Preview: What's New In NYC: 2015 & Beyond

29 May 2015

What's New In NYC: 2015 & Beyond

THIS IS NEW YORK CITY

No city in the world can match New York City's unparalleled energy, or the tremendous pride New Yorkers take in opening their arms to our more than 56 million visitors annually. There is always something fun, exciting and inviting to do here, no matter what kind of experience you prefer. With Broadway shows, outdoor movies or concerts, tours of museums or historical attractions, cuisine from every world culture, and more, there are endless opportunities in each of the City's five boroughs— the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island—to discover something new.

TOURISM IN NEW YORK CITY

In 2014, New York City welcomed a record 56.4 million visitors, whose activities generated $61.3 billion in economic activity – this year, the City is expected to welcome 58.1 million visitors. Tourism, the City's fifth largest industry, sustained more than 359,000 jobs. Currently home to more than 102,000 hotel rooms, New York City offers visitors more options to experience—and stay in—many of the City's vibrant neighborhoods across all five boroughs. New York City has the highest share of overseas travel to the U.S. (more than twice that of comparable U.S. city destinations), with international visitor spending averaging more than $18 billion annually and growing in popularity in established and emerging markets in Europe, Asia and South America. In addition, the City's airports are the nation's most popular port of entry. On March 18, 2015, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYC & Company Board of Directors Chairman Emily Rafferty and NYC & Company president and CEO Fred Dixon announced that New York City is on the “Road to 10 Million More Visitors,” expecting 67 million annual visitors by the end of 2021.

WHAT'S NEW: NYC & COMPANY PROGRAMS

In fall of 2014, NYC & Company announced Taylor Swift as New York City's Global Welcome Ambassador for 2014-2015. As part of the collaboration with Taylor, NYC & Company launched a global tourism campaign—Welcome To New York—which uses Taylor's song to tell the story of New York City's five boroughs and to convey the City's unparalleled electricity. On our website, videos featuring Taylor draw inspiration from her experience in New York City; the editorial content showcases what to see and do in New York City, and encourages first-time visitors and re-inspires repeat visitors, to book a trip to the City; and the website will source content from New Yorkers and visitors who share their NYC experiences on Instagram using the hashtag #W2NY (nycgo.com/w2ny).

As part of NYCGO Insider Guides, each month a spotlight is placed on a new neighborhood in an effort to encourage exploration in areas outside traditional tourist locations across all five boroughs. Every month, new neighborhood highlights are unveiled with a short documentary-style video, a press release, B-roll, photo packages and editorial content. Launched in 2013, the campaign has highlighted nearly 40 neighborhoods (nycgo.com/insiderguides).

Growing the family segment is a key focus for NYC & Company. Since the launch of its Official NYC Family Ambassador program in 2009, family travel to New York City has increased by 30.3 percent. The program was created to help position New York City as a safe, welcoming, family-friendly destination, encourage families to visit year-round and invite those who have already visited New York City to return and enjoy all of the new attractions the City has to offer. NYC & Company plans to announce its newest Family Ambassador on June 2 during IPW in Orlando. Previous family ambassadors include Curious George, Where's Waldo, the Muppets, The Smurfs, Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street (nycgo.com/family).

The first dining program of its kind, NYC Restaurant Week takes place every year in the winter and summer, during typically slower periods for the restaurant industry. The program offers three-course prix fixe menus at approximately 300 restaurants, and returns this summer from July 20 to August 14 (nycgo.com/restaurantweek). Launched in 2011, Broadway Week (September 7-20; tickets on sale August 19) and Off-Broadway Week (September 21-October 4; tickets on sale September) are biannual promotions designed to increase ticket sales during typically slower periods of attendance and offer New Yorkers and visitors the opportunity to see some of NYC's best shows, with 2-for-1 tickets (nycgo.com/broadwayweek and nycgo.com/offbroadwayweek).

For free and low-cost things to do in New York City, visit nycgo.com/free or nycgo.com/deals.

