NATURE & ANIMALS
Celebrate spring with flowers and furry friends.
Also see our guides to everything happening in NYC, our favorite spots in Central Park, more active outdoor adventures and family-friendly museums & pop-ups in case of rain.
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Manhattan
Conservatory Gardens
Central ParkEnter the magnificent 1894 Vanderbilt Gate to Central Park’s only formal garden, a six-acre oasis within an oasis with European charm. Climb onto the wisteria pergola in the Italianate Center Garden overlooking a yew hedges-bordered large lawn and 12-foot jet fountain. To the north, the French-style garden offers spectacular seasonal displays of tulips and Korean…
High Line
ChelseaTake a stroll on the unique public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side.
* Lots of nature, art installations & cool design incorporating elements of the original rail line.
* Look for interesting architecture and watch taxis and pedestrians below the 10th Avenue overlook at 17th…
Central Park Zoo
Central ParkVisit sea lions, snow monkeys, red pandas, turtles, bears and other animals at the cozy Central Park Zoo.
* Watch crowds of penguins and puffins swim and waddle in the indoor Polar circle.
* Warm up with colorful birds and playful monkeys in an indoor rain forest.
* Look for snow leopards, cute red pandas,…
Immersion Room
Upper East Side-90s+Go inside your design in the kid-favorite Immersion Room (formerly Margaret Carnegie’s bedroom). Create digital wallpaper – or chose from an amazing assortment in the museum’s collection covering hundreds of years and a range of styles – and project them onto the wall from floor to ceiling—for a vibrant, impactful, immersive experience. Experiment with scaling,…
Governors Island Winter Village
FidiEnjoy seasonal activities, festive winter lights, games and food and drinks alongside warming fire pits. Explore winter arts and cultural programming amid a sparkling display of holiday lights and a historic Coast Guard-era fire truck photo-op. Play lawn games like cornhole, can jam and giant Jenga.
⛸ Spin on a 5,000-square foot outdoor skating rink…
American Kennel Club’s Meet The Breeds
Midtown-30sFrom Affenpinschers to Yorkshire Terriers and everything in between, meet and play with more than 130 different dog breeds in booths that depict each breed’s country of origin, historical purpose and function.
Discover new breeds, talk to breed experts to determine what breeds might work for your lifestyle and learn about responsible dog ownership (though…
Twilight Winter Bird Stroll
FidiMeet the winter birds of Governors Island with NYC Audubon. Nearly 240 bird species have been spotted on the island, which provides excellent habitat all year round. Discover all of the bird life the island has to offer this winter.
The group will meet at 3pm at Soissons Landing. Free with registration;
Governors Island Ice Sculpture Show
FidiJoin an exciting afternoon of live ice carving from skilled ice artists. Enjoy everything the Winter Village has to offer and help choose the winner at the end of the event.
Food available for purchase includes Little Eva’s seasonal menu, with warm drinks and new takes on classic comfort food like brats, vegan chili,…
BROOKLYN
Prospect Park Zoo
This former menagerie is designed to allow up-close animal viewing, perfect for families with young children who want to learn about wildlife.
Explore a Discovery Trail and encounter 400 animals of 150 species including red pandas, dingos, procupines and a host of beautiful birds. Visit unique small cats, sea lions and Chinese-big headed turtles.
Open Hours at Environmental Education Center
Get to know Brooklyn Bridge Park with monthly educational themes, a 250 gallon aquarium filled with critters from the East River, a 10’ scale model of Brooklyn Bridge Park, crafts, a reading corner, and much more.
Drop-in hours offer the opportunity for self-led investigation with guidance by expert educators to reveal the hidden stories…
Fantastic Fungi: A Mushroom 101 Workshop
Discover the incredible world of fungi with expert Tom Bigelow. Learn what are fungi, what roles fungi play in the environment, and how to identify them.
Explore the tools and terminology used in mushroom identification and look under a microscope at sample. This talk is geared towards teens and adults, but the workshop is also…
QUEENS
Queens Botanical Garden
Explore lovely gardens in a 39-acre oasis in one of New York City’s most bustling and diverse neighborhoods.
