New York in May

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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New York Explorer Pass Itinerary

Did you know you can save up to 43% with an Explorer Pass?  If you visited the below 5 attractions without our pass, you'd spend $279.09. With our Explorer Pass, it's only $159.  That's a total saving of $120.09. Read on for some NYC inspiration and discover how you can save on your sightseeing. Choice 1: Empire State Building Where better to have that “Oh my gosh, I’m in New York” moment than at the tip-top of the world’s most famous skyscraper? Before heading to the observation deck to recreate that perfect Sleepless in Seattle moment (or King Kong impression, we ain’t going to judge), be sure to take some time to peruse the Empire State’s indoor galleries, which document the history and cultural significance of this iconic landmark. Price without an Explorer Pass: $51.17 Choice 2: Big Bus Hop on Hop off 1-Day Classic Ticket Have you ever heard public transport being described as enjoyable? Skip the cramped subway (sometimes it's not better to do as the locals do!) and get comfy on a Big Bus tour. With two routes to choose from, it's easy to hit up all the must-see NYC spots including Times Square, Wall Street, Little Italy and SoHo. Get on and off as much as you wish, or just sit back and tune in to their digital commentary - it's a great way to learn all about The Big Apple! Price without an Explorer Pass: $80 Choice 3: Edge Can you ever really ever get bored of gazing over Manhattan from high above? Probably not. But, if you’re looking to make your skyscraper experience even more exciting, Edge is probably the place to go. Travel 100-stories high and take in those views from its tilted glass walls. They'll make you feel like you're literally, well, er, on the edge. You can also test your vertigo with a stroll across their glass-bottomed deck. Price without an Explorer Pass: $50.08 Choice 4: Central Park Bike Tour We don't know if you've heard, but Central Park is quite big. So biking is definitely a good option for exploring it. Better yet, take this bike tour from Unlimited Biking. Not only will you stop off at the park's most famous spots, but you'll also learn all about the park's history from your local guide. Notable spots you'll visit include Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle and Shakespeare Garden. Price without an Explorer Pass: $56.84 Choice 5: Circle Line NYC Landmarks Cruise Did somebody say photo op!? Take to the water for a close-up look at Lady Liberty along with plenty of other famous landmarks on the Best of NYC Cruise. Onboard tour guides will give you a heads up when you're about to pass another unmissable view, so you can just sit back and take in the sights with ease.  Price without an Explorer Pass: $41 By visiting these 5 attractions with an Explorer Pass, you'll have saved 43% on your sightseeing. So, what you waiting for? It's time to get planning that NYC adventure now! We calculate our savings by comparing the Go City price to the combined normal ticket values - these were last updated on April 1, 2023.
Katie Waller
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Things to do at Night in New York City

