New York City now boasts one of the world's lowest COVID positive rates, raising hopes—or maybe even expectations—that the July 4th holiday weekend will reflect a full bounce back. Certainly cultural organizations are betting on New York, with a slew of live events and reopens coming on line:
- The McKittrick Hotel, home of Sleep No More, has reopened rooftop garden hideaway Gallow Green for dinner and drinks Wednesdays-Sundays
- Movies Under the Stars is back in NYC parks
- The New Ohio Theatre's Ice Factory summer festival is back, through August 14th
- Birdland Jazz Club reopens tomorrow, with 1949 ticket prices all month
- The Steeplechase Spectacular Fourth of July Fireworks Show and Friday Night Fireworks series return to Coney Island starting July 4th
- The New York Public Library will be open with near full service effective July 6th
- 2021 Films on the Green festival begins July 9th
- City of Water Day takes place around the city July 10th
- Infinity pools for Governors Island—new spa QC NY planning August preview days
- The Other Art Fair comes to Brooklyn July 22nd through 25th
- Hard seltzer festival Seltzerland coming to Brooklyn Expo Center on August 7th
- The Staten Island Ferry resumes round-the-clock service August 16th
- The Empire State Building Run-Up will return October 26th
- New immersive adventure Stranger Things: The Experience launching spring 2022
A recent survey looked at 100 cities to find the best destination for July 4th. The winner? New York City. NYC & Company is getting the word out about reopening—the city's largest-ever global tourism marketing effort kicked off last week. “It’s Time for New York City” is a $30 million, three-phase multimedia campaign. It will send a strong message that New York is ready. We wish all our tourism colleagues a great holiday weekend, and look forward to reconnecting next week with word of a new "NYC Tourism Is Back" opportunity.
New waterfront oasis The Bungalow at Brookfield Place will transport visitors to a beachfront retreat this summer with music, programming, bocce courts, outdoor seating, and cocktails. Rendering by TMRW.
LINKS OF INTEREST
NYC
- New York City to Reluctant Tourists: Please Come Back
- AAA to help with New York tourism-recovery effort
- Michael Jackson musical loses star Ephraim Sykes
- Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker will star in Plaza Suite, beginning early 2022
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will return to Broadway in November as a one-part show
- New Yorkers' takes on Hot Vax Summer
- City will finally complete Manhattan Greenway
NATIONAL
- Google Travel may finally get reigned in by law
- Travel search terms on Google show scale of pent-up demand
- Kohl’s CEO Michelle Gass says people are underestimating the return of stores
- United buying hundreds of new planes to accommodate surge in demand
- World Travel Holdings CEO talks about "explosion in business"
Governor Cuomo has announced a new monument to honor essential workers in Battery Park City. To be completed by Labor Day, the “Circle of Heroes” will feature 19 maples and an eternal flame memorializing those lost to COVID. Rendering courtesy of Governor Cuomo's office.
LAST CHANCE! A MOUTHWATERING STEAK AND EXCLUSIVE EVENT
Who's a steak lover? You can have an exclusive experience and learn how to cook the perfect steak from Benjamin Steakhouse's master chef. Then enjoy a special meal just for our group. You'll start off with a summery appetizer (think crab cake, shrimp cocktail, sizzling Canadian bacon), followed by rack of lamb, Norwegian salmon, USDA prime filet mignon, or a custom dry-aged Porterhouse steak for two. Save room for dessert—pecan pie, chocolate mousse cake, or New York cheesecake.
See the full menu here.
In addition to this sumptuous meal, you'll also get a demonstration from Chef Arturo McLeod (20 years at Peter Luger), who will be sharing his secrets about summer cooking and how to prepare a perfect steak. Join us Friday, July 2nd, at Benjamin Steakhouse. Seating is limited, register now.
About ETD Exclusives
ETD Exclusives opens doors to private experiences not available to the public. Want to have dinner with a world-renowned chef, a docent-led behind-the-scenes tour of a museum, or a private experience at an iconic NYC attraction? ETD Exclusives has them—plus you can meet great people.
Do you have a venue or a restaurant that is interested in bringing in full paying groups? Reach out about ETD Exclusives. Our first event, a summer kick off with celebrity chef David Burke, sold out in 36 hours. Contact David Miller, dmiller@davlermedia.com.
IS NEW YORK CITY SAFE FOR TOURISTS? | THIS WEEK'S INSIGHTS FROM EVERYTHING TO DO FACEBOOK GROUP
Looking for on-the-round reporting about the city? Everything To Do NYC Facebook Group brings together 40,000 city superfans sharing what they're experiencing around town. A major impediment to tourism's return is the perception that the city is dangerous. How are visitors dealing with that perception? The prompt "Single mom with 11 and 13 yr old boys. Is it safe to take a Lyft to evening Yankee game?" received more than 100 comments in response. (Most people recommended the subway and downplayed crime.) On a similar note, a questioner with concerns about the Holiday Inn Times Square received almost 200 responses—again, with most people not overly concerned about safety. Check on your own venue's reputation and weigh in, this is a great way to connect with customers. If you're not a member yet, join us.
