Fodors - Fodors New York City 2013

The phrase in a New York minute is clichd for a reason: in this wonderful, frenetic, and overwhelming city, things really do change in a flash. Even for those of us who live here, keeping up with the latest in news, art, music, food, sports, and politics can be exhausting. It can also be riveting. In 2011, New York saw the fall of a rising New York City congressman after he revealed a little too much of himself on Twitter, and the resignation of the head of theInternational Monetary Fund after he assumed room service in NYC includes the maid (it doesnt). We were battered by a hurricane and rattled by an earthquake (in the same week!); saw the historic passage of a same-sex marriage law; and watched the rise and reach of the Occupy Wall Street movement. There was MoMas PopRally, the Mets Alexander McQueen, Broadways Book of Mormon, and the Bronx Zoos escaped Egyptian cobra. And of course, there wasthe day we stopped to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

A lot can happen in a New York minute; even more in a year. With 2012 well under way, heres whats on our radar for 2013:

No doubt there will be the usual sex, lies, and videotape political antics to challenge the headline writers of the local media, but theres also no doubt that the main story in New York City politics in 2013 will be the mayoral race. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is on the last leg of his third and final (unless he has another change of mind) term as mayor, and the city will eagerly watch as would-be mayors duke it out for the title.

Maybe were optimistic, or maybe we just cant move so fast if you bog us down with economic statistics; either way, we dont want to whine about the economy. A few quick positive indicators: the citys unemployment numbers are slightly better than national averages, there are more restaurants opening than closing, and there were 45 new hotels under construction in Manhattan in 2012up from just eight hotels in 2011. The Manhattan real estate market is strong,especially the luxury real estate market; a penthouse apartment on Central Park West recently sold for a record $88 million, so things cant be that bad, right? Enough about the economy already!

If theres something the quintessential New Yorker cant get enough of, its sports, so if youre looking to make small talk with a local, just pick a team. And whats new with local teams? Well, the New Jersey Nets became the Brooklyn Nets for the 201213 season and moved to brand-new digs in Downtown Brooklyn, a move christened by a series of concerts from homegrown rap iconand part owner of the Brooklyn NetsJay Z.

The NY Giants will look to defend their 2012 Super Bowl title in early 2013, but Tebowmaniathe hoopla surrounding quarterback Tim Tebow, who joined the Jets roster in 2012might continue to get the lions share of attention.

With the resignation of legendary catcher Jorge Posada, and constant speculation about the resignation of another legend, Mariano Rivera, New York Yankee fans will be watching A-Rod solidify his legend status as he bats his way up the all-time home-run list. (At press time, he was chasing Willie Mayss title of fourth all-time HR hitter.) Also on the New York sports radar in 2013 is talk about extending the New York City marathon to a two-day event, rising hopesthat the New York Red Bulls will continue to do theiror rather, Thierry (Henry)thing in American Major League Soccer, and anticipation that Linsanity and Jeremy Lin will resume as a main attraction for the New York Knicks in 2013.

Vermeers Girl with a Pearl Earring will be a hot ticket at the Frick in late 2013 when the so-called Dutch Mona Lisa visits as part of the exhibit Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Hals: Masterpieces of Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis . The Met will exhibit several hundred pieces of jewelry from New Yorkborn jewelry designer Joel A. Rosenthal in the first retrospective of his work, while artist Jeff Koons hopes tosuspend his art piece Train, an operational full-size replica of a 1943 steam locomotive over the High Line Park.

Londons Royal Shakespeare Companys hit musical Matilda will arrive on Broadway in early 2013 along with a revival of the Aaron Sorkin military-courtroom drama, A Few Good Men, and new musical Big Fish . Speaking of big fish, Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman will return to Broadway in late 2013 with Houdini .

New York City weather, like its people, is a study in extremes. Much of winter brings bone-chilling winds and an occasional traffic-snarling snowfall, but youre just as likely to experience mild afternoons sandwiched by cool temperatures.

In late spring and early summer, streets fill with parades and street fairs, and Central Park has free performances. Late-August temperatures sometimes claw skyward, bringing subway station temperatures over 100F (no wonder the Hamptons are so crowded). This is why September brings palpable excitement, with stunning yellow-and-bronze foliage complementing the dawn of a new cultural season. Between October and May, museums mount major exhibitions, most Broadwayshows open, and formal opera, ballet, and concert seasons begin.

Without a doubt, the best way to explore New York is on foot. No matter what neighborhood youre headed to, youll get a better sense of it by wandering around; you can check out the architecture, pop into cool-looking shops and cafs, and observe the walk-and-talk of the locals. And if you get lost, youll find that New Yorkers are surprisingly helpful with directions.