The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show breezes into town this weekend. For dog enthusiasts, this is New York at its tail-wagging best.
For four days, the world’s top dogs are unleashed in Midtown Manhattan. Look for them at the warm-up events at the cavernous Pier 94 February 8, 9 and 10th and at Madison Square Garden for the big competitions February 10 and 11. Read more
Even if you don’t set foot in the sprawling Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park between now and September 9, it’s easy to feel like you’re part of the U.S. Open if you know where to look.
Hotels are a great place to start. The players have to say somewhere, after all. So do fans. And whether it’s drinks, decor, games or a big screen, tennis is in the air.
Here’s a sampling of what we found nosing around Midtown hotels. Read more
With the weekend upon us, March Madness 2019 is in full swing. For college basketball enthusiasts eager to cheer with beer — and a crowd — these New York hotel bars are serving up big screens, generous brews, burgers and a congenial backdrop for cheers and tears. Read more
1907’s top dog, Ch Warren Remedy, Fox Terrier (Smooth)
It’s hard to think of a better time to be a dog lover in New York. This week the city embraces man’s best friend with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, February 11 and 12, and a constellation of satellite events. From museums to hotels to Madison Square Garden, here’s where to see top dogs having their day in a city that loves them.
On February 8, the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog opened its stylish new Park Avenue home after nearly 30 years on the outskirts of St. Louis. Step inside and you’re surrounded by artifacts like a terracotta dog paw print dating from the Roman empire, celebrated pooch portraits like that of former White House Dog Millie Bush and kiosks where you can match your facial features to your favorite dog breed. Read more
It’s early February, time for the New England Patriots’ annual trip to the Super Bowl. (All best wishes to the Los Angeles Rams, making their first appearance since losing to the Patriots in 2002).
Super Bowl III unfurls February 3 at Atlanta’s two-year-old Mercedes Benz Stadium. If you love being in a crowd when you watch the big game, critique the ads and listen to Maroon 5, we found three New York City hotel bars standing ready. They’re loaded up with beer, burgers, big screens and wings.
As for us, we can’t wait to hear a Pip-free Gladys Knight, daughter of Atlanta, belt out the Star Spangled Banner. Bring it on!
This post was updated for the 2019 U.S Open
With Wimbledon 2019 in the books, our tennis thoughts bounce to hard surfaces and the best hotels if you’re going to the U.S. Open.
So long, strawberries. Hello, hot dogs!
The 50th annual U.S. Open unfurls from August 26 through September 8.
In theory, you can stay at any hotel in New York City and get yourself to the sprawling Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens (the easiest, and cheapest, way is to catch the 7 subway train at Grand Central Station for Mets-Willets Point Station). But these hotels, for wildly different reasons, put a special spin on New York’s biggest tennis event. Read more
Best in Show 1914, Champion Slumber, Old English Sheepdog (Westminster Kennel Club photo)
It’s dream time for dog lovers. On February 12 and 13, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show unfurls, and the world’s top dogs descend upon the city.
You can buy a ticket to the big show at Madison Square Garden. Or you can save your money, hang out in the lobby of a hotel that caters to show dogs (and their minders) and watch a parade of exquisitely groomed world class animals bound for the show (and if they’re lucky, glory). Coincidentally on purpose, the three hotels anointed by the Kennel Club as Gold Class Partners are a short walk from the Garden. Dog watching couldn’t be easier. Read more
Now that the 2018 Winter Olympics are officially underway, you get to decide where you want to watch half pipe, ice dancing, Nordic combined and the 95 other events unfurling in Pyeongchang between February 8 and 25. Sure you can watch in the privacy of your home. But if cheering on mixed doubles curling or speed skating in a crowd with drinks gets your pulse racing, these New York City hotel bars are going for gold.
New York in mid-February is special if you happen to be a dog lover. Yes, the wind
Top dog in 1911 — Scottish Terrier Tickle Em Jock. (Westminster Kennel Club Photo)
whistles and the ground is frozen solid. But for two days — February 13 and 14 this year — Madison Square Garden is Dog Central as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, caninedom’s show of show, sweeps into town, luring more than 3,000 of the world’s most perfect pooches. Read more
As one of New York’s oldest and most storied hotels, The Algonquin has long been catnip for wags and writers. For decades, nearly everyone associated with the place, from the Vicious Circle and beyond, has shared stories about the hotel and its history. Everyone, it seems, except Matilda, the Algonquin cat.
That has changed. In a new illustrated children’s book, aptly titled Matilda, the Algonquin Cat, the hotel’s resident blonde in fur tells all about the hotel she’s called home for most of her nine lives.
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