In 1554, Giovanni da Verrazano became the first European and explorer on record to discover New York Harbor, including the area of land off the southern tip of Manhattan: Governors Island.

One hundred years later, the Dutch West India Company sent 30 families to live and work in a settlement on the island. There, the settlers began new lives; they set up trading posts and traded furs before, eventually, relocating to mainland.

Today, Governors Island is a 172-acre oasis in the heart of New York Harbor with unparalleled views of the New York City skyline and extraordinary outdoor spaces. Easily accessible by ferry and open to the public during the summer, it is a popular destination with an active calendar of events including zip-lining, rock climbing, guided tours, jazz parties and poetry events.

In 2003, about 22-acres of the island was land-marked and designated a National Park to be managed by the National Park Service (www.nps.gov/gois); the remaining 150-acres of the island was transferred to the City and State of New York and is currently run by The Trust for Governor’s Island, the 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization charged with the planning, redevelopment, and ongoing municipal operations of the island.

Governors Island is open May 1- Oct. 31 and is only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan, and even closer to Brooklyn. It is a world within itself, rich in history and full of possibility.

For more information or to plan a day trip, please visit www.govisland.com.

Located in the heart of Times Square at 224 West 49th Street is The Time New York – an urban oasis providing both shelter from the hustle and bustle of Times Square, as well as the ideal headquarter space for a busy night out on the Great White Way.

Since its inception, The Time New York has been regarded as a sanctuary from the busy streets of New York and underscoring that notion is a recent renovation by the Rockwell Group.

Inspired by the element of time and sometimes, lack thereof, this property manages to hit the snooze button and suspend time from a distance. Enlisting the help of monochromatic pastels and soft watercolor texture, the godly and dramatic elements of time make their appearance in all 193 rooms of the hotel. Despite busy Broadway nearby, time transcends and, ultimately, wins as a stay at The Time New York almost always means quietly watching some of the busiest streets below from a surrealist day dream.

If adventure and play are more of your thing, no worries, as there are several world-class options just steps from your door. Enjoy a cocktail or two at the opulent LeGrande Lounge, just off the hotel’s lobby. Discover the many layers of this beautiful space in a dimly-lit, barely there way! Ideal for a night cap or lingering conversation.

If the mood strikes (and, by that, we mean hunger), take a walk downstairs and discover delicious cuisine inspired by Northern Italy and brought to you by Serafina (the hotel’s partner restaurant and your response to room service – #yum). Conceived by long time friends Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato while lost at sea, this small chain restaurant with outposts throughout the globe is known for its colorful walls, unique design and vibrant ambiance, as well as for its extensive menu serving up an excellent variety of thin-crust pizzas and mouthwatering pastas.

If you find yourself needing some razzle dazzle after dinner, go check out a show. Both the Ambassador Theatre (re: Chicago the Musical) and the Eugene O’Neill Theatre (re: The Book of Mormon) are located just steps from the hotel. However, no matter what you do, prepare for magic – it is Times Square after all.

When you’re done exploring the Crossroads of the World, return home as you left it and continue to indulge in the ultimate luxury of all: time.

– … because time spent at The Time Hotel is time well spent.

Address

224 West 49th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10019

Call

(212) 246-5252

Web

www.thetimehotels.com

Located in the heart of Times Square at 224 West 49th Street is Serafina at The Time New York – a restaurant as chic as it is delicious. Conceived by long time friends Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato while lost at sea, this small chain restaurant with outposts throughout the globe is known for its colorful walls, unique design and vibrant ambiance, as well as for its extensive menu serving up an excellent variety of thin-crust pizzas and mouthwatering pastas from Northern Italy.

Whether you’re in New York City for a day, a month or a year, make sure to add this decadent, yet accessible restaurant to your itinerary. If you’re a local needing a break from the hustle and bustle of Times Square or just out of work, pop in for a drink and relax in the sexy, cool environment of the bar while watching the world go by from off the sidewalk. Located directly across the street from the Ambassador Theatre (re: Chicago the Musical) and next door to the Eugene O’Neill Theatre (re: The Book of Mormon), Serafina at The Time New York is the perfect option for a Broadway date night or for anyone looking to discover the Great White Way. If you’re planning on dinner before watching a show, make reservations as this location gets very busy with theater goers and diners prior to showtime. Otherwise, stop by after the curtains go up for a more relaxed and intimate dining experience.

Overall, Serafina at The Time New York is the perfect dining destination for both happenin’ and hungry locals, as well as out-of-towners looking for a Broadway kick. Serving up good eats with minimal fuss and in a beautiful setting, this staple eatery is the right combination of casual and cool + swank and sophistication. Bon appetit!

Thank you to Serafina Restaurant Group and Serafina at The Time New York. If you’re in New York or planning a trip, make sure to add this yummy eatery to your travel plans for an authentic Italian dining experience in the heart of Times Square.

Address

224 West 49th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10019

Call

(212) 247-1000

Delivery

(212) 247-1009

Hours

Monday- Sunday: 7 AM to Midnight

Breakfast: 7 AM to 11 AM

Brunch (Sat. & Sun.): 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Web

www.serafinarestaurant.com

To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour. – William Blake, Auguries of Innocence