New York in May

Published: May 16, 2024

May is a wonderful time to visit New York and see the sites, find some exciting activities, and immerse yourself in the culture of the city. As the weather starts to warm up, the area will be flourishing with exciting festivals, fun pop-up markets and delightful events held in NYC parks. So, we’ve rounded up our favorite springtime ideas for those who are thinking about making the visit — from Cinco de Mayo festivities to extravagant flower shows, we’ve got you covered. With Co City, you can create memories for years to come.

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There’s nothing like a day at the ballpark, right? Once spring kicks off, the balmy weather serves as the perfect backdrop for the start of the season. Those who are interested in catching a Big Leagues game should be able to book tickets to the Yankees or Mets online – just be sure to book early, since these things sell out fast! We can almost taste the cold beer on our lips and feel the sun on our faces.

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Another one of our favorite things to do in the city for May is attending Frieze New York. A total must for art lovers, the event seeks to celebrate the best work of international historical and contemporary artists. For five days each year, The Shed fair features works from over 1,000 artists and 200 international galleries for a broad audience. In addition, the festival features a great program of just commissioned works, films and talks.

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If you’re looking to experience the city through its food, you might be interested in the next item on our list. The perfect day trip for any gastronome, the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival offers a diverse range of cuisines from popular local vendors. Whether you’re looking to try out traditional street fair treats or taste cuisine from around the globe, this event has it all. In addition, the festival features two stages of live music, food contests, as well as over 200 vendors selling unique arts and crafts.

Find Interesting Activities

Since New York is known for its exceptionally multi-ethnic population, it seems only fitting that the city observes Cinco de Mayo in style. Held annually in the fair springtime weather, a vibrant parade makes its way down Fifth Avenue and leads towards festivities in Sunset Park. In addition, you should be able to celebrate at various bars and restaurants across all five boroughs with live Mariachi music, traditional dancing, and delicious Mexican food.

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Bursting with excitement, New York is the perfect tourist destination with a plethora of attractions for you and your loved ones. Since its establishment in 1982, Fleet Week has served as an annual celebration of the US Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps. The annual week-long tradition kicks off with a flotilla of naval vessels docking in at the New York Passenger Ship Terminal on the Hudson River. Those who are looking to join in on the fun should be able to find a string of parties all over the city, with dress-up, live musical performances, and an abundance of drink! An unusual and exciting occurrence, this event is nothing but fun!

If you’re travelling during Memorial Day weekend, you might want to check out some of the festivities going on in the city. As with any big federal holiday, you won’t have to look far to find the parade, which kicks off at 11 A.M. on Third Avenue each year. In addition, the city offers some great ways to pay tribute to America’s fallen soldiers, including the New York Philanthropic Memorial Day Concert, Intrepid Museum’s Free Movie Night, and Central Park walking tours, which take you through a number of fountains, monuments, and sculptures that honor past lives. And as if that wasn’t enough, you should be able to find many restaurants and bars across the city holding their own special events.

Try Something New

Why go to the theater when you can watch Shakespeare right in the middle of Central Park? That’s right, you heard us. Set up against the magnificent natural splendor of the park, The Public Theater provides admission-free world-class entertainment – honestly, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend the evening. With past cast members like Meryl Streep, Al Pacino and Denzel Washington, we don’t think you’ll want to miss out on this one.

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May means Mother's Day – and what better way to celebrate this major holiday than with a flower show? Running from 2nd-26th of May, Macy’s spectacular two-week exhibit features beautifully manicured living sculptures, inspired by a different theme each year. Completely free to the public, the vibrant display is open for viewing during the store’s regular hours. Totally iconic and incredibly Instagram-worthy, we highly recommend noting this one down.

New York is home to some of the most renowned cultural amenities in the country. Situated along Fifth Avenue, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the largest and finest creative institutions in the Western Hemisphere. As stunning as it is fascinating, the repository features more than two million works of art spanning over 5000 years. Spring is an especially great time to visit, since the Cantor Roof Garden Bar will be open to all visitors. Granting fantastic views over Central Park, this is undoubtedly the perfect place to sit and relax after a hard day at the museum.

May is the perfect time to visit the Big Apple. The weather is fresh, the flowers are in bloom, and as always, the city presents endless exciting attractions to its visitors. Whether you’re a foodie, an art lover, or a sports fan, there’s a little something for everybody here. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo to its fullest, try out the area’s rich culinary offerings, or enjoy Shakespeare under the stars – the choice is yours! And now, you don’t have to miss out – with our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can find an exhaustive array of things to do, for cheaper. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.

Sarah Harris
Go City Travel Expert

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View looking up at the Empire State Building from street level
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The Best Time to Visit The Empire State Building

One of the most frequently Instagrammed landmarks in the States – nay, on the entire planet – the Empire State Building is the skyscraping cinematic star of downtown Manhattan. The iconic tower has featured in Hollywood classics from King Kong to Sleepless in Seattle and its dizzying stature (all 443.2 meters of it, to be precise) means that wherever you’re staying in New York, it’s kind of hard to miss. All you need to do is look up! There are a number of ways you can visit: choose from self-guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and premium access-all-areas packages with champagne. We break down the various options below, with our expert guide to the best times to visit the Empire State Building. Opening hours The Empire State Building is open every single day, rain or shine, from morning until late, including all holidays. Pre-booking is essential and opening hours vary, so do check the Empire State Building website for the latest information before making your booking. With Go City, you get access to the 86th-floor observation deck with its uninterrupted 360-degree views of the Big Apple and is accepted for admission until 45 minutes before closing time. The number of NYC icons you can spot from up here is truly staggering. Tick off the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and more from this sky-high vantage point. Best time to visit the Empire State Building The Empire State Building is one of the most-visited attractions in the Big Apple. It’s rarely anything other than busy but you can avoid long waits and jockeying for position on the observation decks by visiting early in the morning or late in the evening. For families with young kids, the best time to visit the Empire State Building is in the mornings before around 11AM. Bonus: children aged five and under go free. Meanwhile, late evening visits (after 10PM) reward romantics with uncrowded platforms and splendid views of the illuminated Manhattan skyline. The busiest part of the day is between 11AM and 3PM, when the tourist hordes descend (or should that be ascend?) in their hundreds. Similarly, early evening tends to get busy as the offices empty out. Inevitably weekends (especially Saturdays) are when the Empire State Building is at its busiest. The popularity of the Empire State Building means booking is essential. We recommend reserving your slot as far ahead as possible to avoid disappointment. Getting to the Empire State Building The Empire State Building is located on 34th and Fifth, slap bang in the center of Midtown. It’s very hard to miss and you really shouldn’t need a map to locate it! There are stacks of ways to get there. Take the 123 or ACE line to Penn Station, from where it's just a five-minute walk. Or jump on the NQRW and BDFM lines for trains to Herald Square Station, also five minutes away. Grand Central Station, reachable via 7 and 456 lines, is around a 10-minute walk. Of course, if you want to do it New York style, you can also cruise right up to the entrance in a classic yellow taxi cab. Tickets You can pre-book your tickets direct on the Empire State Building website. Options available include access to both the 86th-floor outside observation deck, and the dizzy heights of the 102nd-floor platform, with its far-reaching views across the Big Apple and beyond to six neighboring states. You can also book sunrise and sunset slots or go the whole hog with a premium package that includes a guided 90-minute tour taking in the Art Deco lobby on 5th Avenue, the Celebrity Walk and more, as well as, naturally, full skip-the-line privileges. Save money with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass for New York attractions, which includes entry to the 86th-floor observatory via the lightning-fast elevator as well as stacks of other top attractions in and around NYC. These include the Top of The Rock Observatory, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Guggenheim and the Statue of Liberty. Where to eat There is a selection of eateries on the Empire State Building’s ground floor. Head to the State Grill & Bar for New York classics like strip steaks, burgers and caesar salads. Tacombi is the place for Mexican margaritas and tacos and a number of other outlets widen the choice to specialty salads, sushi and burritos. Of course, here in the heart of Midtown Manhattan it’s unlikely you’ll go short of places to eat and there are dozens of top bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Splash out on afternoon tea at the 5-star Peninsula hotel or hit the Grand Central Oyster Bar for buttery scallops and classic Oysters Rockefeller. In brief... We recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the evening on weekdays to avoid the crowds and enjoy amazing sunrise views or see the best of the famous New York City lights after dark. Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance and get ready to experience some of the best views in the Big Apple! Choose Go City to make great savings when visiting this and other popular New York City attractions! Useful links Buy tickets online Get the Go City attraction pass for New York Visit the Empire State Building with Go City Official Empire State Building website
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
New york skyline at night with lit windows, plus lit-up tops of Empire State and Chrysler building
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Things to do in New York for a Birthday

“It’s up to yoouuu, New York Ne-ew Yoooork!” Take it Frank! Make the promises of that karaoke classic come true. Because there’s nothing better than celebrating a birthday in New York City. And exactly how you celebrate is indeed up to you! Unwrap our suggestions, grab your sightseeing pass and start spreading the news...The Big Apple is too big for an exhaustive list but we hope you’ll be inspired by some of our best NYC birthday ideas. Treats we’ve wrapped up include: The best food in New York New York Harbor Cruises Luna Park on Coney Island Exploring Central Park Following in the footsteps of celebrities Taking in a Broadway show Hitting the high spots (including a New York helicopter flight) Posing for rooftop photoshoot and making memories Discover the best food in New York Let’s start as we mean to go on - filling our faces! Begin your day of celebration with breakfast the American way. Tuck into a tower of fluffy pancakes, served with crispy bacon, blueberries and a stream of sticky maple syrup. Enjoy eggs every way you can imagine. Bag bagels and cream cheese, biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, English muffins, Belgian waffles, fruit salad - all washed down with unlimited caw-fee...Shall we stop yet? The Tick Tock Diner on 8th Avenue (corner of 34th) is not only the largest diner in NYC but serves breakfast around the clock. Happily, whatever the time of day, the melting pot of culture that is NYC means you can find pretty much any cuisine of your dreams - whether you’re satisfied with a street stall or looking to have your cake and eat it at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Pick up some tasty treats at multi-cultural Chelsea Market, in the heart of the funky Meatpacking District, renowned as one of the greatest indoor food markets in the world. Chefs and locals crowd this formerly industrial space to select prime cuts of meat, fresh fish and artisan cheese, whilst tourists stop by for premium burgers, Italian gelato, pizza, pastrami, bagels, hot dogs, Chinese, Korean BBQ...the list is deliciously endless... A Food on Foot Tour will help you discover even more authentic eateries and best kept snack secrets. Choose the Midtown Mix Tour to chow down like a local in Manhattan or the Go West Tour to discover the culinary diversity of historic Hell’s Kitchen. To enjoy the flavours of the neighbourhood known particularly for its Eastern European Jewish community, opt for a Tastes of the Lower East Side walking tour and pick up delicacies such as a true kosher pickle, a knish, a bialy and the famous black and white cookie. Cruise New York Harbor - fast or slow Once you’ve satisfied your appetite, why not push the birthday boat out - literally - with a morning or afternoon of leisurely sight-seeing aboard a Best of New York Circle Line Cruise? Whatever the time of year, indoor seats or a huge outdoor deck make it a fun yet relaxing way to tick off some of New York’s best sights. You’ll cruise all three rivers and see around 130 landmarks including the full Manhattan Skyline, the Yankee Stadium, Greenwich Village and the Financial District. If you’re tight for time, with more birthday fun to pull in, the Circle Line Landmarks Cruise is a shorter - 90 minute - tour of the premium views, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Chrysler Building. Later, for a magical twilight finale to a special day, set sail on a Harbor Lights Cruise which departs just as the sun sets. An onboard bar serves beer, wine, cocktails and soft drinks so you can raise a birthday toast as you watch that unforgettable skyline twinkle into life. If you’re celebrating a teen birthday - or simply feel the need for speed - maybe ditch the gentle cruise in favour of a blast from The Beast. Get on board this mean, green, jet-powered speedboat to roar down the Hudson river at speeds of up to 40 knots? It’s loud, it’s fast and, since the crew have been known to wield water guns, you’re likely to get wet! Whichever you choose, birthday candles can’t hold a torch to Lady Liberty. Fast or slow, all harbor cruises make time for mandatory photo opps of New York’s most famous icon. Smile please! Ride classic coasters at Coney Island If thrills and spills are your idea of birthday fun, how about a trip to Coney Island’s legendary Luna Park? From families with kids, to coaster connoisseurs, there’s something for everyone at this fun seaside destination, around 10 miles from the city. The first Luna Park, opened in 1903, was renowned for its ground-breaking attractions and the miracle that was electric lights. Although that park burned down in 1944 it inspired dozens more ‘lunaparks’ around the world and the amusement park that still stands on the site has all the colourful quirkiness of the original. Enjoy its timeless charm as you stroll the boardwalk, play the sideshows and thrill to rides including the 137ft Astro Tower, the Steeplechase coaster and the Brooklyn Flyer chair swing. Then brace yourself for launch as extreme thrill ride Slingshot catapults you into the air at 90mph. Luna Park is also home to the