Secret NYC
Travelers Will Now Be Fully Refunded For Any Canceled Or Severely Delayed U.S. Flights
There’s nothing quite as frustrating like a canceled flight, or one that continues to get delayed hour after hour. Lucky for travelers coming to/from/within America, the U.S. Department of Transportation just issued a final rule that will hopefully alleviate some of these frustrations. Airlines will now be required to provide refunds to passengers of canceled or seriously delayed flights. Additionally, refunds will also apply to severely delayed checked bags and the failure to receive other purchased services. The refunds are applicable to passengers of both U.S. and foreign air carriers that are traveling to, from or within the United States of America when alternative transportation and travel credits, vouchers or compensation are not offered or are rejected. “Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them – without headaches or haggling,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Our new rule sets a new standard…” In fact, it’s the department’s largest expansion to passenger rights ever made. So let’s get into the details of this new rule and how passengers will be affected.
Real Housewives Of NYC Star, Sonja Morgan, Is Auctioning Her Multimillion Dollar Townhouse
Though it may be out of your price range (it sure as hell is out of ours), Sonja Morgan, former Real Housewives of New York City star, has decided to auction off her multimillion dollar Upper East Side home at 162 E. 63rd St, according to Gimme Shelter. Apparently the townhouse has been on and off the market since 2013. Its original price tag 11 years ago was a whopping $9.95 million! And after lacking an official buyer for more than a decade, it’s seen its fair share of price drops. In 2022, it was re-listed for $8.75 million and...
New ‘Once-In-A-Generation’ Skyscraper To Be Added To NYC’s Skyline
It’s common to question what NYC will look like in 10 years, but according to Mayor Eric Adams, there’ll at least be one new skyscraper added to the skyline! To be located at 350 Park Ave., Mayor Eric Adams unveiled renderings for a 62-story office tower building that is set to be completed by 2032. The tower will include 1.8 million square feet of office space, and a 12,500-square-foot public concourse that will offer seating, green space, art displays, and business opportunities. The new design, from. prominent architecture firm Foster + Partners, is all part of Mayor Adam’s promise to...
These 2 NYC Beaches Are Among The Best In The Country
Though this spring has been pretty chilly and rainy so far one of the hottest summers of our lifetime is on its way, and just in time for that Travel & Leisure released their list of the 25 best beaches in the country, and two NYC beaches made the cut! Several beaches in the Tri-State area were recognized as being some of the best, though when looking at New York specifically, Rockaway Beach in Queens (#16) and Coney Island Beach in Brooklyn (#25) both made the list! Of Rockaway Beach the website writes: This may not be a palm-tree-lined idyll, but for New Yorkers who can hop on a subway or bus to reach its white sand, five-mile boardwalk, and surf-worthy waves, it’s heaven. And it’s well worth the afternoon trip, as Rockaway Beach also features a skate park, volleyball and handball courts, playgrounds, spray showers, and restrooms. Barbecue areas for picnicking and eateries along the boardwalk ensure that no one goes home hungry.
2024 VMAs To Return To New York At UBS Arena
This year’s beloved Video Music Awards will return to New York at the UBS Arena on Tuesday, September 10th, after being hosted at the Prudential Center in New Jersey for the past two years. “We’re excited to bring this year’s VMAs to UBS Arena, one of the country’s newest and most cutting edge,” said Bruce Gillmer, Executive Vice President of Talent and Music Programming/Events at Viacom International Media Networks. “Celebrating one of music’s biggest night with the incredible, robust New York area fans is something we’ve been looking forward to the moment last year’s show ended.” The last time the VMAs were hosted in New York was in 2021 at Barclays Center. However, the very first VMAs actually took place at Radio City Music Hall in 1984. The 2024 VMAs marks the 40th anniversary since its debut, and there’s no better location than its state of origin to host the event. Beyond Radio City Music Hall and Barclays Center, the VMAs has graced other NYC venues such as The Palladium, the Metropolitan Opera House, and Madison Square Garden.
Express Is Filing For Bankruptcy & Closing 95 Stores
It’s the end of an era–on Monday, April 22nd, clothing store Express filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and, as a result, it’ll be closing 95 of its retail stores across the US, including 20+ locations in the Tri-State area. According to a press release WHP Global and other participants had sent it a “non-binding” letter of intent to possibly buy a majority of the Company’s retail stores and operations. Stewart Glendinning, Chief Executive Officer, stated: We are taking an important step that will strengthen our financial position and enable Express to continue advancing our business initiatives. WHP has been a strong partner to the Company since 2023, and the proposed transaction will provide us additional financial resources, better position the business for profitable growth and maximize value for our stakeholders.
