Press Releases Received November 2005

Press releases from previous months and years are available in our press release archive.

NEW YORK CITY TO ADD NEARLY 5,000 NEW HOTEL ROOMS OVER NEXT TWO YEARS

New York, NY (November 17, 2005) – Fuelled by record visitor volume, a thriving economy, and significant additions to the tourism product, New York City is adding nearly 5,000 new hotel rooms to its current inventory of 70,723 by the end of 2007.

Hoteliers are developing properties that represent exciting new trends in New York City’s hotel product such as chic budget, sophisticated boutique, and comfortable value-priced hotels. Development patterns show the strength of downtown Manhattan, Harlem, Brooklyn and Queens as visitor destinations with 18 properties slated for construction or renovation.

In addition to new properties from the Marriott, Hilton and Starwood brands, celebrity hoteliers including Andre Balazs (The Standard), Ian Schraeger (Gramercy Park Hotel), Jason Pomeranc (6 Columbus Circle and to be named Allen Street), Vikram Chatwal (The Night Hotel) and Robert De Niro (The Downtown Hotel) are investing in New York City’s thriving tourism product. New York City is expected to close 2005 with an 87% occupancy rate and 22 million room nights booked, an increase of one million over 2004.

“Many of the new properties, in diverse locations such as Staten Island, TriBeCa, the Lower East Side, Queens and Harlem, will anchor the start of economic and business development in these exciting new neighborhood destinations and will introduce global visitors to new experiences in the Big Apple,” said Cristyne L. Nicholas, President & CEO of NYC & Company.

Tourism is a powerful economic engine for New York City that generates $21 billion in direct spending, $12 billion in wages and $5 billion in city, state and federal tax revenues. New York City welcomed nearly 40 million visitors in 2004, whose spending helped support over 300,000 jobs in all five boroughs.

Editor’s Note: Many of the city’s new and proposed hotel projects are listed below. Since plans change frequently, please contact hotels directly for additional information. Phone numbers have been provided wherever possible. This information is based on available data as of November 2005.

UNDER DEVELOPMENT
(listed in chronological order of scheduled opening)

Blue Moon Hotel – 22 suites
100 Orchard Street
Scheduled Opening: Fall 2005

Manhattan’s only kosher hotel will open in 2005 in a beautifully restored tenement building which will create the charm of Old World, late-19th Century Orchard Street while providing modern and chic amenities. Guests will experience Historic Americana through the hotel’s ethnic dining and live Jazz music.

Press and Public: 212/533-9080 www.bluemoon-nyc.com

Hampton Inn Manhattan/Seaport – Financial District – 65 rooms
320 Pearl Street
Scheduled Opening: December 2005
Press and Public: 1-800-Hampton, www.hamptoninn.com

The Night Hotel - 72 rooms
132 West 45th Street
Scheduled Opening: December 2005
Formerly the Best Western Ambassador, The Night Hotel is inspired by the pulse and passion of New York City, Vikram Chatwal's new property is a stylish petite hotel of distinctive elegance.
Press: 212/777-3455

Residence Inn by Marriott – 357 suites
W. 39th Street & Avenue of the Americas
Scheduled Opening: Late 2005
The first Residence Inn by Marriott in New York City, this extended stay hotel will be part of the Bryant Park Tower, a 43-story building that will also include 96 studio and one-bedroom rental apartments, street level retail space, a bar overlooking Bryant Park and onsite valet parking. The hotel will be owned by G. Holdings Corporation and operated as a Residence Inn.
Press: 212/704-8906 www.marriott.com

Courtyard by Marriott New York Upper East Side – 210 rooms, 16 suites
410 East 92nd Street at York Avenue
Scheduled Opening: Early 2006
Just steps from Museum Mile and the most renowned healthcare facilities including Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital, this property will feature comfortable rooms with free high-speed Internet access, a fitness center with 50 ft. indoor lap pool, whirlpool, steam room, sauna and massage facilities. Business Center and meeting space to accommodate 122 people.

Public 212/410-6777 www.marriott.com Press: 212/704-8906

Holiday Inn Express Brooklyn – 90 rooms
4th Avenue and Union Street
Brooklyn, NY
Scheduled Opening: Early 2006
Press: 770/604-5597

The Downtown Hotel – 83 rooms
Greenwich and North Moore Streets in TriBeCa
Scheduled Opening: 2006
Actor Robert DeNiro and partner Ira Drukier have announced plans to build a $43 million, six-story luxury hotel planned in Manhattan’s TriBeCa neighborhood.

6 Columbus Circle – 90 rooms
6 Columbus Circle
Scheduled Opening: 2006
Jason Pomeranc, who opened 60 Thompson three years ago, will expand his boutique-hotel empire with two properties in 2006. In addition to 6 Columbus Circle, Pomeranc will open a hotel on Allen Street on the Lower East Side in 2006.

