Author: Site Adminstrator

Fall in NYC is arguably one of the best times of the year–the weather is absolutely gorgeous and there’s a ton of fun to be had throughout the city. Plus, all those fun-filled street fairs that took over the streets during the summer are still going on, alongside a ton of other amazing festivals. If we could give you a piece of advice it would be to take advantage of being outdoors this fall as much as possible and head to one (or all) of these fall festivals!

P.S. – this is a running list and will continuously be updated as more fall street fairs and festivals get announced.

1. Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest in NYC is a vibrant celebration, bringing the spirit of Germany with bratwurst, dancing, and plenty of brews. This year, the city hosts a variety of events, from the German American Oktoberfest in Central Park to the lively festivities at Loreley Beer Garden. Enjoy traditional German fare, live music, and themed games across the city. For a full list of Oktoberfest events, explore this guide to NYC’s Oktoberfest celebrations.

Around NYC

Mid September – early October

2. New York Film Festival

The 62th edition of the New York Film Festival will premiere this fall, showcasing some of the best films in the industry debuting for the first time. It’s presented by Film at Lincoln Center and it’s once again set to feature top films from celebrated filmmakers as well as fresh new talent from all across the globe. The festival itself centers primarily around the “Main Slate” (30-ish films that represent the year’s best in international cinema), as well as dedicated categories “Currents” (experimental and avant-garde works), “Spotlight” (highly anticipated titles), and more.

It takes place over the course of a few weeks at select theaters across NYC, you can check out the full schedule and how to get tickets via NYFF’s official website.

Multiple theaters around NYC

September 27 – October 14

3. JAPAN Fes

Dive into the flavors of Japan at the Japan Fes, a massive food festival traveling around NYC this fall. With food items averaging $10, it’s an affordable way to savor dishes from vendors like Menya Jiro and Tonkatsu Me. Explore and eat your way through dozens of Japanese vendors while enjoying live performances and shopping for traditional Japanese novelties. The festival, organized by Dragon Yamamoto, aims to unite cultures through food, music, and art. Discover more about this traveling festival on Japan Fes’ official page.

Multiple locations

Multiple dates through November 9

4. New York Comic Con

New York Comic Con, one of the largest fan conventions in the country, is back this October at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Expect a comic-focused weekend filled with panels, celebrity meet and greets, and the vibrant Artist Alley. This year’s special guests include the likes of Josh Brolin (Dune, Avengers: Endgame, The Goonies); Marisa Tomei (Spider-Man: No Way Home, My Cousin Vinny); Clerks duo Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes; cast members from fan-favorite films and TV series Starship Troopers, Shameless, and Futurama, plus many more. Learn more about the convention via our New York Comic Con guide.

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

October 17 – 20

5. Global Citizen Festival

The Global Citizen Festival is back for its 12th year in NYC, taking place on September 28th at Central Park’s Great Lawn. This free annual music festival is on a mission to end extreme poverty and features a star-studded lineup including Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, and Rauw Alejandro. Attendees can earn free tickets by taking action on the Global Citizen app, promoting causes like poverty alleviation and environmental protection. Learn more about the festival and how to participate.

Central Park’s Great Lawn

September 28

6. Open House New York

Experience the unique opportunity to explore over 200 of New York City’s iconic buildings and landmarks during the Open House New York (OHNY) weekend from October 18th to 2oth. This event, celebrating its 22nd year, offers a mix of in-person tours, self-guided explorations, and digital content of skyscrapers, power plants, artist studios, and everything in between. The festival is 100% free to the public, making it accessible for everyone. Discover more about the event and plan your visit on the Open House New York website.

Across NYC

October 18 – 20

7. Boo at the Zoo

One of the best kid-friendly Halloween festivals returns this fall at The Bronx Zoo…the annual Boo at the Zoo event series! For about a month, the zoo will welcome all kinds of spooky and festive family-friendly festivities, including costume parades, Halloween crafts, pumpkin carving demos, magicians, a pumpkin trail, and more! Find the full list of Boo at the Zoo happenings online!

The Bronx Zoo

September 28 – October 27

8. Sound & Color! Autumn Festival

Take in the stunning fall foliage of Brooklyn Bridge Park at an incredible park-wide fall festival this October. The Sound & Color! Autumn Festival is scheduled to have tons of afternoon music, arts and crafts, storytelling, lawn games and so much more! Full details are still continuing to roll out, so keep your eye on BBP’s official page.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

October 19, 11 am – 5 pm

9. Queens Agricultural Fair

The Queens Agricultural Fair is the ultimate fall/country vibe…and there’s set to be pie eating and corn husking contests, hayrides, carnival rides, midway games, and so much more. Bring you and your family to the fair and take in live music and theatrical performances, local craft and food vendors, Blue Ribbon competitions, a 3 acre corn maze, and more. It’s one of our favorite annual seasonal fairs and tickets start at $22 for a weekend pass! Learn all the details on the Queens County Farm Museum’s website.

