The first day of spring sort of flew under our radar last week, but it’s here now and it’s time to make some plans to get out and enjoy northern New Jersey and surrounding areas in all their (slightly warmer) glory. Whether you’re a foodie, a shopaholic or an outdoors aficionado, or maybe a combination of all these and more, there’s a ton to do this spring. So break out your calendar and figure out how to fit in these 13 Things You’ve Gotta Do This Spring in and around Bergen County.
Shop, Eat, Climb. Hudson Yards is open and you definitely want to be one of the first to enjoy all it has to offer. What exactly does it have to offer? Interactive art, shopping, and food that’s worth the calories, to name a few things. Want to know more? Check out these 7 Reasons Youve Got to Go To Hudson Yards In NYC.
Encounter Some Animals. Pack up the family and head out for a squee-worthy encounter with animals ranging from giraffes to wolves to sloths. Here are 9 Animal Encounters Near Bergen County You’ll Be Wild About.
Cross that Bridge. Some people live in this area their whole life and never walk or bike across the GWB or the Brooklyn Bridge or the Walkway over the Hudson. But not you. You’re going to gather the family and make a day of this little outing just for the fun of it. Pro Tip: definitely start your Brooklyn Bridge walk in Brooklyn. Grab a bite and then walk back into the city. The views are worth it.
Get Kinky. You only have until April 7th to see Kinky Boots, the beloved story about two men who find that they have more in common than they think. But if you miss out on seeing the show, you can always visit those iconic boots at the Smithsonian in DCwhere they will now reside and “Raise You Up”.
Hunt for Eggs. Oh, that elusive bunny will be hopping into town on April 21st. Before he gets here, maybe head to the Ridgewood Easter in the Park celebration, or to Abma’s Farm for their annual Chicks and Bunnies event. You could also enjoy a new twist on an old activity and hunt for camouflaged eggs at Tenafly Nature center. Diggerland will be hosting an egg hunt on Easter, April 21st - sounds like it might be time to start a new family tradition! And the Easter Bunny will once again be riding the rails on the Easter Bunny Express in Whippany.
Feed Your Face. Nothing says spring like new restaurants and food fests. So plan your gym visits and get ready for good eats. Here in Bergen County, we’ve got tons of new places opening soon. Then, Smorgasburg reopens the weekend of April 6th with new vendors (which means new food!) and the super popular Jersey City Midnight Market will once again be in operation on April 12. Remember, Midnight Market is an adults only joint. Need more? Westfield Garden State Plaza will be hosting the Paramus Food Truck Fest on April 28th.
Go Prehistoric. Good times come in XL this spring with the Dinosaur Safari attraction at the Bronx Zoo opening April 19th, T-rex attracting crowd at the American Museum of Natural History and Field Station Dinosaurs reopening right here in Overpeck County park over Memorial Day weekend.
Celebrate Spring. Right, that’s what this whole article is about but there are a few actual festivals we want to mention. Make plans for the Van Saun Family Fun Fest, to be held on April 6th, or maybe plan an adults only trip to Frieze NY, the popular contemporary art show to be held in Randall’s Island Park the weekend of May 2-5, and the Victorian Garden Carnival reopens at Wollman Rink in Central Park on May 25th.
Smell the Flowers. Take your Allegra so you can be sure to enjoy the joyous flower shows that pop up all over the region this time if year. Start out with the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden, open now through April 28th, then mix a little shopping into your floral fantasies at Macy’s Flower Show from now until April 7th in New York City. Need a flower fix but don’t want to travel for it? The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their Daffodil Festival and Earth Day Fair on Sunday, April 14th.
Go Fly A Kite. “With your feet on the ground, you’re a bird in flight. With your fist holding tight to the string of your kite”. Kick off summer with Kites at the Pier on April 13th in Long Branch, bring your own or buy a kite there and then let ‘er fly. Then rub shoulders with the professionals at the Wildwoods International Kite Festival to be held the weekend of May 24 - 27. Fly your own then attend the World Indoor Kite Competition on Monday, May 27th.
Love the Fur Off. Need a good cry? Round up the kiddos and take them to see the Paperbag Players production of The Velveteen Rabbit at the Papermill Playhouse on April 27th. A little boy and his rabbit share adventures and learn the true meaning of friendship. Don’t forget your tissues.
Fairy Trail. We are enchanted by these sweet little houses, made mostly of natural materials, that line the path at South Mountain Reservation park near Millburn. Look close and see ifyou can find a fairy or two. Then head over to the Turtleback Zoo for a few encounters of the animal kind.
Game the System. If your kids aren’t already hooked on Virtual Reality games, they will be after they enter the Hyperverse at the Autobahn at Palisades Center. Or, stay local and head to Hawthorne for Irish cuisine that’s leveled up at Celtic Corner. While you wait for dinner, send your kids upstairs for some OG fun at Billy’s Midway Arcade. Everyone, and we mean everyone, will go home happy!