NYCxDESIGN, New York City's official annual citywide celebration of design is produced by NYC & Company in conjunction with a steering committee. The program serves as the platform to highlight New York City's diverse design community and its contributions to the fabric and economy of the five boroughs. The celebration features hundreds of events, spanning all disciplines of design and showcasing designers and their work from around the world (nycxdesign.com).

On May 18, 2015, NYC & Company launched the second phase of its See Your City campaign, a program designed to inspire and motivate New Yorkers to explore the diverse neighborhoods and boroughs in their own backyards. Neighborhoods throughout NYC are being promoted through custom illustrations that draw inspiration from vintage travel posters and highlight unique perspectives on the neighborhoods' attractions (nycgo.com/seeyourcity).

For a list of annual events taking place in New York City's five boroughs, visit nycgo.com/annualevents.

For general information on New York City, visit nycgo.com and for press information, visit nycgo.com/press. For images, go to nycgo.com/pressphotos.

OFFICIAL NYC INFORMATION CENTERS

Official NYC Information Center at Macy's Herald Square
151 W. 34th St. (bet. Seventh Ave. and Broadway)
212-484-1222
Subway: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E to 34th St.-Penn Station; B, D, F, M, N, Q, R to 34th St.-Herald Sq.
Hours: Mon.–Fri., 9am–7pm; Sat., 10am–7pm; Sun., 11am–7pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Official NYC Information Center–City Hall
Southern tip of City Hall Park, on the sidewalk of Broadway at Park Row
212-484-1222
Subway: 2, 3 to Park Place; 4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall; 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, Z to Fulton St.; J, Z to Chambers St.
Hours: Mon.–Fri., 9am–6pm; Sat.–Sun., 10am–5pm; holidays, 9am–3pm. Closed Christmas Day.

Official NYC Information Center–South Street Seaport
Hornblower Cruises on the East River Waterfront Esplanade at Pier 15
212-484-1222
Subway: 2, 3, A, C, J, Z to Fulton St.
Hours: May–August, daily, 9am–7pm; September–April, daily, 9am–5pm. Closed Christmas Day.

WHAT'S NEW: GETTING AROUND NEW YORK CITY

Recently Opened

On November 10, 2014, the $1.4 billion Fulton Center opened, a key component to the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan after 9/11. Nine subway lines (2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, Z and R) converge at the new transit hub's soaring atrium constructed out of glass and steel. The transit center is expected to receive up to 300,000 passengers a day (mta.info).

Upcoming

The MTA's 7 Line subway extension will bring the Flushing Line to 34th Street and 11th Avenue, the heart of what will be Manhattan's newest neighborhood, Hudson Yards. New housing, restaurants and entertainment options are planned for the redeveloped area on the Far West Side. This $2.4 billion project will extend the line by 1.5 miles, with service expected to commence in the third quarter of 2015 (mta.info).

The MTA's Second Avenue Subway will be New York City's first major expansion of the subway system in more than 50 years. With the first phase expected to be completed in December 2016, the Second Avenue Subway will serve approximately 200,000 daily riders, reducing travel time by 10 minutes or more for many riders traveling from the Upper East Side. When fully completed, the line will stretch 8.5 miles along Manhattan's East Side, from Hanover Square in Lower Manhattan to 125th Street in Harlem (mta.info).

WHAT'S NEW: ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

Recently Opened

Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
New York Harbor
On May 20, 2015, the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, formerly known as the Ellis Island Museum, opened to the public. The opening includes the unveiling of The Peopling of America Center® at Ellis Island: new major exhibitions that chronicle immigration to America before the processing station at Ellis Island opened in 1892 and after it closed in 1954 (libertyellisfoundation.org).

