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What’s on in New York City: August Edition

New York City is known for being the city that never sleeps for a reason. There is always something to see, hear, or eat. Make the most of your trip and check out some of the events happening this month. There’s something for everyone whether you want to take in some art, catch a game, or looking to be entertained.

ART: If you’re the artsy type, these events will certainly pique your interest.

Guggenheim Tuesdays running through Sept. 11

The Guggenheim is always worth a visit but this summer Tuesday’s are the night to go. Every Tuesday the museum extends their hours for a special public program like the conversation series Summer of Know. All exhibits are still on view and no advance tickets are required.

The Met Heavenly Bodies Exhibit running through Oct. 8

For anyone enamored by this year’s Met Gala theme, it’s necessary to see the inspiration behind some of this year’s most stunning looks. Fashion has long taken style cues from the Catholic Church’s propensity for ritual drama and flair. The cornerstone of this show are papal robes and accessories from the Sistine Chapel. Many of these pieces have never been displayed before so this might be your only chance to see them in person.

Free Walking Tours in the Garment District running through Dec. 30

Fashion is art and this tour gives you an insider perspective. Every show is unique and you might visit a private showroom or a sample sale, all while learning about this historic neighborhood’s background.

Sports: Knicks. Yankees. Giants. These teams are the heart and soul of the city but we suggest taking in some fresh events that won’t disappointment.

Brooklyn Cyclones running through Sept. 3

Come see where the big stars get their start. The Brooklyn Cyclones play in Coney Island and provide the chance to hit the beach and the pier before the game. This team is known for their odd promotional days with upcoming events including a Star Wars jersey giveaway, Harry Potter night, and a tribute to the Office. Make sure to visit for an experience that can’t be provided at CitiField.

U.S. Open running from Aug. 21- Sept. 9

This event only happens once a year so if you’re in the city during this tournament, it’s where you want to be. The U.S. Open is the only Grand Slam in the country and the only time to see the biggest stars in tennis. Will Serena Williams win another Grand Slam? Who will be victorious between Nadal and Federer? The answers to these questions await at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

New York City Football Club running through Oct. 28

If you’re a fan of sports, a trip to the city should include a visit to Yankee Stadium but we don’t suggest watching a ball game. The New York City Football Club is the city’s newest club and Yankee Stadium has become their temporary home creating a unique experience to watch a soccer game. Join the Third Rail, their local fan club, to cheer the team on in a thrilling match.

 

Entertainment

Movies with a View running through Aug. 30

The title movies with a view isn’t an understatement. Take in gorgeous views of Lower Manhattan’s famed skyline while watching a diverse line-up of movies in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Next up is last year’s blockbuster, Wonder Woman, which is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival running through Sept. 3

Head to Lincoln Center Plaza to see the Opera’s prominent stars get their moment on the big screen. There are thousands of seats but they will fill up for this FREE festival so make sure to get there early.

Coca-Cola Generations Jazz Festival running through Oct. 7

This festival kicks off at the end of August but will provide the city with 6 weeks’ worth of entertainment from the best and brightest in the jazz world. The lineup was crafted to inspire young and old generations of jazz fans so this means that there is something for everyone to enjoy and new acts for fans to discover.

Heading from event to event is tiring work so don’t forget to rest up at the Fitzpatrick Hotel. We have delicious food, tasty drinks, and comfy beds to keep you energized for your entire stay.

New York is famous for its shopping! Whether you want designer goods or vintage pieces, you’ll find everything you want and need in New York City! We’ve put together our TOP 5 places to shop when you visit the Big Apple!

1. Macy’s
Macy’s Herald Square is one of the largest department stores in the world, it covers almost an entire New York City block. With an amazing selection of brands to choose from, including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Levi’s, there is something for everyone and you’ll spend hours wandering the 9 floors! A shopper’s haven!

2. Bloomingdales
Located on Lexington Avenue, you may recognise the name from Rachel’s time in Friends, but Bloomingdales has been a New York Institution for over a century. You’ll find all your favorite designer brands here, including Gucci, Burberry, Michael Kors and many, many more!

