By: Stefanie DiMartino

Spring is officially in full swing here in NYC. The weather is finally warming up and “normal” life is starting to be in sight. This means there are plenty of things to do and see, of course, while still following all safety protocols and guidelines. Below are my top picks for the best things to do in NYC April 26-May 2. 

The Top 8 Best Things to do in NYC April 26-May 2

NYC THINGS TO DO

MOVIES WITH A VIEW: SKYLINE DRIVE-IN

Now – April 30 | $55+ (Pricing is per car, not person. Up to 7 passengers per car)

1 Oak Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222

“Skyline Drive-In NYC is a unique drive-in cinema experience, at 1 Oak Street. The location is situated on the East River with killer views of the Manhattan Skyline and may seem familiar to you. Perhaps you’ve seen it on SNL? Or in a Fendi or Converse ad? That’s because Skyline Drive-In is not just for showing movies—it’s for making them too, as a photo and filming location.”  – Skyline Drive-In

Some movies playing through April 30th include Mamma Mia!, GoodFellas, Moulin Rouge!, Sixteen Candles, and Daddy’s Home. 

#FREEBRITNEY DRAG BINGO

Thursdays, Now – May 27 | 7-10pm | Free entry

The Cauldron Magical Pub, 47 Stone Street, New York, NY 10004

For a fun night of Britney-themed drag Bingo, head to The Cauldron! Holly Box-Springs will host the bingo nights, which will feature Britney’s biggest tunes, themed prizes including #FreeBritney masks, complimentary ‘Toxic’ welcome shots, and specialty dishes. It’s also a night out with a great cause – ten percent of drink sales will go to the TranslatinX Network. 

For reservations, call 917-635-1960 or e-mail leah.s@thecauldron.io.

SARAHFUNKY NYC TOURS

Saturdays, Sundays, Custom day/time | $57+ 

If you have been wanting to tour NYC, now is the perfect time to book a SarahFunky NYC tour. You have quite a few tour options! You can book a custom designed private tour to fit your own personal interests with Sarah, Luis, Gary, or Marcus! Or, you can get the best of both worlds with food and sightseeing and join a newly redesigned food tour to include four epic spots and behind the scenes experiences and book a Best of New York Food Tour with Luis. Or, join A Secrets of New York Tour and visit hidden locations in lower Manhattan and learn secrets most New Yorkers don’t even know! They are all NYC experts and enjoy showing others around the city they love. Certainly, you do not want to miss this one-of-a-kind experience!

KUSAMA: COSMIC NATURE

Now – October 31 | $22+

New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458

“Contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is one of the most popular artists in the world, drawing millions to experience her immersive installations. Now exclusively at NYBG, Kusama reveals her lifelong fascination with the natural world, beginning with her childhood spent in the greenhouses and fields of her family’s seed nursery. Her artistic concepts of obliteration, infinity, and eternity are inspired by her intimate engagement with the colors, patterns, and life cycles of plants and flowers.” – NYBG

NYC MUSEUM/ART EXHIBITIONS

XX

Now – May 2, 2021 | Saturdays, 12-6pm, Tuesday-Friday, Appointment Only 

LatchKey Gallery, 323 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013

LatchKey Gallery is now featuring “XX, an exhibition of six female Latinx artists working with geometric abstraction. The exhibition features work by Beverly Acha, C.J. Chueca, Edra Soto, Ivelisse Jimenez, Marisol Martinez and Victoria Martinez. XX is a response to current social and cultural shifts that aim to close historical gaps of visual representation, especially the exclusion of female Latinx artists working in abstraction.” –  XX, LatchKey Gallery

GOODNIGHT HOUSE

Now – May 27, 2021 | Saturdays, 12-6pm, Wednesday-Sunday, Appointment Only | FREE!

Fort Makers, 38 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002

Fort Makers’ newest exhibit Goodnight House “features an immersive group exhibition of works inspired by the American children’s book classic, Goodnight Moon, written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd, first published in 1947. Through contemporary reimaginings of various objects found within the book’s bedroom setting, Goodnight House explores how the book has been woven into a collective, American cultural understanding of comfort, sleep, compassion, and imagination.” – Goodnight House, Fort Makers

Appointment spots may reopen, so be sure to check here often

ALICE NEEL: PEOPLE COME FIRST

Now – August 1, 2021 | $25

Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028

Alice Neel was an American painter known for her expressionistic portraits depicting friends, family, lovers, poets, artists, and strangers. Her paintings have a dynamic use of line and color, psychological acumen, and emotional intensity. This exhibition highlights Neel’s watercolors and pastels and her humanistic and activist approach. 

NYC DINING

LA GRANDE BOUCHERIE

145 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019

For delicious and traditional French cuisine, you must visit Boucherie’s new location on 53rd Street. The space at La Grande Boucherie is designed to feel like you are dining in a Parisian square! It is inspired by the elegant and ornamental Art Nouveau style, which evokes the optimism from the turn of the century, transported to present-day New York. The outdoor plaza stretches the length of the block, open at each end, and features a soaring, arched skylight and a heated floor! The El Diable cocktail with Del Maguey Mezcel and grilled grapefruit is highly recommended, along with the wagyu bar steak and crème brûlée for dessert! Indoor and outdoor dining, plus heated patios are available at all locations!

In conclusion, these are the top 8 best things to do in NYC April 26-May 2. Have fun and most importantly, stay safe!