Will Gleason

Just being in NYC in the fall is an experience in itself—for a few brief months, we all channel Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail and breathe in the crisp air filled with the smell of leaves and pretend we're in the middle of a love story for the ages (maybe we are). It's true that NYC is one of the most sought out places to experience the best that fall offers, from delightfully spooky Halloween events and festivals to gorgeous leaf-peeping opportunities and some of the best festivals. Autumn in NYC is tough to match!

After a hot summer in the city, New Yorkers are craving gorgeous fall foliage, cool air and greater heights—the best fall getaway possible. Luckily, NYC is within a few short hours of these picturesque locales. Pack your bags and get acquainted with nature while wandering along amazing hiking trails before seeking shelter inside of a cozy cabin. Looking for something more boozy? Taste different spirits at nearby wineries or visit a cidery that also offers apple picking. The season would not be complete without spending a weekend in one of the many rural hamlets that are a quick drive, train or bus ride away. Read on for all the best things to do upstate and where to stay during our favorite time of year. RECOMMENDED: The ultimate list of things to do in NYC this fall

This summer, the heat is on and the best way to cool down is to get out on the water. You athletic types can try kayaking NYC’s rivers, and landlubbers can stick to the city’s prominent waterfront restaurants and boat bars, but if you have any hint of seafaring fun in you, a boat party in NYC is one of the best things to do in the summer. Open waters, sea breezes and stunning views of Manhattan are all on tap when you embark on a booze cruise in NYC. Oh and did we mention full bars, great food, and live music? Take your summer celebrations to the next level and set sail with these boat parties. There’s something for everyone, whether it’s a cantina-themed boat, a lobster-centric excursion, a fine dining cruise or a leisurely happy hour float. You’re more than welcome to rock the boat on a rock n roll cruise, and cocktails are tastier when sipped on a yacht. Check out these NYC boat parties for a totally nautical summer.

Imagine waking up to the sound of gently swaying trees and chirping birds, sun peeking into your window which looks out across a canopy of golden leaves. It's an experience that is totally attainable, thanks to Airbnb. There are plenty of gorgeous treehouse rentals near NYC just waiting for you to visit, and they range from low-fi elevated cabins to more luxurious options with hot tubs and extensive vinyl selections. Whether you choose full on off-grid, or something semi-off-grid, these homes provide the perfect oportunity to recharge from modern, city life. Even though each of these is a step up from camping near NYC, be sure to pack your hiking boots and essentials because some of these are quite off-the-grid. RECOMMENDED: 13 cozy cabins near NYC that you can rent on Airbnb This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

It has never been easier to find enticing plant-based dishes in NYC. Our vegan and vegetarian options go beyond veggie burgers, although NYC has plenty of those, too—and extends to special occasion destinations, exciting new spots and some of the best overall restaurants in the city. Sure, restaurants all over the ingredient spectrum have broadened their nutrient horizons over the years, but these are your best bets for a meat-free guarantee. RECOMMENDED: See more of the best restaurants in NYC

In the mood for chasing waterfalls? Whether you’re hoping to hop on the train to get out of New York for a day or you’re looking for that perfect camping spot, why not spend it in the great outdoors, made all the more gorgeous with gorges and waterfalls? From the nearby parks just north of Westchester County to the scenic destinations near the Finger Lakes and Adirondacks, here are the waterfalls in New York you won't want to miss. We all know about Niagra Falls, but these New York waterfalls will offer stunning getaways without the crowds. RECOMMENDED: The best weekend getaways from NYC

Hospitality is something that New York prides itself on and that is pretty clearly evidenced by its best hotels. Every kind of traveler can find their perfect holiday haven in this glorious city, from sleek boutique hotels in the city’s trendiest neighborhoods to opulent luxury stays near the top NYC attractions. You’ll even find some of the best spas and restaurants tucked inside their lobbies. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Big Apple or a local craving an inner-city staycation, these properties take the cake when it comes to hospitality and hotel perks. Cue room service. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in NYC This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

