PEAKLIFE

Pop culture depicts New York as a vibrant metropolis freckled with eclectic characters and historic facades, and most residents would attest. It is no wonder that a trip to New York often features on the intrepid traveller’s bucket list, and while there is much to explore within the city’s bustling culture, experiencing the popular fare—a walk on Fifth Avenue, a picnic in Central Park, a city tour on the double decker bus, or an evening at Broadway—is somewhat of a rite of passage for tourists. While winter in New York is frigid and brutal, the summer is balmy and breezy, which makes this the perfect time to witness The Big Apple in all its glory. Here are seven things to look forward to on your summer vacation in New York.

More Options for Luxe Stays

This spring, a host of new hotels are set to open in New York City’s most well-known locales, including Aman New York, Fifth Avenue, a new urban sanctuary located on the City’s poshest street; the Ritz-Carlton, NoMad, an experience inspired by the essence of the new Madison Square Park; and the Hard Rock Hotel New York, a property that offers a backstage pass to the best of Midtown Manhattan. Over the summer, the Renaissance Hotels brand will open properties in Harlem and Flushing; the Virgin Hotel New York City and Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York are expected to open; later this year, Moxy Hotels will open properties on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; and The Fifth Avenue Hotel is expected to open this fall.

A Shopping Spree to Remember

First-time visitors must browse through the iconic department stores of the City—Macy’s Herald Square, Nordstrom NYC, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue—to indulge in some retail therapy. Those who will be heading to the City later in the year can look forward to visiting the new Tiffany & Co. flagship store at 727 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, which opens this fall. The store will include eye-catching installations, exclusive products and the reopening of The Blue Box Café, where customers can enjoy breakfast.

Reinvented Museum Experiences

The Museum of Broadway, the first permanent museum dedicated to Broadway, will open in Times Square this summer. The institution will celebrate Broadway’s storied history and offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Broadway productions. Later in 2022, a new cultural center will debut at the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, Queens, featuring an interactive exhibit, archival collections, a 68-seat jazz club and a store. This year will also witness the opening of the Bronx Children’s Museum in Mill Pond Park, which celebrates the natural curiosity, creativity, and compassion inherent in all children.

A Star-Studded Broadway Season

This year, Broadway presents some of the brightest stars in entertainment. Hugh Jackman recently returned to Broadway for the revival of The Music Man; Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick will star in the Broadway revival of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite, previews for which started on February 25; on March 22, Darren Criss and Laurence Fishburne joined the stage for the revival of American Buffalo; and Daniel Craig made his highly anticipated return to the stage on March 29 for Macbeth. There are also limited revivals of shows coming to Broadway such as For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf, April 1 onwards; Hangmen, with previews beginning April 8; and the Broadway adaptation of the best-selling novel The Kite Runner this summer.

Outdoor Adventures within the Five Boroughs

Revel in the pleasant climate, landscaped parks and thriving beaches of New York to experience the outdoors without leaving the City. The annual blooming of the cherry trees at Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the East River walkway on Roosevelt Island are not to be missed. Since each tree only blooms for one week, check out BBG’s Cherry Watch to plan your trip. In addition, the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory will be overflowing with thousands of dramatically displayed orchids, at the horticultural spectacle of The Orchid Show, which takes place at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. Nearby, adventure enthusiasts can check out the Treetop Adventure at the Bronx Zoo, which reopens this spring. To catch some waves, visit Rockaway Beach in Queens—the City’s go-to surfing destination—that also offers playgrounds and other outdoor activities such as basketball courts, baseball fields, volleyball courts and more.

Rejuvenating Wellness Retreats

There are pockets of tranquillity even in the busiest of cities. New York’s famous wellness outposts present the most luxurious pamper sessions. The seasonal Winter Spa at The William Vale hotel offers guests the ultimate spa experience with private red cedar outdoor saunas—featuring panoramic dome windows and soaks in their red cedar hot tubs—designed to relax and recharge. Governors Island has a premium selection of 20 wellness experiences at QCNY, which includes several saunas, massages and holistic treatments. Additionally, opening this spring, the spa at the new Aman New York hotel will offer three stories of rejuvenating experiences, including a 65-foot-long indoor swimming pool, two spa houses and an outdoor terrace.

A Greener City

Sustainability remains a major priority for the City, with the newly renovated and expanded Javits Center debuting its state-of-the-art 7-acre green roof. The rooftop has become a sanctuary for area wildlife, including 35 bird species, five bat species and thousands of honeybees. Meeting delegates and visitors can schedule a tour to learn more about the facility’s effort in reducing energy consumption. Meanwhile, New York City’s newest public park, Little Island, located near the Meatpacking District, provides serene spaces for locals and visitors to explore, venues for live cultural performances and events, and charming views of the river. Central Park, one of the world’s most recognisable green spaces, has created a Central Park Climate Lab in partnership with the Yale School of the Environment and the Natural Areas Conservancy to develop new research and tools to help urban parks manage the severe impacts of climate change.