NYC & Company showcases new and upcoming New York City attractions

Official destination marketing organization NYC & Company is encouraging New Yorkers, visitors and meeting delegates to safely enjoy new and upcoming experiences in the five boroughs.

"As New York City rebounds and visitors return to our vibrant neighbourhoods across the five boroughs, an entire new slate of offerings awaits, underscoring our message to travelers: It’s Time for New York City," said Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company.

The Javits Center has completed its 1.2-million-square-feet expansion, including a 54,000-square-feet special event space, the largest of its kind in the Northeast; 90,000-square-feet of exhibit space; a 200,000-square-foot rooftop event space, including a glass-enclosed pavilion, an outdoor terrace, and a one-acre working farm.

Attractions

A raft of new attractions have opened in the past few months such as the Phoenix Family Thrill Roller Coaster which opened this summer at Coney Island. Standing 68 feet tall, the new ride will reach speeds of 34 miles per hour and offering a thrilling new addition at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, which celebrated its centenary last year.

Opening October 21, SUMMIT will be NYC’s newest observation deck at the crown of the new One Vanderbilt skyscraper.  SUMMIT takes visitors to the highest vantage point in Midtown with views of the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and north to Central Park. Glass floor ledges overhang more than 1,000 feet above Madison Avenue.

RiseNY by Running Subway is a new entertainment attraction opening later this year, which will connect visitors to NYC in a unique way, exploring the history of NYC via live actors, immersive media and museum galleries.

Museums, Cultural Organizations and Performing Arts:

In May, the Whitney Museum of American Art debuted Day’s End by David Hammons as a permanent public art project located in Hudson River Park, directly across from the museum. The exhibition pays homage to Gordon Matta-Clark’s 1975 artwork of the same name in the same location.

The completely redesigned Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals opened at the American Museum of Natural History in June. The halls feature nearly 5,000 specimens from 95 countries—including two amethyst geodes that are among the world’s largest on public display.

On display through October 31, KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx features new work by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, including two new outdoor monumental sculptures Dancing Pumpkin and I Want to Fly to the Universe, as well as Infinity Mirror Rooms and colourful flowers and floral sculptures.

Opened earlier this month at 526 Sixth Avenue, Banksy: Genius or Vandal?, is a world-renowned exhibition dedicated to the famous yet mysterious British artist. On display through Thanksgiving weekend, the exhibit dives into the controversial artistic universe of one of the most influential creators today and features more than 80 genuine, authenticated artworks by Banksy from private European collections.

Automania, on display at MoMA through January 2, 2022, showcases an in-depth look at automobiles—an object that has inspired innovation, social transformation and critical debate. The exhibition addresses the conflicted feelings that developed in response to cars and car culture in the 20th century.

Broadway returned this month with classics like The Lion King, Chicago, Wicked; newer productions including Hadestown, Waitress, Hamilton, Come From Away; brand-new shows that will debut including Thoughts of a Colored Man, Diana and Mrs. Doubtfire; and many more. For a full list, visit nycgo.com/articles/fall-2021-broadway-guide.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art launched the Costume Institute’s newest exhibition, a two-part show on view through September 5, 2022. Part one, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, opened on September 18 and celebrates the Costume Institute’s 75th anniversary, exploring a modern vocabulary of American fashion. Part two, In America: An Anthology of Fashion, opening on May 5, 2022, will explore the development of American fashion.

Due to its successful summer run, the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit New York will return to Pier 36 November 17 through January 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.

The Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, Queens, is undergoing a physical and programmatic expansion for a new cultural cente with an interactive exhibit, archival collections, 68-seat jazz club and store, projected to open by the end of the year.

Waterfront and Outdoor Activities:

This spring, Little Island opened at Pier 55 as 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.

In August, NYC Ferry launched the St. George route from Staten Island to Battery Park City and Midtown West. Next up, the Coney Island route (to Bay Ridge and Wall Street) and an extension of the Soundview route (to Ferry Point Park/Throgs Neck) will launch later this year.

Big Events:

The TCS New York City Marathon is back this year as a spectator event. On November 7, 33,000 runners (60 percent capacity of previous years’ races) are expected to run the five-borough course.

The 95th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will return in-person with spectators this year. Kicking off at 9am on November 25, the iconic holiday event will include marching bands, cheer and specialty group performances, signature floats and balloons, with more details to be announced.

For the latest updates visit nycgo.com/coronavirus