The last time we made this list was in the heady days of January 2020. Remember them? There’d been rumblings of a virus originating in a wet market in Wuhan, but life was pretty much normal in most parts of the world. We did our thing. We made plans. We looked forward to a whole load of new cultural stuff happening around the world that year. Except basically none of it did. Music, art, theatre: all involve gathering loads of people together in often crowded spaces. Not good during the Panny D. Big openings were cancelled. Festival season was a write-off. We even stopped writing about going out altogether and rebranded as something called Time In. Throughout it all, our planners looked depressingly empty. But now, happily, we live in a world where vaccines have allowed things to return to some semblance of normality. And while we skipped a 2021 edition of this definitive global events and openings calendar, we’re pretty confident that almost all of the amazing things you’ll find below will happen next year. So, Omi C permitting (someone had to start calling it that), here are the 22 best new things to do in the world in 2022, from massive new museums to huge gigs, theatre shows and art exhibitions you won’t want to miss. RECOMMENDED: 🖼️ The 20 best museums and galleries in the world🚂 11 of the most incredible train journeys around the world🌊 9 cities that could be underwater by 2030🌹 The most romantic places in the world 🍸 The 28 coolest bars in the world right now

New York has played a major role in LGBTQ+ history and it’s no wonder there are a slew of bars that have been beacons for the community (and prime party spots) for decades. The best queer bars in NYC range from dive bars to dance clubs, with historic spots like the Stonewall Inn anchoring them all. The West Village is a classic destination for queer nightlife, but you’ll find something exciting and welcoming in pretty much any part of the city.You can check out the best drag shows or cabaret performances, but these queer spaces all offer something unique, from cozy vibes and cheap drinks to high-energy dancing and brunch parties - sometimes in the same place on different days! Maybe your interests skew more trendy and urbane, or perhaps you're more of the down-and-dirty hook-up spots, the "what happens on the weekends, stays on the weekends" type — we're not here to judge! There are plenty of LGBTQ+ things to do in New York, but if it’s a bar you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC

Summer in NYC affords New Yorkers more opportunities to scout out some of our most favorite bars and restaurants, whether they're on rooftops, underground or by the water. Finally, traveling across the boroughs is a journey we're happy to take. And while NYC has amazing summer bars and restaurants with brand-new summer menus, the editors here at Time Out New York have their own agenda for dining and drinking this summer. Below, we've narrowed down 10 restaurants that we can't wait to visit this summer, from some of the trendiest and newest spots to older, more down-home eateries. RECOMMENDED: Here are 10 amazing bars to cool down at this summer

There’s nothing like a furry, four-legged friend to bring extra warmth and joy into your home. Fortunately there are hundreds of dogs and cats of all ages (plus some other furry critters) who need homes in the city. The best choice for finding your family’s new best friend is to consider pet adoption in NYC. These local pet adoption organizations — including shelters, rescues and networks of foster homes — work tirelessly to find homes for all types of animals, from puppies and kittens to senior dogs and cats, of all breeds and temperaments. Start your search online, visit one of the shelters or check out an upcoming adoption event. The organizations will work with you to find the best match for you and your family. Many also offer resources to keep your new pet healthy. If you’re not ready to adopt, consider fostering. With shelters often bursting at the seams, temporary placement for animals is always appreciated. Also needed are homes for senior pets, often neglected when families are looking for a new friend. So if your household is on the chill side, a senior will be forever grateful! Until you find your adoptable pet, get some animal inspiration by checking out our favorite animal and pet movies and have a look at our suggestions for the best dogs for kids. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do with kids in NYC

Of course NYC is known for world-class restaurants, but there are also plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in NYC that are fun for the whole family. Whether it’s a top spot that welcomes kids or a fun restaurant in NYC that’s all about entertainment, this city has dining spots for you and the little ones. You can expect great quality food, options for picky eaters and room for the kids to be themselves. After a long day with the kids (there are so many things to do with kids in NYC, it’s easy to keep them entertained), the whole family deserves a treat. Or maybe you’re taking them to a kid-friendly Broadway show and need a fun place to eat with the kids in Times Square. Whatever the case, there’s no shortage of restaurants that offer great food and a kid-friendly environment. From pizza or tacos to theme restaurants, outdoor restaurants and dessert-forward spots, these fun, kid-friendly restaurants in NYC are perfect for a family meal.

