01 Nov 2013
TOURISM IN NEW YORK CITY
In 2012, New York City welcomed a record 52 million visitors, generating $36.9 billion in direct spending and $55.3 billion in total economic impact. Tourism, now the city's fifth largest industry, employs 363,100 people in the hospitality and leisure sector. Home to more than 93,000 hotel rooms (and anticipated to reach 98,000 by year's end and 100,000 rooms by the end of 2014), New York City offers visitors more options to experience—and stay in—many of the city's vibrant neighbourhoods across all five boroughs. New York City has the highest share of overseas travel to the US, growing its share from 28 to 33 per cent over the last six years (each growth in share point represents $750 million in direct spending). In addition, the city is the nation's number one port of entry, has the highest number of international visitors and is the number one city destination for tourism spending. The city's enhanced quality of life has been instrumental in helping Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and NYC & Company reach their new goal of $70 billion in annual economic impact and 55 million annual visitors by2015, as well as increasing jobs directly linked to this growing and thriving industry. In 2013, NYC & Company is forecasting at least 53 million visitors.
In September 2013, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined London Mayor Boris Johnson to sign a renewal of the tourism partnership between New York City and London to boost travel between the two destinations Originally formed in 2009, the partnership represents a commitment by both cities to their respective tourism industries and an acknowledgement of the enormous economic impact of the leisure and hospitality sectors. As in the past, NYC & Company and London & Partners—the respective tourism and marketing organizations for each city—have agreed to exchange outdoor media advertising space and share best marketing and tourism practices. The two organizations have also committed to developing a cultural promotion program to encourage visitors to explore large and small institutions throughout both cities, and to facilitating dialogue between the organizations themselves.
WHAT'S NEW: NYC & COMPANY PROGRAMMES
In March 2013, NYC & Company launched Neighborhood x Neighborhood, a new global communications campaign designed to support local businesses and encourage exploration in neighbourhoods outside traditional tourist locations across the five boroughs (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island). Each month, new neighbourhood highlights are unveiled with a press release, B-roll and photo packages and editorial content on www.nycgo.com/neighborhoods. Neighbourhoods and featured highlights were chosen in collaboration with City Council officials, NYC Small Business Services, business improvement districts, community leaders and with consideration of NYC & Company's more than 2,000 members. So far, NYC & Company has highlighted Williamsburg, Fort Greene and Bushwick in Brooklyn; South Bronx; Lower Manhattan; Coney Island in Brooklyn; Corona, Jackson Heights and Forest Hills in Queens; Washington Heights and Harlem in Manhattan; Staten Island's North Shore neighbourhoods of Port Richmond, Randall Manor, St. George and West Brighton; Long Island City, Queens; and debuting during World Travel Market (WTM) The Bronx's Arthur Avenue and Fordham Road.
To complement the Neighborhood x Neighborhood effort, NYC & Company's Tourism Development team has unveiled travel trade tool kits (www.nycgo.com/traveltrade/toolkits) for specific neighbourhoods including Long Island City, Queens; Downtown Brooklyn and Surrounding Neighbourhoods; and Lower Manhattan.
New York City prides itself on appealing to a diverse range of visitors. In 2013, growing the family segment is a key focus. To accomplish that, NYC & Company recently announced Where's Wally? as the city's new Family Ambassador, providing tips on what families can see and do in the five boroughs (www.nycgo.com/waldo). In 2012, New York City welcomed an estimated 15.2 million family visitors, a 2.7 per cent projected increase over 2011, contributing approximately $15 billion in direct spending to New York City's economy.
Broadway Week returns to New York City in early 2014, offering two-for-one tickets at a variety of top Broadway shows. General reservations will open on 6th January 2014 for performances between 21st January and 6th February 2014 (www.nycgo.com/broadwayweek).
NYC & Company will hold its next installment of NYC Restaurant Week from Monday 17th February to Friday 7th March 2014. Reservations will open on Monday 10th February 2014. (www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek).
In May, 2013, NYC & Company announced the city's first-ever Design Collection (www.nycgo.com/designcollection)programme, showcasing hotels that exemplify great design in all its expressions. The 18 city hotels in the Design Collection are 6 Columbus, A Thompson Hotel; 60 Thompson, A Thompson Hotel; Chambers Hotel; Dream Downtown; Dream New York; Eventi, A Kimpton Hotel; Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC; Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC; Gild Hall, A Thompson Hotel; Hudson New York; The James New York; Le Parker Meridien New York; The Muse Hotel; Smyth Tribeca, A Thompson Hotel; W New York; W New York – Downtown; W New York – Times Square; W New York – Union Square.
In November 2013, NYC & Company announced the return of its NYC Sunday Stays programme to stimulate hotel bookings on Sundays, the day of the week that the city has room to create more demand. As part of the new programme, NYC & Company will highlight Sunday activity including the availability of Broadway and Off-Broadway evening performances; discounts at participating restaurants; and other events and activities taking place during what is being billed as “the new Saturday.” www.nycgo.com/sundaystays.
Information on what to see, do and enjoy in New York City this season recently launched online under the banner “This is Winter. This is New York City.” See details at www.nycgo.com/winter.
When visiting New York City, NYC & Company's Official NYC Information Center in Midtown Manhattan at 810 Seventh Avenue (between W 52nd and W 53rd Streets) is the place to pick up the latest visitor guides and maps, purchase attraction tickets and MetroCards, speak to travel concierges and print out itineraries to explore the five boroughs. To find out all there is to see and do and plan your future trip to NYC's five boroughs, visit the city's official tourism website, www.nycgo.com.
WHAT'S NEW: NEW YORK CITY SPORTS
In 2014, the New York/New Jersey region will host Super Bowl XLVIII (48) on 2nd February. This is the first time the Super Bowl has been played in an outdoor stadium in cold weather. The game will take place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and will be preceded by four days of special events that will be open to the public. Among the announced plans for the region's first Super Bowl is the creation of a “Super Bowl Boulevard,” which will transform a portion of Broadway in Midtown Manhattan into a massive fan event with free admission. Highlights of Super Bowl Boulevard will include a giant toboggan run, an autograph and concert stage hosting free nightly concerts and the traditional Roman numerals signifying the number of the Super Bowl game (www.nycgo.com/superbowl)
College Basketball's most thrilling event comes to Madison Square Garden in March 2014 as New York City plays host to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional. The regional will consist of four of the nation's top college basketball teams competing for a spot in the 2014 Final Four. Fans will be able to experience all of the energy and excitement of “March Madness” at one of the nation's most storied basketball venues, Madison Square Garden.
WHAT'S NEW: NEW YORK CITY TRANSPORTATION
On 17th October 2013, Norwegian announced it would launch new flights between London Gatwick (LGW) and New York City (JFK) in 2014. The flights will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, beginning 3rd July 2014.
On 13th June 2013, new air lift launched to New York City on American Airlines from Dublin to New York City (JFK). In March 2013, Air China launched four additional weekly flights from Beijing to JFK, bringing the total number to 11.
Delta Air Lines has proposed a second flight between New York City (JFK) and São Paulo, which requires approval by the Department of Transportation. In April 2013, Open Skies launched a new JFK to Paris Orly service— this is the only airline that flies nonstop to the Paris Orly airport from the US. The addition of the JFK service to Orly complements the two daily flights Open Skies currently services from Newark to Orly. On 31st May 2013, XL Airways launched a new seasonal service from Marseille, France, to JFK.
On 21st August 2013, Mayor Bloomberg announced that a weekday ferry service between the Rockaways in Queens and Lower Manhattan, with a stop in Sunset Park, will continue to operate until 31st January 2014. Ferries will continue to depart from Beach 108th Street and Beach Channel Drive, where the New York City Economic Development Corporation has installed a temporary landing, and stop at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park and at Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan, with free transfers between Pier 11 and East 34th Street in Midtown. The service, operated by Seastreak (www.seastreekusa.com), will continue to operate on its current schedule, with one-way fares remaining at $2.00. The ferry service has allowed for more than 120,000 passenger trips since its initial launch after Hurricane Sandy in November 2012.
Visitors can take advantage of the Hornblower Hybrid(www.hornblower.com), the nation's first vessel powered by diesel, hydrogen, batteries, wind and solar energy; and the East River Ferry Service (www.nywaterway.com) launched in June 2011 to provide regular waterborne transportation from several new locations in Brooklyn to Manhattan between April and October.
The Number 7 Subway Line (www.mta.info) extension will bring the Flushing Line to 34th Street and 11th Avenue, at the heart of what will be Manhattan's newest neighbourhood. New housing, restaurants and entertainment options are planned for the redeveloped area on the Far West Side. The new $2.4 billion project will extend the line by 1½ miles and service is expected to commence in summer of 2014.
WHAT'S NEW: NEW YORK CITY CRUISE
Norwegian Cruise Line's newest cruise ship, the NYC-themed Norwegian Breakaway (www.breakaway.ncl.com), was christened in her year-round home port of New York City on 8th May 2013. The 4,000 passenger ship, the largest ship to ever home port in the city, began weekly summer seven-day cruises to Bermuda on 12th May 2013 before cruising from the heart of Manhattan to the Bahamas and Florida and the Southern Caribbean in the winter season (October 2013–April 2014). New York City's iconic dance troupe The Rockettes are serving as godmothers for the ship.