3. Century 21
Century 21’s Flagship store can be found in lower Manhattan. Century 21 is a large discount department store, they offer up to 60% off some of the top designer brands. If you love a good bargain then this is the store for you!

4. 5th Avenue
Stroll down 5th avenue and you’ll find all of your favorite brands as well as passing some of NY’s most iconic landmarks including The Plaza, The Rockefeller Centre & St.Patrick’s Cathedral. You’ll find world famous stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co and Saks Fifth Avenue on your walk down one of the world’s most famous streets! Remember to check out Saks Fifth Avenue’s Holiday Light Show if you’re visiting during the Christmas Season!

5. SoHo
From shoes to homeware, clothes to accessories, you’ll find everything you need in SoHo. There’s something to suit all budgets! You’ll find lots of vintage stores in SoHo and if you’re ready to search you can get some amazing bargains! You’ll find brands such as Opening Ceremony, Second Time Around and What Goes Around Comes Around.

If you’re planning a shopping trip to New York soon, we would be delighted to welcome you to Fitzpatrick Hotels New York, why not check out our amazing Eat, Sleep, Shop, Repeat offer

No trip to New York is complete without a visit to Central Park, located between Fifth Avenue and Eighth Avenue and running from 59th Street to 110th Street, it is the most visited urban park in the United States. We’ve picked some of our favorite spots for you to visit!

Central Park Zoo
Central Park Zoo has been a New York Institution since 1860, when it was first opened as a menagerie. Nowadays, a walk around the Zoo’s five plus acres will take you through a variety of habitats, all carefully designed to recreate the natural environment of the animals they house.

Metropolitan Museum of Art
Located on 5th Avenue, on the east side of the park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world’s most renowned museums. With over 7 million visitors a year, it is the world’s fifth most visited museum. You will find art from all over the world and with many different exhibitions, there is always something new to see. If you are going to visit ‘The Met’ as it is affectionately known by locals, then prepare to spend a few hours wandering the different exhibitions. Also if you visit during the summer, be sure to check out their rooftop, the views of Central Park are not to be missed!

Ice-skating at Christmas
The Wollman Rink is located on the east side, very close to the Central Park Zoo. People from all over the world travel to New York at Christmas time and ice-skating in Central Park with the backdrop of the New York City skyline is a must! The Wollman Rink offers ice hockey, a skating school, party facilities, skate rentals, and lockers.

Belvedere Castle
Named for the Italian meaning “beautiful view”, Central Park’s Belvedere Castle offers park goers exactly what its name implies. With its two balconies, it supplies wonderful panoramic views that include some of Central Park’s most beautiful and famous landmarks. It now serves as Henry Luce Nature Conservatory.

Bethesda Terrace Arcade
Bethesda Terrace Arcade is the arched, interior walkway in the center of the park that links the Mall to Bethesda Fountain and the Central Park Lake. This was created in the 1860s as a part of the Park’s main architectural feature. The highlight of the arcade is the magnificent Minton Tile ceiling, which features than 15,000 colorful, patterned encaustic tiles.

Different Movies
A number of world famous movies feature scenes shot in Central Park, we have listed a few but there any many more, just ask us if you want to identify any of the famous New York landmarks featured in your favorite films.
– The Thomas Crown Affair
– Maid in Manhattan
– Godzilla
– Fatal Attraction
– Stuart Little
– When Harry Met Sally
– Elf
– Home Alone

If you want to fit in a visit to Central Park on your next visit to New York, why not check out our ‘Stay Longer, Save Bigger’ and get 10% off! 

New York Coffee Festival
Love coffee? Well, then you’re in luck! The New York Coffee Festival is a weekend-long fest featuring tastings, interactive workshops and barista demonstrations from more than 85 coffee-industry insiders. It runs from Friday October 13th – Sunday, October 15th!

Ice Skating at the Rockefeller Center
The rink opens in October, so get your skates on! With only room for 150 skaters, there may be long lines but ice-skating here is a truly memorable experience in a unique setting!

