New York City’s tourism agency is hoping that these vintage-inspired, stylized new posters will encourage New Yorkers to go explore their own city. Here at Untapped Cities, we certainly support that message. After all, our long-standing tagline has been “Rediscover your city.” As The New York Times describes, the “See Your City” campaign from NYC & Company “spotlight sections of all five boroughs that might appeal to adventurous local residents.”
These posters, designed by Remko Heemskerk, will be on bus shelters and lampposts in the city, and a video will run in the New York City taxi. The first batch of posters highlight Long Island City, Dumbo, St. George Waterfront on Staten Island (where the world’s tallest ferris wheel is going), Van Cortlandt Park, and Harlem. The See Your City website has more illustrated images of local destinations like Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, Carroll Gardens Brooklyn, Hell’s Kitchen, Jackson Heights Queens,
The Long Island City poster, “Where Art Goes for Fresh Air,” highlights Socrates Sculpture Park, the good ol’ Queensboro Bridge (we mean Edward Koch Memorial Bridge) and the views of Manhattan.
Harlem, “It’s What’s Up,” hints obliquely at the new development there, rezonings, the famous Apollo Theater and its iconic brownstones.
St. George is a strategic choice, with the onslaught of development coming to Staten Island’s north shore. “Sail away from it all,” showcases the Staten Island Ferry, the forthcoming National Lighthouse Museum and the views of 1 WTC and lower Manhattan.
Dumbo, “Manhattan Looks Better From Here,” features the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge, along with the World Trade Center and the Woolworth Building.
Van Cortlandt is also a strategic choice, with the first ever master-plan released for the park last December. While the park is home to avid cricketers, bocce players, and cross country runners, 681 acres of the park is undeveloped natural woodland, and 89 acres is home to urban wetland. It is the fourth largest park in New York City and its golf course was the first municipal course in the nation.
Fred Dixon, president of NYC & Company says, ““We want to give New Yorkers a new perspective on the five boroughs. Start thinking of the more than 250 New York City neighborhoods as 250 opportunities to travel.” The city is promoting the hashtag #See YourCity. When you’re out and about, also hashtag #untappedcities–we feature our favorite photos each week.
For inspiration on exploration, check out our city guides to get started or join us on our next Untapped Cities event.
