New York in April

By Sarah Harris
Published: May 16, 2024

April is undoubtedly one of the best times to visit New York. Whilst the city isn’t exactly known for its balmy winters, millions make the expedition each year to experience its wonderful springtime. From beautiful gardens and parks to fantastic Easter celebrations, this place has it all. If you’re looking for some inspiration when it comes to planning a trip to the Big Apple, check out our list of the best things to do in the warmer months. To make your money go further, have a look at our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass. With Go City, you can see more, for less.

Taste the City

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Music festivals provide an experience like no other. To grab a slice of the action, head down to the Brooklyn Folk Festival. True to its name, this event features the very best of American and world folk music across a wide variety of genres, including blues, bluegrass, Latin & Balkan music and much more. In addition, there are vocal and instrumental workshops, film screenings, and jam sessions to sink your teeth into.

Ever dreamed of taking a sneak peek at the newest and most innovative automotive trends? Well, as it turns out, you can! The perfect activity for a somewhat disagreeable afternoon, the New York International Auto Show presents the very best that the automobile industry has to offer in a comprehensive and engaging way. A total car-lovers’ dream, this 10-day auto consumer extravaganza features everything from classics and luxury dream cars to new models and even futuristic concept vehicles, right in the heart of Manhattan. With almost 1,000 of the world’s most stunning vehicles on display, we promise you won’t leave bored!

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New York presents a wide variety of options when it comes to all things food. A total must for meat lovers, Brisket King is a culinary festival featuring 20 chefs and pitmasters serving up their best mouthwatering creations. Enjoy the juiciest brisket in Brooklyn prepared in every way thinkable as well as craft beer, hard cider and spirits. After the brisket king is crowned, guests are encouraged to stay for the after-party and – you guessed it – more food! Sounds pretty good to us.

Soak up the Spring

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There’s no shortage of great outdoor attractions all over New York. Stretching through the Meatpacking District and along the West Side of Manhattan, the High Line is a linear park and popular city landmark, welcoming a whopping 8 million visitors each year. Perfect for a lazy springtime stroll, the structure was redesigned in 2006, and now serves as a living system for a wide variety of plants and animals. Go for a picnic, admire the majestic city skyline or sit back and enjoy the sunset – the choice is yours!

Another one of our favorite places to see in the springtime is the Conservatory Garden in Central Park. Since first opening in 1937, the spot has become a favorite for visitors from all over the world and is now known as one of the most noteworthy public gardens in New York City. The garden is comprised of three areas, each with a specific design: the English-style South Garden, the French-style North Garden, and the Italianate Center Garden. April is the perfect time to amble through the winding pathways and admire the waterlily pools and stunning floral displays along the way.

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If you're travelling during Easter, you might want to check out the many egg hunts taking place around the city. At the beginning of the month, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan throws its own event with egg sculptures hidden throughout the institute. Another great option is the Rockefeller Center’s Inaugural Easter Egg Hunt with live musical performances, Easter bonnet making stations, prize giveaways, and more. Meanwhile, those who want to get in touch with their inner child should consider looking into Central Park’s Easter Egg Scavenger and History Hunt.

Get Cultured

For those rainy spring afternoons, it just makes sense to have a good backup plan. Eclectic and full of character, Chelsea Market is a great place to visit with friends and family. Located right in the center of the Meatpacking District, this fun attraction is known for its seriously tempting food hall, unique stores and live music performances. Grab a bite to eat, weave through the interesting stalls, and pick up some one-of-a-kind souvenirs for loved ones along the way. The market’s bohemian flair and laid-back atmosphere puts it in a class of its own.

Those who are looking to celebrate Easter in style should definitely consider checking out the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival. Beginning as a spontaneous event in the 1870s, this fun annual procession began as a means for the city’s most fashionable dressers to exhibit their impressive festive finery. Though the event draws in smaller numbers nowadays, New Yorkers participate each year with great enthusiasm and increasingly outlandish costumes. Creative and eccentric, the event is a unique cultural expression of Easter which you won’t see elsewhere.

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Spring weather can be a little touch-and-go - still, New York presents a wide array of fantastic indoor activities right at your disposal all throughout the month. Those who are looking to soak up the culture of the city should consider checking out Tribeca Film Festival. Set up by Robert De Niro himself, this event was developed as a way to restore the Tribeca neighborhood of Lower Manhattan following the 9/11 attacks. The event attracts around 150,000 attendees each year and is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious film festivals in the area. Showcasing a diverse selection of feature films, short pictures, and documentary pieces, there’s a little something for everyone here. Those who are especially interested can also attend immersive programming and Q&As with relevant storytellers.

