Written By: Joel Cohen, Vice President – New York City Vacation Packages
There aren’t too many world-class destinations that promise low-season hotel rates during a prime family tourism season – but New York City can claim that accolade. Throughout most of the summer, City hotels are rolling out the red carpet so tourists can have fun without spending a fortune on their accommodations.
So what is summertime like in New York City? Simply put, it’s a great time to experience the outdoors and indoors, the new and the well-known, and the seasonal events that make New York City a one-of-a-kind destination.
For the first-time visitors, and the veteran New York City travelers, here’s our list of 10 Summertime Treats for 2019.
1. Parks and Gardens
Sure, the City has the tallest buildings in the USA and is a virtual skyscraper museum. But it also features some beautiful parklands from famous Central Park to Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Perhaps lesser known, but equally magnificent, areWave Hill in the Bronx and (a personal favorite) the Chinese Scholar’s Garden at Snug Harbor on Staten Island. For a super day trip out of Manhattan, how about a visit to the Bronx Zoo, followed by lunch and a tour of the public gardens at Wave Hill, a vibrant landscape that’s been called “one of the greatest living works of art.”
2. Sunset at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Speaking of parks, we’d be remiss by not mentioning one of our favorite photography spots in the City. Located just on the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge is a waterfront site along the East River with a picture-perfect view of Lower Manhattan’s skyscrapers and the Bridge itself. Beginning about an hour before sunset, photographers set up their tripods to capture one of the iconic images of the sun setting behind the City.
3. The High Line
Let’s take a 1 ½ mile abandoned elevated rail line and demolish it. No wait, a better idea – let’s turn it into a public space in the heart of Manhattan where locals and visitors can stroll along landscaped walkways, see interesting art installations, or even have a snack in a quiet setting overlooking the Hudson River.
4. Hudson Yards
Opening in spring, 2019, Hudson Yards will be a micro-destination of its own. It’s the largest urban development in the history of the USA and will be home to several experiences to attract tourists. The Vessel, an interactive centerpiece of the area featuring 154 interconnecting flights of stairs, will be New York City’s next public landmark. Hudson Yards will also showcase great shopping including the City’s first Neiman Marcus and nearly 100 luxury and specialty stores and restaurants.
5. World Pride
New York City will host the largest LGBTQ celebration in the world in June, marking the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and LGBTQ liberation. There will be rallies, parties, lectures, and both free and ticketed events culminating in the Pride March on Sunday, June 30, followed by closing ceremonies in Times Square featuring special guest Melissa Etheridge.
6. Statue of Liberty Museum
A beautiful, new museum giving visitors to Liberty Island the chance to experience a better understanding of Lady Liberty will open this Spring. Formerly, artifacts were only viewable to those few who could gain access to the Statue’s pedestal. However the new Statue of Liberty Museum will allow everyone to interact and learn about the construction, history and significance of the Statue.
New York City Vacation Packages operates daily tours departing from Midtown Manhattan to
the Statue of Liberty. More information is available on the company’s website nyctrip.com.
7. 4th of July Fireworks
Nothing celebrates our Independence Day more than evening fireworks, and New York City is the home to the nationally telecast spectacular sponsored by Macy’s. NYCVP offers a luxury cruise in New York Harbor to view the extravaganza – and in fact, hosts an all-day event that’s perfect for families and visitors. It begins with an old-fashioned picnic done in a New York style, high above Times Square on a beautiful outdoor terrace. Following the lunch, guests are taken on a sightseeing tour of historic Manhattan before boarding the World Yacht Princess for the evening’s fireworks dinner cruise.
There’s more information about this not-to-be-missed July 4th event on nyctrip.com.
8. New York Yankees Baseball
The Bronx Bombers begin their 2019 season as favorites to win their division and return to the World Series for the first time since 2009. Tickets for games, especially weekends, are sometimes are to get. That’s why NYCVP has locks of tickets for 10 summer home games, including escorted transportation from Midtown Manhattan and a pre-game party inside the Stadium in the Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar. Reserved seats are on the Main Level, comfortably under cover and just behind first base, offering an exceptional view of the entire field.
9. US Open Tennis
Watch the greatest names in tennis at the richest tennis tournament and the last Grand Slam event of the year, the US Open, held at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens. The tournament runs from August 26 until the Women’s and Men’s finals September 7 and 8.
NYCVP has reserved tickets in Arthur Ashe Stadium for most dates, including a special group block of tickets for Men’s and Women’s 3rd round on Saturday, August 31.
10. Broadway
This Spring and Summer season on Broadway will feature long-running standbys like The Lion King, Chicago, Wicked, Aladdin, Book of Mormon and Phantom of the Opera. But everyone’s excited to see these new shows opening soon:
- Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
- Kiss Me, Kate
- Oklahoma!
- Beetlejuice
- Tootsie
- Moulin Rouge! The Musical
New York City Vacation Packages, with home offices in Kingston PA, is the only major tour company in the USA focusing exclusively on vacation travel arrangements to New York City.
The company has been in business since 1998 providing travel professionals with commissionable FIT and Group travel products, including daily departures customized to individual needs, and special events surrounding unique NYC experiences like 4th of July fireworks, US Open Tennis, the Thanksgiving day parade, Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting and New Year’s Eve in Times Square. The company is a member of NYC & Company, and is not affiliated with the USTA, Macy’s, New York Yankees or Major League Baseball.