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- 10 Free activities in NYC you won't want to miss 🙌
10 Free activities in NYC you won't want to miss 🙌
+ Cherry Blossoms are about to POP off - Here's where to see 'em!
Ashley & Devin from Better Together Here
March 26th, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
Oh hi,
Spring has finally arrived, and we are SO here for it! 😍
In this week’s newsletter:
Where to see Cherry Blossoms in the city 🌸
New York Know-How: Bike lanes are no joke 🚴
10 free things to do in NYC
Events we love this week: March 26 - April 2
NYC History: Subway tokens
This week’s You’ll Have to Check It Out
Doors are open, let’s go.👇
Note: As always, this email was written by an actual human who lives in NYC, not artificial intelligence. 🥸
Where to See Cherry Blossoms in the City 🌸
New York City has a surprising amount of beautiful cherry blossoms.
While the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is arguably the best spot to see them, Central Park also has some breathtaking spots to take in all the spring blooms!
We took the following photo on March 20, and the blossoms only improve daily. 👇
The Central Park Conservancy hosts a helpful cherry blossoms tracker on their website that shows the status of some of the best blooms in the park. Check it out here.
Some of our favorite spots to see the blooms in Central Park are around The Reservoir and Cherry Hill. If you’re in NYC anytime over the next 2-4 weeks, do NOT miss the cherry blossoms in the park.
Find the blooms, take in the sights and smells, and reduce stress by at least 29%.. 😉
New York Know-How: Look Both Ways, Even With the Walk Sign 🚴
That is a picture of a bike lane. It has an arrow pointing to which direction bikes should travel.
More often than not, bikes are going in the wrong/other direction.
So when you are about to cross the street from a sidewalk, look BOTH ways (just like your mama taught you), even if you have the walk sign.
Many bikes cruising around NYC are essentially small motorcycles that can cause significant damage to your non-metal human body.
And many of those bikes don’t like to stop for any reason, including a distracted bike lane encroacher..
So, look both ways. 😇
10 Free Things to Do in NYC + a Bonus Idea 🙌
Landing in NYC, you can’t help but take in the bright lights and bustling energy. For most, that leads to wanting to run to each and every restaurant, bar, and activity on their travel list.
By day #2, feelings shift after checking a quickly depleting bank account. 😅
NYPL on 5th Ave - One of the best free NYC activities
While many premium activities are worth the cost, it’s vital to have some free options in your back pocket!
How about we raise some free options to 10 free things to do? 👇
Events We Love This Week (March 26 - April 2, 2025)
In the city this week? Here are some fun events we’re keeping an eye on.
Talenti x Dominique Ansel: The Dipped Whisk - March 28-30
Dominique Ansel, a world-renowned pastry chef, has partnered with Talenti (the gelato & ice cream company) to create a one-of-a-kind dessert.
Part cookie, part budge, part cookies, all in a cone and dipped in creamy vanilla Chantilly. 🤤
The Dipped Whisk will be available exclusively at Dominique Ansel Bakery (189 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012) in New York City for one weekend only, from Friday, March 28 – Sunday, March 30.
A limited supply of 100 hand-crafted Dipped Whisks will be available for FREE from 8AM daily on a first-come, first-served basis.
This will be busy, so prepare yourself!
Brighter Days Ahead Screening (film by Ariana Grande) - March 30
Ariana Grande is offering a free screening of her new short film on March 30. It coincides with her album releasing on March 28.
Date Night at the MET - Fridays & Saturdays 5-9 pm
Every Friday and Saturday night, it’s Date Night at The Met!
Bring a friend, a partner, or enjoy a solo evening of live music, drinks, special programming, and 5,000 years of art.
You’ll find unique live performances and other events, all included with the cost of admission to the museum.
NYC History: Subway Token
Beginning in 1953, riders could pay for subway fare by purchasing Subway Tokens.
Through the years, tokens took on a variety of designs, often including special edition tokens to commemorate new lines or anniversaries.
The first token from 1953 and accompanying ride fare were 15 cents.
Fast forward to the last token, minted in 1991 and used until 2003, costing $1.50.
And finally, just after midnight on April 13, 2003, 50 years after its inception, the subway token gave way to the new Metro Card.
And while talks of phasing out Metro Cards in favor of the Tap-to-Pay Omny was initially slated for the end of 2024, it now looks like it will likely remain until at least 2027. Much of that delay involves offering reduced fares via Omny, a surprisingly tricky task.
While we only use Omny, it’s probably worth collecting those Metro Cards for future memorabilia’s sake.
This Week’s You’ll Have to Check It Out - The Ribbon
I'm a sucker for chicken tenders.
They’re always the best value at sporting events, concerts, music festivals, etc., and are also an excellent lower-cost option at restaurants. So when my buddy T mentioned some of the best tendies he’d had in NYC, we had to go! 👇
The Ribbon is a cozy spot near Central Park West on the Upper West Side, with friendly staff, a phenomenal happy hour, and plenty of TVs with sports.
They offer delicious drinks & their happy hour is top-notch. Most happy hours only offer beer, wine, and well drinks, but The Ribbon has three legit cocktails at fair prices (Old Fashioned pictured above).
Oh, and the chicken tenders?
Some of the best I’ve ever had! 🍗
Perfect breading, not greasy, and paired with delicious blue cheese and buffalo sauces. 🙌
Be sure to hit their happy hour daily from 4-7 pm. It’s right near Central Park, win-win!
(Tell them Devin & Ashley sent you; they’ll have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. 😜)
Enjoy the last days of March,
Ashley & Devin from Better Together Here
Weekly Dog Tax
Scout & Sunny (rip) enjoying the cherry blossoms in Central Park 🌸