Shaye Weaver

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 best things to do in NYC this weekend include Winter Jam, the Manhattan Vintage Show, Sapphic Saturdays, Grammy-themed bingo, a free night at MoMA and free events around town. All you have to do is scroll down to plan your weekend! 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. 

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 a free night at MoMA, the Manhattan Vintage Show, Sex Ed, a PowerPoint comedy show, a Lunar New Year concert 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. 

Valentine’s Day in NYC can be a hard date to plan, but with more to do this year, it'll be easier to set up something amazing you two will never forget! From dining out in style to catching a show or ordering in from some of the best restaurants in NYC, treat your S.O. to a day to remember for Cupid's holiday.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Valentine’s Day in NYC

February 2023: Looking for the best things to do in NYC? Our iconic museums, big attractions, and favorite restaurants have the coolest exhibits and shows on right now. The city has great new restaurants and bars and there are more immersive experiences than you can count! This month, the city is hunkering down for winter with amazing hot cocktails, must-see museum exhibits and buzzy Broadway shows. It may be cold but NYC is never dormant! From its art museums (The Met and Frick Madison) to its attractions (The Bronx Zoo and sunrises from the Empire State Building), New York City is the best city in the world. Its dining and drinking scenes, which are undergoing major changes, are still unbeatable and boast killer bars (Dante), restaurants (Lilia) and offering crazy new inventions (like a rainbow crepe cake). Every day, we're discovering something new and wonderful about our city, whether it's one of the best beaches, some incredible views, must-see art, or hidden-gem stores. Take this summer to do some incredibly fun things in NYC. Consider below your NYC Bible.  Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining.  RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in New York City RECOMMENDED: The best helicopter tours in NYCRECOMMENDED: The best attractions in ManhattanRECOMMENDED: The coolest Airbnbs in New York  

The star-studded Academy Awards are upon us and we're here for the dazzling outfits, the big wins and the performances by a soon-to-be-revealed lineup of musical artists. New York City's best bars and restaurants are the place to be for Oscar prediction ballots galore, bubbly and food specials that we'll give you the rundown on. Will Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert's "Everything Everywhere All At Once" get snubbed for Best Picture? Will Austin Butler take home the Oscar for his transformative role in "Elvis?" RECOMMENDED: See the full list of nominees here.  Anything can happen on March 12!  RECOMMENDED: Full coverage of the Academy Awards

The sound of swaying trees, the chirps of birds in the morning, and the sun peeking through the tree branches into your window. Doesn't that sound like heaven? Luckily, it's an experience you can totally live, by reliving your youth in a treehouse Airbnb.  From low-fi elevated cabins to more luxurious options with hot tubs and extensive vinyl selections to play at your leisure, there's a treehouse for everyone. These Airbnbs help you recharge and rewind, whether you're looking for a complete off-grid, digital-detox trip or something between urban and rural living. De-stress and banish all your woes. Even though these Airbnbs are a step up from camping near NYC, be sure to pack your hiking boots and essentials because some of these are quite off-the-grid. Hotels, frankly, could never.  RECOMMENDED: Cozy cabins near NYC that you can rent on Airbnb This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Want to rest your head somewhere with a bit more pizzazz (cue jazz hands)? We've got just the thing. From classy pads to luxury lofts, these Airbnbs provide you with the true New York experience, especially for first-timers to the Big Apple wanting to see the top New York attractions.  There's an Airbnb for anyone, whether New York newbies or OGs. Check out our curated list of the coolest Airbnbs in the City. Or if you do fancy a hotel, read our guide to the best hotels in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYCRECOMMENDED: The best tours and walks in NYC This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

It's finally time to celebrate the massive contributions of Black and African-American people with the most amazing exhibits, concerts, shows and more this February. Marking Black History Month is one of the best (and easiest) things to do in February and NYC is certainly not lacking in the many ways you can do this. Here's where to celebrate the month-long event. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in winter

