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Environment, Featured, NY Environment, NY News, Tourism

New Greens and Grounds at Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

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The Brooklyn Botanic Garden reopened to visitors in August 2020. In September, Adrian Benepe, the former commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, came in as the Garden’s new president and chief executive.

The newly refurbished Brooklyn Botanic Garden still includes all the taxonomic detail and vibrant floral displays. The 52 acres of plant life are randomly categorized, with insects, birds, and a constantly-changing floral setup scattered throughout. The new Robert W. Wilson Overlook is constructed on a 1.25-acre slope of land that was left unkempt and deserted for too long. The slope was discovered in the 20th century when digging began on the adjacent Brooklyn Museum. The path also doubles as a ramp for disabled visitors.

While the Garden is open to visitors, the robust scholastic activities for children and adults are only available virtually. Children can register to have plants sent to their homes and gardening enthusiasts can consult with Botanical staff online.

Entertainment, Environment, Fitness, Sports, Tourism, Tribeca

Keeping a New York Tradition Running

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The New York City Marathon got underway on Oct. 17, 2020. This year, much like many other aspects of life in the City, the traditional route was forsaken for a virtual form. Runners were encouraged to register for any 26.2-mile route of their choosing and complete it within two weeks.

The New York Road Runners, the umbrella organization responsible for the annual marathon, reported that more than 28,000 runners from 130 countries and all 50 states signed up for the modified race this year. Close to 21% of those registered were based in New York’s metropolitan region.

Sunday, November 1, would have been the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon. While runners didn’t traverse the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, where the run usually gets underway, they could still run through the track down Fourth Avenue and Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn, across the Queensboro Bridge, and through Manhattan and the Bronx to the “finish line” in Central Park.

There were no street closures, supportive crowds, or aid tents, but many fans of the marathon did put up encouraging signs to show their support.

Environment, Featured, Fitness, NY Environment, NY News, Technology, Tourism, Transportation

Another Way to Traverse New York City: Electric Scooter

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New York City’s Department of Transportation published a tender for “expressions of interest” for a pilot initiative which would bring electric scooters to the Big Apple. The initial plan is to introduce the scooters in all the boroughs except Manhattan in May 2021.

So far, big names in urban transportation have shown interest in the program. Bird, Lime, Voi, and Lyft have all taken steps to participate in the bidding process.

“We applaud the City and Commissioner Trottenberg for taking this crucial next step in making New York a global leader in environmental travel, micromobility, equitable transportation, and street safety.”

Maurice Henderson, Bird’s director of government partnerships
Entertainment, Featured, NY News, Restaurants, Tourism

Hotel Design of the Future

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On a national level, hotel occupancy is down 50 percent. And yet, some analysts believe that tourism will be one of the first industries to pick up immediately after a vaccine is introduced. After months of no travel, people will be eager to explore new cities and pamper themselves at new hotels.

Hoteliers across America are planning for a future that accounts for new outbreaks and heightened sensitivity to hygiene. Hotel executives, designers, and suppliers shared how they are envisioning the post-corona hotel experience. Right now, enhanced housekeeping is a priority. These are just a few new practices and projected procedures:

Zero-Contact Room Controls: Self-check-out is not new in the hotel industry. Neither is keyless guest-room entry via cellphone.  COVID-19 has only heightened the necessity for these features as customers are more aware of what they touch and who they come in contact with. Google Assistant recently introduced an app for hospitality for its virtual assistant Google Nest Hub. Some New York City hotels are already using Nest Hub’s voice-command interface to get information about hotel services, set wake-up calls, etc.

Google Assistant recently introduced an app for hospitality for its virtual assistant Google Nest Hub. Some New York City hotels are already using Nest Hub’s voice-command interface to get information about hotel services, set wake-up calls, etc.

Robots for Room Service: Many New York City hotels are not equipped to offer outdoor dining options all year-round. Most hotel restaurants depend on far more business than is regulated by social distancing regulations. So many hotels have pivoted to serving meals in the entire facility, with the added bonus of having robots serve the food. Meeting rooms, ballrooms, and conference spaces are also being repurposed to be dining halls or pick up spots.

Letting the Outdoors In: Designers and architects have always recommended biophilic design: incorporating outdoor elements in indoor spaces. In the hotel world, more greenery is finding its way into the communal spaces, offering visitors nature’s calming effects. Boardrooms and event venues are including more plants, digital projections, and outdoor views that simulate nature’s movements. Cross breezes and anti-septic lights are produced by state-of-the-art air-filtration systems.

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

New York City’s First Tourism Initiative Since Pandemic

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If there is one thing that the coronavirus pandemic has taught us, it is that things change constantly.

Over the last few weeks, we have learned about the cancellation of the live Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, the closure of Century 21, and the removal of many states from New York’s mandated quarantine- list. Indoor concert and comedy spaces remain closed, but protocols have been set in place for indoor dining.

And now, for the first time since March, New York is introducing a new tourism initiative designed to recharge the city’s economy, stimulate local travel, and bring back the appeal of the Big Apple.

All In NYC: Neighborhood Getaways offers more than 200 deals and specials in hotels, museums, eateries, parks, and facilities across the five boroughs. Aimed primarily at New Yorkers looking for fun staycation opportunities at reasonable prices, All in NYC is the city’s most robust and varied tourism platform ever.  

