The day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! Happy Spring Break, New Schoolers! Whether you’re jetting off to visit your pets back home or staying put in the city, HCTNS hopes you find time to relax and rejuvenate.
For those of you staying put (or have family and friends visiting during the week), check out what our writers are planning to do around the city. New York is in bloom this time of year so take this opportunity to soak up some of its sunshine!
Henley Wood
Walking around and exploring Central Park is always a fun activity as well as hopping on a city bike and riding along Hudson River Greenway. This is a great activity to do with as many or as little people as you want! The Central Park Zoo is also a place that everyone will love and is also easy to access after walking through the park. For more indoor activities check out the many incredible museums New York City has to offer, such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art and The Natural History Museum. Visiting the city’s museums is not only fun but educational too.
New York City also has an incredible range of food and cuisine. Whether it’s a fancy five-star restaurant or a delicious hole in the wall pizza place, New York has got it covered. Patsy’s Pizzeria has some of the most deciduous and affordable pizza! And nothing would ever be complete without dessert — head to Serendipity across the street for the most delicious sundaes and snacks. Perfect for spring break and making memories!
Fatima Coulibaly
The New York Botanical Garden is a great place to relax while taking in natural scenery. A nice stroll through the garden can be a therapeutic way to slow down from our hectic academic schedules. Currently, NYBG is hosting their annual orchid show, celebrating the event’s 19th year. From February 26th to May 1st, come and view a wonderland of orchids visualized by floral designer Jeff Leatham. For all the nature lovers, you’re in for a special treat. An explosion of colorful botanicals fills the Haupt Conservatory, where you can walk through the show. Grab your tickets and student discount to witness this lavish floral delight. It’s truly an experience you won’t forget.
Lara Agrawal
Sculptures, satay, scones. First on the itinerary is the Metropolitan Museum of Art! If you’ve been there before, don’t worry, it takes more than a couple trips to cover — and relish — the whole museum. Make sure to do this first, so that after a long day of admiring the lifelike sculptures, detailed paintings and (my personal favorite) the medieval room reconstructions you can relax and have a good meal at stop number two on our list, Thep Thai! A short distance from the Met, this charmingly decorated restaurant has a lovely covered outdoor sitting area and a dimmer, duskier indoor dining room. My go-to order at Thai restaurants is red curry with rice and a Thai iced tea. They also have a rose-and-lychee-flavored version of the drink, which you should try at least once. For dessert, walk a bit to get cookies from the famed Levain Bakery. Their cookies are both crunchy and soft, making for a perfect, delicious end to the day!
Ariana Guerra
I love living in New York City and doing fun things, but my favorite way to enjoy the arts and cultural events is when I don’t have to blow my budget! Lately in my Arts in New York City class we have been going to so many free or affordable concerts and plays! This has opened my eyes — I never knew places like Columbia offered free art exhibits. I also saw an incredible free Julliard concert at Lincoln Center! When looking up fun things to do for spring break, don’t forget to look at what other universities and colleges are offering, and don’t be afraid to try to use your student ID for a discount!
Abby Connolly
If you’re looking for a chance to escape chaotic city life for a few days during the break, try a weekend at the Jersey Shore! Lots of cute and lively beach towns are just a train ride away out of New York Penn Station. Get an AirBnB in Asbury Park and walk the boardwalk or catch a live show at the Stone Pony. Head over to Seaside Heights to relive the Snooki and JWoww days and go on some rides. Even if it’s too cold to swim, sitting in the sand on a bright sunny day can be therapeutic. Even if it’s just a day trip, you’ll return to NYC feeling refreshed.
Claudia Langella
Looking for a fun day trip in the city? Look no further than the Hundson and East Rivers! You’ve probably told yourself at least a hundred times that you’ll visit New York’s islands at some point, and spring break is the perfect time to cross them off your bucket list. Take the subway to East 60th Street & 2nd Ave to hop on the Roosevelt Island tram. Take in city views on island time all without booking a plane ticket. Explore the public art on Governors Island with a friend, and then grab a bite to eat at Little Eva’s. If sightseeing is more your speed, then head to Liberty Island. You could always just traverse the East River by ferry!
Caroline McKenzie
Staying in New York City alone for spring break? Me too. I compiled a list of a few things I want to try doing alone in the city that you might want to try too!
You could enjoy a museum alone. One of my favorite museums in the city is the Museum of Modern Art, where New School students can attend for free. I’ve also been dying to visit the Poster House. Filled only with posters, this museum in Chelsea is perfect for those interested in graphic design.
Maybe catch a movie you’ve been eyeing. Village East is one of my favorite little theaters and is currently showing a range of films from Licorice Pizza to The Batman to Compartment No. 6.
Lastly, you could go shopping (or window shopping, depending on your budget) at places like Chelsea Market, shops in SoHo, or a new thrift or bookstore. The options are endless!