Pumpkin Flotilla
Taking place on October 28th at 4 pm, don’t miss out on this New Yorker favorite! Taking place in Central Park, enjoy ghost stories, check out a costume parade and partake in the pumpkin carving. Afterward, the Central Park Conservancy will partake in a traditional Pumpkin Flotilla, where 50 gourds will take a sail across the Harlem Meer at twilight.

The Village Halloween Parade
Head to The Village Halloween Parade. NYC’s creative and spooky procession—is one of the best Halloween events in Greenwich Village. More than 50,000 zombies, ghouls, witches, giant puppets and more things that go bump in the night take the streets for a night of costumed revelry. The parade takes place on October 31st from 7.00 pm-10.30 pm, on 6th Avenue, running from just North of Spring Street to 16th Street! This year’s theme is I Am Robot!

Catch a game at Madison Square Garden
Catch a New York Rangers game when they are playing at home in Madison Square Garden! The atmosphere will be electric as New Yorker’s cheer on their team at home!

For a city that is so far from Italy, New York City has a lot of really good pizza restaurants. That’s because New Yorkers love pizza and at Fitzpatrick Hotels New York it is no different, we really love pizza. So it is no surprise that we look forward to National Pizza Day every year and this year we thought we would share our favourite pizza restaurants in New York City with our guests. Now you will have no excuse not to celebrate this great day with some of the best pizza NYC has to offer.

Up first we have Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village. Joe’s has been open since 1975 and has been delivering us with great New York Style pizza since. Always made fresh means that the slices are mouthwateringly hot with Joe’s own pizza sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese. Available to sit in but I wouldn’t get your hopes up, Joe’s is small and because of the quality, always has a lot of business. Joe’s would be perfect for anyone staying in the Fitzpatrick Hotel Grand Central and wanted to head out to grab a quick slice or two on the go.

Next up is Kesté Pizza & Vino, another fabulous pizza establishment in West Village. Kesté Pizza & Vino was established in 2009 by Roberto Caporuscio. Born and raised outside Naples, Italy, Roberto knows a lot about Italian pizza and more importantly, he knows a lot about making Italian pizza. Kresté offer Neapolitan pizza with a wide range of toppings cooked in a wood fired oven to give them a real authentic Italian finish. Reasonably priced and not to far from Fitzpatrick Hotel Grand Central, Kresté Pizza and Vino is one of the staffs favourite in Fitzpatrick Hotels NYC.

Located in Brooklyn, Roberta’s is a little bit further afield from our Manhattan Hotels and even with the queues that can sometimes last hours rather than minutes, we still had to include it. Labelled on Google Map’s as “Hipster Italian dining plus takeout”, Roberta’s is certainly different with graffiti on the walls and picnic tables but the reason Roberta’s gets on our list is how good the pizza is. With really creative toppings, Roberta’s never fails to satisfy that pizza craving. We definitely recommend making the the trip and sticking out the queue.

How could we finish our list of best pizza places in New York City without mentioning the first pizzeria in the United States. Located in the Little Italy area of Manhattan, Lombardi’s New York City was founded in 1905 and the pizza is still great. With great pizza and good atmosphere, Lombardi’s is a good one if you are visiting New York as a family.

So there you are, no excuses to not embrace National Pizza Day and get stuck into some of the best pizza New York City has to offer. As always, just ask us in one of our Fitzpatrick Hotels NYC if you need any assistance or if you need to wash down all that pizza with a drink we would love to have you. Enjoy.

Presidents’ Day weekend has arrived! If you are visiting New York for the weekend you are in for a treat as it is Presidents’ day weekend. This public holiday is celebrated every year on the third Monday of February. This holiday was originally dedicated to the first President of the United States, George Washington, but now this day is an occasion to honor all persons who have served as President. There are a number of events and activities happening in New York over the course of the weekend. We have created a list of the best kid friendly activities for this long weekend.

The New York Historical Society Museum and Library

The New York Historical Society are holding a number of President themed events over the long weekend. There will be a Presidential Scavenger Hunt daily, kids of all ages can search for images and objects relating to presidential history inside the museum. Children will also be able to show off their creative flair by making portraits of Presidents allowing them to flex their arts and crafts skills.  For more details click here.

