Rossilynne Skena Culgan

We're in a stretch of shockingly pleasant weather right now, so you've make the most of it— especially considering the Farmers Almanac is predicting a brutal winter. When you're bundled up in a parka sliding in your boots down the sidewalk, you'll be glad for the memories you made on these warm summer days. Keep scrolling for our editor's picks on how to optimize your day. It’s rare to be in the greatest city on earth and not have plans, but if you’re stumped for things to do in NYC today, consider us your entertainment saviors. Daily, there are awesome events to stream and new attractions to see, but if you’re searching for something really specific like new happenings at the city’s top destinations or something low-budget—like free things to do—we have everything you need listed right here. RECOMMENDED: Full NYC events calendar

Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this weekend: The Rockaway Film Festival, a free movie on The Intrepid, a Japanese summer fest, and the last MOMA PS1 Warm Up of the summer—plus free events around town. All you have to do is scroll down to plan your weekend! Start planning a great month now with our round-up of the best things to do in August.  RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in NYCRECOMMENDED: The best New York attractions Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

The best NYC events in September include everything from last-minute things to do in summer to early fall celebrations including incredible art and cultural events. Use our events calendar for September to help you schedule all the happenings you don’t want to miss, like the NYC Pizza Run, Pumpkin Nights at the Bronx Zoo, Morningside Lights, and music festivals. Sure, summer is nearly over, but there's still time to enjoy all of the wonderful things to do outside in New York before the cold temps usher in fall in NYC with its colorful leaves, apple cider donuts and jack-o'-lanterns galore. RECOMMENDED: Full NYC events calendar for 2025

The Big Apple is pricey, and any traveler paying this marvelous city a visit will soon find that the bagels, pizza slices, museum tickets and cab fares add up to a fair amount of cash—but you don’t have to throw loads away on your hotel just to avoid breaking the bank. In fact, quite the opposite.  What are hotel prices like in New York City? New York City has many wonderful qualities, but being easy on the wallet is not one of them. Hotel prices can be steep even if you are pretty organised when it comes to booking, but we’re here to help. What you’ll find on this list is hotels which have not been skimpy on that effortlessly cool New York style, but which cost no more than $215 per night—no horrid dorms or leaky showers here.  📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in New York City

This year marks the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and you may be looking for events around NYC to memorialize this solemn day. Over the past two decades, NYC has remembered those we lost in the attacks through music, somber ceremonies, art installations and incredible symbols like the Tower Lights. In 2025, events include vigils, memorials and tribute runs. Here are some ways to mark the significant date. 

There’s a long (and we mean really long) list of reasons why one might choose to visit old New York—the food, the theatre, the bars and the art galleries, to name a few—but up there with the best things about this city is, without a doubt, its skyline. And while heading up to Top of the Rock or the One World Observatory are worthy ways to soak it up, your hotel room could be, too. So, that’s why we’ve compiled a round up of the best hotels in NYC with proper, show-stopping views. Sit back and enjoy. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in New York City

If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week, or even for today, there are tons of fun options, including the U.S. Open, World Photography Day at Summit, Rockaway Film Festival, a Bukowski reading, the last Intrepid movie night of the year, and awesome free events in NYC! For more ideas, scroll down to see this week's best things to do in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in New York Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

Labor Day Weekend in NYC is the last hurrah of summer. It’s our last chance to truly enjoy all the good things summer has brought us—rooftop bars, beaches, pristine pools, beautiful parks and more. To help you take advantage of the best of the city, we have a list of the best things to do on Labor Day right here. Go wild at a summer music festival, celebrate Caribbean culture at the annual West Indian American Day Carnival, and cheer hard at the U.S. Open. Whether you’re an indoor type or looking for things to do outside, we have the perfect itinerary for Labor Day weekend. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Labor Day in NYC

Free and cheap tickets to NYC's best museums? It's possible! One of the benefits of living in or visiting New York City is all the incredible cultural institutions and museums are at your beck-and-call like The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, MoMA or the Guggenheim. They are among the finest in the world—there’s just one hitch: They’re often pricey to get into. Unlike cities such as London or Washington, D.C., New York isn’t big on publicly funded museums, which is too bad, especially if you actually live here and have to pay most of your wages on food and rent. Granted, there are senior and student discounts, and memberships that let you get in gratis if you’re willing to pay for the annual fee. There is one alternative, however: most museums offer free hours or days and pay-what-you-wish admission. You just have to know where and when they are. We’ve got the info you need in our guide to all the free museum days and cheap admission in NYC you should know about, whether you live here or are planning a visit. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best museums in NYC

