GR E AT SE ATS AVA IL A BLE THIS W EEK
THE ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY EXPERIENCE A BREATHTAKING OBSERVATORY EXPERIENCE
One World Observatory opens you up to an uplifting and illuminating experience above all else – it’s not simply about the sightlines. Take in unparalleled views, the taste of elevated dining, the rush of discovery, and more. The 60 – 75-minute experience fits perfectly into your downtown itinerary.
One World Observatory opens you up to a sensory experience above all else – it’s not simply about the sightlines. It’s the feel of Lower Manhattan, the taste of fine dining, the rush of discovery, and more.
T he Tallest Observatory in Ne w York City
If you’re interested in experiencing what it’s like to be at the top of New York, look no further. The observatory’s sprawling 360-degree views stretch 45 miles in all directions. Imagine reflecting on the grandeur of NYC’s famous mix of architectural styles that make this skyline the most recognizable in the world from the tallest point in the city.
Beyond the view, visitors to the observatory are encouraged to learn something new about New York from the place where it all began. A team of tour guides will enlighten you on NYC’s rich history, which originates in Lower Manhattan. Sit in on daily interactive presentations or engage one of the guides with your questions to make the most of the visit.
Dine Among the Clouds
Have you ever dined from 101 stories in the sky? Now’s your chance. The restaurant and bar offer unprecedented skyhigh views paired with a menu that offers an equally farr eaching perspective on New York’s culinary culture. The front of house team provides personable service, making sure each guest feels at home.
See more on the observatory and its amenities on page 13 & 54.
The observatory is open daily and is located at the top of One World Trade Center. Visitors can enter at 117 West St.
Purchasing tickets in advance is strongly encouraged. Check with the concierge desk for offers.
WELCOME
From the PUBLISHER OF CITY GUIDE
Welcome to New York, the city that never sleeps.
You have arrived at the United States’ epicenter of culture, attractions, theater, dining, and more. When you wander through the neighborhoods, you’ll find historical sites, architecture, parks, specialty shops, epicurean delights, and many other memory makers. City Guide’s mission is “Guiding Discoveries” and in these pages you’ll discover iconic NYC destinations, Broadway shows, restaurant and nightlife options, and activities that will delight, educate, and entertain you. Whatever your pleasure, a jam-packed few days or a leisurely visit, City Guide will make navigating your stay easier—after all, we’ve been helping visitors make the most of the Big Apple for over 40 years. If you’re looking for more information visit cityguideny.com for an up to date calendar of events and thousands of other “fun to sees.”
NYC is known for its constant evolution and we’ll also show you new shopping destinations, the latest on our five observatories, immersive experiences, exhibitions at some of the world’s finest museums, and many great pop-up venues. Have a great time and welcome to our city.
Yours sincerely,
David L. Miller
Dear Friends:
From the MAYOR OF NEW YORK
I am delighted to join City Guide in welcoming you to the greatest city in the world!
New York is brimming with unmatched energy and diverse residents, and our myriad attractions inspire tens of millions of people to travel here every year. This ever-evolving city is a singular destination, and whether you are a first-time visitor or a returning guest, I encourage you to explore our different neighborhoods and experience our acclaimed museums, beautiful parks, fashionable shops, iconic architecture, innovative culinary and nightlife offerings, major sporting events, and rich performing arts and cultural programming across all five boroughs.
As you’ll find in this comprehensive guide, there is always something exciting to discover in the Big Apple. I hope that you enjoy your stay, and that you visit us again soon.
Sincerely,
Eric Adams
Travel to Milton, NY! Make the most of the autumn season by visiting a vineyard, going apple picking, or taking in the sights while trying the Walkway Over the Hudson! CRUISE TO MILTON, NY
VISIT COLD SPRING, NY
Shop, dine, and explore in one of the Hudson Valley’s most charming villages.
CRUISE TO AN ARMY FOOTBALL GAME
Tailgate by sea to Michie Stadium where you can watch the game!
FALL FOLIAGE BRUNCH CRUISES
Enjoy the stunning autumn leaves lining the Hudson River while feasting on a delicious catered brunch!
BEAR MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
Take a cruise to this beautiful park for a day of exploring, biking, and dining. Then check out the famous inn, zoo, and carousel!
For more info: seastreak.com or call (800) BOAT RIDE
Chief Executive Officer: David L. Miller
SALES & MARKETING
Executive Director: Vincent Timpone
Managing Director | Partnerships: Linda Pierce
Managing Director | Marketing: Sheri Lapidus
PUBLISHING
Director | Content Management: Ethan Wolff
Director | Creative Development: Wendy Tittel
Theatre Editor: Griffin Miller
Contributors: Evan Levy, Linda Sheridan
OPERATIONS
Director | Operations Management: Ray Winn
Director | Order Management: Heather Gambaro
FINANCE
Chief
NY 10018 212-315-0800 www.cityguideny.com @ cityguideny facebook.com/cityguideny
promenademag.com
SIGHTSEEING
See It All From Unique New York Perspectives
New York is a vertical city and there’s never been a better time to experience it, with five world-class observatories opening up the city’s skies. For a downtown take on altitude, look to One World Observatory. It’s the tallest building in the hemisphere, and with over 40,000 metric tons of steel and a unique concrete core, it’s the strongest building in the world. A minute’s ride will take you to the main observatory level, with 360° sights of the city and beyond. See the Empire State Building for yourself and you’ll
Continued on p. 15
Page left: even after 93 years, the Empire State Building still towers over the city; it was voted the #1 attraction in the world this year on Tripadvisor.
Top left: Perched atop the tallest building in the hemisphere, One World Observatory brings unforgettable views of the city, the rivers, and New York Harbor.
Top right: bucket-list perspectives of the city on HeliNY New York City
Below: the Intrepid Museum leads visitors on an interactive journey through history to learn about American innovation and bravery.
TOURS & ATTRACTIONS MAP
know immediately why the skyscraper is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The 86th floor is home to the Observation Deck, open to the air with views that go on for miles.
outdoor observation deck, atop Hudson Yards. Step out onto the triangular open-air deck and you’ll be 100 floors above the ground. Across town near Grand Central, the concept of an “observation deck” to new heights through three floors of multisensory interactions. For immersion in Art Deco glory, see
For an even higher POV, the Downtown Manhattan Heliport along the East River is home to HeliNY New York City. These helicopter tours are the most exciting way to view all of the city’s major landmarks, from a perspective few ever experience.
You can find great views aboard the legendary aircraft carrier that’s now the Intrepid Museum, in addition to immersions in innova-
Glamour awaits at Madame Tussauds New York.
Continued from p. 12
tion and bravery. The Fighting “I” served in World War II and Vietnam and today shows off 28 historic aircraft from the flight deck.
Seastreak will get you out on the water, with excursions to scenic spots departing from Wall Street near the Seaport. City Cruises offers great ways to dine along the skyline. For a refined experience, book a Premier Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the allglass, European-inspired Bateaux New York. Upbeat buffet experiences with DJ music and an open air roof deck can be found on the Spirit of New York. If you want to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island first-hand, Statue City Cruises is the only way to get there. Boats leave from Battery Park City in Lower Manhattan, with amazing perspectives on water, shipping, and skylines along the way.
When you want to pose “in a moment in time” with the world’s most iconic musicians, leaders, athletes, and A-list stars, Madame Tussauds in Times Square is your destination. In addition to being “the world’s greatest wax museum,” you can immerse yourself in
adventures like the MARVEL Super Heroes 4D Film & Experience
Explore the city’s best attractions, tours, and experiences for one money-saving price with Go City. There are two options, the All-Inclusive Pass (for seeing as much as possible) and the Explorer Pass (if you’ve only got a few attractions on your radar). Among the possibilities: Brooklyn Bridge bike rentals, Yankees tickets, jazz in Harlem, and walking tours. There are over 100 options all told, with savings up to half off.
Just a blink from NYC on the New Jersey side you’ll find American Dream, which boasts skating, skiing, mini golf, pizza, barbecue, luxury retailers, and even an aquarium. Theme park Nickelodeon Universe is nothing short of awesome. The world’s steepest roller coaster, longest spinning coaster, and tallest indoor spinning drop tower are all waiting to thrill you. There are more than 3 million square feet in all here, with something for everyone. It’s all just 5 miles from Times Square!
Continued on p. 19
Catch some air at Big SNOW American Dream, a year-round, indoor real-snow ski and snowboard resort.
SIGHTSEEING
Dusk is a prime time to visit One World Observatory, towering over Lower Manhattan.
FD Financial District
T Tribeca
NH NoHo
LES Lower East Side
SH SoHo LI Little Italy
Greenwich Village
East Village CH Chelsea
AMERICAN DREAM NJ
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 833-263-7326; americandream.com
Shops. Dining. World-class entertainment. The range of activities here is jaw-dropping, from Saks to sharks to Legoland. Just a blink from NYC on the New Jersey side you’ll find the largest indoor theme park in North America plus skiing, skating, mini golf, a water park, pizza, barbecue, luxury retailers, and even an aquarium. Less than five miles from Times Square!
CENTRAL PARK BOATHOUSE $$$ UES
The Lake, Central Park (E. 72nd St. & Park Dr N.), 718-973-9339; centralparkboathouse.com
One of the city’s most famous photo ops is a rowboat excursion on The Lake, with Central Park and skyscrapers in the background. This is the spot to rent your boat, at the refreshed and reimagined Central Park Boathouse. There’s an elegant destination restaurant here, serving lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, plus a casual café for bugers, lobster rolls, and views to remember.
CITY CRUISES CH
Chelsea Piers, Pier 61 (W. 23rd St. & 12th Ave.), 866-817-3463; citycruises.com/newyork
Offers brunch, lunch, and dining cruises throughout the year, along with narrated sightseeing tours and cocktail cruises. Choose from buffets or elegant plated experiences on the glass-enclosed deck of the European-inspired Bateaux. The NYC Downtown Sightseeing Cruise is back on the water as is the Alive After Five cocktail cruise. City Cruises sails year-round from both NY and NJ from four convenient locations.
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING OBSERVATORY MW
20 W. 34th St. (5th-6th Aves.), 212-736-3100; esbnyc.com
One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, arguably the most famous skyscraper in the world. Ride to the 86th floor for unforgettable views of Manhattan and beyond. Equally amazing for a daytime photo that captures the city in all its glory or a nighttime shot filled with glittering buildings. Exhibition spaces on floors 2 and 80 provide fascinating context.
ROCK CENTER: TOP OF THE ROCK
For immersion in the Art Deco glory of Manhattan, Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock observation deck is your destination. There are both outdoor and indoor viewing areas here—the latter nice and cozy for colder days. Outside, transparent safety-glass panels allow wholly unobstructed views of the city’s landmarks, including all of Central Park (its size can only truly be appreciated when seen from above). The 70th Floor is the proverbial cherry on top, allowing visitors 360° looks at Manhattan in all its glory.
NEW THRILLS
Top of the Rock has recently added two new enhancements to visits here.