Unnamed Hotel – 108 rooms
59-40 55th Road
Queens, NY
Projected Opening: January 2006

Wingate Inn LaGuardia – 136 rooms
137-07 Northern Blvd.
Queens, NY
Scheduled Opening: February 2006
Press: 718/445-3300

Hilton Garden Inn Tribeca – 150 rooms
6 York Street
Scheduled opening: March 2006

Gramercy Park Hotel - 186 hotel rooms and 23 private residential units
50 Gramercy Park
Scheduled Opening: Spring 2006

Ian Schrager’s latest hotel project is scheduled to open in the spring of 2006 following a complete overhaul of one of the city’s truly legendary hotels.
Press: 212/685-4300 www.gramercyparkhotel.com

The Rockefeller Center Hotel – 80 rooms
25 West 51st Street
Scheduled Opening: March 2006
The Rockefeller Center Hotel, opening in March 2006, will be first hotel in Rockefeller Center. Located at the top of Rockefeller Plaza, many guest rooms face the ice skating rink, Radio City Music Hall and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The facility will be state of the art, with instant registration, 24 - hour concierge, free high-speed Internet access and use of a computer and printer in a business lounge. The hotel will have a health facility, restaurant, bar and lounge. Special introductory rates of $225 will also be offered.
Press: 212/626-9382

The Loft – 45 rooms
130 Duane Street
Scheduled Opening: April 2006
The Hersha Group and Sam Chang are currently constructing the boutique property which is scheduled for an April of 2006 opening in the middle of TriBeCa.

Wingate Inn – 92 Rooms
233-235 West 35th Street
Scheduled Opening: May 2006
Wingate Inns International broke ground in January 2005 for their first Wingate Inn in Manhattan, a $20 million, 17-floor property which will begin welcoming guests in Spring 2006. Hotel facilities will include a boardroom, meeting room, fitness room and 24-hour self-service business center.
Press: 973/496-0750

The Smith Hotel – 93 rooms
Smith Street and Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Scheduled Opening: June 2006
Construction has begun on the aptly named Smith Hotel, slated for Smith Street. The 13 floor new build will open in June 2006 as a 93 room hotel with 50 luxury residential condominiums.

Hampton Inn Staten Island – 210 rooms
1120 South Avenue at Lois Lane
Staten Island, NY
Scheduled Opening: July 2006
Press: 718/477-2100

Comfort Inn – 70 rooms
Eighth Avenue at 39th Street
Projected Opening: July 2006

Unnamed Hotel – 213 rooms
171 Liberty Street
Brooklyn, NY
Scheduled Opening: July 2006
Plans are to build an independent mid-priced property with limited service.

Four Points by Sheraton Soho Village – 152 rooms
66 Charlton Street (between Varick and Hudson Streets)
Scheduled Opening: July 2006
Starwood Hotels 14th New York City property will be the area’s first newly built moderately-priced lodging alternative in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The hotel will feature 150 guestrooms including two luxury suites with hardwood floors, 20-foot high floor-to-ceiling windows and 42-inch plasma TV screens.
Press and Public: 914/640-8496

Allen Street – 112 rooms
Allen Street (between Houston and Stanton Streets)
Scheduled Opening: September 2006

Following on the success of his 60 Thompson hotel, Jason Pomeranc is developing this boutique property in the Lower East Side. The hotel will feature 32 luxury condominiums plus a spa, and swimming pool.

The London NYC – 506 suites (currently)
151 West 54th Street
Scheduled Rename: Fall 2006

LXR Luxury Resorts will refurbish and reposition the former Rihga Royal hotel and rename the property The London NYC. The all-suite hotel will undergo a complete transformation including new interior architecture and design by British designer David Collins and the addition of a high-end restaurant by acclaimed chef Gordon Ramsay.
Press: 212/957-3005 Public: 212/307-5000

The Hard Rock Hotel – 610 rooms
235 West 46th Street
Scheduled Re-flagging: Fall 2006
This Times Square property was purchased as a joint venture between Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, Hard Rock Caf� International and Becker Ventures LLC. The former Paramount Hotel will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment, following which it will be re-branded the Hard Rock Hotel New York. The hotel will continue to operate as the Paramount Hotel until the completion of the refurbishment in 2006.
Public: 212/764-5500 www.solmelia.com

New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge – adding 282 rooms
333 Adams Street
Brooklyn, NY
Construction Complete: Fall 2006
January 2005 saw the groundbreaking for a 24-story expansion to the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. This will create 282 additional rooms and 2,000 additional square feet of meeting space for a total of 658 guest rooms and 30,000 total square feet of meeting space. Premium retail space will be added along Adams Street. The pedestrian plaza between Adams and Jay Streets will be improved with new street furniture, lighting and landscaping. A two-level pedestrian bridge will link the expansion to the existing hotel.
Public: 718/246-7000 www.brooklynmarriott.com Press: 212/704-8906

Courtyard by Marriott Harlem – 204 rooms
125th Street at Park Avenue
Scheduled Opening: Late 2006
Press: 212/704-8906

Holiday Inn Express – 188 rooms
232 West 29th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues)
Scheduled Opening: Fall 2006
Press and Public: 770/604-5597

Hampton Inn LaGuardia Airport – 220 rooms
Scheduled Opening: January 2007
Press and Public: 1-800-Hampton, www.hamptoninn.com

Sheraton Hotel – 175 rooms
West 28th Street (between 6th and 7th Aves.)
Scheduled Opening: Mid 2007
The Lam’s Group is planning a First Class property in this Midtown West location.

Sheraton Four Points – 250 rooms

Fairfield Inn – 250 rooms
Eighth Avenue at 40th Street
Scheduled Opening: 2007

The Lam’s Group plans to build two mid-priced properties with room rates ranging from $180 to $220. The properties will share a rooftop restaurant and lounge. Construction to begin by end of 2005 and both should open in late 2007.

The Plaza Hotel – 350 rooms
768 Fifth Avenue at 59th Street
Scheduled Reopening: 2007
Undergoing renovations and will reopen 350 hotel rooms and 150 residential apartment units in 2007.

