NEW YORK CITY — Travellers won’t want to miss New York City this summer, when an unprecedented number of openings and annual events will take the city by storm.

According to NYC & Company, these key additions and events, coupled with perennial sports and recreational opportunities throughout the city, make June, July and August a truly can’t-miss time in NYC. The organization is forecasting 19 million visitors during this time.

“Summer brings a radiant energy to the five boroughs and is a wonderful time to explore our dynamic and diverse neighbourhoods,” said NYC & Company president and CEO Fred Dixon. “A remarkable roster of major openings and iconic events provide countless reasons to explore everything New York City has to offer.”

Here is a roundup of notable items:

• Hudson Yards: Opened March 15 in Far West Manhattan, this real estate development – the largest private development in the United States – will be the ‘it’ spot this summer season. Visitors can make a reservation to climb the ‘Vessel’, or cool off inside the Shops and Restaurants, including Mercado Little Spain by Jose Andres, and Kawi by David Chang. Later this summer, the neighbourhood will also welcome the first-ever Equinox Hotel. HudsonYardsNewYork.com
• The Shed: Opened on April 5 in Hudson Yards, this dynamic cultural hub made its much-anticipated debut with Steve McQueen’s ‘Soundtrack of America’ (now closed). Continuing the first half of the inaugural season are exhibitions such as ‘Tony Cokes and Oscar Murillo’ (June 19-Aug. 25), ‘Dragon SpringPhoenix Rise’ (June 22-July 27), and ‘MAZE’ (July 23-Aug. 17). TheShed.org
• Bronx Zoo Dinosaur Safari: Opening on April 19 in The Bronx, the largest and most life-like Dinosaur ride in America features 40 animatronic and life-sized dinosaurs lurking in a two-acre wooded area. Visitors will learn about the physical and behavioural adaptations of our prehistoric ancestors. Bronxzoo.com
• TWA Hotel: Opening on May 15 at the John F. Kennedy Airport in Queens, this 512-room hotel is situated in the former TWA flight centre and boasts six restaurants and eight bars. Guests can explore ‘Connie’, a 1958 Starline airplane repurposed as a retro cocktail lounge out on the tarmac. twahotel.org
• Empire Outlets: Opening May 15 in St. George on Staten Island, NYC’s first outlet shopping destination will launch just steps from the Staten Island ferry, with shops like Nike and Nordstrom Rack. empireoutlets.nyc
• Statue of Liberty Museum: Opening May 16 on Liberty Island, this highly-anticipated museum will be the new home for the Statue’s original torch, and will offer an immersive education tour and unrivaled views of Liberty herself and the harbor. libertyellisfoundation.org
• The Highline Spur: Opening in May in Hudson Yards, a decade after the elevated park original opened, the last remaining section of the original rail structure will include a series of rotating art commissions of varying size and scale titled ‘The Plinth’. thehighline.org
• Pride Celebrations: Taking place from May 10-June 30, Pride festivities will span the five boroughs beginning with Staten Island (May 10-18), Harlem (May 31-June 29), Queens (June 2), Brooklyn (June 8) and The Bronx (June 23), culminating with the U.S. debut of WorldPride (June 24-30) with 50+ events over five days and nearly 4-5 million participants expected in total.
• Fleet Week: From May 22-28, visitors have the chance to celebrate Memorial Day with members of the Navy and Marines who are on leave from duty. The week kicks off with a parade of naval ships and includes special events on the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum, ship tours and sailor meet and greets. nycgo.com/fleetweek
• NYC Restaurant Week: Taking place from July 22-Aug. 16, NYC & Company’s signature program will feature nearly 400 restaurants across the five boroughs offering two-course prix-fixe lunches and brunches for US$26, and three-course prix-fixe dinners for $42. In total, locals and visitors can try 30+ individual cuisines in more than 40 neighbourhoods with participating restaurants. nycgo.com/restaurantweek

For a full list of summer openings and events go to nycgo.com.