City Guide New York, July 23, 2026

JULY 23, 2026

intrepidmuseum.org

Immerse yourself at the Intrepid Museum. Step aboard the legendary USS Intrepid and explore the massive flight deck, home to a stunning collection of aircraft, including the supersonic A-12 Blackbird and the legendary Space Shuttle Enterprise. Dive deeper into history by touring the Growler, the only guided missile submarine open to the public, and discover the fascinating stories of those who served aboard. Celebrating America 250 Honoring America’s Story and Intrepid’s Contributions

SCAN &SAVE

Chief Executive Officer: David L. Miller

Chief Revenue Officer: Vincent Timpone

Managing Director | Business Developments

Strategic Partnerships: Drew Davis

Director | Strategic Partnerships: Sierra Brown

PUBLISHING

Director | Content Management: Ethan Wolff

Director | Creative Development: Wendy Tittel

Theatre Editor: Griffin Miller

Contributor: Evan Levy

OPERATIONS

Director | Operations Management: Ray Winn

Director | Order Management: Heather Gambaro

FINANCE

Chief Financial Officer: David Friedman

com Chief Executive Officer: David L. Miller

It is rare for an actor to revisit a role. But in a completely di erent medium? Rarer still. Tom Felton, who rose to fame as Draco Malfoy in all eight Harry Potter films, made wizarding world history when he stepped back into Draco’s robes—this time as an adult—in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. “It’s very much a ‘pinch me’ situation,” Felton says. “I keep thinking I’m dreaming.”

The blockbuster play picks up 19 years after the events of the final story, with Draco and Harry as grown men navigating fatherhood and a new generation of wizards. “Getting a chance to step back into Draco’s shoes now that he’s a father in this new story—it’s very exciting,” Felton adds. And fans clearly agree, as Felton’s run in Cursed Child is one of the hottest tickets on Broadway this season. Will you be there as Tom Felton takes the stage, or are you “Scared, Potter?”

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 discover historical sites, architecture, parks, specialty shops, epicurean delights, and other memory makers. 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. In these pages you can discover iconic NYC destinations, Broadway shows, restaurant and nightlife options, and activities that will delight, educate, and entertain. For more, visit cityguideny.com to find thousands of “fun to sees.”

NYC is known for its constant evolution and we’ll also show you new shopping destinations, the latest on our six observatories and viewing decks, immersive experiences, exhibitions at some of the world’s finest museums, and key happenings in the week ahead. Have a great time and welcome to our city.

Yours sincerely,

David L. Miller

From the MAYOR OF NEW YORK

Dear Friends:

I am delighted to join City Guide in welcoming you to the greatest city in the world! My historic and fascinating hometown has something for everyone. Whether it is your first time here or you are a frequent guest, you have an abundance of attractions and experiences from which to choose, including our beautiful parks, excellent museums, iconic architecture, annual cultural festivals, thrilling sporting events, and captivating dance, music, and theater productions. As an avid food lover, I encourage visitors to take advantage of the many independent, hidden-gem restaurants and food carts in all five boroughs that serve a wide array of cuisines, among them those offering dishes inspired by the culinary traditions of New York’s diverse ethnic and immigrant communities. I also recommend that you enjoy a ride on the Staten Island Ferry—it’s free!—and that you go off the beaten path to explore different neighborhoods across the Big Apple.

The variety of activities to experience in New York is unlimited, and you’ll have no trouble filling your days here with the suggestions featured in this guide and more. I hope that you have a wonderful time during your stay, and that you are inspired to visit us again soon.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani Mayor

SIGHTSEEING

New York is a vertical city and there’s never been a better time to experience it, with multiple world-class observatories opening up the city’s skies. For downtown’s take on altitude, look to One World Observatory. It’s the tallest building in the hemisphere, offering 360° immersions in the landmarks of downtown. From a climate-controlled perch you can enjoy unique perspectives on New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, historic bridges, and even out to New Jersey. Near Grand Central, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt takes the concept of an “observation deck” to new heights through three floors of multi-sensory interactions. Kenzo Digital, an immersive storytelling studio, is behind AIR at SUMMIT, which creates the illusion of boundless space. At night, SUMMIT is transformed into a beacon of light and energy visible to all of NYC and beyond. See the Empire State Building for yourself and you’ll 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. The Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor observation deck, Edge, stands atop the city’s newest neighborhood, Hudson Yards. Step out onto the triangular deck and you’ll be 100 floors above the ground with miles of visibility in every direction. Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock boasts unobstructed views of the city’s landmarks, including all of Central Park, with both indoor and outdoor platforms.

Continued on p. 14

Top: explore bravery and innovation at the Intrepid Museum. Left: grab an epic selfie from the glass floor of Edge—if you dare.

Continued from p. 10

The city’s newest viewing deck is at One Times Square (you’ve doubtless seen the building many times, as it’s home to the iconic Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball). Special early access will put you on a glass elevator ride above the city, con necting to a 360-degree wraparound viewing deck, which includes a daring glass walkway. The perspec tives on the Times Square action are unique—and mesmerizing. (This same address is also home to an ultimate kid immersive, i Candy NYC, which offers three floors of reimagined city land marks to explore—gathering hundreds of different kinds of candy all the way.)

Madame Tussauds New York is the only place with no ropes holding you back

from your favorite stars. The legendary Times Square attraction has launched the immersive “Seasons of New York City” experience. Sip bubbly with Leonardo DiCaprio, have breakfast at Tiffany’s with Audrey Hepburn, make your own wax hand at Andy Warhol’s famous Factory, and much more. That’s only the beginning at this revamped Times Square legend, which also features likenesses that run from world leaders to sports stars to a roomful of glamour at the Glow Gala.

A visit to the former aircraft carrier that’s now the Intrepid Museum is a step inside a living time capsule, an immersive experience that takes in maritime history, space exploration, and the evolution of aviation. The flight deck is home to

Mozart and Da Vinci to Hokusai & more

28 authentic historic aircraft, including the record-breaking supersonic British Airways Concorde. The epic Space Shuttle Pavilion holds Enterprise, which was a massive technological leap forward for NASA and America. New to the museum is a restored World War II FG-1D Corsair, one of the only surviving examples of this aircraft, which played a pivotal role in the Pacific Theater.

City Cruises offers great ways to dine along the skyline. For a refined experience, book a Premier Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the all-glass, European-inspired Bateaux New York and enjoy chef-prepared, plated dining, live entertainment, signature cocktails, and the city’s most impressive views. Or enjoy an upbeat buffet with DJ music and views from the open air roof of the Spirit of New York

If you want to see the Statue of Liberty

Left: shopping meets dining, plus a water park, theme park, and much more at American Dream, just a blink away on the New Jersey side.

and Ellis Island first-hand, Statue City Cruises is the only way to get there (with amazing perspectives on water, shipping, and skylines along the way).

When you arrive on Liberty Island, you’ll find the Statue of Liberty Museum. Breathtaking views are joined by a $100 million destination that includes an up close look at the statue’s original torch.

When Barclays Center opened in 2012 in downtown Brooklyn it instantly became a focal point for the entire borough. Home of the 2024 WNBA Champion New York Liberty, the Brooklyn Nets, and legendary concerts, on select days you can go behind the scenes with Barclays Center Tours. Explore iconic moments, get access to exclusive spaces, and soak in the history of Brooklyn.

Use code CityGuide10 for 10% off!

Chelsea Piers, Pier 61

THE SKYLINE MEETS

You can soar over the city at RiseNY, a three-part, one-of-a-kind experience in Times Square. Bringing together elements of a museum and an attraction, you’ll step back in time to 1904 as you visit a theatre inspired by NYC’s very first subway station, with an immersive film that showcases how NYC became the crossroads of the world. From there you can journey through seven exhibits including Broadway, TV & Radio, and Film, before taking flight on a first-ever soaring ride through the sights, sounds, and smells of Big Apple icons.

Mercer Labs is a pioneering cultural institu tion downtown. Current exhibit the Machines reimagines the works of greats like da Vinci, Mozart, and Hokusai through the lens of cutting-edge tec explore 15 experimental exhibition spaces full of unique listening encounters and works that breathe, shift, and transform as they respond to the viewer. Don’t miss new installation Engine, with an infinitely changing responsive environment.

Small Bus Tours NYC makes sightseeing personal, comfortable, and unforgettable. Get dual perspectives on the Big Apple with the Explore NYC Boat & Bus Tour or take a journey through the authentic city on a Contrasts of New York exploration that leaves from Times Square to tour through Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Custom and private tour options are available as well.

Shops. Dining. World-class entertainment. The range of activities at American Dream is jaw-dropping. Just a blink from NYC on the New Jersey side you’ll find the largest indoor theme park in North America plus skiing, mini golf, pizza, barbecue, luxury retailers, and even an aquarium. Theme park Nickelodeon Universe takes inspiration from the network’s favorite shows, from Dora the Explorer to PAW Patrol. The world’s steepest roller coaster and the world’s tallest indoor spinning drop tower are waiting to thrill you. Bring a swimsuit for DreamWorks Water Park, North America’s largest indoor waterpark, where a hydromagnetic water coaster is joined by more than 40 rides, slides, and attractions. It’s all less than 5 miles from Times Square!

