May at a Glance
DINING
MOTHER’S DAY
May 8th
Set sail with mom on her special day! We’re not talking a Caribbean cruise, but right here in her favorite city. Several cruise companies are marking the day with a unique dining experience for celebrating mom. The Bateaux New York Brunch Cruise toasts the day with complimentary Mimosas or Champagne for mothers onboard. Then enjoy a delicious menu such as Mustard Glazed Chicken Breast or Zucchini Fritters and Roasted Prime Rib. Vessel departs Chelsea Piers; bateauxnewyork.com….Or spoil her on the Hornblower Brunch Cruise with unsurpassed 360-degree views from its deck, as well as first-class amenities. The cruise includes reserved seating, a bountiful brunch buffet, dessert station, and free-flowing Mimosas and Sangria. Go to hornblowernewyork.com… Celebrate in style with Spirit New York’s Mother’s Day Cruise. With departures from Chelsea Piers in New York and Lincoln Harbor in New Jersey, Spirit offers a memorable day just for mom. All mothers receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa to start. A menu of Seasonal Fruit, Baked Ziti Pasta, and Whole Roasted Pork Loin will please any palate. For NY/NJ departures, visit spiritcruises.com
DAY TRIP
GOVERNORS ISLAND
May 28th-September 25th
Warm weather means more outdoor activities to enjoy with friends and family. Check out Governors Island, which opens on Sunday, May 28th. (Hours are Monday – Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM; Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 7 PM) Scheduled outdoor activities during the summer months will include Friends of Governors Island Annual Family Festival (May 29th), City of Water Day hosted by the Waterfront Alliance (July 16th), and the Unicycle Festival (September 3rd-4th). All season indoor exhibits will inspire, as well: Catch the Children’s Museum of the Arts, New York Historical Society’s James Audubon exhibition, and The Holocenter Summer Museum. Of course, the most anticipated of all is the scheduled summer opening of The Hills. Ranging in height from 25 to 70 feet, the four hills will transform a New Yorker’s relationship with New York Harbor. The Hills will provide lush rolling landscapes, grassy overlooks, and a permanent installation by British artist Rachel Whiteread, not to mention incredible views of the Harbor, lower Manhattan, and Statue of Liberty. Go to govisland.com
HEALTH & WELLNESS
NATIONAL BIKE MONTH
Month of May
Sponsored by the League of American Bicyclist and established in 1956, May is designated National Bike Month. In communities from coast to coast, Bike Month showcases, educates, and reinforces the many benefits of biking.
The most notable dates during the month to keep in mind: May 16th-20th is Bike to Work Week with May 20th selected as Bike to Work Day. Did you know that nearly 40 percent of most trips are a matter of a few miles, making biking a fun way to commute to work? So, with the increased awareness in healthy, sustainable, and transportation options it’s not surprising that in the last decade biking commuters grew by more than 62 percent!
In New York City, Transportation Alternatives (NYC’s safe streets advocacy group) will celebrate cyclists on May 20th at the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Ed Koch Queensboro, Williamsburg, and Willis Avenue bridges. These pit stops will offer free coffee, snacks, camaraderie, and plenty of practical cycling information. Transportation Alternatives also conducts bike tours throughout all five boroughs. For more info on Bike Week/Day or tours, go to transalt.org