Michael Baginski Arts & Culture, News

HOT TOWN: Summer in NY City

03 MAY 2019: Frank Sinatra famously warbled that New York is a “city that never sleeps” and rarely has the sentiment been as true as it is this summer as the Big Apple celebrates a host of unprecedented openings and big events, in addition to all the doings at perennial attraction favourites in the city.

With nearly 19 million visitors set to visit the five boroughs from June through August, a little advance planning is in order to make the most of a visit.

“Summer brings a radiant energy to the five boroughs and is a wonderful time to explore our dynamic and diverse neighborhoods,” says NYC & Company president and CEO Fred Dixon. “A remarkable roster of major openings and iconic events provide countless reasons to explore everything New York City has to offer.”

Following is a roundup of notable items that promise to make Summer 2019 in New York one for the ages:

Major Openings

  • Hudson Yards – Opened March 15 (Far West Manhattan): 2019 is the inaugural summer season for NYC’s newest neighbourhood. Visitors can enjoy the extended daylight views of the Hudson River by making a reservation to climb the Vessel or cool off inside the Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards where restaurants like Mercado Little Spain by Jose Andres and Kawi by David Chang are paired alongside stores like Neiman Marcus. Later this summer, the neighborhood will also have a world class wellness destination in the first ever Equinox Hotel.
  • The Shed – Opened April 5 (Hudson Yards, Manhattan): The dynamic new cultural hub in Hudson Yards made its much-anticipated debut just as warm weather returned this April with Steve McQueen’s Soundtrack of America (now closed). Continuing the first half of the inaugural season are exhibitions such as Tony Cokes and Oscar Murillo (June 19-Aug. 25) Dragon SpringPhoenix Rise (June 22-July 27), and MAZE (July 23-Aug. 17).
  • Bronx Zoo Dinosaur Safari – Opened April 19 (The Bronx): The largest and most life-like Dinosaur ride in America has opened in the Bronx Zoo. Forty animatronic and life-sized dinosaurs lurk in a two-acre wooded area within the park and educate visitors about the physical and behavioral adaptations of our prehistoric ancestors.
  • TWA Hotel – Opening May 15 (John F. Kennedy Airport, Queens): Luxury returns to JFK next month thanks to a 512-room hotel in the former TWA flight centre dedicated to the jet age. Among the six restaurants and eight bars, guests can explore “Connie,” a 1958 Starline airplane repurposed as a retro cocktail lounge out on the tarmac.
  • Empire Outlets – Opening May 15 (St. George, Staten Island): NYC’s first outlet shopping destination will launch just steps from the Staten Island ferry, with shops like Nike and Nordstrom Rack, just in time for summer. Home to 100 retail and dining experiences, the outlets are perfect for summertime fun with the Staten Island Yankees ballpark right next door and great views of lower Manhattan available from all over the mall.
  • Statue of Liberty Museum – Opening May 16 (Liberty Island): Liberty Island will offer more activity to visitors than ever when the Statue of Liberty Museum makes its highly anticipated debut in May. The interactive new home for the Statue’s original torch also includes an immersive education tour and unrivaled views of the statue, lower Manhattan, and the harbour.
  • The Highline Spur – Opening May (Hudson Yards, Manhattan): A decade after the elevated park originally opened, the last remaining section of the original rail structure will open on the western end of The Highline as the Spur this May including a series of rotating art commissions of varying size and scale titled The Plinth.

Big Events

  • Pride Celebrations – May 10-June 30 (NYC): Pride celebrations will take place across the five boroughs beginning with Staten Island (May 10-18), Harlem (May 31-June 29), Queens (June 2), Brooklyn (June 8) and The Bronx (June 23), culminating with the US debut of WorldPride (June 24-30), with 50-plus events over five days and nearly 4.5 million participants expected in total.
  • World Science Festival – May 28- June 2 (NYC): This week-long celebration of science features over 60 events that take science out of the lab and into the streets, parks, museums, and premier performing arts venues of New York City. Highlights include: theatrical works dedicated to historic scientists like Albert Einstein, deep discussions with astronauts like Apollo 11’s Michael Collins, outdoor experiences like Stargazing in Brooklyn Bridge Park and more.
  • The Belmont Stakes – June 8 (Belmont Park, Queens): In addition to the final leg of the thoroughbred Triple Crown horse races, the Belmont Stakes features a three-day festival with dozens of races, live music, and a food-truck village for visitors to enjoy.
  • Museum Mile Festival – June 11 (Upper East Side, Manhattan): This June, some of the most prestigious museums in the world are throwing a block party on Manhattans Upper East Side, free for all to attend. From 6 to 9 p.m. on June 11, El Museo del Barrio, Museum of the City of New York, Jewish Museum, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Guggenheim Museum, Neue Galerie, and The Met Fifth Avenue will welcome visitors to see their incredible collections for free with Fifth Avenue closed to vehicles.
  • SailGP – June 21-22 (Lower Manhattan): The global sailboat racing series makes its only stop on the eastern half of the Americas on the official first day of summer. On the Lower Hudson River, the teams will reach speeds up to 100 kph, while fans onshore can experience the Race Village located at Brookfield Place.
  • Coney Island Mermaid Parade – June 22 (Coney Island, Brooklyn): “King Neptune” and “Queen Mermaid” will lead a procession of mermaids and mermen in what is the largest parade in Brooklyn all year down Surf Ave and the boardwalk to the beach to officially open the ocean for swimming season.
  • Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks – July 4 (NYC): The largest Fourth of July spectacular in the United States will light up the NYC skyline from the East River this year with the help of world-class performers and nearly 3 million spectators. While this year’s performers have yet to be announced, past celebrations have seen the likes of Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, and Katy Perry take the stage.
  • Nathans Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest – July 4 (Coney Island, Brooklyn): The world’s most iconic hot dog stand will make Coney Island an epicentre for US Independence Day festivities again with its 103rd hot dog eating contest. For a complete Fourth of July experience, fans should head down the boardwalk to the Brooklyn Cyclones game and post-game fireworks show that follows.
  • ABB FIA New York City E-Prix – July 13 (Red Hook, Brooklyn): At the third annual New York City E-Prix, fully electric vehicles will reach speeds up to 225 kph in front of Lower Manhattan’s skyline as FIA crowns a champion at the 2019 season finale. Off the track, fans can meet the drivers and experience the latest racing technology at the Allianz E-Village.
  • NYC Restaurant Week – July 22-Aug. 16 (NYC): Through NYC & Company’s signature program, in partnership with Mastercard, nearly 400 restaurants across the five boroughs will again offer two-course prix-fixe lunches and brunches for $26 and three-course prix-fixe dinners for $42. In total, locals and visitors can try 30+ individual cuisines in more than 40 distinct neighborhoods with participating restaurants.
  • Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival – Aug. 2-3 (Corona Park, Queens): This August, 200 dragon boat teams will race on Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in celebration of the fifth month on the lunar calendar. Onshore, traditional food, martial arts demonstrations, dance performances, Chinese crafts and children’s activities will complete the experience.
  • 2019 US Open Tennis Championships – Aug. 26-Sept. 8 (Flushing, Queens): The top tennis players in the world will compete in the 51st US Open at the new USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where $600-million strategic transformations were completed last year. In addition to the grand slam tournament, fans can visit US Open Fan Week, including open practices with tennis stars, Queens Day and Arthur Ashe Kids Day celebrations.