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

New York City is full of free outdoor art that you don't even have to go to a museum to see. Sculptures, murals and photographs can be found in its parks, sidewalks and on its buildings! Locations such as the High Line, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn, Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens and other NYC locales all have a wide variety of pieces awaiting you, from massive sculptures to eye-popping murals and graffiti. Best of all, it costs you nothing to pay a visit. Below, find the best outdoor art in NYC to brighten up even the coldest winter day. RECOMMENDED: The best art shows and exhibits in NYC

With winter in full swing and a very difficult year ahead of us, New Yorkers are looking for comforting escapes to commune with nature and reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones. Luckily, there are many Airbnbs that offer fireplaces, fire pits, comfy beds, and incredible views that act as a home away from home – but cozier than our cramped NYC apartments. So what are you waiting for? Sublet the flat and head on out upstate, into the sticks, where the grass is green and the air is waaaay less polluted than the city. Enjoy the nature, the fireplaces, the saunas, and the really good views. Ahhhh, now that's peaceful.  Here are 15 wonderfully cozy stays near NYC that we think are worth a trip.  RECOMMENDED: Romantic Airbnbs near NYCRECOMMENDED: Stunning Airbnbs for ski getaways from NYCRECOMMENDED: Amazing Airbnbs near NYC with fireplacesRECOMMENDED: Awesome boutique hotels in NYCRECOMMENDED: Coolest Airbnb treehouse rentals near NYCRECOMMENDED: The coziest Airbnb cabins near New York This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Second to booking into one of NYC's most iconic hotels, the best way to authentically experience New York is in an Airbnb. Not only that, but you'll also save a bit of cash by doing so, especially if you're looking to stay in Brooklyn, as homes on the other side of the East River are generally bigger and just a hop-skip away from all those top attractions the city that never sleeps has to offer. So if you're after an awesome place to stay in NYC, start with our list of the coolest Airbnb rentals in Brooklyn. From chic studios to artist lofts, we've picked out something to suit everyone. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYC RECOMMENDED: The best attractions in BrooklynRECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs with hot tubs in New York

This month, Time Out Market New York is turning into a Meet Market, that is, a place where you can meet someone new (or at least meet your friends to find a new favorite cocktail). The market is hosting a month-long celebration of mixing, mingling and finding your perfect match with a variety of fun events and special Valentine’s Day-themed cocktails. Throughout the month, you can play a fun scratch-off game for prizes, enjoy cocktails with a custom pairing menu, take part in chocolate culinary classes and take treasured photos inside a photo booth that lets you decorate your images with stickers, frames and backgrounds. The market will also hold a heart-shaped pizza-making workshop with Fornino, a Red and White Party and much more. Make it a sweet month at the Market!

At this hilarious and educational show, comedians Brandon Collins and Gordon Baker-Bone lead a booze-fueled lesson in Black history with the help of their friends. This Black History Month edition features guest appearances from Calise Hawkins (Everything’s Trash), J.D. Williams (The Wire), and Electra Teleseford (Women in Comedy Festival) with music provided by DJ Shakir Standley and others who will be “skunked out of their minds” wild trying to recap historical events. 

Past NYC Parks employees explore their Black heritage in artworks that span media in this show at Central Park’s Arsenal Gallery. See works from Tuwanda Harmon, Preston R. Coston. Jr., Buddy Esquire (from the collection of Curtis Sherrod), Claudette Ramos, and Patrick Forman—curated by NYC Parks’ Ebony Society, an employee-based affinity group.  The exhibition also includes selections from a collection of vintage hip-hop flyers and vintage invitations produced by the Ebony Society. The opening reception will take place on Thursday, February 2 from 6 to 8pm. Participating artists will be present and light refreshments will be served. RSVP here. The free exhibition will be open through March 9, 2023.