The Whitney Museum of American Art
Meatpacking District, Manhattan
The Whitney Museum of American Art's new building in the Meatpacking District debuted on May 1, 2015. Designed by Renzo Piano and situated on Gansevoort Street between the High Line and the Hudson River, the new nine-story building greatly increases 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, is devoted to the Museum's widely influential special exhibitions, artist projects, film/video and performing arts programs. The new building also provides state-of-the-art facilities for enhanced education programs, as well as a conservation lab and a street-level restaurant and café, both by Danny Meyer (whitney.org).

Kings Theatre
Flatbush, Brooklyn
On February 3, 2015, the renowned Kings Theatre reopened after an extensive $94 million refurbishment, restoring the venue to its original 1929 design, complete with historically authentic theatre carpeting, paint scheme, antique chandeliers and more. The theater, closed for nearly forty years, originally opened as one of five original “Loew's Wonder Theatres,” and has been home to movies, live performances and even vaudeville. The renovated 3,000-seat theatre debuted with a grand opening concert by Motown legend Diana Ross (kingstheatre.com).

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Upper East Side, Manhattan
The Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt Design Museum is the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. 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. After extensive renovation, the museum reopened on December 12, 2014 (cooperhewitt.org).

SculptureCenter
Long Island City, Queens
On October 2, 2014, SculptureCenter in Long Island City, Queens, unveiled its newly expanded and renovated building, adding new visitor services and amenities and improving exhibition spaces. The renovation included a 2,000 square foot expansion of the building's structure to create a new entrance lobby, a 1,500 square foot enclosed courtyard for outdoor exhibitions and events, and 6,700 additional square feet of interior programming space (sculpture-center.org).

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's David H. Koch Plaza
Upper East Side, Manhattan
The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened the new David H. Koch Plaza on September 10, 2014, with a renovation that includes new fountains which operate year-round, 100 new trees (double the former number), permanent and temporary seating areas and new energy-efficient and diffused nighttime lighting (metmuseum.org).

9/11 Memorial & Museum
Lower Manhattan
The 9/11 Memorial Museum opened on May 21, 2014. It is the global focal point for preserving the history of the events of September 11, 2001, documenting the impact of the attacks and exploring their continuing significance. Visitors to the new museum enter through a glass pavilion located between the two memorial reflecting pools and descend to a vast underground hall with artifacts from the attack, and exhibit rooms which focus on details of the day and its aftermath. The museum also includes a private space for 9/11 families and an elegant auditorium for lectures, film screenings, panel discussions, performances and other programming (911memorial.org/museum).

Upcoming

The Met Breuer
Upper East Side, Manhattan
Opening to the public on March 10, 2016, the Met Breuer, the Metropolitan Museum of Art's newest building, will provide additional space dedicated to twentieth and twenty-first century art. The landmark building, designed by Marcel Breuer, will expand on the Museum's modern and contemporary art program, which will see new exhibitions, performances, residencies and educational initiatives.
(metmuseum.org)

The Metropolitan Opera's 2015-2016 Season
Upper West Side, Manhattan
On September 21, 2015, the Metropolitan Opera will kick off its 2015-2016 season, which includes six new productions, including stagings of Otello, Lulu, Manon Lescaut, and Elektra; the company premiere of Roberto Devereux; and the first Met performances of Les Pêcheurs de Perles since 1916. Between September 2015 and May 2016, the Met Opera will present 227 total opera performances of 25 operas (metopera.org).

The Staten Island Museum
Randall Manor, Staten Island
The Staten Island Museum is realizing 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. It is anticipated to open in September 2015 (statenislandmuseum.org).

WHAT'S NEW: EXHIBITIONS

Recently Opened

'Fata Morgana' at Madison Square Park
Flatiron District
The Madison Square Park Conservancy is displaying an exhibition from June 1, 2015 through January 10, 2016, featuring the work of internationally-renowned New York City-based artist Teresita Fernández. The outdoor sculpture consists of 500 running feet of golden, mirror-polished discs that act as canopies around the park's walkways – imitating the “fata morgana” that exists in nature: a horizontal mirage that forms across the horizon line. The installation is the largest and most ambitious art sculpture to be mounted at the park (madisonsquarepark.org).

