A Cultural Weekend In New York City

New York City is without a doubt one of the top cities in the world and one of our favorite destinations. With numerous daily flights into one of the three New York area airports, it’s easy to get to. For us, it’s an under four-hour flight.

There are so many things to do in New York – from sports to shopping, festivals to parks, concerts to Broadway shows, the options are endless.

If arriving on a Friday night, there are many things you can do in the city. We usually just decompress and relax to wake up early, but this is a good opportunity to go to a good restaurant or go for a walk to see the city at night.

New York City has so much to offer that you can focus your weekend on a variety of things. In this post, we will be sharing cultural activities that we enjoyed during our recent visits to the city.  We’ll cover museums, a classical music venue, and one of the city’s famous parades.

Plan to Maximize Your Time in New York

Exploring New York City in just a long weekend might seem daunting, but with a strategic approach, it can be incredibly rewarding.

When planning your trip first identify which are the must-see activities and places you want to visit. 

This makes it easier to figure out in which area of the city to stay and what trains and buses you need to take.

One important thing to keep in mind is that distances can be long, often taking fifteen to twenty minutes, or even an hour, to get to the place you want to go.

Planning becomes essential for maximizing enjoyment during a brief stay. With careful consideration and strategic planning, every moment in the Big Apple becomes a memorable adventure.

Cultural Activities – Saturday

Morning at the Museum

Rise and shine early on Saturday morning! Get a hearty breakfast and hop on the bus, train, taxi, or Uber, and get yourself straight to the Museum of the City of New York at 1220 5th Avenue.

At this under-the-radar museum, you can uncover the rich history of New York City, tracing its roots from a Dutch Colony in the early 1600s to the bustling metropolis it is today. 

As an introduction to the city or to get a grasp of its history this museum is an absolute must-visit. Prepare to be immersed in the captivating story of this iconic city from its very beginnings to the present day.

Engage yourself in a vibrant mix of music, film, architecture, books, and interactive exhibitions at the Museum of the City of New York. 

This captivating venue offers a candid depiction of the city’s rich history, spanning its heyday in the 1920s, its challenges during the 1960s and 70s, and its remarkable resurgence in the 21st century. 

As you explore, you’ll encounter a blend of old and new, with the museum’s beautiful architecture seamlessly integrating modern touches while preserving its historic charm. 

Plan for an enriching experience of three to four hours, especially if you enjoy interactive exhibits that bring the city’s story to life in detail. 

Get ready to embark on a journey through time that’s both educational and inspiring!

Sweet Cravings and Afternoon Parade

After we indulged in a morning of museum exploration we satisfied our sweet cravings at Ladurée on the Upper East Side in Madison Avenue, where we stocked up on macarons and pastries. 

Energized by our treats, we strolled over to Fifth Avenue and immersed ourselves in the festive atmosphere of the St. Patrick’s Day parade. 

New York City is renowned for its vibrant parade scene, with events happening almost every weekend during the summer months. 

If you find yourself in the city during this time, make sure you check the local listings for upcoming parades.

Saturday nights are always happening in New York. The offerings are varied, from trying out a new restaurant to exploring the latest rooftop bar, catching a Broadway show, or hitting a Jazz Venue. 

On our recent trips, we decided to visit the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Lincoln Center is the quintessential hub to see all types of music, ballet, movies, comedy, and theater. 

With multiple nearby restaurants, it is a great place to arrive early for dinner and enjoy the ambiance in the plaza. 

During our recent trip, we enjoyed a night of classical music at the David Geffen Hall performed by the New York Philharmonic. 

Be sure to arrive early and explore the venue as there is much to see. A trip to the second-floor balcony and taking in the view from this point is a must. 

Then sit back and let the atmosphere transport you as you enjoy the wonders of beautiful music

Cultural Activities – Sunday

More New York Museums

Getting up on Sunday morning can be more leisurely, even things in New York City open later in the day. 

A good plan for today is to start with “Brunch”. This is a big affair for New Yorkers who take their Sunday Brunch very seriously. 

Two of our favorite places to “brunch” early are Maman, which has several locations throughout the city, and The Penrose in the Upper East Side. 

After this delicious start to your day, you’re ready for another day of culture and museums.

If you love art, we recommend four museums that you won’t want to miss depending on your favorite subjects. 

The Guggenheim and the MoMA are great museums if you love modern art, they have masterpieces from Picasso, and Manet to Kandinsky. 

The Whitney Museum of American Art is dedicated to the art of the United States with a special focus on living artists.

Our favorite museum is The MET on 5th Avenue. This museum is eclectic in its exhibitions. Among the most visited are the section on Egyptian artifacts, and the Asian and American galleries. 

We love the Impressionists and the Tiffany stained glass windows and lampshades. 

If you need to rest you can sit in their Sculpture garden which is airy and open. And if you need a little more than rest there is a cafe right off the sculpture garden.

Since The MET is such a huge museum we recommend planning ahead. You can view the museum map and galleries on their website.

We suggest selecting the exhibitions you want to see and creating a route that allows you to see those with ease to ensure you enjoy your visit. 

If you still have time and energy to see more then you can go ahead and indulge.

Afternoon in the Park

After a day inside, if the weather is good, we recommend you take a walk through Central Park which is right behind and beside The MET. 

At this point, if you didn’t stop in one of the cafes in The MET, grab yourself something to eat and drink, find an empty bench, and watch New York go by. 

Enjoy the everyday life of New Yorkers as they go about their day.

The Opera at Lincoln Center

The other music venue on Lincoln Square is The Metropolitan Opera House. Of the three buildings in this plaza, this has the more opulent and beautiful interiors.

Again make a point of exploring all floors as they exhibit memorabilia from different shows. 

If you like, grab a wine or cocktail at the bar on your way to the outside balcony. The view from this balcony was by far our favorite. From this vantage point, you can see all of the plaza and across the street.

Inside the theater is stunning. Whether you enjoy the opera or just want the experience of being at the Met Opera, the costumes, the music, and the ambiance provide a wonderful feeling.

One Last Cultural Visit Before Leaving

After two days of museum-hopping, you might be feeling a bit museum-ed out. 

Plus, time’s ticking before you need to head out to the airport. But hold up, we’ve got one more gem for you: the New York City Library by Bryant Park.

This place isn’t just your run-of-the-mill library. Oh no, it’s a feast for the eyes. 

First off, the architecture? Stunning. And there’s more! Head up to the top floor and prepare to be wowed by paintings on the roof and walls. It’s like getting a bonus art exhibit with your library visit.

And if you’re thinking, ‘That’s cool, but I need more,’ then you’re in luck. Down in the basement, there’s a neat little history museum waiting to be explored. And guess what? Admission is totally free!

So, whether you’ve got an hour to spare or a couple, this spot has you covered. With every moment of your weekend squeezed out, you can head home feeling satisfied… until you’re ready to come back!