The Beam. One of the iconic images of New York City is a 1932 photo of 11 ironworkers casually eating lunch atop a steel beam positioned 69 stories in the sky. The shot was taken during construction of 30 Rockefeller Plaza and you can pose for a re-creation of the image today. A modern version of The Beam awaits at the Top of the Rock’s pinnacle, lifting guests 12 feet above the observation deck. (It rotates to maximize the vistas.) Beyond the amazing views, you’ll bring home an iconic image as well. Skylift. The latest innovation here is Skylift, launching this fall. A revolving platform lifts guests three stories above the observation deck, for panoramic views of the city and beyond. When you reach the top, Skylift captures video of each guest set against the backdrop of city landmarks for an unforgettable memento.
Photograph courtesy
Tishman Speyer.
SIGHTSEEING (CONT’D)
GO CITY gocity.com
Explore the best attractions, tours, and experiences in NYC for one money-saving price. Go City offers two options, the All-Inclusive Pass (for seeing as much as possible) and the Explorer Pass (if you’ve only got a few attractions on your radar). Both provide easy access, from Broadway lights to observatory heights.
HELINY NEW YORK CITY FD
Downtown Manhattan Heliport, 6 East River Piers (FDR Dr.), 212-355-0801; heliny.com
The most exciting way to view all of the city’s major landmarks, from the Statue of Liberty to Central Park. Explore NYC from a perspective few ever experience, with three tour options ranging from 12 to 30 minutes and taking in up to 25 landmarks.
INTREPID MUSEUM MW
Pier 86, W. 46th St. & 12th Ave., 212-245-0072; intrepidmuseum.org
Founded in 1982, this landmark aircraft carrier takes visitors on an interactive journey through history to learn about American innovation and bravery. Explore the Space Shuttle Pavilion, home to Enterprise, the world’s first space shuttle, 28 authentically restored aircraft, and the nuclear submarine Growler
MADAME TUSSAUDS NEW YORK TS
234 W. 42nd St. (7th-8th Aves.); madametussauds.com
Time to celebrate #BIGTIME. Get your selfie sticks ready: Madame Tussauds is the only place with no ropes or barriers holding you back from your favorite stars. Pose “in a moment in time” with iconic musicians, leaders, sports legends, and A-list stars.
NEW YORK TRANSIT MUSEUM BK
99 Schermerhorn St. (Boerum Pl.-Court St.), 718-694-1600; nytransitmuseum.org
Gallery Annex & Store, Grand Central Terminal, Shuttle Passage, Main Concourse, 212-878-1016; mta.info
Housed in a historic 1936 IND subway station in Brooklyn Heights, and easily accessible by subway, this is the largest museum in the United States devoted to urban public transportation history, and one of the premier institutions of its kind in the world. The Museum explores the development of the greater New York metropolitan region through the presentation of exhibitions, tours, educational programs and workshops dealing with the cultural, social and technological history of public transportation. Go to nytransitmuseum. org for details of current exhibits and programs, or to shop the Museum’s online store.
NJ TRANSIT NJ
973-275-5555; njtransit.com
Traveling to or from Newark Liberty International Airport or MetLife Stadium, Prudential Center, or the Jersey Shore? NJ TRANSIT is the convenient, hasslefree way to get where you’re going in New Jersey.
ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY FD
285 Fulton St., 844-696-1776; oneworldobservatory.com
There’s only one tallest. Only one strongest. And only one destination selected as the Best New Attraction in the World. These superlatives belong to One World Trade Center, and its pinnacle, the One World Observatory, rising over 100 stories in the sky. House restaurant ONE Dine combines seasonal menus with stunning views.
SEASTREAK ME
E. 35th St. and Pier 11, Manhattan/Seastreak Ferry Terminal at Highlands, 326 Shore Dr., Highlands, NJ, 800-BOAT RIDE (800-262-8743); seastreak.com
The most comfortable way to explore the area: climate controlled cabins and an open-air top deck, 360° panoramic windows, and a full-service cash bar. Make the most of the season on fall foliage cruises!
STATUE CITY CRUISES FD
877-LADY TIX (877-523-9849); cityexperiences.com
Offering ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island—the only way to get there. Daily rides depart approximately every 30 minutes from Battery Park at the foot of Manhattan. The Statue of Liberty Museum features an immersive film and up close looks at the statue’s original copper torch.
SUMMIT ONE VANDERBILT ME
45 E. 42nd St. (5th-Park Aves.); summitov.com
Blending elements of art, technology, architecture, and thrill, SUMMIT takes the concept of an “observation deck” to new heights through three floors of multi-sensory interactions. The installation AIR designed by Kenzo Digital creates the illusion of boundless space. At night, the scene dramatically shifts through a one-of-a-kind light and sound story, turning into a beacon of energy for NYC and beyond.
TOP OF THE ROCK MW
30 Rockefeller Center (W. 50th St. btw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 877-692-7625; topoftherocknyc.com
The 67th-70th floor observation deck of 30 Rockefeller Plaza offers sweeping, unobstructed open-air views of New York City. Featuring reserved-time tickets, multimedia exhibits, and Art Deco splendor.
For more sightseeing info, including the city’s top boats and great seasonal activities, check out cityguideny.com/sightseeing.
immerse yourself
The city is overflowing with new interactive experiences, bringing art and culture to three-dimensional life.
SoHo/Tribeca’s interactive art experience INTER_ presents two floors of otherworldly environments. Be among the first to explore the newest installation here: The INTERnet. In collaboration with The Treenet Collective, 80,000 feet of hand-woven rope reflects masterful weaving, with sacred geometric patterns integrated into the web. “The INTERnet gives our visitors a space to unleash their inner child and also provides a space to quietly reflect and connect with others in a new, unprecedented way,” says Stanton Jones, Creative Director at INTER_. Guests are invited to climb among the ropes and experience the artwork from within.
Other SoHo spots include Color Factory’s adventures with shades across multiple art-inspired rooms. The Museum of Ice Cream offers a hall of ice cream scoops and a three-story slide. The world’s
Top: explore otherworldly environments at INTER_. Image credit: INTER_.
Top to bottom: get up close and personal with your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds New York; Mercer Lab’s mesmerizing robotic “Archetype” installation; the world’s largest collection of Banksyinspired murals and art at the Banksy Museum. Banksy Museum
IMMERSIVES
INTER_ SH T
415 Broadway (Canal St.), 646-808-9911; interiam.co
SoHo/Tribeca’s new interactive art experience takes visitors on a magical adventure. Explore two floors of otherworldly environments and reactive art, which will encourage you to escape NYC and unleash your inner child. Journey through the INTERverse and connect with the beauty, laughter, and power within you.
MADAME TUSSAUDS NEW YORK TS
234 W. 42nd St. (7th-8th Aves.); madametussauds.com
Get your selfie sticks ready: Madame Tussauds is the only place with no ropes holding you back from your favorite stars. Pose “in a moment in time” with iconic musicians, leaders, sports legends, and A-list stars, and immerse yourself in adventures like the MARVEL Super Heroes 4D Film & Experience
Times
Upper
Upper
New
NYC, photo courtesy of Banksy Museum.
largest collection of Banksy-inspired murals and artwork is on view at the Banksy Museum, which also features the artist’s studio work, animated visual elements, and videos.
The Museum of Broadway near Times Square is an interactive destination celebrating the rich history of theatre in New York. Hundreds of rare costumes, props, and artifacts over three floors of exhibits let visitors experience Broadway like never before.
In Lower Manhattan, Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology immerses visitors in cutting-edge projections, sound design, and mirrored spaces that go on forever. Come by at night this month for the installation Dark Matter, celebrating Spooky Season with explorations of paranormal expressions and the depths of the human psyche.
The American Museum of Natural History shows even old-line institutions getting on board: Invisible Worlds explores networks of life at all scales. Visitors become part of the story as their movements shift the projections. Top of the Rock has a new thrill: you can re-create an iconic 1932 photo of workers building Rockefeller Center as you’re strapped onto a modern version of The Beam and lifted 12 feet above the observation deck.
Madame Tussauds New York is the only place with no ropes or barriers holding you back from living your best life with your favorite stars. NYC is famous for its gala culture and you can immerse yourself at the Glow Gala installation, where figures like RuPaul, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry wear show-stopping looks inspired by NYC’s legendary Met Gala.
1 NYC museums have something for everyone, from art to history to the city itself.
1 Swan centerpiece at Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co., the Met Museum’s look at the decorative arts of Tiffany designer Edward C. Moore (1827–1891); through October 20th. 1000 5th Ave.
2 Japanese street fashion authority Shoichi Aoki is among the global photographers in We Are Here: Scenes from the Streets, at the International Center of Photography 79 Essex St.
3 Artist Alison Bremner Naxhshagheit confronts autonomy in “Church and State” (2024), from the show Grounded by Our Roots at the American Museum of Natural History. 200 Central Park W.
4 Asia Society offers a rare viewing opportunity at Madayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Painting from Yirrkala, including this Yäma Munungirritj (ca.1920–1987) work from 1961. 725 Park Ave.
5 Uniforms from 1917 among the looks of Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore, the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection at the New-York Historical Society 170 Central Park W.
6 Journey through New York’s interwar years at Art Deco City: New York Postcards from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection at the Museum of the City of New York. 1220 5th Ave.
Left Top: Grounded by Our Roots at the American Museum of Natural History showcases the vibrancy of Indigenous art today while reflecting the powerful connections of Native artists with their ancestral traditions. 200 Central Park W. See p. 66 for credits
THIS WEEKIN THE CITY
10.31
10.24-10.31
Halloween in New York brings something for everyone, from canine costume parades to family activities to grown-up costume scenes at night. A major highlight is NYC’s 51st Annual Village Halloween Parade, which goes off at 7pm in Greenwich Village on Halloween night. This year’s theme is MEOW!!!, encouraging all cat ladies to unite, with Broadway icon André De Shields as Grand Marshall. All those in costume are welcome to join a parade of puppets, bands, dancers, artists, and thousands of other New Yorkers in outfits of their own creation—it’s the country’s most wildly creative public participatory event and only major nighttime parade. It’s great spectacle for spectators as well, lining both sides of Sixth Avenue, where the parade passes north from Canal Street to 15th Street. For the official afterparty, head to the East Village’s Webster Hall. The historic space, which dates to 1886, transforms for the night into Webster Hell.
halloween-nyc.com
The upbeat retro vibes at Ellen’s Stardust Diner have kept it an NYC favorite since 1987 (founder Ellen Hart Sturm is a native New Yorker who was crowned Miss Subways in 1959). Dine down on comfort food favorites for lunch, dinner, and all-day breakfast. Favorites include chicken matzo ball soup, the Ruby Reuben sandwich, burgers served with waffle fries, blue plate specials, and the Stardust Signature Salad with grilled chicken, bacon, and a mix of cheddar and blue cheeses. The biggest claim to fame here is Ellen’s singing waitstaff. Catch intimate renditions by performers on their way to joining a long line of Broadway actors who have made Ellen’s their launching pad. Open daily, 7am-midnight. 1650 Broadway (51st St.), 212-956-5151, ellensstardustdiner.com
10.27
Every Sunday on the Upper West Side you can check out Grand Bazaar NYC, the city’s largest curated market—and most distinctive. This week you’ll also find the Spooky Bazaar (Halloween Special). The market will be decked out in creepy crawly decorations and full of wares from creative independent artists, designers, craft-makers, and vintage dealers, many decked out in their most haunting costumes. Come hungry! There are great artisanal bites as well. 10am-5pm, both indoors and out. Columbus Ave. & 77th St., 212-239-3025, grandbazaarnyc.org
ONGOING
Bond 45 is a Theater District favorite serving up Italian classics inside the stylish Deco confines of the Hotel Edison. You can live out your diva dreams here in the restaurant’s “Queen’s Corner.” In partnership with the musical SIX, there’s a royal booth celebrating the Queens of Broadway. Order the Queen’s Cup cocktail or bring friends along for the Queen’s Goblet: a blend of butterfly pea blossom gin, plum liqueur, and lavender and blueberry tea. (If you like to laugh, Bond 45 is now also the home of legendary comedy club Stand Up NY. Take advantage of a new “Dinner and Show” package, which features a three-course prix fixe highlighted by house signatures like shortrib meatballs, chicken Parmigiana, and chocolate blackout cake. After the meal, head downstairs for premium seating at a comedy show; shows take place Thursdays through Saturdays.)
