Take in an iconic museum's stunning new wing

Opens May 4

Upper West Side

Spanning four floors of stunning architecture, The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation is the latest addition to the American Museum of Natural History. Expect cool immersive experiences like Invisible Worlds and the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium showcasing 160,000 butterflies and moths. These two exhibitions require separate tickets but other exhibits at the Gilder Center are included with general museum admissions, like the Insectarium

Cost: General admission is on a Pay-what-you-wish for NY, NJ, and CT residents

Enjoy tasty AAPI Heritage Month menu specials

May

Citywide

To take advantage of tasty AAPI menu specials, head to Leland Eating and Drinking House for Chinese and Filipino recipes like Pork Sisig and Roasted Duck paired with a Lychee Daiquiri or Mai Tai. The dumpling staple, Mimi Cheng’s, will offer Dan Dan Noodles, Pork and Chive Dumplings, and hand-made Taiwanese dumplings. And on May 11, join the Generations Project for Hoy! What’s the Bubble Tea? for AAPI and LGBTQ storytelling depicting the intersection through music, art, and stories between both demographics.

Cost: Varies

Snap selfies at an acclaimed artist’s famous infinity room

Starting May 11

Chelsea

Yayoi Kusama’s contemporary art will be showing at the David Zwirner galleries in one of her largest gallery exhibitions to date. Go see her famous Infinity Mirrored Room, the iconic giant yellow and black polka-dotted pumpkin, and new paintings and sculptures with her familiar motifs. Pick off-peak times to best enjoy this colorful and immersive exhibition without crowds.

Cost: Free

Eat at a long-running LES food festival

May 10

Lower East Side

Celebrating its 21st year, Taste of the Lower East Side brings together neighborhood restaurants and vendors in support of the mission of Grand St. Settlement. The group was founded in 1916 and provides essential services to low-income demographics at communities and schools across the LES and Brooklyn. Participating restaurants include PLNT Burger Huerta, Clinton St. Baking Company, Claw Daddy, Doughnut Plant, and dozens more.

Cost: From $100

Explore the city’s first all-digital museum

Ongoing DUMBO

For all the tech and art enthusiasts out there, the MoDe is New York City’s first all-digital museum and features 14 interactive art installations fused with technology. Make a visit and get a glimpse into how museums of the future will look. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday and you can view all installations within 40 minutes.

Cost: Between $17.60 and $27

Head to a music festival showcasing AAPI artists

May 20 & 21

Forest Hills

The Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival is one of the biggest AAPI celebrations in the country. The 2-day festival features notable musical acts and DJs of Asian descent, Asian-centric food vendors, art, and plenty of elbow space. The event also coincides with the centennial celebration of Forest Hills Stadium, the original home of the U.S. Open.

Cost: $121

Feast through a classic Louisiana crawfish boil

May 23

Tribeca

Enjoy The Big Easy vibes at this Tribeca restaurant known for its Creole and Cajun cooking. To celebrate NOLA, File Gumbo Bar will offer a traditional Louisiana crawfish boil event on May 23 (that also celebrates their 1 year anniversary in NYC) with corn and all the fixings to get down and dirty with seafood. If you prefer regular Creole/Cajun dishes, you can’t go wrong with their must-try lunch or dinner platters like Andouille and Shrimp Jambalaya, Char-grilled Oysters in spicy garlic herb butter, and Gumbo. Save room for Brown Butter Bourbon Bread Pudding.

Cost: $125

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Courtesy of Moulin Rouge the Musical

Baz Lurhmann's revolutionary film comes to life in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Platinum-selling recording artist Joanna “JoJo” Levesque stars as Satine, the “Sparkling Diamond” performer at the Moulin Rouge who catches the eye of a young Bohemian writer. Great seats are available this spring get your tickets now.

Grab plant-based burgers and shakes at a new spot

Nolita

At this new plant-based fast casual spot, Neat Burger’s mission is to create a planet-first, guilt free burger while focusing on sustainability. Their Neat patty is made from proteins and fiber like peas, corn, rice, and quinoa, and the entire menu is free of dairy, allergen, and GMOs. Signature menu items include the Neat Burger, Neat Dog, Cheez Burger, shakes, and much more.

Cost: Burgers start at $7.99

Enjoy a cultural institution’s eclectic lineup

Starting June

Lincoln Center

For quintessential NYC summer activities, head to Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City. Programming included Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Met; Jazz at Lincoln Center for Etienne Charles: The Sound of a People, blending American jazz with high energy sounds of Trinidadian carnival; and a twist on the classic play Camelot.

Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City events begin June 14 through August 12 with events like Second Moon, one of South Korea's best known folk pop bands; Social Dance, the largest outdoor dance floor with a 10-ft disco ball, Latin, hip hop, bachata tunes and tutorials; and the popular Silent Disco. July programming includes the American Ballet Theater’s Like Water for Chocolate and Giselle, free events at the Underground for Jazz; and lots of family-friendly workshops and events.

Cost: Most events are free while ballet and plays start from $35

Watch a concert in Central Park

Starting June 3

Central Park

Recharge and take in some vitamin D at one of the many SummerStage Festival events at Central Park. The festival features global music, dance performances, and family events, with beverage options available on-site. Grab a blanket, shades, and some friends for a relaxing day being introduced to new music. Performance acts range from Indigo Girls and Mt. Joy, to Noel Gallagher and Carl Cox.

Cost: From $59

Catch a flick at an OG film festival

June 7–18

Tribeca

Celebrating its 22nd year, the popular Tribeca Festival has an exciting lineup of 109 feature films from 127 filmmakers, 36 countries, and 93 world premieres, comprising both emerging and established talent. The festival will continue its Juneteenth commemoration through the “Expressions of Black Freedom” program, which pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with the world premiere of All Up in the Biz, a documentary about New York hip-hop legend Biz Markie. Feature films include Stylebender from New Zealand and Q from Lebanon; documentaries on sports, food, war; and a performance by Gloria Gaynor, who also has a documentary showing.

Cost: Pass and ticket packages vary between $60 to $100

Meet fellow Army members and trade K-pop merch

Ongoing

Hudson Yards

If you’re a die-hard Army member, this one’s for you. Find your way to this pop-up at Hudson Yards for official BTS merchandise like plushies, clothing, trading cards, posters and more. And don’t be surprised if you leave with a new crew of fellow stans.

Cost: Free to enter

Head to Harlem for a Juneteenth celebration

June 17

Harlem

Organized by Official Black Wall Street to recognize the holiday of Juneteenth, the Juneteenth Freedom Fest NYC first launched in 2021. At this marketplace and festival at Harlem’s 125th

Plaza, celebrate Black culture, Black businesses, and Black contribution to the American cultural fabric. Participating vendors include Liberated Eyewear, a woman-owned business; 3 some Chocolates; beauty services from Color Lab NYC; and Harp and Hare for any luxury picnics needs.

Cost: Free

Bop to Lizzo and Kendrick Lamar at a major summer music festival

June 9–11

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Described as New York City’s biggest summer bash, the Governors Ball music festival is where over sixty artists on three stages perform to the screams of their fans. From regular general admission to platinum front-of-stage views, there are tiers of enjoyment for everyone. Belt out lyrics to Lizzo and Kendrick Lamar with sustenance from food vendors like Doughnuttery, Mac Truck NYC, Luke’s Lobster, Japanese Flair, and much more.

Cost: From $139