New and returning things to do this fall, winter in New York City
A scene from the Amaze Light Festival, which makes its NYC debut at Citi Field on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Credit: Amaze Light Festival
One way New York City says goodbye to summer is by playing host to a flurry of new things to try — art, dining, shopping and more — a time that includes the spooky fun of Halloween while hinting at the winter holidays to come. From immersive experiences to live performances, here are fun things to do this season in the Big Apple:
Beyond King Tut
Patrons explore "Beyond King Tut," an immersive experience based on the life of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. Credit: Timothy Norris
This 360-degree animated experience explores the story of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun through images inspired by the archives of the National Geographic Society. The program runs through Jan. 1 at Pier 36.
INFO Pier 36; 299 South St., Manhattan; 1-800-441-0819, beyondkingtut.com
Hall des Lumieres
Patrons explore "Gustav Klimt: Gold in Motion,," an immersive experience serving as the inaugural exhibition of Hall des Lumieres in Manhattan. Credit: Hall des Lumières/Mark Zhelezoglo
Located in a former bank, the structure’s exterior Beaux Arts architecture is the gateway to what is billed as the city’s first permanent home for “immersive art experiences." Its first exhibition is “Gustav Klimt: Gold in Motion,” and uses the creations of the Symbolist painter who famously went through a “Golden Phase” period, in which he used gold leaf to create gilded, lustrous pieces. Guests can also look forward to a shorter digital expo of works by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and more. The former vault has also been converted into a mirrored infinity room and visitors also can view a presentation about the building’s history. Tickets are available online and general admission is $35.66, $18.83 for ages 5-16, free 4 and younger.
INFO 49 Chambers St., Manhattan; halldeslumieres.com
The New David Geffen Hall
The interior of the Wu Tsai Theater in the New David Geffen Hall. Credit: Madeline Kaye
The home of the New York Philharmonic, this concert space first opened at Lincoln Center in 1962 — but after undergoing interior enhancements reopened as of Oct. 8. The opening gala is a two-day affair, with a night concert featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bernadette Peters and Vanessa Williams on Oct. 26, followed by the NY Philharmonic performing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony plus a piece by composer and musician Angelica Negron. Grammy Award-winning pianist Yefim "Fima" Bronfman is next with four shows (Nov. 2-5) where he’ll tackle Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22. Guests can also see "Jurassic Park" in concert (Nov. 9-12), with the orchestra playing the film score as the movie plays.
INFO 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan; 212-875-5030; lincolncenter.org
“Never Alone: Video Games and Other Interactive Design” at MoMA
Installation view of Never Alone: Video Games and Other Interactive Design, The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Credit: MOMA/Emile Askey
This exhibition shows how the virtual realm and living world differ while shining a light on the evolution of interactive technology and how it brings people together. Guests can also play free games like Pac-Man, Tempest, Minecraft and Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna). The exhibit runs through July 16 and timed tickets can be reserved in advance. General admission is $25, free for children 16 and younger.
INFO 11 W. 53 St., Manhattan; 212-708-9400, moma.org
Tin Building by Jean-Georges
The interior of Tin Building by Jean-Georges, located at South Street Seaport in Manhattan. Credit: Nicole Franzen
The Tin Building by Jean-Georges, which opened in the South Street Seaport over a century ago and housed the Fulton Fish Market, has been reborn and reopened as a gastronomic bazaar featuring six full restaurants, six more quick service counters and four bars plus three retail outposts selling dry goods (Mercantile), Asian foods (Mercantile East) and a sweet shop with its own ice cream counter serving housemade flavors (Spoiled Parrot). Open to walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis, the cuisines found at its eateries range from Chinese (The House of the Red Pearl) and French (T. Brasserie) to Italian (The Frenchman’s Dough) and seafood (Fulton Fish Co), as well as an artisanal plant-based spot (Seeds & Weeds) and a sushi/ sake option (Shikku). Open Thursdays through Sundays at Pier 17.
