Things to Do

Looking for a New York City experience on your free time during the Conference?! The City has so much to offer, no matter your interest or mood – New York has something to entice and delight everyone!

 

Greenwich Village: Channel your inner bohemian in Greenwich Village! Take a cab or subway down to the “Village” where you can catch some of the best people watching in the entire City! Funky shops and taverns pepper every block in the Village. Here is just a sample of the mosaic that is the Village:

1. The 8^th Street Experience – Historic 8^th Street is home to unique shops, luxurious boutiques and fine dining. Take a walk over 8^th Street and go back in time to when the street was New York’s cultural main street in the 1800s, Bohemia’s main street in the 20^th century, and from the 1930s through the 1960s, and New York’s nightclub district and the place where American painters gained world fame as leaders in their field.
2. MacDougal Street – Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, MacDougal Street is home to a bevy of beloved institutions, dives, and eateries. MacDougal Street has been called “the most colorful and magnetic venue for an evening outing in the Village.” Countless music venues, comedy clubs, and the liveliest few blocks in the Village. The eclectic energy of MacDougal Street is palpable!
3. Blue Note – Trek down to the Village for the vibe and some classic jazz sounds at the Blue Note. The Blue Note is considered one of the world’s premier jazz venues and one of the best known in New York. Some of the greatest jazz performers in history have not only performed here, but have recorded here. The setting is close & comfortable and the mood is totally chilled out.
4. Village Vanguard – The oldest jazz club in NYC! Located at Seventh Ave South in Greenwich Village, the Vanguard first opened in 1935. The Village Vanguard is legendary for being the main venue of many famous jazz icons from the 1940s to the present: Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins performed and recorded here. Little known fact: this venue hosted beat poetry and folk music until 1957, before it became a home for jazz music.
5. Minetta Tavern – Originally opened in 1937, Minetta Tavern was frequented back in the day by Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O’Neill, E. E. Cummings, as well as by various other writers and poets. It is just as common today to see NYC-centric celebrities hanging out, such as Robert Downey, Jr., Cindy Adams, Anderson Cooper and other pop culture icons. Enjoy the people watching over one of Minetta Tavern’s classic cocktails at the bar and become a part of the storied scene.

 

Harlem – Head uptown to find your New York groove! Harlem has long been a bastion of cool – its historic music scene has produced genres of music and dance styles that have spread across the globe, transcending race and inspiring cultural change. Harlem became the center of the literary world in the 1920s in a period known as the “Harlem Renaissance” which further put Harlem on the map as the NYC centerpiece of culture. Today, Harlem continues to offer a diversity of culture to the community and world. To become a part of the heartbeat of Harlem, check out the following:

1. 125^th Street – Also known as Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 125^th Street is THE corridor in Harlem known for its richness in culture, history, arts & entertainment, and culinary pleasures. Vibrant and full of energy, day or night, the shopping, sights and sounds will delight each of your senses. You won’t want to leave.
2. Sylvia’s – This landmark was established in 1962 by Sylvia Woods, also known as the Queen of Soul Food. Sylvia’s is a community favorite (as well as that of Presidents and celebrities), keeping the Harlem soul food tradition strong. Serving authentic soul food for over 55 years, this icon remains a culinary must-visit for foodies. The soulful drinks being poured at Sylvia’s bar are also sure to make for a memorable visit to this iconoclastic landmark. No one leaves here disappointed.
3. Red Rooster – This place is truly a gem to behold. Located in the heart of Harlem on 125^th St., Red Rooster serves comfort food that celebrates the roots of American cuisine and the neighborhood’s diverse culinary traditions. The Red Rooster shares the story of Harlem with its guests and offers a space that celebrates local artists, musicians and culinary talents alike. The Red Rooster embraces Harlem with a spirit of inclusiveness and community by hiring its staff from within the community, inspiring better eating through neighborhood cooking classes, and buying from local purveyors. On any given day or night, at any given time, don’t be surprised to see a jazz legend stroll in and start to riff, just because.
4. Apollo Theater – The soul of American culture! This historical institution is a must see, even if you aren’t attending a show. Renowned for its jazz, soul and blues concerts, the Apollo Theater was starting point for many of the biggest stars in jazz, such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Count Basie. Still playing a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends, the Apollo remains a beacon for the arts in America.

 

Essex House Neighborhood – Loving the location of the hotel and don’t feel like venturing too far? No worries, there is plenty of NYC surrounding you – Central Park, Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle and all the best of midtown Manhattan!

