Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
NYC in the springtime offers so many opportunities to explore the city. The weather is warmer, New Yorkers have come out of their winter hibernation, and outdoor activities are in full force. Below are two date ideas to take full advantage of the new season. This covers art and culture on the Upper East Side as well as a more casual (read: boozy) day in Brooklyn. Enjoy!
Upper East Side Museum Hopping
Have a wonderful day museum hopping on the Upper East Side. There is no shortage of culture and quintessential charm. Start the day with a typical New York Bagel and iced coffee and head on over to the Frick Collection. It is a stunning mansion-turned-art museum and is the home of many traditional paintings with appearances by a number of famous artists like Monet and Renoir. They also host a free concert series in their beautiful garden courtyard. It is a small oasis in the big city.
After visiting the Frick, take a stroll on over to J.G. Melons, a New York institution known for their delicious burgers (with other options for the vegetarians!).
After lunch, head on over to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met). The Met is one of the world’s most famous art museums with world-class collections sure to please both ancient or contemporary art fans alike (along with everyone in between). Visitors can take a trip through time, while admiring the stunning architecture that comes along with it.
After walking around, treat yourselves to a well-deserved cocktail at the rooftop bar. It boasts stunning views of the city (especially at sunset). Cheers!
Exploring Williamsburg: Boozy Edition
If you are visiting New York, make sure to take a day to explore Williamsburg. Just a short subway or ferry ride away!
Start your day at Sunday in Brooklyn, a cozy, casual, well-designed restaurant that makes you feel like a local. There is something that is sure to please all taste buds: cold-pressed juices, light breakfast options, sandwiches and larger plates. We would recommend giving the breakfast sandwich and pancakes a try!
After brunch, make your way to Bedford Ave. to explore the different vintage clothing and gift shops. This is a wonderful place to find unique pieces that you won’t find elsewhere.
A short 5 minute walk from Bedford is the New York Distilling Company. They offer complimentary tours on the weekend at 2:30pm, 3:30pm and 5:30pm. Be sure to arrive early or stay for a drink after your tour. The Shanty is an incredible bar with wonderful cocktails and live music. It is hidden gem where you are often able to find a seat, talk to the bartenders and tour guides to get the real inside scoop on the history of the place!
For those who prefer beer, the Brooklyn Brewery is a short walk away. They have been in the neighborhood since 1988 and are a huge part of the Williamsburg art, music and general community. They also have complimentary tours, live music and overall house a great local atmosphere.
If you still have it in you, we would recommend that you end the day at Westlight at the top of the William Vale hotel overlooking the city at sunset. They serve wonderful cocktails and bites and the views are unrivaled.
Ms Zigzag says: My heart breaks a little bit when reading about some of these great date ideas for NYC! I have just moved home from there and I will certainly miss not being able to experience all of Hana’s suggestions above.
About Hana Benkirane: Hello! My name is Hana. I’m a citizen of the world, holder of three passports and a modern nomad. I have moved to a different country every three years of my life and was bitten by the travel bug at a very early age.
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