Look for site-specific art throughout the garden including a reflective, life-sized kaleidoscope and a beautiful mural ‘Wonder Garden’ outside the Education Building.
Closed Mondays (except holidays).
Queens Zoo
This intimate zoo in Flushing Meadows houses wildlife native to the Americas including more than 4,000 Puerto Rican crested toads, Andean Bear Cubs, American bison and rare breeds of domestic animals including Flemish giant rabbits, Texas longhorn cattle, and Jacob’s four-horned sheep.
See our guide to Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Miffy Presents Lunar New Year
Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with Miffy, the globally beloved bunny. Enjoy lion dance performances, zodiac crafts, demonstrations, storytime, lucky plant sale, and more in a gorgeous garden.
BRONX
Bronx Zoo
BronxSee tigers, bears, gorillas and over 650 other species of awesome animals at this 265 acres+ zoo. Tons of indoor and outdoor attractions – expect lots of walking, but strollers welcome (and available for rental). The roads are scenic with pretty trees, waterfalls – and some bold peacocks.
Different sections of the zoo correspond to…
Wave Hill
BronxExplore 28-acre of gardens and woodlands with more than 4,000 varieties of trees, shrubs, vines, and herbaceous plants and dramatic views of the Hudson River.
🎨 Join nature-inspired family art projects on Saturday & Sunday mornings, plus special events featuring live animals
🖼 Visit indoor rotating nature-inspired multimedia art exhibits in the Glyndor…
Wave Hill Hibernators Weekend
BronxEmbrace the beauty and serenity of winter. Hunker down like a hibernator with activities in warm and cozy indoor spaces with books, puzzles, and puppets., or venture out into the peaceful gardens to connect with the creatures that animate the winter landscape.
Meet live animals, create a dreamy hibernators mask, chat with visiting artists, join…
WESTCHESTER/HUDSON VALLEY
Muscoot Farm
Upper WestchesterExperience farm animals, agriculture, wildlife, and history in at a former working dairy farm.
Visit 50+ animals, including cows, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and pigs, by walking up to their pens or inside their barns. View historic buildings such as the milk house, the ice house, the brooder house, and the carriage house.…
Make Your Own Terrarium
Lower WestchesterCreate a habitat in a container to bring home and nurture for years to come. Play with dirt, gravel, pebbles, mosses, plants, and other embellishments. All materials provided.
The activity takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Arrive any time and also exploring Sheldrake Environmental Center’s grounds independently.
This is not a drop-off program; children must…
Sheldrake Environmental Center: Presidents’ Week Camp
Lower Westchester
All About Ice
Upper WestchesterIn honor of Arbor Day, come to Muscoot Farm and help plant trees. Dress accordingly.
Old-Fashioned Winter’s Afternoon
Upper WestchesterEnjoy log-sawing, archery, maple sugaring, live raptor shows, fire-roasted marshmallows, archery, winter-themed carnival games, a petting zoo, and fun crafts like decorating candles, walking sticks, and a plant pot.
Soup, hot dogs, waffles and popcorn available.
Tap-A-Tree
Upper WestchesterGet ready to make syrup by tapping the trees. In this private group tour, learn about the initial process of maple sugaring and the history of sap collection, all while using antique tools hands-on.
Sessions take place every half hour, limited to one group for each timeslot. Groups will meet at Muscoot’s Sugar Shack.
Sugar Shack Chats
Upper WestchesterStop by Muscoot’s Sugar Shack anytime from 12pm-3pm to learn about how to make maple syrup.
Winter Wolves
Upper WestchesterLearn about the mythology, biology and ecology of wolf families and discover why this season is such a magical time for packs in North America. Wolf families are out searching for prey as their maturing pups experience their first winter season. Visit gray wolves Alawa and Nikai, as well as potentially behold some of the…
CONNECTICUT/Hudson Valley
Stamford Museum & Nature Center
ConnecticutTry a variety of seasonal indoor and outdoor activities at this large museum & nature center.
* Walk over 80 acres of walking nature trails – including a universally accessible Wheels in the Woods Trail. Follow a brook with pretty waterfalls, look for abundant wildlife (including an otter pond), and learn with interpretive educational signs.…