It’s hard to talk about the TWA Hotel without talking about its location—not only in regards to place but also in regards to time. Stepping into this unique hotel that’s connected to JetBlue’s Terminal 5 at JFK Airport is like stepping into the swinging ‘60s. (In case there was any confusion, the elevator that connects the hotel to the airport only has two buttons: one says “Present Day JetBlue” and the other reads “1960s TWA Hotel.”) Why, you ask? That’s because the hotel is taking its cue from the building it’s located in: Eero Saarinen’s landmark 1962 TWA Flight Center. Like the building itself, a stay here is one-of-a-kind. Entering the hotel from the street feels like arriving at a bustling terminal during the bygone age of glamorous air travel. (If you’re coming from the airport, you traverse an equally memorable sloping tunnel with blazing red carpet.) Not surprisingly, check-in is located at what used to be the check-in area for flights—adding to the feeling that you’re about to take-off on a jet as opposed to landing in a comfortable bed. From there, you’ll head to one of two mid-century modern wings that flank the historic building and contain 512 guestrooms.  If you can, it’s worth booking a room with a view of JFK’s runways. It’s hard to beat the experience of laying in a bed, staring out a window and watching planes take off and land. If you want to get even closer to that aerial action, head to the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool and observation deck (reservations

When most NYC residents think of traveling to upstate New York, they generally have in mind trips in two directions: north to the Hudson Valley and on to the Adirondacks or west to Central New York and the Finger Lakes. If you look at a map of the state, however, that leaves out a pretty big chunk of the state northwest from the city. (Like, a really big chunk.) If this sounds familiar, heed these words: those overlooking this area do so to their own detriment! A six hour drive in that direction will get you to the heart of the 1000 Islands region, one of the most beautiful parts of the country, let alone the state. Smack dab in the middle of this stunning area is the 1000 Island Harbor Hotel. This hotel is the perfect homebase for exploring this watery, island-strewn boundary land between New York and Canada. The reasons for this are many, but one of the most notable ones is that you can see many of the aforementioned islands from a large share of the comfortable rooms at the waterfront resort. The hotel’s location is an incredible asset. Also, if you’re heading to the 1000 Islands, you’re going to want to stay in the town of Clayton. (Cape Vincent is a bit too sleepy and Alexandria Bay is slightly more rundown.) And if you're staying in the town of Clayton, you’re going to want to stay at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel. Located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, this refined, 105-room resort is surrounded by great things to do. Clayton’s downtown is just across the str

This new boozy brunch on Coney Island is a home run! The Brooklyn Cyclones debuted a brand-new rooftop boozy brunch for the 2022 season that offers some pretty stunning views. Guests will be able to take in views of the baseball game, the ocean and Coney Island while, of course, sipping on unlimited beer, mimosas and Bloody Marys—courtesy of The Murphs Famous Bloody Mary Mix. (And at $49, the bases aren’t the only things that are a steal!) Service starts at 1:30pm (game time is 2pm) and includes breakfast breads and spreads, fruit, yogurt, Cyclones brunch sliders, hashbrown potatoes 

Time Out Market New York is the perfect place to celebrate Cinco De Mayo this year. The Market will be hosting an all-day party for the holiday with a special Margarita Madness offering from the bar—you’ll be able to get $12 margaritas or $25 fish bowls for two all day. (Available in regular, strawberry and mango.) Meanwhile, don’t miss the special live salsa party from 6pm–9pm featuring DJ Jimmy Anton, percussionist Ronnie Roc and dancer Adriel Flete! It will definitely be a Cinco De Mayo to remember. Register here.

The weather is finally warming up in NYC, and Time Out Market has the perfect party to celebrate! Head to the Market for a lively Reggae Calypso Sunday Celebration that’s taking over both our floors to kick off a brand-new weekly music series. DJ Danymane will be playing reggae, calypso, soca and more throughout the Market from 1pm–4pm, and you’ll be able to catch live Carnival dancers courtesy of Pure Samba Entertainment in the lobby from 12pm–12:10pm and on the fifth floor from 12:20pm–12:50pm. That’s not all! Rotating Caribbean vendors will be on hand all afternoon selling merch and apparel, and you’ll be able to take advantage of some seriously fun drink specials. Time Out Market New York bars will be selling Caribbean Rum Punch (orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, mango juice, Bacardi Silver, Malibu Rum, Plantation Rum) in both Individual ($10 from 12–4pm; $15 after) and Fish Bowl ($20 from 12–4pm; $25 after) sizes. If that’s not enough to get you up and dancing, we don’t know what is.

An edgy and dramatic artist with a reverence for the mystical, Diana Hickman blends the quirky stylings of avant pop with the deep grooves and harmonic sophistication of Soul, R&B, and Jazz.  A California native, Hickman relocated to the east coast over a decade ago to attend Boston Conservatory and then settled into a new life in New York City. Hickman has appeared at big name clubs including The Blue Note Jazz Club, The Iridium, and Brooklyn Bowl, and extensive regional tours. Hickman has distilled her stage presence to smoky smooth perfection. Her sound channels singular giants such as Kate Bush, Bjork, Erykah Badu and Amy Winehouse without ever falling into a parody.

The hottest hop-pening of spring is coming to Time Out Market! Celebrate Easter this year with a family-friendly morning party on April 16th from 9am–12pm. Your $25 ticket will get you access to a matinee film, secure participation in an egg-cellent Easter egg hunt on the Market’s fifth floor and get you an Easter goodie bag with complimentary tickets to the nearby Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Your ticket also comes with a $10 event card towards a meal of your choice at one of our concessions. On top of all that, you’ll be going home with some photos with the one-and-only Easter bunny! Make this an Easter weekend to remember for the whole family.

Seamlessly blending historic charm with a refined, understated luxury, The Whitney is a stylish oasis located just on the edge of Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. If you’re looking to stay somewhere in the city where you can be relaxed and comfortable while being immersed in the stately character of this New England metropolis, this is the place for you. The 65-room boutique property is named for Henry Melville Whitney, a prominent Boston industrialist who once owned the site. That attention to the area’s past can also be found in design details throughout the property, including its classic brick townhouse style that reflects the surrounding homes of Beacon Hill and the light-filled courtyard just outside of the hotel’s lobby with a peaceful garden and tranquil fountain. Designed by Boston-based Hacin + Associates, the welcoming rooms feature amenities including WRIGHT mattresses, Frette bed linens and Grown Alchemist bath products. Many of the rooms feature large windows with stunning views of the Charles River, Beacon Hill and Cambridge. (Those staying at the hotel can also take advantage of the river through the on-site “Whitney on the Water'' program which offers the option to rent sailboats or yachts. Bicycles are also available for guests to take out for the day.) The only main amenity missing is that some of the rooms don’t have fridges. Whether you’re walking down the art-filled hallways or putting up your feet next to the fireplace in the lobby, you’ll be able to

Looking for something that will make you feel a bit better about that long-delayed return to the office? This queer underground party will have you associating workplace culture more with the dance floor than the watercooler. Diet Zhuzh is a riotous new event poking fun at work and brand culture in a serious party atmosphere. DJs Who Girl and Babes The DJ, along with host Anya Volz and photographer Tiny Tiger, are throwing the nightlife company retreat of your dreams.  "Diet Zhuzh is serious fun. We need humor right now. We need nightlife that is fun and thought-provoking. We need spaces where we give ourselves permission to laugh at the absurdity of life,” says DJ Who Girl. “This is the party where you can learn something about your ‘work/life balance,’ meet new people, and dance.”  Expect plenty of jokes about “circling back” and “huddling up” along with nametags identifying employees (a.k.a. partygoers) as belonging to the Dept of Taste, the Dept. of Them/Thems, the Dept. of Carrying On, etc. Best of all? In the third year of a pandemic that’s affected all of our nightlife and work lives, it’s the perfect place to form some brand-new IRL connections of your own. (Who says you can’t network on a dance floor?) For this outing, be sure to wear your most energetic neon pink and acid green look—there will be a prize for best “company uniform” of the night!

Things are getting hyper local at Time Out Market New York every Tuesday! Beginning February 22, 2022, visitors to the Market will be able to receive 20 percent off drinks all day long if they’re a resident, first responder or worker in Dumbo. (Just a heads up: the deal is not valid during Happy Hour.) That’s right—we’re showing the community a little extra love every single Tuesday. Just be sure to bring some proof of identification to take advantage of the neighborhood-focused deal.

Catch the UEFA Champions League at Time Out Market Miami all winter long! We’ll be showing the games at the Market on our massive LED screen from February 15–March 16. To pair with those screenings, there will be plenty of IRL specials, too! Happy hour will begin one hour earlier—at 3pm—and run until 7pm, featuring $8 cocktails, $7 wines and $6 beer.  See the full schedule below so you don’t miss a game! Tuesday, Feb. 15: ⚽ Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Madrid 3:00 PM-5:00 PM ⚽ Sporting Lisbon vs. Manchester City 3:00 PM-5:00 PM  Wednesday, Feb. 16:     ⚽ Inter Milan vs. Liverpool 3:00 PM-5:00 PM ⚽ RB Salzburg vs. Bayern Munich 3:00 PM-5:00 PM   Tuesday, Feb. 22:     ⚽ Chelsea vs. LOSC Lille 3:00 PM-5:00 PM ⚽ Villarreal vs. Juventus 3:00 PM-5:00 PM  Wednesday, Feb. 23:     ⚽ Atlético de Madrid vs. Manchester United 3:00 PM-5:00 PM  ⚽ Benfica vs. Ajax 3:00 PM-5:00 PM    Tuesday, March 8:     ⚽ Liverpool vs. Inter Milan 3:00 PM-5:00 PM⚽ Bayern Munich vs. RB Salzburg 3:00 PM-5:00 PM    Wednesday, March 9:     ⚽ Real Madrid vs. Paris Saint-Germain 3:00 PM-5:00 PM     ⚽ Manchester City vs. Sporting Lisbon 3:00 PM-5:00 PM  Tuesday, March 15:     ⚽ Manchester United vs. Atlético de Madrid 4:00 PM-6:00 PM⚽ Ajax vs. Benfica 4:00 PM-6:00 PM    Wednesday, March 16:       ⚽ LOSC Lille vs. Chelsea 4:00 PM-6:00 PM ⚽ Juventus vs. Villarreal 4:00 PM-6:00 PM