Social distancing, health recommendations, and safety protocols are observed at all sites.

Entertainment, Shimmie Horn, Tourism, Transportation

New Bookings for NYC Hotels

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For over six months, New York City’s hotels have seen business slow and cease almost entirely. Since the initiation of mandatory lockdown, only 90 of New York’s 650 hotels remained open, primarily as lodgings for emergency workers and service providers. The city’s tourism bureau, NYC & Company, though is also tracking a change as people begin emerging from their protective pods. Through the All In NYC: Staycation campaign, the company is targeting locals and nearby residents looking for a change of scenery.

It seems, for now, that the campaign is working. The individuals and families booking the rooms are not typical tourists and business travelers; they are suburban dwellers who are bored, need a break from the home they have been stuck in since March, and those looking to celebrate something special. Some couples, who have chosen to elope instead of postponing their wedding to a post-pandemic date, are making reservations as part of a pseudo-honeymoon.

Environment, Fitness, NY Environment, Tourism, Transportation

Regenerative Travel Is The Next Step for Sustainability

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All around the world, for nearly a decade tourism, has expanded consistently and grown faster than the global gross domestic product. It only took one microscopic virus to destroy the entire travel industry: 121 million people in tourism jobs are unemployed, $3.4 trillion have been lost. With the reopening of schools in September 2020, and a general movement to begin planning a post-corona reality, many in the industry are looking for ways to make travel smarter, greener, and better.

Sustainable tourism, which seeks to offset the social and environmental impacts of travel used to be the goal. Now the focus is on regenerative travel—a visitor’s aim to leave a place better than it was before.

Six nonprofit organizations, including the Center for Responsible Travel and Sustainable Travel International, have formed an umbrella coalition, the Future of Tourism, offering benchmark suggestions for regenerative travelers. The recommendations include favoring local businesses over international chains, staying at resorts that source foods from local farmers, and participating in immersive community-based programs like beach clean-ups, school volunteering, etc. Neither sustainable nor regenerative travel solve the carbon emission problem; people will still need to get to these destinations, presumably by air. But the newly formed coalition encourages tourists to opt for boat, train, bike or foot excursions when exploring a new venue.

Entertainment, NY News, Restaurants, Tourism

The Comfort of NYC Deli

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The past few months have certainly been challenging. We are all grasping for some normalcy, consistency, and comfort during these uncertain times. In the history of sandwiches, few have proven more comforting than a good-old-fashioned New York City Deli sandwich.

Two slices of rye, with a generous smear of grainy mustard, topped with fresh, well-seasoned, deli meats hits the spot each and every time. If you are a traditionalist, a steaming bowl of matzah ball soup, crisp and tangy coleslaw, a dill pickle, and a Dr. Brown’s cream soda seal the deal. The Top-5 kosher (or kosher-style) delis in New York:

1. Katz’s
Katz’s is the Big Apple’s most famous family-owned kosher-style deli. The famed Harry met Sally film is staged here; their pastrami is world renowned.

2. Mendy’s
Situated in the City’s busy Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Station, Mendy’s gives you high-quality kosher deli on the go. Knishes, a fully-stocked salad bar, and chicken wraps, round out the menu.

3. Jay & Lloyds
A family friendly deli in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Jay and Lloyds has a full menu of kid favorites. The grown-up food is equally delicious.

4. Carnegie Deli
One of the pricier options on the deli scene, this iconic New York eatery offers  satisfying sandwiches and great pickles. The clever names and creative plating add a bit of flare to the flavors.

5. 2nd Avenue Deli
This classic New York deli serves up gigantic portions of everything: heaping mounds of deli, golf-ball-size matzah balls, and authentic chicken strips.

NY galleries go to the hamptons
Entertainment, Fashion, Featured, NY News, Tourism

NY’s Galleries Go to the Hamptons

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New York City’s art culture has changed dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic. Museums are closed, swanky galleries are seeing less foot traffic, and the recession is curtailing sales. Many New Yorkers fled the city to their outlying vacation homes, and their favorite New York art houses, galleries, and artists followed them.

This development is a win for collectors who say that online and virtual exhibitions are not the same as personal, visual interaction with the art and artists. More gallery options also means additional venues for emerging artists to showcase their talent; in crowded city spaces, it was hard to compete with famous names.

In the Hamptons, for example, collectors are coming out of lockdown to explore the newly opened gallery options popping up along the tidy, quiet streets. While the area used to be where the city’s dealers, artists, and collectors vacationed, now that they have spent most of the pandemic living here, there is much to discover. Since early June, five major art shops, headquartered in New York City, have set up spaces: Pace, Skarstedt, Van de Weghe, Michael Werner and Sotheby’s.

Entertainment, Featured, NY News, Restaurants, Tourism

New Coalition Set to Recharge New York

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The city has announced the creation of the Coalition for NYC Hospitality & Tourism Recovery together with NYC & Company.

The coalition is being co-chaired by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Restauranteur and hospitality leader Danny Meyer is also involved.

All 24 steering committee members are active in New York’s hospitality industry. The group’s members come from all five boroughs and have a mission to “revitalize and reaffirm the city’s brand positioning around the world following this most challenging time.”