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Inside New York City March 2009 Issue
For the avid sports enthusiast and the occasional spectator there is a lot to see and do in New York City surrounding the world of sports. And, like most other popular New York City pastimes, it transcends the physical activity and embraces shopping, dining and sightseeing. This issue includes a few highlights.
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Inside New York City Contents
Sports Arenas
Sports Shopping
Sports Dining
Sports Sightseeing
View Online
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| Sports Arenas |
In the world of baseball, 2009 will be an historic year for New York City. The completion of two brand new stadiums is expected to bring out the crowds this summer. Imagine seeing a live game in the opening season of either of these two major stadiums. While in town, you'll be able to shop in the club shops and eat at a sports themed restaurant.
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The Old Shea Stadium
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The New Shea Stadium
"Shea", as the locals refer to it, was first built in 1964 as a multipurpose stadium to accommodate both baseball and football teams. After the departure of the Jets in 1983 it received some design modifications that allowed it to focus solely on the game of baseball. It has been the home of those "Amazin' Mets" since the team's inception. Despite New Yorkers' reluctance to let the Brooklyn Dodgers leave, fans were quick to embrace the new team which has grown over the years to become major championship contenders. The impressive roster of star quality players who have worn the Mets uniform includes: Tom Seaver, Gary Carter, Mike Piazza, Darryl Strawberry, Dwight "Doc" Gooden, Lenny Dykstra, Nolan Ryan, Dave Wright, Carlos Beltran and one of the greatest legends in baseball history, Willie Mays who ended his illustrious baseball career as a New York Met.
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The New Shea Stadium
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This summer fans will be treated to the opening of a brand new stadium. Despite the lessened audience capacity, larger seats with more leg room, a larger concourse with more restaurants and better viewing angles are already causing critics to call it one of the best baseball parks around. At the new Shea Stadium it's not just the field that is green. In an effort to contribute to the survival of the planet, the new stadium was built using recycled steel and water efficient plumbing. With so much to look forward to this season will the players find themselves in renewed form? Let's wait and see.
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The New Yankee Stadium
Perhaps nothing says New York sports more distinctively than pinstirpes. Yankee Stadium, "the house that Ruth built", has stood in the south Bronx since 1923. On opening day, composer John Philip Sousa led a band in the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner. And, Babe Ruth began a history of great accomplishments in this stadium by hitting the first home run. Over the next 85 years, it hosted 37 world series with the home team winning 26; more than any other team in history.
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| The New Yankee Stadium
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The Yankees coincidentally won both the first game in April of 1923 and last game in September of 2008.
Come spring of 2009, the Yankees, whose impressive roster of players over the years has included such notables as Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Whitey Ford, Jackie Robinson, Lou Gerhig, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Don Mattingly and Derek Jeter, will start a new era of baseball in the just completed Yankee Stadium.
The new stadium opens on April 3,2009. The first regular season game is scheduled for April 16, 2009. With the exception of the stadium's maximum capacity which has been reduced from 56,866 to 52,325, everything else seems to be bigger and better. Based on statistics released, fans can expect a larger concourse, roomier seats with more leg room, additional restrooms and elevators and even a larger scoreboard. Fans traveling from midtown Manhattan will be glad to hear that a new Metro North rail station will be added to bring audiences directly from Grand Central Terminal to the new stadium. Does this mark the end of subway series?
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Madison Square Garden
4 Penn Plaza
31st - 33rd Streets @ 7th Avenue
212-307-7171
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Madison Square II
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Dating back to 1890, Madison Square Garden is New York City's longest reigning sports institution.
It receives its name from the location of the first two edifices, which stood on Madison Square Park at 26th Street and Madison Avenue (now the site of the New York Life Building). The second Madison Square Garden known then as Madison Square 2 was a graceful moorish structure that stood as New York City's second tallest building.
In 1925 it was demolished and a third arena, known then as Madison Square 3, was erected on Eighth Avenue and Fiftieth Street. This arena hosted many a hockey game and witnessed the birth of the New York Rangers.
Boxing and Barnum and Bailey's Circus were the other two most popular events at the Garden.
In 1968 the Garden moved to its forth and present location at 7th Avenue and 33rd Street.
The Garden is occupied year round hosting nearly 400 events and can accommodate eighteen to twenty thousand spectators (depending on the event).
