Chris Heywood acknowledges it’s been a rough 18 months to be in tourism, but the VP for NYC & Company says, “at least its a lot better to be on this side it (of the pandemic) than what we went through on the other side.” That’s because New York has certainly made great strides this summer and fall to re-opening to tourism and, as Heywood says, “things are feeling more upbeat; all things considered, things are good.”
Heywood points to 2019 having been a “monumental year” in tourism for New York, including events like the Stonewall anniversary and World Pride – the largest event the city has ever hosted (5 million people).
“And thank god we did that because 2020 was also a monumental year, but in a very different way,” he says.
But that was then and this is now and finally the city that never sleeps has reawakened. Last month, Broadway returned and there’s an abundance of new developments to tantalize both visitors and locals, which, when combined with the steady return of pre-pandemic experiences and places, will require Canadians plotting their next visit to seriously prioritize what they have time to do.
Here is just a small sampling of some big highlights in the city this fall and beyond:
ATTRACTIONS
• Opening Oct. 21, SUMMIT will be NYC’s newest observation deck and immersive experience at the crown of the iconic One Vanderbilt. SUMMIT will take visitors to the highest vantage point in Midtown with views of The Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and north to Central Park, and glass floor ledges that overhang Madison Avenue. The observation deck will also offer food and beverage options.
• The recently opened “Friends Experience” offers fans of the TV show two floors of interactive experiences including the iconic orange couch, show props and costumes. Visitors can also grab a coffee at Central Perk which is open to the public daily.
MUSEUMS
• In mid-September, LGBTQ+ celebrities, elected officials and board members led a ground-breaking ceremony to welcome The American LGBTQ+ Museum, which will be located at the New-York Historical Society on Central Park West and is projected to begin construction next year.
• Due to its successful summer run, the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit New York will return to Pier 36 Nov. 17 through Jan. 2, 2022, featuring Vincent Van Gogh’s art in a captivating digital exhibit, giving guests the rare opportunity to “step inside” the artist’s work. Additionally, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, a separate 360-degree digital art exhibition at the Skylight on Vesey in Lower Manhattan, is running through January 2022.
OUTDOORS
• Now open at Pier 55, Little Island is a free public park featuring green space, a 687-seat amphitheater, a plaza, lawn space, food and beverage offers and more.
• In June, Hudson River Park opened a redesigned Pier 76, including outdoor flexible space, numerous interpretive plaques relaying the history of the area and a propeller from the SS United States passenger liner, famous as the record holder for the fastest passenger ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
DINING
Heywood says if there’s a silver lining to the pandemic in New York, it’s the evolution of the concept of outdoor dining, with many restaurants significantly expanding their footprints with decorated, year-round outdoor spaces. “It’s sort of like Parisian-style café culture, where everybody is sitting outside; this is what it feels like in New York right now. It’s unbelievable and gives you a completely different feel for our city,” he says.
SHOPPING
The world’s first official Harry Potter flagship store, Harry Potter New York, opened in June in the Flatiron District. The store features the largest selection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts merchandise under one roof, as well as 15 themed areas, interactive displays and photo-ops.
MAJOR EVENTS
• Known as the “World’s Most Famous Building,” the Empire State Building is celebrating its 90th anniversary as an iconic landmark in 2021.
• The 95th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will return in-person with spectators this year. Kicking off at 9 a.m. on Nov.r 25, the iconic holiday event will include marching bands, cheer and specialty group performances, signature floats and balloons, with more details to be announced.
PLAN YOUR OWN ITINERARY
Visitors can browse five-borough itineraries – and design their own –on NYCGO.com/timeforNYC. https://www.nycgo.com/time-for-nyc The unique itineraries are created by NYC & Company staff and well-known New Yorkers. This permanent tool will continue to evolve and be updated with new itineraries on an ongoing basis.
HOTELS
By the end of 2021, NYC is expected to have 110,000 hotel rooms in active inventory. New hotels include Arlo Midtown, Graduate Roosevelt Island, Margaritaville Resort Times Square, Ace Hotel Brooklyn and Pendry Manhattan West; with properties by Aman, Civilian Hotels, Motto by Hilton, Virgin Hotels, and NYC’s second Ritz-Carlton, still set to open this year.
INFRASTRUCTURE
• LaGuardia’s redesigned Terminal B features 35 new gates, along with retail, food and beverage and amenities that more than doubles the previous offerings. With soaring ceilings and plenty of natural light, the new terminal has nearly 50 shops and restaurants including iconic NYC retailers Shake Shack and FAO Schwarz. By mid-2022, with the completion of the head-house for Delta’s new Terminal C, visitors will be greeted by a new, unified modern airport fit with its two new terminals connected by a magnificent Central Hall, featuring the Orpheus and Apollo sculpture formerly at Lincoln Center.
• Construction at Newark-Liberty International Airport is over 75% complete for an all-new Terminal A, with 33 gates opening next year.
• Moynihan Train Hall, a spectacular 28-m.-high skylighted train hall, transformed the landmark James A. Farley Post Office Building into a 21st-century transportation hub serving LIRR and Amtrak passengers. The new station features 50% more concourse space, state-of-the-art wayfinding, information displays and is a welcomed expansion of the Penn Station complex.
PROOF OF VACCINATION
New York City recently introduced “Key to NYC” requiring people ages 12 and older to show proof of vaccination against Covid-19 for most indoor activities, including at restaurants, museums, attractions, performing arts and concert venues, sporting arenas, fitness centers and more. Individuals must have received at least one dose of an FDA- or WHO-authorized vaccine to patronize these establishments.
NYC & Company predicts 36.1 million people will visit New York City in 2021, recovering more than half of the City’s 2019 record 66.6 million visitors. Heywood only hopes that many more Canadians will be among them.
“I hope that the border can re-open soon,” he told Travel Industry Today. “Thank you for opening the border to us; hopefully we can return the favour… New York City alive and well. We’re not dead!”
In the meantime, as of this month, more than 35 daily flights will connect Canada and New York.
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