The Best of New York City This Summer
By Jessica Montevago
After the spring tulips have wilted, summertime hydrangeas and roses are ready to make their debut at the Conservatory Garden in Central Park. Taking a stroll among the beautiful blooms is one of the many things New York City has to offer as the weather warms and we push towards the hazy days of June and July.
Conservatory Garden in Central Park
Be sure to include a visit to the recently reopened Frick Museum, which has just completed a $330 million, five-year renovation. Visitors can now explore the grandeur of the stately mansion, including access to the second floor of Henry Clay Frick’s former residence — open to the public for the first time. Highlights include ornate ceilings, marble fireplaces, and period woodwork. In the expanded gallery space, classic works by Vermeer and other masters are on display.
Travelers can also catch a play outside of the Great White Way, with the seasons return of Shakespeare in the Park. Head to the renovated Delacorte Theater in Central Park, where the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park returns on June 15 with Twelfth Night. Performed over nearly six weeks, the free performances will star Hollywood regulars including Peter Dinklage, Lupita Nyong’o, Sandra Oh, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Both Madison Square Park and SummerStage in Central Park offer free outdoor concerts, while Bryant Park offers free movie screenings.
The city celebrates the LGBTQ+ communities during Pride, which runs throughout the month of June. Activities include Youth Pride at South Street Seaport, the PrideFest street fair and a dedicated Pride celebration in each borough — all leading up to the massive march in Manhattan on June 29.
A few days later, catch the spectacular display of Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks. Find a viewing location to watch thousands of pyrotechnics shoot into the sky from the barges on the river. It really is a magnificent sight.
The Frick Collection Museum | Stuart Monk - stock.adobe.com
Where to Stay
The Greenwich Hotel
This Tribeca hotel, which counts Robert De Niro as one of its owners, has become integral to the neighborhood since opening in 2008. 88 guestrooms and suites are tastefully curated, with a promise that no two are alike. A staple on “Best Of” lists, Shibui Spa is known for its serene and elegant atmosphere modeled after the Japanese onsen. A 250-year-old wooden and bamboo roof, imported from Japan, canopies over a pool and lounge. The Greenwich Hotel isn’t just known for its spa – it’s also home to the famed Locanda Verde, the Italian taverna that celebrity chef Andrew Carmellini opened in 2009.
The Chatwal
In the heart of Midtown’s Theater District, this 76-room hotel boasts sleek Art Deco interiors and a renowned restaurant and bar. The Lambs Club restaurant channels old New York with its club-like atmosphere. After all, the Stanford White-designed building was once home to the famous theatrical social club, hosting the likes of Cecile B. DeMille and Fred Astaire. Seats are upholstered in bright red leather, walls are paneled in black, and it boasts an 18th century French limestone fireplace. The hotel’s butlers, ready with personalized service, add to the sense of classic luxury, offering everything from garment pressing to curated itineraries.
Loews Regency New York
Sitting on Park Avenue, this luxury property takes us to Manhattan’s swanky Upper West Side, where it neighbors Central Park, designer shops, and top restaurants. Chic Art Deco design welcomes guests in the lobby, before they head up to one of the 379 guestrooms and suites. Thanks to its spacious accommodation, it’s an ideal choice for families. Loews provides baby bathtubs and amenity kits, cribs, playpens, and more. Plus, kids under 18 stay free. Don’t worry – four-legged friends can stay, too.
Gild Hall, A Thompson Hotel
This boutique hotel in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District is just steps from Wall Street, One World Trade Center, and the Seaport. The Gild Hall offers a stylish blend of midcentury charm and modern luxury. Interiors for the 130 guestrooms and suites are refined and sumptuous, with leather-tufted headboards, dark wood accents, and brass fixtures. Guests can indulge in upscale Tuscan fare at Felice Ristorante or enjoy a curated selection of 100 Italian wines at La Soffitta wine lounge.
New York’s hotel scene is filled with gems, and these luxury properties are as distinct and unforgettable as the city they call home. In a city that never stops reinventing itself, these hotels reflect the personality, charm, and diversity that define New York.
Book these hotels and more using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using the TRAVELSAVERS rates in tripXpress.
Banner photo: 4th of July Fireworks Over New York City Skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge
