Weekly Highlights in NYC #32: April 28-May 4
Spring is in full swing with a jam-packed weekend ahead. Julia Amory shares her (excellent!) NYC picks and some exciting new NYC openings.
Meet Oliver Jeffers at Books of Wonder: Thursday, April 30 at 6p.m. The legendary author and illustrator is coming to Books of Wonder (W 17th Street) to celebrate his newest books. My kids are huge Oliver Jeffers fans — Here We Are, The Great Paper Caper, and The Day the Crayons Quit are in constant rotation at our house. Books of Wonder itself is such a charming kids' bookstore; any excuse to pop in is a good one. RSVP in advance.
Parsons Dance Family Matinee at The Joyce: Saturday, May 2 at 2 p.m. Parsons Dance brings its signature high-energy athleticism and joyful virtuosity to The Joyce with a family-friendly matinee featuring six works. Run time is 90 minutes with intermission. A great intro to contemporary dance for kids.
Carnegie Hall Citywide: The Lion King at Hudson Yards: Saturday, May 2 at 11 a.m. A free family event at Hudson Yards that kicks off with a live, interactive mini-concert by Carnegie Hall's Ensemble Connect exploring the music of The Lion King, followed by a screening of the beloved film on the 30-foot Big Screen. No tickets required — and the perfect free family outing.
Van Cleef & Arpels: Spring is Blooming at Rockefeller Center: Running weekends of May 2–3, and May 9–10, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Van Cleef & Arpels transforms the Channel Gardens and Summer Rink into a whimsical French garden, with contemporary dance, children’s storybook readings, poetry, and live painting all weekend long. Free and open to the public.
Rug Concerts® at Diller-Quaile: Saturday, May 2 at 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. This month’s program is Bluegrass Brings the Fun Home — 45 minutes of lively string-band tunes that will have kids tapping their toes. A family favorite and worth checking out if you haven’t been before. Tickets are $35 per person (children under 1 are free) and must be purchased in advance.
Looking ahead to next weekend: Musical Explorers Family Concert at Carnegie Hall: Saturday, May 9 at 12 p.m. or 3 p.m. A highly interactive family concert featuring folk traditions from around the world. Free pre-concert activities start one hour before each show. Tickets are $20 and are selling out.
goop Kitchen: Who's just as excited as I am that goop Kitchen has landed in NYC? The first location in Midtown West (delivery only) opened last week, with UES, Williamsburg, and Flatiron locations coming later this summer
Marcel is finally open at Sotheby’s—the space is stunning.
In other excellent UES openings, Fellini Coffee has opened a new location at 88th and Lexington, a perfect place to meet for a drink.
Soto Method, on 86th and Lexington and has become one of my favorite workout classes that opened a few weeks ago.
I'm excited to share Julia Amory's NYC picks. Julia is a born-and-bred New Yorker and the founder of Julia Amory, the lifestyle brand known for its bold prints, rich colors, and expertly mixed patterns — spanning table linens and clothing, with gorgeous shops in Southampton, Palm Beach, and Charleston (..and newly opened Nantucket!). Her sensibility extends well beyond the brand and into her stunning homes in West Palm Beach and Southampton. I’ve long admired her personal style, and when a New Yorker with Julia's eye shares her picks, I'm paying attention:
Restaurants:
Sette Mezzo - A creature comfort....you’ll always run into someones dad
Sushi Seki - Upper East Side location only. Simple, open late for the bankers. Off menu orders reign supreme.
Elios - For a perfect Sunday night family dinner
Mezzaluna - Elated they’ve been saved, rumor has it they were closing but a true and timeless unfussy Upper East Side classic
To dos:
MoMa - I used to go on Saturdays to the children’s program growing up in exchange for being told I could go to Bendel’s post....never a dull moment.
Museum of the City of New York - Right at the top of Museum Mile she’s slightly off the beaten path but such a special place for any true New Yorker.
Photography Institute - I went often during my school years and love to visit when in the city.
Neue Galerie - Go for the art stay for the hot chocolate.
Shopping:
E.A.T. Gifts - 30 years strong, there is no oddity you won’t find. Truly one of my favorite places in the city.
Zitomers - Should you need to pick up Skin so Soft or an Aqua di Parma candle, the toy floor is gone.
Local Haunts:
Dorrians - I don’t think I need to elaborate, but time stands still...
Via Quadronno - For the best iced latte in town.
Thanks for sharing your picks, Julia!!
My friend Marina makes the most delightful seasonal goody bundles, and love her newest collection: Spring Into Summer is outdoor-inspired — a sunflower grow kit, magnifying bug enclosure, compass, UV solar paper, and so many more things to do outside. Any child will LOVE.
This rainbow loom kit: My daughter is obsessed and will spend hours focused on it. Even her brothers (and me!) have gotten in on the fun. Such a great quiet, independent activity.