221 W. 46th St. (btw. Broadway & Eighth Ave.), 212-869-4545, bond45ny.com
The Museum of Broadway is an interactive, experiential museum that celebrates the rich history of theatre in New York. Hundreds of rare costumes, props, and artifacts over three floors of exhibits let visitors experience Broadway like never before. Along the way you’ll get the stories of the pivotal shows that transformed the landscape of Broadway from the 1700s through the present, and then you’ll step backstage to learn how Broadway magic is made. Fall in love with Broadway— past and present. 145 W. 45th St. (btw. Sixth Ave. & Broadway), 212-239-6200, themuseumofbroadway.com
ONGOING
Emilio Madrid.
downtown HAS IT ALL
So much to do. So much to see.
No trip to NYC is complete without a visit to Lower Manhattan. It’s easy to reach, just a short ride from most any part of Manhattan. Once you’re here, distances are short, and the streets are easy to navigate.
ATTRACTIONS» Ultimate perspectives on downtown can be found at One World Observatory. A quick ride on one of the world’s fastest elevators brings you to the observatory level, a climate-controlled interior with stunning 360° views. Take in historic bridges, skylines, and the shipping lanes of New York Harbor. There are great perspectives on the Statue of Liberty here as well. To truly appreciate its scale, you need to get up close. Statue City Cruises is the only way to get there, leaving out of Castle Clinton at the neighborhood’s southern tip. On Liberty Island you’ll find the Statue of Liberty Museum, with artifacts, an immersive film, and up close looks at the statue’s original copper torch. Boats also stop at Ellis Island, the U.S.’s famous immigrant point of entry. Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology redefines the museum experience as an ultra-sensory immersive, featuring cutting-edge projections, sound design, and mirrored spaces that stretch to infinity. More modernity can be
found at the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), a trailblazing architectural wonder and a cultural keystone in Downtown Manhattan. This week, the PAC NYC Icons of Culture Festival (Oct. 30th through Nov. 2nd) offers intimate conversations with Serena Williams, Questlove, Kathleen Turner, and more.
THE SEAPORT» On the East River side of Lower Manhattan, The Seaport brings together centuries of history with modern style on its cobblestone streets. There’s shopping, dining, and a museum dedicated to the area’s seafaring past, with historic ships docked in front.
SHOPPING» One of the neighborhood’s most famous draws has recently reopened the doors to its Cortlandt Street flagship. Century 21 stocks a world of designer fashion at discount prices. Four floors offer everything from shoes to fragrances, handbags, luggage, and men’s, women’s, and kids’ apparel.
You can’t miss the soaring white wings of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava’s Oculus, near One World Trade. In addition to serving as a transit hub, there are dozens of top retailers at the Shops at the Oculus, from Banana Republic to H&M to Kate Spade New York.
Top to bottom: an oasis with skyline views, QC NY spa on Governors Island; Arturo Di Modica’s Charging Bull on lower Broadway is a prime photo op. Left page: immerse yourself in cutting-edge projections and sound design at Mercer Labs.
It’s part of the Westfield World Trade Center, which has even more shops to explore.
Further towards the Hudson River, Brookfield Place offers stylish shopping, plus restaurants, a food hall, and cultural events under the palm trees of the Winter Garden.
MUSEUMS» Visiting Fraunces Tavern Museum feels like time travel, with exhibitions showing off the building’s long and important history, including serving as the site of General George Washington’s famous farewell to his officers at the end of the Revolutionary War. The Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust is nestled into Battery Park, inside a contemporary building
Getting Downtown is easy.
Most major subways lines stop in Lower Manhattan and the ride is only 15-20 minutes from midtown. Convenient downtown stations include:
1 train to Rector Street or South Ferry
2 3 trains to Wall Street or Fulton Street
4 5 trains to Wall Street or Bowling Green
6 train to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall
A C trains to Fulton Street E train to World Trade Center
J Z trains to Broad Street
R W trains to Rector Street, Cortlandt Street, or Whitehall Street
with inspiring views of New York Harbor. Exhibits here celebrate the lives and traditions of both those who survived and those who perished in the Shoah.
A REJUVENATING GETAWAY» QC Terme Spas and Resorts was founded in Italy and its first U.S. location is right here at QC NY, an oasis with massages, saunas, steam rooms, gardens, and outdoor pools. It’s just a quick ferry ride away, on historic Governors Island.
Navigate the neighborhood with the Lower Manhattan Map at the back of City Guide.
ON THE COVER
WICKED Bewitching Broadway for Two Glorious Ozmopolitan Decades
By Griffin Miller
When Wicked officially launched Halloween Eve at the Gershwin Theatre on October 30th, 2003, it cast a spell that would enchant audiences for more than 20 years. Dramatic, funny, inspiring, and unforgettable, its enduring success can be summed up in four words: No End In Sight.
Fairy tale allure notwithstanding, this celebrated musical’s appeal is both timeless and multi-generational. With an ever-expanding number of devoted fans, and newcomers lining up for their first taste of Ozian magic, Wicked emerges as a one-of-a-kind emerald in Broadway’s brilliant crown.
Featuring a score by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwartz and a book by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman, the long-running production swivels “The Wizard of Oz” spotlight from Dorothy and her trio of traveling companions onto two young witches: Glinda the Good and
Elphaba (aka the green-complexioned Wicked Witch of the West), beginning with their time together at Oz’s Shiz University. Their initial campus encounter marks the start of a savvy revisionist storyline that showcases the unexpected friendship between bubbly, beloved Glinda and intense social outcast Elphaba.
CLASS OF 2024
This past spring, Wicked underwent a five-actor changing of the guard, with Alexandra Socha becoming the latest Glinda, Brad Oscar taking over as the Wizard, Tony winner Donna McKechnie
signing on as Madame Morrible (Shiz U.’s queen bee headmistress), and Natalie Ortega stepping into kid sister Nessarose’s sparkly shoes. As for Elphaba, Mary Kate Morrissey, pictured on the left, became the 25th actress to play the role full-time on Broadway. “Because as principals we all started at the same time, we built the version together,” says Morrissey.
The actress, whose background with the show spans four years touring and a year on Broadway as her predecessor’s standby, says that while her 10th birthday seeing The Lion King marked her first Broadway show, the second was Wicked, an experience that sealed her ongoing love affair.
… Wicked won three 2004 Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, and the 2005 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.
Still, it was the 1939 movie classic that served as Morrissey’s intro to all things Oz. “We had the VHS, and I loved it…I must have seen it one-thousand times,” she recalls.
The transformation of a notorious cinematic villain into a sympathetic character is both ingenious and challenging, requiring a synergy of script and actor. For Morrissey, this has meant exploring Elphaba’s emotional core.
“Every one of her smiles has to be earned in a huge way,” explains the Philadelphia native, who calls her character both serious and combustible. “Being an outcast has hardened her against the world. I see her having built up layers like an onion, and when Madame Morrible sees the magic in Elphie as a gift—magic that’s only brought her pain in the past—the first layer is peeled back. And then the layers start to gradually fall away.”
The last layer is shed during her show-stopping “Defying Gravity” number at the end of Act I. “She unburdens herself, roaring for the first time in her life—it’s
… The show was the first Broadway production to gross over $3 million in a single week.
empowering,” says Morrissey. And the fierceness she brings to the song’s meteoric lyrics, “… if I’m flying solo at least I’m flying free/To those who’d ground me, take a message back from me/Tell them how I am defying gravity,” defines Elphaba’s determination to bring about change “for good” and the evolving chemistry between her and Glinda that drives the show forward.
“I think a major part of the magical recipe behind Wicked is how relatable it is. Everyone can find a part of themselves in the outsider green girl, or the popular girl who goes from self-absorbed to caring,” she says, pointing out that theatregoers tend to see parallels in their own friendships once they observe how Elphaba and Glinda connect. “And, of course, the music is fire,” she adds.
… There are last names: Elphaba and Nessarose Thropp and Glinda Upland.
Not surprisingly, Morrissey is confident in assuring neophyte audience members that the show offers something for everyone.
“Being in this show feels like such an honor as an actor,” she says, emphasizing that the integrity of the production is something no one onstage or behind the scenes at Wicked takes for granted. “Like with me, this was probably one of the first shows most of the cast ever saw, so being part of it is really the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.”
Wicked is playing at the Gershwin Theatre, 222 W. 51st St. For tickets call 877-250-2929 or visit wickedthemusical.com.
All images: Joan Marcus.
Brad Oscar as The Wizard
S HOP
One of the city’s great pleasures is exploring its stores—and by extension, its neighborhoods. Here are our picks for must-shop spots all around NYC (with our absolute favorites in bold).
By Evan Levy
In Lower Manhattan don’t miss the soaring, cathedral-like space that defines the Oculus The world-class collection of shops here is definitely about time—or it will be, when you peruse the selection of timepieces at Breitling, Tissot, and Longines. You’ll also find the perfect writing implement at Mont Blanc along with major players like Apple and Banana Republic.
Across the street is a true New York shopping legend, Century 21 NYC. The doors to their Cortlandt Street flagship have recently reopened, revealing a world of designer fashion at discount prices. Four floors offer everything from shoes to fragrances, gifts, handbags, luggage, and men’s, women’s and kids’ apparel.
A little ways north from there is the perennially chic SoHo (“South of Houston”), a low-rise neighborhood with a focus on the cutting edge. French fashion house Chloé is here, as are local label Rag & Bone and a Prada flagship. East of there you’ll find the Lower East Side, once the city’s home for bargain shopping and today full of stylish boutiques. Pay a visit to Daredevil Tattoo, where you’ll find not only custom tattooing from artists skilled in a range of styles, but also a Museum of Tattoo History, with tattoo flash, machines, and
ephemera gathered over three decades.