Queens County Farm Museum

October  5 – 6, 11 am – 6 pm

10. Halloween Harvest at Luna Park

One of NYC’s iconic amusement parks is getting spooky this fall, as their annual Halloween Harvest returns for 2024! Visitors can expect all kinds of Halloween-themed activities at the park including pumpkin decorating, balloon twisting, face painting, tractor racing, and trick or treating. Don’t forget about the pumpkin spiced and apple cider flavored carnival style treats! Check out all of the full details on Luna Park’s event listing.

Luna Park in Coney Island

September 20 – October 27

11. BRIC JazzFest 2024

The magical jazz marathon that is BRIC JazzFest returns this fall, bringing together legendary figures, groundbreaking artists, and newcomers from across the jazz genre. Happening over the course of one weekend in October, BRIC House in Downtown Brooklyn will turn into a jazz epicenter and welcome names like Brandee Younger, Makaya McCraven, Daniel Villareal, Reggie Workman, Allysha Joy, and many more. Tickets start at $45 or you can purchase 3 day package deals! Learn more about this year’s BRIC JazzFest on their website.

BRIC House

October 17 – 19

12. Brooklyn Book Festival

The Brooklyn Book Festival is a must-visit for literary enthusiasts, offering a week-long celebration with panels, signings, and appearances by renowned authors like Judy Blume and R.L. Stine. This vibrant event culminates in a massive book sale, making it a paradise for book lovers. If you enjoy exploring literary events in NYC, mark your calendar for this festival!

Brooklyn Borough Hall and surrounding venues

 September 22 – 30

13. New York Comedy Festival

Comedy enthusiasts can look forward to the New York Comedy Festival returning for its 20th year, featuring over 200 comedians in more than 100 shows across NYC. This exciting event promises a mix of stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy from both emerging talents and renowned comedians. Don’t miss the chance to see top performers like Judd Apatow, Bill Maher, and Tracy Morgan.

Various venues across NYC

 November 8 – 17

14. New York City Wine & Food Festival

Join food and wine enthusiasts at the New York City Wine & Food Festival, a premier event showcasing the talents of renowned chefs and culinary personalities presented by the Food Network. This four-day festival offers over 80 events, including tastings and demonstrations from some of the world’s best wine and spirits producers. This year’s NYCWFF is actually switching locations, and for the first time happening at Brooklyn Army Terminal in Red Hook, Brooklyn! Some of these year’s attendees include restaurants like Roscioli and Artichoke Basille’s Pizza and talent like David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris. See the full lineup and grab tickets via their website.

Brooklyn Army Terminal

 October 17 – 20

15. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

Although just right outside of NYC in the Historic Hudson Valley, this dazzling pumpkin festival is full of illuminating gourds you have to see with your own eyes! The eye-catching marvel is full of 7,000+ uniquely carved pumpkins forming all sorts of art installations, including a walkable Pumpkin Bridge, jaw-dropping Pumpkin Planetarium, and much more. Learn more about how they’re celebrating their 20th season of the great blaze on their site!

Van Cortlandt Manor (Croton-on-Hudson, NY)

September 13 – November 17

The post 15 Fall Festivals Coming To NYC You Need To Check Out appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Since 1928, Kellogg’s Diner has occupied the corner of Union and Metropolitan Avenues. For nearly a century, the 24/7 diner welcomed early risers with coffee and pancakes and fed the late-night (and often inebriated) crowd with jumbo mozzarella sticks and BLTs. The iconic spot even got a shout on HBO’s Girls, spurring the “good soup” meme. But over the years, the diner struggled to stay afloat. Hit hard by the global pandemic and rising costs, the diner went bankrupt in 2023. Luckily, restaurateur Louis Skibar of Coppelia, Old John’s Luncheonette and Toloache snapped up the space, ready to give this iconic locale a new lease on life. With a new menu and fresh design to match, the iconic neon sign is finally on. Join us in welcoming back Kellogg’s Diner (514 Metropolitan Avenue).

RECOMMENDED: 12 of NYC’s most anticipated new restaurants for fall of 2024

The heavy brown and blue interior is no more thanks to New York-based designers Nico Arze and Matthew Maddy. Reminiscent of a sleek airstream trailer, the new Kellogg’s Diner features a curved white ceiling and pale pink walls, softening elements of glass and steel. While a plush booth is always an option, the glossy pink counter that run the length of the space seems like the spot to post up and dig into the newly refreshed menu.

Speaking of, what was once a 12-page, 200-item menu has been parsed down to a steady (and still staggering) 75 offerings thanks to chef Jackie Carnesi. Formerly of Nura and Roberta’s, Carnesi leans on her Texas roots for Tex-Mex favorites balanced with a handful of diner favorites. Appetizers start with Deviled Eggs that come with pimento cheese and shaved chicharrones and Fried Pickles with a dill-heavy ranch. AM revelers can eat Chilaquiles Verdes with pickled onions or a fork tender Guajillo Braised Short Rib Hash. But if sweets are more of your calling, order the shareable Texas Fried Toast. Battered in cornmeal before being deep fried, the toast is smothered with a helping of fruit jam and a dollop of freshly made whipped cream.

The evening hours introduce salads, Texas chili and a full line up of sandwiches including a dry aged burger. Entrees get the Tex-Mex treatment, like the Poblano Meatloaf and the Tex-Mex Enchiladas, alongside classic options like Chicken Fried Steak. If you somehow didn’t order any fried chicken yet (they have it three ways), the Honey Butter Chicken is a winner, with a dense, buttery biscuit and a hunk of fried chicken that still retains its crunch no matter how much syrup you pour on it.

But don’t stuff yourself silly just yet—you must save room for dessert. Parked on the end of the counter, you’ll find an illuminated case filled with goodies from pastry chef Amanda Perdomo (formerly of Wildair and Cool World). Most likely to grace your Instagram feed? That goes to the Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Starting with a pretzel shortbread crust, the nostalgic ’50s-style dessert features a layer of cheesecake underneath a square of strawberry jello, garnished with whipped cream and pretzels. Classics continue on with grape soda floats, milkshakes and egg creams. But our number one dessert draft pick goes to the Passion Fruit Tajin Icebox Pie with a tajin meringue and lime zest.

And while the previous location also had a liquor menu, the bar has even more play here. Drummed up by bartender Chris Amirault, you can find an old fashioned with oolong tea and a burnt marshmallow to an updated Screwdriver that swaps vodka with tequila or mezcal, sweetened with grapefruit and orange sherbet. 

Currently open in the evenings, the diner plans to go back to its 24 hours a day status, ensuring that early risers and late-night dwellers alike can find a place to call home. 

Kellogg’s Diner is open daily from 5pm to 10pm nightly. Soon the diner will be open 24 hours, seven days a week.  Reservations can be made on Resy.

* This article was originally published here

Despite a population of eight million, NYC can somehow seem very isolating.

“A friend once described it as ‘feeling like the city is slowly closing in on you,’” said Sofia Kavlin, co-founder of the Unsent Letters Mailbox.

Together, she and Kelly To, whom she met through the Sugary community newsletter, decided to embrace anonymity and use it as a driving force to build community. Thus, the two NYC transplants ended up with a mailbox that houses thoughts and feelings that have been left unsaid.

Inside the Unsent Letters Mailbox movement

On Valentine’s Day 2024, Sofia decided to take her makeshift mailbox out into the wild and distributed blank cards and envelopes. In turn, 50 New Yorkers submitted their innermost thoughts without signing their names. And somehow, these mysterious writers feel close to us in a way that might not seem possible.

Since February, the mailbox has made its way through NYC parks — particularly ones with a slower, welcoming pace — and those passing by continue to share what’s on their mind. And the movement grew into the Write To Read, an anonymous reading salon.

“In the span of thirty minutes, we find ourselves covering a whole range of human emotions from grief, to unrequited love, laughter and disbelief,” Sofia adds.

As it turns out, in the busiest, noisiest city that oftentimes feels overwhelming and disconnecting, many of us appear to be on the same wavelength.

“People are often surprised at how aligned the letters they draw at random are with the one they just wrote a few minutes ago,” Sofia adds. “Weʼve had people say things along the lines of ‘It feels like a response to what Iʼve just written.’”

There are the emotionally-charged scribbles and the heartfelt admissions. But then, of course, there’s downright strange (like you’ll see below).

“When your mom walked a dead dog for a week, that shit was crazy. I was your elevator boy. Not your therapist. I made 13 $ an hour. You were a millionaire, so I wasnʼt allowed to stop you. When you stormed into the lobby and accused me of breaking into your apartment and sticking my fingers into one of your jars of jelly, that shit was crazy.ˮ

Whatever the case might be, one thing remains consistent: New Yorkers love having an outlet.

“Through this project, weʼve realized that people carry around very heavy things and find that they have no safe place to put them,” Sofia says. “Weʼve learned that people want to be seen, heard and acknowledged. Weʼve created that safe space through anonymity — where participants temporarily suspend judgement so they can bare themselves entirely.”

The movement continues with new pop-ups across green spaces, a forthcoming holiday event, and more ways to connect with an air of mystery.

“We want to continue growing as a bridge between grassroots storytelling (giving voice to peopleʼs unsent letters) and various artistic practices and spaces,” Sofia adds. “We want to bring the concept to more diverse communities in the city including community-driven organizations, museums, and corporate workshops.”