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| Current Madison Square Garden
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In addition to major sports events, today's Garden has been the venue of choice for mega pop stars including Jon Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Elton John, Celine Dion, Madonna, Frank Sinatra, U2, Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson. At the age of forty, the home of the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers & The Titans is showing wear and tear from its excessive use and the unprecedented traffic. It is scheduled to undergo a major overhaul that promises to provide better site lines for attendees and better playing conditions for the resident teams. The extensive and costly renovation that will provide more comfortable seats, a lobby that is twice the size, larger concourses with views of the City, better lighting and updated technical equipment, larger suites, more restrooms and ceiling restoration is scheduled for unveiling in time for the 2011-2012 season. New Yorkers and visitors alike look forward to this new "space odyssey".
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USTA Tennis Center
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USTA Stadiums
In 1978 the already growing number of tennis fans called for the search for a larger venue to accommodate the demands of this increasingly popular sport.
Located in Flushing Queens on the grounds of the New York World's fair, the USTA Tennis Center hosts one of the most watched sports events of the year, the US Open Tennis Championship.
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Arthur Ashe Stadium
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Over the years tennis enthusiasts have been thrilled to witness the speed, power and overall skill of the world's most renowned tennis legends. In 1995, in fear of losing hosting the Open to California, land surrounding the existing Louis Armstrong stadium was purchased and an immediate expansion project began. The expanded complex, now known as the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, is comprised of the ten thousand seat Armstrong stadium, the twenty thousand seat Arthur Ashe stadium and thirty outdoor and indoor courts available for public use.
For anyone who plays tennis or simply enjoys seeing the experts at play, a trip to the Billie Jean King National Center is a must. The center can be easily reached by public transportation from midtown Manhattan.
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Chelsea Piers
Pier 61 West 23rd Street
212-824-4096
www.chelseapiers.com
This sports village changed the lifestyles of many New Yorkers by providing a true state-of-the art sports venue, which offers basketball, ice skating, ice and field hockey, gymnastics, cardio fitness, weight training, golf, an indoor running track and kayaking. Built along the Hudson River in New York City's now popular Chelsea district, this monstrous complex offers activities for adults and kids as well as classes and summer camps. Access to the various activities is available through memberships or on a per session basis. For detailed pricing information call 212-336-6777.
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| Sports Shopping |
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NBA Store
666 Fifth Avenue @ 52nd Street
212-515-6221
www.nba.com/nycstore
Show your team spirit with your favorite team's jersey, gear up with the finest court shoes or amuse yourself with the interactive sports activities available in this super-sized store.
Whether its a new basketball for the driveway hoop, team apparel or complete gear
for that weekend player the NBA store makes even the shopping process a main event.
Located in midtown just steps from other NYC attractions, the NBA store makes a great break for the guys who are enduring a long day of shopping.
Come on ladies - it's time out.
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Mason's Tennis Mart
56 East 53rd Street (off Madison Avenue)
888-755-5805
212-755-5807
www.masonstennis.com
This full-service tennis shop run by owner and tennis guru Mark Mason can equip you with the best gear for your level of expertise and style of playing. A great assortment of rackets available include many that have been chosen by the world's best tennis champions. Perhaps most unique at Mason's is the kid's tennis department which carries a broad selection for the next generation of champions. Although the selection may seem daunting, Marc's wealth of information and suggestions can help you make the right decision.
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Paragon Sports
867 Broadway @ 18th Street
800-961-3030
212 255-8889
www.paragonsports.com
Open seven days a week, this long standing leader in sports equipment is perhaps the best all-around sports emporium in New York City. Boasting a 50,000 item inventory, whatever it is you may be looking for, chances are you'll find it there. From badminton to camping, from golf and hockey to kayaking and from scuba diving to weightlifting plus almost every other sport imaginable, you'll find the perfect equipment and apparel to improve your game.
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Nike Town
6 East 57th Street
212-891-6453
www.niketown.nike.com
Beyond its solid brick exterior the store's interior has a minimalist (almost futuristic) ambiance that makes the product stand out almost regally. The first four floors are filled with clothing and shoes while the top floor, with a more rustic look, houses upscale items intended more for the luxury leisure crowd than for the sports crowd. Despite the glitz of the well-designed displays and oversized projection screens the store does not have a very large selection. When in the area, however, it is worth a stop just for the design experience. Most items sell at full price making it more of a tourist attraction than a bargain shopper's delight.