Moving up Manhattan, on the west side along the Hudson you’ll reach the High Line, Chelsea, and the upmarket shopping of the Meatpacking District. Women’s fashion can be found at Alice + Olivia and the Diane von Furstenberg flagship, with perfume at Bond No 9 and boutique picks at Marni Meatpacking Market.
Continue north and you’ll pass Herald Square, home of the Macy’s flagship, and then action-packed Times Square. M&M’s New York is a great stop for a snack or a souvenir. A two-story color wall is packed with thousands upon thousands of colorful milk, peanut, and specialty M&M candies. There’s also an on-site printer that will let you create customized candy on the spot. Sports fans won’t want to miss Pelé Soccer, The World’s Greatest Soccer Store. You can shop—and personalize—official jerseys and fan gear from 100+ teams and players around the world. Nearby Cockpit USA has been reproducing genuine, contemporary versions of iconic American-made aviator clothing for nearly half a century.
Two of the most famous shopping streets in the world are on the east side. Fifth Avenue has a who’s who of designer fashion. From Bulgari to Cartier, Tiffany to Gucci, the storied street never goes out of fashion—much like its stores. A newcomer here is The Travel Agency,
Above left to right: Grand Bazaar NYC, Century 21 NYC, The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, American Dream.
IN THE CITY
a legal, licensed cannabis dispensary with topquality products in a roomy, high-design space. Nearby Madison Avenue’s names include Fendi, Giorgio Armani, and Berluti
If you’re on the Upper West Side on Sunday, don’t miss Grand Bazaar NYC, the city’s largest curated market—and most distinctive.
Just a blink from NYC on the New Jersey side you’ll find American Dream, with the largest indoor theme park in North America plus skiing, mini
golf, and even an aquarium. A staple at the complex is The Avenue at American Dream, a luxury shopping and dining experience with a curated collection of world-renowned fashion brands.
Contemporary retail options are almost endless throughout the mall, with a slew of flagship locations. Round-trip buses are now available directly from Manhattan, with quick, convenient service leaving daily from near Times Square.
SHOPIN THE CITY
Eclectic and essential finds make the Big Apple a most fascinating scavenger hunt, full of tempting boutiques, world-famous department stores, and legendary shopping districts. Brookfield Place, Hudson Yards, 57th Street, Madison Avenue, NoHo, and SoHo are all filled with precious merchandise spurring cherished dreams of a return trip. –Wendy Tittel
LIVIN’ THE DREAM : : Make a jaunt out of the city and spend a luxurious day shopping and then some at American Dream. One of your fab finds is from Mulberry of England, which retails this mini unisex satchel in soft blue heavy grain leather ($450). Holds precious cargo like your phone, passport, credit cards, and a few shekels. H: 7¾,” W: 4¼,” D: 1.” American Dream Mall, The Avenue, Lvl 2, 1 American Dream Way, E. Rutherford, NJ, 833-263-7326, americandream.com
NO MORE STORMY SKIES : : The Museum of Broadway educates and entertains lovers of classic theatrical productions with their intensely detailed exhibits. All lovers of Broadway must pay homage and visit this fabulous New York treasure. The museum’s colorful rainbow umbrella ($15) will have you singing in the rain every time you port it down Broadway, off-Broadway, or wherever you may be.
TALL COOL ONE : : into style this season with Reformation’s short take on this classic—and your new closet staple—fitted A-line wool-blend skirt. ($158). The company is making good on their environmental pledge of trading virgin materials for 100% recycled, regenerative, or renewable ones by 2025. Available in olive, camel, and the retro classic houndstooth pattern. 5937, thereformation.com
UNSEEN ART : : Underground art exemplifies what we’re often in too great a hurry to absorb. Contemporary Art Underground: MTA Arts & Design New York ($60) is a celebration of more than 100 major public art commissions throughout the New York transit system. The book represents more than 100 permanent projects completed between 2015 and 2023. Among the featured artists are Yayoi Kusama, Kiki Smith, Nick Cave, Ann Hamilton, Xenobia Bailey, Jim Hodges, Alex Katz, Sarah Sze, and Vik Muniz. Available at Rizzoli, a most browseable bookstore. 1133 Broadway, 212-759-2424, rizzolibookstore.com
NINE ISN’T ENOUGH : : In honor of “The City That Never Sleeps,” MarieBelle New York‘s collection of handmade chocolate ganache (9-piece New York box, $38) is a pictorial romp through NYC. Delectable and “almost” too pretty to consume, made from the highest quality criollo as a testament to haute candy-making. This box boasts flavors such as wildberry, vanilla, and coconut, artfully packaged in the house’s signature blue. Various locations, including the Pierre Hotel, 2 E. 61st St., 917-204-1178, mariebelle.com Find the most unique gifts from local artisans and dealers. Visit NYC’s oldest, largest,most diverse weekly market.
77TH ST. & COLUMBUS AVE. (UPPER WEST SIDE) www.GrandBazaarNYC.org Every Sunday, 10am-5pm
SPECIALTY SHOPPING
AMERICAN DREAM
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 833-263-7326; americandream.com
Shops. Dining. World-class entertainment. It’s all here, from Saks to sharks to Legoland. American Dream is just a blink from NYC on the New Jersey side. The largest indoor theme park in North America plus skiing, skating, mini golf, a water park, pizza, barbecue, luxury retailers, and even an aquarium—all less than five miles from Times Square!
CENTURY 21 NYC
22 Cortlandt St. (Church St.), 212-227-1202, c21stores.com
The return of a legend! NYC’s favorite discounter Century 21 has reopened the doors to its flagship. Head downtown for a curated selection of style amid a new and improved shopping experience. Shoes, dresses, coats, looks for men, and much more from top brands at the lowest prices.
COCKPIT USA
15 W. 39th St., 12th Floor (btw. Fifth & Sixth Aves.), 212-575-1616, cockpitusa.com
For over 45 years, Cockpit USA has been reproducing genuine, contemporary versions of iconic American-made aviator clothing, both in civilian and military design. You’ve seen their jackets across pop culture from Steve McQueen to Tom Hardy to U.S. Presidents. Visit their midtown showroom and find quality and craftsmanship unlike any other. Appointments encouraged but not required to ensure they have your jacket size when you arrive.
GRAND BAZAAR NYC
Columbus Ave. & 77th St., 212-239-3025, grandbazaarnyc.org
Sundays on the Upper West Side you can check out Grand Bazaar NYC, the city’s largest curated market—and most distinctive! Browse 130+ curated dealers with everything from fashion to home goods to vintage finds, arrayed both indoors and out. Come hungry: there are great artisanal food bites as well. 10am-5pm.
HELPFUL SERVICES
Trusted recommendations for goods and services around New York City
DAREDEVIL TATTOO SHOP & MUSEUM
141 Division St. (Canal St.), 212-533-8303, daredeviltattoo.com
Daredevil Tattoo specializes in custom tattooing with artists versatile in all styles, whether it’s your first tattoo or a full sleeve. Daredevil features a Museum of Tattoo History as part of the shop. The location is on the Lower East Side, at the edge of Chinatown. Walk-ins are welcome and online booking is available. Open every day noon to 8pm.
M&M’S NEW YORK
1600 Broadway (7th Ave. & 48th St.), 212-295-3850, mms.com/en-ie/explore/mms-stores/new-york Positioned in the heart of Broadway, M&M’S Times Square is officially the hottest performance in town! Nothing brings more flavor to Manhattan than our two-story color wall packed with THOUSANDS of your favorite Milk, Peanut, and Specialty M&M’S Candies.
PELÉ SOCCER
1560 Broadway (btw. 46th & 47th Sts.), 646-666-0025, pelesoccer.com
The World’s Greatest Soccer Store, from soccer legend Pelé, where you can shop—and personalize—official jerseys and fan gear from 100+ teams and players. Limited-edition footwear from top brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma, and seats on stadium bleachers for watching live soccer games on a huge TV screen.
THE TRAVEL AGENCY
587 Fifth Avenue (btw. 47th & 48th Sts.), 212-420-6000, thetravelagency.co
The state’s most knowledgeable budtenders connect customers with top-quality products at this legal, licensed cannabis dispensary. Expect a superior curated selection covering all categories, including premium flower, vapes, edibles, and pre-rolls, from local and national brands.
H&S ART GALLERY & CUSTOM FRAMING
112 W. 44th St. (btw. Sixth & Seventh Aves.), 212-768-3160, hsart.com
Open daily in Times Square, H&S Art Gallery & Custom Framing features original 3-D artworks by Charles Fazzino, Rizzi, and Suchy; serigraphs by Keeley, Tarkay, Pejman, Yamagata, Freyman, Kubik, Delacroix, and many others. They also offer signed sports memorabilia, posters, and same-day professional custom framing. They ship worldwide.
SCHUMER’S WINES & LIQUORS
59 E. 54th St. (btw. Park & Madison Aves.), 212-355-0940, schumerswines.com
For more than 40 years, Schumer’s Wines & Liquors has been known for its excellent selection of the great vineyards of California, France, Australia, Argentina, and Italy (lots of half bottles, too). Also vintage ports, single malts, cognac, American whiskeys and bourbons—including their own Barrel Picks. Large supply of cold wine and champagne always ready. Open Mon.-Fri., 9am-8pm; Sat.,11am-8pm. Deliveries til 7pm.
ON BROADWAY
BroadwayYour Way: A Visitor’s Guide
By Griffin Miller
Genie and Witches and Wizards, oh my!
October has arrived and Broadway is shining a harvest moon on its world-famous collection of Halloween-centric tricks and treats—from the scary (Dementors and Disney villains) to the eye-popping (bedazzling costume ideas).
It’s also a month known for new productions showcasing big name stars from film and TV (see p. 48). All in all, it’s a supernaturally spectacular time to be a Big Apple theatregoer!
THE FANTASTICAL & MACABRE
When it comes to Halloween, Aladdin gets a five-star ovation for checking all the boxes, starting with Genie (Michael James Scott), whose magical mojo conjures endless wonders for street-savvy Aladdin (Adi Roy) and
Continued on p. 44
Above L to R: Michael James Scott dazzles as Genie in Aladdin. Photo: Deen van Meer. Adi Roy as the title character and Sonya Balsara as Jasmine in Aladdin. Photo: Evan Zimmerman. Stephen Carlile, the menacing Scar in The Lion King. Photo: Deen van Meer. Tshidi Mayne is unforgettable as Rafiki in The Lion King. Photo: Joan Marcus. Below L to R: Mary Kate Morrissey defying gravity as Elphaba in Wicked. Photo: Joan Marcus. The coloful cast of Wicked. Photo: Joan Marcus.