Catch the UEFA Champions League at Time Out Market New York all winter long! We’ll be showing the games at the Market on four large flat-screens on the first floor and on a large projector on the fifth floor rooftop from February 15–March 16. To pair with those screenings, there will be plenty of IRL specials, too! The Time Out Penalty Kick Special, the “Bicycle Kick,” will be available during penalty kicks. Meanwhile, Time Out Team Spirit Halftime Surprise will give out an Event Card at halftime to guests dressed in team colors. On game days, we’ll also be offering a special menu with two- and three-course lunch specials starting at $29. See the full schedule below so you don’t miss a game! Tuesday, Feb. 15: ⚽ Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Madrid 3:00 PM-5:00 PM ⚽ Sporting Lisbon vs. Manchester City 3:00 PM-5:00 PM  Wednesday, Feb. 16:     ⚽ Inter Milan vs. Liverpool 3:00 PM-5:00 PM ⚽ RB Salzburg vs. Bayern Munich 3:00 PM-5:00 PM   Tuesday, Feb. 22:     ⚽ Chelsea vs. LOSC Lille 3:00 PM-5:00 PM ⚽ Villarreal vs. Juventus 3:00 PM-5:00 PM  Wednesday, Feb. 23:     ⚽ Atlético de Madrid vs. Manchester United 3:00 PM-5:00 PM  ⚽ Benfica vs. Ajax 3:00 PM-5:00 PM    Tuesday, March 8:     ⚽ Liverpool vs. Inter Milan 3:00 PM-5:00 PM⚽ Bayern Munich vs. RB Salzburg 3:00 PM-5:00 PM    Wednesday, March 9:     ⚽ Real Madrid vs. Paris Saint-Germain 3:00 PM-5:00 PM     ⚽ Manchester City vs. Sporting Lisbon 3:00 PM-5:00 PM  Tuesday, March 15:     ⚽ Manchester United vs. Atlético de Madrid 4:00 PM

One of the city’s most sky-high attractions is once again welcoming visitors. The (quite literal) crown jewel of the Empire State Building, the Top Deck, is now open to the public. The newly renovated 102nd floor observatory is reached via a glass elevator from the 86th floor observatory. (No, you will not be leaving with ownership of a whimsical chocolate factory.) Once you arrive at the tip-top of the iconic skyscraper, you'll be greeted with a spectacular view of the city and beyond. Like, way beyond. In fact, on a clear day, the observatory says you can see up to 80 miles into the distance. (That’s far enough to see six different states!) The panoramic view can be seen out of 24 windows spread all the way around the architecturally significant space. If it's been a while since you've been to the Empire State Building, it may be time for a return visit. After a huge renovation, the building is now home to three different floors of observatories, as well as a new museum, with everything from facts on the famous building to a giant King Kong you can pose with. (There seems to be a trend of that lately.) You can find more information on the experience here. Tickets start at $72 for adults to enter the one-of-a-kind space and $66 for children. That may seem a bit steep but if you’ve spent the last five months staring out or your apartment window at a parking lot, a change in perspective may be sorely in order. Most popular on Time Out - The Metropolitan Opera streams full Verd