New York City's cruise industry (www.nycruise.com) generated a total economic impact of nearly $200 million in 2012. The 2012 Economic Impact Study, conducted by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, detailed an increase in passengers of 32 per cent since 2009, when the city first began analyzing industry data. These passengers, along with crew, spent more than $120 million in New York City last year, an increase of more than 30 per cent since 2009, and overall, the new study showed significant growth in all sectors of the city's cruise industry during this time. With a nearly 40 per cent increase in ship calls and a 30 per cent increase in spending over the last four years, the study's findings confirm that cruise continues to be an important component of the city's tourism industry and overall economy.
WHAT'S NEW: BOROUGH BY BOROUGH
THE BRONX
The Bronx is located north of Manhattan and is a lively and affordable destination where visitors can visit the world-famous Yankee Stadium, dine at some of New York City's best restaurants, and experience authentic Bronx culture. As the only section in NYC that is not an island, the borough's distinctive landscape boasts more parkland than any other borough and more green space than any other urban area nationwide. The Bronx can also lay claim to being the birthplace of hip-hop music (www.ilovethebronx.com).
Kingsbridge Armory (www.nycedc.com/project/kingsbridge-armory) in the Bronx, which has been vacant since 1996 and occupies a full city block, will be redeveloped into the world's largest indoor ice arena, a 750,000-square-foot ice sports facility to be known as Kingsbridge National Ice Center. Kingsbridge National Ice Center will feature nine year-round indoor ice rinks, including a 5,000-seat feature rink for major ice hockey and skating events. The project will also include 50,000 square feet of space designated for community uses as well as 480 public parking spaces created in the basement levels of the building. It is anticipated that site preparation and construction for the project will commence in late 2014 and the first full year of operation is expected to be 2018.
The New York Botanical Garden's (www.nybg.org) new Native Plant Garden, which opened in May 2013, is a cutting-edge 3.5-acre installation with a dramatic 230-foot-long water feature as its centrepiece. It is the most contemporary garden design ever created at The New York Botanical Garden. The Native Plant Garden was designed by Oehme, van Sweden, landscape architects specializing in the New American Garden style, to harmonize a stunning designed terrain with the diversity of microclimates across the site. The layout, in the middle of the garden's historic grounds, is both sustainable and visually inventive, a radical blend of modern sensibilities along with environmentally friendly elements. Built to inspire and teach visitors about the beauty of native flora throughout the seasons, it also illustrates how native plants can be used to produce attractive and imaginative gardens.
Discover New York City's “real Little Italy” on Arthur Avenue (www.arthuravenuebronx.com) in the Belmont section of the Bronx. The neighbourhood has a large number of establishments offering fine Italian-American foods, dining, housewares and other goods. You can buy bread, pasta, meat, pastries, espresso machines and more. One of the most beloved attractions is the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, an Italian bazaar that brings together under one roof all the shopping also found on nearby streets, from sausage makers to bread bakers and cafés to florists. Arthur Avenue will be featured in the November 2013, installment of NYC & Company's Neighborhood X Neighborhood programme.
Wave Hill House—part of Wave Hill (www.wavehill.org), a public garden and cultural centre overlooking the Hudson River—has undergone transformative improvements to restore major portions of the historic mansion and provide state-of-the-art amenities for conferences and celebrations. Wave Hill House reopened to the public in July 2013.
Gray Line New York's Bronx Loop (www.newyorksightseeing.com)provides travellers with the opportunity to experience the legendary Yankee Stadium, the Bronx home of New York's signature baseball team; along with highlights of Harlem including the Malcolm Shabazz Market, a market comprising traditional African crafts and textiles; and famed culinary gems such as Lenox Lounge, Sylvia's and Red Rooster. Complete tour schedules and tickets are available online.
BROOKLYN
The most populous of New York City's boroughs, Brooklyn is home to 2.5 million residents. From trendy boutiques and restaurants in Williamsburg to picturesque brownstones in Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope and Cobble Hill to the new Brooklyn Bridge Park on the waterfront, the borough offers authentic and diverse experiences. Over the last few years, Brooklyn has seen a significant increase in the number of hotels, offering guests everything from bed & breakfast accommodation to boutique hotels and full-service properties (www.visitbrooklyn.org).
The Brooklyn Historical Society (www.brooklynhistory.org) unveiled two newly renovated floors at its 1881 landmark building on 24th October 2013. The new facilities include a re-opening of the grand original entrance, a brand new visitor services and retail space, two new galleries, a new technology-enhanced classroom, and a contemporary, remodelled 200-seat 'Great Hall.' The $5.5 million project, designed by architecture firm Christoff: Finio, will enable Brooklyn Historical Society (BHS) to host more public programmes targeting New Yorkers and visitors alike. The opening of the renovated and modernized spaces coincides with BHS's 150th anniversary, which includes the launch of new public and family programmes, exhibitions featuring rare items from BHS's extensive collection and archives and extended weekend hours for the Museum and the Othmer Library.
