City Living

The holidays are in full swing, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s is prime time to soak in all the holiday cheer on Fifth Avenue. Behind the iconic window displays of Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman by Central Park are stylish, upscale restaurants, perfect places to recharge before braving the crowds.
dine in style

11 classic New York songs that capture the spirit of the city

Photo by Maxim Klimashin on Unsplash

November 25, 2025

11 classic New York songs that capture the spirit of the city

Type "New York" into a Spotify search, and you’ll get a list of hundreds and hundreds of titles (and those are just the ones with the city name in their title). Of course, the greatest city on Earth has inspired countless songs. After all, it’s the birthplace of hip-hop, punk rock, and disco, and was the launching pad of Billy Joel, Lady Gaga, and Jay-Z, to name just a few. But some tunes have made a more indelible mark on city life than others, which is why we’ve put together this list of 11 classic New York songs that capture the spirit of the city.
listen to them here

The 3 biggest NYC real estate scams—and how to protect yourself

Photo by Joshua Armstrong on Unsplash

November 4, 2025

The 3 biggest NYC real estate scams—and how to protect yourself

On any given day, there’s a decent chance you’ll be targeted by scammers. Maybe it’s a text about a fake unpaid toll notice, or an email about your Amazon account being hacked. And don’t even get us started on the phone calls! For the most part, these are easy enough to spot, but now and then, a shockingly convincing claim sneaks through that makes even the savviest among us scratch our heads. For example, several real estate scams in New York City are currently targeting innocent and unsuspecting renters and buyers. Ahead, hear about these scams firsthand and learn how you can protect yourself.
READ MORE

Everything old is new again: Why NYC buyers are choosing pre-war apartments over new developments

This pre-war co-op at the Oliver Cromwell, designed by Emery Roth, asked just under $6 million this year. Photo courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens.

August 11, 2025

Everything old is new again: Why NYC buyers are choosing pre-war apartments over new developments

Today’s real estate headlines are typically dominated by new renderings of geometric glass towers designed by big-name architects and the latest record-setting penthouse sales. But not all New Yorkers are in search of floor-to-ceiling windows and rooftop pools. Some prefer ceiling medallions, cozy fireplaces, and creaky floorboards. And these nostalgia seekers are a bigger part of the real estate market than you might imagine.
get the scoop

This Crown Heights block was named the greenest in Brooklyn

Photos by Peter Slattery, courtesy of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

August 5, 2025

This Crown Heights block was named the greenest in Brooklyn

A lush stretch of Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights has been named Brooklyn’s greenest block. On Tuesday, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) awarded the title to the block between Franklin and Bedford Avenues as part of its free annual Greenest Block competition. The block—the first winner in the residential category to be made up primarily of apartment buildings—was praised for creating a "remarkable community space centered around plants and urban gardening."
Discover more

City Living

July 3, 2025

What $1 million gets you in 2025: A borough-by-borough breakdown

Remember the days when owning a $1 million apartment signified that someone was “rich?” Now, it’s hard to find a decent condo for much less, especially if you need multiple bedrooms or want to be in a desirable neighborhood. But there are hidden gems if you know where to look, and are perhaps willing to sacrifice a few items on your wishlist. Ahead, we’ve found $1 million listings in each borough that might surprise you.
READ MORE

This year’s ‘Summer Streets’ will run length of Manhattan, with car-free corridor from Brooklyn Bridge to Inwood

Credit: NYC Department of Transportation on Flickr

July 2, 2025

This year’s ‘Summer Streets’ will run length of Manhattan, with car-free corridor from Brooklyn Bridge to Inwood

More than 22 miles of car-free streets will open to New Yorkers for outdoor recreation and summer fun starting this month. On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams announced the city's largest ever "Summer Streets" program, which will dedicate select roadways across all five boroughs to pedestrians and cyclists from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on five consecutive Saturdays, from July 26 through August 23. Notably, for the first time, Summer Streets will run the length of Manhattan, offering car-free streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Dyckman Street in Inwood.
Find out more

Central Park hit hottest temperature since 2012

Credit: Jermaine Ee on Unsplash

June 25, 2025

Central Park hit hottest temperature since 2012

New York City recorded its hottest day in more than a decade on Tuesday, with temperatures in Central Park hitting 99 degrees for the first time since 2012. According to the New York Times, the thermometer at Belvedere Castle—the park's official weather station—reached the mark just before 1:30 p.m., marking the hottest temperature reading since July 18, 2012. The last time Central Park came close was June 30, 2021, when it hit 98 degrees.
Learn more

City Living

During NYC’s heat wave, find a cooling center near you

Photo courtesy of Caroline Rubinstein-Willis/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

June 20, 2025

During NYC’s heat wave, find a cooling center near you

By 6sqft

Appropriately kicking off summer, New York City's first heat wave has arrived. According to the National Weather Service, high heat and humidity are likely starting Sunday through Wednesday, with the heat idex ranging from 100 to 105 across most of the region. The city will open more than 500 cooling centers across the five boroughs on Sunday, providing air-conditioned public spaces for New Yorkers to stay safe from the extreme heat. The interactive "cool options" map displays both indoor cooling centers and outdoor options, like playgrounds with spray showers and water features.
stay cool, nYC!