NYC is the city that never sleeps, so it's fair to assume that some of our museums stay open late! If you work a day job, it's often impossible to visit museums because they usually close by 6pm on most days. But some of them have late hours on certain days of the week — and that includes major institutions such as the Met and MoMA. Just for the night owls among us, check out our list of all the late museum hours in NYC you should know about. Extra perk: Some of these late-night hours happen to coincide with free or cheaper-than-normal admission, too. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to museums in NYC

Finding free things to do in New York City is like striking gold. NYC is one of the greatest cities in the world, but holy cow, is it pricey. Seeing Broadway shows or dining at one of the city’s most buzzed about restaurants will cost you a pretty penny. Luckily for us, the city also offers a prime list of free museum days, walking tours, exhibits, comedy shows and more. Read on for our list of NYC's best gratis activities. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to our best things to do in NYC

We're throwing the spookiness into high gear with events for Halloween in NYC. October is filled with costume parties, haunted houses, corn mazes, parades and even dog parades — and we're so ready! Don't bother breaking out your sewing kit, New York's greatest Halloween stores have plenty of options to make you look really spooky. Make sure to check out our NYC events in October too for even more activities to finish off the month in killer spirits.  Bookmark this link because we'll be updating this guide all autumn long. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Halloween in NYC

Every fall, Morningside Lights illuminates the night with a procession of awe-inspiring handmade lanterns. This year’s event, titled "TIMEFRAME 1965" features a celebration of the images, icons, and influences of the year 1965. Just after dusk on Saturday, September 20, see more than 50 community-built lanterns. This mobile, glowing art gallery will represent transformative art and artists, seeking to remind viewers how myriad ways of seeing can cohabit and enrich one singular space.  The procession will head from Morningside Park to Columbia University campus, fittingly home to incredible art and arts programming. The route begins in Morningside Park at 116th Street and Morningside Avenue at 8pm, arriving on campus around 8:45pm. "This year’s Morningside Lights, TIMEFRAME 1965, honors an important milestone—the vibrant 60-year history of Columbia’s School of the Arts—and explores the extraordinary artistic energy of that time, out of which a generation of influential artists, filmmakers, performers, scholars, and writers emerged," Melissa Smey, executive director of the Arts Initiative and Miller Theatre, said in a press release. Morningside Lights is led by the directors of Processional Arts Workshop, Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles, and produced by Columbia University's Arts Initiative and Miller Theatre at Columbia University School of the Arts. It’s free to attend with no tickets required; festivities begin at 8pm on September 20 in Morningside Heights. In the week lea

Sydney Duncan invites you into the innerworkings of the mind of an angry Black woman. In this one-woman show, you'll see character comedian make good use of impressions, storytelling and characters to explore "the complex relationship Black women have with their anger. How do they display, conceal, and really feel about true emotions they tend not to show the world…but what if they did?"  See "ACAB: Angry, Crazy & Black!" at Union Hall on Sunday, August 24. The show features SNL writer Vannessa Jackson as a special guest opener.

Step back in time to August 1776 at Green-Wood Cemetery's commemoration of the Battle of Brooklyn. The battle was the largest battle of the Revolutionary War and the first to take place after the signing of the Declaration of Independence—it took place on land that's now part of Green-Wood Cemetery. Events on Sunday, August 24 include a chance to meet costumed interpreters, experience a 1776 soldiers encampment, do some 18th-Century laundry, see historical demonstrations, and listen to stories of the American Revolution. Plus, all are welcome to participate in a march to Battle Hill, the highest natural point in Brooklyn and a key site of the 1776 battle.  This event isn't just for history nerds. All ages are invited for a fun afternoon of activities that bring NYC's revolutionary history to life and honor the bravery of those who fought for America's independence. Visitors are welcome to bring picnics and blankets to enjoy on the Main Entrance Meadow—something not usually permitted at Green-Wood. It's free to attend with advance reservation recommended here.

