Spring is always a wonderful time to explore our dynamic and diverse five boroughs. This year, takes spring in NYC to a new level with a wave of major openings.
Read on for our roundup of new destinations, events and activities that will give you even more reasons to love New York.
Hudson Yards
Opened March 15 (Far West Manhattan)
Love it or hate it, NYC’s newest neighborhood is here to stay. Visitors can enjoy the extended daylight views of the Hudson River by making a reservation to climb the Vessel. Or skip the passing rain storm inside the Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards where restaurants like Mercado Little Spain by Jose Andres and Kawi by David Chang are paired alongside stores like Neiman Marcus.
The Shed
Opened April 5 (Hudson Yards, Manhattan)
The new cultural hub in Hudson Yards made its much-anticipated debut this April with Steve McQueen’s concert series: Soundtrack of America. The first half of the inaugural season continues with COLLISION/COALITION, an exhibition by artists Tony Cokes and Oscar Murillo (June 19-August 25), and kung-fu musical Dragon Spring Phoenix Rise (June 22-July 27). Tickets start at $10.
Bronx Zoo Dinosaur Safari
Opened April 19 (Bronx Park, The Bronx)
The largest and most life-like dinosaur ride in America opened this spring in NYC. 40 animatronic and life-sized dinosaurs lurk in a two-acre wooded area within the Bronx Zoo and educate visitors about the physical and behavioral adaptations of our prehistoric ancestors. Pack the kids.
TWA Hotel
Opening May 15 (John F. Kennedy Airport, Queens)
Old-school glam returns to JFK next month thanks to a 512-room hotel dedicated to the jet age in the former Trans World Airlines (TWA) flight center. A rooftop infinity pool and an observation deck should appeal to planespotters. Among the six restaurants and eight bars, guests can explore “Connie” a 1958 Starline airplane repurposed as a retro cocktail lounge out on the tarmac.
Empire Outlets
Opening May 15 (St. George, Staten Island)
NYC’s first outlet shopping destination will launch just steps from the free Staten Island ferry, just in time for summer. Not only are the outlets home to 100 retail and dining experiences, the Staten Island Yankees ballpark is right next door and great views of lower Manhattan are available from all over the mall.
Statue of Liberty Museum
Opening May 16 (Liberty Island)
Liberty Island will offer more activity to visitors than ever when the Statue of Liberty Museum makes its debut in May. The interactive new home for the Statue’s original torch also includes an immersive education tour and unrivaled views of the statue, lower Manhattan, and the harbor.
The Highline Spur
Opening May (Hudson Yards, Manhattan)
A decade after the elevated park originally opened, the last remaining section of the original rail structure will open on the western end of The Highline as the Spur this May.
Featured image courtesy of Liberty Ellis Foundation
Additional images:
The Shed courtesy of Iwan Baan, Dinosaur Safari courtesy fo Julie Larsen Maher, TWA Hotel courtesy of TWA Hotel, Empire Outlets courtesy of Empire Outlets, The High Line courtesy of The High Line Authority
Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish and laughably adequate in French. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow. She firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom, on the road, around the world. She never misses a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. Follow Allison at @gourmetrav.
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