New York Film Festival Guide 2019

By Seren Morris

Film buffs visiting New York in the next couple of months should check out the New York Film Festival. It’s the place to see new releases and attend Q&As with your favorite actors and directors. This year, the NYFF will showcase new films including Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory, and Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow. You can also check out classic movies like The Grapes of Wrath and The Godfather: Part II, among others. Movie fans will love the chance to see the New York premiere of Joker, a Q&A with Francis Ford Coppola, and talks with Scorsese and Almodóvar. Those who enjoy documentaries have the chance to see the world premieres of College Behind Bars, Free Time, and Born to Be. Though it may seem like an exclusive event, the festival is open to the public. Attending a movie premiere or a talk with a famous director would be a memorable New York vacation experience. If you happen to be visiting the city during the festival, consider getting tickets to an event or two. Tickets are relatively cheap and easy to purchase, so it's worth trying to get a couple before they sell out. Check out our guide to everything you need to know about the New York Film Festival below... Image of City, Urban, Building, Cityscape, Metropolis, Downtown, Condo, Housing, Office Building, High Rise, Neighborhood, Apartment Building, Tower,

New York Film Festival FAQs

Everything you need to know including dates, location, and ticket information is below.

What is the New York Film Festival?

The New York Film Festival, or NYFF, is an annual event hosted by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. It was founded by Richard Roud and Amos Vogel and is now in its 57th year. It features movie premieres, talks with directors and film screenings.

When is the New York Film Festival?

The New York Film Festival takes place between September 27 and October 13, 2019. Events take place every day.

Where is the New York Film Festival?

The New York Film Festival is hosted at the Lincoln Center, at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza. You can tour the Lincoln Center and see where the famous New York City Ballet, the Philharmonic, and the Metropolitan Opera play.

How can I get tickets to the New York Film Festival?

Tickets to individual events go on sale on September 8 at 12 noon. You can buy tickets through the NYFF57 website, on the Film at Lincoln Center app or in person at the Alice Tully Hall box office. Be quick, and buy tickets in advance, as some events are sure to sell out. Image of Fountain, Water, Building, Lighting, Adult, Bride, Female, Person, Woman,

New York for film fans

If your visit falls between September 27 and October 13, we’d recommend trying to get tickets. Attending a film premiere is not your average vacation experience, but it is sure to be one to remember. Even if you don’t get to attend a festival event, New York City is a great destination for film fans. Check out our guide to NYC for movie buffs for ideas of film-based tours and attractions. See your favorite actors at Madame Tussauds, take a movie tour of NYC, or see more than 40 filming locations in Central Park. You are sure to find something in New York to interest any movie fan.

Save on admission

Admission to many popular movie-based attractions is included in the Go New York pass. You could save up to 50% on admission vs gate price.

Share your trip with us

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and share your adventure with us. Tag us at @GoCity and use #GoCityPass on your travel photos to keep us up to date with your vacation!

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View looking up at the Empire State Building from street level
Blog