City Living

10 tranquil spots in NYC for some peace and quiet

When the sun comes out, so do the people. The energy of New York City is palpable on the warm days of late spring and early summer. After a long winter spent inside apartments, museums, and restaurants, New Yorkers crave sunshine and nature this time of year. And while that’s a beautiful thing, it can make it difficult to escape crowds. If you’re looking for a little relaxation in the great outdoors, we’ve rounded up 10 tranquil spots perfect for an afternoon with a book, a picnic, or just your thoughts.
find your moment of zen

Upper West Side’s Metro Theater on track to reopen after 20 years

Photo by london road on Flickr

April 7, 2025

Upper West Side’s Metro Theater on track to reopen after 20 years

A long-vacant, landmark movie theater on the Upper West Side finally has new owners following a $3.5 million funding boost from Gov. Kathy Hochul. The nonprofit Upper West Side Cinema Center on Sunday purchased the Metro Theater for $6.9 million, with help from Hochul and an additional $500,000 in grants from the State Senate. The nonprofit plans to restore the historic Art Deco building, located on Broadway near 99th Street, with five new screens, a lobby lounge, an education center, and a public cafe.
get the details

City Living

From a cemetery to an island: The best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC and when to visit

Cherry blossoms at Little Island. Photo Credit: Liz Ligon

March 28, 2025

From a cemetery to an island: The best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC and when to visit

Sara Evans is the Director of the Living Collections and Curator at The Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. While that title may sound ironic given her workplace, cemeteries are home to a large breadth of plant life. This includes cherry blossom trees, of which Green-Wood has 172.
cherry blossoms this way

Interactive map reveals the famous New Yorkers behind 2,500 co-named streets

Images courtesy of DORIS

March 27, 2025

Interactive map reveals the famous New Yorkers behind 2,500 co-named streets

Ever wonder about the history behind some of New York City's co-named streets? The city's Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) on Tuesday announced upgrades to its interactive map, which provides information about the 2,500 streets, parks, and other locations across the five boroughs named for notable people. The upgrades include enhanced search features and an easier-to-remember website address.
Find out more

The Affordable Art Fair returns to NYC with artwork for every budget

Photo courtesy of Phillip Reed Photography and the Affordable Art Fair.

March 19, 2025

The Affordable Art Fair returns to NYC with artwork for every budget

Art is at New Yorkers’ fingertips, from the world’s most famous and significant works housed in the hallowed halls of The Met, MoMA, and Guggenheim, to countless art galleries and exhibitions across the five boroughs. However, when it comes to building a personal collection, or even just owning one special piece, art becomes less accessible with prices soaring into the tens of thousands. But for the past 23 years, the Affordable Art Fair has been bringing one-of-a-kind art pieces to New Yorkers at a price range of $100 to $12,000. There’s even a curated installation called Wonders Under $1,000 marked by pink stickers. This year, the spring fair runs from March 19 to March 23 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea with 78 exhibitors and 400 contemporary living artists from all over the world.
details here

Credit: Sascha Reinking

March 3, 2025

A guide to planning a park wedding in New York City

Dana and Asiedu met for the second time on the L train. The first time they met was about 20 years prior as teenagers. They dated for four years and then lost touch for 16 years, until a fateful day in 2019 when they crossed paths again in the most New York City fashion. "One night while I was getting off the train heading home from work, I recognized the back of her in the crowd walking out of the station," Asiedu recalled. "She lived out of state but was visiting her dad who happened to live in my neighborhood. We talked and walked her dad’s block. It took about a year for us to see each other again. We were married about a year and a half later." The couple, who now lives in Brooklyn and has an 18-month-old son, wed in true New York style at Prospect Park in Brooklyn in the fall of 2021.
READ MORE

NYC’s best spas and saunas to beat the cold

Winter pool house at The Rockaway Hotel. Photo credit: Kelsey Campbell

February 4, 2025

NYC’s best spas and saunas to beat the cold

With winter in full swing in New York City, it can feel disheartening to think about how many weeks of bitter cold lie ahead before the first signs of spring appear. Fortunately, plenty of tranquil escapes across the city can offer the warmth and relaxation needed to make it through the season. Whether you’re looking to shake off the winter blues or treat yourself to some much-needed self-care, these NYC day spas offer the perfect retreat to warm your body and lift your spirits during the colder months.
plan a spa day

