Events &amp; Things To Do

Whether you're dropping in for dinner or visiting from out of town, a little something for the host lets them know you appreciate their hospitality–and secures your spot on future guest lists. Check out our round-up of treats and treasures for the table and beyond.
Great gifts and goodies for the host, this way

19 places to order takeout Thanksgiving dinner (and dessert) in NYC

Photo: Alexander Stein for Bubby’s

November 10, 2021

19 places to order takeout Thanksgiving dinner (and dessert) in NYC

This Thanksgiving, why not leave the big meal to the experts? If you didn't gather with family and friends in 2020, make the holiday this year even more special, and less stressful, by bringing a chef-curated dinner to your celebration. From traditional turkey and all the fixings from Bubby's to a Lebanese twist on the meal from the restaurant ilili, here are just some takeout Thanksgiving dinner (and dessert!) options from restaurants in New York City.
Full list here

Book a stay at Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic NYC brownstone apartment for $23/night

All photos by Kate Glicksberg unless otherwise noted

November 5, 2021

Book a stay at Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic NYC brownstone apartment for $23/night

The too-big-to-be-true rent-stabilized apartment of fictional character Carrie Bradshaw will soon be available to book on Airbnb. The company announced this week it will rent, for two nights only, a recreation of the New York City brownstone seen on Sex and the City. The apartment has been decorated with a mix of vintage and designer furniture, with the style guru's massive walk-in closet the highlight of the stay.
Details here

Smash your past-it pumpkins for fun and compost at these NYC parks

Credit: Max Guliani for Hudson River Park

November 3, 2021

Smash your past-it pumpkins for fun and compost at these NYC parks

Pent-up aggression, post-Halloween boredom, or just a desire to do something useful with your jack-o-lanterns that have seen better days–they're all good reasons to join in the fun at a pumpkin smash. Post-holiday pumpkins make fabulous compost material, and several (free!) events around the city are offering a chance to "squash" your way to a greener community while teaching kids about composting. To quote Noreen Doyle, president and CEO of Hudson River Park: “By encouraging our community to smash, bash and crash their leftover pumpkins into compost, we can all play an active role in working towards a greener future.”
Pumpkin smashing and more ways to recycle unwanted goodies

Events & Things To Do

The NYC Marathon: history, greatest moments, and what to expect this year

The lead female runners at 81st Street and 1st Avenue in 2015, photo © 6sqft

November 1, 2021

The NYC Marathon: history, greatest moments, and what to expect this year

The world's largest marathon takes place this Sunday, returning to the five boroughs after a pandemic hiatus last year. On November 7, the 50th New York City Marathon will look slightly different this year, bringing together roughly 33,000 runners, which is about 20,000 fewer participants than usual because of Covid-19. The marathon wasn't always the largest in the world, however. Started by the New York Road Runners Club in 1970, the race began as a few loops around Central Park with just over 100 runners. But the passion of its founders, coupled with the spirit of the city, grew the marathon into a monumental event. In honor of the upcoming 2021 Marathon, 6sqft is taking a look back at the history of the race, its greatest moments, and what's in store for this year.
All that right this way

Irish Arts Center’s new $60M arts hub opens in Hell’s Kitchen next month

Photo by Mac Smith.

November 1, 2021

Irish Arts Center’s new $60M arts hub opens in Hell’s Kitchen next month

The non-profit organization Irish Arts Center (IAC) will open the doors of a 21,700-square-foot space at 726 11th Avenue in early December. The long-awaited arts hub will occupy a century-old tire shop and garage after a decade-long transformation of the $60 million building led by New York-based architects Davis Brody Bond, the firm behind the National September 11 Museum and The Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center, along with Ireland's Office of Public Works. Inaugural programming for the new center will include theatrical performance, dance, music, visual arts, literature, and education, beginning with Camille O’Sullivan’s "Where Are We Now?"
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

Bryant Park’s Winter Village is now open for the season

Photo: Angelito Jusay

October 29, 2021

Bryant Park’s Winter Village is now open for the season

Bryant Park has once again transformed into a winter wonderland. The Bank of America Winter Village opened for the season on Friday, offering New Yorkers the only free admission ice skating rink in the city, an open-air holiday market, and cocktails rinkside. The village, now in its 20th year, will be open daily from October 29 through March 6, 2022.
Get the details

Events & Things To Do

First-ever hotel on wheels to open in the Hudson Valley this winter

All photos by David Mitchell

October 26, 2021

First-ever hotel on wheels to open in the Hudson Valley this winter

The world's first hotel on wheels is set to debut in the Hudson Valley this winter. The New York-based startup company Moliving Inc. revealed earlier this year its first model unit, which measures roughly 400 square feet and includes two outdoor decks. The company believes the movable luxury hotel rooms, which are designed to be easily installed and relocated, offer hoteliers the opportunity to build hotels faster, more sustainably, and to adjust room inventory according to seasonal demand.
Learn more

See the Mexican folk-art sculptures on display around Rockefeller Center for Day of the Dead

All photos courtesy of Tishman Speyer

October 25, 2021

See the Mexican folk-art sculptures on display around Rockefeller Center for Day of the Dead

Rockefeller Center last week kicked off a nearly two-week celebration of Mexican culture and Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, with the installation of larger-than-life Mexican folk-art sculptures and other artworks around the plaza. As part of the campus-wide commemoration, see an 11-foot dragon and a 13.5-foot feathered jaguar, an exhibition of fashionably dressed skeleton figures, a Día de Los Muertos display altar, and a floral installation adorning the center's iconic bronze statue Atlas.
Get the details

Events & Things To Do

80-foot-tall sculpture and new public plaza unveiled on Jersey City’s waterfront

A massive sculptural portrait was unveiled on the Jersey City waterfront this week, along with a new public plaza. Created by Barcelona-based artist Jaume Plensa, Water's Soul is a monumental 80-foot-tall sculpture depicting a young person in contemplation. The new permanent artwork sits on the Hudson River in Newport, the master-planned, mixed-use community developed by the LeFrak Organization and Simon Property Group.
See more

Events & Things To Do

NYC’s newest observation deck Summit One Vanderbilt officially opens

Photos courtesy of SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

October 22, 2021

NYC’s newest observation deck Summit One Vanderbilt officially opens

Midtown's tallest office tower opened its observation deck this week, adding to the city's ever-growing list of sky-high, for-sale spectacles. Designed by Snøhetta, One Vanderbilt's Summit stretches across floors 91 through 93 at the 1,401-foot-tall tower and offers incredible views across a 65,000-square-foot multi-level entertainment venue about 1,000 feet in the air. Tickets start at $39 for general admission and climb to $83 for evening admission that comes with a cocktail.
Find out more

NYC Street Vendor Project launches a citywide scavenger hunt to help local vendors rebound

Photo by Anton on Unsplash

October 22, 2021

NYC Street Vendor Project launches a citywide scavenger hunt to help local vendors rebound

Beginning November 14, street food lovers are invited to join their favorite food carts and treats trucks for the first-ever NYC Street Vendor Scavenger Hunt. Participants will get to compete in fun challenges, meet the vendors and, of course, sample the food, to win prizes and help support the Street Vendor Project of the Urban Justice Center–the city's only street vendor organization.
Gather your squad and start sleuthing

The best 2021 Halloween happenings and spooky spectacles in NYC

Photo of 2015 Village Halloween Parade by Peter Burka on Flickr

October 18, 2021

The best 2021 Halloween happenings and spooky spectacles in NYC

New York City really shows its creative side for Halloween, and after a year of laying low, everyone's ready for some trick-or-treat action. The epic Village Halloween Parade is back on, parks and pumpkin patches are putting their fall bounty on display, and our favorite gathering, shopping, and dining spots are stocking up on candy and planning fun events. For the best ideas, browse our list of Halloween haunts and happenings from family-friendly to wicked and wild.
See the full list, this way

Events & Things To Do

The faces of 1,200 New Yorkers now greet visitors outside of the Port Authority bus terminal

All photos: Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance.

October 15, 2021

The faces of 1,200 New Yorkers now greet visitors outside of the Port Authority bus terminal

The Port Authority bus terminal in Midtown may not be one of New York City's most beautiful places, but the world’s busiest terminal recently got a beauty boost in the form of a 40-foot-high, 600-foot-wide gallery wall that features the diverse and fabulous faces of over 1,200 New Yorkers. The Garment District Alliance (GDA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) have collaborated to bring the giant photo gallery, "Inside Out: NY Together," part of an international initiative by world-renowned artist JR, to the Manhattan bus gateway.
See more smiling faces, this way

Events & Things To Do

See David Chipperfield’s plans to renovate the historic townhouse at 1014 Fifth Avenue

Image © Sebastian Kaempf, KARO Architects

October 14, 2021

See David Chipperfield’s plans to renovate the historic townhouse at 1014 Fifth Avenue

From October 14 through October 17, cultural organization 1014 will introduce the public to prize-winning architect David Chipperfield's plans for the renovation of an Upper East Side historic and cultural gem at 1014 Fifth Avenue. Built in 1907 and flanked by two 15-story apartment buildings, the Beaux-Arts townhouse faces the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The renowned British architect was chosen in 2020 to design the building's future form after an international competition that included some of the field's most noted names. This weekend “1014 Past and Future” and related programming are taking place as part of Archtober and Open House New York.
Find out more about this unique global cultural hub

Christie’s will auction works from top contemporary artists to benefit New York City AIDS Memorial

Photo: John Moore, Circular Space Photography

October 12, 2021

Christie’s will auction works from top contemporary artists to benefit New York City AIDS Memorial