What will you submit to the Unsent Letters Mailbox? Learn more on the movement’s website.

The post The Unsent Letters Mailbox Is An Anonymous Safe Space Popping Up Across NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Following a two-year, pandemic-fueled hiatus, the 78th annual Tony Awards will officially return to Radio City Music Hall on June 8, 2025. 

In 2023, the ceremony was held at the then recently renovated United Palace in Washington Heights, a far trek from the Theater District. The year after, in 2024, the organizers moved the event closer to home, to the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. 

Neither one of the venues, though, offers the capacity of Radio City Music Hall, where 6,000 spectators can enjoy the show at once. Boasting 3,350 and 2,586 seats, respectively, the United Palace and Koch theaters had to reduce the number of tickets available to the general public.

Next year’s awards will be the 21st to be held at Radio City Music Hall, clearly the event’s preferred destination.

According to Deadline, the “Waldorf Astoria Hotel comes in second with 12 Tony ceremonies, the last of which was way back in 1962.”

Although still far from a list of nominations—the awards will celebrate the 2024-2025 theater season—we can already start speculating on which new and upcoming Broadway shows will enjoy critical acclaim and which will be snubbed. 

Another year, another Broadway season.

* This article was originally published here

Whether it’s from lovely performers or spine-chilling frights, Haunted Hollywood knows how to make your heart race. Experience burlesque, unique acts, live music, themed food & drinks, and a terrifyingly titillating variety show featuring fresh takes on classic horror icons—get your tickets now!

Tickets for Haunted Hollywood are now on sale, so grab yours before this spooky spectacle leaves New York!

Haunted Hollywood is all about atmosphere, blending terror with temptation as it draws you in. If the seductive performers don’t keep you on the edge of your seat, the scares certainly will!

Towards the end of the show, things will climax as the loveliest “final girl” you’ve ever seen battles for survival. Performers will be taking the stage at Circo (1604 Broadway) starting October 4, just in time for the spookiest season of all. 

Haunted Hollywood will be terrifying NYC soon, so get your tickets if you dare!

This 2 hour show has something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of burlesque, variety shows, Halloween, or simply a great night out, you won’t soon forget the thrills and chills awaiting you at Haunted Hollywood!

Get your tickets today and get ready to be haunted by the sexiest specters in NYC.

Event details

Haunted Hollywood

October 4, 2024 20:00

(+ more dates)

Circo (1604 Broadway 2nd Floor, New York, 10019-7409)

From $57.74

Buy tickets

The post The Upcoming ‘Haunted Hollywood’ Puts A Seductive Twist On Classic Horror appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

It’s no secret that New York is home to some of the most beautiful hotels in the world, but it’s not often that we get cold, hard numbers to back that up. 

A new survey conducted by a Canada-based casino company looked into the luxury hotels that were tagged the most on Instagram and TikTok to determine which were the most “Instagrammable” throughout the U.S. Unsurprisingly, one New York hotel snatched the runner up position.

RECOMMENDED: A new flea market by the folks behind Brooklyn Flea is debuting in NYC next month

The second most Instagrammable luxury hotel, according to the survey, is none other than the iconic Plaza, which is tagged in a staggering 112,462 Instagram posts and 3,094 TikTok uploads. 

Obviously, we’ve known that The Plaza is that girl. Located on the northeastern corner of Central Park, the Plaza was built in 1905 and was designated an official landmark by the NY City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1969. In 2008, a $400 million renovation made the luxurious hotel even more fancy. It’s been featured in countless movies, from Home Alone to classics like South by Southwest.

What has always drawn locals and tourists to this world class hotel probably has something to do with its 24-karat gold-plated fixtures, its afternoon tea offerings and its spa and 24-hour fitness facilities. It’s one of the few places where you can experience old world hotel charm without having to snag a flight to Paris. 

The top spot in the U.S. went to the Bellagio in Las Vegas, which is known for its giant decadent water fountain shows and its kitschy, in-your-face Vegas charm. 

Amangiri Hotel in Canyon Point, Utah, which is located at the edge of some of the country’s most impressive natural canyons, landed in spot number three while the fourth spot went to the Beverly Hilton in California. 

Here are the top 10 most Instagrammable hotels in the U.S., according to the survey:

1. Bellagio — Las Vegas, Nevada

2. The Plaza — New York, New York

3. Amangiri— Canyon Point, Utah

4. Beverly Hilton — Beverly Hills, California

5. London House — Chicago, Illinois

6. Post Ranch Inn — Big Sur, California

7. Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa — Rancho Santa Fe, California

8. Hotel Jerome — Aspen, Colorado

9. Sagamore Pendry Baltimore — Baltimore, Maryland

10. Waldorf Astoria Chicago — Chicago, Illinois

* This article was originally published here