April Showers Bring May Flowers to New York City

It’s spring in New York City! And, with the season has come the prettiest flowers we will see all year. So, grab your picnic blanket, your adventurous spirit, and maybe some allergy medication for a trip to the best nature spots in the city! Whether you’re local or just visiting for a little while, we have rounded up our 10 favorite parks and gardens for your family!

The Brooklyn Botanical Garden

The Brooklyn Botanical Garden (BBG) has more than its regular show of foliage to boast of this weekend (April 27 – 28), it has its annual Cherry Blossom Festival! Come out to celebrate spring, Japanese culture, and new life with the BBG! There will be two days full of pop-up events, learn how to make origami in workshops or play Shogi Chess from the New York Masters.

Neighborhood: Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Learn More: bbg.org

The Queens Botanical Garden

The daffodils are dashing! The tulips are twirling! All sorts of flowers are blooming at the Queens Botanical Garden (QBG)! Come out to run through fields of Daffodils in the Daffodil Dash or let artists move you with their flower-inspired art or spectate the Queen’s College’s dance troupe twirling in time for a flower centric performance on May 4. With springtime activities bound to excite and entertain, head out to QBG to enjoy a fine spring day!

Neighborhood: Flushing, Queens

Learn More: queensbotanical.org

New York Botanical Garden

Sweet scents and purple florets fill the air! May 4 – 5 is Lilac Weekend at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). Here, families can drop in and draw inspiration from the garden just like Monet did in his own home garden or learn about this historic Lilac collection on a guided tour with one of NYBG’s curators! With raffles, live music, and lilacs galore, there’s so much to see at NYBG’s Lilac Weekend!

Neighborhood: Fordham Heights, Bronx

Learn More: nybg.org

Central Park

Central Park is one of the best places to enjoy budding flora and fauna in the city! Take a day to tromp through the Conservatory Garden or relax by the Burnett Fountain or wander down one of the many trails that run through Central Park. With blooms that won’t disappoint and activities bound to excite your kids, no matter how old, Central Park is an iconic spot for springtime fun in the sun!

Neighborhood: Upper East and West Side, Manhattan

Learn More: centralparknyc.org

The High Line

Home to over 50 species of shrubs, perennials, grasses, and trees, The High Line is a 1.45 mile-long park elevated above the streets of Chelsea! Enjoy the hyacinths, pansies, and pluff primroses this spring. Whether you want to sniff in all flowery scents or enjoy a nice walk along the Hudson River, The High Line is the perfect place for a warm spring day!

Neighborhood: Chelsea, Manhattan

Learn More: thehighline.org

Wave Hill

Spread out over 28-acres, Wave Hill is home to tropical plants, perennial wildflowers, and cherry blossom trees! Open to the public, families are invited to come and enjoy their living collection of flora and fauna. Whether your family just wants to come out and smell the tulips or swing by for a fun interactive event, Wave Hill is perfect for you and your kids this spring!

Neighborhood: Riverdale, Bronx

Learn More: wavehill.org

Washington Square Park

Take a stroll down 5th Avenue, through the iconic Washington Square Arch and into Washington Square Park. Here, there are daffodils, irises, crocuses, and more! Bring a picnic or enjoy a good game of Chess under the Dogwood Trees or under Cherry Blossoms and leaves this spring!

Neighborhood: Greenwich Village, Manhattan

Learn More: washingtonsquareparkconservancy.org

Prospect Park

Enjoy a stroll under the Crabapple blossoms and Magnolia trees that paint the landscape of Brooklyn’s 526 acre park pale shades of pink and cream. With a number of events and attractions, your family has an array of activities to choose from! Find a perch and birdwatch or grab a blanket and basket to picnic, hop on the carousel for a spin or ride a real horse in Prospect Park! With so many things to do and so much new life to enjoy, springtime is by far the prettiest season time to explore Prospect Park.

Neighborhood: Park Slope and Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Learn More: prospectpark.org

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Enjoy Spanish Bluebells and yellow wildflowers along the East River! With a number of piers and gardens, the Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) is the place to enjoy the outdoors this season. Whether you want to kick a soccer ball around with the family or wander down a few paths on your own nature expedition, the BBP will offer a breeze on hot days and warm sunshine of cool ones!

Neighborhood: DUMBO, Brooklyn

Learn More: brooklynbridgepark.org

Domino Park

Though there’s a volleyball court, playground, and fun fountain at the park’s southern top, Domino Park is a park that pays tribute to its industrial history. The refinery’s crane tracks know house various species of plants for the public to enjoy and, stretched along the East River, families can enjoy seasonal flowers and a light breeze off the water while playing a game of bocce or hide and seek on the grounds!

Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Learn More: dominopark.com

Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens

With more than 35 years of experience, Broadway Dance Center Children &amp; Teens provides young movers ages 3-18 with exceptional training. BDC delivers the finest all-around dance experience for students by offering a wide variety of styles and levels, performance opportunities, and the highest caliber dance instruction that only New York City and BDC Children &amp; Teens can provide. This studio is so much more than a training course for young dancers; it is a diverse, family-friendly community for budding creatives. It has an exemplary faculty who follow the vision to not only develop a dancer&rsquo;s love and ability in dance, but to do so in a nurturing and supportive way.

Color Me Mine

Color Me Mine Upper West Side proudly stands as a minority woman-owned studio, and we've been an integral part of the Color Me Mine franchise system since 2018! Pottery painting isn't just an activity; it's a captivating and inclusive experience that transcends age and skill levels. At Color Me Mine Upper West Side, we extend a warm invitation to dive into a realm of creativity, self-expression, and connection. Families, friends and teams grow stronger bonds when they create memories together, and at Color Me Mine, we're here to help facilitate those moments. Whether you're seeking a delightful family outing, a unique date night, or a solo adventure, our paint-your-own-pottery studio offers boundless possibilities. Step into our welcoming space in the heart of Lincoln Center and unleash your inner artist. Create unforgettable memories as you craft beautiful ceramic masterpieces to cherish for many years to come. Color Me Mine Upper West Side is also the preferred venue for celebrations of all kinds. Whether you're planning a birthday party, a baby or bridal shower, a team-building event, a gathering for college groups, an enriching field trip, or an adventure with scouts, we've got you covered. Our versatile space and passionate team provides the perfect setting for creating unforgettable memories and fostering creativity in every guest. Join us at Color Me Mine Upper West Side, at 177 Amsterdam Avenue in New York City where every visit promises a fun journey of color, joy, and artistic exploration!

Instituto Cervantes

Children and teenagers learn to understand and express themselves in Spanish, while improving their communication skills through a dynamic immersion program taught by NATIVE TEACHERS that combines CLASSES, ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS and FUN ACTIVITIES! All of our high-qualified teachers are native Spanish speakers who adapt the structure of the class to the needs and levels of each group while conducting the classes entirely in Spanish. We offer both Spanish Summer Camps and Regular Courses for children along the year to foster language learning and multicultural understanding.