Mulchfest is here: How to recycle your Christmas tree in NYC

Credit: Jim Griffin on Flickr

January 2, 2025

Mulchfest is here: How to recycle your Christmas tree in NYC

The holidays are officially over, and it's time to face the facts: that giant Christmas tree in your living room has got to go. Thankfully, the city's Parks and Sanitation Departments make it easy with Mulchfest, a sustainable way to recycle your tree. Through January 12, New Yorkers can drop off their trees at 75 sites across the five boroughs to be composted. Bring your tree to one of 35 chipping sites on the weekend of January 11 and take home a "tree-mento"—a bag of mulch for your backyard or a street tree’s winter bed.
Find out more

NYC welcomed 65 million tourists in 2024, second most in city history

Image courtesy of Daniel Gillaspia on Flickr

December 23, 2024

NYC welcomed 65 million tourists in 2024, second most in city history

New York City welcomed nearly 65 million visitors this year, the second-highest total in its history. Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Tourism + Conventions President and CEO Julie Coker on Friday announced a new end-of-year tourism forecast, revealing a 3.5 percent increase in visitors from 2023 and projecting a return to pre-pandemic levels in 2025. NYC remains the most-visited large city in the United States, with the forecast highlighting the city’s near-complete economic and tourism recovery following the pandemic.
Find out more

More public space opens under the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan

Images courtesy of the NYC Department of Transportation

November 18, 2024

More public space opens under the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan

New Yorkers can now enjoy more public space under the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan. The latest phase of "The Arches" opened on Monday, adding 15,000 square feet of park space to an area closed to the public for more than a decade, the city's Department of Transportation announced. The space, now with lush greenery and new seating, had been closed for nearly 15 years while serving as a staging site for several bridge restoration projects. The Arches sits next to the Brooklyn Banks, a haven for skateboarders that partially reopened last year.
Learn more

Upper West Side’s Metro Theater may finally reopen

Photo by london road on Flickr

November 15, 2024

Upper West Side’s Metro Theater may finally reopen

A landmarked Upper West Side movie theater that has been vacant for nearly two decades may soon be returned to its former glory—as long as its buyers can raise $7 million by the end of the year. As reported by the New York Times, the nonprofit Upper West Side Cinema Center on Friday announced it reached a deal with the current owners of the Metro Theater, located on Broadway near 99th Street, to purchase the theater, contingent on securing the required funds.
READ MORE

City Living

20 places to volunteer in NYC this holiday season

Credit: West Side Campaign Against Hunger

November 7, 2024

20 places to volunteer in NYC this holiday season

As the holiday season rolls around and we enjoy time with loved ones, it's easy to overlook New Yorkers facing hunger, unemployment, homelessness, or health challenges. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to lend a hand across the five boroughs—whether it's serving at food pantries or helping deliver meals to seniors. Ahead, discover volunteer opportunities in NYC where you can make a meaningful difference this holiday season and beyond.
give back

Boroughs of the Dead ghost tours dive into the real-life macabre history of NYC

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Astoria. All photos courtesy of Boroughs of the Dead

October 25, 2024

Boroughs of the Dead ghost tours dive into the real-life macabre history of NYC

Spooky season is in full swing, and if you’re a history nerd who wants to learn about the "macabre, strange, spooky, weird, spectral history of the city," there’s a tour group for that. Boroughs of the Dead: Macabre New York City Walking Tours, founded by Andrea Janes, brings groups through the spookiest, most "haunted" areas of New York City, creating a "ghost map" of the city by overlaying scary stories over the “terrain of the real,” Janes describes.
discover the spooky side of NYC

The ‘great trees’ of NYC: Parks updates list for the first time in 40 years

An American Elm in Tompkins Square Park. All photos courtesy of NYC Parks / Malcolm Pinckney

October 8, 2024

The ‘great trees’ of NYC: Parks updates list for the first time in 40 years

Of New York City's seven million trees, these 120 rise above the rest. NYC Parks on Tuesday released its first update to the "Great Trees of New York City" list since 1985, adding 61 new trees across the five boroughs that stand out for their unique size, shape, species, and historical significance. The newcomers were selected from over 270 public submissions made between April 2023 and March 2024 and chosen by a committee of experts from colleges, civic institutions, authors, and arborists.
Learn more

City Living

Heat season in NYC: Everything you need to know

Credit: Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash

October 7, 2024

Heat season in NYC: Everything you need to know