There isn’t exactly a shortage of reasons to head to Governors Island for a weekend "escape" from the city, but here’s one more: It has the city’s only lavender field. That’s right, in addition to more high profile attractions like new luxury spa QC NY, novel beach club Gitano, glamping and bike rentals, you can also spend a relaxing day on the island picking your own bouquet from a waterfront field of gently swaying lavender. It’s exactly the sort of relaxing, soul-calming activity that this crazy year calls for. (In fact, once you get there, you may not want to leave.) The field is overseen by Earth Matter NY, a city organization dedicated to promoting composting in the city. Launched in 2017, The Lavender Field doesn’t just provide a peaceful oasis for New Yorkers, it also acts as a pollinator attractor. The blooms provide much needed sustenance for the island’s population of honey bees. The best way to explore the destination is by participating in the NYC Lavender Festival, which this year takes place June 18 and 19 from 11am to 5pm. You'll get to tour the field, participate in workshops and harvesting opportunities in addition to fun family activities. Basically, it's the ideal destination for a summer weekend in New York. You can register for the various offerings right here. Heading to the island soon and looking to locate the field? You’ll find it a short walk from the Brooklyn ferry terminal on the Southeast side of the island, just across from St. Cornelius Chapel

As life-affirming as outdoor movie screenings and al fresco meals truly are, let’s not forget that—like a delicious summer brunch served on a vintage boat that makes you hopelessly seasick—the summer-in-NYC good is almost always accompanied by the summer-in-NYC bad. These are the gross, stomach-churning things coming our way whether we like it or not, summer after summer. 1. Sweaty, overcrowded subway platforms Think train delays and full platforms in the winter are bad? Try getting packed into a space hotter than one of those sweat lodges Oprah used to be obsessed with. At least the sweat covering everyone’s skin provides a natural lubricant for squeezing into the last spot available on the train. 2. The garbage smell As the weather heats up, the thin layer of urine, garbage juice and pigeon poop that lightly coats our city’s streets begins to be gently cooked by the sun like a delicious skillet of huevos en purgatorio. As a result, the semen trees of spring soon curdle into a pervading scent more akin to a suburban waste treatment plant. Thank goodness, we spend most of our summers on roofs. 3. Beach surprises It may seem like you’re a world away when you hit up of one of New York’s best beaches for the first time, but, unfortunately, Coney Island and The Rockaways are firmly within the five boroughs. That means the water there is not exactly as clear as one would encounter in the Bahamas. You’re always just one backstroke away from a candy wrapper, plastic bag or worse. 4.

New York is an especially odoriferous place in August with the sun beating down on pretty much every odd thing that makes its way onto the city streets. As we enter the hottest stretch of the year, you’ll most likely encounter a majority of these smells while going about your day. Think of them as accents scents of Eau de NYC. 1. Garbage The signature scent of many New York intersections. Also found wafting through the air like a light breeze when garbage trucks drive past. 2. Horse Poop Found in many Central Park thoroughfares. 3. Burnt Street Meat A combination of soft pretzels, dark meat and a number of unidentifiable sauces burnt to a crisp on a food cart and carried across the sidewalk in an enticing yet somewhat disconcerting cloud. 4. Stinky Subway Car Could be a dead animal, vomit, a guy sitting in one of the corner seats or BO from the person holding the pole next to you. 5. Laundry Fabric softener aroma gently emerging up from the basement of an apartment building as you pass. The comfort-smell jackpot, especially in the winter, when it is often accompanied by a warm breeze. 6. Damp Subway Platform That lovely wet concrete and stagnant water scent that can be found after a rain. 7. Nuts 4 Nuts Carts The sweet smell of caramelized, sugar-coated peanuts, almonds, cashews, etc. Hard to resist, even if they’re all stuck in together in one big mound. 8. Exhaust The smell of hot automotive exhaust while cars are backed up at a light or waiting to get into the tunnel. 9. V

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute is back with part two of this year’s flagship exhibition “In America” with “An Anthology of Fashion,” and the new iteration of the show is an even more expansive look at what has defined American fashion over the years. It is a visually splendid tour through hundreds of years of this country’s history told through clothes designed and worn by its citizens. Building on last year’s spartan, intellectually rigorous presentation of garments categorized by the expression of various themes, this year’s show explodes across most of the American Wing of the museum. To help guide your visit to the blockbuster exhibition here are five things you’ll want to look out for. 1. Don’t miss the powerful garments at the start of the show When visitors enter the exhibition, they’ll immediately encounter three especially significant garments: a coat worn by George Washington (possibly to his inauguration), the Brooks Brothers jacket that Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in and a coat (also designed by Brooks Brothers) that was once part of a uniform worn by an enslaved man. (Lincoln’s coat is missing some pieces that were given away to mourners at the time.) 2. The exhibition has a much more cinematic quality—thanks to famous directors Part one of the “In America” exhibition, which debuted last year, had a far more linguistic focus thanks to its framework: “A Lexicon of Fashion.” For this anthological expression of the exhibition, the garments a