THEATER MAP
What’s playing where on Broadway
TKTS: 25-50% Off Tickets (the day of the show)
40 & Juliet (Stephen Sondheim Theatre)
39 Aladdin (New Amsterdam)
7 Back to the Future: The Musical (Winter Garden Theatre)
9 The Book of Mormon (Eugene O’Neill)
4 Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club (August Wilson Theatre)
10 Chicago (Ambassador)
18 Death Becomes Her (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre)
3 The Great Gatsby (Broadway Theatre)
11 Hadestown (Walter Kerr)
19 Hamilton (Richard Rodgers)
37 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Lyric)
32 Hell’s Kitchen (Shubert Theatre)
33 The Hills of California (Broadhurst Theatre)
35 Job (Helen Hayes Theatre)
13 Left on Tenth (James Earl Jones Theatre)
28 The Lion King (Minskoff)
30 Maybe Happy Ending (Belasco Theatre)
1 McNeal (Lincoln Center Theaters’ Vivian Beaumont Theater)
5 MJ the Musical (Neil Simon Theatre)
23 Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Al Hirschfeld)
25 The Notebook (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre)
29 Oh, Mary! (Lyceum Theatre)
31 Once Upon a Matress (Hudson Theatre)
15 Our Town (Ethel Barrymore Theatre)
25 The Outsiders (Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre)
8 Romeo + Juliet (Circle in the Square Theatre)
26 The Roommate (Booth Theatre)
16 SIX (Lena Horne Theatre)
24 Stereophonic (Golden Theatre)
21 Suffs (Music Box Theatre)
36 Sunset Boulevard (St. James Theatre)
12 Swept Away (Longacre Theatre)
17 Tammy Faye (Palace Theatre)
22 Water for Elephants (Imperial Theatre)
6 Wicked (Gershwin Theatre)
2 A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical (Studio 54)
38 Yellow Face (Todd Haimes Theatre)
his romantic counterpart, Princess Jasmine (Sonya Balsara)—whose exotic wardrobe has inspired many mini fashionistas. Meanwhile, serving up a sizeable portion of sinister is royal vizier/ sorcerer Jafar (Dennis Stowe), decked out in a headdress and robe which have been on my Halloween wish list since the musical debuted on Broadway 10 years ago.
If you’re familiar with The Lion King, you know that when it comes to power-hungry machinations, the lion cub Simba’s Uncle Scar (Stephen Carlile) is as nefarious as Jafar—maybe more so, since Scar has a posse of hyena henchmen doing his bidding whereas Jafar has only one minion, Iago (Don Darryl Rivera). Costume-wise, Scar projects malevolence both through facial expression and
“On stage the magic is non-stop, with mind-bending special effects...”
a mask worn over his head, for what director/creator Julie Taymor calls the “Double Event”: the coming together of the human spirit and the animal mask—an effect that’s especially compelling when it comes to Scar.
The cool thing about Wicked—the Broadway phenom that turns 21 on October 30th—is how characters you thought you knew from the 1939 film are upended. This revisionist prequel to L. Frank Baum’s original book transports you to a nuevo-Ozmapolitan reality with a swankified vocabulary and steampunkyuppie-fairytale vibe. Here, viridescent outcast Elphaba (Mary Kate Morrissey) and ultra-popular Glinda
(Alexandra Socha), are college roommates who defy societal expectations and, of course, Gravity. Thrillifying? Totally. If turning green isn’t your style, you might want to paint the town—or your face—blue in honor of the deadpan aliens that make up Blue Man Group. From their command center at the Astor Place Theatre, the trio can be old school paint-drummingmessy or techno-shrewd, thanks to the recent addition of eight ginormous video screens. And by all means share the experience with kids, grown-ups, visitors from other planets…your call.
Anyone with a Hogwarts robe will fit right in at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Lyric Theatre, where
Continued from p. 40
Harry Potter (Steve Haggard) and son Albus (Joel Meyers) bring magic to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Matthew Murphy.
public areas are interactive playgrounds for any wizard or witch wannabe with a cell phone and the desire to animate portraits and patronuses. On stage the magic is non-stop, with mind-bending special effects and a storyline tracking two young wizards: Harry’s son Albus (Joel Meyers) and Draco’s son Scorpius (Erik Christopher Peterson), who score an illegal time turner that sends them hurtling through decades fraught with danger…and humor!
FRINGE BENEFITS
A century ago, when the Roaring ‘20s roared loudly, Flapper chic came wrapped in beaded fringe and ropes of pearls while Dapper Dans sported tuxedos and two-toned shoes. Captured to Tony-winning perfection by designer Linda Cho, the costumes in the hit musical
“The bacchanalia has begun…and everyone’s invited!”
The Great Gatsby sizzle with glamour, especially when worn by Jeremy Jordan as Gatsby and Eva Noblezada as Daisy Buchanan as they play out Fitzgerald’s iconic tale of Jazz Age decadence. “The bacchanalia has begun…and everyone’s invited!”
HOT TICKET TONY WINNERS
Steamrolling through fledgling America’s rocky political matrix, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s masterwork chronicling the life and times of Alexander Hamilton continues to play to sold-out houses nine years and counting. The show’s brilliance is reflected in the current cast led by Trey Curtis, awesome in the title role, and Jared Dixon as his rival Aaron Burr. History etched in an eclectic score and choreography careening
gorgeously from rap to ballads to music hall sing-along to stylized Broadway. Epic!
The recipe seems simple enough: take three fiercely creative dudes (Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park fame and EGOT winner Robert Lopez of Avenue Q), add a full-bodied cast of top tier performers, and voila! you have The Book of Mormon This outrageously funny tale centers on two naïve Mormon missionaries, charged with converting a group of supercynical Ugandan villagers. Profane, hilarious, ingenious— all you ever wanted in a musical, including this month’s holiday hit, “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream.”
An explosive coming-of-age saga hardwired to its origin: S.E. Hinton’s groundbreaking novel set in 1967 Tulsa,
Romance amid Deco decadence: Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada in The Great Gatsby.
Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
Oklahoma, The Outsiders Players and scenarios flash from the narrative of Ponyboy Curtis (Brody Grant), including Johnny Cade (Sky LakotaLynch), Dallas Winston (Joshua Boone), and an unforgettable mud-soaked rumble. It’s no surprise that the show earned 2024’s Best Musical Tony. NEWSBREAK: Trying to take in as much Broadway as possible? You’re in luck: The Outsiders has added a 2pm Thursday matinee, for a total of four matinees each week.
TIMES SQUARE INSIDER
From its street level gift shop illuminated by chandeliers from Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 to the museum itself—a three-floor immersive marvel of history, celebrities, sets, costumes, artifacts, music, playbills, behind-the-scenes experiences, and photo ops—The Museum of Broadway is nothing short of awesome. Here you are invited to wander the exhibits, each created by a major artist or stage designer.
Step into The Producers office, check out original costumes from the Ziegfeld Follies, fall in love with Broadway past and present. An absolute must-visit! See museumofbroadway.com for details.
If you’re a fan of police procedurals and Perfect Crime isn’t on your radar, you’ll want to consider adding New York’s longest-running show to your to-do (or to-see) list.
This sexy, funny, fast-paced thriller debuted in 1987 and still boasts original leading lady Catherine Russell as Margaret Brent, a wealthy psychiatrist who may (or may not) have murdered her husband—but who most certainly has beguiled the detective investigating the case. Just how acute are your crime-solving skills? Find out at perfect-crime.com
Fall in love with New York theatre past and present at The Museum of Broadway.
Daren Cox
Trey Curtis and the company of Hamilton. Photo by Joan Marcus.
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Photo: Miller Mobley
WHAT’S UP NOW & NEXT ON BROADWAY
With Broadway’s pedal-to-metal fall season in full swing, high-profile previews and opening nights rock New York’s iconic Theater District weekly as famous names light up marquees.
Already open and attracting audiences are: Robert Downey, Jr. as the title writer in McNeal, along with costars Melora Hardin (The Office) and Tony winners Andrea Martin (Pippin; SCTV) and Ruthie Ann Miles (The King and I); The Roommate with Tony winner Patti LuPone (Evita; Company) and Hollywood A-lister Mia Farrow; The Hills of California with Laura Donnelly (Outlander); and Yellow Face, starring Hawaii Five-0’s Daniel Dae Kim
Currently in previews with opening dates this month are two revivals: Our Town, opening 10/10 and featuring Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), Zoe Deutch (The Politician), Katie Holmes (Batman Begins; Dawson’s Creek), Ephraim Sykes (Ain’t Too Proud; Hamilton) and Richard Thomas (The Waltons; The Little Foxes); and Sunset Boulevard, a London transfer with Olivier Award winner Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond, opening 10/20. Left on Tenth starring Peter Gallagher (Law & Order: SVU; While You Were Sleeping) and Juliana Margulies (ER: The Good Wife) opens on 10/23, followed a day later by Romeo + Juliet with Kit Connor (Heartstopper) and Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) in the title roles.
Five musicals are set to launch in October, starting with two previews on 10/16: A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical starring Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin), which opens on 11/11, and the romcom Maybe Happy Ending with Darren Criss (Glee; Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and Helen J Shen (opening 11/12). Then on 10/19 Tammy Faye starts previews with Katie Brayben (Tammy
Top to bottom: The Roommate starring Patty LuPone and Mia Farrow. Photo: Julieta Cervantes. The Hills of California (London producton), featuring Nicola Turner, Nancy Allsop, Lara McDonnell, and Sophia Ally. Photo: Mark Douet.
Faye, London) alongside Tony winners Christian Borle and Michael Cerveris (opening 11/14), followed on 10/23 by Death Becomes Her starring Tony nominees Megan Hilty (Noises Off; Smash), Jennifer Simard (Company), and Christopher Sieber (Spamalot; Shrek) in addition to Grammy winner Michelle Williams (opening 11/21). Finally, on 10/23, Swept Away kicks off previews for a 11/19 opening night with Tony winner John Gallagher Jr. (Spring Awakening), Tony nominee Stark Sands (Kinky Boots), and actor/musician Adrian Blake Enscoe (Dickinson).
KEY
THEATER
COMEDY DRAMA MUSICAL EVENT
broadway & JULIET
Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 124 W. 43rd St., 833-274-8497; andjulietbroadway.com
(2 hrs., 30 mins.) This lively musical comedy asks what would happen next if Juliet ditched Shakespeare’s tragic ending for a fresh start and a second chance at life and love—her way.
ALADDIN
New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 W. 42nd St., 866-870-2717; aladdinthemusical.com
(2 hrs., 30 mins.) The beloved story is brought to thrilling theatrical life in this bold musical. With just one rub of a magic lamp, Aladdin’s journey sweeps you into an exotic world full of adventure, comedy and romance. It’s an unforgettable Disney theatrical experience that includes all the cherished songs from the Oscar-winning score plus more written especially for Broadway.
BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL
Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway, 212-239-6200; backtothefuturemusical.com
(2 hrs., 40 mins.) When Marty McFly’s time machine travel changes family history, he must fix the present, escape the past, and send himself back to the future. Based on the classic Michael J. Fox film.
THE BOOK OF MORMON
Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 230 W. 49th St., 877-250-2929; bookofmormonbroadway.com
2011 Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 30 mins.) One of Broadway’s most successful, Tony-winning (nine in 2011!) musicals, from the hilariously irreverent minds behind South Park. Two wide-eyed Mormon missionaries are assigned to a remote village in Uganda. The results are divinely profane in all the right places!
CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB
August Wilson Theatre, 245 W. 52nd St., 888-985-9421; kitkat.club
(2 hrs., 45 mins.) Visionary revival of the Kander & Ebb classic set at the start of WWII in Berlin’s Kit Kat Club where a mercurial MC and Sally Bowles are the stars.
CHICAGO
Ambassador Theatre, 219 W. 49th St., 212-239-6200; chicagothemusical.com (2 hrs., 30 mins.) Winner of 6 Tonys for a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz.
DEATH BECOMES HER
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St., 212-239-6200; deathbecomesher.com
(2 hrs., 25 mins.) After two glam frenemies become rivals, a magic potion restores their youth and beauty, along with a grudge to last eternity. Previewing 10/23 for a 11/21 opening.
THE GREAT GATSBY
Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway, 212-239-6200; broadwaygatsby.com
(2 hrs., 30 mins.) F. Scott Fitzgerald’s epic tale is now a lush musical that follows eccentric and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby in his pursuit of the lost love of his youth, Daisy Buchanan. With characters driven by complex inner lives erupting with extravagance and longing, the show comes to life through an electrifying jazz and pop-infused score for a grand production befitting the 21st century.
HADESTOWN
Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 W. 48th St., 800-745-3000; hadestown.com
2019 Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 30 mins.) The action unfolds in a stylized New Orleans setting and Hades’ stomping ground, The Underworld. For the score, think New Orleans jazz melded with American folk music.
For up to date coverage on Broadway and Off-Broadway, visit cityguideny.com/theater
A timeless tale of “haves and have nots,” The Outsiders. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
THEATER
(CONT’D)
HAMILTON
Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St., 877-250-2929; hamiltonbroadway.com
2016 Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 55 mins.). Visionary writer/composer Lin-Manuel Miranda’s white-hot historical musical that redefined Broadway! Told through a score of musical theatre, hip-hop, jazz, and R&B, this Pulitzer Prize-winning production relating the story behind orphan/war hero/Treasury head/ founding father Alexander Hamilton has also scooped up Tony, Olivier, and Grammy Awards.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD
Lyric Theatre, 214 W. 43rd St., 212-305-4100; broadway.harrypottertheplay.com
2018 Tony, Best Play (3 hrs., 30 mins.) This visually spectacular show begins where the films end, with the friendship between Harry’s son Albus and Draco’s son, Scorpius—BFFs whose magical misadventures involve Time-Turner shenanigans and a mysterious friend. Familiar characters plus a new generation of Hogwarts students make this a must-see for fans (the program has a full summary and wizarding world crash course for HP neophytes).
HELL’S KITCHEN
Shubert Theatre, 225 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200; hellskitchen.com
(2 hrs., 30 mins.) Grammy winner Alicia Keys’ autobiographical musical about 17-year-old Ali facing hard truths about race, defiance, and growing up.
THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA
Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th St.. 212-239-6200; thehillsofcalifornia.com
(2 hrs., 45 mins.) In the 1970s the Webb sisters come home for their dying mother, and in the 1950s their singing act leads to a shot at fame. Limited engagement thru 12/8.
JOB
Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200; jobtheplay.com
(80 mins., no intermission) When Jane is placed on leave from her Big Tech job, her therapist suspects her work might be doing more harm than good. Limited engagement thru 10/27.
LEFT ON TENTH
James Earl Jones Theatre, 138 W. 48th St., 212-239-6200; leftontenthbroadway.com
(100 mins., no intermission) When she least expects it, the creator of You’ve Got Mail falls into her own romcom. Starring Peter Gallagher and Juliana Margulies. In previews for a 10/23 opening.
THE LION KING
Minskoff Theatre, 200 W. 45th St., 866-870-2717; disneyonbroadway.com
1998 Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 30 mins.) A glorious stage adaptation of Disney’s animated hit, The Lion King is a treasure trove of stunning visual magic created by Tony-winner Julie Taymor. Set in the flourishing African Pride Land, the story follows the lion prince, Simba—along with young lioness Nala, BFFs Timon and Pumbaa, and villainous uncle Scar—on his journey from precious cub to king of the jungle.
MAYBE HAPPY ENDING
Belasco Theatre, 111 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200; maybehappyending.com (90 mins., no intermission) In Seoul, an encounter between HelperBots Oliver (Darren Criss) and Claire (Helen J Shen) leads to a unique friendship. Previewing 10/16 for an 11/12 opening.
McNEAL
Lincoln Center Theaters’ Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W. 65th St., 212-239-6200; lct.org (105 mins., no intermission) Jacob McNeal (Robert Downey Jr.) is a great writer with an estranged son, new novel, old axes to grind, and an unhealthy fascination with AI. Limited engagement thru 11/24.
MJ THE MUSICAL
Neil Simon Theatre, 250 W. 52nd St., 212-239-6200; mjthemusical.com
(2 hrs., 35 mins.) This electrifying musical bio looks into Michael Jackson’s creative process leading up to his 1992 Dangerous world tour.
MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL
Al Hirschfeld Theatre, 302 W. 45th St., 888-506-4101; moulinrougemusical.com
2020 Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 35 mins.) A gleefully flamboyant take on Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 movie where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows.
THE NOTEBOOK
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; notebookmusical.com
(2 hrs., 20 mins.) Based on Nicolas Sparks’ bestseller: a musical romance about Allie & Noah, from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite forces that threaten to pull them apart.
OH, MARY!
Lyceum Theatre, 145 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; ohmaryplay.com
(80 mins., no intermission) Writer/actor Cole Escola plays Mary Todd Lincoln, examining her forgotten life and dreams through the lens of an idiot. Limited engagement thru 1/19/25.
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
Hudson Theatre, 141 W. 44th St., 855-801-5876; onceuponamattress.com (2 hrs., 15 mins.) This musical update of “The Princess and the Pea” finds a free spirit princess (Sutton Foster) in a repressed kingdom that looks to her to transform it. Limited engagement thru 11/30.
OUR TOWN
Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St., 212-239-6200; ourtownbroadway.com (2 hrs., 35 mins.) Thornton Wilder’s timeless drama about life in a small town. With Jim Parsons, Zoey Deutch, Katie Holmes, and Ephraim Sykes. Limited engagement thru 1/19/25.
THE OUTSIDERS
Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; outsidersmusical.com
2024 Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 30 mins.) In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, the hardened hearts and aching souls of Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, and their chosen family of “outsiders” are in a fight for survival and a quest for purpose in a world that may never accept them. This gripping new musical, based on the 1983 film, reinvigorates the timeless tale of “haves and have nots,” of protecting what’s yours, and fighting for what could be.
For more on the city and its theatre scene, check out cityguideny.com/theater/
THEATER (CONT’D)
ROMEO + JULIET
Circle in the Square Theatre, 235 W. 50th St., 212-239-6200; romeoandjulietnyc.com
(2 hrs., no intermission) Impulsive young lovers hurtle towards their fate in this new adaptation starring Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler. In previews for a 10/24 opening; limited engagement thru 2/16/25.
THE ROOMMATE
Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; theroommatebway.com (90 mins., no intermission) Patty LuPone and Mia Farrow star in this witty and profound portrait of a blossoming intimacy between two women. Limited engagement thru 12/15.
SIX
Lena Horne Theatre, 256 W. 47th St., 212-239-6200; sixonbroadway.com
(80 mins., no intermission) Henry VIII’s six wives take the mic to remix historical heartbreak into girl power.
STEREOPHONIC
Golden Theatre, 252 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; stereophonicplay.com
2024 Tony, Best Play (3 hrs., 5 mins.) This play with music tracks a 1976 rock band on the brink of superstardom. With songs by Grammy winner Will Butler. Limited engagement thru 1/19/25.
SUFFS
Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; suffsmusical.com
(2 hrs., 30 mins.) Set in 1913, Shaina Taub’s new musical explores the victories and failures of the women’s movement and its pursuit of voting rights.
SUNSET BOULEVARD
St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th St., 888-985-9421; sunsetblvdbroadway.com
(2 hrs., 35 mins.) In Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic work, aging film star Norma Desmond turns to a struggling screenwriter to fulfill her comeback hopes, with disastrous consequences. In previews for a 10/20 opening.
SWEPT AWAY
Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 48th St., 212-239-6200; sweptawaymusical.com (90 mins., no intermission) After a violent storm sinks their whaling ship, how far will the four survivors go to stay alive? Previewing 10/29 for a 11/19 opening.
TAMMY FAYE
Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway, 212-239-6200; tammyfayebway.com
(2 hrs., 10 mins.) Preacher Jim Bakker and his wife Tammy Faye see TV success scorched by backstage plotting. Previewing 10/19 for a 11/14 opening.
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; waterforelephantsthemusical.com
(2 hrs., 40 mins.) An orphaned young man finds a new life with a traveling circus in this spectacle-filled new musical based on the bestselling novel.
WICKED
Gershwin Theatre, 222 W. 51st St., 877-250-2929; wickedthemusical.com
(2 hrs., 45 mins.) One of Broadway’s biggest success stories, this fantasy musical, based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, follows the friendship between two young girls—one smart, misunderstood, and green-hued; the other beautiful, ambitious, and popular. Oz’s fairy tale roots get replanted in an eyepopping production that turns the original story spectacularly upside down.
A WONDERFUL WORLD: THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG MUSICAL
Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St., 833-274-8497; louisarmstrongmusical.com
(2 hrs., 30 mins.) Armstrong’s career from the perspective of his four wives. Starring Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart in the title role. Previewing 10/16 for a 11/11 opening.
YELLOW FACE
Todd Haimes Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St., 212-719-1300; roundabouttheatre.org
(105 mins., no intermission) A fictionalized playwright protests yellowface in Miss Saigon only to mistakenly cast a white actor as the Asian lead in his own play. Limited engagement thru 11/24.
off-broadway
BLUE MAN GROUP
Astor Place Theatre, 434 Lafayette St., 800-258-3626; blueman.com
(105 mins., no intermission) Blue Man Group will rock your world, blow your mind, and unleash your spirit. Leave your expectations at the door and let three bald and blue men take you on a spectacular journey bursting with music, laughter, and surprises. 35 million people of all ages, languages, and cultures know what Blue Man Group is really about. Now it’s your turn.
PERFECT CRIME
Anne Bernstein Theater, The Theater Center, 210 W. 50th St., 212-921-7862; perfect-crime.com
(1 hr., 45 mins.) A funny, sexy whodunit centering on Margaret Brent, a wealthy psychiatrist accused of offing her husband, and the handsome detective who’s falling in love with her while investigating the crime. Having debuted in 1987, the show is cited in Guinness World Records for its leading femme fatale, Catherine Russell, dubbing her the “Cal Ripken of Broadway” for playing all but four shows since opening night!
CUISINE CORNER
NYC is a world-class destination for foodies. It’s also home to NY classics that have earned those Instagram snaps across decades of service. You’ve got questions about dining out? We’ve got answers.
h Where can I find a classic steakhouse experience?
