Things to Do in May in New York City
New York is an exciting destination any time of year, but there are plenty of benefits to visiting in May. In addition to all the events taking place as the warm season begins to kick into gear, visitors will generally enjoy very pleasant temperatures and a less crowded city as the full wave of summer vacation tourists has yet to kick in.
New York’s Five Boroughs Bike Tour
The first weekend in May, the streets closed for the largest recreational biking event in the US, where 30,000 cyclists can ride 42 car-free miles of New York City. The route begins in Lower Manhattan and runs through Central Park, Harlem, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn and ends on Staten Island. There are rest areas along the way and the tour concludes with an island festival with food, exhibits and live music. Participants can then board the Staten Island Ferry for a free ride back to Manhattan. Registration is limited and must be done prior to the event.
Mother’s Day
Forget breakfast in bed — say Happy Mother’s Day with a weekend in Manhattan. From shopping at legendary department stores like Bloomingdales to visiting the Museum of Modern Art, there are countless activities to pamper mom on Mother’s Day. Sightsee on one of the ‘hop on, hop off’ double-decker buses like Gray Line New York Tours, which offers a variety of packages covering must-see sites. A horse-drawn carriage ride through beautiful Central Park is a great way to enjoy the spring weather, as is exploring vibrant neighborhoods like Soho and Chelsea on foot.
The International Food Festival and Street Fair on Ninth Avenue
Since 1973, this multicultural dining extravaganza has taken over Ninth Avenue, closing it off to cars from 37th to 57th streets. It takes place the weekend after Mother’s Day each year and showcases an incredible variety of cuisines, from Argentine to Vietnamese. Enjoy delicious offerings like chorizo sandwiches, spicy squid, spanakopita, jambalaya, and much, much more. The vibrant festival also features live entertainment including Egyptian belly dancing and German folk dancing, as well as performances by local bands.
Memorial Day
The Memorial Day public holiday on the last Monday in May honors those who lost their lives in service to country, and the Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony in Central Park features military aircraft flying over the crowd. Memorial Day long weekend traditionally begins at the beginning of summer, and there are many Memorial Day parades throughout the city. Most shops and restaurants are open, as are many top attractions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
fleet week
A New York tradition, Fleet Week celebrates service in the US Armed Forces with a week of exciting festivities and entertainment. Highlights of the week include tours of active military ships docked at the New York Passenger Ship Terminal, the opportunity for the community to meet many of the visiting Sailors and Marines, and a variety of events during the Memorial Day weekend, including the Memorial Day ceremony.
More events
Baseball season is also in full swing, and watching a New York Yankees or Mets game is another fun thing to do on a warm May day. Also underway is the Tribeca Film Fest with dozens of movies playing in theaters throughout the Tribeca neighborhood. Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican heritage with festivals, parades, and street fairs throughout the city. And the New York AIDS Walk takes place on the third Sunday in May in Central Park.