New York in the spring is a beautiful time for many reasons. The weather is warm, the streets are bustling with life, and the city is in full bloom! But the best part? No matter where your interests may lie, you’ll always be able to find fun things to do. From cherry blossom peeping at the Conservatory Garden to seriously tempting food festivals in Brooklyn, there are so many great things to do in the city for every type of traveller! Make the most out of your visit with our All-Inclusive pass and Explorer pass. For more information, check us out on Instagram and Facebook.

Sarah Harris
Go City Travel Expert

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The Ultimate Kids’ Day Out: Inside the American Museum of Natural History

Why Kids Absolutely Love the American Museum of Natural History  Families flock to New York looking for amazing adventures—and when it comes to sparking curiosity, there’s nowhere quite like the American Museum of Natural History. Standing proudly on the edge of Central Park, this beloved institution is packed with dino-sized discoveries, secret science nooks, and interactive zones made just for hands-on explorers. From towering T. rexes to star-studded planetarium shows, the museum transforms science into boundless fun for visitors of all ages. But why do kids, especially, leave wide-eyed and buzzing with excitement after every visit? Step inside with us as we reveal the 10 reasons youngsters simply can’t get enough of the American Museum of Natural History. Ready to plan your best-ever New York family adventure? Let’s dive in!  Our fave family-friendly experiences at the American Museum of Natural History include:  The Giant Dinosaur Fossils in the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs  The Rose Center for Earth and Space  The Butterfly Conservatory (seasonal)  The Hall of Ocean Life with its giant blue whale  Discovery Room (hands-on science for kids)  Hall of North American Mammals  Gems and Minerals Hall  The Titanosaur  Fossil Preparation Lab  Family-friendly dining at the museum cafeteria  Read on for the best can’t-miss experiences for families and why kids remember this museum long after the subway ride home!  The Rose Center for Earth and Space  Weather turning iffy, but you still want an out-of-this-world adventure? Make a beeline for the Rose Center. With its glass-walled, futuristic look, this is where imaginations blast off. Inside, you’ll find the Hayden Planetarium—a domed theater that launches kids right to the edge of the universe. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the planetarium’s legendary director, narrates shows that swoop through the cosmos, explore black holes, or explain what makes up a star. The effect? Kids aren’t just learning about planets and galaxies—they’re literally seeing them fly by.  The Rose Center offers plenty of hands-on fun. There’s the Scales of the Universe walkway, which uses real weights to help kids grasp enormous distances in space. The giant meteorites (touching one is a must) let your child literally get hands-on with space history. Interactive screens, glowing models, and “space trivia” stations keep little astronauts busy.  For many families, the Rose Center is a hit because it feels both grown-up and playful. It’s a place where future stargazers dream big—some even leave with a list of ideas for their next school science project.  The Butterfly Conservatory (Seasonal)  From November to May, the American Museum of Natural History becomes home to thousands of fluttering, jewel-toned butterflies in a tropical oasis kids will never forget. The Butterfly Conservatory is like walking straight into a storybook. Before you even enter, the air gets warmer and smells faintly of damp earth and nectar—then suddenly, you’re surrounded by hundreds of butterflies from all around the world.  Children immediately become gentle explorers, tiptoeing through lush greenery as blue morphos, monarchs, and swallowtails swirl overhead and land on flowers or—if you’re lucky—a friendly shoulder. There’s something magical about making eye contact with a curious butterfly! Along the way, helpful guides share “did you know?” facts about metamorphosis and butterfly habitats.  This exhibit feels like a living fairy tale, perfect for little naturalists and daydreamers. Watching your child’s eyes widen as a butterfly settles nearby is the kind of moment you’ll want to capture forever.  The Hall of Ocean Life with its Giant Blue Whale  Ask any New Yorker about their first memory of the American Museum of Natural History, and you'll likely hear the same thing: “The blue whale!” Suspended from the ceiling, the 94-foot-long model blue whale is truly awe-inspiring in scale. Kids lie on the floor underneath, gazing up, caught between amazement and a bit of giggling disbelief at how ENORMOUS the ocean’s gentle giant can be.  But there’s more than just the whale: the Hall of Ocean Life lets families peer into delicate dioramas of undersea creatures—from glowing jellyfish to fearsome sharks. Interactive panels teach kids about ocean conservation, whale songs, and different types of beaches and sea creatures found from the Arctic to the tropics.  With its soothing blue lighting and soft echoes, the hall magically mimics the underwater world. Expect lots of “Whoa!” and “Look at that!” especially from curious little ones eager to learn just how many weird and wonderful things exist below the surface. For every budding marine biologist (or “Finding Nemo” enthusiast), this is pure delight.  Hall of North American Mammals  Nature documentaries come to life in this immersive, beautifully designed series of animal dioramas. The Hall of North American Mammals places you eye-to-eye with moose, grizzly bears, wolves, and elusive mountain lions—all preserved in lifelike habitats that spark both awe and an urge to learn more.  Kids can “camp out” in front of the enormous Roosevelt Elk, peek at otters diving through “icy” mountain streams, and spot birds tucked into realistic trees and rocks. Clever lighting makes you feel like you’re peeking into a real forest at dawn or dusk. The tiny details are what seal the deal: paw prints, burrowed dens, and even hidden critters for those with eagle eyes.  Why do kids love this hall? It’s where a sense of adventure meets a dose of reality. All those wild animals that fill bedtime stories and cartoons seem to step out of the pages, making it easy for children to imagine themselves as explorers on a North American wilderness trek. And when their feet get tired, there’s always a cozy bench for a mid-museum snack break.  Gems and Minerals Hall  Looking for “oohs” and “wows” that aren’t dino-sized? Enter a world that gleams, glitters, and glows—the spectacular Halls of Gems and Minerals! Kids gravitate to these displays for a treasure hunt unlike any other. Massive quartz crystals, gleaming meteorites, deep-blue sapphires, and even fluorescent rocks dazzle under the lights.  The centerpiece, the legendary Star of India sapphire, has an otherworldly shimmer that’s sure to impress even the most hard-to-please kiddos. Young visitors can play detective trying to spot minerals that look like candy, crystals cut into technicolor shapes, and mysterious stones with hidden shapes inside.  The Hall’s vibrant, immersive layout—with its mirrored alcoves, interactive touch screens, and educational games—makes it feel a bit like a friendly science maze. Kids love learning fun facts about how these stones form, where in the world they’re found, and which gems are hidden in their very own jewelry box or favorite cartoon. Every visit, there’s something new sparkling from the shadows.  The Titanosaur: Step Into the World of Giants  Not every museum can boast of a resident guest who’s literally too big to fit in the room. Meet the Titanosaur—stretching 122 feet from nose to tail, this towering cast of a giant herbivore from Patagonia fills the Hall of Vertebrate Origins (and stretches out so much, its head peeks out into the hallway!).  For kids, the Titanosaur’s wild size is a lesson in both science and adventure. Stand at its feet, and you’ll realize just how small we humans are. Panels line the display with truly wild facts (the real animal weighed as much as ten elephants!), helping kids compare themselves to creatures from ages past.  Families take fun “dino selfies” beneath the drooping neck, and the friendly staff offer up interactive worksheets and activity packs to lead aspiring paleontologists on a scavenger hunt, searching for hidden features all over this gentle giant’s display.  The Titanosaur feels less like a distant fossil and more like a friendly giant—one that inspires awe, laughter, and a deep dive into the world of ancient giants.  Fossil Preparation Lab  You’ve seen the finished skeletons—now peek behind the scenes at how scientists actually prepare them! The Fossil Preparation Lab in the David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing lets kids watch real paleontologists in action as they clean, restore, and research bones unearthed from far-flung dig sites.  Big windows and live cameras bring plenty for onlookers to see. It feels like reality TV for science lovers! Budding fossil hunters can ask questions, watch experts carefully dusting off million-year-old bones, and understand just how much real work goes into making a T. rex ready for the museum floor.  Watching scientists at their benches—armed with tiny chisels, paintbrushes, and high-tech tools—kids learn that the world’s coolest discoveries start with slow, precise work. Any future paleontologists will leave inspired, and even not-so-science-y kids end up fascinated by how science “happens” in real life.  Family-Friendly Dining: The Cafeteria  Let’s be honest: little explorers need fuel, and the museum delivers! The in-house cafeteria is perfect for families needing to recharge between adventures. Unlike typical museum canteens, AMNH’s food halls provide lots of choices to suit even picky eaters. There are pizza slices, fresh salads, classic mac and cheese, as well as fun “build-your-own” sandwich stations and sweet treats for a quick morale boost.  Seating is spacious, stroller-friendly, and often sprinkled with dino-themed decor or wall murals that keep the science-y fun going. Closer to the Rose Center, specialty vending machines serve up organic snacks and New York bagels—just what you crave before another round of exploring.  For those visiting in summer, grab your treats and picnic outside in Central Park (just across the street). The museum’s location allows you to enjoy a quick lunch break, cool off under a tree, and jump right back into discovery.  Plan Your Perfect Family Day at AMNH  Whether your family is obsessed with dinosaurs, mesmerized by space, in love with sparkly gems, or just in need of an indoor adventure, the American Museum of Natural History has something for everyone. Walk through its grand halls and you’ll see giddy toddlers, school-age scientists, and even grown-ups all wide-eyed at the sheer scale of discovery waiting around every corner.  A day here is more than just entertainment—it’s a chance to open up a world of wonder and imagination for your kids, one fossil, planet, and butterfly at a time. For your next New York family adventure, this place is at the very top of our list.    Enjoyed this? Find kid-friendly fun galore here, and check out our guide to visiting the Big Apple with teens.  Step up your sightseeing with Go City®    We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.   See more, do more, and experience more with Go City® – just choose a pass to get started! 

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