12 NYC Bars Named In North America’s 50 Best Bars
With a diverse hospitality scene involving endless watering holes ranging from hidden bars with secret entrances to quirky and unique bars and even a bar dating back to 1762, NYC’s bar scene is like no other. And being the cocktail capital that it is, it’s no surprise that it leads on this year’s World’s 50 Best Bars list. The annual list was announced on Tuesday, April 23rd, and twelve NYC bars made the ranking—more than any other city in the country! Though Mexico City claimed the No. 1 spot with Handshake Speakeasy, NYC still made it to the top ten four times with Superbueno ranking at No. 2, Overstory at No. 3, Martiny’s which jumped 25 spots to No. 4 earning the Nikka Highest Climber Award, and Double Chicken Please at No. 7. To determine the rankings, votes are casted by The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy, made up of 270 drink experts from the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Each member is granted seven votes based on their bar experiences throughout the past year and a half.
TikTok Is One Step Closer To Being Banned In The U.S.
Last month, the House of Representatives passed a bill that could ban TikTok in the U.S. if Chinese parent company, ByteDance, refuses to sell the platform within a certain time period. This would effect the current 170 million American users on the app. After final updates were made to the March bill, the House voted in favor of it on Saturday. Following the 360 to 58 House vote, it was up to the Senate to pass their judgement next. On Tuesday, April 23rd, the Senate approved the ban with a majority vote. The final decision now falls on President Biden, who has previously stated he’d approve the bill so long as it passed in the House and the Senate. The language regarding the TikTok ban has been inserted into a foreign aid package to expedite its approval and persuade the Senate to vote in its favor. President Biden is expected to sign the TikTok ban into legislation sometime this week.
NYC’s First-Ever Vegetarian Diner, Opened In 1972, Still Operates Today
NYC’s first ever vegetarian diner first opened in Jamaica, Queens back in 1972–and 52 years later it’s still operating! Dubbed Smile of the Beyond, the diner is housed in a blue triangular building–a color scheme which follows guests inside as well–situated a short way’s away from the Parsons Boulevard F station. Manager Scott Schuetzler told Edible Queens, “The heart of our clientele is the traditionally African-American community in Jamaica. Now it’s becoming much more diverse. We’re even getting customers from [JFK] airport. People get off the plane, Google ‘vegetarian food,’ and find us.” That vegetarian food includes all your typical diner classics, such as several egg and omelette dishes, pancakes and french toast, wraps, soups, salads, sandwiches, and burgers.
2 Of The Top Dream Colleges In The US Are In NYC
A study conducted by The Princeton Review surveyed thousands of students who have applied to college this year so far to find students’ top “dream colleges,” and, as it turns out, two of them are situated right here in NYC! Those surveyed included 7,935 high school students and 2,932 parents of college applicants across all 50 states and Washington D.C., and though the results didn’t fully line up between the students and the parents, one NYC university made its way onto both lists. The two NYC colleges which made it onto the students’ top 10 dream colleges list are Columbia University and New York University, coming in at number 8 and number 9, respectively. And while Columbia University was absent from the parents’ list, New York University took the number 8 spot.
SummerStage Just Announced Their 2024 Lineup, Featuring T-Pain, Counting Crows & More
We’re only a few months away from summer, and with it, all the incredible (and might we add, free) programming offered in the city. One of the most beloved events of the season is SummerStage and they just announced their epic 2024 lineup! Read below for all the details you need to know about SummerStage 2024, from when it is to who will grace the stages. Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage is an annual festival that spotlights emerging artists across all genres through free performances across all five boroughs of NYC. The festival prides itself on uplifting the diversity of...
NYers Walk Up To 3x As Much As The Average American Each Day
We’ve all heard that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends walking 10,000 steps daily, but is anyone really doing that? The people of New York sure do, let us tell you! According to Mayo Clinic, the typical American averages anywhere from 3,000-4,000 steps per day. This equates to around one and a half to two miles per day. Yet, in a statistic from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New Yorkers average between 6,000-10,000 steps per day. If you’re a New Yorker, you understand that sometimes all that walking just happens. Whether it’s a nice day and you choose to walk over the bridge from your office in Manhattan to your apartment in Brooklyn, or you spontaneously decide to embark on the Broad City trek, you can really end up raking up the miles without even thinking about it. And since less than 50% of New Yorkers own cars, walking is a common choice of transportation to get around the city. New Yorkers also love their public green space, as many are subjected to lives in their cramped apartments. Thus, walking proves to be a wonderful way to get out and move around.
This New Bi-Level Cocktail Bar Blends Retro-Futuristic Vibes With Nightly Jazz
The team behind the East Village spot Málà Project (one of our favorite Chinese restaurants serving Sichuan cuisine) recently opened a new bi-level cocktail lounge and restaurant that will leave you feeling blue, and we’re not talking about your emotions! Dubbed Only Love Strangers, the space opened earlier this April and has since been offering nightly live jazz performances, a well-rounded selection of specialty cocktails and martinis, and lots of tasty bites. The 6,300-square-foot space is divided into two levels, both of which give off retro-futuristic vibes inspired by 1960’s & 1970’s surrealism. The ground level offers seating for up to 24 while the downstairs 55-seat subterranean lounge acts as the host to a rotating cast of nightly jazz performances. Though beyond the music the lounge is sure to leave a lasting impression as every inch–from the floors and the furniture to even the ceiling–is dressed in Cobalt blue. Like, Blue Man Group blue.