The Big Quiz Thing’s Presidents’ Day Family Trivia

This quiz is a fun and challenging quiz on U.S history with a focus on past, present, and future U.S. presidents. Kids ages 6 and up and their parents take part in “figureoutable” trivia questions and video and audio puzzles (everyone gets to play), culminating in the stupendous Buzzertastic Finale. There are fantastic prizes from the New York Historical Society.
This event is hosted by Andy Peeke and is a fun activity for all the family.  For more details click here.

Teddy Bears for Teddy Roosevelt at the Museum of the City of New York

A little known fact is that teddy bears got their names from Teddy Roosevelt. Celebrate Presidents’ Day at the Museum of the City of New York, where you can learn about President Roosevelt’s time as the Police Commissioner of New York, discover his friendship with Jacob Riis and make your very own teddy bear. This event is educational and fun and kids will love it. Suitable for ages 6-12, it runs from 11am – 5pm with entry free with museum admission.
For more details click here.

After your activity packed day, you can relax in your oasis of calm in the Fitzpatrick Manhattan or Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel. Book and stay before March the 5th and receive 20% off for Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel.

St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of Irish culture and if you are in New York for March 17^th you are in for a treat as the city celebrates everything Irish. The date is marked by the death of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s most celebrated patron saint who brought Christianity to Ireland.

 St. Patrick’s Day Parade

There are a number of events being held throughout the week and on St. Patrick’s Day itself, the most famous and noteworthy being the St. Patrick’s Parade. New York is the host of the world’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade taking place every year since 1762, before the declaration of Independence was even signed! The parade is one of the biggest events in New York in March, it starts at 11 am on 5^th Avenue and runs between 44^th and 79^th. It marches past a number of New York attractions such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Central Park, before finishing at around 5:00 pm at the American Historical Society at East 80^th Street. Pop on your finest green attire and celebrate one of New York’s oldest traditions.

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Open Day

Join the Irish Arts Centre as it welcomes visitors with open arms for a fun filled day celebrating Irish culture. Visitors can enjoy watching traditional dance and music performance,  they will also have the opportunity to learn how to play the tin whistle and pick up a few words in Gaelic Ireland’s native language, as well as some football skills. With face painting as well as Irish music, dancing, craft workshops and a delicious Irish tea flowing, this is set to be a day the whole family will enjoy.

Sober St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrate the Irish Culture without the Irish Whiskey’s and pints of Guinness at the St. Patrick’s Youth Center Gym. There will be just as much Irish fun with Irish step dancers, traditional music, food and refreshments and more. Acts will include John Whelan Band, Fiddler Dylan Foley and dancing by the Donny Golden School of Irish Dance. Located at 270 Mulberry Street. Don’t miss out and join in the fun.

St. Patrick’s Day at Fitzpatrick Hotels

In Fitzpatrick Hotels we are marking the occasion with a week long festival celebrating all things Irish. Join us in the Fitz or the Wheeltapper and not only will you receive a great Irish welcome, depending on the day, there will complimentary samples of whiskey offered on arrival or activities such as Irish cocktail making classes. The Wheeltapper, which was named one of the Top 5 Irish restaurants in NYC by Time Out NY Magazine will be holding its annual Party All Day Long on St. Patrick’s Day with our special St. Patrick’s Day Menu full of Irish specialties. Help us celebrate all things Irish and join us for a mighty good time!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all at Fitzpatrick Hotels New York.

The hotel business is VERY competitive. Those serious about it approach hospitality with a level of commitment that is almost like a religious calling. Here at Fitzpatrick Hotels, our mission is to exceed the expectations of our guests by providing personal attention and unparalleled service that inspires them to return again, and again. We live this mission every day.

We don’t often offer praise to our competition – the type of professional passion we are talking about just does not allow for it. But something significant happened last week that warrants an exception to this rule. On March 1^st, when their last guest checked out at 12pm, the great Waldorf Astoria shut its doors and closed.

Located at almost the midway point between our two hotels on Lexington Avenue, ours were two of the closest hotels to the Waldorf Astoria. However, it was not just another competitor.