INFO 96 South St., Manhattan; tinbuilding.com
Urban Hawker
A selection of dishes available to purchase at Urban Hawker, a Singapore hawker center newly opened in Manhattan. Credit: Max Flatow PhotographY
Curated by KF Seetoh, founder of the World Street Food Congress and Makansutra, Urban Hawker, a Singapore-style hawker center, features 17 vendors with food available for purchase from cuisines found across Asia. Options to try include Lady Wong, a Southeast Asian pastry shop, Singapore Indian cuisine at Mamak’s Corner, prawn ramen at Prawnaholic Collections and Singaporean Peranakan food at Daisy’s Dream.
INFO 135 W. 50th St., Manhattan; urbanhawker.com
The Jazz Club at Aman New York
A baby grand piano sits on the stage at the Jazz Club at Aman New York. Credit: Aman
The Aman New York opened over the summer in Manhattan’s historic Crown Building and it features an uber-luxury hotel where overnight stays start around $3,000, but its speakeasy-styled performance space with a baby grand piano on its stage is open to everyone for no entrance fee. Open Tuesday through Saturday nights, the event calendar includes live music from jazz and American Songbook acts to more modern styles of sound and DJ sets. A menu of upscale American food, Champagne and signature cocktails is also available. Advance registration is required and can be booked online; a dress code is enforced.
INFO 9 W. 56th St.; thejazzclub.com
Midnight Theatre
The exterior of the Midnight Theatre performance venue in Manhattan. Credit: Brett Beyer Photography
This 160-seat theater features an assortment of entertainment, from staged productions and magic shows to live music and performance art. Upcoming events include a session with singer/songwriter RAYE (Nov. 7), celebrity comedian Judy Gold (Nov. 11) and a weekly Wednesday residency with the Mingus Big Band, which celebrates the music of the late Charles Mingus. Guests can also dine at its Hidden Leaf pan-Asian restaurant. Ticket prices vary per program.
INFO 75 Manhattan West Plaza, Manhattan; 917-905-2782, midnighttheatre.com
Gamehaus LIC
Some of the classic arcade games available to try at Gamehaus in Long Island City. Credit: Andy Stark
Arcade play is one of the main attractions at this multilevel Queens restaurant and beer hall. Guests can play classic games such as Galaga, The Simpsons and Ms. Pac-Man on the first floor. Pong and Jurassic Park are found alongside games like skeeball and basketball hoops to also play. More than 20 craft beer options and cocktails are available and a menu of bar bites like burgers, apps and wings.
INFO 5-14 51st Ave., Long Island City; 718-392-9600; gamehausny.com
The return of the Bank of America Winter Village
James Yucel of Australia and Alberto Rosario of the Bronx learn to play Broomball produced by Zog Sports at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park in Manhattan. Credit: Marisol Diaz-Gordon
Attendees can look forward to ice skating (free admission, skate rentals start at $18; guests may bring their own skates), The Lodge restaurant and cocktail spot and shopping at an open-air holiday market featuring more than 170 vendors through March 5.
INFO 40th-42nd streets, Fifth-Sixth avenues, Manhattan; 212-768-4242, bryantpark.org
Amaze Light Festival
A scene from the Amaze Light Festival, which makes its NYC debut at Citi Field on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Credit: Amaze Light Festival
Appearing for the first time in New York City, this family-friendly experience is opening at Citi Field starting Nov. 19. Attendees can wander this twinkling storybook-styled outdoor experience that follows a pair of characters on an adventure through sugary and holiday-inspired settings. Baked goods, hot cocoa and cocktails will be available to buy, and live performances will take place every two hours. For extra fees guests can also toboggan down “Zing’s Thrill Hill” and ride the “Arctic Express Train.” Retail vendors will also be on-site, as will a candy store. Open Wednesdays through Sundays, through Jan. 8. Timed tickets are available online starting at $50.14; $41.15 children ages 2-12, under 2 are free.
INFO 41 Seaver Way, Queens; amazelightfestival.com
The Museum of Broadway
With a grand opening date set for Nov. 15 in Times Square, this institution is dedicated to the history and cultural aspects of productions that play The Great White Way. Upon opening, patrons will be able to explore a series of interactive exhibits that take them through rooms inspired by Broadway shows such as “The Wiz,” “Oklahoma” and “Rent,” all designed to be interactive and feature related artifacts. Timed tickets are available online starting at $43.
INFO 145 W. 45th St., Manhattan; themuseumofbroadway.com
