Make a summer escape to the Empire State as new music festivals, museums and outdoor attractions

 

welcome visitors, while new lodging and dining provide comfort for every type of trip

  The summer travel season is one of the most popular times to explore new places and events, and New York State is poised to welcome travelers this year with outdoor experiences and festivals that make any summer getaway shine. Let the shimmer of a lakeside campsite, the luster of a renovated retro motor lodge, the polished performers of a music festival, or the sparkling glassware in a new restaurant or brewery light the way to a fun-filled summer.   I LOVE NY Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "New York State doesn’t disappoint summer travelers looking for fun under the sun or to beat the heat. Outdoor adventure ranks high in summer vacation planning, while already great museums are bursting at the seams with new, state-of-the-art exhibits and expansions. Visitors can design a trip around a full calendar of spectacular festivals and events, finding comfort in a variety of refreshed and reimagined lodging options. They can raise a frosty glass with family and friends while savoring a rich tapestry of flavors served in new restaurants and breweries across the state. With a dazzling variety of unique, world-class and accessible destinations, New York State is so easy to love, and we welcome visitors and residents to celebrate the excitement of this vacation season."   Below are some of the new, renewed and returning attractions, events, lodging and dining options waiting for travelers to enjoy this summer. More can be found on www.iloveny.com.   CAMPING AND GLAMPING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS  

• Boheme Retreats (Catskills) – An array of funky and fun vintage campers and glamping tents are grouped at Covered Bridge Campsite in Livingston Manor, with access to on-site fishing and nearby hiking and waterfalls. This Black-owned business creates inclusive outdoor camping experiences with a retro vibe.
• Camptown (Catskills) – Camptown amenities include a swim club and sauna that complement this recently renovated collection of 26 log cabins and 24 hotel rooms in Leeds in the Catskills. Guests enjoy hiking, art and music before refueling at the property’s Casa Susanna, a "Mexican farm food" restaurant.
• Glampful (Capital-Saratoga) – Eight safari-style tents with bathrooms and hot showers nearby are set on 50 acres in Broadalbin (a five-minute drive from the Great Lake Sacandaga boat launch), creating a welcoming home base for Adirondack adventures. Visitors can hike through wetlands, forest and meadows with access to Great Sacandaga Lake, or unwind around a fire pit and stargaze at night.

    POP CULTURE, ART AND HISTORY  

• Gilder Center at the American Museum of Natural History (New York City) – The American Museum of Natural History opened the Gilder Center on May 4. This new, critically acclaimed $465 million wing has three floors open to the public and showcases more than 3,000 objects representing each area of the Museum's collections. Highlights include a butterfly vivarium with over 1,000 free-flying butterflies and a 5,000 square foot insectarium.
• The Strong National Museum of Play (Finger Lakes) – Located in the heart of Rochester's Neighborhood of Play, the world’s only museum dedicated to the exploration and discovery of play will open a 90,000 square foot expansion on June 30 featuring the World Video Game Hall of Fame and the world’s largest playable Donkey Kong arcade machine. Beyond the museum, the Neighborhood offers an outdoor board game-themed garden, brewery, game-themed restaurant and hotel.
• Buffalo AKG Art Museum (Buffalo-Niagara) – Following a $200 million expansion project, the new Buffalo AKG Art Museum (formerly the Albright-Knox Art Gallery) will comprise more than 50,000 square feet of state-of-the art exhibition space, five classrooms, an interior community gathering space and more than half an acre of new public green space, elevating Buffalo’s profile as a world-class cultural destination. A grand re-opening is planned for June.
• Bond in Motion (Capital-Saratoga) Through November, the Saratoga Automobile Museum will showcase an official collection of iconic James Bond vehicles. The multimedia exhibition spans all 25 films and also features additional props and clips along with guided tours – all included with admission.
• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Massaro House Tours (Hudson Valley) – The only Wright design built after his death, the masterpiece home resides in the middle of Lake Mahopac and will offer its first-ever 90-minute public tours in June.
• Elite Gaming (Finger Lakes) – Enjoy the ultimate gaming experience at the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) in Syracuse with Elite Gaming. This new attraction features a full video production studio, streaming pods, and 100 gaming PCs and consoles for a family-friendly space dedicated to creating opportunities in the e-sports ecosystem.
• Oneida County Mural Trail (Central New York) – Map out an art trip with a collection of 32 outdoor murals displayed throughout Utica and Oneida County. Follow an online map showing each design, location and information about the artists who created them.

    FAMILY OUTINGS  

• Saranac Lake Paddling Challenge (Adirondacks) – Explore the lakes and rivers of Saranac Lake by paddling the 19 flatwater miles of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail – the longest inland waterway in the US. The challenge can be completed in three sections or all at once as an Ultra, and patches are awarded for completion beginning in June.
• Splash Indoor Water Park Resort (Thousand Islands) – The Clarion Hotel & Suites Riverfront in Oswego welcomes a new indoor waterpark just in time for summer. Attractions include two slides, a toddler splash pad, pool with basketball nets, arcade, large jacuzzi, and a bar and restaurant.

    FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS  

• Borscht Belt Fest (Catskills) July 29 –  In anticipation of the Borscht Belt Museum’s opening in 2025, the museum is hosting an immersive pop-up exhibition plus an arts & food festival dubbed the Borscht Belt Fest on July 29th. Taking place in Ellenville, the festival is perfect for all ages with live music, films, educational seminars, stand-up comedy and plenty to eat and drink.
• The Great New York State Fair (Finger Lakes) August 23 – Sept. 4 – Returning to Syracuse with 13 days of rides, games, concerts, entertainment and the Taste NY Marketplace, the beloved family event is a summer tradition that’s not to be missed.
• Catbird Music Festival (Catskills) August 19 – 20 – This summer, for the first time in decades, a new music festival debuts on the historic field of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. The Bethel festival features some of the biggest names in Americana and folk music, as well as indie acts and emerging artists, with headline performances including The Lumineers and Tyler Childers.
• Wings Over Batavia Airshow (Greater Niagara) September 2 – 3 – This thrilling air show will take place at Genesee County Airport over Labor Day Weekend. The event will feature modern military aircraft, historical warbirds and world champion aerobatic performers. After sunset, attendees will be treated to a high-energy night show with fireworks and aerobatics in a spectacularly choreographed pyromusical.
• Cave Mountain Catskills Music Festival (Catskills) September 15 – 16 – A “patchwork” playlist effortlessly marries rock, soul, blues, funk, country and folk with a two-day festival highlighted by live acts including Weezer, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Dinosaur Jr., Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Albert Hammond, Jr. The event will offer a diverse selection of food and beverage choices from local vendors to provide festivalgoers a true taste of upstate in Windham.

    TEE TIME  

• Heritage Spy Ring Golf Club (Long Island) – The region’s newest public golf course slated to open this year is an imaginative nine-hole course that will be part of the Heatherwood 55+ resort community in Setauket.
• The Monster Golf Course (Catskills) – Built upon portions of the original Monster Golf Course and the Old International Course, a new 18-hole Rees Jones design debuts this summer at Resorts World Catskills in Klamesha Lake.

    NEW LODGING WITH CITY AND LAKE VIEWS  

• Blue Fox Motel (Catskills) – Lovingly restored and renovated, this 1950s mid-century motel in Narrowsburg features a variety of accommodation options including quirky motel rooms, woodsy cabins and stand-alone guesthouse with a pool, all serviced by an on-site restaurant and bar.
• Daunt’s Albatross (Long Island) – This 24-room compound is the perfect home base to explore the natural beauty of Montauk. Relax in the saltwater pool and enjoy daily dining at the Bird on the Roof café across the street, all just 100 feet from the ocean.
• GillHouse (Thousand Islands) – Originally established in 1813, the legendary waterfront venue’s 11 rooms have been completely restored. The Henderson Harbor hotel is pet-friendly and includes access to the back porch overlooking Lake Ontario. Its namesake restaurant serves a seasonal menu for lunch, dinner, tavern fare and Sunday brunch.
• Hotel Moraine (Long Island) – Opening Memorial Day weekend in Greenport, the luxury family resort features 20 guestrooms inspired by nature and the primitive coastline. The property, set on the bluff of the Sound, features a fireplace, cafe/bar, private heated pool, fitness center and several fire pits, plus the “Cottage on the Bluff” available for special events for up to 20 guests.
• Northport Hotel (Long Island) – Slated for a summer opening, the luxury boutique hotel sits in the historic harborfront village of Northport and will offer 26 opulent rooms, indulgent amenities and a 175-seat authentic Italian chophouse.
• Penny Williamsburg (New York City) – Nestled in the Williamsburg neighborhood, this pet-friendly hotel is designed to feel like home, outfitted with hardwood floors, kitchenettes and fluffy robes. Guest rooms and public spaces are adorned with original artwork from New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.
• The Hotel Laurel at Seneca (Finger Lakes) – Private balconies on each room of this renovated mid-century modern hotel look out onto panoramic views of sunrises over Seneca Lake’s eastern shore. The property opens June 1 in the town of Watkins Glen, just minutes from the top-rated Watkins Glen State Park and Watkins Glen International.
• The Lodge at Schroon Lake (Adirondacks) – Following a $16 million renovation, this lakeside getaway welcomes guests this summer with 116 lodging options including hotel rooms, standalone cabins, chalets and upscale “glamping” sites. The 36-acre property also offers miniature golf, multipurpose sports courts and a guests-only private beach with docks and a deck.