The Best Time to Visit The Empire State Building

One of the most frequently Instagrammed landmarks in the States – nay, on the entire planet – the Empire State Building is the skyscraping cinematic star of downtown Manhattan. The iconic tower has featured in Hollywood classics from King Kong to Sleepless in Seattle and its dizzying stature (all 443.2 meters of it, to be precise) means that wherever you’re staying in New York, it’s kind of hard to miss. All you need to do is look up! There are a number of ways you can visit: choose from self-guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and premium access-all-areas packages with champagne. We break down the various options below, with our expert guide to the best times to visit the Empire State Building. Opening hours The Empire State Building is open every single day, rain or shine, from morning until late, including all holidays. Pre-booking is essential and opening hours vary, so do check the Empire State Building website for the latest information before making your booking. With Go City, you get access to the 86th-floor observation deck with its uninterrupted 360-degree views of the Big Apple and is accepted for admission until 45 minutes before closing time. The number of NYC icons you can spot from up here is truly staggering. Tick off the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and more from this sky-high vantage point. Best time to visit the Empire State Building The Empire State Building is one of the most-visited attractions in the Big Apple. It’s rarely anything other than busy but you can avoid long waits and jockeying for position on the observation decks by visiting early in the morning or late in the evening. For families with young kids, the best time to visit the Empire State Building is in the mornings before around 11AM. Bonus: children aged five and under go free. Meanwhile, late evening visits (after 10PM) reward romantics with uncrowded platforms and splendid views of the illuminated Manhattan skyline. The busiest part of the day is between 11AM and 3PM, when the tourist hordes descend (or should that be ascend?) in their hundreds. Similarly, early evening tends to get busy as the offices empty out. Inevitably weekends (especially Saturdays) are when the Empire State Building is at its busiest. The popularity of the Empire State Building means booking is essential. We recommend reserving your slot as far ahead as possible to avoid disappointment. Getting to the Empire State Building The Empire State Building is located on 34th and Fifth, slap bang in the center of Midtown. It’s very hard to miss and you really shouldn’t need a map to locate it! There are stacks of ways to get there. Take the 123 or ACE line to Penn Station, from where it's just a five-minute walk. Or jump on the NQRW and BDFM lines for trains to Herald Square Station, also five minutes away. Grand Central Station, reachable via 7 and 456 lines, is around a 10-minute walk. Of course, if you want to do it New York style, you can also cruise right up to the entrance in a classic yellow taxi cab. Tickets You can pre-book your tickets direct on the Empire State Building website. Options available include access to both the 86th-floor outside observation deck, and the dizzy heights of the 102nd-floor platform, with its far-reaching views across the Big Apple and beyond to six neighboring states. You can also book sunrise and sunset slots or go the whole hog with a premium package that includes a guided 90-minute tour taking in the Art Deco lobby on 5th Avenue, the Celebrity Walk and more, as well as, naturally, full skip-the-line privileges. Save money with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass for New York attractions, which includes entry to the 86th-floor observatory via the lightning-fast elevator as well as stacks of other top attractions in and around NYC. These include the Top of The Rock Observatory, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Guggenheim and the Statue of Liberty. Where to eat There is a selection of eateries on the Empire State Building’s ground floor. Head to the State Grill & Bar for New York classics like strip steaks, burgers and caesar salads. Tacombi is the place for Mexican margaritas and tacos and a number of other outlets widen the choice to specialty salads, sushi and burritos. Of course, here in the heart of Midtown Manhattan it’s unlikely you’ll go short of places to eat and there are dozens of top bars and restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Splash out on afternoon tea at the 5-star Peninsula hotel or hit the Grand Central Oyster Bar for buttery scallops and classic Oysters Rockefeller. In brief... We recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the evening on weekdays to avoid the crowds and enjoy amazing sunrise views or see the best of the famous New York City lights after dark. Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance and get ready to experience some of the best views in the Big Apple! Choose Go City to make great savings when visiting this and other popular New York City attractions! Useful links Buy tickets online Get the Go City attraction pass for New York Visit the Empire State Building with Go City Official Empire State Building website
Stuart Bak
Blog