SIGHTSEEING

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. There are more than 3 million square feet in all here—less than five miles from Times Square!

BARCLAYS CENTER TOURS BK

620 Atlantic Ave. (5th-6th Aves.), barclayscenter.com/tours

Go behind the scenes of Brooklyn’s biggest stage. Barclays Center instantly became a focal point for the entire borough when it opened in 2012. Home of the 2024 WNBA Champion New York Liberty, Brooklyn Nets, and legendary concerts, on select days find an insider tour that shows off iconic moments, exclusive spaces, and the history of Brooklyn.

CITY CRUISES CH FD NJ

Chelsea Piers, Pier 61 (23rd St. & 12th Ave.), The Seaport, Pier 15, 78 South St. (Fletcher-John Sts.), Lincoln Harbor Marina, 1500 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken, NJ, 646-566-1380; citycruises.com/newyork

Offers brunch, lunch, and dining cruises, along with cocktail outings and the city’s best holiday cruises. Choose from buffets, or elegant plated experiences on the glass-enclosed deck of the European-inspired Bateaux. City Cruises sails year-round from both NY and NJ from three convenient locations.

EDGE MW

Level 4 inside The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, 332-204-8500; edgenyc.com

The Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor observation deck, Edge, towers the city’s newest neighborhood, Hudson Yards. Edge is an incredible triangular deck where you stand 100 floors above the ground and see miles and miles in every direction. Edge will also thrill you with its glass floor, providing views of the High Line far below your feet. True thrill seekers can opt for City Climb, the highest open-air building ascent in the world.

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING OBSERVATORY MW

20 W. 34th St. (5th-6th Aves.), 212-736-3100; esbnyc.com

The most famous skyscraper in the world since its 1931 completion. It remains a vital part of the city and an inspiration to the millions of visitors who ascend to the observation deck in every season. Equally amazing for a daytime photo that captures the city in all its glory or a nighttime shot filled with glittering skylines.

i CANDY NYC TS

One Times Square/1475 Broadway (42nd St.), icandynyc.com

A kid’s dream come to life. Explore NYC through a sweet lens at this brand-new interactive. Make your way through three floors of landmarks, including New York neighborhoods, Central Park, and a lively Underground—gathering candy all the way. In addition to smiles and full buckets, you’ll find tons of photo ops and a custom Candy Shop.

THE JEWISH MUSEUM UES

1109 5th Ave. (92nd St.), 212-423-3200; thejewishmuseum.org

One of the world’s oldest, largest, and most important institutions devoted to exploring the scope and diversity of Jewish culture. Founded in 1904, the museum holds nearly 30,000 items, ranging from archaeological artifacts to works by leading contemporary artists. Located on Museum Mile in the landmarked Warburg mansion, don’t miss restaurant LOX, serving updated takes on Jewish comfort food.

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, in addition to 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 at the only place with no ropes or barriers holding you back from iconic musicians, world leaders, sports legends, and A-list stars. “Seasons of New York City” lets you kick up your heels with the Rockettes and sip bubbly with Leonardo DiCaprio. That’s only the beginning at this revamped Times Square legend, which also features adventures like the MARVEL Super Heroes 4D Film & Experience

MERCER LABS, MUSEUM OF ART AND TECHNOLOGY FD

21 Dey St. (Church St.-Broadway), mercerlabs.com Pioneering cultural institution where art and technology converge. The latest exhibition here is Maestros and the Machines, where the works of greats like da Vinci, Mozart, and Hokusai are reimagined through cutting-edge technology. Experience 15 experimental exhibition spaces full of unique listening encounters and immersive installations.

MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM ME

225 Madison Ave. (36th-37th Sts.), 212-685-0008; themorgan.org

Once the personal library of financier J. Pierpont Morgan, now offers a showcase for both the exquisite building, an Italian Renaissance-style palazzo, as well as its holdings of rare books, including historical manuscripts, early printed books, and some of the earliest forms of writing.

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

Inside a historic 1936 IND subway station in Brooklyn Heights, easily accessible by subway, is the largest U.S. museum devoted to urban public transportation history. Get hands on with vintage subway trains plus insight into the broader story of public transportation.

ONE TIMES SQUARE TS

One Times Square/1475 Broadway (42nd St.), onetimessquare.com

Take a glass elevator ride above the city at One Times Square, home of the iconic New Year’s Eve ball, at a brand-new viewing deck experience. Special early access lets you experience a 360-degree wraparound viewing deck, which includes a daring glass walkway—19 stories above Times Square!

ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY FD

285 Fulton St., 844-696-1776; oneworldobservatory.com

There’s only one tallest. One strongest. 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. House restaurant ONE Dine combines seasonal menus with stunning views.

RISENY TS

160 W. 45th St. (6th-7th Aves.), 718-701-4998; riseny.co

Part ride. Part museum. All New York. Soar over the NYC skyline on a flight simulation ride and experience NYC’s rich history across seven interactive galleries, from finance to film to fashion. There’s also an immersive film screening, showcasing how NYC became the crossroads of the world.

SMALL BUS TOURS NYC

212-901-3013; smallbustoursnyc.com

NYC sightseeing made personal, comfortable, and unforgettable. Backed by professional chauffeurs, modern luxury vehicles, and hundreds of 5-star reviews. Get dual perspectives on the Big Apple with the Explore NYC Boat & Bus Tour or take a journey through the authentic city on a Contrasts of New York exploration that leaves from Times Square to tour through Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Custom and private tour options available as well.

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 mintues from Battery Park at the foot of Manhattan. Liberty Island holds the Statue of Liberty Museum, with memorabilia, an immersive film, and up close looks at the statue’s original 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. At night, SUMMIT is transformed into a beacon of light and energy visible to all of NYC and beyond.

For more attraction info check out cityguideny.com/sightseeing

discover TIMES SQUARE Shop. Eat.

Explore.

“The Crossroads of the World” has it all, from global cuisines to flagship stores to some of the city’s top attractions.

ATTRACTIONS »

The neighborhood may be full of celebrities, but there’s only one place that guarantees star-spotting: Madame Tussauds New York. Get up close with representations of the world’s most iconic musicians, A-list stars, sports legends, and leaders.

RiseNY is the first attraction of its kind, combining a soaring ride over the city with museum exhibits that celebrate iconic elements of New York.

Times Square is famous for its dazzling Broadway show marquees. Groundbreaking moments, from the 1700s through the present, can be explored up close through the costumes, props, photos, and videos on view at The Museum of Broadway.

The city’s newest observation deck is at One Times Square, home of the iconic New Year’s Eve ball. A glass elevator ride accesses a 360-degree wraparound viewing platform with unique perspectives on the city. Also here is the ultimate kid immersive, i Candy NYC, with three floors of reimagined New York landmarks, all filled with candy for eager hands.

WHERE TO EAT »

Step into spacious 1950s-style eatery Havana Central for classic Cuban favorites like empanadas, slow-roasted pork, and ropa vieja. Live Latin music plays Fridays and Sundays. The city’s best mojitos are here, too!

Making a splashy neighborhood comeback is the new, state-of-the-art Planet Hollywood, featuring a multi-media, immersive entertainment dining experience—the first of its kind in the U.S. Iconic bites include the World Famous Chicken Crunch, Nachos Grande, and L.A. Lasagna, on top of salads, soups, and great pricing on lunch and happy hour specials.

Fushimi Times Square fuses traditional Japanese food with inventive, French-inspired nouvelle cuisine. Super-fresh sushi is joined by favorites like tuna tartare, A5 Wagyu beef, teriyaki salmon, and lobster two ways.

For a quick stop, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is famed for their chicken finger meals and the creamy, tangy, peppery “Cane’s Sauce” that comes with them. They’re known for using only the highest-quality ingredients, with a cook-to-order system that ensures your meal is served hot and fresh every time.

A DESTINATION FOR FUN »

Dave & Buster’s is a super-fun spot for great American fare, signature drinks, and all kinds of games—from old-time classics to air hockey, tabletop competitions, and all the latest VR action. Dave & Buster’s is great for watching sports, too, with massive 40-foot screens. All new menus feature more than 100 fan favorites like chicken wings, Smokehouse BBQ Burgers, and the Mountain O’ Nachos.

Beyond Broadway and people watching, Times Square is also known for its first-class shopping. Pelé Soccer is The World’s Greatest Soccer Store, from soccer legend Pelé. You can shop—and personalize—official jerseys and fan gear from 100+ teams and players around the world. For souvenirs (or gift inspiration) around New York City theatre, The Museum of Broadway (see p. 22) is a great destination. There’s official merchandise from hits like Wicked, The Lion King, and Hamilton, plus museum-themed shirts, totes, and more. H&S Art Gallery & Custom Framing features original 3-D artworks by Charles Fazzino, Rizzi, Suchy, and many others. They also offer signed sports memorabilia, posters, same-day professional custom framing, and worldwide shipping.

