If you’re looking for a little out-of-state adventure this season, we’ve got seven spring events near NYC that are sure to reawaken winter-trodden spirits.
From a family hike week to an outdoor artisan market that rivals the Brooklyn Flea, you will be anything but bored this season.
Massachusetts
Beginning May 5th, get ready to loiter, eat, and shop local in the South End at Boston’s annual SOWA market—the only open weekly artisan market of its kind.
Connecticut
On June 9-29, the International Arts and Ideas Festival returns to New Haven for its 22nd year. Expect a full program of talks, theater, tours and themed bike rides similar to previous years to occupy you any day of its two-week duration.
Attend an Astronomy Night event, being offered each month in conjunction with a featured presentation. The night will teach you how to study the sky coupled with a chance to look through the museum’s 22-inch diameter telescope.
From April 10-12, get the whole family to enjoy the outdoors during Stamford’s Family Take a Hike Week. Experience a weekend of eco-filled activities engaging the five senses with themed hikes like; “bug and beasts” “for the birds” and “wild edibles.”
Pennsylvania
On May 19 from 12-5pm, walk a car-free Walnut street during Philadelphia’s annual Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival. Join 50,000 visitors from the Delaware Valley to eat, stroll, and shop the best of the brotherly city.
On April 28th, head to the 20th annual Manayunk Tacos, Tequila and Tunes Craft Beer Festival, hosted by the Manneyunk Brewery features over 70 breweries from across the country. Plus, enjoy tacos and live music as you relax on the patio overlooking the Schuylkill River.
New York
Stay local and head to the Bronx for the 2018 New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show. This year’s show is open from March 3 through April 22 and features Belgian floral artist Daniel Ost.
Header photo by Tom Ipri
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram