Category: Featured

Entertainment, Environment, Fashion, Featured, NY News, Restaurants, Tourism

NYC businesses begin reopening alongside regulations and restrictions

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The fact that businesses are eager to reopen is understandable. The fact that the clientele is returning is a sign that New Yorkers are equally eager to resume some sense of normalcy.

Since March, eateries have only been allowed to offer takeout and delivery services. Now, as the city is poised to gradually reopen, some business owners have taken matters into their own hands. Throughout New York City, restaurants and bars have taken over the now nearly empty sidewalks. Recently proposed legislation will have the city identify sidewalks, streets, and plazas for table service so restaurants can meet capacity and social distancing regulations. The process of acquiring permits for these spaces will be streamlined.

Already, some restaurant owners are allowing diners to linger for an extra round or two and serving food through doors and windows. In the city’s hippest areas, patrons are congregating outside bars- with no seating- being served by masked bartenders passing drinks out the door.

Clothing stores have also taken to the outdoors, setting up racks outside. Touchless browsing is now the standard for shoppers; masks (and in some cases gloves) will be required in most indoor shops.

Featured, NY News, Tourism

New York Salutes COVID-19 Frontlines from Its Buildings

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New York is showing its unity and solidarity in the fight against the novel coronavirus in many different ways. Its architecture is one of them.

Since the city went into lockdown just a few weeks ago, the Empire State Building has donned many different colors as a show of solidarity with those on the frontlines of COVID-19.

Now, a new initiative, with the hashtag #LightItBlue, is a worldwide effort to light up landmarks around the world in a “beacon of blue.” On April 9, 2020, more than 150 places in the United States beamed blue. In New York the cites included 1 World Trade Center, Madison Square Garden, the Times Square billboards, and the Beacon Theater. The illuminating initiative began in the United Kingdom and was led in the United States by leaders in the events and entertainment industry.  It was meant to be “a collective salute to the millions of essential workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the press release.

Madison Square Garden gets ready to #LightItBlue in support of those fighting COVID-19
Entertainment, Featured, NY News, Tourism

The Sites and Sounds of NYC Come to You

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The coronavirus pandemic is restricting travel, limiting gatherings, and changing the way we experience the world. With new public health and safety instructions being announced every day, the city that never sleeps is definitely slowing down.

Thankfully modern technology is making it possible for many of these museums, parks, and libraries to offer virtual access to their venues, galleries, and collections. While we all engage in social distancing and try to remain entertained and energetic, these virtual NY experiences are a great way to stay connected.

Many NYC attractions offering virtual access
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is offering virtual access to its building and exhibits

Museums

The Google’s Arts & Culture platform offers access to the Met, the Museum of Modern Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Cooper Hewitt. Some of the museums also include virtual tours of specific exhibits. The offerings at the Frick, the Museum of the City of New York, the New-York Historical Society, the New York Public Library are particularly nice.

Libraries

New York City’s public libraries have closed, but access to e-books and research platforms is still available. Check out the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and the Queens Public Library to learn what is available.

Parks

The parks are open, but outdoor gatherings and unnecessary exposure are not recommended. If you are feeling pent-up indoors, you can still go on a virtual tour of the High Line elevated park through Google Arts & Culture. New York favorites Central Park and the Staten Island Greenbelt are also open virtually through the New York City Parks Department.

Central Park’s benches are empty, but virtual access is still available

It is not often that you are given an opportunity to be a“Tourist In Your Own Town.” The New York Landmarks Conservancy has a series by that name, giving tours of historic landmarks such as President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthplace and the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum. Most of the concerts scheduled by the 92nd Street Y will be live-streamed with no audience.

Fashion, Featured, Fitness, NY News, Sports, Tourism, Transportation

New York City: Just Do It

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New York City and Nike have signed a new partnership allowing the sportswear giant to use more than 30 NYC trademarks (including the NYPD Bomb Squad seal, Department of Transportation crest, or FDNY insignia) on its apparel.

NYC iconoic logos like this will now appear alongside the Nike swoosh.

The deal is an economic tourism win: Nike will pay NYC & Company, the city’s marketing and tourism outfit, royalties of 5 percent of the net sales from these emblazoned items each year. Revenue will be used to support the cost of the city’s licensing program.

NYC’s deal with Nike advances a set of ethical standards, including a ban on forced and child labor and a requirement that municipal vendors “treat employees with respect and dignity,” that the company must adhere to. Nike is also compelled to disclose where its city-branded products will be made; vendors will sign an ethical standards form when contracting with a new factory.

Tourists and NYC fans can look forward to finding Nike/NYC items as early as spring 2020.

Entertainment, Featured, NY News, Tourism

New York is No Joke(r)

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The blockbuster movie “Joker” hit theaters in October. And while the Oscar buzz about the film continues to circulate, the stairs in the movie are emerging as a new New York City tourist attraction.

The stairs connect Shakespeare and Anderson avenues at West 167th Street in the Bronx.

Be like Joker in New York City

Just like no trip to Philadelphia would be complete without a visit to the “Rocky” stairs, your next visit to New York should include at least a few instagrammable shots at Joker’s steps. While in the Bronx you can also visit the famous Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.

Chandler Hotel, Entertainment, Featured, NY News, Tourism, Transportation, Triumph Hotels

New York Through Instagram’s Lense

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New York City is full of noteworthy places to take fun and beautiful pictures. With so many quaint corners and iconic buildings, it is no wonder that Big Apple has so many Instagram-worthy spots for any visitor. Try these top picks:

#1: #GrandCentral—  Not all train stations are created equal. Grand Central Terminal is an international architectural beauty known for its glorious façade and remarkable main lobby.

#2: #FlatIronBuilding—the building, shaped like a common household appliance, was designed in 1902 by architect Daniel Burnham and remains one of Manhattan’s most memorable landmarks to this day.

#3: #DUMBO—an acronym for the Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass (DUMBO), this history-filled ex-warehouse neighborhood is now home to art galleries and artisanal coffee shops.

#4: #TheOculus—standing where the 9/11 attacks occurred, The Oculus is a transport hub and the new World Trade Center. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the building is an impressive and significant site for Insta stories.

#5: #WallStreet – get up close and personal with the legendary Charging Bull or just walk around the cobblestone streets.

#6: #NYPublicLibrary—continuing on the animal-sightings, come snap a picture with the celebrated Library Lions standing guard outside the third largest library in the world.

Between photo shoots, whether you are looking for a place to sleep or a place to eat, you should check out any of the Triumph Hotels or Hotel Chandler in Manhattan. Luxurious amenities alongside personalized service make them the perfect option on an instagramable tour of New York. Chic, trendy, and tasteful, these hotels are great for tourists or veteran New Yorkers.

Entertainment, Featured, NY News, Restaurants, Tourism, Tribeca

Economy Candy: Manhattan’s Very Own Sugar Rush Shop

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Located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Economy Candy, is THE haven for sweet-toothed candy lovers. And it isn’t your typical candy shop.

The store is stocked with floor-to-ceiling displays of over 2,000 different types of candies from all over the world, even candy that isn’t made anymore.

illustrative photo of candy likely offered at Economy Candy

The store first “opened” in 1937 as a candy cart in front of Morris “Moishe” Cohen’s hat and shoe repair shop. During the Great Depression, Moishe’s cart offered gratifying sweet treats to recently laid-off workers.

Economy Candy has remained in the Cohen family for over eight decades. Moishe’s son Jerry and his wife Ilene took over the candy shop in the 80’s and ran it together for over 30 years. Now their son Mitchell operates the place with his wife. Mitchell began working at the shop on weekends as a reprieve from his demanding Wall Street job. Eventually, he realized he wanted to be in the family business full-time. “Nothing is dull in here. There is so much variety. So much color,” said Mitchell.

He is committed to making every customer happy. “If you don’t see it, it’s probably not made anymore – but I will find it for you,” he says.

So whether you are looking for German Haribo gummy candies, or you want to try one of the nine varieties of Japanese KitKats, or if you have a hankering for some other sweet confection from your youth, make sure to visit Economy Candy on your next trip to downtown Manhattan.

Entertainment, Featured, Frederick Hotel, Iroquois Hotel, NY News, Shimmie Horn, The Edison Hotel, The Evelyn, Tourism, Washington Jefferson Hotel

Summer of 2019: Record Tourism in NYC

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Times Square, New York City

Nearly 67 million people came to New York City in the summer months of 2019. That is close to two million more visitors than in 2018. It is also the 10th consecutive year of rising tourism according to Fred Dixon, the chief executive of NYC & Company, the city’s tourism marketing agency.

The surge in New York tourism is likely due to several high profile events, including the NYC Film Festival, WorldPride celebration, City Farm Summer, and others. The reopening of the Museum of Modern Art this month will also draw visitors to the city, Mr. Dixon said.

Those visiting the city are looking to have a good time. They want top-tier accommodations, prime experiences, and reasonable prices. As New York continues to offer a wide range of exciting opportunities, from the culinary to the cultural, the fashion to the fun, hotels like the Edison in Times Square, or the Washington Jefferson Hotel in the theater district and the Iroquois in Midtown offer ideal hospitality close to all the action. Hotel owner Shimmie Horn works hard to ensure that all guests enjoy all that New York City has to offer.

Featured

March of Dimes Relocates

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Until now, the annual March of Dimes has taken place on Staten Island.  This year however, for the first time it will be in Manhattan, in conjunction with their event on Sunday, April 29.

While Staten Island has traditionally been known as one of the region’s “signature fundraising events,” attracting thousands of walkers and raising millions of dollars, it is now going to join the other New York boroughs and (be the last to) join the Manhattan one.

This will mean that the walk will be a five-borough one. A March of Dimes Greater NY Market statement said that this will result in the “mobiliz[ation of] thousands of people from across the metropolitan area.” And as Senior Development even Manager Eileen Hochberg said:

By bringing together local communities, we know we can solve the toughest problems. Evert March for Babies participant is a leader who has the power to make a huge difference for families.

Registration available here.