The Standard – 344 rooms
West 13th Street between Washington and West Streets
Scheduled Opening: Late 2007

Andre Balazs’ third foray into the New York City hospitality market with this new build in the Meatpacking District. A rooftop pool is planned.

RECENTLY OPENED/RENAMED
(listed in chronological order)

Fairfield Inn New York LaGuardia Airport/Flushing – 84 rooms
28-66 College Point Blvd
Queens, NY 11354
Opened: November 9, 2005
This is the first Fairfield Inn located in Queens, just miles from LaGuardia and JFK airports this new property offers complimentary continental breakfast daily.
Press and Public: 718/888-9979

Holiday Inn Express Midtown-Fifth Avenue – 125 rooms
13 West 45th Street
Opened: October 2005
InterContinental Hotels Group opened their first Holiday Inn Express in Manhattan. The popular midtown location at Fifth Avenue and 45th Street is walking distance from many of the city’s most popular attractions including Grand Central Station, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and Fifth Avenue shopping.
Press: 770/604-5597 Public: 212/302-9088

Hilton Garden Inn Times Square – 369 rooms
790 Eighth Avenue at 48th Street
Opened: October 2005
In the heart of the theatre district this newly renovated hotel offers the business traveler a 24 hour complimentary business center, high-speed Internet and wireless high-speed Internet access in the lobby and indoor parking. This is the 250th Hilton Garden Inn and the first in New York City.
Press and Public: 212/581-7000

The Hampton Inn Times Square North – 300 rooms
851 Eighth Avenue at 51st Street
Re-Flagged: August 2005
Formerly the Howard Johnson Plaza, the property has undergone a complete transformation including new guestrooms, bathrooms, changes to the exterior of the hotel and an expanded lobby and hotel entrance. Guests at the property enjoy a complimentary "On the House" Hot Breakfast each morning.

Press and Public: 1-800-Hampton www.hamptoninn.com

Days Inn Howard Beach – 91 rooms
153-71 S. Conduit Avenue
Queens, NY
Opened: August 2005

Comfort Inn and Suites – 76 guest rooms
60-30 Maurice Avenue
Queens, NY
Opened: July 2005
This new mid-market hotel is 1 � miles from mid-town Manhattan, 2 miles from LaGuardia Airport and offers free parking, airport shuttle and complimentary continental breakfast.
Press and Public: 718/457-5555 www.comfortinn.com

Affinia Manhattan – 526 suites
371 Seventh Avenue
Renamed: July 2005
Following a $3.3 million renovation, the Affinia Manhattan was re-launched. Formerly the Southgate Tower, the Affinia Manhattan offers business and leisure travelers an authentic New York experience with every stay. The property is centrally located in midtown near Madison Square Garden, Penn Station the Javits Convention Center, shopping theater and Chelsea.
Public: 212/563-1800 www.affinia.com Press: 212/229-0119

Hotel 57 – 225 rooms
130 East 57th Street at Lexington Ave.
Opened: June 2005
After undergoing a $20 million complete renovation, Hotel 57, formerly a budget property reopened as a sophisticated full service hotel with contemporary and comfortable rooms. At Lexington Ave. and East 57th Street, the location is ideal for business and leisure travelers alike.
Press and Public: 212/651-3225

La Quinta Inn Queens - 100 rooms
37-18 Queens Blvd.
Queens, NY
Opened: May 15, 2005
La Quinta Inn Queens is located less than two miles from Manhattan directly across the Queensboro Bridge, and less than ten minutes by cab from La Guardia Airport, the property is La Quinta's second in New York City.
Public: 718/729-8775 Press: 212/808-6556

Hampton Inn Manhattan/Midtown-Herald Square – 136 rooms
31st Street at Sixth Avenue
Opened: November 2004
Press and Public: 1-800-Hampton www.hamptoninn.com

Hilton Garden Inn JFK – 190 rooms
148-18 134th Street
Queens, NY
Opened: February 2005
Press and Public: 718/332-4448

Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel – 755 rooms
569 Lexington Avenue
Re-flagged: December 2004
This property is under new ownership and management through a partnership of Highgate Holdings and Oxford Lodging. The property underwent a $30 million renovation to all 755 guest rooms and suites, 10,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space and restaurant, the Met Grill.
Public: 212/752-7000 www.dtnewyork.com Press: 212/777-3455

Hotel QT New York – 140 rooms
125 West 45th Street
Opened: December 2004
Andr� Balazs’ new property in Times Square offers 140 loft-like, affordable rooms. The lobby features a pool, bar and mezzanine lounge. Hotel guests enjoy complimentary European breakfast, 24-hour coffee bar, steam/sauna, and fitness equipment.
Public: 212/354-2323 www.hotelqt.com Press: 212/228-5555

Hotel Chandler (formerly Le Marquis New York) –120 Rooms
12 East 31st Street
Renamed: October 2004
Formerly the Le Marquis New York – the 120 room boutique hotel has been renamed The Hotel Chandler. The hotel is operated by Triumph Hospitality and is a member of the prestigious Concorde Hotels group which has hotels in Paris, London, Rome, Tokyo and more than 60 other international destinations.
Public: 212/889-6363 www.hotelchandler.com Press: 212/696-0946

Affinia 50 (formerly the Plaza Fifty Hotel) – 211 Rooms
155 East 50th Street
Renamed October 2004
The Affinia 50 made its debut last October as an “Executive Club Suite Hotel.” Formerly the Plaza Fifty, the newly named Affinia 50 had a $12-million renovation and offers business and leisure travelers a private club environment.
Public: 212/751-5710 www.affinia.com Press: 212/229-0119

