A New York City “Staycation?”

Gas prices and airfare putting a cramp in your plans to get out of town?  We just read in The New York Observer that, starting today, the city’s tourism board will be passing out flyers and giving locals special incentives to enjoy some leisure time right here in the city.  We’ve pasted the entire announcement from Nycvisit.com/golocal below!

NYC & COMPANY ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS LOOKING TO VACATION THIS SUMMER

TO ‘GO LOCAL’

—Six-Week
Initiative Highlights Activities Across the Five Boroughs to Help
Residents Explore One of the World’s Top Travel Destinations and
Off-Set Vacation Costs during Recession—

—Weekend of July 25 events include Governors Island Folk Music Festival, Rockaway Beach Sandcastle Contest, and the Latino Film Festival—

New York, NY (June 23, 2010)—As
part of the recently announced ‘Go Local’ campaign, NYC &
Company—New York City’s marketing, tourism and partnership
organization—will kick off a six-week initiative, beginning tomorrow,
encouraging local residents to discover the City’s five boroughs this
summer. Growing economic concerns and rising gas prices has made travel
difficult, but ‘Go Local’ will help New York City residents still get
the most out of their summer with weekly itineraries on the top
activities taking place across the five boroughs. Over the next six
weeks, the NYC & Company campaign will encourage residents to
explore the City they live—a city widely recognized as the media,
culture, dining, sports, and arts & entertainment capital of the
world. Campaign elements will include print advertising,
up-to-the-minute online information at nycvisit.com/golocal
and street teams at locations across the city including Grand Central
Terminal, Union Square and the Bedford Avenue subway stop in Brooklyn.

“With rising gas prices and an
uncertain economy, our goal is to make New York City accessible and
appealing to locals and visitors alike–regardless of their budget,”
said George Fertitta, CEO, NYC & Company. “While some may find
traveling difficult this summer, they should not feel like they have to
compromise their normal getaway plans. Nearly 12.5 million people from
around the world are expected to come and experience the excitement and
vibrancy of New York City this summer—our residents have a tremendous
opportunity to do the same. There is an abundance of activities across
the five boroughs, many costing little to no money, and everyone—from
our citizens to our 46 million visitors—should take the opportunity to
explore them.”

New York City
forecasts an estimated 12.5 million visitors between June and August
this year, up from 12 million visitors in 2007. Hotel occupancies
remain strong, with the month of June reaching an 89 percent occupancy
rate with an average daily room rate of $325.

This week’s top highlight:
Governors Island, one of New York City’s most historically interesting
yet undiscovered attractions, offers one of the best vantage points for
viewing The New York City Waterfalls, as well as numerous free outdoor
activities including free Bike Fridays (govisland.com), which allows visitors to borrow a bike entirely for free on Fridays. Also on Governors Island, on Saturday, July 26, folk-blues balladeer Eric Bibb will perform as part of the Governors Island Folk Music Festival
(folksontheisland.com), which takes place every Saturday at Colonel’s
Row through August 2. The free folk music festival features outdoor
concerts beginning at 1.30pm. Traveling to and from the Island is free
and easy with the frequent ferry service which leaves for Governors
Island from the Battery Maritime Building at the corner of South and
Whitehall Streets in Lower Manhattan

Additional highlights throughout the five boroughs are as follows:

Manhattan

Ideal for “summer-Fridays”, locals should take the opportunity to enjoy the new Dali exhibit currently on show at The Museum of Modern Art (moma.org) while admission is free on Friday evenings from 4-8pm. Additionally, on Friday, July 25, RiverFlicks for Kids (nyc.gov/parks.org)
will show the classic film E.T at Pier 46 at Charles Street. The free
outdoor screening will begin at 8:30pm and includes free popcorn.
Continuing the theme of cinema under the stars, on Saturday July 26,
Los Paquetes de Paquita will be screened outdoors as part of the Latino Film Festival
(nylatinofilm.com/events/under_stars) at Thomas Jefferson Park.
Festivities begin at 6pm and will include a special guest appearance by
legendary actress and singer Maria Victoria.

Brooklyn

For a perfect view of The New York City Waterfalls (nycvisit.com/waterfalls/ nycwaterfalls.org) at night, locals should walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to enjoy spectacular views of the illuminated monumental-scale public art installation as well as stunning views of the City that residents often overlook. Worth the walk alone, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory situated at Fulton Ferry Landing Pier serves delicious ice cream and is open from noon
until 11pm Thursday – Sunday throughout the summer. Reachable by the
number 2,3,4 and 5 and B and Q subway lines, on Friday, July 25,
world-renowned composer Philip Glass and his ensemble will perform with
Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Marta Topferova to avant garde visuals
chronicling cultures around the world at Prospect Park Bandshell as
part of the Celebrate Brooklyn! (briconline.org) 30 summers of free performances festivities, and on Sunday, July 27, the free JellyNYC (jellynyc.com) pool party suitable for all ages will take place at McCarren Pool from 2pm – 7pm.

Queens

Located on the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockaway,_Queens Rockaway, Queens”>Rockaway Peninsula of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens Queens”>Queens, Rockaway Beach is America’s longest municipal beach totaling seven
and a half miles, and is a great place to cool off from the summer
heat. Lifeguards are stationed on the beaches from Memorial Day through
Labor Day and visitors can enjoy the only surfing in New York City, as
well as basketball and handball courts, roller-hockey rinks, sitting
areas and playgrounds along the boardwalk and adjoining areas. On
Sunday, July 27, the 13th annual Sand Castle Contest (nyc.gov/parks.org) will take place from noon – 2pm. Visitors should bring buckets and tools, and for easy access, New York Water Taxi
(nywatertaxi.com) operates a weekend ferry service costing $6 each way,
between Pier 11 in Manhattan and Riis Landing at Gateway’s Breezy Point
District in Rockaway.

Staten Island

A new addition allowing visitors to easily explore Staten Island is the Gray Line Discover Staten Island Tour
(NewYorkSightseeing.com) hop-on, hop-off bus service with hourly
departures every day. Tickets cost just $15 and the tour includes stops
at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, the Staten
Island Zoo, the Forest Avenue Shopping District, Clove Lake Park, Fort
Wadsworth and the St. George Ferry Terminal. Visitors can reach Staten
Island via the free Staten Island ferry (siferry.com) where refreshments (including beer) may be purchased on board.

The Bronx

One of the borough’s most popular attractions, the Bronx Zoo
(bronxzoo.com), which recently opened its newest exhibit, Madagascar,
at a cost of $62 million, is part of NYC & Company’s ‘Summer in the
City’ savings program and visitors to the zoo can enjoy discounted
entry by visiting nycvisit.com/summerinthecity and accessing the 2008
Saving Pass which features close to 200 special savings offers
throughout the five boroughs. On Fridays access to the Bronx Museum of the Arts (bronxmuseum.org) is free and visitors to the borough should combine their visit with a trip to Orchard Beach (nycgovparks.org).
Referred to as the “Bronx Riviera”, the mile-long crescent beach
located at Pelham Bay Park, is ideal for soaking up the sun and there
is a boardwalk for people-watching, as well as a band shell where
weekend concerts are held and tennis, paddleball and basketball courts.

For more information about staying in NYC this summer go to nycvisit.com/golocal