'Saturday Night Live: The Exhibition'
Midtown Manhattan
In celebration of the show's 40th anniversary this year, 'Saturday Night Live: The Exhibition' opened to the public on May 30, 2015 at Premier Exhibitions 5th Avenue, a brand new special events and exhibition space. The exhibit features backstage and foundational elements from the show, including costumes, props, original scripts, set pieces video and more. Fans of the show will be able to interact with their favorite sets and learn about the show's creative process. (SNLtheexhibition.com)

'Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960-1971' at Museum of Modern Art
Midtown Manhattan
From May 17 to September 7 MoMA is presenting its first exhibition dedicated exclusively to the work of Yoko Ono, bringing together approximately 125 of her early objects, paper works, installations, performances, audio recordings, and films, alongside rarely seen archival materials(moma.org).

'The Living Pyramid' at Socrates Sculpture Park
Long Island City, Queens
From May 17 to August 30, Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, Queens, is displaying the work of New York City-based artist Agnes Denes, in an exhibition entitled 'The Living Pyramid.' The work spans 30 feet at its four-sided base and ascend 30 feet high, and is created from several tons of soil and grasses, some of which were planted by members of the public on May 17, coinciding with the park's spring opening. This is the artist's first major public artwork in New York City in three decades (socratessculpturepark.org).

'Frida Kahlo – Art, Garden, Life' at The New York Botanical Garden
Belmont, Bronx
On display May 16 to November 1 at The New York Botanical Garden, this exhibition examines Frida Kahlo's appreciation for the beauty of the natural world, as evidenced by her home and garden and the use of plant imagery in her work. The six-month exhibit will display more than a dozen original Kahlo paintings and works on paper, and a variety of accompanying events (nybg.org).

'China: Through the Looking Glass' at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Upper East Side, Manhattan
On view from May 7 to August 16 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, 'China: Through the Looking Glass' explores how Chinese art and film have influenced Western fashion design for centuries. The exhibition juxtaposes Chinese art and historic costumes with high fashion to demonstrate the West's fascination with Chinese imagery as well as a series of “mirrored reflections” that focus on the evolution of art, fashion and culture from Imperial China through to the present-day People's Republic of China (metmuseum.org)

'Basquiat: The Unknown Notebooks' at Brooklyn Museum
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
At the Brooklyn Museum from April 3 to August 23, this new exhibit of Jean-Michel Basquiat's work gathers 160 pages of the artist's notebooks, including many that never been shown in the US. Born in Brooklyn, Basquiat's artwork is based on his interest in music, language, Afro-Caribbean imagery, and social commentary on power structures and racism (brooklynmuseum.org).

Upcoming

'Picasso Sculpture' at Museum of Modern Art
Midtown Manhattan
From September 14, 2015 to February 7, 2016, MoMA will be home to the largest museum exhibition of Pablo Picasso's sculptures in nearly half a century, with approximately 150 pieces, many of which will be on view in the US for the first time (moma.org).

'Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden' at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Prospect Park, Brooklyn

In September 2015, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden will celebrate the centennial of its Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden through a collaboration with the Noguchi Museum, based in Long Island City, Queens. The exhibit will portray Isamu Noguchi's outdoor sculptures and be set amid the Japanese garden's rocks, ponds and plantings (bbg.org).

'Jim Henson: The Exhibition' at Museum of the Moving Image
Astoria, Queens
A new Jim Henson gallery will debut at the Museum of the Moving Image in late 2015, complete with 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 2,200-square-foot Henson Gallery, which will also showcase Henson's sketches, storyboards, scripts and video clips (movingimage.us).

'Ocean Wonders: Sharks!' at New York Aquarium
Coney Island, Brooklyn
Scheduled to be completed in 2016, the Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium will open an exhibition entitled 'Ocean Wonders: Sharks!' The 57,000-square-foot building will house more than 115 species of marine wildlife, including sharks, skates and rays. The historic groundbreaking event marked the beginning of the rebuilding and transformation of the New York Aquarium, post- Hurricane Sandy (nyaquarium.com).