A Guide to the High Line in New York City

The High Line is one of the world’s most unique public parks. The park in New York City is made from reclaimed elevated rail running above Manhattan’s West Side. It was originally slated for destruction after remaining unused for decades. But locals and the city decided to repurpose the stretch of rail for public benefit. They opened the High Line in 2009. Today, it’s one of the more unusual tourist attractions in NYC, but it’s also becoming increasingly popular with visitors. If you’re looking for a quick guide to the High Line NYC, we’ve got you covered. Where is the High Line? The New York High Line runs for 1.45 miles above the west side of Manhattan, from Gansevoort Street & Washington Street, north up to 34th Street & 12th Avenue. It roughly runs from the Meatpacking District, through Chelsea, up to just south of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. There are multiple access points at various intersections. Plus, there are elevator access and ramp access at a few points for those with mobility concerns. There are also restrooms at the following access points: Gansevoort & Washington and 16th Street. When is the High Line Open? As a public park, the High Line does have regular operating hours. These vary seasonally, with the longest hours in the summer months. Regardless of the time of year, the park is open at 7 am every day, including weekends. What to See on the New York High Line? There are many points of interest along the High Line, many of which are unique to the park. Others are found below the High Line. These make for an easy attraction to add on to an afternoon spent exploring the park. Here’s a complete guide to the attractions below, in geographical order from southernmost to northernmost. Gansevoort Street – 17th Street Tiffany & Co. Foundation Overlook (at Gansevoort St.). This dramatic overlook marks where the original rail line was taken apart in the 1980s to make way for construction. Whitney Museum of American Art: Located just east of the overlook, this popular museum features over 21,000 modern works of art. Donald Pels & Wendy Keys Gansevoort Woodland (between Gansevoort & 13th St.): A lush garden space filled with striking flora, this is a great spot for photos. 14th Street Passage (between 14th St. & 15th St.): A quasi-enclosed passageway, here you can find an original video series on display at dusk each evening. Diller-Von Furstenberg Sundeck & Water Feature (between 14th St. & 15th St.): This water feature marks the spot where water tended to gather during the days when the High Line was still a railroad track, drawing inspiration from life. Chelsea Market Passage (between 15th St. & 16th St.): Running right along the iconic Chelsea Market, this section of the park is the perfect place to descend if you’re looking for a snack or souvenir. Chelsea Market: This expansive complex is beloved for its food hall. It is brimming with vendors selling everything from cheese and wine to coffee and bread. There’s also a retail component with many popular and hyper-local options. Northern Spur Preserve (at 16th St.): This section of the park honors the indigenous plants that grew on and around the High Line before it was converted into cultivated parkland. 10th Avenue Square & Overlook (at 17th St.): Featuring a giant “window” down onto 10th Ave., this area also encompasses an amphitheater with public performances. 21st Street to 34th street Chelsea Thicket (between 21st St. & 22nd St.): Another piece of wilderness brought to downtown Manhattan, this section of the New York High Line boasts a variety of dense trees and shrubs indigenous to the region. 23rd Street Lawn & Seating Steps (at 23rd St.): A great spot for picnics, this elevated lawn area is also home to many local art installations like a massive mural that changes each year. Philip A. and Lisa Maria Falcone Flyover (between 25th St. & 27th St.): Designed specifically to allow visitors to encounter larger trees like magnolias and sassafras, the path elevates several feet above the rail line. 26th Street Viewing Spur (at 26th St.): A great place to get views of the city below, and gain perspective on your position relative to the bustle. Crossroads (at 30th St.): This is the widest section of the High Line Greenwich and therefore often the most accessible to those wanting to sit for a bit. It’s also where the High Line switches from a North-South orientation to an East-West one. Spur (at 30th St. & 10th Ave.): The final section of the original trail to be converted to park space, the public art here is spectacular—keep an eye out for the High Line Plinth! Pershing Square Beams (at 30th St.): A delightful place for the little ones to play, the exposed steel beams have been coated in a safe silicone surface, turning them into a playground. Interim Walkway (between 30th St. & 34th St.): Stop here for panoramic views of the Hudson River. Stay for the wildflowers and uncultivated plants. CSX Transportation Gate (at 34th St.): The only point at which the High Line New York hits street level. This is where you can most easily access it from downtown Manhattan. Things to Know About the High Line NYC To protect the parklands, no dogs are allowed on the High Line except service animals. There are plenty of places to eat on the High Line! The Italian-inspired Santina is open year-round, while the 15th St. area boasts several diverse temporary vendors, serving up everything from German street food to gelato to empanadas. You can’t walk on the grass. Except for the High Line lawn at 23rd St., all other lawn beds are off-limits. The High Line is a “green” structure. It contributes to city sustainability efforts by functioning like a green roof would, reducing rainwater runoff into the sewers. You don’t need to go it alone. There are several themed tours of the High Line NYC, with tickets available on the first-come, first-served basis. You can also make reservations for large groups. Feel free to ride a bike to the High Line! There are bike racks at most access points. Just remember that no bikes are permitted on the High Line itself. Please remember not to pick any flowers. The preservation of local vegetation is an important part of the park’s mission. You can, however, get as many photos as you’d like! Love art? Then you’ll want to come back to the New York High Line again and again. They both commission and produce unique contemporary art every year. There are also frequent public performances, from music to theatre. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity or use the hashtag #GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination too!
Katie Sagal
Blog