On view at the Brooklyn Historical Society is a rare copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 at the height of the Civil War. The exhibit suggests ways that the document's social and political meaning has evolved in the 150 years since it was signed and invites visitors to reflect on its legacy in the twenty-first century. Until 15th April 2014.
Brooklyn Flea, Brooklyn's popular outdoor market, and Smorgasburg, the artisan food market that runs alongside it, stay in outdoor locations in Brooklyn until late November. The market takes place in Williamsburg every Saturday and in DUMBO every Sunday, from 11am to 6pm.
On 22nd October 2013, Mayor Bloomberg cut the ribbon on the first permanent home for Theatre for a New Audience (www.tfana.org). The new $69 million theatre, located at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center in the Downton Brooklyn Cultural District, includes a 299-seat main theatre, a 50-seat rehearsal space and a lobby café. The new facility overlooks a new public garden plaza and sits along a walking path between the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Opera House and Harvey Theater. The Theatre for a New Audience was designed by Hugh Hardy of H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture and has a glass façade, gunmetal gray panels, a 35-foot-tall main stage, a second-floor and a central staircase. Julie Taymor of The Lion King and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark fame has agreed to direct the official 2013 inaugural production, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Theatre for a New Audience was founded in 1979 by Jeffrey Horowitz.
Weeksville Heritage Center, a multidimensional museum dedicated to preserving the history of the 19th Century African American community of Weeksville, Brooklyn, is expected to open in late 2013 or early 2014. The original settlement was named for African American James Weeks, who was among a group of African American investors who acquired the property in 1838 to create an intentional land-owning community (www.weeksvillesociety.org).
Brooklyn's Barclays Center (www.barclayscenter.com) opened in September 2012 and is the new home to the professional basketball team the Brooklyn Nets. This 675,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue hosts games, concerts, fine arts performances, circuses and more throughout the year and has already hosted performances by Brooklyn natives Jay-Z and Barbra Streisand.
Reopened in May 2013, Steeplechase Plaza at Coney Island is a 2.2-acre public open space serving as the western anchor of the Coney Island amusement district (www.nyc.gov). The reopening is anchored by the historic B&B Carousell, newly renovated by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, featuring 50 hand-carved horses. It is Coney Island's last remaining historic carousel and has been under renovation for eight years. Steeplechase Plaza is located on the site of the former Steeplechase Amusement Park, between West 16th Street and West 19th Street, in the footprint of the landmarked Parachute Jump and across from the historic Steeplechase Pier.
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced in June 2013 that a new major roller coaster, “Thunderbolt,” will be built at Coney Island and open for the 2014 summer season. Thrilling riders with speeds of 65 miles per hour, the 125 foot tall roller coaster, featuring over 2,000 feet of track, will sit near the historic B&B Carousell and the new Steeplechase Plaza, and mark another important milestone in Coney Island's rebirth. Thunderbolt will be built and operated by Central Amusement International (CAI), the operator of Luna Park, entirely through private investment. The Thunderbolt rollercoaster is the latest in a series of critical investments that New York City has made over the last decade to revitalise Coney Island's amusement core as well as the surrounding area. Photos can be accessed at: www.nycedc.com/press-image/thunderbolt-coaster.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden (www.bbg.org), representing the best in urban gardening and horticultural display, opened a new garden space in spring 2013: the Native Flora Garden. This one-acre expansion of the century-old Native Flora Garden (built in 1911) creates a new immersive landscape for visitors and marks a major achievement in the conservation of rare and threatened native plant communities. In 2012, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden opened its new Visitor Center, a key component of the most significant renewal effort at the garden since its founding over a century ago. The Visitor Center expands the garden's offerings with capabilities to orient tour groups, expand store offerings, and other visitor amenities.
New to Brooklyn Bridge Park (www.brooklynbridgepark.com) is Jane's Carousel (www.janescarousel.com),a beautifully restored 1922 carousel housed in a transparent pavilion designed by award-winning French architect Jean Nouvel. Rides cost $2 for the timeless attraction, located in the newly renovated Empire Fulton Ferry portion of the park in DUMBO, which features an expansive lawn, boardwalk and fantastic views of the skyline between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. The carousel is open from April–November, 11am–7pm (closed Tuesdays). Unveiled in March 2013, the Squibb Bridge allows pedestrians and cyclists to travel between Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Brooklyn Heights Promenade with speed, ease and noteworthy views. The W-shaped Bridge offers visitors a look at its famous neighbours: the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge.
