A Flâneur Guide for Spring

What is a Flâneur?

The flâneur, a figure immortalized by French poet Charles Baudelaire, emerged in 19th-century Paris as the ultimate urban wanderer, an observer of modern life who is ever so attuned to the poetry of the streets. While the concept was born along the grand boulevards of Paris, nowhere does it feel more at home today than New York, a city that rewards the curious. 

Let this guide serve as a seasonal companion to your journey through the greatest city, selecting the finest exhibitions, openings, and experiences that, in our humble opinion, require more than a passing glance.

The Wandering Eye

Nick Cave: Amalgams and Graphs
Jack Shainman Gallery
Best known for his colorful, kinetic Soundsuits, Nick Cave takes a different approach here, working in cast bronze and textured surfaces that feel more grounded, but just as powerful. These sculptures and reliefs mix human figures with tangled flora, blurring the lines between myth, history, and survival.

A Rose Is
The FLAG Art Foundation
A rose is never just a rose. Starting with Cy Twombly’s The Rose (III), this exhibition examines the flower’s shifting symbolism through works by Andy Warhol, Louise Bourgeois, and various artists across painting, sculpture, and photography.

Dieter Roth: Islandscapes
Hauser & Wirth
Dieter Roth’s radical approach to printmaking comes to life in this exhibition spanning his works from the 1960s to 1975. Using postcards, repetition, and layered compositions, Roth reimagines landscapes as deconstructed forms, challenging traditional ideas of originality and permanence.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude: The Gates and Unrealized Projects for New York City
The Shed
This duo transformed cities with massive public art. This exhibition revisits The Gates, their famous Central Park installation, while showcasing ambitious, unrealized projects for New York—grand visions of wrapped buildings and altered landscapes that never left the drawing board.

Center Stage

Sunset BLVD
St. James Theatre
Jamie Lloyd’s stripped-down revival turns a classic into a stark, cinematic character study. Nicole Scherzinger’s performance is magnetic, her descent into obsession unfolding in sharp focus. The result is a haunting, unmissable reimagining of a Broadway legend.

Death Becomes Her
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
The cult classic about vanity and immortality becomes a gleefully over-the-top musical with lavish costumes, dazzling effects, and biting humor. Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard lead with vocal fireworks and perfectly pitched self-parody.

Oh, Mary!
Lyceum Theatre
History gets rewritten through a wonderfully bizarre, deeply funny lens in this offbeat reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln. Cole Escola transforms the former First Lady into a tragicomic antihero, turning the political past into theatrical gold.

Culture in Context

Christine Sun Kim: All Day All Night
The Whitney Museum of American Art
Christine Sun Kim turns sound into something you can see, touch, and even question. Through her work, she pushes against assumptions about language, accessibility, and who controls the power of communication.

Table Talk

New & Notable Restaurants

Maison Passerelle
Financial District
French technique meets bold, unexpected flavors at this fine-dining destination inside the highly anticipated Printemps New York. Led by the chef behind Portland’s Kann, the menu draws from Cambodia, Haiti, and Vietnam, offering refined and deeply soulful dishes.

Raon
Midtown East
Kimchi is the throughline of Raon’s ten-course tasting menu, appearing in delicate pairings, bold broths, and even a rich foie gras mandu. With temple-sourced ingredients and a deep reverence for Korean heritage, Chef Soogil Lim refines tradition without losing its soul.

Château Royale
Greenwich Village
This intimate spot channels the romance of old-world French dining without feeling heavy or overdone. Classic techniques shine in deeply flavored sauces, impeccably roasted meats, and a wine list that leans lush and generous.

Beut
Koreatown
Chef Sarah Kang channels the grandeur of Korean royal court cuisine in an eight-course tasting menu that is intricate and refined. Delicate seafood, rich broths, and meticulous plating transform time-honored traditions into something quietly revelatory.

After Hours

Pearl Box
357 W. Broadway, Floor 3
Tucked above a SoHo restaurant, this intimate hideaway feels like stepping into a dream of vintage glamour. Cocktails are refined, the menu leans indulgent, and the space invites lingering over a perfectly chilled martini and caviar service.

Clemente Bar
11 Madison Avenue
Tucked above Eleven Madison Park, this richly textured space—a collaboration between Chef Daniel Humm and artist Francisco Clemente—pairs highly technical yet elegantly simple cocktails with plant-based bar snacks. For a more immersive experience, a nine-seat counter serves a five-course tasting menu with cocktail pairings.

Experimental Cocktail Club
6 W 24 St
Behind an unassuming entrance, this Flatiron bar delivers a polished yet inviting take on modern cocktail culture. French influence meets New York sophistication, with subtly inventive drinks served in a moody, elegantly understated space.

Nature Calls

Cherry Blossom Hunting
Mid-to-Late March
For a fleeting moment, the city turns pink as cherry blossoms reach full bloom. Top spots include Central Park’s iconic rows, Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s lush pathways, and the picturesque landscapes of Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Madison Square Park
Madison Ave & E 23rd St
A small but mighty green space, Madison Square Park offers a peaceful escape framed by historic architecture, including the Flatiron Building. Seasonal plantings, rotating art installations, and the original Shake Shack create a perfect blend of nature and city life.

NYC Flower Market
West 28th St, between Sixth & Seventh Ave
Before the city wakes, West 28th Street is already in action, lined with flower wholesalers offering everything from heirloom roses to towering palms. A wander through the market is an invitation to slow down, breathe deep, and stumble across the perfect bouquet.

South Street Seaport Museum
12 Fulton Street
Climb aboard historic ships, explore hands-on exhibits, and even try old-fashioned printing at this waterfront museum. Kids can hoist sails, ring ship bells, and uncover stories of New York’s seaport past.

Local Legends

Eataly Flatiron
200 5th Ave
This sprawling Italian marketplace blends the energy of a bustling mercato with the refinement of a gourmet shop. Fresh pasta is made before your eyes, counters overflow with artisanal cheeses, and the wine section rivals a sommelier’s dream cellar.

ABC Carpet & Home
888 Broadway
A go-to for design lovers, this multi-level space is filled with statement furniture, handmade textiles, and unique décor from around the world. With constantly changing displays, every visit feels like a chance to find something unexpected.

Fishs Eddy
889 Broadway
Quirky, nostalgic, and impossible to leave empty-handed, this store reinvents everyday kitchenware with humor and charm. Stacks of vintage-inspired plates, mismatched glassware, and diner-style mugs make it a paradise for those who love a well-set table with personality.

Rizzoli Bookstore
1133 Broadway
This is the kind of bookstore where books are as much about aesthetics as ideas. Architecture monographs, photography collections, and beautifully bound novels line the walls, proving that some places are meant to be explored slowly.

Dress Code

Dover Street Market
160 Lexington Ave
This ever-changing fashion space blurs the line between retail and exhibition. Emerging designers sit alongside established names, with each space designed to reflect the creative vision behind the collections.

Printemps
1 Wall Street
The legendary Parisian department store makes its debut in the United States with a chic, modern twist. From fashion and beauty to home décor, it’s a thoughtfully curated mix of established luxury and up-and-coming designers.

Follow the guide, then follow your instincts. This city belongs to those who find wonder wherever they wander.

This is brought to you by The Fifth Avenue Hotel, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 28th Street.