Weekly Highlights in NYC #34: May 19-May 25
Sun's out, what to do this week in the city, plus some initial summer shopping I'm excited about
Memorial Day weekend is THIS weekend — somehow that just hit me….
TEFAF New York: Today is your last chance to catch the spring legendary fair. 88 international dealers across the Park Avenue Armory's 16 historic period rooms — modern and contemporary art, design, jewelry, and antiquities. Closes at 6pm today.
Playground Partners Annual Family Party: Tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20) at Heckscher Playground. My favorite family event of the year — games, activities, and live entertainment, all benefiting the daily care of Central Park's 21 playgrounds. If you snagged tickets, see you there!
Costume Art at the Met: The Costume Institute's spring exhibition is officially open through January 2027. Nearly 400 objects pair garments with paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts to explore the dressed body across art history. Free with admission; go early on a weekday to beat the crowds.
Matisse at Acquavella: Closes Friday, May 22 — and the window is closing. Fifty paintings, works on paper, and sculpture spanning Matisse's full career, with loans from MoMA, the Met, the Phillips Collection, and major private collections. Free, no tickets.
Shakespeare in the Park returns: The Public Theater's 2026 season opens Thursday, May 22 at the newly renovated Delacorte with Romeo & Juliet — staged in English, but with Romeo and Juliet speaking to each other in Spanish. Running through June 28; The Winter's Tale follows in July. Tickets are free via day-of in-person lines, borough voucher pickups (14 dates at Citizens branches), and a digital lottery on TodayTix. Set up your Public Theater Patron ID in advance so you're ready to go.
Pickleball at Wollman Rink: CityPickle's 14 courts are open daily, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. through early fall. Court rentals, clinics for every level, $5 community play, and a kids' summer camp July 27–August 21. Book through the CityPickle app — reservations open a week in advance.
And on the food front, one warm-weather trend I can't get enough of: FroYo is having another moment in NYC and I'm so, so here for it. The current hot spots, to name a few: Madison Fare (still my favorite, now downtown), Mimi's (downtown for now, opening at 72nd & Lex in June!), Myka (recently opened in the West Village, top of my list to try), and Birdie's (I've heard the line is worth it)!
Manhattanhenge: Two nights to catch it — Thursday, May 28 at 8:14 p.m. for half-sun on the grid, and Friday, May 29 at 8:13 p.m. for the full disc. Best viewing from 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, or 57th Streets — as far east as you can get with a clear shot west toward Jersey.
Family Saturdays at NYCB — The Comedy of Coppélia: Saturday, May 30 at 11 a.m. at the David H. Koch Theater. A one-hour onstage presentation hosted by Principal Dancer Megan Fairchild, with live excerpts from Balanchine's Coppélia. The perfect intro to ballet for kids 5+.
If you missed it last week, here's your guide to throwing the best bash for your kids in NYC. (thinking about year-end parties!) In other party news, No Biggie recently launched — a kids' beverage company. After years of my kids stealing my Spindrifts, I love that they finally have a drink of their own that feels special (and isn't sugary juice).
It was my daughter's birthday last week, and this rainbow crystal collection was her favorite gift — going straight into my rotation for her friends' birthdays. It’s simple but magical and sweet.
Year-end teacher gifting: It's that time of year again, time to show our incredible teachers how much we appreciate them. I think cash or an Amex gift card is always the move, but it's nice to layer in something personal and tangible. A few ideas:
A Heyday facial gift credit, or a gift card for a mani-pedi at a nearby salon
A summer kit — hair ties, lip balm, sunscreen, beach towel — tucked into a monogrammed L.L. Bean tote (with the zipper!)
Treats: L.A. Burdick chocolate mice or a BonBon gift box is always a hit
A personalized Smythson notebook or personalized stationery
A bundle of summer beach reads (some of my favorite books here) and excellent coffee table books here
An orchid for their desk. Or, I have been loving gifting topiaries and think Lenox Hill Florists (Lex and 79th) offer some great ones at a decent price.
I ran out of tinted moisturizer the other day and a friend raved about Jones Road. Now I understand why the Madison store is always packed. I’m loving this moisturizing foundation, the colored eye shadow stick are excellent, and this cheek glow is perfection.
I just got these jeans and I’m obsessed — they’re as comfortable as sweatpants, and the compliments don’t stop. I’ll be living in them this summer.
Summer shopping for the kids: Starting now (more to come), but at the top of the list are always Cadet shorts for my boys — they're the perfect short length. Minnow's new summer collection just launched and here's what I'm eyeing:
I love this long-sleeved suit for my daughter, and will get her brothers matching shorts
And 4th of July outfit solved for all three of my kids: these shorts and matching sweater (I live for a coordinated set!)
….and some summer shopping for me:
The J.Crew x Tekkes collaboration flip flops are excellent. Speaking of J.Crew, they absolutely crushed it with this bathing suit.
WNU shorts. I’m not a shorts girl, but these look like the perfect ones to change my mind
My friend Molly swears by this non-iron oxford, which feels right up my alley
White tshirts from Leset are still the best I’ve found (and very much worth the price!), but I’ve also heard great things about this Buck Mason one, too
And going back to Minnow one more time, I love this scalloped cover up and will live in it all summer
Dorsey’s new collection is stunning and these colorful necklace add a perfect pop to all the white I’ll be wearing. Okay, and a moment for this joyful cuff.
I'll be sending dedicated Out at the Beach (Hamptons!) weekly emails soon. In the meantime, if you're Out East this (rainy! cold!) weekend, join us at the ColorPop x Out at the Beach Summer Launch Party — Monday, May 25 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Come hang with me and the kids at ColorPop in Southampton for the perfect indoor activity. We'll be making resin charcuterie boards (hello, summer hosting!) and helping ColorPop celebrate their "Ice Cream" Slime Shop launch. Register here!