On 3rd October 2013, BRIC Arts / Media House, (http://bricartsmedia.org/about/bric-house) opened its new 40,000-square-foot multi-disciplinary facility in the former Strand Theatre at 647 Fulton Street in Brooklyn. Its inaugural season features a mix of free activities and low-cost ticketed events in dance, theatre, music and visual art. BRIC House brings BRIC's performing arts, contemporary art and community media programmes under one roof for the first time since the organisation's founding in 1979. (BRIC's Celebrate Brooklyn! Performing Arts Festival will continue to take place at the Prospect Park Bandshell.) UrbanGlass, New York City's only organisation devoted to glass as a creative medium, also launched its autumn programmes in the expanded BRIC House location. The two-year, $35 million city-funded renovation project will serve as a destination for artists from around the world to create in glass, as well as being a venue for art and design enthusiasts to see cutting-edge new work. The inaugural exhibition, A Tree Grows, a site specific project by artist Katherine Gray, features almost 800 handmade and recycled glasses.
MANHATTAN
Much of what many envision of New York City—bright lights and yellow taxis in Times Square, sprawling green of Central Park, the tiered crown of the art deco Chrysler Building—is found in Manhattan. From uptown to downtown, from Broadway to Off-Broadway, East Village to West Village, Manhattan offers the best in hotels, dining, shopping, entertainment and performing arts.
The Statue of Liberty (www.nps.gov/stli) reopened to the public on 4th July 2013, after being closed since Hurricane Sandy hit New York City in late October 2012. Liberty Island and the National Monument will be open to the public via Statue Cruises taking off from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Tickets are available online at www.statuecruises.com or by calling 001-201-604-2800. Crown tickets are only available by reservation. Pre-screening operations will continue to take place at Battery Park.
Ellis Island Immigration Museum (www.nps.gov.elis) reopened to the public on 28th October 2013, a year after Hurricane Sandy submerged the island. Visitors can once again walk the halls of the immigration station where 12 million people began life in America. Open areas on the first and second floors include the Great Hall, where immigrants were inspected, and Journeys: The Peopling of America 1550 – 1890. This exhibition, developed with the support of The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, tells the story of American immigration prior to Ellis Island's years of operation. Repairs to the museum will continue until at least the spring of 2014.
Time Warner Center (www.theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com) is New York's only destination where one can dine at multiple Michelin-star restaurants, sleep in a five-star hotel, shop and play—all in one luxurious location that attracts 16 million visitors annually. Behind the iconic, soaring glass wall that overlooks bustling Columbus Circle is a reimagined destination where shoppers can access the latest in fashion, home decor, music, wellness, technology and cuisine. 2012 marked the property's biggest transformation to date over the past eight years, with 10 shops and a new bar joining the existing portfolio of specialty retailers, award-winning restaurants, entertainment and luxury hotel accommodation. Recent additions include the reopening of the newest BOSS Flagship Store, Center Bar restaurant; Moleskine shop; C. Wonder; and H&M, which includes their first-ever men's suit shop. The destination, being positioned as “NYC's urban resort,” continues to evolve throughout 2013, with exciting developments leading up to Time Warner Center's 10th anniversary in February 2014.
In 2013, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (www.metmuseum.org)broke ground on the new David H. Koch Plaza, which will open to the public in 2014. The $65 million project will feature a renovated plaza, new fountains that will operate year-round, 100 new trees (double the former number), permanent and temporary seating areas and new energy-efficient and diffused nighttime lighting. OLIN, the landscape architecture, urban design and planning firm, has been retained by the museum as the leading design consultant for the project. The front steps of the museum—which are the primary path for visitors into the museum—have become a popular area for visitors to sit and enjoy the outdoors. Last year, The Metropolitan Museum of Art welcomed 6.28 million visitors. As of 1st July 2013, the museum is open seven days a week, with operating hours of 10am–9pm, Friday and Saturday; and 10am–5:30pm, Sundays to Thursdays.
On 1st May 2013, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) was opened to the public seven days a week on a year-round basis, in response to increasing demand. MoMA's new operating hours are 10:30am–5pm, with the exception of Fridays, when the museum is open until 8pm. In 2012, MoMA received nearly 3 million visitors (www.moma.org).
Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (www.cooperhewitt.org) is the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design, and is housed in the former residence of Andrew Carnegie, a New York City and National Historic Landmark. The campus also includes two historic townhouses on East 90th Street and the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden. The museum is currently undergoing a renovation, which will enable it to expand gallery space by 60 per cent, and will reopen in the autumn of 2014. Within the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, a spectacular, new third-floor gallery will be created, as well as an expanded gallery space on the second floor, resulting in four entire floors dedicated to exhibitions and public programming. With more than 16,000 square feet of gallery space, Cooper-Hewitt will be able to showcase significantly more of its collection and present major design exhibitions. The renovation will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified.