WHAT'S NEW: BROADWAY & OFF-BROADWAY

Recently Opened

Hamilton (July 13, 2015)
Broadway (Previously Off-Broadway)
Starring Lin-Manuel Miranda
(hamiltonbroadway.com)

An Act Of God (May 5, 2015)
Broadway
Starring Jim Parson
(anactofgod.com)

Finding Neverland (March 15, 2015)
Broadway
Starring Kelsey Grammer & Matthew Morrison
(findingneverlandthemusical.com)

An American in Paris (March 13, 2015)
Broadway
Music by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin
(anamericaninparisbroadway.com)

King and I (March 12, 2015)
Broadway
Starring Kelli O'Hara & Ken Watanabe
(lct.org/shows/king-and-i)

The Mystery of Love and Sex (February 5, 2015)
Off-Broadway
Starring Diane Lane & Tony Shalhoub
(lct.org/shows/the-mystery-of-love-and-sex)

Upcoming

Therese Raquin (October 1, 2015)
Broadway
Starring Keira Knightley
(roundabouttheatre.org)

Allegiance (October 6, 2015)
Broadway
Starring George Takei
(allegiancemusical.com)

For more information about what's new on Broadway, see NYC & Company's Spring 2015 Broadway Guide: http://www.nycgo.com/slideshows/spring-2015-broadway-guide . For more information about Off-Broadway, go to nycgo.com/off-broadway.

WHAT'S NEW: ATTRACTIONS & SPORTS

Recently Opened

One World Observatory
Lower Manhattan
The One World Observatory, opened May 29, is a three-story observation deck atop what is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. A major new attraction in Lower Manhattan, the new observatory occupies levels 100 to 102 of One World Trade Center. At the top, guests can experience a movie celebrating New York in the "See Forever" theater, enjoy a bevy of dining choices and explore the observatory, enhanced by interactive exhibits and hosted by friendly tour ambassadors who interpret and point out the sights (OneWorldObservatory.com).

Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point
Ferry Point Park, Bronx
Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point was unveiled April 2015 as New York City's only tournament-quality golf course. The public Jack Nicklaus Signature Design 18-hole course offers views of the Manhattan skyline, East River and the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges, and the course includes amenities such as a clubhouse, snack bar and driving range (trumpferrypoint.com).

THE TOUR
Manhattan
On March 23, 2015, the producers of the critically acclaimed and award-winning THE RIDE, New York's only travelling theater, launched THE TOUR. The ninety minute THE TOUR route introduces visitors to New York City's iconic neighborhoods and landmarks from the comfort of its patented, climate-controlled motor coaches, including Times Square, Columbus Circle, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building and more (thetournyc.com).

New York City Football Club
South Bronx
New York City's newest soccer club, NYCFC, kicked off its inaugural season on March 8, 2015, with a game at Orlando City SC. With stars such as Frank Lampard and David Villa, NYCFC play in Major League Soccer (MLS), a professional sports league in the United States and Canada, and play home games at Yankee Stadium (nycfc.com).

CityPASS 2015-2016
Manhattan
Effective March 1, 2015, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum joined CityPASS program. CityPASS offers discounts at six of New York City's iconic attractions, including the Empire State Building Experience, American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a choice between Top of the Rock Observation Deck OR Guggenheim Museum, and a choice between the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island OR a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise (citypass.com/new-york).

The High Line at the Rail Yards
West Chelsea, Manhattan
On September 21, 2014, the third and final section of the High Line was unveiled. The final section of the elevated railway, called the High Line at the Rail Yards, now extends to West 34th Street and connects the Meatpacking District and West Chelsea with the future 7 line subway station, the Javits Center, and the planned Hudson Yards neighborhood (thehighline.org).