The Upper East Side, New York Guide

The Upper East Side is a neighborhood in Manhattan between 59th street and 96th street to the east of Central Park. The New York neighborhood is famous for its high-end stores and upscale restaurants. However, there are tons of budget-friendly attractions to enjoy in the Upper East Side. Art fans will especially love the Upper East Side, as it’s home to plenty of galleries and museums. Check out our list of New York City attractions in the Upper East Side, including... The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Guggenheim The Met Breuer Neue Galerie Central Park And more! Save on admission to New York attractions The New York Explorer Pass provides admission to many popular New York attractions. You could save up to 50% on admission vs gate price. Galleries in the Upper East Side The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or ‘the Met’ as it’s also known, is one of the most popular attractions in New York City. It is the largest art museum in the United States and home to art spanning over 5,000 years. So whether you enjoy Medieval art or contemporary photography, there is sure to be something to inspire the whole family. As well as its permanent collection, the Met is always exhibiting exciting temporary collections. Currently, they are showing “Camp: Notes on Fashion” (until September 8, 2019), and Alicja Kwade’s “Parapivot” at the gallery’s roof garden (until October 27, 2019). So even if you’ve visited before, there is always something new to see. A visit to the Upper East Side would be incomplete without a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Getting in: Admission to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is included with the New York Explorer Pass. The Guggenheim The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is just as famous for its striking architecture as it is for the art it contains. The museum’s modern, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed exterior stands out among the classic 5th Avenue buildings. But you have to step inside to truly appreciate the Guggenheim Museum. The Guggenheim Museum exhibits temporary collections as well as its permanent collection, so check ahead to see what’s being displayed during your visit. Currently, there are exhibitions such as Basquiat’s “Defacement: The Untold Story,” (until November 6, 2019), and “Implicit Tensions: Mapplethorpe Now,” (until January 5, 2020). Even if you visit for the architecture alone, the Guggenheim should be on your Upper East Side itinerary. Getting in: Admission to the Guggenheim Museum is included with the New York Explorer Pass. The Met Breuer The Met Breuer is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but this gallery focuses on modern and contemporary art. Head here if you’re interested in exciting, contemporary pieces that unlike any art in traditional art museums. Explore a sculpture collection inspired by nature in Mrinalini Mukherjee’s “Phenomenal Nature” (until September 2019), or “Home is a foreign place,” which is a collection highlighting contemporary art from Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, as well as art by American artists, (until June 21, 2020). Getting in: Admission to The Met Breuer with an audio tour is included with the New York Explorer Pass. Neue Galerie If the art lover in your group is still not satisfied, head to Neue Galerie. The Neue Galerie is an art museum focusing on early twentieth-century art by German and Austrian artists. See work by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, (until September 2, 2020) plus the Neue Galerie’s permanent, collection featuring a range of art from paintings to sculptures. Take a guided tour around the museum at 3:30 PM on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday to make the most of your visit. Or, take an audio tour which is free with admission. Getting in: Admission to Neue Galerie is not included with the New York Explorer pass and tickets must be purchased separately. Admission is half price until September 2, 2019. Please note: children under 12 are not admitted. Central Park As the Upper East Side is adjacent to Central Park, there are plenty of fun attractions and landmarks to visit in the park itself, including... The Central Park Zoo: Kids will love visiting the zoo. They’ll get to see snow leopards and red pandas up close – not what you’d expect from a trip to New York City! Alice in Wonderland statue: Visiting the Alice in Wonderland statue is a must for families visiting Central Park. Kids get to climb, play, and interact with Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the White Rabbit. It’s a great photo opportunity too. Balto statue: The Balto statue commemorates a sled dog who delivered medicine to save children in Alaska. Erected in 1925, Balto is still standing proudly. Gapstow Bridge: The Gapstow Bridge is a must-visit Central Park location. It offers great views of the skyline and The Pond. Plus, it has featured in a few movies, like Home Alone 2 and The Devil Wears Prada. Getting in: Admission to Central Park is free. You must purchase tickets to the Central Park Zoo separately. Admission to the Central Park Walking Tour is included with the New York Explorer Pass. Restaurants in the Upper East Side Upscale restaurants are the star of the Upper East Side. However, there are plenty of family-friendly options too. Check out our recommendations for restaurants in the Upper East Side, including... JG Melon: This laid-back pub is known for its delicious American burgers. A favorite with locals, this place can get busy, but it’s worth it. Please note that JG Melon is cash only. San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina: Pizza fans have to head to San Matteo for wood-fired pizzas and casual, affordable dining. Up Thai: This Thai place is known for its extensive menu, good value and is vegetarian-friendly. It’s popular, so it can get busy, so make sure to reserve ahead of time. Candle 79: Vegans visiting the Upper East Side have to visit Candle 79. It’s a little pricier but has tons of delicious vegan options. Head here for brunch, lunch or dinner! If you don’t want to take too much time out of your day, the Upper East Side also has plenty of fast-food restaurants. You could eat at fast-food favorites like Chipotle, Taco Bell, Shake Shack, McDonald’s and Subway. In summary Why not add a few of these Upper East Side attractions to your New York itinerary? Check out our top tips for visiting New York City.
Seren Morris

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