Photo courtesy of The Bel Aire Diner
The pandemic brought a renewed interest in outdoor, drive-in movie theaters. And though indoor movie theaters are now open again, it seems like this fun, vintage activity is here to stay. From spots right here in Greenpoint and Astoria to those nearby in North Jersey to some cool retro locales a couple hours’ away, we’ve rounded up 18 spots to drive-in, snack on popcorn, and enjoy a good old-fashioned movie night this spring and summer.
Photos: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s
The 46th annual Macy’s Flower Show opened on Sunday, transforming the Herald Square store into a whimsical floral oasis. This year’s theme, Give. Love. Bloom., aims to inspire hope for New Yorkers after a tough year with grand gardens, flower displays, and larger-than-life butterflies taking over the store, the iconic windows, and even outside, at Herald Square Park.
Photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash
It’s been over a year since the city first shut down due to COVID-19. It’s been long and painful, but we are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that most state-mandated capacity restrictions would be lifted on May 19, with some exceptions. Nearly all aspects of city living– including sports stadiums and arenas, restaurants, events, museums, weddings, amusement parks, movie theaters, and travel–are gradually returning to a new normal. Ahead, we’ve put together a list of all the reopening dates and details in New York City. We’ll be updating this list as more information becomes available.
Photo of Edge at Hudson Yards courtesy of Related-Oxford
Looking to take your yoga practice to new heights? Hudson Yards’ Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, is bringing back its “sky-high” yoga experience next week. Run by Equinox, the classes take place on the 100th-floor observation deck of 30 Hudson Yards, 1,100 feet above ground. The first weekly event will take place on Thursday, May 6th. The $50 tickets go on sale this Friday and will be released on a week-by-week basis.
Photo by Taylor Heery on Unsplash
Entertainment and cultural venues in New York will soon welcome more visitors. Starting April 26, capacity limits at museums and zoos will be raised to 50 percent and to 33 percent at movie theaters. Starting May 19, large indoor sports arenas can increase capacity from 10 percent to 25 percent, and outdoor venues from 20 to 33 percent. In addition, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that as of May 15, offices can increase capacity from 50 to 75 percent, casinos and gaming facilities from 25 to 50 percent, and gyms outside of NYC from 33 to 50 percent.
Photo of Central Park in May 2020 © 6sqft
This Earth Day, New Yorkers can give back to the green spaces that gave us so much during the last year by volunteering to help keep them beautiful. Several organizations and community groups are hosting cleanup sessions at parks across the five boroughs this week, allowing city residents to nurture their green thumbs, enjoy the springtime weather, and connect with nature. “There is no single greater resource than the natural world around us,” Mitchell J. Silver, NYC Parks Commissioner, said in a press release. “The Earth offers us so much; it is our home and it is imperative that we work to protect, beautify, and preserve it.” Ahead, find an Earth Day event happening in your neighborhood.
Tulips in the spring, wildflowers in the summer, sunflowers in the fall–whatever you fancy, there’s a farm nearby where you can pick your own flowers. Whether it’s upstate, on Long Island, or down in Jersey, we’ve rounded up the eight best you-pick flower farms within driving distance to NYC. Most of them also offer beautiful photo opportunities, pick-your-own produce, or farm shops.
Yayoi Kusama, 2020 Photo by Yusuke Miyazaki © YAYOI KUSAA Courtesy Ota Fine Arts, Victoria Miro, David Zwirner
Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s popular polka-dot pumpkins and grand floral sculptures have taken over the New York Botanical Garden this month as part of a new six-month installation. This summer, an exhibition featuring new paintings by the celebrated artist will open in Chelsea, providing New Yorkers another opportunity to enjoy Kusama’s iconic work. Starting June 17, David Zwirner will display the latest art from her ongoing My Eternal Soul series, which first began in 2009.
All photos courtesy of Eataly
SERRA by Birreria, the popular Italian restaurant on the 14th-floor rooftop of Eataly, has transformed itself for the spring. “Serra will instantly transport guests to the Italian countryside,” the restaurant tells us, as it will become a beautiful, blooming greenhouse featuring seasonal dishes with ingredients sourced from the local Union Square Greenmarket. A portion of the proceeds during this time will be donated to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Children’s Garden, where children 2 to 17 years old have the chance to plant and harvest their own crops and flowers.
Photo by Krisztina Papp on Unsplash
Kicking off yesterday and running through June 20th, “Spring Up” is a new immersive dining and shopping experience in Bryant Park. Managed by food hall operator Urbanspace, the market will feature original art, antique collectibles, jewelry and cuisines from more than 40 local small businesses. And from June 9th through September 20th, the Bryant Park Corporation will present 25 free performances from local institutions including the New York Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub, the Classical Theater of Harlem, and Paul Taylor Dance Company.
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