Straight from L.A., with sold-out shows elsewhere, The Black Version asks the audience to suggest a popular film title and then its cast improvises the “Black version” of that film, including an improvised soundtrack, dance numbers, DVD extras, audition reels, and more. The beloved improv show has an all-African-American cast, including show creator Jordan Black (Community), Nyima Funk (Wild N’ Out), Daniele Gaither (MadTV), Phil LaMarr (MadTV), Gary Anthony Williams (Boondocks), and Cedric Yarbrough (Reno 911) under the direction of Karen Maruyama (The Campaign), presented by Zach Laks Productions. Past guest performers include Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele of Key & Peele with special guest performers such as Tiffany Haddish, Wayne Brady, Niecey Nash, Jerry Minor (SNL), Maya Rudolph (SNL), and Angela V. Shelton (Frangela). It’ll be making its NYC debut for Black History Month at Midnight Theatre, on Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25, at 7pm and 9:30pm.

Treat yourself to Guy Stanley Philoche’s art series, “Give Us Our Flowers,” this Black History Month at Cavalier Gallery. Philoche pays homage to Black historical figures in these works, including to James Baldwin, Jackie Robinson and Lena Waithe, who he painted in black and white, surrounded by daisies (his mother’s favorite flower). He also represents everyday people in his works, including a mother and her two sons and a young girl jumping rope with a shirt that reads “My Body, My Choice, My Rights.” Philoche began painting the series after his best friend died in 2022, wanting to create something to honor unsung heroes. “After the funeral, I couldn’t stop painting my friend’s portrait and started thinking about others that had never received their praise,” he said. “The people in my works are painted in black and white, allowing for the viewer to focus on the subject matter at hand. I wanted to make sure to call out specific people like Lena Waithe, but also different archetypes like the mother who is working every day for a better tomorrow for her two sons.” You can see these works and others by William Nelson, Adam Umbach, Jim Rennert, George Rickey, Mark S. Kornbluth and Terry O’Neill at the gallery through February 25.

Kings Theatre, the legendary theatre in Flatbush, Brooklyn, is re-launching historic tours of its opulent space this February. During the 75-minute tour, you'll discover historical and architectural highlights, beginning in the majestic grand lobby from 1929. You'll also be ushered through ornate speakeasy lounges and both levels of the 3,055-seat auditorium and see the baroque stylings of this opulent theatre, the “Queen of Kings,” the Robert Morgan Wonder Organ and gaining insight into the daily workings of the theatre. You can upgrade your experience with two drinks and access to one of the theatre's private speakeasies for a post-tour destination. Built in 1929 as one of the five original Loew’s Wonder Theatres, Kings Theatre was initially a movie palace and live performance venue featuring vaudeville reviews. After closing down in 1979, the theatre sat dormant until undergoing a restoration in 2013 which included the repair of the original lobby furniture. The theatre reopened as Kings Theatre in 2015 with Diana Ross as the debut performance. There are a total of three tours on the schedule as of now: February 18 at 1pm, March 11 at 1pm and, for the first time ever, a weekday option on March 21 at 7pm. You can purchase your ticket right here.

Lean into winter by heading up to this super cool spot in Dumbo called the Polar Lounge. Harriet’s Rooftop on the 10th floor of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge has transformed into a winter oasis with a glacial landscape of carved ice sofas, stools and tables by Okamoto Studio and a menu of cocktails served in ice glasses. It's only made cooler by incredible views of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. Since the lounge is on the rooftop in the dead of winter, 1 Hotels partnered with Moose Knuckles to provide luxury coats for visitors to borrow for their time outside.  A VIP entry ($400 for a one-hour time slot) includes table service at one of the premium ice lounges with a skyline view and offers each guest a complimentary cocktail served in an ice glass (make sure to bring gloves!) and a caviar amuse-bouche, sustainably sourced from Pearl Street Caviar. General Admission entry ($50 for a one-hour time slot) includes access to the standing area and offers each guest a complimentary cocktail served in an ice glass. 1 Hotels has also partnered with Oceanic Global, a non-profit aimed to protect the oceans. A percentage of proceeds from The Polar Lounge will benefit Oceanic Global’s educational programs and industry solutions. The Polar Lounge is open to the public starting January 12 through February 26. Book here.

Longtime Hollywood fashion staple Fred Segal is opening its first East Coast location here in NYC with a pop-up in Soho. Fashionistas will find the 1,600-square-foot store on Lafayette Street now through the holiday season and will be able to peruse its newly launched private label collection, Neighborhoods.  According to the company, Neighborhoods, developed by designer Alfredo Settimio, draws its inspiration from the unique tapestry of vibrant communities and different cultures and uses ultra-soft fabrics for an intentionally oversized fit in celebration of body diversity and without gender in mind. “We believe New York and Los Angeles share a similar mindset in seeking comfort, quality, and an elevated experience with the brands they shop. That is why NY felt like a natural home for this collection, we share the same philosophies when it comes to shopping,” said Jeff Lotman, CEO Fred Segal & Global Icons. “We’re thrilled to open a limited-time pop-up this holiday season featuring our most anticipated projects including our first true private label collection and our new vintage program FOUND by Fred Segal. Our largest sales aside from the LA region has always been NYC and it’s been a long time coming for us to launch on the East Coast.” This is the first standalone storefront featuring the collection and functions as its first foray into a larger strategic expansion with retail partnerships, the company says. Don’t miss it—it’s located at 252 Lafayette Street and open Mond

The biggest gripe against New Year’s celebrations is that they’re crazy expensive. If you want to save on the cost but don’t mind a crowd, Santore’s World Famous fireworks display over Prospect Park’s Grand Army Plaza is a color-popping way to toast 2023. Besides, it doesn’t get any more New York than sharing a communal experience on the street, elbow to elbow with your fellow taxpayers. (And it sure as hell beats Times Square!) This is the first year it’s been back since the pandemic began, so expect your fellow New Yorkers to relish the event! Plus there will be live entertainment by Quintessential Playlist who will perform live music at 10pm before the fireworks begin. 

This new holiday market, launched by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, features 45 vendors from across Kings County, with a special focus on those that are owned by BIPOC and/or women. From art and holiday ornaments and from organic skin-care products to bags and pillows made in Brooklyn with materials from Ghana, there’s something for everyone. The Brooklyn Cyclones will even be there, offering baseball-themed merchandise as well as Teazert Tea, which brings a creative spin on matching tea with scrumptious desserts, tarot games from Four Rabbit, apparel from IndigoStyle Vintage and jewelry from Beroep Tech and Blush Velvet boutiques. It will be open at Industry City Thursdays through Sundays through December 31. “The Chamber is working with mom-and-pop shops across the borough to jumpstart tourism for the holiday season,” said Randy Peers, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. “What makes ‘Brooklyn Made’ unique is that it celebrates Brooklyn’s most creative entrepreneurs, under one roof. We hope the shop, which is a pilot, will take root year-round. There’s no pop-up quite like a Brooklyn pop-up: the borough is bursting at the seams with innovative creators.”

Get in the holiday spirit at Time Out Market New York! While you dine and drink at the market on Saturdays, December 11 and 18, the carolers of Jolly Holidays of IGE Entertainment will sing your favorite jolly tunes from 1 to 4pm.  And Santa himself will make an appearance at the market on December 11, from just 1 to 3pm, for those who want to get a peek. He’ll be giving out candy canes and taking photos with you. For some easy, free listening, come by the market on Mondays, December 5 and 12, from 7 to 10pm to hear live, holiday jazz from Charlie Roman Hot Club. Charlie Roman is a guitarist and crooner specializing in 1930s jazz. From upbeat hot jazz to romantic vocals, his hot club is sure to get your feet tapping to the sounds of Django Reinhardt and early dance bands from the golden era. Then on December 13, dig in your closet or through the thrift racks to find the most heinous sweater for Time Out Market New York’s Ugly Sweater Party. From 6 to 9pm, enjoy music by DJ Price I$ Right and try Threes Brewing’s Volition Black Lager among other craft beer. It’s all a gift to you from Time Out Market!

Don your ugliest holiday sweater for a chance to win exclusive prizes from Threes Brewing at Time Out Market New York! It’s time to dig in your closet or through the thrift racks to find the most heinous sweater for Time Out Market New York’s Ugly Sweater Party on December 13. From 6 to 9pm, enjoy music by DJ Price I$ Right and try Threes Brewing’s Volition Black Lager among other craft beer. ‘Tis the season to be ugly!

For Valentine’s Day and Time Out New York’s “Fire Week” theme, we challenged famous chocolatier Jacques Torres to create (and completely destroy) a chocolate sculpture themed after love, New York City and, of course, flames! The pastry chef and Nailed It! judge bravely accepted and crafted one of the most beautiful, ambitious and creative designs in chocolate that we have certainly ever seen…and then completely destroyed it with a giant blowtorch. RECOMMENDED: NYC’s top flaming food and drinks to heat up this Valentine’s Day and beyond Torres, a.k.a Mr. Chocolate, invited us into his Brooklyn Army Terminal kitchen to watch the construction and destruction of his creation. First, he started with a large, circular chocolate base upon which he built the sculpture. Using heat and flame, he molded about a dozen chocolate hearts of different sizes and attached them to the base. He affixed a massive chocolate apple behind them and decorated the entire thing with sweet decals, from taxis to the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty to V-day-themed icons. Behind all of this, he added white chocolate flames his team painted in orange, yellow and white. It was a chocolate wonder to behold and a centerpiece you might see at an ornate gala.   Then, in an act akin to the Buddhist spiritual practice of creating a beautiful, sandy mandala and dismantling it, he melted the sculpture with a blowtorch that was more than half his size. The chocolate began melting and the hearts and ap

New York has been grappling with how to make the subways safer for everyone, after a seeming increase in headlines about pushings, assaults and other violent acts. Now, New York State is talking about making it possible for judges to ban people who have been convicted of assault or unlawful sexual conduct against passengers, customers or MTA employees. This new idea is part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed New York State Budget and is argued within a memo that it is necessary to implement because it promotes safety and increased ridership in the MTA system. RECOMMENDED: You can now travel from Manhattan to JFK airport for a mere $13 If passed with the budget, it would allow judges to impose an MTA ban during the sentencing of those convicted of assault or unlawful sexual conduct against passengers, effective immediately. “These provisions would encourage a return to ridership by reducing the likelihood of encountering dangerous individuals and deterring violent behavior in the MTA system,” the memo states. During her presentation of the budget, Hochul said New Yorkers need high-quality service, reliability and safety.  According to the New York Post, one person in total has ever been banned from the MTA after they assaulted an MTA employee last year. TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis told the Post that the union wants to see judges impose this ban. “It’s long overdue,” he said. “The criminal justice system needs to send a message that these unprovoked and despicable at

Our queen Beyoncé just announced dates for her upcoming “Renaissance” world tour—her first tour in over six years, so you know it’ll be one for the books! The tour, which stops in 40 cities from Stockholm to New Orleans between May and September, is highly anticipated after the release of “Renaissance,” featuring hits like “Break My Soul,” “Summer Renaissance” and “Alien Superstar.” The last time Bey was in the NYC area was for her 2016 Formation World Tour at Citi Field, where she performed two nights in a row. This time, she won’t technically be performing in New York City limits, but just outside of it at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. But it’s close enough! We’d walk 500 miles to see the queen do what she does best—serve fierce looks, sing like and angel and make us dance. Here’s all you need to know about getting tickets to her show. When is the Beyoncé Renaissance World Tour 2023 NYC? Beyoncé makes her stop in the New York City area at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium midway through the second leg of her Renaissance World Tour, on Saturday, July 29, 2023. What venue is the tour being held at in NYC? The Renaissance World Tour will stop in New Jersey at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. It’s the home field for the New York Giants and New York Jets. It has permanent seating for 82,500 people, including 10,005 club seats and approximately 218 luxury suites, which makes it the largest NFL stadium in terms of total seating. How to get tickets for the Beyoncé

Impressive, towering ice castles that you can explore are coming back for the winter season up at Lake George. Starting Monday, February 6, you can visit Ice Castles and climb through ice-carved tunnels, gaze at beautiful frozen fountains, slip down ice slides, sit in frozen thrones, and be surrounded by cascading towers of ice embedded with color-changing LED lights.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in the winter in NYC Photograph: AJ Mellor for Ice Castles This year, the Ice Castles will have a new Polar Pub, where you can order a variety of winter-themed alcoholic drinks from an ice bar. (The bar will be open for free Friday and Saturday night, February 3-4, ahead of the castles’ opening.) The original opening date of Ice Castles had been slated for January 27, but it’s been so warm that it needed to be postponed, organizers say. “We’re excited to finally announce our opening day in New York,” said Ice Castles CEO Kyle Standifird, “Mother Nature has thrown us a few challenges this season, which delayed our opening. While winter doesn’t always come on our schedule, we’re thankful that it does come eventually.”  Photograph: AJ Mellor for Ice Castles Photograph: AJ Mellor for Ice Castles Ice Castles will remain open through late February or early March, weather permitting. Tickets ($22 per person and $15 per child during the week and $29 per person and $22 per child) are available at icecastles.com/new-york/

This just isn’t the year for snow lovers. Today, NYC broke the record for the longest winter without measurable snowfall, which had been January 29—a record set in 1973, when 1.8 inches of snow fell. So the last time we went this long without snow, Richard Nixon was president. Yes, we’ve seen at least two bouts of snow flurries, but that precipitation was not enough to count, according to the National Weather Service. Accumulation needs to hit at least 0.1 inches to be counted and measurable. The last time there was measurable snow in NYC was 327 days ago on March 9, 2022, according to the New York Post. But, it was only four-tenths of an inch. Not only is there no snow in sight for the near future, but NYC is also seeing some above-normal temperatures. Today, Monday, January 30, the high was predicted to be 52 degrees…in the supposed dead of winter. Many New Yorkers have been describing the lack of snow and warmer temps as “weird” and “unnerving.” Last year on this date according to my snap memories, we had inches of snow. I remember growing up we had snow in November til like March ish…this is freaky 🥲 — No Free Nani (@ProRaqi) January 30, 2023 it’s genuinely horrifying that we’ve had pretty much no snow here this year — Steve "Get Jinxed" DaSilva (@PoolOnTheRuf) January 30, 2023 As much as I love that it hasn’t snowed and it’s relatively warmish for winter, I am also terrified because it isn’t normal. But the no snow has been nice. But I’m also terrified. — weirdo wi

The beloved Disney/Pixar musical movie Coco is getting its own Broadway treatment! Almost six years after its debut, the story is being developed for a stage adaptation, according to an announcement made during a recent Disney on Broadway Concert Series at EPCOT, according to Broadway World. “Coco is now in development at Disney on Broadway to become a live stage show,” said Broadway vet Mandy Gonzalez. Gonzalez and L. Steven Taylor performed the song “Remember Me” from the film just after announcing the news. Set in Mexico, Coco, inspired by Dia de los Muertos, follows a 12-year-old boy named Miguel who gets transported to the Land of the Dead. There, he seeks out the help of his great-great-grandfather, a musician, to return him to the land of the living and reverse his family’s ban on music. It’s a real tear-jerker! So far, there’s been no further information on when it’ll arrive on the Great White Way or who is involved, so for that, check back!

A pop-up cannabis dispensary, the second licensed shop in New York, is opening here in NYC next week—and it’s run by someone with a past marijuana conviction. In that way, it’ll be the first of its kind in New York. Smacked LLC, owned by Roland Conner, will have a soft opening on January 24 at 144 Bleecker Street, which is the former New University Pen & Stationery shop. Conner will run the shop with his son and wife through February 20. After that, Smacked LLC will close for final construction and then re-open on a long-term basis.  RECOMMENDED: A first look inside New York’s first-ever legal recreational cannabis dispensary Opening as a pop-up first allows business owners to open on a short-term basis to fast-track sales and start generating capital for their businesses, according to Governor Kathy Hochul’s office. It’ll also benefit all businesses involved in the supply chain, from farmers to processors and from distributors to retail operators—all to provide safer products customers can trust.  But the most notable piece of all of this is that Conner is the first justice-involved person, that is, the first person who has a previous cannabis conviction, to open a state-licensed recreational dispensary in New York. It’s history in the making. “I am so excited to become a part of history as the first individual to open a legal cannabis dispensary in New York City,” Conner said in a statement. “Given my experience with cannabis, I never could have imagined that I would be op

On Monday, my dinner table began smoking and my dish emerged from a glass cover filled with even more smoke. The room glowed with the amber-red hue of lava and the sound of crackling fire filled the space.  I was at Journey, a new restaurant, bar and lounge that is bringing “theatrical gastronomy” to New York City with immersive video installations paired with fine dining and mixology. On its surface, it may sound like a gimmick, but a deeper dive—actually experiencing it—yields a fun night out with actually good drinks and food. RECOMMENDED: You must solve a cipher to enter this speakeasy-styled restaurant and bar Journey, which had a soft opening this week at its Madison Square Park location at 27 West 24th Street, is a celebration of travel and the connections we make with people on our…well, journeys.  The playfully-decorated space shows off a massive collection of globes from thrift shops and antique stores, 3D sculptures of the world’s most famous landmarks and buildings above its bar, a display of replica antiquities, and a wall of moving classical art a-la Harry Potter.  Photograph: courtesy of Journey Experience NYC Each area within the space—the bar, the salon, and the café—has a theatrical element.  At the bar, the cocktails you order (Legends of the Fall, Bloody Sunset, Apocalypto and Adordable Ruby) have accompanying comedic skits via augmented reality projected right in front of you on the bar top, including whiskey professor Ben Vereen. In the “Epic Café,” wh

Without further ado, the new LIRR stop at Grand Central Madison is finally opening this week—at least, partially. Grand Central Madison officially opens Wednesday, January 25, with a shuttle service between Jamaica and the new 750,000-square-foot East Side terminal. RECOMMENDED: See inside the new Grand Central Madison LIRR Station  The first train bound for Grand Central Madison will leave Jamaica at 10:45am on Wednesday, January 25, and will arrive in Manhattan at 11:07am. Dubbed the Grand Central Direct, the shuttle will run directly from Grand Central Madison to Jamaica, with peak hour trains stopping at Woodside so that folks looking to ride on the popular Port Washington branch can transfer and actually visit the new east side station. This shuttle launch is happening now while the MTA prepares for full-schedule service, details of which will be released in the coming weeks. Full service is expected to kick off within three weeks. When it begins, trains will run from 6:15am to 8pm on weekdays, and from 7am to 11pm on weekends, every 30 minutes in both directions during weekday midday periods and weekends, and once per hour during peak periods. Marc A. Hermann for the MTA Photograph: Marc A. Hermann for the MTA Photograph: Marc A. Hermann for the MTA Full passenger service had been planned to kick off in December 2022, but that launch and the debut of the new terminal was delayed by a month because MTA didn’t finish safety system testing in time. The terminal—the

New York City is on its 320th day without snow—a historic record as the third-longest snowless streak in NYC— but the streak may finally end on Wednesday, according to weather reports. According to the National Weather Service, there’s a chance of snow on Wednesday, with about 1 to 2 inches possible, before rain washes it all away. Yeah, it’s not exactly a lot, but if it’s measurable, it counts. RECOMMENDED: Two dolphins were seen in NYC waters last week The predicted snow will come from a storm system from the southwest, bringing clouds and moisture with it with just enough cold air to present the possibility of snow, according to NY Metro Weather. The high on Wednesday will be 41. If snow does fall, the snowless streak will end at 321 days, which will be the second longest streak on record, NYMW says. The longest streak without snow was on January 29, 1973. Why haven’t we seen snow yet? Climate change and la niña. Basically, temperatures are rising globally and that means less snow. Plus, the wind pattern la niña tends to usher in warmer winters on the east coast. New Yorkers say it’s strange not to have any meaningful snowfall yet. They’ve taken to Twitter to sound off on this “weird” streak:   Without snow, winter in NYC is just a depressing stretch of not knowing which coat to wear and having to shove my socked feet into work flats. — reserve 💕 (@on_reserve) January 22, 2023 Unpopular opinion:We want it to snow. pic.twitter.com/EGCMKS7Drs — Bryant Park (@bryantparkny

If you’ve been waiting for cheap tickets to Italy, now’s your chance. Norse Atlantic, a new airline that offers affordable tickets to long-haul flights between Europe and the U.S., is launching a new route between NYC and Rome, Italy! Tickets for this budget flight option go on sale today, January 24, with prices as low as $239 (one-way), with the first flight taking off from NYC to Rome on June 20 at 1am. RECOMMENDED: New daytime flights from New York to London are launching this spring The new route joins Norse’s four other routes to Paris, Oslo, Berlin and London. “Rome is such a wonderful destination, and we are thrilled to be able to give Americans the chance to fly there this summer for such a great rate,” said Bjorn Tore Larsen, Norse Atlantic Airways CEO. “Norse is giving travelers the chance to jet off to new and exciting places in our ever-comfortable Boeing 787s. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, we hope this gives customers an incentive to finally book that trip to one of the most beautiful cities on earth.” Finally! Norse Atlantic has two cabin choices—Economy and Premium—and a range of fares, Light, Classic and Plus. Light fares are Norse’s value option, while Plus fares include the maximum baggage allowance, two meal services, an enhanced airport and onboard experience and increased ticket flexibility. Norse uses Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which have back-of-seat screens and a Premium cabin with a 43-inch seat pitch and 12-inch recline. Refreshing! To b

The extra but convenient plastic cutlery, chopsticks and sauce packets that restaurants throw in your takeout bag may soon disappear for good. New York City’s City Council has just passed a bill that would bar eateries and food delivery services from providing this accouterment unless specifically requested, according to Gothamist. Specifically, the “Skip the Stuff” bill would prohibit the addition of eating utensils, napkins, condiment packets, and extra food and beverage containers to customers with their takeout and delivery orders, according to the bill. RECOMMENDED: Behind mayor Eric Adams' decision to turn empty NYC offices into new apartments Those businesses that keep including these items regularly, would be subject to civil penalties but warnings, instead of a monetary penalty, would be given for any violation occurring before July 1, 2024. The hope is to cut down on single-use plastic that can’t be recycled and ends up in landfills and take away the financial burden of purchasing these items from small businesses, according to the Council.  Every year, more than 320 million tons of plastic are consumed globally, with 95% of plastic only used once and 14% for recycling, the bill states. Council Member Marjorie Velázquez, who sponsored the bill, says it’ll be a win-win for NYC. “’Skip the Stuff’ will put money back into the pockets of our small businesses while also minimizing our city’s carbon footprint and make New York a more sustainable city,” she said in a st