historic Cyclone Roller Coaster, a bone-shaking, breath-taking wooden coaster dating from 1927 that is registered as a New York City Landmark. Dare you ride? Explore Central Park Whether you’re looking for action on your special day or prefer more laid-back celebrations you’re sure to find a destination or activity to suit in Central Park, possibly the world’s most well-known urban green space and beloved by locals and tourists alike. Take a carriage tour, relax in a rowboat or get up close to the animals at the zoo...Perhaps you’ll get your legs pumping and your heart singing with a two-hour bike tour that takes in top sights like Belvedere Castle, the Imagine Mosaic and Strawberry Fields. Put your best foot forward on a walking tour of little known paths and ponds along with famous fountains and statues. Or simply pick up some snacks (and a birthday cake of course) and unwind with the perfect picnic. Follow in the footsteps of celebrities Whilst we’re in Central Park are you getting a niggling feeling that you’ve somehow been there before? To sort out the sights you’ve seen on screen try tagging along on a TV & Movie Sights tour. Where did Kevin meet the bird lady in Home Alone? Is that the bridge where Buddy throws snowballs in Elf? Shed light on locations from Love Story, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Enchanted and Glee to name a few...All so familiar. And super fun. If you love that kind of celebrity stalking, why stop at Central Park, when there’s a whole city awash with spots you’ll recognise from the big and small screens. Jump on an NYC TV and Movie Bus Tour to grab a selfie at classic locations like the Friends apartment building, the Ghostbusters Firehouse and familiar places from Ocean’s Eight, Spiderman and loads more... There’s even a special movie tour for fans of Marvel and DC Superheroes. Capes at the ready... Take in a Broadway show New York is known the world over for its sparkling theatre district. So grab your popcorn, get your feet a tappin’ and take your seats for a birthday performance. Even if you don’t know your jive from your jazz hands, with 41 Broadway theatres, each typically offering 8 performances a week, we’re confident you’ll find something you’ll enjoy. There are shows for literally every taste and age group, from straight drama, to comedy, performance art (the Blue Man Group) and original music (like the physical percussive show, Stomp). Or maybe, like most, you’ll opt for the magic of the musicals? Choose from family favourites like The Lion King, Aladdin or Wicked, or long-running classics like Phantom of the Opera or Chicago. Perhaps one of the big-name shows of recent years - think Hamilton or Come from Away - will capture your heart? To scout out the options or learn more about the area, the theatres and the stars, why not join a walking tour of Broadway and Times Square? From the glamour to the ghost stories, you’ll be centre stage for all the showbiz gossip, trivia and history. On your birthday, after all, the spotlight is on you! Hit some high spots Wheeee! A helicopter ride over New York is about as awesome as it gets. Unless you’re some kind of seasoned celebrity it’s an incredible once-in-a-lifetime thrill to soar above the skyscrapers for a unique, birds-eye view of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building and all the rest.There are plenty of private tours on offer, usually including a commentary or fun facts. If you book at sunset you’re guaranteed all the glory of golden hour - though beware if the weather’s cloudy - it would suck to soar but not see... If your budget doesn’t stretch quite that far, take it to the top anyway by hitting one of the city’s many breathtaking observation decks. Gaze down at the distant hubbub from the dizzying heights of the Empire State Building’s 86th floor observatory. Or get a snap of the Manhattan skyline including the Empire State, by zooming up to the Top of the Rock observatory at the Rockefeller Centre. Make memories Whilst you’re feeling on top of the world, a rooftop photoshoot is a super-cool way to ensure a lasting memory of your special day. An expert photographer will capture the moment in a private session, as you pose against the backdrop of the World Trade Center. Or, to be even more original, create your own picture for posterity on a sketching tour with a New York City-based artist. You’ll get a drawing-pad and pencil along with a 90 minute tour of history, culture and the chance to sketch some Lower Manhattan landmarks including the Wall Street Bull, the Washington Monument and the Trinity Church Cemetery (final resting place of Alexander Hamilton.) Let's draw a line. We hope we’ve given you just a rough picture of the many places you might choose to pop a cork and blow out your candles in the buzzy, beautiful Big Apple. To discover some of them and many more New York attractions, pick up an All Inclusive Pass or an Explorer Pass, then sightsee, save and celebrate with Go City. It’ll feel like your birthday every day.
Jo Cooke

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