Top 10 Earth Day 2013 Celebrations Around NYC and Beyond

NYC

At offMetro, we long for the day when there is no more Earth Day. When a holiday reminding ourselves to treat the planet better is no longer necessary. But we’re not there yet, so for now here are our 10 favorite Earth Day happenings around NYC and beyond, from planting trees in Queens to the Green Festival in Manhattan to Broccoli City in Washington D.C.

(No need to wait until Earth Day to start greening your lifestyle. Check out these 11 easy green travel tips that will help you get healthier, stress less, save money and time, and enjoy the journey even more.)

In NYC

Enjoy free admission when you ride your bike to the Green Festival (April 19-21), the ultimate party for the planet, featuring an Eileen Fisher-hosted fashion presentation, urban beekeeping workshops, eco clothing and jewelry booths, hands-on DIY exhibits, live music, an organic beer and wine garden, a Sierra Club cinema, a vegan meatballapalooza, classes on yoga, family, and having a sustainable love life, plus many more activities.

Join forces with New York Restoration Project and help revitalize Highland Park after Hurricane Sandy by planting trees at JetBlue’s One Thing That’s Green Day (April 20).

Bring your used electronics to Union Square on April 21 for free recycling, part of the Official Earth Day New York (April 20-21) festivities, which also include sustainability talks and activities for kids in Grand Central and a green-vehicle runway show in Union Square.

Take what feels like a city break at Wave Hill for Family Art Project: Flags and Kites for Earth Day/Banderas y carretas por el dia de la tierra (April 20) and make kites and colorful flags out of reusable materials like plastic bags; admission to the beautiful grounds is free until noon.

Share your green words of wisdom and learn from fellow Earthlings—from raw food recipes to transit tips—all month-long on this inspirational website produced by Whole Foods.

Start commuting by bike when the Citi Bike Share program launches in May.

Beyond NYC

From April 22-April 26, revel in the great outdoors and enjoy waived entrance fees to 401 parks during National Park Week when you’ll be reminded why this planet is worth protecting.

Having nothing to do with the vegetable, Broccoli City (April 21) in D.C. is a sustainable smorgasbord with an awesome lineup that includes outdoor hip hop yoga classes, healthy food truck feasts, concerts, sneaker recycling centers, mini acupuncture booths, an artisan market pop-up, craft beer stands, and oversized games including twister, flip cup, and jenga.

One of the greenest (and most luxurious) hotels in the country, the Lenox Hotel in Boston is offering a Green Dreams package (from $395/night), which includes overnight accommodations in a “Heaven on Eleven PURE room,” breakfast for two at the City Table, an eco tour of the property and a guaranteed carbon-neutral stay.

Book the Earth Day Super Deal at the Mohonk Mountain House (April 21-22, from $150/pp) and get breakfast and dinner, complimentary access to resort activities like golf, mountain biking, horseback riding, tennis, and rock climbing, an afternoon tea party, spa credits, and spectacular views of the Catskills from your private balcony.

Photo: onesevenone