The Solita Soho Clarion Hotel - 42 rooms
159 Grand Street
Opened: August 2004
A new construction 12-story building with 42 custom guest rooms providing spectacular views of the city. Each room is equipped with high speed Internet access, plasma television, cable, daily newspapers, and in-room coffee maker. The property is within walking distance of fashionable shops, boutiques and restaurants.
Press and Public: 212/925-3600 www.clarioninn.com

Courtyard by Marriott Manhattan Fifth Avenue (formerly Hotel 5A) – 189 rooms
3 East 40th Street
Renamed: January 2005
This 30-story boutique hotel located in the heart of New York City offers comfortable rooms with a work desk and complimentary high-speed internet access. By late 2005, there will be some new enhancements -- guest rooms will feature plush bedding with extra pillows along with a fitness center, a market, an executive boardroom, and a business center.
Public: 212/447-1500 www.marriott.com Press 212/704-8906

Dream (formerly the Majestic Hotel) – 228 Rooms
210 West 55th Street (at Broadway)
Renamed: September 2004
Following a floor-to-floor renovation, all 208 rooms and 20 suites are designed in a modern eclectic style with high tech features such as 37” plasma TVs and iPod digital audio players. In addition to the upstairs ‘50’s style lounge Ava, the hotel now includes restaurant Serafina and an additional lobby lounge Subconscious. Meeting space and a spa influenced by Deepak Chopra are also new additions.
Press and Public: 212/247-2000 www.dreamny.com

The Hotel on Rivington – 111 rooms
107 Rivington Street
Opened: July 2004
This 22-story, all glass structure with 360˚ unobstructed views offers a unique visitor experience including private outdoor space for most rooms, glass shower walls on the building exterior and spa services.
Press and Public: 212/475-2600 www.hotelonrivington.com

70 Park Avenue Hotel – 205 rooms
70 Park Avenue at 38th Street
Reopened: July 2004
The Kimpton Hotel Group purchased this 205 room Midtown hotel (formerly the Doral Park Avenue) and reopened following a complete renovation of the property.
Public: 212/973-2400 www.70parkavenuehotel.com Press: 212/532-0375

The Blakely New York – 115 rooms
136 West 55th Street
Reopened: June 2004
Formerly the Gorham Hotel, this property reopened under new management and new ownership after a complete renovation.
Press and Public: 212/245-1800 www.blakelynewyork.com

Hotel Gansevoort – 187 Rooms
18 Ninth Avenue
Opened: April 1, 2004
Located in the trendy Meatpacking District at Ninth Avenue and 13th Street, this property features unique design elements and includes an outdoor, 45-foot rooftop pool.
Public: 212/206-6700, 877/426-7386 www.hotelgansevoort.com Press: 212/228-1500

Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Chelsea – 158 rooms
160 W 25th Street
Opened: March, 2004
The first Four Points property in Chelsea offers guests access to fashionable galleries, eclectic nightlife, outstanding restaurants and shopping.
Public: 212/627-1888 www.fourpoints.com Press: 866/478-2777

Mandarin Oriental Hotel – 251 Rooms
Columbus Circle
Opened: November 2003
Located in Columbus Circle, just steps from Central Park, the hotel offers luxurious guest rooms and suites with stunning views. Also on location is The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, a 14,500-square-foot spa available for both guests and non-guests.

Public: 212/805-8800 www.mandarinoriental.com Press: 212/207-8820

The Alex Hotel – 203 rooms
205 E. 45th St.
Opened: October 2003
This David Rockwell creation features beautifully decorated guest rooms, 600- to 800-square-foot suites and a Zen-like bamboo entrance. Riingo - a new Japanese interpretive restaurant by acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson provides 24-hour room service with everything from sushi to hamburgers.
Press and Public: 212/867-5100 www.thealexhotel.com

Hampton Inn Manhattan/Chelsea – 144 rooms
108 W. 24th St.
Opened: August 2003
Rooms at this Hampton Inn property are beautifully designed with the look and feel of New York City. Several special city view rooms have VCR-DVD players, soft seating, and large bay windows with unparalleled views of northern Manhattan.
Press and Public: 212/414-1000, 1-800-Hampton, www.hamptoninn.com

San Carlos Hotel – 147 rooms
150 East 50th Street
Opened: July 2003
Following a 16-month, $22 million renovation, the hotel offers a selection of deluxe studios, executive suites, one-bedroom suites and two penthouse suites featuring terraces and wood-burning fireplaces.
Press and Public: 212/755-1800 ext. 1200 www.sancarloshotel.com

Millenium Hilton – 565 rooms
55 Church Street
Reopened: May 2003
The Millenium Hilton was totally refurbished and reopened to great reviews in May of 2003. New amenities include 42” plasma screen TVs, high speed Internet access and two-line cordless telephone with dataport and personalized voice mail in every room and a new fitness center with an indoor heated lap swimming pool. The Church & Dey Restaurant on the 3rd floor offers authentic American regional cuisine.
Public: 212/693-2001 www.hilton.com Press: 212/261-5988

Maritime Hotel – 120 rooms
363 West 16th Street
Opened: May 2003
The hotel’s 120 rooms and four penthouse suites resemble modern ship’s cabins, with burnished teak paneling, sleek shelves for luggage, high speed Internet access and flat screen televisions. Porthole windows, five feet in diameter, face the Hudson River skyline.
Public: 212/242-4300 www.themaritimehotel.com Press: 212/590-5122

La Quinta Inn Manhattan – 182 rooms
17 West 32nd Street
Opened: May 2003
Having completed a $2.5 million renovation, the hotel offers rates starting at $99 per night, which include complimentary continental breakfast. All guest rooms and public spaces are equipped with high-speed, wireless Internet service. This hotel is part of Apple Core Hotels operating five properties in Manhattan.
Public: 212/790-2710 www.applecorehotels.com Press 212/228-1500

Sources: NYC & Company communications and research departments, member hotels; PKF Consulting; PriceWaterhouse Coopers Lodging Research Network, Manhattan Report, (212/259-2659); VMS International, The New York Times; Travel Weekly; Cond� Nast Traveler; Business Travel News.

NEW YORK CITY ON A SHOESTRING: FUN FOR $15 OR LESS

Note to editors: Images to accompany New York City travel stories are available at http://www.nycvisit.com/imagerequest.

New York, NY (November 8, 2005) – Savvy visitors are finding out what native New Yorkers already know: You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy New York. The city is bursting with hundreds of no-cost and low-cost pleasures that include concerts, plays, museum exhibitions and tours throughout all five boroughs.

Need some clues on where to look? Try browsing the city’s official tourism web site at http://www.nycvisit.com or drop by NYC’s Official Visitor Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue at 53rd Street, the NYC Heritage Tourism Center downtown at the southern tip of City Hall Park, the Official Visitor Information Kiosk for Chinatown located at the triangle where Canal, Walker, and Baxter Streets meet or the Harlem Visitor Information Kiosk uptown at the State Office Building plaza at 163 West 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. You’ll find hundreds of brochures and expert, multilingual visitor counselors who can advise you on all things New York. Order online or call for a free copy of the Official NYC Guide (800-NYC-VISIT in the U.S. and Canada or +1 212 397-8222 internationally), filled with helpful information and coupons to save money on hotels, restaurants, sightseeing and shopping.

Cultural Treasures for a Trifle

Take advantage of "pay what you wish" evenings at some of the world’s finest museums: Fridays from 6 to 9pm at the Whitney Museum of American Art (212-570-3676, http://www.whitney.org ); Thursdays from 5 to 9pm at the Jewish Museum (212-423-3200, http://www.thejewishmuseum.org) ; and Fridays from 6 to 8pm at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (212-423-3500, http://www.guggenheim.org ). Pay what you wish” days are also in effect every day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cloisters (212-535-7710, http://www.metmuseum.org ). Target Free Fridays, sponsored by Target, are from 4 to 8pm at the Museum of Modern Art (212-708-9400, http://www.moma.org ).

Suggested admission at the Museum of the City of New York (212-534-1672, http://www.mcny.org ) – where you can explore five floors of New York City’s past, present and future – suggested admission is just $7, or $5 for seniors, students and children; $15 for families.

Admire folk paintings, furniture, pottery, quilts and other decorative arts from the 18th century to the present at the American Folk Art Museum (http://www.folkartmuseum.org ), which now houses its collection in two locations. The smaller branch, the Eva & Morris Feld Gallery on Columbus Avenue (212-595-9533), offers free admission at all times. The museum’s new home on West 53rd Street (212-265-1040) charges admission: $9 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, free for children 12 and under; free to all on Fridays from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Historical and contemporary design can be viewed at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum (212-849-8400, http://www.cooperhewitt.org ) for $10 general admission or $7 for students and seniors, or “pay what you wish” at the Museum of Arts and Design (212-956-3535, http://www.americancraftmuseum.org/acm ) on Thursdays from 6 to 8pm. Unique urban art is showcased at the Municipal Art Society’s Urban Center Gallery (212-935-3960, http://www.mas.org ) at no charge, 11am to 5pm. The gallery is closed on Sundays and Thursdays.

It’s free to explore the world’s largest collection of artifacts devoted to Native American history and culture at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (212-514-3700, http://www.nmai.si.edu ). The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, 8pm on Thursdays.

Take advantage of special exhibitions free of charge at the beaux arts New York Public Library (212-930-0769, http://www.nypl.org ) as well as free concerts, film series and other special events in adjacent Bryant Park (212-768-4242, http://www.bryantpark.org ).

From ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary classics, the Brooklyn Museum of Art (718-638-5000, http://www.brooklynmuseum.org ) offers a vast art collection and special exhibitions year-round. The suggested admission is $8 for adults, $4 for students and seniors, and free for children under 12 or for everyone after 5pm, and all day the first Saturday of each month.

Socrates Sculpture Park (718-956-1819, http://www.socratessculpturepark.org ), a free outdoor museum located on the East River in Long Island City, Queens. It serves as both a major art institution and reclaimed open space allowing public access to the waterfront with impressive Manhattan views. Open daily until sunset.

Visit Staten Island’s Snug Harbor Cultural Center (718-448-2500, http://www.snug-harbor.org ), an 83-acre National Historic Landmark district featuring remarkable examples of Greek revival architecture and free admission. The cultural program includes concerts, art and theater.

Experience the grandeur of Morningside Heights’ Cathedral of St. John the Divine (212-316-7540, http://www.stjohndivine.org ) along with its Biblical garden and children’s sculpture garden. Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 1pm. The fee for visitors is $5 per adult, and $4 for students and seniors. When completed, it will be the world’s largest gothic cathedral.

The Japan Society (212-752-3015, http://www.japansociety.org ), New York’s leading cultural institution focusing on Japan, presents a range of lectures, musical performances and exhibitions. Admission to the gallery ranges from $10 for students and seniors to $12 for adults.