THE LION KING Reigns Supreme

By Griffin Miller

Nants’ Ngonyama Bakithi Baba: “Here comes the lion, my people, the father of our nation!”

So begins Disney’s The Lion King—the musical that has captivated generations of Broadway theatregoers since its debut. Soaring orchestrally from the opening notes, then visually as the stage blazes with a rising sun and stilted giraffes begin their graceful morning saunter. Suddenly, the theatre’s aisles are filled with a jaw-dropping procession of African fauna: zebras, gazelles, birds twirling in blissful abandon, lumbering elephants nuanced within their massive puppet frames…all moving toward the stage where Pride Rock rises and King Mufasa raises skyward the newborn cub

• In 1998, The Lion King won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, followed a year later by a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

• Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical.

Simba: heir to the throne; embodiment of the Pride Lands’ “Circle of Life.”

Flashback to October 15, 1997 when The Lion King opened the doors to its first preview performance and staked its claim as an unprecedented Broadway phenomenon. By the time it officially opened on November 13th, it was already a word-of-mouth success, and by 2015 it had become the third longest running show in Broadway history—a title it holds to this day.

Currently playing at the Minskoff Theatre, the musical traces its roots back to Disney’s 1994

• Longevity accolades go to Lindiwe Dlamini, who has performed in the show since its first pre-Broadway preview, and 20-year Lion King veteran, ensemble dancer Ray Mercer.

• The largest costume is Bertha the Elephant. At thirteen feet long and nine feet wide, she requires four puppeteers to make her walk.

film, in which viewers were introduced to animated versions of Simba and Mufasa, as well as Nala, Zazu, Timon, Pumbaa, and the mega-malevolent Scar. By comparison, anyone who has seen both movie and stage musical will confirm that the live performance brings Simba’s coming-of-age adventure into a thrilling new dimension.

THE DOUBLE EVENT

Director Julie Taymor, who also designed the costumes and collaborated with Michael Curry to create the show’s persona-defining masks and puppets, used the film’s animated characters as a jumping-off point. Describing them as “expressive” and “very human animals,” she explains, “I had to play with keeping some of the ‘character’ of the Disney characters, so that they’re recognizable. But then I was also very inspired by African masks…[and] because we’re doing three-dimensional theatre, I didn’t want the faces to look flat…so I used texture and organic materials, fibers, wood—things that would make it less cartoon-like.”

To ensure the actors’ facial expressions wouldn’t be lost, the masks in The Lion King, like many African masks, are worn over the head, leaving the performer free to register a wide range of emotions for what Taymor calls the “Double Event”: the

coming together of the human spirit and the mask. Additionally, her incorporation of Indonesian shadow puppetry and Japanese Bunraku puppetry brought another layer of innovative artistry to the show’s stylized menagerie.

TWO CONTINENTS, ONE BEAT

Amplifying these elements is the show’s celebrated score, which interconnects the lush South African sounds represented by the music of Lebo M. with the Elton John-Tim Rice songs from the film—like the Oscar-winning “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and the buoyant “Hakuna Matata.” The end result is a stunning soundtrack fusion of Western pop and African cadences and rhythms that elegantly amplifies every aspect of The Lion King, from lighting, sets, and sound design, to the performances themselves—delivered by a brilliant company of actors, singers, dancers, and puppeteers who infuse the production with life while celebrating its South African soul.

• The heaviest costume is Pumbaa the warthog’s, weighing in at 45 lbs.

• At 18 feet high, the show’s tallest “performer” is the giraffe puppet in the “I Can’t Wait to Be King” number.

• Each performance showcases 200 puppets and 51 performers.

The Lion King is playing at the Minskoff Theatre, 200 W. 45th St. For reservations call 212-239-6200 lionking.com

Left page: Ntsepa PitjengMolebatsi as Rafiki.

Top: Gavin Lee as Scar. Photos by Matthew Murphy ©Disney.

Left: L. Steven-Taylor as Mufasa. Photo: Joan Marcus.

• Six indigenous African languages are sung and spoken throughout the show: Swahili, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswana, and Congolese.

• The orchestra features 24 members and 132 different instruments, 87 of which are played by the show’s four percussionists.

THIS WEEKIN THE CITY

7.19

We all deserve a laugh these days. Gotham Comedy Club brings in the hottest comics nightly. Legends like Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle have dropped in on this classic setting in Chelsea. There are touring pros and ensemble nights like The Gotham All-Stars. On Sunday, comedy vet Royale Watkins hosts his monthly The Mixtape Comedy Show The show has featured some of the biggest names in stand-up as special guests, with a few surprises from the world of hip-hop. 208 W. 23rd St. (btw. Seventh & Eighth Aves.), 212-367-9000, gothamcomedyclub.com

7.20

Set sail for an epic night of music, dining, and city lights as The Bacon Brothers People in the World Tour—Concert Cruise comes to City Cruises The American roots-rock band,

formed in 1995 by actor Kevin Bacon and his older brother, Emmy-winning film score composer Michael Bacon, bring their signature “forosoco” sound, blending folk, rock, soul, and country. Expect an intimate acoustic set against the stunning backdrop of the city skyline. Guests will enjoy a chef-prepared buffet and craft cocktails as the brothers share the stories and harmonies that have filled iconic venues like the Grand Ole Opry.

The Seaport, Pier 15, 78 South St. (btw. Fletcher & John Sts.), 646-566-1380, citycruises.com/newyork

ONGOING

Just a blink from NYC on the New Jersey side is American Dream), a unique mix of shopping and recreation. The largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere is here; Nickelodeon Universe takes inspiration from the network’s favorite shows,

from Dora the Explorer to PAW Patrol. Bring a swimsuit for DreamWorks Water Park, North America’s largest indoor waterpark, where one of the world’s tallest hydromagnetic water coasters is joined by more than 40 rides, slides, and attractions. That’s on top of shopping, dining, skiing, and so much more, all less than 5 miles from Times Square. For World Cup fans, American Dream has transformed into the ultimate soccer celebration destination (above). In addition to watch parties on giant screens, you’ll find The Soccer Factory, a museum dedicated to Diego Maradona; The Messi Experience, an immersive that uses 3D visuals, holograms, and AI to put you in Lionel Messi’s shoes; brand takeovers; and celebrity drop-ins.

1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ, 833-263-7326, americandream.com

WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS BUILDING

culture Exploring

NYC museums have something for everyone, from art to history to stories of the city itself.

1 Yves Saint Laurent and Photography, on view now at the International Center of Photography, explores the powerful relationship the iconic designer forged between fashion and photography over four decades. Bringing together 300 photographs and archival objects, the exhibition shows off work by celebrated artists like Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, and Andy Warhol to reveal how Yves Saint Laurent established a blueprint for the way the fashion world is visualized today. At top: cocktail dresses known as “Homage to Pop Art,” from Laurent’s Fall/ Winter 1966 haute couture collection; shot by Jean-Claude Sauer for LIFE magazine.

84 Ludlow St. (btw. Delancey & Broome Sts.), icp.org

2. A visionary artist, teacher, and performer, Pope.L (1955–2023) transformed drawing into a space of humorous critique. Certainly an Act: Works on Paper by Pope.L at The Drawing Center in SoHo brings together more than 200 works—many never before publicly exhibited—ranging from the early 1980s to the artist’s final years. Shown here, above left, is Incredible Drought of Fertility (1989 or after), combining acrylic, tape, glue, ballpoint pen, pastel, charcoal, and collage on paper. The show is presented across the entirety of The Drawing Center’s galleries, organized thematically and semi-chronologically.

35 Wooster St. (btw. Grand & Broome Sts.), drawingcenter.org

3 The Morgan Library & Museum began as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan, serving today as a museum, music venue, and historic site. Among current exhibitions is Friends Who Came to See Me: Drawings from John Ashbery’s Collection. Twenty-five works on paper reflect the friendships that poet John Ashbery (1927–2017) cultivated in his 30 years as an art critic. Seen at left is David and John, 1977, by pioneering artist Larry Rivers (1923–2002). The graphite and colored pencil image depicts Ashbery with his husband David Kermani, who donated the collection to the museum in 2019. 225 Madison Ave. (btw. 36th & 37th Sts.), themorgan.org

4. The Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust holds down an inspiring space at the southern tip of Manhattan. Exhibitions here honor individual stories of survival and educate about Jewish life before, during, and after the Holocaust. On view through July 31st is “Tell our boy that I played soccer again:” Soccer Stories from the MJH Collection, displaying historical photographs and documents that reveal how soccer can serve as a lifeline, offering community, leisure, and joy.

5. Discover the Museum at Eldridge Street, a magnificently restored National Historic Landmark synagogue in the heart of the Lower East Side and Chinatown. This 1887 synagogue is the first great house of worship built in the United States by Eastern European Jewish immigrants. From dazzling stained glass to Moorish, Gothic, and Romanesque architectural elements, the Museum at Eldridge Street is a gateway into Jewish heritage, NYC history, and captivating architecture.

12 Eldridge St. (btw. Canal & Division Sts.),

6. Artist and trickster Marcel Duchamp (1887–1968) is the subject of a major Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) retrospective, the first U.S. show of his work in over 50 years. Duchamp had a hand in modern art movements from Cubism to Surrealism to Pop and the exhibition covers multiple mediums across nearly 70 years. NYC plays a role: Nude Descending a Staircase (No. 2), seen above, made shockwaves when it debuted at the 1913 Armory Show in Manhattan.

11 W. 53rd St. (btw. Fifth & Sixth Aves.), moma.org

7. Modernity and Opulence: Women of the Wiener Werkstätte, open July 17th at The Jewish Museum, sheds new light on the role that Jewish women played as artists, designers, patrons, and tastemakers shaping modernist style in early 20th-century Vienna and beyond. Seen here is the ceramic work “Girl’s Head with Blue Outlined Eyes” (1928), capturing the playful, avant-garde spirit of its creator, Vally Wieselthier (1895-1945).

1109 Fifth Ave. (92nd St.), thejewishmuseum.org

8. The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum marks America 250 with the major installation Design Across Time: Exploring the Smithsonian’s Design Collection. Design has long shaped America’s identity, seen here across graphic art, fashion, textiles, wallcoverings, and architecture. Above: necklace made from hammered nails (1983) by Tone Vigeland (1938–2024).

2 E. 91st St. (Fifth Ave.), cooperhewitt.org

9 Take a whimsical look at New York through the looking glass of a New Deal–era mural. The Museum of the City of New York is showing Another Wonderland: Abram Champanier’s Alice Mural Panels celebrates the rescue and decades-long restoration of art created for a children’s ward between 1938 and 1940. Follow along as Lewis Carroll’s beloved characters explore 1930s New York City, from the subway and Brooklyn Bridge to Coney Island and Central Park. Also on view is The Occupied City, an immersive exhibition that transforms the museum’s third floor into a vivid journey through Revolutionary-era New York, and He Built This City: Joe Macken’s Model, an extraordinary handmade model of NYC featuring more than one million buildings crafted by hand. 1220 Fifth Ave. (103rd St.), mcny.org

» See page 74 for credits

SHOPNEW YORK CITY

NYC is a global shopping capital, with small-scale boutiques that are every bit as intriguing as our big-name department stores and shopping centers. Here’s our guide to browsing the neighborhoods, with our all-time favorites marked in bold.

MIDTOWN» Herald Square near Penn Station remains a major draw, highlighted by the block-long flagship Macy's Herald Square, America’s largest department store. You can find whatever you’re looking for here, including activewear, dresses, handbags, jewelry & watches, kidswear, and luggage. Neighborhood options include faves like Crocs and Uniqlo. In action-packed Times Square nearby, 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.

Luxury brands and stylish boutiques can be found at The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, with a world-class selection of fashion, home goods, and more. Directly across the street from Central Park are the premium retail offerings of The Shops at Columbus Circle. This being Manhattan, the complex takes a vertical approach, with floor after floor of top names (a mix of both accessibility and luxury) like H&M, J.Crew, Hugo Boss, and TUMI.

Close to Rockefeller Center is the MLB Flagship Store, a state-of-the-art baseball retail destination with the widest in-store assortment of MLB products anywhere in the world. Near Bryant Park, Cockpit USA has genuine, contemporary versions of iconic American-made aviator clothing. A few blocks up are the two locations of La Mode Royale, known for its chic, European-inspired looks. Across town, Madison Avenue is synonymous with high-style shopping. Davidoff of Geneva’s flagship here offers premium cigars and accessories, plus a walk-in humidor and a private lounge.

DOWNTOWN» Perennially chic SoHo (“South of Houston”) is 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. 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—home to favorites like Alice + Olivia and the Diane von Furstenberg flagship.

NEW JERSEY» Just a blink from NYC on the New Jersey side you’ll find American Dream, with recreation options that include gigantic indoor theme and water parks. 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. The mall also hosts flagship locations of H&M, Zara, and Primark, in addition to leading brands Aritzia, Lululemon, Uniqlo, Apple, JD Sports, and the list goes on. It’s all just five miles from Times Square!

WHERE TO SHOP

*SOME EXCLUSIONS APPLY, SEE STORE ASSOCIATE FOR DETAILS

SHOPNEW YORK CITY

like a shop Local

3 1 4 5 2

This summer, as the action and temperature heat up, so does the excitement of shopping New York’s well-curated boutiques and world-famous department stores. Here are some of our picks:

1 : : An indispensable men's cotton jacket for the warmer seasons–the A-2 Flight jacket ($200) from Cockpit USA 115 W. 39th St., 12th Fl., 212-575-1616, cockpitusa.com

2 : : True soccer fans never quit–even post World Cup—and neither do these Future 9 Ultimate FGs! ($245). From Pelé Soccer in Times Square. 1560 Broadway, 646-666-0025, pelesoccer.com

3 : : Your new favorite shape awaits in these Figurado Cigars ($170) at Davidoff of Geneva 515 Madison Ave., 212-7519060, davidoff.com

4 : : Feel expressive in this artful denim print jacket. It's an ultra light weight—perfect for chilly theaters and restaurants. From La Mode Royale 1875 Broadway or 1335 6th Ave., 347-963-7762, lamoderoyale.nyc

5 : : Say a lot without saying a lot with a Shakespearian Insults mug ($20) from the Morgan Library & Museum 225 Madison Ave, 212-590-0390, themorgan.org

SHOPNEW YORK CITY

SPECIALTY STORES

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. 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—all less than five miles from Times Square!

COCKPIT USA

15 W. 39th St., 12th Floor (5th-6th 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.

DAVIDOFF OF GENEVA

515 Madison Ave. (53rd-54th Sts.), 212-751-9060, us.davidoffgeneva.com

Davidoff of Geneva’s Madison Avenue flagship has been a leading location for premium cigars and accessories for over 35 years. The store features an assortment of cigar and lifestyle accessories and a walk-in humidor with a wide selection of premium cigar brands. There’s also a private smoking lounge with a state-of-the-art exhaust system, beautiful, comfortable lounge seating, and entertainment.

LUGGAGEHERO

Locations citywide, including Penn Station, Grand Central, Times Square, JFK; luggagehero.com/newyork

Safe and secure luggage storage through local businesses at only $1.19hour/$5.40day. All luggage sizes accommodated; it’s the only company offering both hourly and daily rates. 130+ locations all around NYC, easy and convenient. Book online or through the official LuggageHero App for Apple and Android.

MLB FLAGSHIP STORE

1271 Ave. of the Americas (51st St), 332-228-1040, mlb.com/shop/nyc-retail-store

Midtown Manhattan flagship features 2 floors of a state-ofthe-art baseball retail destination with the widest in-store assortment of MLB products anywhere in the world. The main floor features Nike jerseys and N & N tees from stars of all 30 MLB Clubs, plus an extensive New Era Cap room showcasing on field and lifestyle caps for each team. Fans can find a favorite fit out of the 10,000 caps on display, customize an MLB jersey, and shop both MLB and Cooperstown product for the family.

LA MODE ROYALE

1875 Broadway (61st-62nd Sts.), 347-963-7762; 1335 6th Ave. (53rd-54th Sts.) at New York Hilton Midtown, 646-863-2024, lamoderoyale.nyc

Specialists in exotic fashion and luxury. The most chic looks in New York City, carrying jackets, fur coats, belts, scarves, handbags, dresses, and more. Founder Mois Z brings over 40 years’ experience and personal connections with top designers from around the world to deliver signature functional pieces, full of elegance and fun.

PELÉ SOCCER

1560 Broadway (46th-47th Sts.), 646-666-0025, pelesoccer.com

The World’s Greatest Soccer Store, from Brazilian 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, New Balance, and Puma. Check out stadium bleachers for live soccer games on a huge TV screen.

SPECIALTY SERVICES

H&S ART GALLERY & CUSTOM FRAMING

112 W. 44th St. (6th-7th Aves.), 212-768-3160, hsart.com

Open daily in Times Square, 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 sameday professional custom framing. They ship worldwide.

SCHUMER’S WINES & LIQUORS

59 E. 54th St. (Park-Madison Aves.), 212-355-0940, schumerswines.com

Trusted for more than 40 years, 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.

400 YEARS OF NYC

Many of NYC’s big-name shopping destinations started out as humble storefronts. In 1837, Tiffany & Co. launched from an old brick structure at 259 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. The brand would go on to design the interlocking NY logo still used on Yankee caps and become synonymous with luxury.

For more on the NYC shopping, great tips, places to go, cool things to do in town, “like” City Guide on Facebook at facebook.com/CityGuideNY and visit cityguideny.com/shopping

By Griffin Miller

ON BROADWAY

Summer Stage Sizzle

When Big Apple heat waves send thermometers into overdrive, take note: nothing says chill better than tickets to a bona fide Broadway hit. Tony-winning productions starring celebrated actors—along with generous blasts of A/C—transform the world’s most famous theatre district into summertime nirvana. So cool!

