NYC & COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS HARLEM AND WASHINGTON HEIGHTS AS PART OF NEIGHBORHOOD X NEIGHBORHOOD
NYC & COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
INWOOD, HARLEM AND WASHINGTON HEIGHTS
AS PART OF NEIGHBORHOOD X NEIGHBORHOOD
—Neighborhood Feature Encourages Exploration of
Cultural Organizations, Restaurants, Parks, Retailers and
Small Businesses in Northern Manhattan—
—New York Yankees Second Baseman Robinson Canó
Recommends Places to Visit in His Favorite NYC Neighborhood,
Washington Heights—
New York City (August 7, 2013) — NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today announced Inwood, Harlem and Washington 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 in northern Manhattan, Inwood, Harlem and Washington Heights are home to historic New York City landmarks, great restaurants, hidden gems and more and this month Washington Heights enthusiast Robinson Canó shares a few of his recommendations in the lively neighborhood.
“A trip to New York City is not complete without experiencing the culturally and culinary diverse Inwood, Harlem and Washington Heights neighborhoods,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “We encourage everyone to explore the neighborhoods New Yorkers and visitors flock to time and again for an afternoon full of unparalleled dining, culture, jazz and entertainment.”
“Playing in New York is special to me because you are surrounded by so many communities and a strong Latin community, including the Washington Heights neighborhood,” said Robinson Canó, New York Yankees second baseman. “I come to Washington Heights for real Dominican food that reminds me of my hometown, and it's a great place to visit.”
“The Harlem and Washington Heights communities have rich cultural legacies that continue to thrive,” said Cultural Affairs Deputy Commissioner Margaret Morton. “From the iconic stages at the Apollo Theater and Harlem Stage, to the rich collections of the Cloisters and Studio Museum, arts organizations in these neighborhoods provide extraordinary opportunities for visitors and residents to engage with a wide range of unique cultural activities.”
“New York City is bursting with energy and different experiences -- the people, the cultures and countless options for worldwide cuisine is all a part of it. Yet, you haven’t truly experienced New York City without visiting the vibrant and historic neighborhoods of Harlem and Washington Heights. Within the northern part of the island of Manhattan, you can stand where George Washington led the troops into battle during the American Revolution, visit the neighborhoods that gave way to the rebirth of African Americans in the Harlem Renaissance and feel the warmth and friendliness of the Dominican people and culture, just to name a few. This is what New York City is made of; its history, its people and its struggles make the neighborhoods of Harlem and Washington Heights a prime location to get the real life experience of what it takes to be a New Yorker,” said New York City Council Member Robert Jackson.
“From our beautiful parks to our wonderful cultural institutions to the breathtaking views across the Hudson River from the Cloisters Museum, Washington Heights is fast becoming a destination for New Yorkers and tourists alike,” said New York City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. “We have some of the best, but yet undiscovered restaurants in the city; so good, people may never want to part with our great community. This neighborhood has undergone a brilliant transformation and we are ready to open it up for the world to see.”
Easily accessible by more than 10 subway lines, Inwood, Harlem and Washington Heights are a convenient trip from any part of New York City and the perfect destination for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy an afternoon.
Harlem
Located just minutes away from popular neighborhood attractions, theAloft Harlem
offers guests modern style in historic Harlem. Amenities in the more than 120 guest rooms include luxurious beds, free WiFi and LCD TVs. Guests and visitors can also enjoy the hotel’s W XYZ Bar, a lounge complete with a pool table, bar and snack menu, and live music.
The legendaryApollo Theater
is famous for its Amateur Night, which started the careers of renowned performers including Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. The historic venue hosts concerts, performing arts and education and community outreach programs throughout the year.
Harlem resident Adriane Ferguson openedBillie’s Black
in 2006. Known for gourmet soul food including catfish, oxtail and mac and cheese, Billie’s Black also has live entertainment several nights a week.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
offers some of the best barbecue in the City. From traditional pork and brisket plates to turkey and vegetarian smoked portobello burgers, barbecue lovers and vegetarians alike will find something at the bustling neighborhood spot.
Started in 1964,Harlem School of the Arts
offers dance, music, theater and visual arts classes for more than 3,000 students. Throughout the year, both children and adults can enjoy dynamic performances that showcase the students’ talents.