Upcoming

SeaGlass Carousel
Battery Park, Manhattan
Expected to open in summer 2015, the SeaGlass Carousel is Battery Park's new aquatic-themed ride, aimed to entertain, inspire and educate visitors by imitating an underwater experience on the rotating pavilion. The stainless-steel and glass structure is shaped like a shell, and will feature 30 multicolored fiberglass fish in which visitors can ride (thebattery.org).

New York Wheel
St. George, Staten Island
Located on the northeastern side of Staten Island near the St. George Ferry Terminal, the 630-foot-tall New York Wheel will be the tallest observation wheel in the world and the only one in New York City. The wheel will accommodate up to 1,440 people per ride, welcoming as many as 30,000 visitors per day and an anticipated 4 million visitors per year. The wheel is expected to open in 2017 (newyorkwheel.com).

Super Pier
Meatpacking District, Manhattan
When complete in 2017, the Super Pier will enhance Manhattan's west side, with 270,000 square feet of total leasable space including dining, cultural space, retail options, galleries, 3.5 acres of public open space and more. Some of the Super Pier's tenants currently include a beach club and spa to be operated by well-known hotelier André Balazs, an underwater rock climbing gym operated by Brooklyn Boulders and a variety of shops managed by Opening Ceremony (superpier.com).

Kingsbridge Armory
Fordham Manor, Bronx
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. 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 (nycedc.com/project/kingsbridge-armory).

Pier 55
Hudson River Park, Manhattan
With construction expected to commence next year, the 2.7 acre Pier 55 will run alongside Manhattan's lower west side, from Bloomfield Street to 14th Street. The pier, funded primarily by The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation, will consist of a public park complete with lush lawns and pathways, and a performance space which is expected to become one of New York City's premier venues for music, dance, theater and public art (hudsonriverpark.org).

WHAT'S NEW: NYC RETAIL

Recently Opened

Brookfield Place
Lower Manhattan
In March 2015 Lower Manhattan saw the opening of Brookfield Place, a retail and dining destination that includes 300,000 square feet of retail space, a 30,000-square-foot dining terrace, a 30,000-square-foot French-inspired marketplace called Le District, and six critically acclaimed restaurants. Luxury retailers include Diane von Furstenberg, Burberry, Hermès and Saks Fifth Avenue (brookfieldplaceny.com).

Valentino
Midtown Manhattan
In August 2014, Valentino opened a 20,000-square-foot flagship store in Manhattan, featuring 27-foot high ceilings and stunning architectural details. The store's Palazzo atmosphere promotes a more traditional retail boutique structure, showcasing the latest in menswear and womenswear, including snakeskin and camo handbags, belts and other trending accessories. (valentino.com)

Upcoming

Westfield World Trade Center
Lower Manhattan
Opening in 2015, Westfield World Trade Center will be one of the most complete retail destinations in New York City. Westfield World Trade Center will provide Lower Manhattan with 350,000 square feet of fashion, culinary and artistic experiences and will be home to a diverse mix of 150 global and local fashion, lifestyle, technology and culinary brands; an exquisite collection of casual and upscale dining; a range of New York-centric services and amenities powered by state-of-the art technology; and must-see cultural experiences. The WTC Transportation Hub's “Occulus”, designed by Santiago Calatrava, will be a destination unto itself, and is the design centerpiece of Westfield World Trade Center. Westfield World Trade Center will serve a dynamic, diverse and fast-growing community, including travelers to Lower Manhattan, one of the world's most visited areas (wtc.westfield.com).

Empire Outlets
St. George, Staten Island
Located in St. George, Staten Island, the Empire Outlets will debut in late 2016 with 1.1 million square feet of retail space including approximately 100 shops and an extensive array of waterfront food and beverage concepts, in addition to a 190-room boutique hotel (empireoutletsnyc.com).

Pier 17
South Street Seaport, Manhattan
Anticipated to open in 2016, Pier 17 will create 40 percent more open space that will showcase expanded views of the New York Harbor, the 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 (howardhughes.com).