    DINING OUT  

• Blackbarn Hudson Valley (Catskills) – Chef John Doherty, a James Beard award recipient and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, brings his signature farmhouse-inspired restaurant style to the Diamond Mills hotel in Saugerties.
• Canaseraga Soup and Coffee co. – The Pot Spot (Chautauqua-Allegheny) – Seasonal soups, sandwiches, baked goods and creative coffee drinks fill an artisan weekly menu at this Black-owned business.
• Carnegie Diner & Cafe (New York City) – Carnegie Diner & Cafe has a flagship location diagonally across the street from Carnegie Hall and is doubling its Manhattan footprint this year. A new location from chef and owner Stathis Antonakopoulos will open this summer at 828 8th Avenue with seating for 165 guests.
• Ferryman’s Grille (Long Island) – Just opened in April within Danfords Hotel, Marina & Spa in Port Jefferson, the seafood-focused restaurant boasts a refreshed design and a new lounge and bar. Rotating seasonal dishes follow a farm-and-sea-to-table menu while daily live music on the dock sets the mood.
• Le Mélange (Finger Lakes) – A modern open kitchen with expansion plans on the horizon in downtown Syracuse, Le Mélange features a blend of American, Italian and Mediterranean dishes crafted to tempt the palate and dominate the senses.
• Mill & Main Provisions (Hudson Valley) – This highly anticipated restaurant, bar and garden celebrates seasonal local producers with an eclectic menu of Colombian and Italian fare in Kerhonkson.
• Salt Box (Hudson Valley) – A vintage-style bar with a petite menu suited to its shoebox-sized kitchen, this popular local hangout in Kingston is open daily. Diners will enjoy rotating food trucks and outdoor movie screenings in the old bank drive-thru.
• Sushi By Bou (Capital-Saratoga) –This timed omakase experience (12 pieces/$60 per person or 17 pieces/$100 per person) leaves the choice of sushi entirely up to the seasoned chef. Sushi chefs serve guests directly, guiding them through the meal for an exclusive and personalized dining experience. Sushi By Bou has locations in several cities including New York City, with its Albany location slated to open this summer.

    NEW POURS  

• Bridge and Tunnel Brewery (Catskills) – A husband-and-wife team opened the tap room in Liberty recently to welcome friends old and new, plus kids and pups. A selection of craft beer and soda, cider and kombucha are best enjoyed at the 40-foot-long bar, but farmhouse tables make for good conversation.
• Fidens Brewing (Capital-Saratoga) – Having outgrown its original location, the craft brewing operation will open a brewpub in Albany's Warehouse District to expand production and welcome guests.
• Klocke Estate (Hudson Valley) – The craft spirits facility, situated on 160 acres in Claverack and home to apple and grape earth-to-glass brandy, is expected to begin pouring just in time for summer.
• Middle Ages Brewing (Finger Lakes) – Raise a glass to a new concert hall and event space at Syracuse’s oldest brewery with concerts, open mic and trivia nights.
• New Scotland Spirits (Capital-Saratoga) – Veteran-owned and operated, the award-winning distillery opens a tasting room in time for summer sipping.
• The Asahi Shuzo Sake Brewery (Hudson Valley) – Opening in September, this is the first U.S.-based Dassai sake brewery in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America. The $28 million+ facility will produce more than 330,000 gallons of rice wine a year in Hyde Park.
• War Cannon Spirits (Adirondacks) – A whiskey distillery, tasting room, event space, retail store and casual restaurant are the result of a six-year restoration project of Crown Point’s 200+ year-old former mill.

