Memorial Day weekend presents the perfect opportunity to enjoy Manhattan while the weather is still beautiful, but long before summer crowds descend on the city. This Memorial Day weekend, celebrate the holiday in style and treat yourself to best New York has to offer, from clothing to cocktails, all while enjoying the city like a local. If you’re in Manhattan this Memorial Day weekend, here’s what to do:
Scoop up some new threads at Opening Ceremony’s Memorial Day sale: A one-stop shop for all things chic, an outfit from Opening Ceremony is the ultimate cool kid uniform among New Yorkers in the know. This Memorial Day, head to Opening Ceremony’s flagship store in Soho for gorgeous pieces from design houses like Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, and Commes des Garçons, many of which will be steeply discounted for the store’s annual Memorial Day sale.
Grab a drink at the Top of the Standard Hotel: Bars don’t get much more glamorous than the Top of the Standard. This High Line-adjacent hotel bar offers stunning views of everything from the Hudson to the Empire State Building from its perch in the Meatpacking District. Grab a well-made martini, check out the regular rotation of live music, or enjoy a snack from the bar menu, like a plate of duck buns or Korean fried chicken.
Enjoy the city’s sights with a boat tour around Manhattan: Enjoy some of the best views of Manhattan’s skyline from a boat cruise this Memorial Day weekend. Drink, dance, and rub elbows with some of Manhattan’s most eligible men and women by booking a boat ride courtesy of Handshake New York, a private tour operator that specializes in customized tours of the city.
Check out the latest exhibits at the Met: Infuse your trip with some culture by checking out the latest exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art this Memorial Day weekend. In addition to one of the world’s most celebrated permanent collections, featuring pieces from artists like Goya, Picasso, and Rembrandt, the museum is currently hosting an Irving Penn Centennial and a remarkable exhibit on Seurat’s Circus Sideshow, the closing of which coincides with Memorial Day.
Get dinner at Lalito: NYC is home to countless celebrity cooks, but there’s nobody having a moment like chef Gerardo Gonzalez. The man formerly behind Lower East Side hotspot El Rey is letting his talents shine at Lalito in Chinatown, where he’s perfected the art of Mexican-inflected California cuisine. Just make sure to book a table early — dishes like vegan chicharrones, chorizo-stuffed squid, and lamb barbacoa over tamale gnocchi have this place packed to the gills most nights.
Celebrate Memorial Day weekend in style by enjoying the sights, sips, and shopping that make Manhattan tick. Whether you find yourself admiring fine art on the Upper East Side or enjoying a great meal downtown, you’re sure to have an unforgettable time.