Putting the NEW back in New York

Time for some good news - with a capital NEW. NEW hotels, NEW attractions, NEW shows, NEW prices. NEW York is buzzing again, despite what the media might be saying about the economy or about tourism.

New New York City Hotels

Recently opened - the Hilton Garden Inn 35th Street, just off 6th Ave. near Macy's, the Empire State Building and a short walk to Times Square. Newly built, state-of-the-art guestrooms feature their "Garden Sleep System" - with one of the most comfortable beds you will ever experience!

Also new - the Holiday Inn Manhattan at 26th Street and 6th Ave. in the trendy Chelsea section, a 10-minute or so walk to the heart of Times Square. This Holiday Inn is a full service hotel with fitness center, lounge, restaurant, business center and free high-speed, wireless Internet access.

And to paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumors of Broadway's demise have been grossly exaggerated. In fact, they're blatantly untrue. Several shows closed in January, as scheduled. But many new shows have opened, or will open shortly. Shrek the Musical has opened to great reviews. Other new shows, currently playing or about to begin performing, include revivals of Guys and Dolls and West Side Story, and the return of Hair to New York, this time to Broadway. The always popular Jersey Boys, Wicked, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia! and The Lion King still pack them in, too.

The brand new Ripley's Believe It Or Not! museum has opened in the heart of Times Square presenting visitors with the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Not quite so odd, nor as bizarre, is the recently re-opened USS Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum offering an interactive and multi-sensory adventure for adults and kids.

So here's the upshot of it all. Don't listen to anyone except me. I'm bringing you good news. Matt, Wolf, Anderson, Katie - they need to do the same. Tell the stories of what's succeeding (not failing), what's opening (not closing), what's re-priced (not over-priced). Stay tuned here for the best of the story.