The Waldorf really put the hospitality industry on the map here in the United States. The original Waldorf opened in 1893, and it moved to its current location 86 years ago, in 1931. It was the tallest hotel in world at the time, and remained so for almost 35 years. It made a splash quickly, and became the “Mecca” for lavish hospitality and opulence, in its rooms, in its restaurants and in its function spaces. The largest of these functions spaces is its Grand Ballroom, which has ceilings almost 50 feet high, and can seat 1,500 people for dinner.

The Waldorf was an innovator in so many ways. They invented room service, which other hotels quickly copied. Then, they invented 24-hour room service, which wasn’t as easy to copy. Talk about progressive? In 1931, they were the first hotel to hire women as chefs, long before Julia Child came along to make it fashionable. Many food and beverage favorites were invented there – the Rob Roy cocktail, Red Velvet Cake, Eggs Benedict, the Martini (yes…THE Martini), and of course, the Waldorf Salad.

The Waldorf was the first hotel in the U.S. to become a “celebrity haunt” – a place where people went specifically to be seen. The list of famous guests is endless, but notables included Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, Charlie Chaplin, Judy Garland, John Wayne, Muhammad Ali and the Dalai Lama.

Some celebrities even used the hotel as their residence for long periods of time. This list includes Marilyn Monroe, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Frank Sinatra, who lived in “The Cole Porter Suite” and hung out in Sir Harry’s Bar, right of the lobby.

Every President of the United States going all the way back to Herbert Hoover has stayed at the Waldorf while in New York. It might have been the only hotel in the world where the term “Presidential Suite” was completely literal. Although, we come close at Fitzpatrick Manhattan, where every Irish President stayed since opening in 1991.

All of this buzz very firmly established the Waldorf as the yardstick by which other hotels were measured. This pushed other hotels to elevate their product and service, and by extension reshaped the hospitality industry into a bona fide professional field here in the United States. For that, we say “Thank you, Waldorf Astoria”.

Like many institutions, the Waldorf had aged a bit in more recent years, and while she may not have had quite the same luster that she used too, the Waldorf still had a certain mystique that was completely its own.

I’m sure many other hoteliers around the world – especially those here in New York – also felt a pang of remorse at the closing of the iconic Waldorf’s doors. We would like to take this opportunity to raise a glass to the Waldorf and thank the iconic hotel for raising the bar in hotel hospitality, giving us all something to aspire to.

We at Fitzpatrick’s realize that many regular guests of the Waldorf might need to find a new hotel near the Waldorf when in New York. We would love to welcome you, please mention this tribute to our reservations team, or use the promotional code WALD10 on our website, and we would be delighted to offer you a 10% discount of off our Best Available Rate. Please click here for Fitzpatrick Manhattan and here for Fitzpatrick Grand Central.

As the weather cools down and the trees begin the change, the stunning and vibrant colors come to life in NYC. Fall in New York provides you with a multitude of activities to immerse yourself in all that the city has to offer. Some highlights include:

Ice Skating at the Rockefellar Center:
Ice skating at the iconic Rockefellar Center is an experience not to be missed. Located right in the heart of the city you’ll be lost in the atmosphere as skaters pass you by!

NYC Food and Wine Festival
For all you foodies this festival is a must. This is New York’s largest food and wine festival and brings together a unique collection of New York’s favourite dining establishments! With over 100 events ranging from individual tastings, dinners and a backyard barbecue on Pier 92, food enthusiasts won’t want to miss this!

 

Halloween
October in New York is all about Halloween! With Giant Pumpkins on view at the Botantical Gardens and the famous Village Halloween Parade, you’ll certainly be able to immerse yourself in all that New York has to offer this Halloween.

Basketball
As the basketball season ramps up, the Pre-Season begins this Fall at the famous Madison Square Gardens. This October the first pre-season game features the Brooklyn Nets and New York’s very own New York Knicks and is a must see event!

Central Park
No trip this fall would be complete without venturing into the famous park. Take a stroll around this stunning landscape and enjoy the beautiful autumnal colours. For anyone visiting with kids a visit to the Central Park Zoo is also not to be missed!

At Fitzpatrick Hotels we’re centrally located close to all of action that New York has to offer this Fall so be sure to book now!