the gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline and enjoy all that Governors Island has to offer. Before you visit, be sure to learn a few secretsabout the former military base.

15. Cheer on a local baseball team

(Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.)

Derek Jeter may be out but there's still plenty of baseball to be enjoyed pre-season and baseball season this year! Check out our spring numbers to watch on the Mets and Yankees. If you're not in it for the game, you're probably in it for the eats, here's what to eat at Citi Fieldand Yankee Stadium.

16. Soak up the public art

(Credit: Public Art Fund )

There's plenty of free, outdoor art to enjoy in the city! Visit Central Park for artist Tatiana Trouvé's first U.S. exhibition, "Desire Lines" in which she visually represents the park's pathways via enormous spools of thread. If you'd like a more thematic walking tour, try checking out NYC's monuments and memorials dedicated to women.

17. Stay Warm Until Then