NYC Speed Limit May Soon Be Lowered To 20MPH
On Monday, April 22nd, Governor Kathy Hochul signed off on the Sammy’s Law portion of the state budget that would allow the NYC speed limit to be lowered to 20 mph. It’s currently set at 25 mph. Sammy’s Law is named after Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12 year old who was killed in Park Slope in 2013 by a speeding car. According to city crash data, 100+ children been killed in traffic collisions in NYC since. NYC’s current 25 mph speed limit was set in 2014 by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio–dropping from 30 mph–and was approved by the Legislature and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that pedestrians face a 10% risk of death when struck by a car traveling 23 mph. Hopefully the new 20 mph speed limit will increase NYC pedestrian safety.
Rubber Tires Tower 35 Feet Tall In The Garment District’s Newest Art Installation
If you find yourself passing through Broadway between 39th and 40th Streets, you’ll see an unconventional construction made of rubber tires taking up the pedestrian plaza. The artwork, titled Shaved Portions is the newest installation from the public art program, known as Garment District Art on the Plazas. The year-round initiative is a joint effort between The Garment District Alliance and the NYC DOT’s Art Program, Arterventions. Towering 35 feet tall, Shaved Portions was created by sculptor, painter, and photographer, Chakaia Booker. Deconstructed tires taken from auto repair shops, city streets and dumps are Booker’s signature material that she used in this installation. Through its repurposed material and configuration, Booker defined the sculpture to be “about beauty, rhythm, and a common humanity. It is about how we create to connect to one another,” she said. The piece also touches upon racial and financial inequities—a common theme of Booker’s work. Apparently the rubbers variety in color represents diversity in humans. And if you get a closer look, the treads in the tire imitate textile designs and African scarification.
The World’s Most Expensive Street To Rent A Store Is In NYC
According to Cushman & Wakefield’s Main Streets Across the World report released in November 2023, NYC’s Upper Fifth Avenue is hanging on to its title of the world’s most expensive street to rent a store, specifically the portion spanning from 49th to 60th Streets. The report looked at headline rents in what they refer to as the “best-in-class urban locations” across the world, including a ranking of the most expensive rents featuring the highest in each country. And, according to the data, Fifth Avenue rent prices come in at $2,000 per square foot. Honestly, we didn’t exactly need a study to figure this one out–a quick frolic down the road will lead you past endless high-end retailers such as Cartier, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Fendi, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, and Gucci, and that’s not even all of them! Elika Real Estate firm writes:
NYC’s Free Public Bus Pilot Nixed From Latest State Budget
The MTA’s five fare-free bus pilot route first went into effect back in September 2023, and though just last month officials were talking about the program potentially tripling in size, it instead will soon come to an end. Albany lawmakers recently passed the latest state budget, and NYC’s free public bus pilot program was left out of it. According to amNY, Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, the prime backer of the pilot in Albany’s lower chamber, stated: I’m saddened we were not able to extend or expand the successful fare-free bus pilot. This was a crucial, universal program that put money back into the pockets of working-class New Yorkers, giving them economic relief and peace of mind. This has real consequences – 1 in 5 New Yorkers can’t afford the fare.
Salt & Straw Is Coming To Cool You Down For Summer In NYC With 2 New Locations
Portland-born ice cream makers, Salt & Straw, are gearing up for a summer in the city with their very first NYC locations in the West Village and Upper West Side! Co-founders and cousins, Kim and Tyler Malek, previously hosted a pop-up in NYC last summer that completely sold out. After seeing such a demand in the city, they’ve decided to eagerly open permanent locations in NYC. To celebrate the upcoming openings, Salt & Straw will host two exciting NYC pop-ups this April. On Thursday, April 25th, Salt & Straw will serve Passionfruit Yuzu Mochi Donuts & Whey Curd ice cream floats at Brooklyn Brewery from 5-7pm. The unique flavor is from the brand’s Upcycled Food Series menu this April in partnership with Spare Foods Co. If you can’t make it to the first pop-up, they’ll be hosting a second one the day following (Friday, April 26th) outside of what will be their West Village location. From 1-3pm, ice cream lovers can taste Salt & Straw’s most iconic flavors, in addition to their brand new flavor: Pistachio & Ricotta Cannoli. Tyler Malek, otherwise known as “the Willy Wonka of ice cream,” will be there personally to hand out the ice cream.
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Secret NYC is your local guide to the best things to do in the 5 boroughs, from new restaurants and unique bars to the best shows, exhibits, and nightlife.
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