With the arrival of Daylights Savings Time and the month of April, it’s time to hang up your winter coats, slip on your sunglasses, and discover what New York City has to offer in the springtime. If you aren’t jetsetting to Israel, Florida or your hometown for Passover, why not take the opportunity to spend some time exploring New York City over Chol Hamoed with your friends and family? Here are 10 fun things to check out in the city this spring:
- Visit an amusement park. With the weather warming up, there’s nothing better than spending the day outside at your favorite amusement park. Amusement parks like Six Flags, Hershey Park and Adventure Land are fun not only for your younger siblings or cousins, but are also great fun for the kid inside of you. With rides, shows, and games, there is something for everyone.
- Explore Central Park. Think Central Park is just for joggers and nannies pushing baby carriages? Well think again. The Central Park Zoo, located at 64th street and 5th avenue, is the perfect way to spend a relaxing Chol Hamoed day. Take a stroll through the park, gaze at leopards, seals, and monkeys as you marvel at the fact that this small animal kingdom is nestled within Central Park.
- Poke around a local museum. If one of the days of Chol Hamoed turns out to be a rainy one, have no fear. There are plenty of great ways to spend the day inside, without being cooped up at home. Have you wanted to explore the many museums of New York, but with school, could never make the time? If you’re in the mood to spend the day at a world famous museum, consider choosing the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the American Museum of Natural History. If you’re looking for something different, The Museum of the Moving Image, a museum about film located in Astoria, or The Cloisters, located in Washington Heights, can be great ways to learn something new over the holiday.
- See a Broadway show. There is nothing like spending an evening or the afternoon at the theater. Many Broadway shows such as Fiddler on the Roof, Finding Neverland, and The King and I, have student rush tickets, allowing you to see the best shows for affordable prices.
- Take a scenic stroll across the river. If you’re in the mood to be active this Chol Hamoed, why not walk the famous Brooklyn Bridge? Built in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan to Brooklyn, so you can start from one borough and walk to the next one in about thirty minutes. If you can plan your trip around sunset, the views will leave you speechless.
- Stop to smell the roses. If you decide to take the walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn, why not head over to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens? Spend the day walking around the gardens, admiring the plants and flowers, and make sure to catch the cherry blossoms which start blooming in the spring.
- Take your friends out to the ball game. Whether you’re a Mets fan, Yankees fan, or don’t follow baseball at all, there’s nothing more American than catching a baseball game. With baseball season just starting, bringing your family or friends to a baseball game is a perfect way to spend a Chol Hamoed day.
- Hop on a boat. In the mood for a relaxing and scenic activity? Then taking a boat tour around Manhattan is the best way to do that. Companies like New York Water Taxi, Circle Line Sightseeing Tours, and the Beast Speedboat, are great ways to see the city by water.
- Skip the Passover snacks and eat out. Think that eating on Chol Hamoed requires you to pack matzah and cream cheese sandwiches? Think again. Last year, many popular restaurants like Abigail’s, Le Marais, Mr. Broadway, and Mendy’s were all open for Chol Hamoed. Presumably, these will be open again this year.
- Enjoy a Passover picnic outdoors. If you do happen to be in the mood for a matzah and cream cheese sandwich, bring your friends and family and have a picnic lunch. Bring a blanket and enjoy your meal in Central Park, Bryant Park, or Washington Square Park. You still may not be eating chametz, but hopefully the scenery around you will make up for it.