New Yorkers will be able to ride the rails straight to the Berkshires this summer! For many years, the best option for New Yorkers wanting to travel to Western Massachusetts by train was to travel to a nearby station—such as the one in Hudson—and have a very sympathetic friend or family member drive the final leg of the journey. Now, it will be possible to take a train right into the heart of the Berkshires. Beginning service on July 8 and running though the end of the summer (and again in 2023!), the Berkshire Flyer is a new seasonal passenger rail service announced by Amtrak on Monday. It will operate on weekends during the summer months, including a Friday afternoon departure from Penn Station to Pittsfield, MA. Return trips to the city will be available on Sunday afternoons. The new service was made possible thanks to access granted to tracks owned by CSX Transportation. “We’re appreciative of the support and cooperation of CSX for the Berkshire Flyer service, which will offer a more comfortable and convenient transportation option, that’s also more environmentally friendly, for people traveling between New York City and Berkshire County, along with easy access to musical performances at Tanglewood,” Amtrak President and Chief Executive Stephen Gardner said in the statement. Currently, the new direct service is considered a pilot program and will be evaluated to see if it will continue past 2023. Can’t wait to book your summer trip? Tickets for the line will be available

Angelika Film Center which owns multiple NYC theaters including their flagship destination at 18 W. Houston St., is set to launch a new free membership program this Friday. To celebrate, they’re running a concurrent program this week and next offering free companion tickets to screenings of The Duke starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren! That latter offering is called the “Bring A Friend Back To The Movies” initiative and is a partnership with Sony Pictures Classics. It will be providing one complimentary ticket to anyone who purchases a ticket directly from the Angelika site, app or in theater to The Duke now through next week. Bring a friend! Better yet, bring your grandma! “We are thrilled that the Angelika has joined forces with us for The Duke to ‘Bring A Friend Back To The Movies,’” said Sony Pictures Classics’ co-president Tom Bernard. “The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on theaters and the moviegoing experience, but with people being able to get vaccinated and boosted, as well as increased health and safety protocols at theaters like the Angelika, going to the movies is as safe or safer than going to a bar or a crowded restaurant.” Meanwhile, the brand-new Angelika Membership program launches this Friday, April 29, and it definitely sounds like something worth taking advantage of. Free to join, it will offer exclusive rewards and benefits, free surprise screenings every month, free popcorn on your birthday, select free streaming on the Angelika’s streami

One of the coolest recent examples of outdoor dining in the city is coming back this summer to the Bronx’s Little Italy.  Piazza di Belmont is set to return to Arthur Avenue for the third year starting next month from East 186th St. to Crescent Ave. The popular thoroughfare will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays and from 3pm to 9pm on Sundays. (The street will still be open to cars during the daytime on weekends to accommodate shoppers visiting the retail stores on the street, but outdoor dining will still be available.) In 2022, the street will be completely closed to traffic for weekend al fresco dining from Friday, May 6 until Sunday, September 25. Restaurants with outdoor dining available on the piazza include Zero Otto Nove, Enzo’s of Arthur Avenue, Emilia’s Restaurant, Mario’s Restaurant, San Gennaro Ristorante, Estrellita Poblana III and Gurra Café. The bar Azgardz of New York will also have outdoor dining available, as well as the Arthur Avenue Retail Market.   Photograph: Courtesy The Belmont 4 One new addition to the weekly event will be regular performances from The Belmont 4, a local acapella group that will perform outside restaurants during the opening weekend in May as well as on the last weekend of every month. Diners can expect to hear doo-wop, Italian classics and popular songs from the ‘50s to the present from the performers. (They’ll also take requests!) The singing group will perform Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm

There’s a brand-new way to get your green fix in The Bronx! A new combination vegan restaurant and plant store opened on Wednesday in the Bruckner Building at 2417 Third Avenue. Mae Mae Café is now offering plant-forward dishes on a Latin-inspired menu, including Mushroom Mole Tacos (White onion, cilantro, sesame seeds, corn tortilla), Huitlacoche Quesadilla (Corn, lime, onion, radish, vegan queso blanco, coconut crema) and a Crispy Tortilla Salad (Romaine lettuce, black beans, watermelon radish, lime, onion, cilantro vinaigrette.) Who said eating your greens had to be boring? The café is operated by the catering and hospitality company Great Performances and ingredients in the dishes are sourced directly from their organic Katchkie Farm in upstate New York. You can check out the full menu here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mae Mae Cafe (@maemaeplantcafe) “Opening this neighborhood café was always part of our plan when we moved Great Performances to The Bronx in 2019,” said Liz Neumark, founder of Great Performances in a statement. “As we settled in and got to know our new community, we decided it should be plant-based to symbolize our long-standing advocacy of delicious, affordable and healthy eating in an area with few choices. Adding the plant store and Katchkie Farm CSA is our way of bringing more green to Mott Haven.” After you empty your plate of plants, you can fill your shopping cart with them. An array of plants are available for sal