1. Columbus Circle – A short walk from the Essex House, this circular park is home to a number of street vendors selling food, art, souvenirs and other goods.
2. The Shops at Columbus Circle – While in the Columbus Circle vicinity, check out these shops for entertainment, dining — and of course, shopping! The Shops offer a diverse selection of over 50 retail shops and boutiques and considers itself an “unrivaled destination for style and sophistication.”
3. Central Park Horse & Carriage Ride – This family-owned & operated company offers among the best Central Park horse & carriage ride experiences in New York City. Enjoy a leisurely ride while hearing about the history of Central Park, seeing landmarks, and viewing the amazing Manhattan skyline.
4. Dizzy’s Club – Don’t feel like wandering too far from the Essex House but still want to enjoy the sights and sounds of the City? Just take a ten-minute walk to Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center. Dizzy’s Club is an intimate jazz club with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and a warm ambiance making it the perfect spot to kick back to listen to some of the greatest jazz ever played. Be sure to call ahead for a table!
5. Café Carlyle – Just a quick cab ride from the Essex House, the golden age of New York cabaret comes alive each night at Café Carlyle in the world famous landmark hotel, The Carlyle. With an authentic Manhattan backdrop and a soundtrack that is classic cabaret, Café Carlyle is known for headlining incredible talent. Originally opened in 1955, Café Carlyle offers a genuine cabaret experience — past performers include Bobby Short, Elaine Stritch and Eartha Kitt. Contemporary performers such as Isaac Mizrahi, Judy Collins, Alan Cumming, Rita Wilson, Steve Tyrell and John Pizzarelli are just a sampling of the acts who have recently performed at the Carlyle.

 

LGBTQ+ Community – New York City is the world’s most welcoming LGBTQ+ destination. Pride is a welcome way of life – delighting in differences; seeking out individuality; thriving on self-expression. This vibrant community is woven into the fabric of the City through historic landmarks, art exhibitions, electrifying nightlife and the performing arts. The spirit of Pride is very much alive in NYC. And, while New York City embodies the ethos of the LGBTQ+ movement 365 days a year, it doubles down each June with an epic citywide celebration.

1. Chelsea – This vibrant neighborhood — from 34^th Street to 14^th Street between 6^th Ave and the Hudson River — is famous for having a large LGBTQ+ population (22 % are gay couples) and is known for its social diversity and inclusion. Eighth Avenue is the center for LGBTQ+ shopping and dining, while Ninth and Tenth Avenues are home to dozens of contemporary art galleries.
2. The Center – The LGBTQ+ Community Center has been a home and resource hub for the LGBTQ+ community, NYC residents, and visitors since its founding in 1983. It provides a place to connect and engage, find camaraderie and support, and celebrate the vibrancy and growth of the LGBTQ+ community.
3. The Stonewall Inn – This is where Pride began! Stonewall Inn is a National Historic Landmark and site of the 1969 riots that launched the modern gay rights movement. Today, friends from around the corner and around the world come to Stonewall to celebrate living! Stop by for an ice-cold Stonewall Inn IPA, brewed to benefit The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI). SIGBI aims to bring critically needed educational and financial assistance to grassroots organizations providing advocacy, guidance, and shelter to LGBTQ+ youth in mostly rural and underserved communities throughout the United States and abroad.

 

Lower Manhattan – This is where the City started in the 1600s—and where skyscrapers, financial powerhouses, cultural landmarks and gleaming new developments keep things humming in the 21st century. Its skyline is instantly recognizable and its emotional resonance undeniable.

1. 9/11 Memorial & Museum – The National September 11 Memorial and Museum remembers and honors those killed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 and 2/26/1993, those who risked their lives to save others, and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath through commemoration, exhibitions and educational programs. The memorial consists of two reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers, with names of the victims inscribed in bronze around the pools. The museum serves as the principal institution concerned with exploring the implications of the events of 9/11, documenting their impact and exploring 9/11’s continuing significance.
2. The Seaport – Located along the East River with unparalleled views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the City skyline, the Seaport is one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in New York City. The charming cobblestone streets and historic buildings that make up the City’s oldest waterfront neighborhood continue to bustle with commerce and culture; the Seaport is home to the South Street Seaport Museum as well as some of the city’s most innovative culinary, fashion and entertainment experiences.
3. Wall Street – Wall Street is the financial heartbeat of the United States. Wall Street itself is a narrow and winding street running from the East River to Broadway and lined with skyscrapers, as well as the New York Stock Exchange Building, the Federal Hall National Memorial and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
4. Little Italy and Chinatown – Little Italy and Chinatown border each other in Lower Manhattanand you can easily stroll from one to the other. The sights, sounds and culinary delights are abundant – as are the tchotchke and souvenir shops!