And Scene is a half-scripted comedy show where actors and improvisers are paired up to perform scenes together. The actors can only say the words as they come in the script, and the improvisers don't know what play they're in, making for a truly chaotic and hilarious evening. The August 18 show at Caveat boasts a stacked lineup including the following improvisers: Ego Nwodim, Chloe Troast, Connor Ratliff, Alex Dickson, and Brian Morabito. They'll be joined by actors Johnathan Fernandez, Mick Szal, Stephanie Gibson, Francesca Faridany, and Emmanuelle Mattana. Upcoming shows are on September 15, October 20, November 17, and December 15. 

The name really says it all: Make bonsai in a bar! These teeny tiny trees are the definition of "happy little trees."  The pros from Bonsai Bar will teach you the fundamental skills and techniques behind the art of bonsai while you sip your drink and have some fun with your friends. The teachers will also help you as you pot, prune and design your very own bonsai tree.  Bonsai Bar events pop up all over the city at locations like Brooklyn Brewery, the Bronx Brewery and SingleCut Beersmiths Queens Taproom.

Performing comedy is a vulnerable act. The art demands bravely standing on stage under bright lights in front of strangers while sharing embarrassing moments, family history and dating faux pas—all while trying to elicit a laugh. But the comedians who perform at this monthly comedy show take the challenge a step further: They're completely nude.   The Naked Comedy Show promises "New York's nakedest stand-up comedians." Yes, the comedians are legit naked. At this secret Brooklyn venue (you'll get the address in your confirmation email), the first two rows of audience are nudity-optional. This night of jokes and genitals will take place on Thursday, August 14, with a 7pm show or a 9pm show. Both shows are hosted by Billy Procida (bad Lifetime dating show). Two things to note: Sexual activity is prohibited. Audience members' phones will not be allowed out during the show.

Part museum, part spy training ground, Spyscape offers aspiring intelligence agents the opportunity to test their mettle. First, visitors can read up on real-life spies like Alan Turing, the mathematician who cracked the Enigma code, and Virginia Hall, the one-legged operative who helped escaped POWs travel to safety during World War II. Then it’s time for your assessment: After you sneak through a hallway peppered with laser beams, submit to a lie detector test and test all kind of other Bond-style skills, the museum uses a profiling system developed by a former British Intelligence officer to grade your performance.

Central Park is made up of 843 acres in the center of Manhattan. It includes sprawling lawns, rural woodlands, babbling brooks, and several lakes. The park also features running paths, walking trails, baseball fields, a skating rink, a zoo, formal gardens, theaters, a concert venue, and lots of commemorative art.  You can really choose your own adventure at Central Park. Whether you have just 20 minutes for a quick stroll on your lunch break or hours to meander on a weekend, it's all possible at Central Park. If you want to loop around the entire park, budget at least three hours. Biking is another great way to see the park and to cover ground more quickly. A quick history lesson: As Manhattan grew densely populated in the 1800s, city planners wanted to build a park to offer a countryside respite for urbanites. It was intended as a place to escape the stresses of urban life and to commune with nature alongside fellow New Yorkers. True to its mission, the beloved park continues that role today, welcoming 42 million visitors each year. Our New York editorial team is constantly updating and reviewing the best attractions, activities and venues across the city, so that you're always in the know, with the best of NYC. at your fingertips. Central Park was most recently updated with new tips on August 8, 2025.

A seven-minute ferry ride takes you to this island sanctuary, a scant 800 yards from lower Manhattan. Thanks to its strategic position in the middle of New York Harbor, Governors Island was a military outpost and off-limits to the public for 200 years, but it finally opened to summer visitors in 2006. The verdant, 172-acre isle still retains a significant chunk of its military-era architecture, which is worth exploring. Plus, ride a bike, walk through a lavender field, hang out in a hammock and hit the spa. Today, the island is jointly run by the city, the state and the National Park Service, and it provides a peaceful setting for cycling (bring a bike on the ferry, or rent from Bike and Roll once there). The island hosts a program of events, such as concert series and art exhibitions (see website for schedule), and where else can you have a picnic directly across from the Statue of Liberty? It's also home to the luxurious Italian wellness spa QC NY, bringing the elegance and rejuvenation of a European spa to the New York Hudson — explore relaxation rooms, themed saunas, infrared beds, foot baths and other lush amenities. 

Take on the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere at Hudson Yards. The bird's-eye attraction dubbed Edge is well worth a visit—that is, if you’re not afraid of heights. The building’s outdoor terrace takes you onto the highest public balcony in NYC. The deck not only features panoramic views of our city’s skyline but a killer vantage point below. Brave souls can stand on a large, see-through glass floor and wave to passersby 1,100 feet beneath. Much like the Top of the Rock concept at Rockefeller Center, there’s a 10,000-square-foot bar, restaurant called Peak and event space on the 101th floor. In our collective trips up there, we’ve had our heart racing just from peering through the glass. We’ve even climbed the side of it, which you can do yourself.

Whether you’re interested in theater, opera, dance, music or film, few names are as synonymous with high culture as Lincoln Center. Originally built in the late ‘50s with financial backing from John D. Rockefeller III, the 16-acre complex, made up of 30 separate venues, is a dream for performance art lovers. Perhaps you'll see the Philharmoic in David Geffen Hall or take in a show with the talented Met Opera or catch the New York City Ballet's annual performance of the Nutcracker. No matter which you choose, you're in for a treat. On any given night visitors sitting by the central plaza enjoying the glowing lights of the fountain might see Metropolitan Opera patrons in full gowns, classical musicians with instruments on their backs and young children pirouetting, inspired by the latest from the New York City Ballet.

Every city park offers its own brand of verdant escapism, but this lush expanse in the Bronx goes beyond landscaped flora. In addition to housing swaths of vegetation—including the 50-acre forest, featuring some of the oldest trees in the city—the garden cultivates a rotating roster of shows. Don't miss the annual orchid show every spring. Among its many amenities is a gallery devoted to mounting art exhibits, usually of work related to flora and the natural world.

A new exhibit coming to The Whitney Museum of American Art reads like a who's who of revolutionary artists working in the 1960s. The show, titled Sixties Surreal, features Diane Arbus, Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol, Romare Bearden, Jasper Johns, Nancy Grossman, David Hammons, Louise Bourgeois and Faith Ringgold, just to name a few.  What all of these artists have in common is their way of contributing to "a sweeping, ambitious, revisionist look at American art from 1958 to 1972 through the lens of the 'surreal,'" the museum says. In all, the sprawling show features the work of 111 artists who embraced the psychosexual, fantastical and revolutionary energy of an era shaped by civil unrest, cultural upheaval and boundless experimentation. See it and step back from September 24–January 19. RECOMMENDED: All the free museums days in NYC you should know about Expect to feel the trippy energy from the very first piece in the show: An installation of three life-sized, lifelike camel sculptures by artist Nancy Graves. From there, the exhibit continues thematically, enabling visitors to explore to a decade in which the world itself felt increasingly surreal. The show features painting, sculpture, photography, film and assemblage, tracing how artists working in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and New York grappled with identity, sexuality, race and power in ways often overlooked in canonical art histories. Though the women's liberation movement didn't enter wider public conscious

This new kid-friendly playspace coming to Dumbo sounds like a thing of dreams. It features trampolines, a massive bead pit, a Magna-Tile building zone, scarf-blowing machines, a bedazzling room and a three-level playground with slides. When the new multisensory indoor playground opens in early September, it will be the third iteration of Space Club, joining two fellow Space Clubs in Greenpoint and Fort Greene. Find it at 256 Plymouth Street as of September 8 (Space Club members get early access starting September 1). A pass, which covers one adult and one child, costs $39 for two hours of fun.  RECOMMENDED: Incredible immersive experiences to do in NYC right now Space Club promises that its Dumbo location will "elevate the play experience with a variety of immersive installations and family-friendly amenities." In addition to the immersive activities for climbing, jumping, bedazzling and exploring, the Dumbo venue will also feature multiple party rooms and a café. A rooftop greenhouse is set to open in 2026. Photograph: Courtesy of Space Club Also launching in 2026: Space Club Dumbo's after-school program, which offers structured time for homework, open play and enriching classes like arts and crafts. It's designed for kids ages Pre-K through 6th and even includes school pick-up options. "Our mission has always been to provide 'space'—both literal and imaginative—for children to explore, express, and be free in an urban setting," Max Friedman, co-founder and president of Sp

Seen on Coney Island this weekend: Two narwhals, two cats, and an elephant—all made of sand. The 33rd Annual Coney Island Sandsculpting Competition took to the sand this weekend to dazzle and delight onlookers with incredible artistic creations.  This year's winners are Tony Cusicanqui in the solo artist category with an elephant sculpture; Ed Lam in the people's choice category for his hummingbird with flower; Fernanda Perez who created a sleeping cat for the family group; and Kathy Nichols topped the adult group with a sculpture called "I scream … you scream." The event's hosted by the Alliance for Coney Island. Keep scrolling to see the amazing creations from summer 2025. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Coney Island, NY Photograph: Courtesy of Alliance for Coney Island   Photograph: Courtesy of Alliance for Coney Island   Photograph: Courtesy of Alliance for Coney Island   Photograph: Courtesy of Alliance for Coney Island   Photograph: Courtesy of Alliance for Coney Island   Photograph: Courtesy of Alliance for Coney Island   Photograph: Courtesy of Alliance for Coney Island   Photograph: Courtesy of Alliance for Coney Island Photograph: Courtesy of Alliance for Coney Island    

New Yorkers are spoiled for choice when it comes to things to do. From massive museums to quirkier options, you’d have to visit a different cultural institution every weekend to scratch the surface. But here at Time Out, it’s our job as professional culture vultures to visit every single one to discover what’s new and what's outstanding. We’ve journeyed across the five boroughs to bring you our list of New York City’s best attractions, freshly updated for August 2025. And we’re coming at you with a brand-new number one that you must add to your list.  RECOMMENDED: The 80 best New York City attractions that should be on your list Right now, the top attraction in New York City is The Frick Collection, which houses an awe-inspiring assemblage of art from the 1400s to the 1800s. It's the only NYC attraction where you can see an impressive collection of Renaissance art inside the palatial home of the art collector, and that alone would earn it the top spot—but it also houses a five-star restaurant. This opulent Upper East Side mansion-turned-museum had been closed for five years, and it reopened this spring with the addition of 10 new galleries inside the formerly off-limits second story. Before it was a museum, the entire mansion was home to the family of Henry Clay Frick, a steel magnate from Pittsburgh. Even after Frick bequeathed the building and his vast art collection to the public, the second floor of the building remained closed. This area, which previously served as the f

Ah, Gen Z. They love Labubus and littering. They call Manhattan “work island.” They do not want to start a bar tab, thank you very much. And they think New York City is one of the best places in the world for their generation of people born from 1995 to 2012. How do we know? Well, we surveyed readers from across the globe about what it’s like to live in their cities, and based on the responses from this demographic specifically, we’re pleased to introduce Time Out’s first-ever ranking of the Best Cities for Gen Z. This global list was created by Gen Z, for Gen Z. These results highlight the cities where the next generation truly thrives. Keep scrolling for the full list.  RECOMMENDED: The world’s best cities for Gen Z to live in—according to Gen Z Topping the list is Bangkok, thanks to standout scores in happiness (84% of Gen Z respondents say they’re happy living there) and affordability (71% say it’s a budget-friendly place to live). Melbourne, Australia, comes in next on the list, followed by Cape Town, South Africa, then our very own New York City.  Gen Z praised New York City as the most "exciting" on the list. Plus, they lauded its walkability (82 percent of Gen Z said it's easy to get around by foot) and its nightlife offerings (84 percent rated the city highly for nightlife). Global ranking of best cities for Gen Z Bangkok, Thailand Melbourne, Australia Cape Town, South Africa New York City, United States Copenhagen, Denmark Barcelona, Spain Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Step into the magical worlds of Halloween Town and Christmas Town at a frightfully fun immersive experience coming to the New York Botanical Garden this fall. After its debut last year, Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail is returning to the Bronx with brand new scenes, festive music and video projections. This all-ages evening experience was inspired by the timeless classic 1993 movie known for its stop-motion animation and iconic characters such as Jack Skellington. The light trail promises to bring the film to life against the botanical beauty of the garden. The experience runs on select evenings from Thursday, September 25 through Sunday, November 30, with tickets starting at $33 for children and $45 for adults. RECOMMENDED: The best Halloween events for 2025 in NYC Visitors can walk through more than 8,300 square feet of dazzling light installations featuring interactive video projection, intelligent LED lighting, and 3D-printed sculptures of the film's iconic characters. In addition to updated activations, this year's light trail will feature new refreshment and merchandise "BOOths." Photograph: Brunkus "We're coming back better than ever this year," Jeffrey Seller, of the show's creator Adventurelive, said in a press release. "We took everything we learned from our first year to make an even more exciting experience: A longer trail, more surprises, and better hospitality. You're going to want to come early or stay late for hot cider, beer,

We may not have a cocktail of the summer or a song of the summer this year, but we did get something: the summer of unusual ice cream. First there was the melon and prosciutto combo from Salt & Straw. Then came the breast milk-inspired ice cream from OddFellows. And now there's an intriguing new flavor coming from Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams—with an artsy twist. Jeni's is collaborating with artist Cj Hendry to launch a jet-black flavor called OPAQUE. You can get a taste of it at an immersive pop-up shop in Soho this weekend, August 15–17. The concept promises a provocative exploration of color and flavor. As the team says in a press release: "What happens when you take the vibrant, colorful, nostalgic experience of ice cream and rely on other senses to rethink how it should look and taste?" RECOMMENDED: This ice cream shop has been named the best in New York Inside the pop-up, everything is going black. Tables, chairs, tiles, straws, napkins, ice cream cones, and the ice cream itself, of course—it's all the color of coal. Hendry has been documenting the build out on Instagram—and indulging in a few pints of OPAQUE along the way, gleefully showing off her black teeth after having a few scoops. As for the ice cream's taste, the flavor is made with black cocoa, espresso fudge, and tart balsamic cherry jam. Ice cream is getting the fine art treatment at this weekend's pop-up. Hendry, who is known for her hyper-realistic artwork, is drawing unbelievably accurate ice cream scoops fo

When Louis Armstrong sang the inimitable lyric "I hear babies cry, I watch them grow," he was referencing the kids in his neighborhood of Corona and East Elmhurst, according to Regina Bain, executive director of the famed musician's namesake museum. And a new oral exhibit this fall will give a voice to his Queens community, highlighting the people who grew up next to Louis and Lucille Armstrong.  Titled "The Corona Collection," the new exhibition at The Louis Armstrong House Museum will debut on October 2 and run through March 2026. Throughout, hear the voices of the Armstrongs' neighbors as they recount cherished memories, share heartfelt stories and dig into neighborhood histories. These oral histories offer an intimate look into the couple's life and their deep community connection.  RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now Among the 15 neighbors who shared their stories, one of the featured narrators is Willie Johnson, who grew up in Corona. As a child, he was featured in an iconic photo sitting on the Armstrong steps and learning to play the trumpet. Johnson offers rich reflections on the tight-knit community that surrounded the Armstrongs.  "Louis Armstrong instilled in me that whatever light you have within yourself, don't stifle it. Allow for it to shine. He would always say, keep your head up and don't ever let someone make you behave other than who you are. Louis Armstrong taught me that art is creativity at its finest, so I got into playing music

After being closed for construction since 2018, the Studio Museum in Harlem will reopen on Saturday, November 15 in a new seven-floor, 82,000-square-foot building on West 125th Street. To celebrate the grand opening day, the museum will host a community event with free admission and activities for all ages.  The building, custom-designed for the museum, will house art exhibitions, educational opportunities, program spaces and an expansive lobby. For its first show, the Studio Museum will present the work of the late sculptor Tom Lloyd; it’s a full-circle moment as his work was part of the institution’s opening back in 1968. Another debut show will draw from the museum’s vast collection, underscoring the museum’s role as a steward of art by artists of African descent. RECOMMENDED: The best museum exhibitions in NYC right now During the building's first year, expect to see newly commissioned site-specific artworks, including a sonic sculptural installation by Camille Norment composed of brass tubing and featuring a chorus of voices. Also look for a wall-mounted, metal-based installation by Christopher Myers that envisions an intergenerational community of hybrid of figures gathered in a fantastical landscape.  Photograph: By John Berens | Artwork by Tom Lloyd “Moussakoo” Iconic Studio Museum artworks will be reinstalled, including David Hammons's work inspired by the pan-African flag; Glenn Ligon's neon wall sculpture "Give Us a Poem;" and Houston E. Conwill's seven bronze ti

