5 – Fun New York City Events for March of 2018

The bitter cold of our New York City Winter is gradually starting to warm up in the pre-spring air, much to all of our collective relief. The streets of the city once again call to us at the beginning of March as the temperature starts to rise and the promise of another glorious New York summer patiently waits around the bend in a few short months. Now is not the time to wait for April’s blooming spring in order to enjoy all of the great annual events, shows, and festivities that the Big Apple has to offer – Get out there now and get a head start on the Fun! Here are five great things to do in NYC as the sun shyly starts to come back out.

#1. Women’s History Month

Woman’s History Month is from March 1^st through March 31^st and New York City is happy to honor all the wonderful women of America that make all of our lives so much better. The theme of the month will be highlighting all of the past and present accomplishments and incredible things that our nation’s women have done for not only New York City, but also the nation and the entire World. Congress declared the month of March National Women’s History Month in 1987.

Nasty Women of the Metropolitan Museum: (Forgive the Name – Their Idea!)

One great visual way to appreciate America’s strong women from March 3rd to July 7th is to take an art tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art which showcases some of the most feared, loved, ingenious, foolish, and terrible-though-admired women of history. The tour is two hours long and covers such powerful World renowned females in charge such as one of the most powerful women pharaohs of ancient Egypt, the first official Roman Empress, notable historic women scientists, and of course, women painters who focus their artwork on the lives of strong women.

Event location is 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St, NY, NY.

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu, Sun 10 am– 5:30 pm; Fri, Sat 10 am– 9 pm.

Getting There: Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St

Ticket Price: $59

#2. Best Brews of NYC

During March 1st, 8th, 15th, from 4 PM to 9 PM the Five Boroughs of New York City will spar off over who makes the best beer in the Best Brews of NYC. You can buy a flight of five local brewery samples in the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place and then vote for your favorite to help decide which beer will win the coveted title of Best Brews of NYC People’s Choice winner.  A panel of notable local beer connoisseurs featuring Anne Becerra and Jos Bernstein among others will judge the final Juror’s Choice winner.

The MC of the final Best Brews of NYC event will be beverage expert Ethan Fixell who writes for well-known and prestigious publications such as Food & Wine and Tasting Table. He also teaches beer, wine and spirit classes in the New York City area. All beer sales will be donated to New Yorkers for Parks which promotes parks and open-space access throughout New York City.

The Best Brews of NYC is free to enter and is a 21 and over event.

Voting Line-up Beer Choices:

• March 1

1. Bronx Brewery (Bronx)
2. Brooklyn Brewery (Brooklyn)
3. Alphabet City Brewing Company (Manhattan)
4. Rockaway Brewing Company (Queens)
5. Kills Boro Brewing Company (Staten Island)
   Featuring a specialty menu from AMADA

• March 8

1. Bronx Brewery (Bronx)
2. Kings County Brewers Collective (Brooklyn)
3. Heartland Brewery (Manhattan)
4. Transmitter Brewing (Queens)
5. Staten Island Beer Company (Staten Island)

Featuring a specialty menu from PJ CLARKE’S

• March 15 – The 5 final qualifying breweries to choose from for the final judging event on March 15^th will be announced on March 9^th. It will be based on the public’s votes from March 1^st and 8^th. Featuring a specialty menu from LE DISTRICT

#3. The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show

From March 3rd to April 22nd New York City’s living museum, historic local landmark, and plant research and conservation organization all rolled up into one will once again be showing off their remarkable and practically endless displays of luscious orchids. Founded in 1891, the New York Botanical Garden is one of the most distinguished, renowned, and largest botanical gardens of its kind in the United States.

Daniel Ost is a popular Belgian floral artist and well-known World expert on creating stunning large-scale artworks using living and cut flowers as his canvas. He has done another remarkable job this year bringing his magnificent floral works to New York City’s Botanical Garden patrons.  The show is now in its 16^th year and The Orchid Show highlights thousands of carefully placed spectacular orchid installations and living sculptures that are sure to renew the spring spirit in all who attend it.

#4. The New York City Winter Wine Festival

One great way to truly say goodbye to winter is to get in one last New York City Winter Wine Festival. On March 10^th at the PlayStation Theatre in Times Square, during sessions from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM a huge selection of hundreds of extensive wines from both New York State and around the World (France, Italy, Spain, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina, Portugal, Japan, Austria and Germany) will be offered for tasting along with delicious gourmet food and entertaining music.

A 15% group discount is offered for 10 or more people. tickets include…

General Admission:

• Sampling hundreds of wines at tasting tables.
• Light and delicious hors-d’oeuvres.
• Live Jazz.
• Free custom etched tasting glass to keep.
  Cost – $69-$83

Premium Admission (Early Access):

• 1-hour early admission to the event.
• Early Hors D’oeuvres pass-through at tasting tables before general admission ticket holders arrive.
  Cost – $149.00

VIP Suite Tickets:

• 1-hour admission before normal session time.
• Access to luxurious VIP Suite which includes 12 exclusive high-end offered wines, exclusive gourmet food that’s only offered to VIP’s.
  Cost – $215.00

VIP Wine Offerings:

1. Dom Perignon Champagne 2006
2. Louis Michel Chablis Vaudesir Grand Cru 2014
3. Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc 2014
4. Trimbach Riesling ‘cuvee Frederic Emile’ 2009
5. Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016
6. Sandhi Chardonnay Rita’s Crown 2014
7. Catena Alta Malbec 2013
8. Chateau Phelan Segur 2010
9. Tentenublo Rioja Escondite Del Ardacho ‘las Paredes’ 2014
10. Corison Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
11. Domaine de Beaurenard Cuvee Boisrenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012
12. Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon ‘the Montelena Estate’ 2005

VIP Food Offerings:

• Filet Mignon with Yukon Gold Potato and Bernaise Sauce
• Miniature Maine Lobster and Shrimp Rolls on Brioche
• Tuna Tartar with Pickled Cucumber and Wasabi Caviar
• Pate de Mousse de Foie Gras with Cranberry Compote on Ficelle
• Wild Mushrooms and Sherry served in Filo Cups

#5. The New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

March 17th is the day that New York City shows its Irish roots again as The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches up 5th Avenue to then be reviewed from the venerable steps of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Since 1762 when homesick Irish Military members serving the British Army heroically wore the green swatch banned in their homeland and defiantly marched down the New York City streets singing Irish folk songs, speaking their native dialect and playing Irish pipes in a revelry of then forbidden Irish Pride.

Today the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade is actually run by a corporation called – St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Incorporated. Each year a different theme is chosen that commonly involves the U.S. military, first responders and firefighters, and other New York heroes. In 2002 the parade was dedicated to the New York Heroes of 9/11.

Start Time: 11:00 AM
End Time: 4:30 PM
Parade Route: Begins at 5th Avenue at 44th Street and ends on 5th Avenue uptown at 79th Street.
Warnings: There are no portable toilets along the parade route. Large bags are not allowed in the grandstands. Pets are not allowed with marchers. Spectators should show up early and dress warmly. Be ready to endure some security protocols.