Enjoy contemporary art at its best through exhibitions at the Dia Art Foundation (212-989-5566, http://www.diacenter.org ). Admission to the galleries, including entrance to the rooftop, is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and students and free for children under the age of 12.

Founded in 1825, the National Academy of Design Museum (212-369-4880, http://www.nationalacademy.org ) offers exhibitions of American art drawn from its permanent collection and from traveling shows – all for an $10 admission price for adults, $5 for students and seniors.

Enjoy natural science and historical exhibitions at the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences (718-727-1135, http://www.siiasmuseum.org ) for just $2 for adults and $1 for seniors and students. Admission is free for children under 12.

Music and More Under the Stars

Revel in the best classical music, jazz, drama, opera and dance that New York has to offer at free warm-weather performances in the city’s parks by the New York Philharmonic (212-875-5000, http://www.newyorkphilharmonic.org ), Metropolitan Opera (212-879-5500, http://www.metopera.org ), the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park (212-539-8500, http://www.publictheater.org ) and others (City of New York Parks and Recreation Hotline, 888-NYPARKS, or Central Park Conservancy, http://www.centralparknyc.org ).

Grab a friend and drop by for a stellar evening of live jazz, delicious tapas and drinks every Friday under the Hayden Sphere at the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center for Earth and Space (212-769-5100, http://www.amnh.org ). The music is free with suggested museum admission of $14 for adults, $8 for children ages 2 to 12 and $10.50 for students and seniors.

Enjoy concerts and dance performances under palm trees at the World Financial Center’s Winter Garden (212-945-2600, http://www.worldfinancialcenter.com) , a stunning, glass-enclosed shopping and business complex on Lower Manhattan’s waterfront.

Where the Grass is Always Greener

Explore the beauty of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (718-623-7200, http://www.bbg.org ), free all day Tuesdays and from 10am to noon on Saturdays; free admission for seniors on Fridays. The regular admission fee is $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors is in effect all other days, although children under 16 are always admitted free. The grounds of the Staten Island Botanical Garden (718-273-8200, http://www.sibg.org) are open from dawn until dusk at no charge while the world-renowned Chinese Scholar’s Garden is just $5 for adults and $4 for students, seniors and children at other times. Entrance to the beautiful Queens Botanical Garden (718-886-3800, http://www.queensbotanical.org ) is free at all times.

Flowers at the New York Botanical Garden (718-817-8700, http://www.nybg.org ) blossom all year. Situated on 250 acres in the Bronx, the garden includes 27 outdoor gardens and plant collections and a Victorian conservatory featuring a monumental 90-foot-high glass dome. The garden is free on Saturdays from 10am to noon and all day Wednesdays; regular admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and students, $5 for children ages 2 to 12 and free for children under 2. Parking is $7.

Also in the Bronx, enjoy spectacular views from Wave Hill (718-549-3200, http://www.wavehill.org ), the acclaimed public garden and cultural institution overlooking the Hudson River and New Jersey’s soaring 500-foot cliffs, the Palisades. Entrance is free all day Tuesday and on Saturday from 9am to noon. All other times admission is $4 for adults, $2 for seniors and students and free for children under 6.

Visit the only working historical farm in New York City. The Queens County Farm Museum (718-347-3276, http://www.queensfarm.org ) has free admission and is open every day, year-round. There are weekend tours of the farmhouse and greenhouse, educational programs and a fresh produce stand.

Taste farm-fresh produce, homemade breads, cheeses, cider and more at the Union Square Green Market (212-477-3220, http://www.cenyc.org ), where some vendors offer free samples.

Both the young and the young at heart can enjoy New York City’s carousels: Central Park (212-879-0244), year-round, 90 cents per ride; Bryant Park (212-768-4242, http://www.bryantpark.org ), seasonal, $1.75 per ride; and Prospect Park (718-282-7789, http://www.prospectpark.org ), April through October, $1 per ride.

The Dana Discovery Center (212-860-1370, http://www.centralparknyc.org ) in the northeast corner of Central Park will lend you a pole for an afternoon of catch-and-release fishing in the Harlem Meer, a beautiful lake also frequented by numerous species of wild birds. Take advantage of the center’s educational workshops for children, or grab a pair of binoculars and sharpen your bird-watching eye. The center is free to all and is open daily, April to October, from 10am to 5pm (4pm in winter).

Finally, historic Green-Wood Cemetery (718-788-7850, http://www.green-wood.com ) in Brooklyn is an “outdoor museum” filled with extraordinary works of sculpture and architecture. It is home to the gravesites of dignitaries and national figures including musical great Leonard Bernstein, artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, newspaperman Horace Greeley and William “Bill the Butcher” Poole, the 19th century gang leader who was depicted in Martin Scorsese’s film Gangs of New York. The cemetery conducts regular public tours year-round for $10.

Getting to Know New York

Get a feel for New York through a New Yorker’s eyes with a free neighborhood exploration with a Big Apple Greeter (212-669-8159, http://www.bigapplegreeter.org ). Experienced, multilingual local volunteers share the secrets of their favorite neighborhoods. Reserve at least three to four weeks in advance.

Explore Rockefeller Center (212-332-6868, http://www.rockefellercenter.com ), a majestic Art Deco masterpiece, on a free, self-guided tour. Pick up maps in the main lobby at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

On Saturdays at 2pm, take a free walking tour offered by the 14th Street-Union Square Business Improvement District (212-460-1204, http://www.unionsquarenyc.org http://), including stops at New York’s first film studios, opera houses, grand theaters and nickelodeons, “Ladies’ Mile” and Union Square Park.