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

It’s a whirlwind escapade…swashbuckling extravaganza… technicolor fantasy…and literal flying carpet ride—custommade for those of us looking to put the real world on pause for two-and-a half magical hours. It’s Disney’s Aladdin at the New Amsterdam Theatre, and it comes with a personal invite from the one, the only, the larger-thanlife Genie (Caleb A. Barnett), a splendiferous spirit whose “Open Sesame” leads us to exotic Agrabah, “A place where enchantment runs rampant and gets wild in the streets.”

Adapted from the 1992 animated film, the Broadway musical boasts a multi-award-winning director/choreographer, Casey Nicholaw, and a killer collaboration from four Disney superstars: Chad Beguelin (book and lyrics), Howard Ashman and Tim Rice (lyrics), and Alan Menken (music). Together they not only concocted the ultimate pyrotechnic showstopper in “Friend Like Me,” they also raised romance to exhilarating heights for the Oscar-winning “Whole

New World” number, in which Aladdin (Rodney Ingram) test drives a flying carpet out and over the audience, all to impress his passenger, the lovely Princess Jasmine (Sonya Balsara). Spoiler Alert: He succeeds.

Naturally, it wouldn’t be Disney without a villain or two lurking in the wings, and voilà!, enter the Sultan’s royal vizier Jafar (Dennis Stowe) and his devoted lackey, Iago (Don Darryl Rivera), whose skilled timing and tongue-in-cheek humor give them plenty of comedic palace cred.

As Genie assures us in the finale: “It’s the plot that you knew/ With a small twist or two…!”

DIVINE COMEDY

Now celebrating its 15th knockout year on Broadway, 2011’s Tony-winning musical The Book of Mormon continues to spin its filter-free, super-sassy (okay, raunchy) straw into comedic gold—not at all surprising once you zero in on the iconoclast masterminds driving the Latter-Day bus: South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker alongside Avenue Q alum

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)

9 The Book of Mormon (Eugene O’Neill)

26 Buena Vista Social Club (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre)

33 Cats: The Jellicle Ball (Broadhurst Theatre)

10 Chicago (Ambassador)

7 Death of a Salesman (Winter Garden Theatre)

31 Every Brilliant Thing (Hudson Theatre)

3 The Great Gatsby (Broadway Theatre)

11 Hadestown (Walter Kerr)

19 Hamilton (Richard Rodgers)

37 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Lyric)

15 Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Ethel Barrymore Theatre)

8 Just in Time (Circle in the Square Theatre)

28 The Lion King (Minskoff Theatre)

17 The Lost Boys, A New Musical (Palace Theatre)

30 Maybe Happy Ending (Belasco Theatre)

5 MJ the Musical (Neil Simon Theatre)

23 Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Al Hirschfeld)

29 Oh, Mary! (Lyceum Theatre)

24 Operation Mincemeat (John Golden Theatre)

25 The Outsiders (Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre)

4 Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Broadway (August Wilson Theatre)

27 Proof (Booth Theatre)

1 Ragtime (Lincoln Center Theaters’ Vivian Beaumont Theater)

2 Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show (Studio 54)

41 Schmigadoon! (Nederlander Theatre)

16 SIX (Lena Horne Theatre)

Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Marquis Theatre)

Titanique (St. James Theatre)

Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) (Longacre Theatre)

Wicked (Gershwin Theatre)

THRILLER NIGHT

His musical legacy is a playlist of hit songs, cool dance moves, and fierce fashion statements—all instantly recognizable—think opening chords, the Moonwalk, military jackets, and The Glove. All add up to the quintessential Michael Jackson, the artist whose past is the present in MJ the Musical, the explosive jukebox bio that tracks MJ's backstory from prodigy kid frontman for The Jackson 5 to the show’s jumping off point: rehearsals for the 1992 Dangerous World Tour.

Leading the production is Matte Martinez, whose portrayal of Jackson is nothing short of electrifying. Joining an in-progress dance number at the top of the show, Martinez fluidly showcases Jackson’s look, moves,

Continued from p. 41

Bobby Lopez. This unholy trio of provocateurs has whipped up a tale about two fledgling Mormon missionaries—overachiever Elder Price (Kevin Clay) and gung-ho Elder Cunningham (Diego Enrico)—whose formative days ringing doorbells stateside ("Hello!”) end when their first assignment takes them to a small Ugandan village where the guiding mantra is “Hasa Diga Eebowai” (see show for translation, but know the phrase is red-flag rude for “disgruntled.”)

Both edgy and evangelical (Mormon the Prophet, Joseph Smith, and the Angel Moroni all pop up in cameos), The Book of Mormon is ultimately uplifting—and filled with priceless characters. Besides the two heroes, there’s Nabulungi (Sydney Quildon), a young woman whose personal promised land is Salt Lake City; her dad, Mafala Hatimbi (Jacques C. Smith); a one-eyed warlord (Derrick Williams); and a fearless ensemble of locals and missionaries.

and vocals as the audience applauds and cheers: the King of Pop has arrived…long live the King.

The show’s book, by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, sends theatregoers on a flashback odyssey via a documentary interview for MTV, while Tony-winning director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon has finessed the production’s hit-heavy score into moving personal moments (“I’ll Be There”), as well as putting his creative stamp on retro chart toppers like “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” and “Thriller.”

Above: Easy as 1-2-3, The Jackson 5 in MJ the Musical. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

WANDS AT THE READY

A wildly inventive storyline about time-traveling kid wizards; mind-altering magical illusions; beloved characters from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter canon; ingenious plot twists; and a star transplant from the famous film series. If you’ve yet to fast-track Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (HPCC) to the top of your Broadway wish list, what are you waiting for? Okay, maybe you’re not 100% up to speed on all things Potter. Simply summon the show’s website for a crash course in everything Wizarding World, from history to lingo.

On the flip side, if you’re a certified Potterhead, you’ll have no trouble leaping into this “19 Years Later” sequel as Harry’s son Albus (Emmet Smith) and Draco’s son Scorpius (Aidan Close) become entangled in a series of dangerously unpredictable time-turner escapades. Through it all, adult Potter (John Skelley) and Malfoy (Tom Felton) are focused on tracking down their wayward offspring.

Speaking of Felton, his Broadway debut in HPCC has legions of fans lining up to see him before his limited run at the Lyric Theatre ends on November 1st. Adored for his onscreen portrayal of an entitled pureblood Slytherin brat who regularly faced off against Harry during their days at Hogwarts, the actor now finds his character sporting a platinum ponytail while sharing more than a little paternal angst with his former rival. Mischief managed? Only time and time and time will tell.

ROARING TRIUMPH

Let’s be honest, few shows ever reach the pinnacle of popularity The Lion King has enjoyed for close to three decades. With summer vacation and special events bringing family together in the Big Apple, if it isn't there already this Broadway juggernaut belongs atop your “not to be missed” list.

Based on Disney’s 1994 animated film, the stage version is a study in artistic ingenuity thanks in part to the variety of stylized puppets —towering giraffes, mobiles of swirling birds, cut-outs of leaping gazelles, and a mammoth elephant named Bertha who lumbers down the aisle of the Minskoff Theatre to elated gasps. These people-propelled creatures coexist with an awesome ensemble cast and first-rate actors in the lead roles, a roster that

includes L. Steven Taylor (Mufasa), Gavin Lee (Scar), Pearl Khwezi (Nala), and Mduduzi Madela (Simba), whose characters are defined by the leonine headpieces they wear above their faces.

Set in Africa’s Pride Lands, the musical captures the coming of age of Simba, heir to the Pride Lands’ throne. Faced with loss and challenged by the silken malevolence of his Uncle Scar, the young lion sets out on a thrilling journey to his destiny. No wonder former young fans return as grownups to share The Lion King with their own kids: “The Circle of Life” continues.

BLUEPRINT FOR OBSESSION

The opening moments of the musical The Great Gatsby defy the frenetic bacchanal to follow. Quietly revealing a man in silhouette drawn to a green light in the distance separated by “a night vista of water,” this allusive prelude dissolves with the crash of a wave, and we’re left to move forward, eventually landing in a lavish, hedonistic playground populated by 1920s socialites and wannabes.

As depicted in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel, the dizzying American Dream world of Jazz Age parties blazes with excess and glamour; on the stage of the Broadway Theatre, this translates to glittering Art Deco

Top: John Skelley as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Bottom: denizens of the Pride Lands gather in The Lion King.

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Over at Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre, the current swankified company of Wicked is enjoying the show’s legendary mega-cult stature. Ever since debuting in 2003, the way “pop-u-lar” musical has played to sold-out houses, all the while cultivating a dedicated fanbase that includes more than a few super-groupies, reputed to have seen the Broadway production dozens—if not hundreds—of times.

