Tourism has recently picked up quite a bit in New York. Everyone in the USA and outside the USA wants to visit New York and explore this magnificent metropolis, which has everything for everyone. New York is one of the oldest megacities in the world, rich in history with its roots set in the colonial era and the epicenter of everything in the world, even after the British left the USA. If given the chance, almost everyone would love to visit New York at least once in their life and see what a marvel this modern and advanced metropolitan city has to offer.
But if you are looking for something oddly specific, such as things to do in New York in May, this blog is your best guide to all the events and places you need to check out. May is just the beginning of the very hot summer, and it can be a wonderful time for indoor and outdoor activities. This is why in this blog, we cover the things to do in New York for first-timers to what seasoned and familiar travelers would do. Let us get started!
Top 15 Things to do in New York in May
1. Walk Around New York With A Walking Tour
We know what you are thinking: who would want to walk around NYC in summer? Well, trust us. Since May is just the beginning of the summer and right near the end of spring, this is perfect weather for outdoor activities. You can walk around and check out the beautiful New York summer plants. Walking tours are fun activities in NYC for couples. So put your walking shoes on and get walking!
2. Catch A Broadway Show
Don’t feel like doing something outdoors? Don’t worry. There’s plenty to do indoors in New York. For most people, catching a Broadway show is a bucket list of things to do in New York. New York is known for its lucrative and booming Broadway industry, and it is arguably the best place to catch a Broadway show. So, what are you waiting for? Catch a show to remember.
3. Secure Yourself A New York City PASS
First time in New York, and having trouble budgeting? One way you can save that money is to get yourself a New York City Pass. What is a CityPASS? Well, it is a special tourist pass that costs the cover of numerous tourist locations for free. The pass itself costs a little money but can save you quite a lot of money if you plan on exploring the city and the tourist sites. What it doesn’t cover? The food and transportation. This could be your road to cheap things to do in NYC.
4. Commemorate Cinco De Mayo
You must have heard of the infamous Cinco De Mayo. What does it stand for? Well celebrates Mexico’s triumph over France in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, and Mexican-Americans in the city use the occasion to celebrate and flaunt their cultural heritage with Cinco de Mayo events. What do most events entail? Well, you could stop by your local Mexican food joint dressed in your best dresses and join in on the celebration. It is definitely among the unique things to do in NYC.
5. Dine & Drink Blindfolded
Yes, you read that right. If the city lights have been blinding you and you are looking for some things to do in New York at night that are fun and involve food, this is just the thing you need to do. Enjoy one of the most distinctive eating experiences in NYC by surprising your senses with a blindfolded meal! Select a menu item (meat, fish, or vegan) and let your palate lead the way while you eat. ‘Dining In The Dark’ is a unique experience where you can test your senses to their limits. Just make sure to make the reservations first.
6. Check Out The Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossoms are the harbingers of summer and spring, and the best way to celebrate your summer in New York is by checking out the most beautiful cherry blossom trees in the city. Whether you are in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens or Roosevelt Park, you can see the canopy of the cherry blossom trees and hide away from the sun by getting under it. Everything doesn’t have to have a cost, and this could be one of the few free things to do in New York.
7. Watch Your Favorite Comedian
New York is popular for its comedy shows, and almost every famous comedian has had a show in New York or is planning to organize one. If you intend to visit NYC in May, maybe look at which comedians are going to have a show in New York in May and book your tickets beforehand. Once you are there, you can go watch a comedy show and have some laughs. Maybe make it a date night since it is one of the fun activities in NYC for couples.
8. Celebrate Memorial Day With The New Yorkers
Memorial Day, which falls on Monday, May 27, this year commemorates those who have lost their lives for their motherland. It is seen as the unofficial beginning of summer. As usual, NYC is buzzing with activities to mark and enjoy the occasion. Watch the Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade, or embark on the special Memorial Day cruise. All of these sound like adventurous things to do in New York and an experience of a lifetime. Who knows when you will get to come to New York next?
9. Celebrate Mother’s Day With A Mother’s Day Brunch
Are you in town with your mother? Or are you mom or mom-to-be yourself? Well, how about you celebrate Mother’s Day in New York with brunch? It is easily among the most memorable things to do in NYC with kids and family. New York is known for its epic brunch scenes, and there is always something unusual going on. I am sure if you look hard enough, you will find some special Mother’s Day brunches in New York. Once done with the brunch, you can check out the local spa and treat yourself to some self-care. Get ready to have the best Mother’s Day of your life!
10. Walk Through Lavender Fields
Are you in for a small road trip away from the city? Visit the family-run farm Lavender By The Bay on the eastern side of Long Island for a day excursion. Discover the 80,000+ lavender plants growing over 17 acres. Visitors are encouraged to explore the farm as the flowers start to blossom, even though full bloom usually happens in mid-June. Since not many people know about this, this is definitely one of those hidden things to do in New York.
