Manhattan

Sandbox VR Opens Its 100th Venue in Times Square on Oct. 23

New York – October 15, 2026 -- Sandbox VR opens its first New York City location on October 23 at 777 7th Avenue in Times Square, and guests who book by October 22 can save 20% on all tickets.

The 10,324-square-foot Manhattan venue is the company's 100th location. It sits within walking distance of Broadway's Theatre District, Rockefeller Center, and Radio City Music Hall.

Six private rooms hold groups of up to six players

Guests suit up with headsets, haptic vests, and motion sensors for full-body immersion. Players can see and physically interact with one another inside the virtual world. The venue also has two party rooms and a bar for birthdays, celebrations, and corporate events. After each session, guests receive personalized highlight videos to relive and share.

Free NYC Festival Brings 15 Korean Indie Films to Manhattan

New York – October 14, 2026 -- New Yorkers can watch 10 feature films and 5 shorts from Korea's independent scene for free from October 15 through 25, 2026, at the KCCNY Theater. The inaugural New York Korean Independent Film Festival (NYKIFF) is presented by the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY). Admission is open to the public, but pre-registration is required.

Twelve filmmakers and film professionals will take questions from the audience

Twelve directors and other film professionals are traveling to New York for post-screening Q&As. The program spans fiction, documentary, thriller and action. It was developed with five Korean festivals: the Seoul Independent Film Festival, Jeonju International Film Festival, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Muju Film Festival and Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival.

Disney Unveils 3D Street Mural in NYC for New Lakeshore Lodge Resort

NEW YORK – October 02, 2026 -- Disney Experiences brought a preview of its newest Walt Disney World resort to Manhattan on Oct. 2, installing a 3D street mural at Flatiron Plaza to showcase Disney's Lakeshore Lodge, set to open July 1, 2027.

The mural, on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the corner of 23rd Street and 5th Avenue, depicts Daydream River, the resort's lazy river attraction, allowing passersby to step into the artwork for photos.

Street artist Tracy Lee Stum designed the interactive chalk installation

Stum, an American muralist known for colorful, illusion-based 3D chalk art, created the piece. She set a 2006 Guinness World Record for the largest chalk painting completed by an individual.

Spain's Olive Oil Renaissance Hits U.S. Kitchens for National EVOO Day

New York – September 24, 2026 -- National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day, marked every September 30, turns 10 this year, and Olive Oils From Spain is using the milestone to push American cooks beyond their single go-to bottle.

The campaign, dubbed a Spanish Flavor Renaissance, highlights that Spain grows more than 200 olive varieties across a production history spanning 3,000 years. Flavor profiles range from delicate green apple and almond notes to bold, peppery finishes.

Spain supplies nearly half the world's olive oil

Spain is the top global producer, accounting for close to half of worldwide supply, grown across 360 million olive trees described as the largest man-made forest on Earth. Four signature varieties define the range: the bold Picual, the sweet Arbequina, the balanced Hojiblanca, and the herbaceous Cornicabra.

The Algonquin Hotel Unveils Renovated Rooms With Exclusive Hirschfeld Art

New York – September 12, 2026 -- The Algonquin Hotel, Autograph Collection, has completed a full renovation of all 181 guestrooms, elevators, and corridors at its Midtown Manhattan property, unveiling a redesigned interior anchored by exclusive artwork from legendary caricaturist Al Hirschfeld. The multi-year, phased project was carried out while the hotel remained fully operational.

Brooklyn-based CRÈME led the design without altering the hotel's historic footprint

Interior design firm CRÈME / Jun Aizaki Architecture & Design worked with LUCID, the design arm of Highgate Hotels, to reshape the guestrooms around their original scale and proportions. Willis Loughhead, General Manager of The Algonquin for six years, said the team aimed to honor the hotel's past "without being beholden to it," building timeless rooms meant to spark creativity.