Take a tour of New York City landmark Grand Central Terminal with the Municipal Art Society (212-935-3960, www.mas.org ) on Wednesdays at 12:30pm for a suggested donation of $10. There are also free tours of New York’s fascinating neighborhoods, including historic 34th Street with the 34th Street Partnership (212-719-3434, www.34thStreet.org), a grand tour of midtown with the Grand Central Partnership (212-883-2420, http://www.grandcentralpartnership.org ) or a tour of Times Square with the Times Square BID (212-768-1560, http://timessquarebid.org ) .

Watch world history in the making on guided, multilingual tours of the United Nations (212-963-TOUR, http://www.un.org ) with an admission fee of $11.50 for adults, $8.50 for seniors, $7.50 for students and $6.50 for children ages 5 to 14; children under five not permitted on tours. Or take in Chinese culture in the country’s most famous Chinatown; walking tours offered by Toro Associates, Inc. (212-625-9977, http://www.chinatowninfo.com ) at $15 for adults and $10 for children. Visitors can see a Buddhist temple, historical Chinatown landmarks and herbal medicine stores and hear the little known stories about this diverse neighborhood.

Take a cruise on the Staten Island Ferry (718-815-BOAT) for spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, New York harbor and the Statue of Liberty. The ferry runs 24 hours a day and is free at all times. Or take a walk across the footpath on the Brooklyn Bridge for a fantastic and free view of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn.

For just $4 round-trip, ride the Roosevelt Island Tram (http://www.roosevelt-island.ny.us ) across the East River and enjoy fabulous views of Manhattan and Queens.

Your 15 Minutes of Fame

By planning in advance, you can attend free tapings of popular television shows including Late Night with David Letterman (212-975-5853, http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow ); Live with Regis and Kelly (212-456-3054, http://www.tvplex.go.com/buenavista/livewithregis ); The Montel Williams Show (212-989-8101, http://www.montelshow.com ). Standby tickets are available on the day of taping for some shows.

Offering unique perspectives on the history of entertainment, the Museum of Television & Radio (212-621-6800, http://www.mtr.org ) gives visitors access to its collection of archived television and radio programs dating back to the invention of each. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and $5 for kids under 14.

Kids of All Ages Won’t Blow Their Allowance Here

Enjoy toy boats and soldiers, presidential papers, paintings, Faberg� Imperial Easter eggs, objets d’art and other memorabilia at the Forbes Magazine Galleries (212-206-5548). Entrance is free and the gallery is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Guided tours of the collection are available free of charge, but reservations must be made one month in advance.

Providing hands-on, interactive exhibits, workshops and performances, the Staten Island Children’s Museum (718-273-2060) encourages children to learn by doing. Admission is $5 per person and children under 2 are admitted free. Just across the water, kids can explore science, culture and other areas of interest at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (718-735-4400, http://www.brooklynkids.org ). Admission is $4 at all times, and free for children 1 or under.

Take advantage of free hours of admission (September 1 through June 30, Fridays from 2 to 5pm and Sundays from 10-11am) at the New York Hall of Science (718-699-0005, http://www.nyhallsci.org ) in Queens. Regular prices, in effect during July and August, are $11 for adults and $8 for seniors and children. Parking is $7 per car.

The New York City Police Museum (212-480-3100, http://www.nycpolicemuseum.org ), located in historic Lower Manhattan, captures the rich history of the New York Police Department, giving visitors an insider’s look at the world’s most famous law enforcement agency. Permanent exhibits include turn-of-the-century mug shots, photos of notorious criminals and their “tools of the trade,” a display of police vehicles, a model of a jail cell and, in the most solemn of the exhibits, the museum pays tribute to every NYPD officer killed in the line of duty throughout the department’s history. Suggested admission is $4 for adults, $4 for seniors and $1 for children ages 6 to 18.

Experience animal attraction at the city’s Wildlife Conservation Parks (http://www.wcs.org ). To start, don’t miss the Bronx Zoo (718-367-1010, http://www.bronxzoo.com ), home to more than 4,000 animals. Pay-what-you-wish on Wednesdays, otherwise admission is $12 for adults, $9 for children aged 2 to 12, $9 for seniors and students. In Manhattan, admission to the Central Park Zoo (212-861-6030, http://www.centralparkzoo.com ) is $6 for adults, $1.25 for seniors, $1 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for children under the age of 3. Discover an incredible world of wildlife at the Prospect Park Zoo (718-399-7339, http://www.prospectparkzoo.com ) in Brooklyn where admission is $6 for adults, $1.25 for seniors and students and $1 for children ages 3 to 12.

Before you leave Staten Island, stop by the biggest little zoo in the United States – the Staten Island Zoo (718-442-3174, http://www.statenislandzoo.org ) – at a cost of $5 for adults, $4 for seniors or $3 for visitors ages 3 to 14. On Wednesdays after 2pm, admission is a suggested donation at this eight-acre zoological garden with wonderful horticultural displays and a large collection of mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, fish and birds.