 

  WHAT'S NEW IN LOWER MANHATTAN: 2023 UPDATES LOWER MANHATTAN MAJOR OPENINGS   PAC NYC    1 Liberty Plaza - Opening Fall 2023   Opening this fall, PAC NYC will redefine Lower Manhattan as a prime cultural destination. The performing arts center will be a one-of-a-kind multidisciplinary space, with the latest theatrical design, technology and boundary-pushing work located at the World Trade Center. Leading international artists in theater, dance, music, film, and chamber and new opera will inspire, entertain, and unite us.   Century 21 NYC     22 Cortlandt Street - Opened May 2023   After shuttering all 13 of its locations in November 2020, including the much-loved Lower Manhattan flagship, the famed retailer has reopened in its original downtown store. The new iteration has nearly the same footprint as its predecessor, spanning 100,000 square feet over four floors, and maintains its core mission of offering designer apparel at great prices. The Lower Manhattan flagship has been a fixture of the downtown shopping experience, marrying old world New York glamor with the city's signature hustle.   Hall des Lumières    49 Chambers Street - Opened September 2022   Hall des Lumières is the largest permanent digital art center in New York City. Located in the historic Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank, the exhibition seamlessly showcases legendary works across the Beaux-Arts architecture. Its three exhibition areas span 31,000 square feet. The center opened with its inaugural exhibition Gustav Klimt: Gold in Motion. Destination COSMOS: The Immersive Space Experience is currently on exhibit through June 4th, 2023, with participation from NASA.   LOWER MANHATTAN RETAIL UPDATES    PRINTEMPS     One Wall Street - Opening Spring 2024   Luxury French department store Printemps will open its first US location at One Wall Street in spring 2024. The store will span 54,365 square feet over two levels. This space will include the landmarked Red Room, one of only 50 interior landmarks in New York City. The brand has commissioned internationally multi-awarded Parisian interior designer, Laura Gonzalez, as the architect on the project with the aim to create a 'Paris meets New York' design. LOWER MANHATTAN RESTAURANTS + BARS   SAGA   70 Pine Street   Located on the top floor of Art Deco masterpiece building 70 Pine, SAGA has recently been awarded 2 Michelin Stars in the year since being opened by James Kent and Jeff Katz, the duo behind Crown Shy, on the ground floor of the same building, This restaurant has a sensational multicourse seasonal tasting menu, and exquisite views of Manhattan. Overstory, an elegant cocktail bar, sits above SAGA on the picturesque.   THE TIN BUILDING    96 South Street - Opened Fall 2022   Located on the site of The Seaport's famed Fulton Fish Market, the Tin Building is a new culinary destination curated by acclaimed celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The 53,000-square food mecca offers two floors of “immersive concepts,” multiple restaurants and a market where you can buy everything from locally-sourced seafood and meats to fresh produce and specialty items. Fans of Jean-Georges can also find his first seafood restaurant, celebrated spot The Fulton, at The Seaport.   SMYTH TAVERN   85 West Broadway - Opened Fall 2022   This 100-seat restaurant is attached to the Smyth Hotel and is the third restaurant from John Mcdonald's Mercer Street Hospitality group. Featuring fresh fish, raw bar, dry-aged steaks, homemade pastas and a specialty burger. The dining room is adorned with a rotating collection of artwork curated from local Downtown galleries.   SIXPOINT BREWERY   Brookfield Place - Opening Late 2023   Popular Brooklyn-based craft beer brand Sixpoint Brewery is set to open a 7,500 square-foot taproom, including a 2,500 square-foot outdoor beer garden at 200 Liberty Street in Brookfield Place.   LOWER MANHATTAN ATTRACTIONS UPDATES  

COURT 16 28 Liberty Street - Opening Summer 2023    A family-friendly, membership based tennis and pickleball facility with programming for adults and children is expected to open its first Manhattan outpost this summer in a 7,000 square-foot facility at 28 Liberty Street.

PIER 17 The popular Summer Concert Series at this dramatic rooftop venue is back and bigger than ever, with Summer 2023's lineup including Coheed and Cambria, T-Pain, Macklemore, the Pixies and Modest Mouse. Kicking off in May and running through September, enjoy a one-of-a-kind, cutting edge experience featuring everything from pop to comedy — plus views that can't be beat.

QC NY SPA ON GOVERNORS ISLAND   Opened Q2 2022    A luxury spa with amenities including relaxation rooms, saunas, massages, wellness water experiences and outdoor thermal pools with stunning 360-degree views of Manhattan, bookable for day trips year round. Governors Island is also home to fields of hammocks, hills of slides, incredible arts programming, and plenty of food options — including Island Oyster, which was nominated for a James

PIER 11    Ferry routes connecting Lower Manhattan to all five boroughs leave from Pier 11: Lower East Side, the Bronx, Astoria, Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, North Brooklyn and the Rockaway beaches and now St. George on Staten Island.