Even if you've lived in New York your entire life, there are a few things that somehow manage to slip through the cracks. And just like that co-worker whose name you totally don't know, it's way too late to ask now. Here are some answers to a few of those most pressing questions from public transportation to famous museums. Do you want more great stories about things to do, where to eat, what to watch, and where to party? Obviously, you do, follow Time Out New York on Facebook for the good stuff. 1. What’s with the different color street signs? Back in ancient days (the 1970s) signage was pretty lackadaisical—Queens signs had blue letters on white, white on green for Brooklyn, while Staten Island and Manhattan chose green on yellow. Then the 80’s came, and conformity took hold: white lettering on green—the highway standard—became the decree, with white on brown reserved only for designated historic streets. Keep an eye out though, every once in a while you might still spot an old sign, or a green sign with the Statue of Liberty which dates from Lady Liberty turning 100 years old in 1986. 2. What’s the deal with that giant countdown clock in Union Square? Ah yes, the “Metronome.” That giant board of digital numbers on Union Square South has confused tourists and locals alike since it was installed in 1999. The first seven digits explain what time it by counting from midnight (military style), while the last eight digits explain how long until it is midnight again, while the mi

One of NYC’s most beloved harbingers of spring, the city’s many beautiful pink cherry blossoms, have once again erupted in gorgeous displays across the five boroughs. The pink trees have already started to bloom in Central Park and at the Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Just be sure to stop by and see them soon! The trees generally boom for about a week before dropping their petals to the ground.  Cherry blossom season is on its way! 🌸 Get to know some of the cherry blossoms you'll discover in our parks. Okame cherry trees are the first to bloom, earlier than the more famous Yoshino and Kwanzan cherry trees. Let us know if you see any cherry blossoms! #SignsofSpringNYC pic.twitter.com/JJuzGylqmL — NYC Parks (@NYCParks) March 17, 2022 Looking for where else you might be able to check out some of the trees? Here are the best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC. After that, if you’re still looking for a floral fix, plan a trip to the 2022 Macy’s Flower Show or the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden. Spring is here! 🌸🌸🌸#SignsofSpringNYC #CentralParkBloomWatch pic.twitter.com/iyAo3IpAxj — Gigi A (@gigi_nyc) March 19, 2022 Happy first day of Spring 🌸🌸🌸Central Park, NYC pic.twitter.com/uclFHboKhb — NewYorkCityKopp (@KellyrKopp) March 20, 2022 You know spring is near when Cherry Blossoms begin to bloom. I captured this earlier today in NYC. pic.twitter.com/ELXQEqX1me — Nicholas Isabella (@NycStormChaser) March 14, 2022 More cherry blossoms are on the way! 🌸

NYC’s best night market is coming back for 2022! Queens Night Market will be returning for the seventh year starting April 16. The wonderfully diverse, weekly food fest, which serves up a delightful taste of all that Queens has to offer, will be doing two “sneak preview” nights on April 16 and April 23. Tickets for those two Saturdays, which are currently available on the official Queens Night Market site, are $5 in advance and $8 at the door. “Because of the unexpectedly large turnout on opening night our first few years,” the market says in a statement. “We are selling limited $5 tickets to sneak preview nights on April 16 and April 23 in order to minimize traffic, congestion and the impact on the surrounding community.”  From May 7 on, admission to the night market will be free. Wondering what you can expect this year at the food festival? Well, you’ll still be able to get amazing food at an affordable price point. There will once again be a $5 and $6 price cap per item at the market, even with rising food costs. Since the market first opened in 2015, the festival has highlighted cuisine from around 90 countries and averaged 15,000 attendees every Saturday last year alone. This season you can expect to encounter Afghan mantu and chapli kababs, Indonesian kue pancong and ote ote, Portuguese pastéis de nata, Filipino balut, dinuguan, and lugaw, Romanian Kürtőskalács, Indian tandoori kebabs, Mexican huaraches, Indian tandoori BBQ, Haitian diri ak djon djon and more! There wi