Hudson Yards
Far West Side, Manhattan
Hudson Yards is the largest private real estate development in the history of the United States and the largest development in New York City since Rockefeller Center. The site will include more than 17 million square feet of commercial and residential space, more than 100 shops and boutiques, 20 restaurants, approximately 5,000 residences, a unique cultural space, 14 acres of public open space, a 750-seat public school and a 150-room luxury hotel—all offering unparalleled amenities for residents, employees and guests. The retail space will include New York City's first Neiman Marcus store. The initial phase of Hudson Yards is expected to open in 2016 (hudsonyardsnewyork.com).

WHAT'S NEW: NYC DINING

Recently Opened

Le District
Lower Manhattan
In March 2015, Le District was unveiled as part of Brookfield Place in Lower Manhattan. A French-inspired marketplace, Le District offers shoppers the opportunity to visit one of three restaurants, or head to one of four “Districts” selling fresh produce, meats, flowers, pastries and more (ledistrict.com).

Pier A Harbor House
Lower Manhattan
In March 2015 Pier A Harbor House, a dining location on the 127-year old, landmarked Pier A at the southern tip of Manhattan opened, complete with three levels named “Mix,” “Dine,” and “View.” These include a beer hall, oyster bar, fine-dining, bars, and event space, and offer views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governor's Island, and the Verrazano Bridge (piera.com).

Ralph Lauren Polo Bar
Midtown Manhattan
Designer Ralph Lauren opened his first restaurant in New York City, The first Polo Bar, in January 2015. With décor including green tartan throw pillows and leather trimming throughout, the restaurant pays tribute to the designer's style. The menu features American classic dishes including corned beef sandwiches, crab cakes, ranch house chili and more. Reservations are required for the restaurant's 132 seats (ralphlauren.com).

Rainbow Room
Midtown Manhattan
New York City's iconic Rainbow Room, the historic NYC landmark, restaurant and event space atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Rockefeller Center, reopened to the public on October 5, 2014. Originally opened in 1934, the Rainbow Room now operates as a combination of catered event space as well as a restaurant that's open to the public. In addition, a previously unused outdoor terrace on the 65th floor is combined with a connecting interior space and transformed into a bar and lounge that is open to the public five or more days each week, serving cocktails and light fare (rainbowroom.com).

Gansevoort Market
Meatpacking District
Among the City's newest food halls, Gansevoort Market, which opened in October 2014, features food from local and international vendors. The market, located at the southern tip of the High Line, offers fresh organic juices, imported coffee, fresh produce and meat, as well as vegan options. Gansevoort Market vendors include a Greek yogurt bar, The Pig Guy, Crepe Sucre and the Bruffin Café (gansmarket.com).

Hudson Eats
Lower Manhattan
In June 2014, Brookfield Place opened Hudson Eats, an upscale dining terrace that features 14 chef-driven eateries. The 30,000-square-foot space seats up to 600 guests, with expansive views of the Hudson River. Eateries include Black Seed Bagels, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar, Chop't, Dos Toros, Umami Burger, Sprinkles and more (brookfieldplaceny.com).

Tavern on the Green
Central Park West, Manhattan
Another New York City classic, Tavern on the Green reopened on April 24, 2014, after a four-year restoration. Originally built in 1870 as a sheepfold for a flock of sheep that grazed in Central Park's Sheep Meadow, the historic building was transformed into a restaurant in 1934. With its newest renovation, the restaurant underwent an aesthetic makeover and features a menu of local and artisanal tavern-inspired food (tavernonthegreen.com).

ANNIVERSARIES: 2015

Carnegie Hall – 125th
2015-2016 Season

carnegiehall.org

Circle Line Cruises – 70th
2015

circleline42.com

Cunard Line, Ltd. – 175th
2015

cunard.com

FDNY – 150th
nyc.gov/html/fdny

Frank Sinatra – Centennial

2015

nypl.org

Morris-Jumel Mansion – 250th
2015