Strip House near Bryant Park has a siren-red interior accented with vintage black and white photography—but the star of the show here is the namesake New York strip, served in 20-ounce bone-in portions. Cuts like the dry-aged Porterhouse for two and the grassfed filet mignon are guaranteed to impress as well.
gWhere can I dine among the clouds?
The simply stunning views from One World Observatory in Lower Manhattan are complemented by the seasonally inspired options at ONE Dine. The 101st floor menu plays off New Yorker favorites like Korean ssam wraps, hamachi crudo, pasta, steak frites, and smash burgers with caramalized onions and Gruyère cheese. You can raise a toast with small production wines, local draft beers, and craft cocktails.
hWhere can I get a memorable meal with spectacular views?
The best way to dine along the skyline is aboard City Cruises. For a refined experience, book a Premier Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the all-glass, European-inspired Bateaux New York and enjoy plated dining, live entertainment, signature cocktails, and the city’s most impressive views.
iA high energy spot in Times Square?
Pink Taco serves imaginative Mexican-inspired fare amid rock ‘n’ roll vibes. You’ll find tacos with attitude, perfectly shaken margaritas, and signature cocktails like the Ranch Water, made with fresh lime and Herradura Blanco tequila.
fA real Italian experience before a Broadway show?
La Masseria serves a first-rate Italian menu that blends traditional and modern. Inspirations come from the region of Puglia (the heel of Italy’s “boot”), resulting in simple, authentic pastas, risottos, and meat and fish dishes. A little ways uptown, spinoff Masseria dei Vini is known for Neapolitan-style pizza crafted with a Ferrara wood-burning oven, in addition to stellar seafood and fresh homemade pastas.
h An upbeat brasserie scene?
Polished nickel and leather, warm tones, and original Red Grooms artwork add to the lively atmosphere at midtown favorite Redeye Grill. The gourmet menu here features steaks, chops, fresh seafood, and sushi. The location is fantastic, close to Central Park and Carnegie Hall. If the weather cooperates, take advantage of the elevated outdoor patio with prime views of the neighborhood. Save room for the house specialty—banana cream pie!
gWhere can I get a meal from a celebrity chef?
Famed chef David Burke (Top Chef Masters) has launched Park Ave Kitchen in Midtown East. It’s a two-for-one restaurant with a formal dine-in brasserie on one side and a more casual to-stay area with a take-out option on the other. Dishes reflect the creativity Burke is famous for: pretzel crabcake rafts, bison short ribs with coffee BBQ essence, Angry Alaskan King Crab Legs, and Clothesline Bacon.
iWhere can I experience an amazing antipasto bar?
Cafe Fiorello on Broadway is a New Yorker go-to for visits to Lincoln Center. An Upper West Side legend, it’s finished in warm wood, brass, and mirrors. Updated Italian classics from the kitchen begin with the 50-item hot and cold antipasto bar, freshly made and full of temptations. (For entrees, Fiorello excels in seafood, steak, veal, and pasta.)
fWhere can I be transported in Times Square?
Havana Central serves home-cooked Cuban food in a friendly setting in the center of everything. Before a Broadway show, or after a stop at a Times Square attraction, step into this spacious 1950s eatery for a mojito and some ropa vieja Weekdays from 3-7pm enjoy Happy Hour drink specials and 1/2 price empanadas at the bar with the purchase of drink. Live Latin music plays Fridays 7-10pm and Sundays 5-8pm.
DINING
Midtown West
Midtown East
Theater District
Times Square
Upper East Side
Upper West Side
New Jersey
$ Inexpensive/Mostly $20 & under
$$ Mostly $20-$40
$$$ Mostly $50 +
THEATER DISTRICT/MIDTOWN WEST
BOND 45 TS $$
221 W. 46th St. (Broadway-8th Ave.), 212-869-4545, bond45ny.com | ITALIAN
One of the great restaurants from The Fireman Hospitality Group, known for its antipasto bar with a rotating selection of market-fresh veggies. Expansive menu includes specialty veal chops, seafood, housemade pasta, and thin-crust pizza. Expansive rusticchic space inside the stylish Deco confines of the Hotel Edison. Open Sun.-Thurs. 7am-10pm, Fri-Sat. 7am-11pm.
BROOKLYN DINER MW $$
212 W. 57th St. (Broadway-7th Ave.), 212-977-1957: 155 W. 43rd St. (Broadway-6th Ave.), 212-265-5400, brooklyndiner.com | AMERICAN
A classic New York experience inspired by “the old neighborhood in Brooklyn.” Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with diner favorites like Reubens, burgers, chicken soup, and pot pies. Lighter fare like tacos, teriyaki salmon, and entree salads as well. Sparkling new Times Square location open SunThurs. 8am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 8am-11pm.
ELLEN’S STARDUST DINER TD $$
1650 Broadway (51st St.), 212-956-5151, ellensstardustdiner.com | AMERICAN
In the heart of the Theater District close to Times Square, a staple in the Broadway community since 1987. Known for their famous waitstaff singing popular musicals while guests enjoy delicious food and drink. The iconic diner attracts visitors from all over the world, with its retro and nostalgic memorabilia.
DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE
STEAKHOUSE TD $$$
1221 Ave. of the Americas (48th-49th Sts.), 212-575-5129, delfriscos.com | STEAKHOUSE
Energetic and luxurious three-story steakhouse with floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of Sixth Ave. and Rockefeller Center. Treats guests to an exceptional experience through chef-driven cuisine, world-class wines, and unparalleled hospitality.
HARD
ROCK CAFE TS $$
1501 Broadway (43rd-44th Sts.), 212-343-3355, hardrockcafe.com/location/new-york | AMERICAN Rock your senses with tantalizing food and drinks and an awe-inspiring rock memorabilia collection. Priceless pieces from Elvis to The Beatles to contemporary stars. Don’t miss weekend brunch 11am-3pm, with bottomless mimosas and faves like chicken ‘n’ waffles and build-your-own scrambles.
HAVANA
CENTRAL TS $$
151 W. 46th St. (6th-7th Aves.), 212-398-7440, havanacentral.com | CUBAN
Home of Real Cuban Cooking in the heart of Times Square. Come for the food—but stay for the party! Find “the best mojitos north of Havana” plus Happy Hour at the bar, Monday-Friday 3-7pm. Classic Cuban favorites like empanadas, slow-roasted pork, and ropa vieja
LA MASSERIA TD $$-$$$
235 W. 48th St. (Broadway-8th Ave.), 212-582-2111, lamasserianyc.com | ITALIAN
“A farmhouse in the middle of Manhattan,” offering classic dishes from Italy’s Puglia region, utilizing the freshest natural ingredients for simple, authentic pastas, risottos, and meat and fish dishes. Warm, inviting decor blends rural Italian style and charm, complementing the exceptional cuisine and wine list.
MASSERIA DEI VINI TD $$$
887 9th Ave. (57th-58th Sts.), 212-315-2888, masseriadeivini.com | ITALIAN
A first-rate Italian menu blends traditional and modern. Beautiful dishes from Puglia, many of which incorporate seafood and fresh homemade pastas. Gourmet pizza Neapolitan style from a Ferrara woodburning pizza oven. Extensive wine by the glass and a large selection of bottles—especially from Italy.
THE PALM RESTAURANT–MIDTOWN TD $$$
250 W. 50th St. (Broadway-8th Ave.), 212-333-7256, thepalm.com | STEAK/SEAFOOD
A dining tradition handed down for generations: a place to not only enjoy a spectacular meal before or after a show but to also catch up with friends, celebrate family milestones, and close business deals. Enjoy a wide array of options such as the fan favorite lobster, Italian specialties, and steaks.
DINING
PINK TACO TS $$
7 Times Sq. (7th Ave. & W. 41st.), 212-315-8226, pinktaco.com/locations/new-york-city | MEXICAN Rock ‘n’ roll vibe-dining right in the heart of Times Square. Mexican-inspired fare is daringly imaginative, specializing in tacos with attitude, perfectly shaken margaritas, and signature cocktails. Breakfast and dinner daily, Hangover Brunch on Sat. and Sun., weeknight Happy Hour 3-6pm, and $4 taco specials all day long for Taco Tuesdays.
RAISING CANE’S CHICKEN FINGERS TS $
1501 Broadway (43rd-44th Sts.)
20 Astor Pl. (Lafayette St.) raisingcanes.com | AMERICAN
One of the fastest growing restaurant chains, with over 750 locations and more on the way, known for its ONE LOVE® Craveable Chicken Finger Meals, which include their iconic “Cane’s Sauce”—named the #1 most craveable sauce in the restaurant industry. Cane’s uses only the highest-quality ingredients with a cook-to-order system that ensures a great-tasting chicken finger meal served hot and fresh every time.
REDEYE GRILL
MW $$
890 7th Ave. (56th St.), 212-541-9000, redeyegrill.com | AMERICAN
Upscale dining featuring an elevated outdoor patio with prime views of Carnegie Hall and midtown. Classic American brasserie scene, with polished nickel and leather, warm tones, and original Red Grooms artwork. Gourmet menu features steaks, chops, fresh seafood, and sushi, with house specialties like the spicy tuna burger. Save room for banana cream pie!
STRIP HOUSE STEAKHOUSE & COCKTAIL
LOUNGE TS $$$
15 W. 44th St. (5th-6th Aves.), 212-336-5454, striphouse.com | STEAKHOUSE
Named one of New York’s best steak restaurants by Zagat and awarded four stars by Forbes, the namesake cut isn’t the only thing to marvel upon…our walls are adorned with original Studio Manassé prints of 1930s burlesque stars. Our signature menu features sizzling prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and decadent desserts enjoyed in a bi-level space for lunch, dinner, and private dining.
SUGAR FACTORY TIMES SQUARE TS $$
694 8th Ave. (44th St.), 347-721-9066, sugarfactory.com/time-square-ny | AMERICAN Celebrity hotspot adds more glamour to Times Square. First floor cafe with milkshake bar, coffees, and pastries, flowing into the retail store. Take in the floor-toceiling candy wall before heading upstairs to the roomy restaurant and bar. Brunch, Monster Burgers, sundaes, cocktails, sparkly Couture Pops lollipops, and signature, celebrity-endorsed smoking candy goblets (with or without alcohol) headline the specialties.
TRATTORIA DELL’ARTE MW $$
900 7th Ave. (56th-57th Sts.), 212-245-9800, trattoriadellarte.com | ITALIAN
The largest antipasto bar in the city, accompanied by signature Italian dishes including veal chop Parmigiana, chicken pepperoni Parmigiana, and the classic 101 Layer Lasagna. Interior features include funky oversize sculptures, in a space inspired by an artist’s studio in Tuscany. All in the heart of midtown!
