NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization of New York City, has announced a lineup of unprecedented openings and annual events that make summer 2019 an especially attractive time to visit. These key additions and events, coupled with perennial sports and recreational opportunities throughout the city (from baseball fever with the Mets and Yankees to outdoor activities in Coney Island, Governors Island and the Rockaways), make June, July and August a truly can’t-miss time in NYC. During these months, NYC & Company predicts 19 million visitors will travel to the five boroughs.

Hudson Yards

“Summer brings a radiant energy to the five boroughs and is a wonderful time to explore our dynamic and diverse neighborhoods,” says NYC & Company president and CEO Fred Dixon. “A remarkable roster of major openings and iconic events provide countless reasons to explore everything New York City has to offer.”

Below is a roundup of notable items that complete a monumental season this year, and more can be found at nycgo.com/summer.

Major Openings

• Hudson Yards – Opened March 15 (Far West Manhattan)
  

  Mercado Little Spain

2019 is the inaugural summer season for NYC’s newest neighborhood. Visitors can enjoy the extended daylight views of the Hudson River by making a reservation to climb Vessel or cooling off inside the Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards, where food destinations like Mercado Little Spain by José Andrés and Kawi by David Chang are paired alongside stores like Neiman Marcus. Later this summer, the neighborhood will also have a world-class wellness destination in the first-ever Equinox Hotel. (HudsonYardsNewYork.com)

• The Shed – Opened April 5 (Hudson Yards, Manhattan)

Continuing the first half of the inaugural season are exhibitions such as Tony Cokes and Oscar Murillo (June 19–August 25) Dragon Spring Phoenix Rise (June 22–July 27), and Maze (July 23–August 17). (TheShed.org)

• Bronx Zoo Dinosaur Safari – Opening April 19 (The Bronx)

The largest and most lifelike dinosaur ride in America will open in the Bronx Zoo this spring. Forty animatronic and life-size dinosaurs will lurk in a 2-acre wooded area within the park and educate visitors about the physical and behavioral adaptations of our prehistoric relatives. (bronxzoo.com)

• TWA Hotel – Opening May 15 (John F. Kennedy Airport, Queens)

Luxury returns to JFK next month thanks to a 512-room hotel located in the former TWA Flight Center and inspired by the jet age. Among the six restaurants and eight bars, guests can find “Connie,” a 1958 Starline airplane repurposed as a retro cocktail lounge out on the tarmac. (twahotel.org)

• Statue of Liberty Museum – Opening May 16 (Liberty Island)

Liberty Island will offer more activity to visitors than ever when the Statue of Liberty Museum makes its highly anticipated opening in May. The interactive new home for the Statue’s original torch also includes an immersive education tour and unrivaled views of the statue, Lower Manhattan and the harbor. (libertyellisfoundation.org)

• Empire Outlets – Opening May (St. George, Staten Island)

NYC’s first outlet-shopping destination will launch steps from Staten Island’s ferry terminal with shops like Nike and Nordstrom Rack, just in time for summer. Home to around 100 retail and dining experiences, the outlets are perfect for summertime fun with the Staten Island Yankees ballpark right next door and great views of Lower Manhattan available from all over the mall. (empireoutlets.nyc)

• • The High Line Spur – Opening May (Hudson Yards, Manhattan)

A decade after the elevated park originally opened, the last remaining section of the original rail structure will open on the western end of the High Line as the Spur this May, including a series of rotating art commissions of varying size and scale in a space known as the Plinth. (thehighline.org)

Big Events

Fleet Week

• Fleet Week – May 22–28 (NYC)

Fleet Week provides visitors with opportunity to celebrate Memorial Day with members of the Navy and Marines visiting NYC while on leave from duty. The week kicks off with a parade of naval ships and includes special events on the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum, ship tours, and sailor meet and greets all over the five boroughs. (nycgo.com/fleetweek)

• World Science Festival – May 22–June 2 (NYC)

This weeklong-plus celebration of science features over 60 events that take science out of the lab and into the streets, parks, museums and premier performing arts venues of New York City. Highlights include theatrical works dedicated to historic scientists like Albert Einstein, deep discussions with astronauts like Apollo 11’s Michael Collins, outdoor experiences like stargazing in Brooklyn Bridge Park and much more. (worldsciencefestival.com)

Belmont Stakes

• The Belmont Stakes – June 8 (Belmont Park, Queens)

In addition to the final leg of the thoroughbred Triple Crown horse races, the Belmont Stakes features a three-day festival with dozens of races, live music and a food-truck village for visitors to enjoy. (belmontstakes.com)

• Museum Mile Festival – June 11 (Upper East Side, Manhattan)

This June, some of the most prestigious museums in the world are throwing a block party on Manhattan’s Upper East side free for all to attend. From 6 to 9pm on June 11, El Museo del Barrio, the Museum of the City of New York, Jewish Museum, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Guggenheim Museum, Neue Galerie and The Met Fifth Avenue will welcome visitors to see their incredible collections for free with Fifth Avenue closed to vehicles. (museummilefestival.org)

• SailGP – June 21­–22 (Lower Manhattan)

The global sailboat racing series makes its only stop on the eastern half of the Americas on the official first day of summer. On the Lower Hudson River, the teams will reach speeds up to 60mph, while fans on shore can experience the Race Village located at Brookfield Place. (SailGP.com)

• Coney Island Mermaid Parade – June 22 (Coney Island, Brooklyn)

“King Neptune” and “Queen Mermaid” will lead a procession of mermaids and mermen down Surf Avenue and the boardwalk to the beach to officially open the ocean for swimming season. (coneyisland.com)

• Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks – July 4 (NYC)

The largest Fourth of July spectacular in the United States will light up the NYC skyline from the East River this year with the help of world-class performers and nearly 3 million spectators. While this year’s performers have yet to be announced, past celebrations have seen the likes of Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry take the stage. (visitmacysusa.com)

• Nathans Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest – July 4 (Coney Island, Brooklyn)

The world’s most iconic hot dog stand will make Coney Island an epicenter for Independence Day festivities again with its 103rd hot dog eating contest. For a complete Fourth of July experience, fans should head down the boardwalk to the Brooklyn Cyclones game and postgame fireworks show. (nathansfamous.com)

• ABB FIA New York City E-Prix – July 13 (Red Hook, Brooklyn)

At the third annual New York City E-Prix, fully electric vehicles will reach speeds up to 140mph in front of Lower Manhattan’s skyline as FIA crowns a champion at the 2019 season finale. Off the track, fans can meet the drivers and experience the latest racing technology at the Allianz E-Village. (fiaformulae.com)

• NYC Restaurant Week- July 22–August 16 (NYC)

Through NYC & Company’s signature program, in partnership with Mastercard, nearly 400 restaurants across the five boroughs will again offer two-course prix-fixe lunches and brunches for $26 and three-course prix-fixe dinners for $42. In total, locals and visitors can try 30+ individual cuisines in more than 40 distinct neighborhoods with participating restaurants. (nycgo.com/restaurantweek)

• Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival – August 3–4 (Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens)

This August, 200 dragon boat teams will race on Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in celebration of the fifth month on the lunar calendar. On shore, traditional food, martial arts demonstrations, dance performances, Chinese crafts and children’s activities will complete the experience. (hkdbf-ny.org)

US Open

• 2019 US Open Tennis Championships – August 26–September 8 (Flushing, Queens)

The top tennis players in the world will compete in the 139th US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where $600 million strategic transformations were completed last year. In addition to attending the Grand Slam tournament, fans can visit US Open Fan Week, including open practices with tennis stars, Queens Day and Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day celebrations. (usopen.org)