Any New Yorker will tell you that springtime in Manhattan is unlike anything else in the world. The city comes alive through a surplus of ventures from the streets of Tribeca to the trails nestled in the foliage of Central Park.

Museums filled with art and history, athletes and newbies sharing the road looking to get back into shape, fresh musical endeavors all coming to life. There are a few quintessential experiences each student should take advantage of before the semester comes to an end.

Sign up for a 5K and put your efforts toward a worthy cause. From autism research to healthy heart awareness, men and women come together in hopes of working together for a greater good. Runnersworld offers a full listing of locations and sign-up information, though most take place in late May and incorporate fundraising.

PurpleStride Manhattan, a 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, is a promising event with over 2,500 participants. Another prime example of New Yorkers coming together is the Central Park 5K. The event is sponsoring MOVDance, a non-profit dance organization which teaches low-income children how to dance.

According to Runnersworld, the funds raised from the race will help go to videos, books and teacher training for underprivileged children. Be a philanthropist for the day and walk for a cure, striving toward a brighter future for those who are unable to make a change alone.

Take a stroll through Central Park, grab a coffee and watch the heart of Manhattan come to life. Around six miles, take a walk around the perimeter of this charming esplanade. As the Central Park Conservancy says, “The Park has been prepped, the meadow has been mowed: Spring has arrived in Central Park.” For a full listing of events, visit the park’s website and make sure to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

On a culinary note, springtime has restaurants blooming with fresh dishes and infused beverages. Time Out New York suggests the Jalapeno beef burger served at York Avenue’s F. Ottomanelli Burgers and Belgian Fries. Also, try the Bratwurst platter surrounded by Yukon Gold french fries and a bright chickpea salad, available at Scnitzel & Things, located on Third avenue between 45th and 46th Street. Finally, a trip to The Meatball Shop in Williamsburg is a must, with new enticing menu options just in time for Spring. Their naked beef meatballs are out of this world, combined with fresh tomato sauce, fresh-milled polenta and a simple market salad, is an unconventional twist on traditional Italian food.

Artwork is flourishing as well, as museums open their doors with brand new exhibitions and contemporary takes on past pieces. The Guggenheim, situated on Fifth Avenue, presents modern masterpieces housed in a shrine of glistening architecture. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is bursting with the latest in unseasoned exhibitions, from “Richard Serra’s Retrospective Drawings” to “Rugs and Ritual in Tibetan Buddhism.” Finally, the American Museum of Natural History is offering an exhibit, “The World’s Largest Dinosaurs,” introducing an “interactive, innovative” approach to history. Located on the Upper West Side, explore the nostalgic halls of this classic “house of history.”

Let’s face it, students love to shop. And as Spring approaches, Time Out New York has discovered “Four seasonal markets worth exploring,” all of which offer fresh, vintage clothing and accessories at prices worth checking out. Brooklyn Flea, Bedford Village Market, Hester Street Fair and Fulton Flea combine indie fashions with live musical performances, the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. All location and performance information can be found online, with hours and restaurant guides as well.

Finally, there is one event that signifies spring in Manhattan, the Tribeca Film Festival. Sponsored by American Express, a festival encompassing select independent films, that most theatres may not show. All students should check out the festival, it’s an

amazing experience, around $8 per showing. Various theatres throughout the city have public screenings, and the show runs until May. Make sure to check the web site and download the comprehensive Film Guide, with screening information and ticket pricing.

Whether you take advantage of the fresh culinary dishes or the new exhibitions that most museums are offering, make sure to dive into spring and see all that Manhattan has to offer. Grab some friends and work your way through the different communities of this

diverse metropolis.