Spring in New York
Your cultural agenda for April, May and June 2026...
Spring is an ideal time to explore New York before high summer’s temperatures start to soar - blossom trees cast playful shadows over sidewalks, and the longer, sunnier days allow for breezy strolls and relaxed terrace dining. Manhattan’s cultural scene is diverse, playful and immersive at this time of year, from sunrise yoga in Central Park and joyful ballet galas to anticipated retrospectives of contemporary art. Our round-up of unmissable highlights promises to make the most of a new season in one of our favourite cities.
Met Orchestra Chamber Ensemble
monday 18th may
Put a spring in your step by heading to Carnegie Hall for an intimate evening of music courtesy of an ensemble featuring musicians from the legendary Met Orchestra. You’ll hear chamber music that encompasses classics, standout works by contemporary composers and hard-to-find hidden gems.
An 8-minute walk from The Whitby Hotel, why not pop in for a freshly-shaken martini at the bar or a bite to eat before the concert starts?
57th Street and, 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019, United States
Sunrise Yoga Walk in Central Park
16th june - 23rd august
Beat the crowds and enjoy some rare tranquillity in the city’s most famous park by booking an early bird yoga walk – an invigorating combination of power walking and restorative yoga poses. A bonus is the stops along the way at some of the park's best-loved locations. Perfect for getting to know this vast 843-acre space in peace, as well as providing an ideal start to a busy day in the city.
Central Park, General William Tecumseh Sherman Statue
Marcel Duchamp at MoMA
until 22nd august
Make a beeline for the first US retrospective of French-American artist-inventor Duchamp’s work since 1973, comprising an in-depth account of six decades of radical reinvention. Featuring some 300 works, the exhibition follows Duchamp from early painting to his later conceptual works. It's a celebration of the role he played in modern art movements from Cubism and Surrealism to Pop, as well as the new era of creative license he ushered in over the course of his career.
11 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019
Spend a Spring Day in Chelsea
all year
For nearly a century and a half, artists have been drawn to this part of Manhattan, starting with the opening of the Chelsea Hotel in 1884, known for its democratic approach to housing artists, writers, poets and musicians. Since then, the district has evolved into a cultural hub, whose former factories now house more than 200 galleries dedicated to both emerging and established talent.
Spend a morning wandering among the district’s eclectic mix of high and low-rise buildings, browsing among some of its best-known galleries, including the Lisson (showing Huguette Caland’s My Home from 13 May- 25 July), Hauser & Wirth, Michael Rosenfeld and David Zwirner.
Afterwards, head to Chelsea Market, the neighbourhood’s favourite foodie destination - a vibrant indoor hub full of independent merchants, shops and restaurants. Don’t miss a look at the High Line, the elevated park built atop former railroad tracks, and, at weekends, check out the neighbourhood’s beloved market, the Chelsea Flea (8am-5pm), located near the Cathedral of St Sava – perfect for browsing historic collectables, clothes, jewellery and architectural salvage.
NYC Ballet's Spring Gala
7th may
The city’s world-renowned ballet troupe celebrates the change of seasons with this one-time-only event, which sees Principal Dancer Tiler Peck choreographing to French composer Édouard Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole in D Minor. Featuring world-renowned guest violinist Hilary Hahn, this is a NYC highlight, designed to be instantly transporting.
Bridges in Chinatown
open now
In the heart of Chinatown, Australian chef Sam Lawrence (the culinary force formerly behind downtown favourite Estela) is quietly causing a stir as he turns out pared-back, thoughtful Michelin-starred dishes underscored by the precision of classic French cookery. An equally considered, amber-toned dining room with the feel of a relaxed bistro is an ideal setting for a series of small plates, including the restaurant’s much-lauded comté tart.
A 20-minute walk from Warren Street Hotel, stop by our lively neighbourhood bar for a nightcap before heading up to your room.
9 Chatham Sq, New York, New York 10038
Explore Fort Tryon Park
all year
If you’re a nature lover looking to beat the crowds, opt for a lesser-explored gem. North of the city, Washington Heights fosters a beguiling green space, Fort Tryon Park, conceived by landscape artist Frederick Law Olmsted Jr, son of the co-designer of Central Park.
Providing a more intimate experience than its famous counterpart, Fort Tryon offers inspiring views of the city from Linden Terrace, as well as two main gardens. The jewel in its crown is The Met Cloisters (an annex of the Met Museum), which showcases art and architecture from medieval Europe. The building, created from European monasteries transported to the USA, is almost as fascinating as its contents.
741 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY 10040
Whitney Biennial 2026
until 23rd August
Head to the city’s vibrant Meatpacking district to check out the eighty-second edition of the longest-running survey of contemporary art in the United States. Featuring the work of 56 artists, duos and collectives, it aims to reflect the current moment by examining various forms of relationality, including familial connections, geopolitical entanglements, technological affinities and shared mythologies.
Expect a thought-provoking survey of modern American art that invites visitors to contemplate the complexities of modern life. At the same time, admire the building’s sweeping skyline views.
99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014, United States
Discover World-Renowned Coffee
all year
Of course, when it comes to the coffee bean, the city offers a plethora of options, but we have our own favourites. On Lafayette Street, close to Crosby Street Hotel, La Cabra is a Danish transplant that favours innovation and sustainability. Pared back and sleek interiors reflect its Scandinavian roots, while an open bar is filled with carefully roasted single-origin options. Meanwhile, in the West Village, Arcane Estate Coffee on Cornelia Street is a tiny coffee bar with a mighty reputation, having been recently ranked number 12 among CoffeeFest’s World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops. With a devotion to single-origin beans from its own farms in Panama, this moody yet welcoming space is for serious coffee lovers.
La Cabra: 284 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012
Arcane Estate: 37 Cornelia Street, New York, NY 10014
Giant on Broadway
until 28th june
Arriving in NYC following a hit run in London’s West End, Giant sees John Lithgow (Conclave; The Crown) reprise his Olivier Award-winning performance as children’s author Roald Dahl in a play that examines a true scandal that shook his legacy. Events focus on a summer’s day in 1983 at the author’s country home, exposing Dahl’s deep-rooted complexities as his reputation hangs in the balance. A play that raises interesting, relevant questions around nationality and race, as well as how and if an artist can be separated from their work.
239 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
Header image credit: Temple Gardens, part of the London Open Gardens Weekend | Photo: Claire Takacs