As the New York City AIDS Memorial celebrates the 10th anniversary of its founding, Christie’s has announced "UNQUESTIONING LOVE: An Auction to Benefit the New York City AIDS Memorial." The November auction will present a select group of 19 artworks by leading contemporary artists that will be sold across two live sales. The Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale on November 12 will feature a selection of 16 artworks by contemporary art stars, with works by Elmgreen & Dragset, Sam Gilliam, the Haas Brothers, Jim Hodges, Shara Hughes, KAWS, Rashid Johnson, Trevor Paglen, Adam Pendleton, Ugo Rondinone, Sarah Sze, Salman Toor, Jonas Wood, and Lisa Yuskavage, many made for the event.
Find out more

Events & Things To Do

Photo of 2019 Village Halloween Parade by Steven Pisano on Flickr

October 5, 2021

The 2021 Village Halloween Parade is officially back on

The Village Halloween Parade is officially back this year thanks to a major donation. The beloved event was scheduled to return after a pandemic-related hiatus, but a lack of funds threatened to cancel the 2021 parade, according to organizers. The parade set a fundraising goal of $150,000 by October 5, and with the help of 183 donors who contributed over $11,000 and Jason Feldman and his wife Missy who made up the difference, the spooky show will go on.
Details here

Events & Things To Do

October 1, 2021

The 7 best places to see fall foliage outside NYC

By Rebecca Fishbein

A downside to living in a thriving city is that air pollution makes for poor fall foliage, though some spots in town—Wave Hill, Pelham Bay Park—still boast colorful leaves at the end of October. But if you take a short trip outside the city limits, you can see some beautiful autumn colors, all within a day’s drive. Ahead, we've rounded up our seven favorites, from Mohonk Mountain House to Bear Mountain to the Storm King Art Center.
Check out all the spots

Events & Things To Do

September 30, 2021

A 24-ton stone sphere is hanging in the lobby of Philip Johnson’s 550 Madison Avenue tower

A massive blue spherical stone now hangs in the lobby of the landmarked office building 550 Madison Avenue, part of a broader project to revitalize Philip Johnson's postmodern gem. The Olayan Group on Wednesday unveiled the renovated space, a project which included preserving the 110-foot arched entry, adding a multi-story window across from the entrance with views through to the new garden, still under construction, and the centerpiece art commission. Designed by artist Alicja Kwade, who had a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's roof garden in 2019, the art installation includes a 24-ton Azul Macaubas stone sphere hanging from ten polished stainless steel chains only 12 feet above the floor.
Learn more

7 historic treasures to check out at the new NYPL exhibit

Photo: Max Touhey/ NYPL

September 29, 2021

7 historic treasures to check out at the new NYPL exhibit

More than 250 historic items and artifacts, many of which the public has never seen before, are now on display in New York City. The Polonsky Exhibition of the New York Public Library's Treasures opened at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building last week, showing off just some of the institution's incredible collection of objects, images, letters, manuscripts, and more that spans 4,000 years in history. From a draft copy of the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson to the stuffed bear that inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, the library's first permanent exhibition allows the public to connect intimately with history at no cost.
More here

Waldorf Astoria launches 90th anniversary oral history project

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

September 28, 2021

Waldorf Astoria launches 90th anniversary oral history project

October 1 marks 90 years since the Waldorf Astoria opened its doors on Park Avenue. It was the world's tallest hotel for 32 years and became perhaps the most famous hotel on the globe, too, attracting Hollywood’s elite, world leaders, and famed cultural events and galas. Since 2016, the landmark has been closed for a restoration and reimagination that will bring 375 hotel rooms and suites, along with 375 luxury condos as part of The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria. In anticipation of the reopening in early 2023, and to mark its nine-decade-long history, a new website called Waldorf Stories will "honor, document, and preserve the oral history of the world’s most famous hotel through stories told by the people that lived them."
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Fun food festivals are coming to the Upper West Side and South Street Seaport this month

Taste of the Upper West Side in 2019. Photo via Taste of the Upper West Side.

September 27, 2021

Fun food festivals are coming to the Upper West Side and South Street Seaport this month

This weekend, Taste of the Upper West Side returns, with more than 80 chefs, restaurants, and culinary personalities celebrating the neighborhood and offering up unlimited food, wine, beer, and spirits. And later this month, Taste of the Seaport will take place at Piers 16 and 17, where over 30 Lower Manhattan restaurants will participate, along with live music and art and a special kids' zone.
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September 24, 2021

MTA unveils colorful new subway mosaics at Bedford and 1st Avenue L train stations

This week, the MTA unveiled two new mosaic series at the 1st Avenue and Bedford Avenue L train stations. In the East Village, artist Katherine Bradford created Queens of the Night, a fanciful tribute to the creatives and essential workers (depicted as superheroes) who ride the L train. And in Williamsburg, artist Marcel Dzama created No Less Than Everything Comes Together, a collection of theatric fairytale-like figures under the sun and moon.
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Supersized origami sculptures land in NYC’s Garment District

Photos courtesy of Alexandre Ayer / @DiversityPics for the Garment District Alliance

September 22, 2021

Supersized origami sculptures land in NYC’s Garment District