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View of the New York City Skyline from Top of the Rock.

New in New York

November 27, 2024

View of the New York City Skyline from Top of the Rock.

From a Caribbean food walking tour in Brooklyn to unparalled city views at Top of the Rock, there’s always something new for groups in New York.

Having recently returned from a bucket list month in New York, I can attest to the unmatched energy of the city and the abundance of hotels, restaurants, venues and activities. There’s always something new and locally immersive to explore within the five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. Not to mention unparalleled cultural opportunities for groups to experience the pinnacle of talent and artistry.

New York City Tourism + Conventions (NYCTC) can help planners navigate hotel and venue choices, make local connections, provide marketing materials and more. Their website also keeps a running update on what’s new throughout the boroughs. Here are just a few examples of new and noteworthy developments for groups in the Big Apple:

New York Hotels

• Following a complete renovation, the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel is projected to reopen next spring with restored historic public and event spaces and 375 large guest rooms and suites. A top pick for ultra-luxe meetings and incentives, the project is helmed by architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and renowned interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon.

• After a meticulous rebuild, the historic Surrey hotel in Manhattan has reopened as a Corinthia Hotel, with 70 luxe guest rooms.

• Park Hyatt New York is undergoing a series of renovations to it’s premier suites, including the 3,500 sq-ft Manhattan suite, due for completion in January.

• The Manner in SoHo opened this fall with 97 guest rooms. A rooftop space will open in 2025.

•The new development TSX Broadway will include a Tempo by Hilton hotel. The first phase of the development, an 18,000 sq-ft podium LED display, allows 15-second videos to be broadcast over Times Square.

New York Venues

• Grill 57 & Rooftop Lounge recently opened its newly renovated space at the top of Le Meridien Hotel. With breathtaking views of Central Park, the venue includes both indoor and outdoor event spaces.

• The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation is embarking on a $100 million revitalization of Ellis Island Museum, including technological advancements, reimagined exhibitions and new theaters due to open in 2026. The project will also expand the Records Discovery Center, increasing the searchable records in its database from 65 million to 154 million.

The new Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technolgy is available for events.

• Opened early 2024 in lower Manhattan, the Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology is available for events. There are 15 rooms of experimental exhibition spaces, interactive experiences, unique listening encounters and immersive installations—all exploring the relationship between art and technology.

• Due to open in 2025, the Hip Hop Museum in the new Bronx Point development—just south of Yankee Stadium—will pay homage to the South Bronx’s rich culture and history as the birthplace of hip-hop.

• The New York Historical Society on Manhattan’s Upper West Side will house the American LGBTQ+ Museum, slated to open in 2026.

• A fully renovated former movie theater, Brooklyn Paramount can accommodate up to 2,000 attendees for events. Opened this year, the venue has a full-service event production team.

New York Activities

• Now open at Rockefeller Center, Skylift at Top of the Rock lifts visitors nearly 900 feet above the City for unparalleled 360-degree views. Perched atop the 70th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the open-air, revolving platform is part of the Center’s recent revitalization, and adds an extra three stories to the observation deck. Skylift also features an LED light show that illuminates the skyline and celebrates the iconic Art Deco architecture of this historic landmark.

• A new walking food tour in Brooklyn, from Little Caribbean NYC in collaboration with National Geographic, offers a two-hour exploration of the neighborhood that’s home to the largest population with Caribbean ancestry outside of the West Indies.

• Taylor Swift has strong ties to New York (including a home). Now attendees can discover her favorite hangouts on a two-hour walking tour through the East and West Village. Welcome to New York, A Tour of Taylor Swift Hotspots is hosted by On Location Tours.

• The Sandwiches of Times Square tour from A Man and His Sandwich treats foodie attendees to the array of classic and innovative sandwiches that have made the city’s sandwich scene legendary.

Airport News

After undergoing a multi-year renovation that began in 2015, LaGuardia Airport’s renovation was completed in 2022. The LGA airport experience has been a dream come true ever since.

However, current renovations at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) have caused congestion and traffic delays likely to last at least until 2026. The redevelopment of Terminal 6 at JFK is scheduled to open in phases. The completion of the arrivals and departures hall and the first five gates are due to open in 2026, and an additional five gates in 2028. Construction is also underway at Terminal 1, which will become a state-of-the-art terminal with 23 gates expected to open in 2026.

Newark International has opened a new Terminal A with 33 gates and is working toward a new elevated guideway train system to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and ease traffic congestion.