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Scandinavian Ski Shop
16 East 55th Street
212-757-8524
Whether your preference is cross country, down hill, bunny hills or grand slalom, this ski shop will equip you with stylish apparel and the perfect gear. Great annual sales offer great pricing on quality merchandise.
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Adidas Sport Performance Store
610 Broadway @ Houston Street
212-529-0081
Open 7 days a week
At twenty-nine thousand square feet, Adidas' multi-level flagship store that graces the corner of Broadway and Houston Street makes a loud statement - swoosh this. Here at the entrance to New York City's famed SOHO, you'll find a great selection of sports apparel and a variety of sneakers that boggles the imagination. Whether your sport is soccer, baseball, basket ball, tennis, running, football or just hanging out in great looking shoes, you'll find your match here. From the very conservative to the funkiest designs- you'll find everything including limited editions and made-to-order styles. For a complete sports experience the store offers clinics and seminars. Call the above number for more information.
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Yankee Club Stores
All locations are open seven days a week. Stock up on high-quality licensed apparel for the whole family at any one of these locations:
110 East 59th Street
212-758-7844
245 West 42nd Street
212-768-9555
393 Fifth Avenue
212-685-4693
745 Seventh Avenue
212-391-0360
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Mets Club Store
11 West 42nd Street
212-768-9534
Open 7-days a week
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Orvis
522 Fifth Avenue @ 44th Street
212-827-0698
www.orvis.com
Open 7 days a week
Unlike the other sports stores that cater to physical sports and team sports, Orvis is more geared towards hunters, fishermen and campers. Founded in Vermont over one hundred fifty years ago, Orvis has established its flagship store in midtown Manhattan. It's worth a look if you're an avid shopper and enjoy the novelty of something so unique. Actually, it seems a bit out of place in New York City. Don't expect your average sports shop. No trendy sneakers or jerseys here. The quality is high and so are the prices - but then again - just how often does one replace a rifle, a fishing rod or a hunting dog's collar? Their well organized web site allows you to find a plethora of items on line, from the basic necessities to unique gift items.
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| Sports Dining |
ESPN Zone
1472 Broadway @ 42th Street
212-921-3776
Enjoy a casual lunch or dinner from a family friendly menu and catch a big game on one of many large HD TVs that fill the restaurant. If you're traveling with kids, the upstairs room offers a sports themed game room that they won't want to miss.
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Mickey Mantle's Restaurant
42 Central Park South
212-688-7777
www.mickeymantles.com
Number seven himself opened this restaurant in 1998 in order to have a place that celebrated baseball and allowed him to meet and greet friends. Today, it continues to serve sports fans offering lunch and dinner daily. The menu is casual american fare.
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| Sports Sightseeing |
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The Sports Museum of America
26 Broadway (@ Beaver Street)
212-747-0900
Admission: Adults $16, Children $13
Open Daily: 10am to 6pm
Sports becomes a career for a few, a leisure pastime for others and, for a large number of Americans, a popular form of entertainment. No matter what your sport of preference or which athlete you root for, there is no denying that sports play a tremendous role in our culture. This new museum located in the downtown Wall Street area, pays homage to every sport imaginable, making it the first museum of its kind in the US.
The Sports Museum of America (SmA) is the result of collaborative efforts by several sports foundations that have donated or provide, on loan, a plethora of memorabilia and historical data relating to NASCAR, football, figure skating, hockey, basketball, cycling, bowling, swimming, gymnastics, boxing, fishing, baseball, golf, horse racing, skiing, rugby, sailing, soccer, volley ball and more. Within its 45,000 square feet, the museum boasts 28,000 square feet of exhibit space, 4,000 square feet of retail space and 13,000 square feet reserved for special events. Each of the various sports organizations involved in creating the museum will lend memorabilia on a rotating basis making each visit to the museum a new experience. Just six months old, this museum, still in its infancy, has great promise of becoming a crowd favorite. Phase two of construction will add another 25,000 square feet to this already large capacity complex. Just when you think you've seen it all in New York City, something new comes along.
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| Memorable Moments |
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Getaways for Life’s Celebrations
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The Manhattan Club is not associated with "YourMemorableMoments.com" or its
parent company. Questions or issues concerning details of products and
services provided on "YourMemorableMoments.com" are to be addressed directly
via the contact information provided on that site.
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