Heart and Lights is a new show coming to Radio City Music Hall in March 2014 starring The Rockettes and celebrating the greatest city in the world. The passion New Yorkers have for their city comes to life onstage in this 90-minute spectacular. The show follows the adventures of two cousins as they race uptown and downtown while trying to uncover the secrets of their grandmother's past – and of New York itself. Heart and Lights features state-of-the-art technology, 3D special effects and elaborate animatronics that bring the city to the stage, while an unforgettable soundtrack of original music and pop favourites set the energy for fantastic new choreography and incredible Rockettes dance numbers. The show begins previews on 27th March 2013 and runs for a limited engagement (www.heartandlights.com).
In October, 2013, the Howard Hughes Corporation (www.howardhughes.com) officially began the redevelopment of South Street Seaport with a groundbreaking for the Pier 17 building. Pier 17 will be transformed into one of NYC's most vibrant destinations with a unique mix of retail, dining and entertainment options combined with a 1 ½-acre rooftop that will be suitable for concerts, music and other entertainment events capable of holding up to 4,000 people. The project will create 40 per cent more open space that will showcase expanded views of the New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. The new Pier 17 building will feature a glass façade encompassing a wide range of stores, restaurants, and neighborhood shops. The redeveloped Pier 17 is anticipated to open in 2016, providing another proofpoint of Lower Manhattan's revitalization.
Expected to open in spring 2014, the SeaGlass Carousel is Battery Park's new aquatic-themed ride, aimed to entertain, inspire and educate visitors. The stainless-steel and glass structure is shaped like a shell, and will feature an installation of 30 multicoloured fiberglass fish in which visitors will ride, imitating an underwater experience on the rotating pavilion. The carousel will also incorporate sound, atmospheric lighting and film projections of marine life to further enhance the experience. In a Topping Off Ceremony on 18th April 2013, the City Parks and Recreation Department, Battery Conservancy, City officials and downtown stakeholders celebrated the final phase of the build-out: the installation of the final roof panel (www.thebattery.org).
In December 2012, the Museum of Mathematics, MoMath (www.momath.org), opened to the public. The only maths museum in the US, MoMath strives to enhance public understanding and perception of mathematics in daily life. The museum's dynamic, interactive exhibits and programmes geared for families and adults will present mathematical experiences that are designed to stimulate enquiry, spark curiosity and reveal the wonders of maths. MoMath is located at 11 East 26th Street (between Fifth and Madison Avenues).
Four Freedoms Park (www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org), a memorial to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, opened to the public on 24th October 2012 on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island. The island lies in the East River, across from Midtown Manhattan. Construction on the park began in March 2010, 38 years after the project's original announcement. Visitors can access Roosevelt Island via the subway or the Roosevelt Island Tramway (www.rioc.ny.gov/tramtransportation.htm).
Macy's Herald Square (www.visitmacysnewyork.com), Macy's world-famous flagship, is undergoing an unprecedented four-year, $400 million renovation. New luxury shops Gucci, Burberry and Longchamp opened at the “World's Largest Store” in winter 2012. The main floor of the store will be the centrepiece of the Macy's flagship, with side-by-side, multilevel shops soaring three levels and spanning a city block. Macy's recently debuted the Herald Square Café in September 2012, within the “World's Largest Shoe Floor” on level 2 of the store. The café features exotic coffees, artisan chocolates and fine champagne. In March 2013, Macy's debuted a modern Italian restaurant, Stella 34 Trattoria. Overlooking Broadway, this Sixth Floor destination features an authentic Neapolitan menu created by Executive Chef Jarrett Appell in collaboration with renowned Lincoln Ristorante Executive Chef Jonathan Benno. On 18th September 2013, NYC & Company joined Macy's to open its newest Official NYC Information Center location, on the mezzanine level of the newly remodelled Macy's Herald Square Flagship. Still called the Macy's Visitor Center, the newly revamped facility offers state-of-the-art technology, tickets to city attractions, visitor guides and maps and assistance from on-site concierges.
The Space Shuttle Pavilion, housing Space Shuttle Enterprise, the original NASA orbiter that paved the way for America's successful space shuttle program, re-opened in July 2013 at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (intrepidmuseum.com), located at Pier 86 (46th Street and 12th Avenue), in Hudson River Park. Visitors can walk underneath Enterprise which sits 10 feet off of the ground, view it from a larger observation platform and watch a film narrated by actor Leonard Nimoy. In addition to Enterprise, the pavilion is the new home to the Russian Soyuz space capsule and incorporates new experiences designed to immerse visitors of all ages in the sights, sounds and stories of the space shuttle program.
On 21st September 2012, Mayor Bloomberg hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the third and final section of the High Line (www.thehighline.org). Located between West 30th and West 34th Streets to the south and north, and Tenth and Twelfth Avenues to the east and west, the final section of the elevated railway, called the High Line at the Rail Yards, extends half a mile beyond the current northern end of the High Line park, which has welcomed more than 15 million visitors since it opened in 2009. The High Line at the Rail Yards surrounds Related Companies/Oxford Properties Group's Hudson Yards project and began construction in Autumn 2012. Construction on the estimated $90 million extension of the park will proceed in phases, and be financed by a combination of public and private funds. The first phase is projected to open in 2014, extending the High Line park to West 34th Street and connecting the Meatpacking District and West Chelsea with the future 7 line subway station, the Javits Center, and the future Hudson Yards neighbourhood.
Grand Central Terminal (www.grandcentralterminal.com), which stands as one of America's greatest transportation hubs and one of New York City's most iconic buildings, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2013. The terminal is celebrating this significant milestone with many events throughout the year. A public centennial kick-off event, including a rededication of the terminal, took place on 1st February. Family- and visitor-friendly events during the year include a variety of free lectures and panels about transportation and railroad history, exhibitions on the future of the terminal, daily guided tours, self-guided audio tours in several languages and much more.
The Javits Center (www.javitscenter.com), the city's premier convention facility, will complete its renovation in the autumn of 2013, with the installation of the second largest green roof in the US including high efficiency rooftop mechanical units; the replacement of exterior doors; replacement of curtain wall glazing units; and the repair, replacement and upgrade of building systems including life safety systems, security systems, mechanical electrical and plumbing systems and lighting systems.
The National September 11 Museum (www.911memorial.org/museum) is scheduled to open in spring 2014. It will be the global focal points for preserving the history of the events of 9/11, documenting the impact of the attacks and exploring 9/11's continuing significance. Visitors to the new Museum will enter through a pavilion located between the two Memorial reflecting pools, which includes a private space for 9/11 families and an elegant auditorium for lectures, film screenings, panel discussions, performances and other programming. The pavilion is a graceful steel and glass building designed by Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta. Installed within the building's glass atrium are two massive steel tridents, which were part of the Twin Towers' façade. The 9/11 Museum's 110,000 square feet of exhibition space are located within the heart of the World Trade Center site, and the Museum is the steward of the site's archaeological assets, which are protected under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Program.
The new One World Trade Center (also 1 World Trade Center or 1 WTC) tower is scheduled to open in 2014. The One World Observatory is a three-story observation deck atop what will be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere upon completion in early 2015. At 1,250 feet, the observatory will offer stunning views of New York City, dining, a gift shop and events for visitors to enjoy.
The Whitney Museum of American Art's (www.whitney.org/Future) new building in the Meatpacking District will debut in 2015. Designed by architect Renzo Piano and situated on Gansevoort Street between the High Line and the Hudson River, the new nine-storey building will greatly increase the Whitney's exhibition and programming space, providing the first comprehensive view of its unsurpassed collection of modern and contemporary American art. Expansive gallery space, indoors and out, will also be devoted to the Museum's widely influential special exhibitions, artist projects, film/ video, and performing arts programs. The building will also provide state-of-the-art facilities for enhanced education programs, as well as a Works on Paper Study Center, a conservation lab, a street-level restaurant, and a café. The building's projected cost is $422 million.
New Manhattan restaurants opening in 2013 include Andrew Carmellini's Lafayette (380 Lafayette St.), RedFarm UWS (2710 Broadway), The Butterfly (225 W. Broadway), Ristorante Morini (1167 Madison Ave.), Carbone (181 Thompson St.), Juni (12 E. 31st St.), ABC Cocina (38 E. 19th St.), and Brooklyn Fare Manhattan (431 W. 37th St.), Tavern on the Green (Central Park), Minton's (206 W. 118th St) and The Cecil (210 W. 118th St).
QUEENS
For a vibrant sampler of culture of all kinds, Queens is the perfect destination. It serves up multi-ethnic cuisine, including Indian and East Asian food in Jackson Heights and Flushing, Greek and Brazilian fare in Astoria, Mexican in Corona and Irish and Thai in Woodside. Queens is also a sports and cultural destination. The borough has seen a dramatic increase in the number of hotels, especially in Long Island City, which now has 20 new hotels representing 1,500 rooms with five more properties and 650 rooms under construction (www.queensnyc.com).
Long Island City has welcomed a new market, LIC Flea & Food. Open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 6pm, the market offers the chance to enjoy artisan food, find hidden treasures in the market, discover new artists and great local vendors against the beautiful backdrop of the Midtown Manhattan skyline. The market is situated a block back from the waterfront and is accessible by subway or ferry (www.licflea.com).
