NYC & Company features the Upper West Side this holiday season as December’s Neighborhood x Neighborhood feature

— The Upper West Side’s Cultural Institutions, Shops, Restaurants and Hotels Ready to Welcome Visitors This Holiday Season —

New York City (December 11, 2014) — NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today announced the Upper West Side as the next destination to be featured in the Neighborhood x Neighborhood promotional campaign. Located between Central Park and Riverside Park in Manhattan, the Upper West Side is conveniently accessible by the 1, 2, 3, A B, C and D trains. This must-visit neighborhood’s cultural institutions, performing arts venues, restaurants and more add to the charm that attracts New Yorkers and visitors year-round and during the holiday season. For more information on all there is to see and do in the Upper West Side, visit nycgo.com/nxn.

"Neighborhood x Neighborhood is an amazing opportunity to visit all the Upper West Side greats but also such little-known gems like the Lotus Garden on West 97th Street, or Book Culture on Columbus, Manhattan's newest bookstore, or The Atrium at 62nd and Broadway," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer and former Upper West Side councilmember.

“From enjoying a bagel with lox and cream cheese at Barney Greengrass to seeing a performance at Lincoln Center, there are plenty of reasons this Brooklynite loves the Upper West Side,” said Marty Markowitz, NYC & Company’s vice president of borough promotion and engagement. “The Upper West Side is one of the most festive neighborhoods during the holidays, and we encourage everyone to explore this family-friendly and culturally rich destination throughout the winter.”

Beginning today, the Upper West Side is being highlighted as part of a new Neighborhood x Neighborhood documentary series. The videos feature a local’s guide to the neighborhood, focusing on the shops, restaurants, attractions and history that makes every NYC neighborhood distinct and provide further reasons for tourists and locals to get out and explore. To view the video of the Upper West Side, visit nycgo.com/nxn.

“Must-See Upper West Side” Highlights
The following activities, places, venues and more are featured on nycgo.com/nxn.

• Lincoln Center is made up of 11 performing arts organizations, including Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Ballet. Holiday performances in December at Lincoln Center include George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker performed by the New York City Ballet, Holidays with the Philharmonic and The Metropolitan Opera’s Hansel and Gretel.
• For casual dining, Barney Greengrass is a classic Upper West Side deli, offering cheese blintzes and potato latkes with applesauce or sour cream made especially for Hanukkah. Beloved for its wide selection of vegan dishes and bake goods, Peacefood Cafe includes on its menu tempeh avocado sandwiches, roasted seasonal vegetable pizza, sushi rolls and more.
• Founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History is a New York City icon with exhibitions highlighting human cultures, the natural world and the universe, and during the holiday season, visitors can enjoy its Origami Holiday Tree through January 5. Across the street, the New-York Historical Society is showcasing model trains, scenic elements and toys for the holiday season through February 22. From Amish quilts to giant weather vanes, the American Folk Art Museum celebrates American art from the 18th century to today.  
• There’s something for everyone when it comes to fine dining on the Upper West Side. The Leopard at des Artistes serves Southern Italian cuisine; Bar Boulud is known for its modern take on brasserie classics; and Jean-Georges offers some of the best French food in the US. Also to note, Ouest serves Nouveau American cuisine, and FishTag specializes in Mediterranean dishes.
• The Time Warner Center, New York City’s only urban resort destination, is home to the luxurious Mandarin Oriental New York Hotel and its newly refurbished restaurant, Asiate; Michelin-starred restaurants A Voce, Landmarc and Per Se; fashion, home decor, wellness and technology shops; and live jazz and soul food at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola.
• For dessert, visitors can try what some New Yorkers consider the City’s best cookies and baked goods at Levain Bakery or inventive, playful treats from Momofuku Milk Bar.
• For New Yorkers and visitors with children, the Upper West Side has several family-friendly attractions. Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park has a special Three Bears Holiday Bash production with performances through December 30, and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan has holiday programming throughout December including dreidel and ornament decorating.
• Visitors and New Yorkers can cross off their holiday shopping on the Upper West Side. The Columbus Circle Holiday Market features gifts from artisans and designers. For knitting enthusiasts, Knitty City sells yarns, books and patterns. With two floors of used books, including often hard-to-find titles, Westsider Rare & Used Books is popular among bookworms for its large selection and knowledgeable staff.

Visitors looking to experience more of the Upper West Side can extend their stay at one of the neighborhood’s several hotels, including: Days Hotel Broadway, The Excelsior Hotel, Hostelling International, Hotel Beacon, Hotel Belleclaire, Lucerne Hotel, Mandarin Oriental New York, NYLO New York City, The Phillips Club at Lincoln Square and Trump International Hotel & Tower.

Neighborhood x Neighborhood: The Essential Guide to NYC
New York City is made up of five distinct boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. The Neighborhood x Neighborhood initiative spotlights the affordability and accessibility of these diverse communities, including areas that have seen new hotel development in recent years. Neighborhoods and featured highlights are chosen in collaboration with community leaders and with consideration of NYC & Company’s members.

In order to continue to grow New York City’s tourism industry, Neighborhood x Neighborhood, first launched in March 2013, targets repeat visitors, intrepid first-time visitors and New Yorkers seeking new adventures here in their home city. The campaign was designed to highlight the diversity of offerings in New York City’s five boroughs, encourage exploration in areas outside traditional tourist locations and generate economic activity in the featured neighborhoods.

Neighborhood x Neighborhood is produced by NYC & Company and its Presenting Sponsor, Santander Bank, N.A. The sponsorship includes production of taxi videos each month, bus stop shelters and street-pole banners highlighting the selected neighborhoods.

For more information about the Upper West Side and other things to see and do across New York City, visit nycgo.com/nxn. To read the monthly Neighborhood x Neighborhood press releases and to view B-roll and photos of neighborhood highlights in the media library, visit nycgo.com/press. Follow @nycgo_press on Twitter for the latest information about New York City travel and tourism.

For PR, media and communication in Scandinavia/Finland contact:
Elin Norlin, elin@comvision.se, +46 70 279 86 40  

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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