When the sun goes down, the Big Apple comes alive. Neon lights begin to flicker, restaurants buzz and theaters roll out their red carpets. From outdoor movies in pretty parks to bustling night markets and Broadway shows, when it comes to nightlife, New York has something for everyone! Let's check out what's on the cards when the sun sets in the 'City that Never Sleeps.' Soak up the City Lights from an Observation Deck There is no better way to toast the sunset over New York than from one of the many observation decks dotted about the city. Watch the city lights begin to twinkle as twilight turns to night and see the city like never before. Several Manhattan buildings have observation decks open in the evening where you can take in the city for all its glory. Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center The Top of the Rock takes up the last three floors of Rockefeller Center. It features three levels of indoor and outdoor observation decks that offer spectacular, unobstructed views of the city skyline. The 68th and 69th floors have terraces with glass railings that provide beautiful panoramic views of the whole city. The 70th floor boasts an open-air rooftop deck with no metal or glass enclosures, providing perfect photo opportunities! Enjoy several unique experiences on the way up to the Top of the Rock ranging from the magnificent Joie chandelier and an exhibit of interactive artworks to a sound and light hallway and a time capsule over Manhattan. Use your pass to gain free admission to the Top of the Rock to soak up the incredible 360 ̊ panoramic views. Empire State Building Head up the world-renowned Empire State Building to the main deck observatory on the 86th floor to take in those famous New York City views. Use your pass to enjoy complimentary access to the Empire State Building and whizz up to the open-air observation deck that wraps around the building's spire. Marvel at the endless views, which on a clear evening, can stretch all way across six states! The Edge Cast your eyes over the city from one of the highest outdoor sky decks in the world. Located at 30 Hudson Yards, the Edge is a state-of-the-art platform with a glass floor that extends out into mid-air 100 floors above the ground. Feel like you are floating above the city as you sip a glass of bubbles from the Champagne bar to toast the sunset and take in unrivaled panoramic city views. This one is not for the faint-hearted! Remember to use your pass to gain free access to the Edge. One World Observatory Take in the sunset from the highest point in the city – the top of the One World Observatory. Zip up to the 102nd floor in just 47 seconds in the astonishingly fast SkyPodTM Elevators while you watch a multimedia display of New York City transforming from unsettled lands into a forest of skyscrapers. Look over the city below through the glass floor of the Sky Portal and enjoy several thrilling audiovisual experiences while you are at the top of the world. Use your pass to enjoy complimentary access to the One World Observatory, as well as an exclusive discount off a signature cocktail from One World Observatory's premier restaurant and bar, One Dine. Cheers! Hit Times Square Times Square is one of New York's top attractions and offers second to none nightlife! It's packed with a wealth of entertainment from bars, restaurants, and nightclubs to theaters and TV recording studios and really comes alive at night. Learn about the famous district on a Broadway & Times Square Walking Tour. Use your pass to enjoy this tour where an experienced actor and director tour guide will take you to all the hot spots. Have a laugh at the LoL Times Square Comedy Club or head to the Bowlmor Times Square arcade for bowling, state-of-the-art video games, and old-school pinball. Use your pass to visit Madame Tussauds and gain free access to the MARVEL Universe 4D cinema experience. Sip cocktails at the Haven Rooftop bar and watch the action on Time Square below. Catch a Broadway Show A quintessential evening activity in New York is catching a Broadway show. While they are expensive, the experience is an unforgettable one and really shouldn't be missed! With over 40 official Broadway theaters in New York, you're bound to find something that piques your interest. Top Tip: The best way to get discounted show tickets is to head to TDF's TKTS Booth in Duffy Square (47th Street and Broadway) and wait in line on the day of the show. You can get some fantastic discounts on tickets for most shows. Catch a Different Kind of Show If you prefer something more energetic, use your pass to enjoy the Shake, Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos Show Hosted at the historic Cutting Room on East 32nd Street, this three-hour rock 'n' roll extravaganza features an all-request evening of live music from dueling pianos, fantastic food, and plenty of drinks. If jazz is your thing, head to Harlem, the birthplace of the music genre, to enjoy a classic jazz performance. Use your pass to get tickets to the Harlem Jazz Series, a one-hour performance of classic jazz hits some of the industry's best musicians. Enjoy a Sunset Movie at Bryant Park If the weather is good, why not watch an outdoor movie at Bryant Park? Tucked behind the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is the beating cultural heart of Midtown Manhattan and is famous for its iconic movie nights under the stars. Grab a delicious picnic pack from Perfect Picnic with your pass and find a spot on the lawn for a romantic evening out. Top Tip: These movie nights are extremely popular, so get there when the lawns open at 5 pm to get a good spot. Take in the City Lights from the Ferry Soak up the magical after-dark glow of the Big Apple on a romantic harbor cruise. Use your pass to hop on a Harbor Lights Cruise with Circle Line and enjoy a cruise through the city. There is indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar on board, and an outdoor viewing deck for those Insta-worthy photographs. The narrated cruise offers interesting facts about famous New York landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty as you glide past. Catch a Yankees Game One of the most exciting things to do in New York at night is to watch a Yankees game under the lights. Head to the game a little earlier and use your pass to enjoy a Classic Tour of the Yankee Stadium Get a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the legendary stadium as you visit areas not usually open to the public, like the dugout and the press box. Watch out for the ghost of Babe Ruth, who apparently wanders around the stadium! Stargaze at the High Line As the sun begins to set , head to the unique High Line Park to take in some spectacular city views. The once-disused railroad track was converted into a verdant floating garden and now passes through some of New York City's most historic neighborhoods. Wander along the elevated park on a High Line, Chelsea & Meatpacking District Walking Tour with your pass. Take in the art installations and admire some of New York's most famous buildings, including the Empire State Building and Frank Gehry's IAC Building. You can also enjoy free stargazing evenings at the High Line every Tuesday from dusk until 9:45 pm. Telescopes are provided and spaced throughout the park by the Amateur Astronomers Association, who are also on hand to help and answer any questions.
Alex Birungi

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