A great way to experience Queens is on New York City's 7 line subway train, known as the “International Express” (www.mta.info/nyct/service/sevenlin.htm). The train makes stops in multi-ethnic neighbourhoods in Queens that are Chinese, Irish, Italian, Turkish, Romanian, Indian and Mexican. The subway line is elevated most of the way and has excellent views of the city, both on and off the train. It begins in Flushing at Main Street, passing Citi Field and Flushing Meadows–Corona Park and then travels through Jackson Heights, Woodside and Long Island City and into Manhattan.
The Museum of the Moving Image (www.movingimage.us), in Astoria, Queens,reopened on 15th January 2011, with a newly expanded and redesigned building. The $67 million project doubled the size of the museum, which is dedicated to the history, culture and technology of film, television and the moving image. New additions to the building include a café, store, screening areas and a 10,000-square-foot outdoor garden. In 2013, Mayor Bloomberg announced that a new Jim Henson gallery will debut at the museum in winter 2014–2015 through a donation of nearly 400 puppets, props and costumes by Henson's family and The Jim Henson Company. Best known for his Sesame Street and Muppets characters, his legacy will live on in the new 2,200-square-foot Henson Gallery, which will also showcase Henson's sketches, storyboards, scripts and video clips.
On 9th November 2013, the Queens Museum (www.queensmuseum.org) will be a transformed institution. Building on 35 years of success, it will grow to be one of the most interesting and enjoyable cultural institutions in the greater New York area. The museum's expansion will double its size, to 100,000 square feet, which will create one of the most refined museum spaces in the country. Grimshaw Architects has developed plans for a stunning facility that will engage diverse communities and make the Queens Museum into a model for the urban American museum of the future. The $65 million project includes a new 220-foot-long illuminated glass façade and entry plaza on the Grand Central Parkway side of the building, a new entrance and expanded outdoor space on the Flushing Meadows–Corona Park side of the building and a generous skylit atrium in between.
The Resorts World Casino (www.rwnewyork.com)—New York's first casino—opened in Queens in October 2011 with video slots and other electronic games (there are no table games and no dealers). Connected to the Aqueduct racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens, and run by Genting New York, the casino features 5,000 video gambling terminals, a number of restaurants, electronic table games, including craps and a popular Asian dice game known as sic bo, restaurants and plans for an expansive outdoor terrace.
STATEN ISLAND
With so much to do in such a verdant, multifaceted borough, Staten Island proves an original, bucolic destination worth exploring for any New York City visitor. Ride the free Staten Island Ferry for scenic views of the Lower Manhattan skyline and disembark in St. George, a neighbourhood of art galleries, bars and the St. George Theatre. A short walk south, Little Sri Lanka bursts with flavour in the neighbourhood of Tompkinsville. Explore the borough further to try some of the City's best pizza; tee off at many of the golf courses, go to one of the borough's beaches such as South Beach and see a Staten Island Yankees Game. Staten Island is home to a growing number of accommodation, including the Hilton Garden Inn New York/Staten Island and Hampton Inn & Suites Staten Island, both of which are a short, 20-minute drive from Newark Liberty International Airport (www.visitstatenisland.com).
On 27th September 2012, Mayor Bloomberg unveiled plans to build the world's tallest Ferris wheel and a retail complex on Staten Island's North Shore. At 625 feet, the New York Wheel will be taller than the Singapore Flyer, the London Eye and the High Roller wheel on the Las Vegas strip and will be built at a cost of $230 million. Construction on the new project is expected to commence in early 2014 with a targeted opening by the end of 2015. The wheel, comprised of 36 capsules, each designed to carry up to 40 passengers, will accommodate up to 1,440 people per ride and an estimated 4.5 million visitors a year. A 350,000-square-foot retail complex featuring 100 designer outlet stores and a 120,000-square-foot hotel are also part of the new plan. Imagery here: www.flickr.com/photos/nycmayorsoffice/sets/72157631638564789/
The Staten Island Museum (www.statenislandmuseum.org), which serves over 80,000 people each year, is realising a dream 40 years in the making: the expansion to Snug Harbor Cultural Center, a nationally significant historic site that was saved from demolition through the leadership and efforts of museum members in 1965. In June 2011, the museum broke ground and began the construction of a 21st-century, fully climate-controlled museum facility, housed within the interior of a 19th-century landmarked structure that had been built in 1879 to serve as a dormitory for “aged, worn out and retired seamen.” It is anticipated to open in spring 2014 and will employ a geothermal heating and cooling system and meet the requirements to be a green, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental design) Gold–certified structure.
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