The annual month-long festival,HARLEM WEEK
, includes free concerts, seminars and festivities through August 24. This year’s highlights include
Summer in the City
children’s events on Saturday, August 17th, and
HARLEM DAY
street festival on Sunday, August 18th.
A beloved neighborhood restaurant,Lido
specializes in classic Northern Italian cuisine by James Beard Award–winning chef Serena Bass. The inviting restaurant serves everything from eggplant parmesan and lasagna bolognese to scallops and lamb chops.
A destination for all things jazz,The National Jazz Museum in Harlem
pays tribute to the neighborhood’s jazz community and offers jazz education and entertainment to its visitors. Popular events include Jazz in the Parks and Harlem Swings concert series, as well as a lecture series, Jazz for Curious Listeners.
Dedicated to artwork inspired and influenced by black culture,The Studio Museum in Harlem
showcases both local and worldwide artists of African descent. The museum’s vibrant exhibitions include modern and contemporary art.
Robinson Canó’s Washington Heights:
For a taste of Washington Height’s Dominican community, visitGuadalupe
. The local favorite serves traditional Dominican food including Canó’s favorites, churrasco and langosta rellena de camarones.
For haircuts, Canó heads toJordan Sport Barber Shop
in Washington Heights, where he has been going for almost nine years. Sports regalia from athletes adorn the walls as customers get their razor-sharp haircuts.
A favorite among Washington Heights residents,Mamajuana Cafe
serves Nuevo Latino cuisine, which includes everything from paella and ceviche to aprepas and empandas. When Canó dines at Mamajuana Cafe, he always orders the empandas guayaba con queso—empanadas with guava and cheese.
Inwood and Washington Heights:
A flora-lovers delight,Anthony Flower Shop
offers stunning assortments of fresh-cut flowers. Their friendly staff works side by side with customers to help select the perfect bouquet.
Complete with live music ranging from hip-hop to jazz,Apt. 78
, is a café, bar and lounge with a relaxed atmosphere. With promotions like Sangria Sundays, eight hour happy hours, Teacher Thursday’s and Sunday Brunch, New Yorkers and visitors alike will enjoy the local spot.
Located atop a hill in Fort Tryon Park,The Cloisters Museum and Gardens
is devoted to medieval art and architecture. In addition to the collection of approximately 2,000 works of art, visitors enjoy the building and gardens designed to emulate medieval European abbeys.
A neighborhood restaurant and karaoke bar,Coogan’s
, is a popular after work spot among locals. Their four sided bar, classic America comfort food, and Italian-American specialties have not only been attracting locals, but also famous athletes, politicians and celebrities.
With a charming atmosphere and outdoor patio, theGarden Cafe
is a favorite place for Inwood residents to enjoy brunch, lunch and dinner. The cafe serves everything from turkey burgers and chicken cordon bleu to grilled tuna wraps and linguini with shrimp.
The Hispanic Society of America
is a free museum whose library and collections of paintings, sculptures, textiles, archaeological finds and other historical relics provide an unparalleled resource for visitors interested in the art and culture of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America.
Located along the Hudson River with sweeping views of the George Washington Bridge and Palisades,La Marina
is an ideal place to soak up the beautiful river views. With more than 75,000 square feet along the waterfront, La Marina has three spaces—a restaurant, bar and a separate lounge—to enjoy cocktails, brunch or dinner.
Visitors step back in time when they visit the 18th-centuryMorris-Jumel Mansion
. Originally a country retreat, the mansion was transformed into George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War and also served as an inn and rural residence before becoming a museum in 1904. Each room of the museum re-creates a different phase of the mansion’s history.
A neighborhood institution,Piper’s Kilt
has a friendly atmosphere and is known for its “Best Burger in Town.” The welcoming bar and restaurant hosts live entertainment, karaoke and trivia throughout the week.
Pizza Palace
is a no-frills pizza parlor that serves traditional New York–style pizza. When the current owner bought the pizza joint in 1985, he continued to use the original recipe and buy from the same vendors to make the doughy and cheesy slices locals have enjoyed since 1945.
A community book store in Washington Heights,Word Up Books
not only offers a wide variety of books, but they also hosts literary readings, music concerts, film screenings, an assortment of workshops, and several activities for both children and adults.
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 Inwood, Harlem and Washington 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