One of New York’s longest-running theatrical sensations, Wicked has managed to keep things fresh and fabulous over the years thanks to Winnie Holzman’s timeless script, Stephen Schwartz’s awesome score, and savvy casting over the past two decades. And that's not to mention the show’s impressive stylistic elements, like the innovative

trappings amplified by designer Linda Cho’s spectacular Tony-winning costumes and Dominique Kelley’s flamboyant choreography. The score by Jason Howland (music) and Nathan Tysen (lyrics) also captures the flavor of the Roaring '20s, not just in ensembledriven numbers, but in the power ballads that highlight core emotions. Especially moving are the feelings of nouveau riche millionaire Jay Gatsby (Reeve Carney, through 7/26) and the woman he loved and lost, Daisy (Eva Noblezada, through 7/26), who's married to Tom Buchanan, a brutish example of old-money privilege. But this is no ordinary love triangle. Once the sparks flare, there’s no going back. For Gatsby and Daisy, the fireworks are as ravishing as they are real.

mashup of fantasy and steampunk sets and costumes, distinctive choreography, and striking special effects.

Adapted from Gregory Maguire’s revisionist prequel to L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and MGM’s famous 1939 film, the musical follows two coed witches from their arrival at Oz’s Shiz University: bubbly social butterfly Glinda (Emma Flynn) and misunderstood emerald-green Elphaba (Kerri René Fuller). Forced to share a dorm room, they eventually form a bond that will find them “Defying Gravity” in the most thrillifying of ways!

Top, left to right: Emma Flynn as Glinda and Kerri René Fuller as Elphaba. Photos by Joan Marcus.

TWERKING THE CATWALK

The coolest of cats and sleekest of kittens have left the Junkyard and landed paws first at the Broadhurst Theatre’s newly configured underground ballroom for Cats: The Jellicle Ball Claws out and fur groomed, these denizens of Ballroom Culture are primped and primed to compete in Broadway’s first and fiercest dance competition. Here Tony winner André De Shields holds court as revered Jellicle patriarch Old Deuteronomy, while judges (guest celebrities included) weigh in on categories like “Best Dressed” and “Opulence”. As for the grand prize, that would be an all-expense-paid trip to the Heaviside Layer.

On the subject of prizes, the show—a glam LGBTQ+ transformative take on Andrew Lloyd

Webber’s musical Cats—purred its way to three major Tony Awards in June: Best Direction of a Musical (Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch); Best Choreography (Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons); and Best Costume Design of a Musical (Qween Jean). Five Stars and a Diamond Cat Collar go to this immersive, très eleganza musical revamp. Ready to unleash your inner feline? The catwalk awaits!

GO FOR THE GOLD

Somewhere between impulsive and vulnerable live The Outsiders—or, Greasers, as they were christened in the pages of S.E. Hinton’s 1967 novel that turned their turbulent Tulsa, Oklahoma youthscape into a rich literary legacy. Embraced by generations of teens and young adults, the book has been transformed into a Tony-winning musical by Adam Rapp (book), Jamestown Revival’s Johnathan Clay and Zach Chance (score), Justin Levine (all of the above plus orchestration and arrangements), and Tony-winning director Danya Taymor

Fans of the book will appreciate the on-point characterizations, from Noah Pacht’s sensitive Ponyboy Curtis and Caleb Mathura’s physically traumatized Johnny Cade to SeQuoiia’s formidable Dallas Winston. Familiar or not, be prepared for a stunning depiction of friendship and unconditional loyalty as it swerves into and beyond the danger zone. Set in the 1960s, the musical’s storyline revolves around Ponyboy, his extended Greaser family, and their antagonists, the aggressively vicious Socs. Raw and gritty, their rivalry ramps

up until it reaches a mud-and-adrenaline-soaked climax. Incendiary, yet achingly poignant, it’s the show’s two-word credo “Stay Gold” that resonates loudest.

STAR-CROSSED ANDROIDS

Envision a musical centered on an unorthodox love connection, where the emotional arc is both strange and touching. Then imagine a shower of light and motion and innocence and the realization that you’re totally invested in the lives of two robots—two remarkably human robots. I give you Maybe Happy Ending, 2025’s Tony Award-winning Best Musical and an absolute must-see.

The production stars Zachary Noah Piser and Hannah Kevitt as obsolete “Helperbots,” Oliver and Claire, relegated to play out their dwindling battery charges in a senior android complex. The show came about after writer/ composers Will Aronson and Hue Park found themselves intrigued by the idea that advances in technology could lead to humans actually merging with electronic devices.

“To capture this feeling, we decided that instead of using an electronic, futuristic sound, we would paint our futuristic story with analogue, acoustic sounds—piano hammers and resonating strings, the crackling sound of a needle on LP grooves,” they explained. “And we would fill the story with as much of the world’s simple magic as we could: a road trip; a field lit up by fireflies on a summer night.”

And I would add, once translated to the stage, the effect is euphoric.

THEATER

KEY

COMEDY DRAMA MUSICAL EVENT

broadway & JULIET

Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 124 W. 43rd St., 833-274-8497; andjulietbroadway.com

(2 hrs., 30 mins.) Answers 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., 212-239-6200; 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 of adventure, comedy, and romance. This unforgettable Disney theatrical experience includes all the cherished songs from the Oscar-winning score plus more written for Broadway.

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 of South Park. The first official assignment for two wide-eyed Mormon missionaries takes them from ringing doorbells stateside to a remote village in Uganda. Divinely profane in all the right places!

For more on the city and its theater scene, check out cityguideny.com/theater

BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; buenavistamusical.com

(2 hrs., 10 mins.) An ensemble of visionary performers tells the legendary story of the Cuban artists who recorded the original album.

THEATER

CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL

Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200; catsthejellicleball.com

(2 hrs., 45 mins.) This radical reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic dance musical Cats has been staged as a high-octane immersive competition. Inspired by the Ballroom Culture that roared out of NYC 50 years ago, the current incarnation dazzles with contemporary ballroom and club beats and runway-ready choreography. Starring André De Shields, who won a Tony as Hermes in Hadestown, and Chastity Moore (Pose).

CHICAGO

Ambassador Theatre, 219 W. 49th St., 212-239-6200; chicagothemusical.com

(2 hrs., 30 mins.) This showbiz tale of Roxie, Velma, fame, fortune, and all that jazz picked up six 1997 Tonys, including Best Musical Revival.

DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway, 212-239-6200; salesmanbroadway.com

(3 hrs., 10 mins.) Tony winners Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, and Ben Ahlers star in this revival of Arthur Miller’s towering American drama. Limited engagement thru 8/9.

EVERY BRILLIANT THING

Hudson Theatre, 141 W. 44th St., 877-545-3713; everybrilliantthing.com

((80 minutes, no intermission) Golden Globe winner Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish) stars—alongside select theatregoers— as someone who thwarts deep sadness by chronicling the world’s “brilliant things.” Limited engagement thru 8/9.

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 (Reeve Carney) in his pursuit of the lost love of his youth, Daisy Buchanan (Eva Noblezada). 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. Also starring High School Musical’s Corbin Bleu as Nick Carraway.

HADESTOWN

Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 W. 48th St., 800-745-3000; hadestown.com

2019 Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 30 mins.) Greek myth populates this jazz-infused musical, set in both a stylized New Orleans setting and The Underworld.

HAMILTON

Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St., 212-239-6200; hamiltonbroadway.com

2016 Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 55 mins.) The historical musical that redefined Broadway: the life of founding father Alexander Hamilton told through a score of musical theatre, hip-hop, jazz, and R&B.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Lyric Theatre, 214 W. 43rd St., 212-305-4100; broadway.harrypottertheplay.com

2018 Tony, Best Play (2 hrs., 50 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. Starring Tom Felton (thru 11/1) as Draco Malfoy, the role he played as a child in the film series.

JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE

Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St., 212-239-6200; joeturnerbway.com

(2 hrs., 30 mins.) A Pittsburgh boarding house is a refuge for Black travelers in 1911; by August Wilson, starring Taraji P. Henson, Cedric “The Entertainer,” and Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Limited engagement thru 7/26.

JUST IN TIME

Circle in the Square Theatre, 235 W. 50th St., 212-239-6200; justintimebroadway.com

(2 hrs., 30 mins.) Jeremy Jordan stars in this musical bio, set against a nightclub backdrop, tracking the pop singer Bobby Darin’s meteoric journey from soaring highs to crushing lows.

THE LION KING

Minskoff Theatre, 200 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; disneyonbroadway.com

1998 Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 30 mins.) A glorious adaptation of Disney’s 1994 animated hit, full of stage magic created by Tony-winner Julie Taymor. Set in the rich African Pride Lands, the story follows the lion prince, Simba—along with young lioness Nala and villainous uncle Scar—from precocious cub to king of the jungle. A musical and visual treasure-trove!

THE LOST BOYS, A NEW MUSICAL

Palace Theatre, 160 W. 47th St., 844-753-7397; lostboysmusical.com

(2 hrs., 30 mins.) Based on the 1987 film, following two teenage brothers who move with their mother to a new town and discover it’s a haven for vampires. Limited engagement thru 3/7/27.

MAYBE HAPPY ENDING

Belasco Theatre, 111 W. 44th St., 212-239-6200; maybehappyending.com

2025 Tony, Best Musical (105 mins., no intermission) Inside a small apartment in Seoul, Oliver lives a happily quiet life listening to jazz records and caring for his favorite plant. What else is there to do when you’re a HelperBot 3, a robot that has been long-retired and considered obsolete? But when fellow HelperBot Claire asks to borrow his charger, what starts as an awkward encounter leads to a singular friendship, a surprising adventure, and maybe even…love?

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, as well as flashbacks to his childhood with The Jackson 5. With over 25 of The King of Pop’s hits, as well as his signature moves and sound—and a killer supporting cast—the show comes with a staggeringly impressive pedigree: book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and direction and choreography by Tony winner Christopher Wheeldon.

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 stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 cinematic jukebox mashup. Thru 8/30.

OH, MARY!

Lyceum Theatre, 145 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; ohmaryplay.com (80 mins., no intermission) Cole Escola’s hit farce in which Mary Todd Lincoln runs hilariously amok. Starring Meg Stalter thru 9/12.

OPERATION MINCEMEAT

John Golden Theatre, 252 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; operationbroadway.com (2 hrs., 30 mins.) Award-winning musical about the hilarious true mission that won WWII. How did a dead body, a fake love letter, and Ian Fleming fool Hitler? Limited engagement thru 2/14/27.

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.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: A NEW STORY LIVE ON BROADWAY

August Wilson Theatre, 245 W. 52nd St., 888-811-5040; paranormalbroadway.com

(2 hrs., 20 mins.) James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape their past, but they soon discover that places aren’t haunted, people are. Limited engagement from 8/14 thru 1/3/27.

PROOF

Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45th St., 212-239-6200; proofbroadway.com

(2 hrs.) A daughter’s genius. A father’s legacy. A story of love, logic, and loss. David Auburn’s searing portrait of a family bound by brilliance stars Ayo Edebiri, Don Cheadle, and Kara Young. Limited engagement thru 7/19.

RAGTIME

Lincoln Center Theaters’ Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W. 65th St., 212-239-6200; lct.org

2026 Tony, Best Musical Revival (2 hrs., 45 mins.) A sweeping musical adaption of E.L. Doctorow’s novel following three fictional families in pursuit of the American Dream at the dawn of the 20th-century. Limited engagement thru 8/16.

For more on the city and its theater scene, check out cityguideny.com/theater

THEATER

RICHARD O’BRIEN’S THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St., 212-719-1300; roundabouttheatre.org

(2 hrs.) An all-star cast takes part in Brad and Janet’s bizarre adventures at Dr. Frank-n-Furter’s mansion. Limited engagement thru 11/29.

SCHMIGADOON!

Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st St., 844-753-7397; schmigadoonbroadway.com

2026 Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 30 mins.) This Golden Age musical comedy with a big-name cast follows a couple who end up in a magical town where the everyone sings and the only escape is by finding true love. Limited engagement thru 1/3/27.

SIX

Lena Horne Theatre, 256 W. 47th St., 212-239-6200; sixonbroadway.com (80 mins., no intermission) Henry VIII’s six wives remix historical heartbreak into girl power.

STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW Marquis Theatre, 210 W. 46th St., 212-239-6200; broadway.strangerthingsonstage.com

(2 hrs., 45 mins.) This prequel to the Netflix phenom set in 1959, centers on a group of Hawkins, Indiana teens after mysterious new student Henry Creel moves to town. Limited engagement thru 1/3/27.

TITANIQUE

St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th St., 888-959-1874; titaniquebroadway.com

(100 mins., no intermission) Jack and Rose’s Titanic love story hilariously reimagined by “Céline Dion.” With Jim Parsons. Limited engagement thru 9/20.

TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK)

Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 48th St., 212-239-6200; twostrangersmusical.com

(2 hrs., 15 mins.) British dude/estranged son of the groom and the no-nonsense sister of the bride navigate the Big Apple in this musical about timing, connections, and unexpected detours.

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. Wicked takes the world of Oz’s fairy tale roots and replants them into an eye-popping production that turns the original story spectacularly upside down.

just off times square

THE MUSEUM OF BROADWAY

145 W. 45th St., 212-433-3686; themuseumofbroadway.com

This interactive, experiential museum celebrates the rich history of theatre in New York. Hundreds of rare costumes, props, and artifacts 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. In total, the museum highlights more than 500 individual productions from the 1700s through the present.

For more on the city and its theater scene, check out cityguideny.com/theater

CUISINE CORNER

NYC is a world-class destination for foodies. It’s also home to NY classics that have earned those Instagram snaps across the decades. You’ve got questions about dining out? We’ve got answers.

hWhere can I get a world-class steak...and bagels...and pizza...and ramen...and tacos?

Shaver Hall has arrived, a new food hall that brings together serious eats, great drinks, and live music. Among the wide range of bites is Tallow Steakhouse (shown here), which delivers the city’s finest prix-fixe steak frites experience—think USDA prime, hand-cut fries, and wines to match, all at an approachable price.

hAsian cuisine with a flair in Times Square?

Fushimi Times Square fuses traditional Japanese food with inventive, French-inspired nouvelle cuisine, within a lush, stylish space. You’ll find the freshest sushi and sashimi, plus entrees like steak and lobster. There’s even a special “robata” menu with grilled offerings, from shishito peppers to salmon to ribeye with truffle sauce.

f

Where

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 serves up linguini with smoked pork belly, salads, branzino, and a bone-in Delmonico steak with braised leeks and peppercorn sauce. You can raise a toast with small production wines, local draft beers, and craft cocktails that take inspiration from NYC names and nabes.

iFor a quick stop in the East Village or Times Square?

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is one of the world’s fastest growing restaurant chains. They’re known for chicken finger meals, which come with creamy, tangy, peppery “Cane’s Sauce”—picked the #1 most craveable sauce in the restaurant industry. Cane’s uses only the highest-quality ingredients with a cook-to-order system, so it’s always fresh. NYC locations include Astor Place and Times Square.

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.

fWhere can I find a creative kitchen in Times Square?

Planet Hollywood New York is back and making a bigger splash than ever with video, sound, and interactive elements providing a Hollywood immersion. Creativity defines the kitchen, with elevated takes on favorites like burgers, Kobe cheesesteak empanadas, chicken Caesar salad, NY strip steak, and fresh pastas.

iWhere can I find artful Japanese cuisine with a view?

Pier 57 is nestled along the waterfront at Hudson River Park. Head up to the rooftop for Miru, a Japanese listening lounge with great views of the city. The restaurant celebrates purity of flavor and exceptional ingredients with hand-crafted sushi, shareable small plates, and artfully presented dishes that pair beautifully with sake and cocktails. On Thursdays through Saturdays, DJs add to the ambiance.

NYC FOOD HISTORY

The Hot Dog

Americans will eat 7 billion hot dogs this summer. The first one ever was served in NYC. Baker Charles Feltman came up with the tube steak-and-bun combo, served from a cart on the Coney Island boardwalk in 1867. (It’s still a great place for a dog, near the beach and the rides.)

DINING

Top-rate steak and creative plating at Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke.

KEY

$ Inexpensive/Mostly $15 & under

$$ Mostly $15-$35

$$$ Mostly $35 +

AMERICAN DREAM

1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ, 833-263-7326, americandream.com, | GLOBAL New Jersey

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 first ever restaurant, MrBeast Burger.

DAVID BURKE TAVERN $$$

135 E. 62nd St. (Park-Lexington Aves), davidburketavern.com | AMERICAN Upper East Side

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.

FUSHIMI $$$

311 W. 43rd St. (8th-9th Aves.), 212-245-8881, fushimi.nyc | JAPANESE/SUSHI Theater District/Midtown West

Fushimi Times Square fuses traditional Japanese food with inventive, French-inspired nouvelle cuisine. Talented chefs ensure top-line experiences. On top of impeccable food, expect superior service, fashionable ambiance, and opulent décor. Recommended by Zagat and the Michelin Guide, it’s no surprise Fushimi has a loyal fan base that keeps growing and growing.

HAVANA CENTRAL $$

151 W. 46th St. (6th-7th Aves.), 212-398-7440, havanacentral.com | CUBAN Theater District/Midtown West

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 . Live Latin music, Friday 6-9pm, Sunday 5-8pm!

Keep up with all the latest NYC restaurant openings and news, visit cityguideny.com

MIRU $$$

25 11th Ave. (15th St./Pier 57 in Hudson River Park), mirunyc.com | JAPANESES

Chelsea/Meatpacking District

Japanese listening lounge with the best views of NYC atop Pier 57’s rooftop. Led by Executive Chef Rick Horiike, Miru celebrates purity of flavor and exceptional ingredients with hand-crafted sushi, shareable small plates, and artfully presented dishes that pair beautifully with sake and cocktails. Don’t miss DJ sets Thursday–Saturday. Serving lunch and dinner Wednesday–Sunday, noon-11pm.

OFCORSICA! $$$

25 11th Ave. (15th St./Pier 57 in Hudson River Park), ofcorsicanyc.com | MEDITERRANEAN

Chelsea/Meatpacking District

At ofCorsica!, every dish tells a story of the Mediterranean coast—no passport required. Led by Executive Chef Andrew Minitelli, the menu showcases handmade pastas, pristine seafood, and olive oil artistry, complemented by the largest Corsican wine collection in the U.S. A refined waterfront escape serving lunch and dinner Tuesday–Saturday, noon–10pm, and Sunday lunch noon–4pm.

