NYC & COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS CORONA, FOREST HILLS AND JACKSON HEIGHTS IN QUEENS AS PART OF NEIGHBORHOOD X NEIGHBORHOOD

7/1/13


NYC & COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS CORONA,
FOREST HILLS AND JACKSON HEIGHTS IN QUEENS AS PART OF NEIGHBORHOOD X NEIGHBORHOOD



—Queens Culturals, Restaurants and Attractions Ready to Welcome Visitors and New Yorkers in Anticipation of Major League Baseball All-Star Game and Events at Citi Field on July 16—



New York City (July 1, 2013) — NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today announced Corona, Forest Hills and Jackson Heights as the next destinations to be featured in Neighborhood x Neighborhood, an initiative designed to increase visitation, support local businesses and encourage exploration in areas outside traditional tourist locations across the five boroughs. Located a short distance from Citi Field, Corona, Forest Hills and Jackson Heights offer baseball fans and other visitors dining, shopping and cultural experiences in the diverse borough. 



“When baseball fans flock to Queens for the MLB All-Star Game this summer, they will be greeted by some of the most diverse dining, shopping and cultural experiences in New York City,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “Corona, Forest Hills and Jackson Heights offer limitless options to sample food from every corner of the globe and boast world-class cultural institutions that are perfect for baseball fans and their families to enjoy.”



“From hands-on exhibitions at New York Hall of Science to one-of-a-kind tours of the Louis Armstrong House and exciting performances at Queens Theatre, the cultural organizations in Corona, Forest Hills and Jackson Heights are as extraordinary and diverse as the neighborhoods they call home," said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin. "The City is proud to spotlight a few of the remarkable activities these communities have to offer.”



“You don't need a passport to travel the world in Jackson Heights,” said New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm. "Where else but Jackson Heights can you have breakfast in Colombia, lunch in Thailand, a snack in Tibet and dinner in India? You can spend an entire day here and still not cover all the countries represented by our diverse and affordable dining options.”



“Queens represents an international crossing point of the best that New York has to offer, and Corona is a perfect example of that,” said New York City Council Member Julissa Ferreras. “As someone who has grown up in Corona, I can attest to its rich diversity, which is exemplified through our multitude of cultural institutions and restaurants. In addition to being the home of legendary newsmakers like Louis Armstrong, Corona is known for hosting the historic 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs at our very own Flushing Meadows Corona Park and still makes a name for itself today through the US Open Tennis Championships, which are held every year at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. I am thrilled that NYC & Company has chosen to feature my home neighborhood in their Neighborhood x Neighborhood Initiative and look forward to welcoming a multitude of new visitors. When it comes to food and fun, it does not get any better than Corona.”



“Forest Hills and the other neighborhoods surrounding Citi Field have a lot to offer. Forest Hills offers restaurants with cuisine from every corner of the world, and magnificent shopping,” said New York City Council Member Karen Koslowitz.



Conveniently located near the E, F, M, R and 7 subway lines, all three neighborhoods are easy to get to from any part of New York City and the perfect destination for New Yorkers and visitors to spend an afternoon.



MLB All-Star Summer Events








  • For the first time since 1964, the Mets will host the

    MLB All-Star Game

    on July 16 at Citi Field, as the best players in the American and National Leagues square off to determine which league wins home-field advantage in the World Series.


  • The game is just one component of All-Star Weekend, which also includes

    All-Star Sunday (with Legends & Celebrity Softball Game and Futures Game)

    on Sunday, June 14, and the

    All-Star Workout Day (with Home Run Derby)

    on Monday, June 15, also at Citi Field.   


  • Fans can also see The New York Philharmonic and pop star Mariah Carey perform on the Great Lawn on July 13 to benefiting Hurricane Sandy relief. The event is free, but tickets are required.


  • For more details on all events, visit

    nycgo.com/mlb-all-star-game

    .



Corona













  • Some of the City’s most popular cultural attractions are located in Corona, including

    Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

    , one of the largest parks in New York City and the site of the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs.


  • Inside Flushing Meadows–Corona Park is the

    Queens Zoo,

    which spans 11 acres and is home to pumas, parrots, Andean bears, bison, sea lions and more.


  • Steps away from the Queens Zoo,

    New York Hall of Science

    is a hands-on science and technology center enjoyed by kids and families for its innovative interactive exhibits, including Rocket Park Mini Golf and Science Playground.


  • Made famous for hosting the US Open Tennis Championships every August, the

    USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

    also holds smaller tournaments throughout the year. While tournaments are not in play, tennis fans can rent courts for their own use.


  • Located just steps from the landmark Unisphere in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park,

    Queens Theatre

    showcases a diverse range of performing arts including theater, dance, concerts and cultural programming. With three venue spaces and more than 200 performances presented each year, the theater showcases local, national and international artists.


  • The

    Louis Armstrong House Museum

    , where the jazz legend and his wife lived for almost 30 years, pays tribute to Armstrong’s public accomplishments and contributions to the world of jazz.


  • For lunch or dinner locals go to the vibrant

    Tortilleria Nixtamal

    , boasting authentic Mexican food with tortillas made daily in the kitchen from 100% corn products. Founded by Fernando Ruiz, the dishes are inspired by the tacos he used to eat in the open markets of Mexico.


  • Leo’s Latticini

    (aka “Mama’s”) is a neighborhood favorite known for their friendly owners, sandwiches, fresh pasta, and handmade mozzarella. The 80-year-old three-storefront establishment was opened by Italian-born immigrants and offers outdoor courtyard tables and traditional Italian baked goods.


  • Finally, a trip to Corona is not complete without enjoying desert at the

    Lemon Ice King of Corona

    , where the Benfaremo family has been making Italian ices for more than 60 years. The neighborhood staple has turned Italian ices into an art form and uses real fruit in their 40 flavors, which include almond, licorice, coffee and bubble gum.



Forest Hills:









  • For flavorful Mexican cuisine and margaritas, Forest Hills locals head to

    5 Burro Cafe

    , which serves up everything from

    queso fundido

    and black bean soup to nachos con carne and vegetarian fajitas.


  • Family-owned ice cream parlor,

    Eddie’s Sweet Shop,

    has been serving up traditional ice cream dishes and treats made from their 20 homemade flavors since the 1960s. The charming décor—pressed tin ceilings, antique cash registers, polished marble counters and cast-iron swivel stools—evokes an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.


  • Named after Keuka Lake in upstate New York,

    Keuka Kafe

    brings the Finger Lakes to Queens with regional wines, cheeses and meats, where possible. The charming wine bar also serves a variety of small plates, salads and sandwiches.


  • The freshly baked knishes from

    Knish Nosh

    have had people lining up on the sidewalk to sample their authentic recipes for over 50 years. Knishes are not the only thing on the menu; visitors can also sample latkes, rugelach and more.


  • Known for their crispy pizza with fresh toppings,

    Nick’s Pizza

    is a family-style restaurant where visitors can sample some of the best pizza in NYC. Made with mozzarella and sausage from Pork Store, in Corona Heights, and cooked using gas-fire brick ovens, pizza at Nick’s has earned accolades from pizza enthusiasts across the five boroughs.



Jackson Heights:









  • If shopping in the neighborhood, visitors should experience

    Zapateria Mexico

    , an authentic Mexican cowboy outfitter with everything from boots and chaps to sombreros and bolo ties. Zapateria Mexico is the perfect shop for the urban cowboy or cowgirl.


  • Delhi Heights’

    substanial menu and nearly four-hour lunch buffet are a few of the things that make this Indian restaurant a popular choice among Queens residents. With more than 100 choices on the menu, there are several types of Indian cuisine available, including South Indian, Chinese-Indian fusion and Punjabi specialties. 


  • The Tibetan and Nepalese restaurant,

    Himalayan Yak

    is named for their offering of yak, but also serves a wide array of regional curries, dishes and stews with live regional music Thursday to Monday nights.


  • Both locals and visitors from neighboring boroughs and elsewhere have been flocking to

    Jackson Diner

    for over 30 years. The restaurant serves classic North Indian appetizers and entrees, including samosa, tandoori specials and lamb vindaloo.


  • Bar lounge meets performance venue at

    Terraza 7

    . On the first floor visitors can enjoy drinks at the cozy bar or live music almost every night upstairs on the second floor.



New York City is made up of five distinct boroughs: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. The Neighborhood x Neighborhood initiative intends to spotlight the affordability and accessibility of neighborhoods across the five boroughs with a particular emphasis on areas that have seen new hotel development in recent years. Neighborhoods and featured highlights were chosen in collaboration with City Council officials, Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC Small Business Services, business development districts, community leaders and with consideration of NYC & Company’s more than 2,000 members.



For more information about Corona, Forest Hills and Jackson Heights, visit nycgo.com/neighborhoods. To read the monthly Neighborhood x Neighborhood press releases and to view B-roll and photos of the neighborhood highlights, visit nycgo.com/pressphotos. Follow @nycgo_press on Twitter for the latest information about New York City travel and tourism.



About NYC & Company:
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information, visit nycgo.com.



  
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Contact: NYC & Company/Kimberly Spell 212-484-1270
              NYC & Company/Emily Mayrath 212-484-1270