11. Catch A Game
Many sports fanatics come to New York to check out the Yankee Stadium and other sports arenas that catch a game. It could be a perfect thing to do if you are not in the mood for something indoor since there are several sports options in NYC. You can catch a baseball match from anywhere in April till mid-May. If you feel like cooling off, maybe check out the ice hockey games and watch a match. It is one of the adventurous things to do in New York.
12. Watch MET Gala Red Carpet
MET Gala is one of the most anticipated events of the year, and it just so happens to be in New York in May of every year. While not many can afford to make a generous donation to MET Museum and get an invite, we can, however, catch the red carpet scene from outside.
Whether you are a fashionista or not, it is the most iconic art event of every season, where every public figure tries to capture the heart and the attention of everyone. Camping out and trying to catch the red carpet for the MET Gala could be a crazy thing to do in New York. But if you intend to be crazy anywhere, New York has got to be on top of your list.
13. Stroll Around Bryant’s Spring Market
While Bryant Park’s winter market is a hot place to be, if you intend to visit New York in May, you will get to experience the Bryant Spring Market. This market would stay open all four weekends of April and May. You can check out the fresh produce for the spring, indie vendors promoting their businesses, and some food shacks gracing the scene. This is definitely among the fun things to do in NYC this weekend.
14. Check Out New York Dublin portal
Lately, in the news for being shut down after an adult film model flashed the public, the New York-Dublin Portal is a live video portal where people from both cities can interact via video. This is an interesting portal that exists in Flatiron, NYC. This portal is open 24/7 and is extremely interactive. This can be one of the most unusual things to do in New York, given how you are interacting with a population ocean away. You get to see a glimpse of Dublin while they get to see people of New York and say hello to them.
15. Shop Your Heart Out At The Farmer’s Market
Now that you have spent some time at the Bryant Spring market, how about you pay the local farmers a visit and get a thing or two fresh from the New York farmers and see for yourself how good New Yorkers have it when it comes to fresh, organic and variety of local produce from farms to the market. New York’s farmer’s market is one of the finest and renowned farmer’s markets in the world. If you are there on the weekend, why not take yourself out to experience this beautiful market? Whether you buy something or not, it is an experience, making it one of the free things to do in New York.
Conclusion
There you have it: the top 15 things to do in New York in May. New York is a happening place with something happening all year round and has an experience to offer everybody. Whether you are into arts, sports, or nature, New York is one place that is open to adventure for anyone with a knack for thrill.
This is why whenever you plan your travels to New York, you must keep in mind to look for what you can do while they are there and make an itinerary for yourself. While we have only listed 15 things, we are sure there are more fun things waiting to be discovered. So, what are you waiting for? Just get your list and start making plans to visit New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit New York?
In May, New York City experiences a full bloom of spring. Spring is a popular season to visit New York City since the weather is pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities. March through May sees typical daily high temperatures of 52°F to 72°F, which is perfect for strolling about the city and taking in the fresh air. Spring is a great season to visit if you want to see the city’s gardens and blooming flowers! In the spring, a lot of visitors like visiting the city’s botanical gardens and Central Park. Another fantastic springtime pastime is going to the Central Park Zoo. In the spring, the city is filled with numerous activities and events. While it is a beautiful time to visit New York, unfortunately, it is also the time the city experiences a second boom in tourists. This is the time when the hotel and accommodation prices go through the roof, and people find it hard to find cheap, budget-friendly places to stay.
Is it expensive to go to New York in May?
In May—springtime temperatures are gradually driving up hotel costs, but if you book in advance, you may still get some great offers. When making travel plans, keep in mind the big holidays that fall in May. When the Memorial Day long weekend approaches at the end of May, prices will be significantly higher. For the best deals, book your travel and lodging in advance. Times Square and midtown are the most popular destinations, but there are many more possibilities as well, particularly in Brooklyn, which has easy access to Manhattan’s attractions by public transportation. While there is a severe hike in hotel and accommodation prices, pre-booking and checking out affordable places to stay in NYC don’t hurt. It definitely gets expensive to visit NYC in May, and clever planning can help you cut corners and meet your budget halfway.
What’s on in May in New York?
The best time to visit New York City is in May. Fresh air, blooming flowers, and the city’s never-ending array of fascinating activities await guests. This place has something to offer everyone, regardless of their interests in cuisine, art, or sports. You can choose to enjoy Shakespeare under the stars, sample the region’s delectable cuisine, or celebrate Cinco de Mayo to the utmost! You can now avoid missing out on anything. May is actually the best time of the year to visit New York, with many national days and international days coming in this month, and knowing how New York has an appetite to make every celebration grand makes it all the more reason to visit New York in May. Other than that, the weather is pleasant, and plenty of much-awaited things happen in May, with people taking work from home too seriously and trying and trying to spend most of their time outside in nature. Many native New Yorkers wait for May to see the beautiful colors spread all across the city, and they are super welcoming to tourists this season.