  LOWER MANHATTAN HOTELS NEWS + UPDATES   WARREN STREET HOTEL 86 Warren Street - Opening early 2024    The third property from Firmdale Hotels in New York City, the Warren Street hotel will feature 57 individually designed rooms and suites as well as 12 exclusive residences.   33 SEAPORT HOTEL   33 Peck Slip - Opened Q1 2023    Located in the exciting Seaport area, close to the Tin Building and Pier 17, the hotel features 66 guest rooms and suites, including eight premium rooms offering private outdoor space inviting guests to take in breathtaking panoramic views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and the iconic New York City skyline.   WALL STREET HOTEL   88 Wall Street - Opened Summer 2022    The upscale Wall Street Hotel is home to 180 individually-designed guest rooms with interiors inspired by classic New York residences and featuring robust technology amenities, curated libraries, eclectic objects, and original artworks. The hotel features architecture by Stonehill Taylor, interiors by Rose Ink Workshop, and signature restaurant design by Charles & Co.   CASA CIPRIANI   10 South Street    As part of the redevelopment of the historic Battery Maritime Building, the third and fourth floors of Casa Cipriani feature a 47-room boutique hotel with many suites and balconies overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. A new fifth-floor glass addition houses a private membership club with a jazz lounge, bars, and a restaurant.   RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT + COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT 215 Pearl Street    Tour operators, groups, and travelers on more of a mid-price budget have yet another option in Lower Manhattan with the recent opening of a combo Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott which features approximately 320 guest rooms, generous amenities and excellent access to all of the nearby sites. Lower Manhattan welcomed 12.1 unique visitors in 2022 as domestic travel returned and most international travel restrictions were lifted. The neighborhood has swiftly become a destination of choice to base a stay in New York City. And with 9,343 rooms in 44 hotels and 5 more in the pipeline, there have never been more options within our one square mile. Popular luxury properties include the Beekman Hotel, the Four Seasons, and the Conrad New York Downtown . A number of new hotels have opened since the start of the pandemic, including Casa Cipriani and The Wall Street Hotel, which both offer some of the finest hotel stays in all of New York City.

 

New York City may commission cruise ships to be used as floating housing for migrants. New York City Mayor Eric Adams made the suggestion during a TV interview. “We’re looking at everything to see, how we deal with this” Adams said. Thousands of migrants have recently bused to NYC from Texas. “We have to find temporary measures to address this issue,” he added. “This is an American crisis that we need to face.”

Aman's newest island destination is now open. Aman New York has-been one of Manhattan’s most hotly anticipated openings. The unveiling of Aman New York marks the Crown Building's transformation into a city hotel. Aman's Chairman and CEO, Vlad Doronin said: "The opening of Aman New York is a milestone moment in the evolution and growth of the Aman brand, cementing our strategy to bring the coveted Aman lifestyle to the world's greatest urban locations." Situated in the historic Crown Building, Aman New York was created in partnership with long-time Aman collaborator Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects. Aman New York has buzzy social venues, a14^th-floor wraparound Garden Terrace offering year-round dining, two signature restaurants and a Jazz Club . Aman Spa spans three floors, and includes an indoor 20-metre pool, 10 treatment rooms, fitness facilities and two Spa Houses . There are 83 suites and is the first hotel to house an Aman Club with dedicated facilities. Members have exclusive access to two Club lounges, a private Garden Terrace, as well as a Cigar Lounge and Wine Room. Aman New York also houses the brand's first urban Aman Branded Residences, a collection of 22 private homes located on the upper floors. Aman New York joins Amangani in Wyoming and Amangiri in Utah as the brand's third destination in the United States.  

Hotels in New York City have agreed to to ban guns from hotel rooms. The Hotel Association of New York City and the Hotel Trades Council agreed to the firearms ban in hotels. Action was taken after the US Supreme Court threw out New York’s concealed carry law. The NY state Legislature then passed a bill that allows guns to be banned in ‘sensitive areas’ which includes private businesses, after lobbying by the Hotel Trades Council "This is really important because it's a destination marketplace for the world," Vijay Dandapani President & CEO, Hotel Association of NYC said. "The focus of this is entirely on the safety of the people coming in here."

