NYC & Company Reminds Residents to 'Go Local' and Take Advantage of Last Chance to Enjoy the City's Summer Attractions This Labor Day Weekend

NEW YORK, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- NYC & Company,New York City's marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today urged residents to make the most of the extended Labor Day weekend and to 'Go Local' by discovering the City's five boroughs and taking advantage of the last chance to enjoy many summer activities ending this weekend. As the 'Go Local' campaign concludes this week, NYC & Company today also recognized that more New Yorkers are expected to stay close to home over the holiday weekend (a 5.7% predicted decrease in Labor Day holiday travel over 2007 according to the Air Transport Association) due to rising airfares and increased economic concerns. These factors offer an even greater incentive for New Yorkers to explore their own backyard and enjoy the unofficial end of summer.

"Labor Day weekend signals the end of summer and the closing of a number of attractions that can only be enjoyed in the warm weather such as the City's parks, beaches and pools," said George Fertitta, CEO, NYC & Company. "Although the Fall will bring many new and exciting attractions including the opening of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Brooklyn Children's Museum, and the return of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, we encourage residents to use the holiday weekend as a last chance to experience countless summer activities throughout the five boroughs."

NYC & Company's 'Go Local' campaign, which concludes this weekend, has helped and encouraged residents to exploreNew York City throughout the summer via weekly itineraries on the top activities taking place across the five boroughs, For the final time this summer, branded 'Go Local' promotional materials including beach balls and frisbees will be distributed at locations across the City. In addition street teams armed with weekly five-borough itineraries, 'Go Local' stickers and temporary tattoos, will be deployed at nine locations throughout the City including Grand Central Terminal, Union Square and the Bedford Avenue subway stop inBrooklyn this Thursday, August 28 from 3-8pm.

This week's top highlight: Galleries, shops, and dining areas at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org) will be open to the public on September 1 (Labor Day), during 'Met Holiday Monday.' This special viewing day is also the last chance for visitors to see two popular exhibitions: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, and Radiance from the Rain Forest: Featherwork in Ancient Peru.

Additional highlights throughout the five boroughs are as follows:

Manhattan

Throughout the holiday weekend, Spiegelworld (spiegelworld.com) will present shows including the lively 'Absinthe' and 'Desir' at ornate tents located at South Street Seaport as part of an intricately designed traveling venue with an outdoor lounge called Green Fairy Garden complete with DJs. On Friday, August 29, at 8pm, Shakespeare in the Park Performs Hair (nyc.gov/parks) will be held for free in Central Park.

Brooklyn

Carnival lovers and revelers from across the globe will converge in Brooklyn for the annual West Indian Carnival Festival & Parade (wiadca.com). Festivities will begin on Thursday, August 28 and culminate on Monday, September 1 with the renowned Labor Day Carnival Parade on Eastern Parkway. Through Monday, September 1, Astroland Archives: Back to the Future (coneyislandhistory.org), an exhibition of photos and amusement-park relics chronicling the evolution of Coney's futuristic, outer space-inspired Astroland Park will be available to view for free at the Coney Island History Project's Exhibition Center.

Queens

The US Open (usopen.org/home/default.sps) at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center will offer the chance to enjoy the warm weather throughout the extended weekend while watching the top of tennis greats. For New Yorkers wishing to try some physical activity of their own, the free Summer Sports Spectacular (nyc.gov/parks) at Maurice Park on Saturday, August 30, from noon-4pm is a sports-themed event including crafts, games, face painting, giveaways, inflatable rides and more.

Staten Island

Staten Island Zoo (statenislandzoo.org) offers fun for the family and the chance to learn more about zoology and appreciate animal life. Visitors looking to extend their stay onStaten Island should consider Freshwater Fishing (nyc.gov/parks) at Willowbrook Park on Sunday from 1-3pm.

TheBronx

Before the existing Yankee Stadium closes, baseballs fans can view the bleachers and the mound one last time at Yankee Stadium Tour (newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/stadium_tours.jsp.) While the warm weather permits exercise outdoors, free and open to all ages and fitness levels, O. B. FIT! (nyc.gov/parks) at Orchard Beach on Saturday, August 30, starting at 9.30am includes yoga stretching, family total body workout, and family fit camp.

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

For more information, copy of the advertisement or images of street teams throughout the City, call NYC & Company's press office (212.484.1270).

About NYC & Company:

NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for theCity of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image ofNew York City worldwide.

SOURCE NYC & Company

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