USA
BROOKLYN DELICATESSEN MW $
211 W. 43rd St. (7th-8th Aves.), 212-840-5800; 200 W. 57th St. (7th Ave., btw. 56th-57th Sts.), 212-757-5757, brooklyndelicatessen.com
AMERICAN COMFORT FOOD
Turns back the culinary clock to a slower time, when our tastes were simple, with the kind of real food you crave. Hot sandwiches and comfort food with a laidback ambiance. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. EGGFACE sandwiches featured at breakfast; for lunch and dinner enjoy offerings ranging from hot pastrami, corned beef, and turkey to chicken soup and salads.
UTSAV
INDIAN CUISINE TS $$
1185 6th Ave. (46th St., btw. 6th-7th Aves.), 212-575-2525, utsavny.com | INDIAN
Woman owned & run, serving dynamic cuisine to NYC for 24 years. Located in an open air plaza; bar on the first floor and a newly renovated spacious dining room on the second floor. Recently introduced Indo Chinese and Bengali menus join Indian menu to bring new flavors to the area for the first time. Come visit this hidden gem where you can savor different flavors from various parts of India. Lunch special $24.95. Happy Hour 5-8pm daily. Lunch noon-3pm, dinner 5-10:30pm daily.
EAST VILLAGE
STRIP HOUSE STEAKHOUSE & COCKTAIL
LOUNGE EV $$$
13 E. 12th St. (University Pl.-5th Ave.), 212-328-0000, striphouse.com | STEAKHOUSE
Iconic NYC restaurant providing innovative food in a burlesque atmosphere, for a high-end steakhouse experience. Named one of New York’s best steak restaurants by Zagat and awarded four stars by Forbes, the signature menu features sizzling prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, decadent desserts, and an extensive wine list. Limited seating is also available in the attached Speakeasy for those who prefer a more intimate dinner and cocktail experience.
To find the most innovative dining spots in NYC visit us online: cityguideny.com
DINING
$ Inexpensive/Mostly $20 & under
$$ Mostly $20-$40
$$$ Mostly $50 +
NEW JERSEY
AMERICAN DREAM NJ
1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ, 833-263-7326, americandream.com, | GLOBAL Shops. World-class entertainment. Restaurants. The range of activities here is as jaw-dropping as the dining options, which run from bars and food halls to Little Sheep Hot Pot, Marcus Live! Bar & Grille by Marcus Samuelsson, Michelin-star chef Gastón Acurio’s Jarana, and YouTube sensation MrBeast’s only restaurant, MrBeast Burger.
UPPER EAST SIDE
CENTRAL PARK BOATHOUSE $$$ UES
The Lake, Central Park (E. 72nd St. & Park Dr N.), 718-973-9339; centralparkboathouse.com | AMERICAN Refreshed and reimagined, the Boathouse is a testament to Central Park’s rich history, right off The Lake near Bethesda Fountain. Elegant seasonal dining highlights entrees like prime rib, Sicilian swordfish, and chicken Milanese. The café offers casual dining with a view, ranging from breakfast sandwiches to the namesake burger and iconic lobster roll. Rowboat rentals provide a unique perspective on the park.
DAVID
BURKE TAVERN UES $$$
135 E. 62 St. (Park-Lexington Aves), davidburketavern.com | AMERICAN Modern American restaurant by award-winning celebrity chef David Burke. Occupying the first two stories of a stately townhouse on the Upper East Side, the restaurant showcases Burke’s creative and contemporary approach to classic fare—often with show-stopping presentations. Lunch and dinner seven days from noon. Brunch Sat.-Sun. Happy Hour daily 3:30-6:30pm.
UPPER WEST SIDE
CAFE FIORELLO UWS $$
1900 Broadway (63rd-64th Sts.), 212-595-5330, cafefiorello.com | ITALIAN
New Yorkers’ go-to for visits to Lincoln Center. Upper West Side legend features a lively outdoor cafe and a timeless interior finished in warm wood, brass, and mirrors. Updated Italian classics from the kitchen begin with a 50-item hot and cold antipasto bar. Excels in seafood, steak, veal, and pasta.
MIDTOWN EAST
MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE ME $$$
551 5th Ave. (entrance on 45th St.), 212-972-3315, mortons.com | STEAKHOUSE
Famous for USDA prime-aged beef, fresh seafood, fine wine, and elegant desserts: the ideal place for a memorable dinner, suited to both intimate occasions and larger parties. A true blend of classic and contemporary. Look for raw bar specials and butchercut features like the tomahawk ribeye, dry-aged bone-in K.C. strip, and wagyu filet. Innovative cocktail culture fuels a bustling bar scene.
PARK AVE KITCHEN BY DAVID BURKE ME $$$
514 Lexington Ave. (48th St.), 646-847-4166; parkavekitchenbydb.com | AMERICAN
Bringing together delicious, authentic American fare with top-notch service in a fun atmosphere. David Burke is one of the best known and most respected chefs in Modern American cuisine with his signature whimsical, boundlessly creative approach. Formal dine-in Brasserie on one side of restaurant and a tostay area with a take-out option concept on the other. Daily lunch/dinner. Bar open daily 11am- midnight.
CHELSEA
CITY CRUISES CH $$-$$$
Chelsea Piers, Pier 61 (W. 23rd St. & 12th Ave.), 866-817-3463; citycruises.com/newyork
Offers brunch, lunch, and dining cruises throughout the year. Choose from buffets or elegant plated experiences on the glass-enclosed deck of the Europeaninspired Bateaux. Four convenient NY/NJ departures.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE FD $$$
World Trade Center, 136 Washington St. (Cedar-Albany Sts.), 212-608-0171, mortons.com | STEAK/SEAFOOD
Famous for USDA prime-aged beef, fresh seafood, fine wine and elegant desserts: the ideal place for a memorable dinner. Wide-open, modern dining room can accommodate large parties or an intimate dinner for two. Private boardrooms or grab a cocktail in Bar 12-21. Just steps from the 9/11 Memorial.
AFTERHOURS GOTHAM
Welcometotheworldcapitalofnightlife:thecity thatneversleeps.Intimatejazzspotsshareblocks withDJ-drivennightclubsallaroundthecity. Neighborhoody pints can be found across midtown. For a more raucous scene, check out the EastVillage and Lower East Side. Brooklyn is raising up nightlife scenes to rival Manhattan’s—a trip across the East River reveals all kinds of options inWilliamsburg. Rooftop bars are ideal for city vistas, like the elegant surrounds of OpheliaLounge(above),atopthe BeekmanTower in Midtown East. NearTimes Square, you can rock your senses with tantalizing food and drinks at HardRockCafe. Feel the history as you’re surrounded by
collectibles from Jimi Hendrix, Billy Joel, John Lennon, The Ramones, Blondie, and Bruce Springsteen—global stars with New York connections. Nearby Havana Central serves home-cooked Cuban food in a lively setting. Fuel up with their festive Happy Hour, which includes half-price empanadas and classic mojitos and margaritas.
For world-class musical experiences, head to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s intimate Dizzy’s Club There are shows nightly, in a space expressly designed for superior live jazz experiences—
you’ll hear the difference at every show. Night owls can catch Late Night Sessions every Thursday through Saturday starting at 11pm.
For an eclectic mix of talent, city legend Gotham Comedy Club brings in the hottest comics nightly. Legends like Jerry Seinfeld and David Chappelle have dropped in on this upscale, intimate setting in Chelsea. There are touring pros and ensemble nights like The Gotham All-Stars. We all deserve a laugh these days—Gotham Comedy Club is the best place in the city to find them.
“ONE OF THE TOP TEN PLACES IN THE COUNTRY TO SEE STANDUP.”
NIGHTLIFE
FD Financial District
T Tribeca
NH NoHo
LES Lower East Side
SH SoHo
DIZZY’S CLUB
LI Little Italy
GV Greenwich Village
EV East Village
CH Chelsea
MD Meatpacking District
AT JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER MW
10 Columbus Cir. (59th-60th Sts.), 212-258-9800, jazz.org
In the heart of Columbus Circle, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s most intimate venue Dizzy’s Club invites you to experience world-class music in a casual setting with breathtaking views of Central Park and a curated menu featuring craft and spirit-free cocktails. Nightly sets begin at 7 and 9pm; Sun. sets 5 and 7:30pm; and Late Night Sessions 11pm Thurs.-Sat.
GP Gramercy Park
MW Midtown West
ME Midtown East
TD Theater District
TS Times Square
UES Upper East Side
UWS Upper West Side
H Harlem
GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB CH
208 W. 23rd St. (7th-8th Aves.), 212-367-9000, gothamcomedyclub.com
Whether it’s date night, an evening with the boys, a girls night out, or even a good place to take your mother-in-law, Gotham has a show for you. Great laughs from top-tier professionals are joined by delicious pub food, a huge liquor selection--including 30 kinds of vodka--and an actual wine list. Legends like Jerry Seinfeld are known to drop in on this upscale yet intimate setting. Covers vary depending on show with a 2-beverage minimum.
Continued from page 25—CULTURE
1. Swan Centerpiece, Tiffany & Co. (1837–present), 1874. American, silver and silver gilt. Rough Point Collection / Doris Duke, Newport Restoration Foundation, Newport, Rhode Island.
2. Shoichi Aoki, FRUiTS_013-1998/06-#1009_#1010, 1998. Courtesy Shoichi Aoki.
3. Church and State, 2024. Alison Bremner Naxhshagheit. Photo: Alvaro Keding/© AMNH.
4. Yäma Munungirritj, ca. 1920–1987, Yarrwidi-Gumatj clan. Gurrungawuy, 1961. Natural pigments on bark. H. 28 x W. 15 in. (71.1 x 38.1 cm). Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia. Edward L. Ruhe Collection, Gift of John W. Kluge, 1997. 1993.0004.041.
5. Left: Motor Corps of the National League for Women’s Service, Ambulance Corps Uniform, ca. 1917. Khaki cotton twill jacket and skirt with brass buttons, blue wool collar patches featuring wheel and wing embroidery in gold, a leather cross strap and wide belt, leather gloves, and brown cotton sateen knickers (not shown). Right: Abercrombie and Fitch Co. (est. 1892). Smith College Relief Unit Uniform and Hat, ca. 1917. Gray-green wool jacket and skirt with plastic buttons, gold colored pin with red cross, black wool felt armband with USA Smith College Relief Unit embroidered in red. Black brushed felted-wool hat with wide rayon faille hatband. Photograph by Anna-Marie Kellen for the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection.
6. Clockwise from top: Skyscrapers of New York City, Curt Teich & Co, 1936, Leonard A. Lauder Postcard Archive. Promised gift to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Chrysler Building by Night, Haberman’s, 1930s, Leonard A. Lauder Postcard Archive. Promised gift to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Greetings from New York, Tichnor Brothers, Inc., 1942, Leonard A. Lauder Postcard Archive. Promised gift to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Page 24, top, installation view. Photo: Alvaro Keding/© AMNH.
MANHATTAN SUBWAY MAP
MANHATTAN BUS MAP
For a more detailed downtown map, see the Lower Manhattan map.
WESTSIDEHIGHWAY
BROADWAY
EAVNICHOLASST
PHOTOS BY MATTHEW MURPHY AND EVAN ZIMMERMAN