Where America Began

Explore New York City’s fascinating past at any of the 20 Historic House Museums (212-360-8282, http://www.nycparks.org ) located throughout all five boroughs. Admission fees are minimal to none. Visit Manhattan’s oldest house, the 1765 Morris-Jumel Mansion (212-923-8008, http://www.morrisjumel.org ), once the headquarters of George Washington; or stride back into history at Brooklyn’s Old Stone House Historic Interpretive Center (718-768-3195, http://www.oldstonehouse.org ), which survived the Revolutionary War's Battle of Brooklyn and served as the 19th-century clubhouse for the team later known as the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Discover the historic Dyckman Farmhouse Museum (212-304-9422, http://www.dyckmanfarmhouse.org ), built in the early 1780s and restored to provide a window into the past of northern Manhattan. There are guided and self-guided tours available, as well as educational programs focusing on topics such as “Life on the Farm.” Admission is $1 for adults and free for children under 10.

Delve into the past on Staten Island with a visit to Historic Richmond Town (718-351-1611, http://www.historicrichmondtown.org, ) a living history village and museum complex with homes, shops and public buildings from the 1690s to 1900s. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3.50 for students and free for children under the age of 5.

Experience New York’s salty maritime history at the South Street Seaport (212-748-8600, http://www.southstseaport.org ), boasting a museum and numerous shops and restaurants. Browsing is free; museum admission is $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, $4 for children ages 5-12, and free for children under the age of 5.

Stories of faith and courage that affect nearly every American are told at the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Immigration Museum (212-269-5755, http://www.nps.gov/stli ). Admission is free but the ferry ride is $11.50 for adults, $9.50 for seniors and $4.50 for children ages 4 to 12. The interior of the Statue of Liberty Monument and the grounds of Liberty Island are open to the public as well as the gift shop and restaurant.

Learn about New York City’s famous transportation system at the Gallery Annex of the New York Transit Museum (718-694-5100, http://www.mta.info/museum ). Exhibits in the Annex (located in Grand Central Terminal) are free. The main facility at Boerum and Schermerhorn Streets in Brooklyn reopened in September 2003 after an extensive renovation.

The nation’s only independent public museum dedicated to the history of growth, opportunity and entrepreneurship in our democratic free market economy, the Museum of Financial History (212-908-4695, http://www.financialhistory.org ) offers $2 admission to visitors of all ages.

Shop ‘til You Drop

New York’s famous Fashion Institute of Technology (212-217-5800, http://www.fitnyc.suny.edu ) shows off thousands of designer costumes and accessories, fabrics from around the world and the work of renowned fashion photographers in the institute’s free museum.

For a fashion update, join a Macy’s (212-494-4662) group tour. Tours, offered at $10 per person, discuss the history of the world’s largest department store from its humble beginnings in 1857 to its status today with more than two million square feet of selling space.

For more information about visiting New York City, click on http://www.nycvisit.com , call 1-800-NYC-VISIT (U.S. and Canada), 212-397-8222 (international) or stop by NYC’s Official Visitor Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue at 53rd Street.

Contacts: Lisa Mortman / Arleen Kropf / Annie Chambliss (212) 484-1270, nymedia@nycvisit.com

NYC THE SAFEST LARGE CITY IN AMERICA

- FBI Statistics Show 4% Drop in Overall Crime in New York City in 2004 Compared to 1.1% Drop Nationwide,
New York City is Safest of 25 Largest Cities in America -

New York, NY (October 17, 2005) – New York City is the safest large city in America with crime dropping to levels not seen in decades. According to FBI’s Uniform Crime Report for 2004, the city experienced a 4% drop in overall crime from 2003 to 2004 compared to the national drop of just 1.1%, and a 14% drop from 2001 to 2004 compared to the national drop of just 1.5%. New York City is responsible for 20% of the entire nation’s decline in crime since 2001.

“Our goal hasn’t been just to keep New York City America’s safest big city, it’s been to make America’s safest city even safer,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Today’s report by the FBI shows we have done just that. Not only do our decreases outpace the nation’s, they do so by a factor of almost ten since 2001. I want to thank the brave men and women of the NYPD for this remarkable achievement, while also dealing with the constant threat of terrorism.”

“The FBI’s ranking of New York City as the safest big city in American is fantastic news for the nearly 40 million visitors who come to our great city each year,” said NYC & Company President & CEO Cristyne L. Nicholas. “This news shows why New York City has become such a popular destination for visitors who come from around the world to see the attractions, Broadway shows, world-class shopping, museums and the finest restaurants in the world.”

Of the 240 cities with a population of 100,000 or more that reported to the FBI, New York City now ranks 222 between Fontana, California and Port St. Lucie, Florida. Out of the nation’s 10 and 25 largest cities, New York City ranked the safest with the fewest overall crimes on the total crime index.

For more information about visiting New York City, visit www.nycvisit.com, call 1-800-NYC-VISIT (U.S. and Canada), 212-397-8222 (international) or stop by NYC’s Official Visitor Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue at 53rd Street, or Visitor Information Kiosks at the southern tip of City Hall Park, in Chinatown at the intersection of Canal, Baxter and Walker Streets and in Harlem in the State Office Building Plaza at 163 West 125th Street at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard.

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City Guide for New York City, New York.

Press Releases Received for New York City, NY November 2005

NEW YORK CITY TO ADD NEARLY 5,000 NEW HOTEL ROOMS OVER NEXT TWO YEARS

NEW YORK CITY ON A SHOESTRING: FUN FOR $15 OR LESS

NYC THE SAFEST LARGE CITY IN AMERICA

City Guide for New York City, New York.

Press Releases Received for New York City, NY November 2005

NEW YORK CITY TO ADD NEARLY 5,000 NEW HOTEL ROOMS OVER NEXT TWO YEARS

NEW YORK CITY ON A SHOESTRING: FUN FOR $15 OR LESS

NYC THE SAFEST LARGE CITY IN AMERICA

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