PARK AVE KITCHEN BY

DAVID BURKE $$$

514 Lexington Ave. (48th St.), 646-847-4166, parkavekitchenbydb.com | AMERICAN Midtown East

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.

PLANET HOLLYWOOD $$

136 W. 42nd St. (6th-7th Aves.), planethollywoodintl.com | AMERICAN Theater District/Midtown West

The new Planet Hollywood in Times Square is a modern take on a food emporium. A huge space includes a state-of-the-art Planet Hollywood restaurant featuring a multi-media, fully immersive entertainment dining experience—the first of its kind in the U.S. The menu highlights fan favorites from the classic Planet Hollywood menu, enhanced with upscale American fare and fanciful, Instagram-worthy desserts and cocktails.

RAISING CANE’S CHICKEN FINGERS $

Times Square, 1501 Broadway (43rd-44th Sts.); Herald Square, 1 Pennsylvania Plaza (7th Ave.); East Village, 20 Astor Pl. (Lafayette St.), raisingcanes.com | AMERICAN Theater District/Midtown West/East Village

One of the fastest growing restaurant chains, with over 800 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. 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.

SHAVER HALL $-$$$

424 5th Ave. (38th-39th Sts.), 646-653-5910, shaverhall.com | FOOD HALL

Midtown West

Shaver Hall has arrived, bringing serious food, great drinks, and live music to Fifth Avenue. Set inside the iconic former Lord & Taylor, this roomy, versatile space runs from a cup of joe in the morning to Mediterranean street food, handmade pasta, bagels, ramen, tacos, pizza, Indian comfort food, a classic steakhouse, a chef-led omakase experience, a cheese conveyor belt, and multiple bars.

WAGAMAMA $$

Midtown, 100 W. 55th St. (6th-7th Aves.), 332-900-6111; Murray Hill, 605 3rd Ave. (39th St.), 646-813-3396; NoMad Flatiron, 210 5th Ave. (25th-26th Sts.), 212-920-6233, wagamama.us | PAN-ASIAN

Midtown West/Midtown East

wagamama is a pan-Asian restaurant + bar serving fresh, bold, and nourishing dishes, from steaming ramen and sizzling teppanyaki to the iconic katsu curry. With options for every appetite, including plenty of vegan and vegetarian choices, there’s something for everyone, even little foodies. Pair your meal with a craft cocktail or fresh-pressed juice. It’s feel-good food, from bowl to soul.

NYC FOOD HISTORY

An NYC Icon

The bagel came to NYC with Polish immigrants in the 19th century. The city’s “soft water” (low in calcium and magnesium) is the secret, creating a chewy bite and a distinctive crust.

AF TER HOURS GOTHAM

For world-class musical experiences, head to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s intimate Dizzy’s Club. There are performances nightly, in a space expressly designed for superior live jazz experiences—you’ll hear it in every show. Night owls can catch Late Night Sessions Thursdays through Saturdays, starting at 11pm.

Intimate performances, locally made wine, and great food all come together under one roof at City Winery. Set on the Hudson at Pier 57, live music or comedy can be found on two stages nightly. You can also dine

along the Hudson at CW Bistro, sample the Mediterranean flavors of ofCorsica!, and indulge in Japanese bites and a rooftop listening room at Miru.

In Times Square, 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 margaritas and mojitos. Don’t miss live Latin beats, with bands performing Friday nights from 6-9pm and Sundays 5-8pm.

Newcomer Shaver Hall is an NYC landmark, reimagined. Set inside the elegant

NIGHTLIFE

CITY WINERY NEW YORK CITY

Left, top to bottom: veteran comedian Royal Watkins, among the talent you’ll find at Gotham Comedy Club; the city’s best jazz programming hits the stage nightly at Dizzy’s Club.

former Lord & Taylor building on Fifth Avenue, you’ll find a versatile food hall and central bar Layaway. A modern take on the classic New York cocktail tradition sets the tone, with the same sophistication in the beer and wine selections.

A top destination for watch parties for soccer—and other sports—is Stout, with multiple locations boasting massive arrays of HD screens and traditional pub atmospheres that mirror the intensity of being there live. In Midtown, look for outposts convenient to Penn Station, Grand Central, and Bryant Park.

For an eclectic mix of talent, Gotham Comedy Club brings in the hottest comics nightly. Legends like Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle have dropped in on this upscale, intimate Chelsea spot. There are touring pros and ensemble nights like The Gotham All-Stars. Look for tasty pub fare, spirits and beer, and an actual wine list.

25 11th Ave. (15th St./Pier 57 in Hudson River Park), 646-751-6033, citywinery.com/newyork

Chelsea

Indulge your senses at this Hudson River Park flagship, with intimate concerts, locally made wine, great food, and unforgettable events. Live music or comedy can be found on two stages most every night. Dine on the waterfront at CW Bistro and enjoy a wine-inspired, globally influenced, locally sourced menu. Sample wine made on premises in the wine bar; special pricing on bottles to go at the wine shop.

DIZZY’S CLUB AT JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER

10 Columbus Cir. (59th-60th Sts.), 212-258-9800, jazz.org

Upper West Side

In a prime Columbus Circle location, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s most intimate venue Dizzy’s Club invites you to experience world-class music in a casual setting. Breathtaking views of Central Park and a curated menu featuring craft and spirit-free cocktails. Nightly sets at 7 and 9pm; Sun. sets 5 and 7:30pm; Late Night Sessions 11pm Thurs.-Sat. Performers range from New York favorites to global legends.

GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB

208 W. 23rd St. (7th-8th Aves.), 212-367-9000, gothamcomedyclub.com

Chelsea

Whether it’s date night, an evening with the boys, a girls night out, or even a good place to take your motherin-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, 2-beverage minimum.

MANHATTAN SUBWAY MAP

MANHATTAN BUS MAP

NEW JERSEY

HUDSON RIVER

EAVNICHOLASST

TRANSPORTATION TIPS

GETTING AROUND NYC

NYC has one of the most developed public transportation systems in the U.S. The subway runs 24/7 and tokens have been retired—you can access the train with your phone or credit card. Taxis and rideshares are popular alternatives; buses can be a good option for cross-town trips. NYC subway and bus fares are fixed at $3 per ride. Ferries are a lesser-known way of navigating the city and a good option for summer riding. In addition to free service between Lower Manhattan and St. George on the Staten Island Ferry, there’s also:

• NYC Ferry: Extensive routes connecting Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Governors Island, and the Bronx for $4.50 per ride (or $2.90 with a 10-trip pack). Use the NYC Ferry app for tickets and real-time tracking.

• NY Waterway: High-speed commuter service between NJ and Manhattan, with fares ranging from $9–$21.50. Includes free connecting shuttle buses in Midtown Manhattan.

A SHOPPING DAY TRIP

Just north of the city, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is a world-renowned shopping destination that features top brands like Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Nike, and Coach among its 250 designer outlet stores. Woodbury Bus offers daily round trips from Midtown Manhattan. Round trips start at $45 + booking fee and the ride takes just one hour, with multiple daily departures. Seating is reserved and there’s free Wifi onboard. The tours are operated by Silver Star Transportation, a leading NYC transportation company with 35+ years of trusted luxury service across the Tri-State area 212-901-3013, woodburybus.com

Continued from page 30—Culture Credits

1. Jean-Claude Sauer, cocktail dresses known as “Homage to Pop Art,” Fall/Winter 1966 Yves Saint Laurenthaute couture collection. Published in LIFE magazine, September 1966 © All rights reserved © Jean-Claude Sauer.

2. Pope.L, Incredible Drought of Fertility, 1989–unknown end date. Acrylic, tape, glue, ballpoint pen, pastel, charcoal, and collage on paper, 16 1/2 x 21 1/4 inches (41.9 x 54 cm). Courtesy the Estate of Pope.L and Gladstone. Photo: Daniel Terna © The Estate of Pope.L.

3. Larry Rivers, 1923–2002. David and John, 1977. Graphite and colored pencil, 27¾ × 24 in. The Morgan Library & Museum, Gift of David K. Kermani, from the Collection of John Ashbery, 2019.167 © 2026 Estate of Larry Rivers / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY.

6. Marcel Duchamp. Nude Descending a Staircase (No. 2) 1912. Oil on canvas, 57 7/8 × 35 1/8” (147 × 89.2cm). Philadelphia Museum of Art: The Louise and Walter Arensberg Collection, 1950.

7. Vally Wieselthier, “Girl’s Head with Blue Outlined Eyes,” 1928, Wiener Werkstätte model number 511. Red pottery, polychrome glaze, height: 9 5/8 in. (24.5 cm). © Galerie bei der Albertina Zetter.

8. Necklace made from hammered nails, 1983. Tone Vigeland (Norwegian, 1938–2024). Steel, gold, silver, mother-ofpearl. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Museum purchase from Decorative Arts Association Acquisition Funds and General Acquisition Endowment, 1984-83-1.

9. From Abram August Champanier’s Alice of Wonderland Visiting New York, 1938–40, NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine Collection.