Mr & Mrs Smith

At the James, check out the summer film series of selected flicks from the Tribeca Film Festival. Take a private yoga class in the garden or on rooftop (48 hours’ notice required, US$100 an hour). Book a facial or massage in one of the private cabanas. Take a running tour past SoHo landmarks such as the Clock Tower Building and St Patrick’s Cathedral (US$60). Head to Chelsea Market to stroll the sandwich stalls for lunch and picnic on the High Line, an elevated rail line turned leafy park on the city’s west side, just 10 minutes from the James by taxi.

Tapas and pitchers of white and red sangria are served at Boqueria SoHo at 171 Spring Street. This low-lit Barcelona-inflected dining den is perfect for an after-dark rendezvous (+1 212 343 4255; www.boquerianyc.com). Francophiles and dining duos make a beeline for Balthazar at 80 Spring Street for sultry suppers (+1 212 965 1414; www.balthazarny.com). Order the hamburger deluxe at Blue Ribbon Brasserie at 119 Sullivan Street (+1 212 343 0404; www.blueribbonrestaurants.com). Blue Ribbon Sushi is known for its super-fresh sashimi and sake flights (+1 212 397 0404; www.blueribbonrestaurants.com). Don’t be disheartened if there’s a queue at NYC’s first pizzeria, Lombardi’s at 32 Spring Street – there are three different dining rooms. Wait it out with a glass of red, the margheritas are worth it (+1 212 941 7994; www.firstpizza.com). Check the specials on the chalkboard outside modern deli Hundred Acres at 38 MacDougal Street. When the weather warms, the doors open for fresh-air dining on oysters, Maine shrimp, hushpuppies and cured country meats (+1 212 475 7500; hundredacresnyc.com). A neon sign spelling ‘good food’ sits in the window of Ruben’s Empanadas at 149 Church Street. It ain’t lying: beef, turkey and fruit-filled half-moon shaped pastries pack the glass case (+1 212 513 1448). Diminutive and sexy, Smith and Mills at 71 North Moore in Tribeca is a cool repurposed carriage house. Tufted tan banquettes and votive-lit tables are meant for clandestine encounters over steamed mussels, gourmet burgers and a bottle of Sancerre (+1 212 226 2515; www.smithandmills.com).

Listen to live music Sunday, Monday and Wednesday at The Ear Inn – quite possibly Manhattan’s oldest bar – in the historic James Brown House, originally constructed in 1817 at 326 Spring Street. (+1 212 226 9060; earinn.com).

Get Americanos and flaky crossaints to-go at Balthazar Bakery at 80 Spring Street, right next door to the restaurant (+1 212 965 1785; www.balthazarbakery.com). Stumptown Coffee addicts should make their way to Third Rail Coffee at 240 Sullivan Street (www.thirdrailcoffee.com).

With a rep for being hard to get into, but worth the couple of phone calls it may take, Apotheke on Doyers Street serves artisan cocktails to cure what ails you. Try one of the fennel- or watermelon-infused vodka concoctions (+1 212 406 0400; www.apothekenyc.com).

17 March The St Patrick's Day Parade has thousands flanking Fifth avenue in celebration of the shamrock. April Check out the pastel-tinted floats of the Easter Parade through Midtown Easter Sunday. April–May The Tribeca Film Festival takes over the lower half of the city with the latest releases from acclaimed directors and new artists (www.tribecafilm.com). June–August Stake your claim on a patch of grass early at the free alfresco screenings at Bryant Park Summer Film Festival (www.bryantpark.org). October Costumes and music bring the streets alive for the Halloween Parade through the West Village. November The Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on the fourth Thursday starting out on Central Park West. 30 November Get into the spirit at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree-lighting ceremony.