New York City tourism will recover to over 80% of its record 2019 visitation levels, Fred Dixon, NYC & Company’s president and CEO says. Dixon gave updates on NYC & Company’s new and future destination initiatives in press briefing at travel trade gathering IPW in Orlando. “New York City is experiencing an extraordinary revival, plus many dynamic, new developments across all five boroughs,” Dixon said. “NYC is back in a big way and already welcoming visitors from around the globe.” In addition to highlights of What’s New in New York City, Dixon presented NYC & Company initiatives including the new Get Local NYC campaign, recently-launched multicultural content hubs on NYCGO.com, a new Halal Travel Guide and the upcoming 30th Anniversary of NYC Restaurant Week. Highlights include 12,000 new hotel rooms coming online in the next three years with new properties such as Aman New York and NYC’s second Ritz-Carlton debuting this summer. There are 20 new Broadway shows and upgrades across the region’s three major airports. Culture highlights include the brand-new Museum of Broadway, The Louis Armstrong Center and the American Museum of Natural History’s Gilder Center opening this year, with The American LGBTQ+ Museum and the Universal Hip Hop Museum coming soon. Big events including NYC Pride, the New York City E-Prix, the US Open Tennis Championships . During IPW, NYC & Company released a new ‘What’s New + Trending in NYC’ video for the media and trade. This summer also marks the 30th Anniversary of NYC Restaurant Week, from July 18-August 21. Recently-launched multicultural platforms on NYCGO.com include the first US tourism organization to produce a Halal Travel Guide for Muslim visitors. NYC & Company is joined at IPW by local industry partners, including  Carnegie Hall, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, and Times Square Alliance. Additionally, NYC & Company and Broadway Inbound  hosted IPW’s NYC Center Stage luncheon.  

THE RIDE, New York’s mobile theatrical experience is back wowing audiences again, post pandemic. The 75-minute part tour and part show is city tour meets Broadway. The unique experience showcases the streets of New York City as the stage, with the city’s most iconic landmarks becoming part of the set. THE RIDE takes a journey through Times Square and midtown Manhattan as iconic landmarks unfold during the tour. It is the only tour attraction that provides a fully tailored adventure for each performance. THE RIDE’s cast of singers, dancers, musicians, actors and comedians provide an interactive experience leaving audience members guessing who is part of the show and who is just along for THE RIDE. THE RIDE motorcoach accommodates up to 49 passengers and is the largest vehicle allowed on the streets of New York. Visitors will enjoy hosts improvising each performance depending on what’s happening on the street that day. Visitors to New York City seeing a more traditional sightseeing experience can join THE TOUR. This 90-minute premium sightseeing tour hosted by a tour navigator will guide guests through 10 NYC neighbourhoods and 50 landmarks including, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Rockefellar Center, and Empire State Building.

LEGOLAND New York expects this year to be one of the biggest vacation seasons to date, as its doors swing for the 2022 season. LEGOLAND New York Resort this week opened for its first full season with a bricktastic celebration – complete with live music, dancing, giveaways, confetti, and a special pyrotechnic show. "This unique, family friendly destination has been a boon to the local economy and is an integral part of the state's tourism industry. The future is bright for LEGOLAND New York, and we look forward to many successful seasons,” New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said. Throughout the 2022 season, LEGOLAND New York will debut a series of new attractions, events, shows, new characters, and more. Top highlights include the opening of the all-new LEGO City Water Playground this season, a new food and beverage outlet located in a newly constructed central hub that will connect MINILAND with LEGO NINJAGO World, LEGO Castle and LEGO City, and three new entertainment shows at two brand-new stages.  In addition to an even bigger and better Brick-or-Treat bash in October, the Park will debut its first-ever Red, White & BOOM celebration and fireworks display on July 4^th and its first annual Holiday Bricktacular in December. “There’s so much excitement around family travel this year, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience everything we have in store for them this season,” said LEGOLAND New York Resort Divisional Director Stephanie Johnson. LEGOLAND New York Resort takes kids on a journey through seven LEGO themed lands, including Brick Street, Bricktopia, LEGO NINJAGO World, LEGO Castle, LEGO City, MINILAND and LEGO Pirates. Built for families with children ages two through 12,  highlights of a LEGOLAND New York vacation include transforming into a Minifigure on the world premiere LEGO Factory Adventure ride, chasing the red wizard out of the castle on the signature Dragon coaster, and mastering the power of the elements with Master Wu on LEGO NINJAGO The Ride. For the ultimate LEGO vacation experience, guests can book a Vacation Package at LEGOLAND Hotel, just steps from the Park entrance. Guests can also purchase single-day tickets (starting at $67.99 for adults). LEGOLAND New York’s full 2022 operating calendar can be found here.

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