By Susan Russo
Special Free Events and Short Excursions
Manhattan
Macy’s Flower Show
When: April 1-6
Where: 34th to 35th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues
Tartan Day Parade, with bagpipes, kilts and dancers
When: April 5, starting at 2:00 p.m.
Where: 45th to 55th Street on Sixth Avenue
“Pillow Fight in the Park,” teddy bears and pillows, but “no feathers”
When: April 5, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Washington Square Park, West 4th and 6th Street between MacDougal Street and University Place
“Easter Parade” wear or admire fancy hats and costumes
When: April 20, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 49th to 50th Street on Fifth Avenue
“Celebrating Earth Day” a three-day event, with family activities, films and performances
When: April 22, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Union Square, 14th Street between Irving Place and Fifth Avenue
“Tribeca Family Festival” street fair, music, chefs’ demonstrations, crafts and films
When: April 26, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Greenwich Street between Hubert and Chambers Street
“9/11 Memorial 5K Run/Walk” Family Day, “to support the memorial and museum”
When: April 27, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Church Street between Cortland and Liberty Street
Brooklyn
“Brooklyn Zine Festival” writers, artists and workshops
When: April 26-27, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont Street, corner of Clinton Street
Newark, NJ
“Family Fun Days” Japanese cherry trees children’s activities, culture and crafts
When: April 12, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00pm
Where: Branch Brook Park, Park Street entrance
“Bloomfest” in Branch Brook Park, Japanese cherry trees, children’s activities, culture and crafts
When: April 13, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Branch Brook Park, 115 Clinton Avenue
Museums – Free at all times (check websites for addresses and hours)
Manhattan
Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology
National Museum of the American Indian
Sony Wonder of Technology (call for tickets and reservations): 212-833-8100
Museums – “Pay what you wish”
Manhattan
American Museum of Natural History (extra cost for special exhibits, movies)
Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters
Museum of the City of New York
Bronx
Brooklyn
Queens
MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) PS1
Staten Island
Museums – Free or “Pay what you wish” at certain hours
Manhattan
Museum of Jewish Heritage, Wednesdays 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Museum of Art and Design, “what you wish,” Thursdays 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Museum of Chinese in America, Thursdays 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Asia Society Museum, Labor Day through June, Fridays 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
International Center of Photography, “what you wish,” Fridays 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Morgan Library and Museum, Fridays 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Fridays 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Rubin Museum of Art, Fridays 6:00 to 10:00pm
Whitney Museum, Fridays 6:00 to 9:00pm
Guggenheim Museum, “what you wish,” Saturdays 5:45 to 7:45 p.m.
Jewish Museum, Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Queens
Museum of the Moving Image, Fridays 4:00 to 8:00pm
Noguchi Museum, “what you wish,” first Friday of every month, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Staten Island
Historic Richmond Town, Fridays 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Keep in mind that museums with short free hours get VERY crowded, so you need patience, maybe a companion or an e-book, or a plan to go when lots of people are going away from NYC for holidays. You’ve been warned!