“Let Me Tell You” is a series of columns from our expert editors about NYC living, including the best things to do, where to eat and drink, and what to see at the theater. Last time, Things to Do Editor Rossilynne Skena Culgan shared why she’s more thankful than ever for NYC’s free events. Hear that sound? Is it the rumble of the subway? Someone’s stereo booming? Or wait, is it snoring? Yes, New York City has been a little sleepier since the pandemic with some 24/7 venues deciding to close earlier and some city-dwellers opting for Sleepytime tea at home rather than shots at the club. But, despite what the many headlines and forums might tell you, New York City is still the city that never sleeps. These 10 venues prove it. And I’m not talking about bars and clubs here; lots of cities have late-night watering holes. Instead, we’re highlighting the quirkier things to do after dark in NYC, places that truly make this a late-night city. If you want to have a unique night out that keeps going until sunrise, you absolutely can. Let the naysayers stay at home under the covers.  Photograph: Jordan Rathkopf 1. Play Ping-Pong 24/7  Need to burn off some energy after dark? PingPod is the spot. The table tennis gym offers nine locations across the city, from Astoria to the Upper East Side to Williamsburg, where you can play 24/7/365.  Here’s how it works: You pick your location, reserve a time online and then get access to your table, balls and paddles. The whole process is totally au

When envisioning the redesign of David Geffen Hall, home to the city’s symphony orchestra, leaders wanted “to create the instrument the New York Philharmonic deserves,” Lincoln Center’s President Henry Timms said during a preview of the space today.  At first glance, it appears they achieved their goal, transforming the building into a state-of-the-art hub for classical music and a more welcoming space for New Yorkers. The renovated David Geffen Hall will officially open on Saturday, October 8, after completing a $550 million renovation two years early. Opening weekend will feature a pay-as-you-wish performance of Etienne Charles’ new work, “San Juan Hill: A New York Story,” exploring the story of the immigrant communities that populated the land in and around the Lincoln Center area.  RECOMMENDED: 15 NYC art exhibitions we’re most excited about this fall Here’s a sneak peek at what to expect from the new theater.  Photograph: By Michael Moran / Courtesy of David Geffen Hall | A rose petal motif carries through the theater. A more intimate theater experience The Wu Tsai Theater, with its red and blue rose petal design, welcomes visitors with a dramatic entrance. The petal motif meant to evoke joy and possibility continues throughout the theater with a pinkish petal design covering the theater’s 2,200 seats.  The theater used to hold 2,700 people, but cutting those 500 seats allowed designers to extend the stage, add seating behind and beside the orchestra, and bring the mus

A century ago this fall, Robert Rauschenberg was born in Texas. He went on to become a Pop art pioneer and one of the most renowned American artists of this era. Now, museums and galleries across the globe are planning shows that honor the artist's expansive creativity, spirit of curiosity and commitment to change. For its part, NYC's Guggenheim Museum on the Upper East Side will host a major show called "Robert Rauschenberg: Life Can't Be Stopped," running from October 10, 2025–April 5, 2026. The show will feature more than a dozen historic pieces, including Rauschenberg's monumental painting "Barge," all which reflects the artist’s radical legacy.  RECOMMENDED: There is a hanging garden inside the Guggenheim Museum's rotunda The Guggenheim's show will be drawn from its own collection as well as loans from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and focuses on the artist's experiments with using photographs in drawing, painting and printmaking. Rauschenberg's radial use of media imagery and commercial printing techniques led critics to associate him with Pop artists such as Andy Warhol. Like Warhol, Rauschenberg was also enamored with contemporary culture. As he once said to an interviewer, "I want paintings to be reflections of life, and life can't be stopped." Photograph: Courtesy of Robert Rauschenberg Foundation/Licensed by VAGA/ArtistsRights Society | Barge Among the highlights of the Guggenheim show is the 32-foot-long silkscreen painting "Barge," mostly created over a 24