April is here and there's a whole slew of awesome and weird national holidays that we had no idea were a thing.
Who decides these things? Does anyone know?
Oh well.
From National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day to an entire day dedicated to talking like Shakespeare, this month has some seriously fun holidays coming up.
Here's a few of the holidays we can't wait for and how to best celebrate them in New York City!
1. April 7th - National Beer Day
Didn't get your beer fill on St. Patrick's Day? Then you're in luck! National Beer Day is April 7th and this ones's a boozy doozy. As the world's most widely consumed alcoholic beverage, it dates back to 9500 B.C. as it's recorded in the written history of ancient Iraq and ancient Egypt.
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If you're looking to experience an array of special suds, head over to Treadwell Park on the Upper East Side (1125 1st Avenue), which has countless selections ranging from cask ales to keg conditioned lagers from the United States, Belgium, Germany, Japan and beyond.
2. April 8th - National Zoo Lovers Day
No one is quite sure who created this holiday, but a sunny Spring day is perfect for a trip to the zoo! And where better to go than the crown jewel of zoos in NYC than The Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Blvd)? It's a hop, skip and a jump on the 2 train to Pelham Parkway.
The Bronx Zoo is is the largest metropolitan zoo in the U.S. and among the largest in the world. Its 265 acres play host to about 2.15 million visitors each year. From sea lion and penguin feedings to safeguarding some of the rarest animals in the world, it's the place to be for National Zoo Lovers Day.
3. April 10th - National Siblings Day
Whether you're the baby of the family or the big brother or sister, siblings are an important part of our families. It was founded by a native New Yorker, Claudia Evart, in 1995. After losing her two siblings early in life in separate accidents, she knew how important siblings can be in our lives.
Have some drinks and laughs along with some healthy competition down at Barcade (148 West 24th Street). Their extensive library of classic arcade games will have you two teaming up or going head to head with some pixelated madness. May the best sibling win!
4. April 12th - National Grilled Cheese Day
Everyone's favorite cheesy late night snack has a whole day of its very own! The United States modern version of the grilled cheese sandwich originated in the 1920s when inexpensive sliced bread and American cheese became easily available. They had mid-night cravings back then too!
For a truly spectacular grilled cheese, check out Cheese Grill on the Lower East Side (188 Allen Street). From a Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese with cheddar, ground beef, and pickled jalapeños to their dessert grilled cheese with mascarpone, Nutella, and banana, their menu is unlike anything you've had before.
5. April 14th - National Reach As High As You Can Day
When we say reach for the sky, we're not kidding around on April 14th. And there's more than just one way to "reach high." We can reach for our dreams or our goals, reach for the stars or even just reach for that last slice of pizza before someone else snatches it.
In NYC, take the challenge and get to as high of a point as you can and take a #ReachAsHighAsYouCanDay picture! You can take a ride up to the top of the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center, or even climb the Statue of Liberty. The possibilities are endless!
6. April 17th - National Poem In Your Pocket Day
Poem in Your Pocket Day celebrates poetry and highlights its power as a creative and emotional tool to increase literacy and allow adults and children alike to express themselves. In a city so diverse with self-expression, this is the day to find the poet within all of us.
Jot down a little poem on a slip of paper, fold it up, put it in your back pocket and head down to the Nuyorican Poets Cafe (236 East 3rd Street), for an evening of art, spoken word and artistic vibes. There's a reason you brought a poem with you. You might be a poet and you don't even know it!
7. April 23rd - National Talk Like Shakespeare Day
Art thou one of the thespians who marvel at the lines of Shakespeare? Well, then you're in luck! This is the day that challenges you to talk like you're in one of the poet's masterful plays all throughout the day.
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There's no better place to acquire some refreshment than The Shakespeare (24 East 29th Street). Grab your cohorts and pretend to be in fair Verona, plotting an attack on a rival house. After all, " Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more."
8. April 27 - National Prime Rib Day
This one's for all the meat lovers and carnivores out there! Often known as the “King of Meats,” prime rib is a choice beef cut from one of the eight prime cuts of beef. In a city full of almost every kind of food you could want, scoring a prime rib on the 27th shouldn't be too hard.
If you want to delve into a total meat lover's paradise, sink you teeth into Mighty Quinn's Barbecue down in Battery Park City (Brookfield Place, 225 Liberty Street). Here they slow cook their massive servings of meat over a wood burning flame, ensuring perfection in every bite.