A very spring bucket list

Must-do activities for those incoming warmer days.

It has been a long, bitter winter. I think I jinxed us when I wrote in my winter bucket list, “It (kind of) snows in New York City.” Well, NYC said “bet,” and proved me wrong. It has been bitterly cold and probably my worst winter in years. But daylight saving has happened! The sun is setting after 7pm in New York. Things are looking up. And while it hasn’t reached temperatures that encourage lying out in the grass, they are coming, so I am getting prepared.

May I introduce you to my spring bucket list? Here is a list of everything I would like to do this spring, before the humid, hot days of summer arrive, and all I want to do is search for bodies of water and flee the city.

1. Cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden

What is spring without some cherry blossoms? I love the Brooklyn Botanic Garden; it’s so lovely, and the cherry blossoms really are fantastic. Pack a little picnic lunch (preferably with various cheeses, crackers and cured meats) and enjoy a warm day watching the petals fall. Afterward, stop by the Brooklyn Museum; they always have great exhibits on.

2. Buy tulips at the Union Square Farmers Market

Fun fact, the rural small town I grew up in, Western Washington, is known for one thing and one thing only. Tulips. We have fields and fields of them, and people from all over the country come to view them. Growing up, tulip season was a nuisance; a town that never had traffic suddenly was at a standstill. But now that I live on the other side of the country. I love tulip season and love keeping them in my house and seeing them pop up around the city. It is like a piece of home.

3. Host my first BBQ of the year

Every year, spring comes around, and I must roll up my sleeves and clean up my backyard. But it also means my dear friends come over, we light up the barbecue, drink wine and enjoy a beautiful afternoon outside. Or my boyfriend grills steaks while I nurse a cocktail. It’s wonderful.

4. Dine outside at your favorite local spot

Captain Dan’s Good Time Tavern in Bed-Stuy is my go-to neighborhood bar. It is where I always took first dates. It’s where I wind up if someone wants to grab a drink on the way home. It has solid bar food, kitschy decor, and it is within walking distance of my apartment. But I especially love it in the warmer months, when I can snag a table outside and just enjoy the sun, my friends and a burger. Find your version of a neighborhood haunt, get to know the servers and waste a Sunday afternoon away in the sun.

5. See a show at the Ruins

I went to a show at The Ruins last spring, and I loved the vibe so much. It’s an outdoor venue with ample space, a food truck, and tables. There’s a balcony (sort of) where you can watch the sets, too. And every once in a while, a train comes by on the track behind the crowd. It feels both very New York and a world away at the same time. Not to mention the wisteria vines crawling over the walls are beautiful and provide a nice contrast to the dancey DJ sets you will find here.

6. A day at Coney Island

We have a tradition in my friend group that for my friend Hannah’s birthday (April 28th), we spend the day at Coney Island. We have done it pretty much every year since we moved, and we always have the best time riding rides, eating the fries and clam strips at Paul’s Daughter and walking along the boardwalk. And of course, grabbing a Nathan’s hot dog on the way home. It always feels like the kick off to summer days, even though it’s the end of April.

7. Take a trip

I love traveling in the spring! There are always smaller crowds, better prices, and typically comfortable weather that make exploring cities easy. For the last two years, I spent a week or so in Europe, which was wonderful. The first year, I took a long weekend in Copenhagen, and last year I spent a week in Portugal. Both trips hold such wonderful memories. This year, I will be taking a trip I have dreamed about for years: spending 8 days in Zimbabwe on a safari. I could not be more excited.

Until next time,
Chamidae