New York City Travel Tips
Make your trip exceptional! Get inside the city with expert guides.
The Other Side or Ellis Island’s Hospital
Abandoned Hospital Tour on Ellis Island If you join us on our Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour, you’ll notice a cluster of buildings on the south side of Ellis Island, set apart from the main museum. These buildings make up the island’s hospital complex which until fairly recently, had been abandoned and left to decay. When immigrants arrived on Ellis Island, doctors were on hand to monitor them. The new arrivals had to walk up a long stairway, carrying their luggage, and if anyone walked unsteadily, had a cough, or showed any other visible signs of illness or...
Chic Buildings of the Highline or Architecture New York Style
Some of New York’s most fashionable buildings are located around the High Line; fitting since Chelsea has become the most desirable neighborhood in the city in the last decade. Some of the newer buildings are products of a luxury condo boom, while others have been around for a bit longer and are enjoying the nouveau chic status that’s been brought about by the revitalized neighborhood around the High Line. The world's best designers have contributed to this architectural renaissance and anyone who is up for a walk can see their super-stylish creations. Let’s take a stroll up the High Line...
On the 12th day of Christmas… The New York Philharmonic Holiday & New Years Eve Concerts
On Dec. 19th and Dec. 20th the Philharmonic performs “Winter Wonderland,” “O Tannenbaum,” and a medley of Irving Berlin classics like “White Christmas” and “Happy Holiday,” and a carol sing-along that will warm your spirits. Plus: a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by Whoopi Goldberg on Dec. 19 and Mo Rocca on Dec. 20. Perfect holiday fun with family and friends. Tickets for the event range from $35–$75. To end the year with a fun high note, check out “Bernstein on Broadway” Dec. 31st. Toast the New Year and the New York Philharmonic’s Laureate Conductor’s 100th birthday with West...
On the 11th day of Christmas… Find a Great Restaurant for an Un-Christmas Dinner
For years as Christians celebrated at home, Jews needed an option for what to eat on Xmas and Chinese was the answer. This fun tradition has begun to spread outside of the Jewish community and for some families, even the most devout Christmas celebrators, have begun to embarrass festivities. Chinatowneateries can be pretty busy year round but especially during the holiday season. If you want to try something new this holiday maybe take the trek out to Williamsburg and try “Shalom Japan.” The restaurant is run by husband and wife chefs (he's Jewish; she's Japanese) and their food plays on...
On the 10th day of Christmas… Dyker Heights Holiday Lights
Out of all the yuletide razzle-dazzle NYC has to offer, the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2017 display is by far the most spectacular. (Sorry, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree). Each year, over 100,000 people flock to the Brooklyn neighborhood to witness some of the most over-the-top Christmas lights we’ve ever seen—think huge inflatable Santa’s and snowmen, and houses that blast Christmas carols from loudspeakers. Thereis a lot of ground to cover, as many houses in the area participate over multiple blocks and avenues. Most of the homeowners—and professional decorating companies—hang their Christmas lights and decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving. However, the...
On the 9th day of Christmas… Sledding in the Parks
If weather trends stay on course for New York City, you'll want to prepare yourself for some major snow this holiday season. Take advantage of the wintery weather and join the fun at any of the dozen local parks for some sledding! Prospect Park in Brooklyn or Central Park in Manhattan are classic locations to enjoy some slip-sliding fun. If you aren’t the adventurous type, you can always just make some snow men while you hear the shouts of people sliding around you. Just don’t put Frosty in the path of a wayward sledder.
On the 8th day of Christmas… 5th Avenue Holiday Window Displays
Shopping in NYC during the holidays can be a bit hectic due to the tourist-packed streets. But there are definitely redeeming qualities to making the trek into the crowds: beautiful holiday window displays! Every year starting in mid-November, the most of the major department stores in New York City create one-of-a-kind presentations of holiday-cheer in their exterior windows, usually with an original theme or throw-back to celebrate years past. You can totally make an evening just out of “window shopping”.
On the 7th day of Christmas… the NYBG Holiday Train Show
The Botanical Gardens in the Bronx showcases a special display enjoyable for the whole family. Enchanting model trains zip through a display of 150 landmarks, each re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials—all under the twinkling glow of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Marvel at G-scale locomotives humming along among familiar sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center on nearly a half-mile of track. This year’s exhibition showcases Midtown Manhattan’s iconic skyscrapers and other architectural wonders, featuring new replicas of the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, General Electric Building, and St. Bartholomew’s Church. Tickets...
On the 6th day of Christmas… Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park or Central Park
There are numerous ice skating rinks around New York during the holiday season. The most famous has to be The Rink At Rockefeller Center. It is open from 8:30am to 12am typically (check for specific days) and people tend to spend anywhere from 10-45 mins there at a time. You can reserve your tickets with VIP skate reservations and prices can vary from $60 - $150 per person. If you are looking to skate on a budget, I highly recommend going to Bryant Park and taking advantage of the free ice skating at The Rink open daily from 8am-10pm, October...
On the 5th day of Christmas…The Christmas Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes
You will shout out “5 Golden Rings”, or should I say “kicks”, when you see this show! Every holiday season, one of the most beloved annual Christmas shows in history takes place at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The iconic Radio City Christmas Spectacular incorporates more than 140 performers that keep the audience enraptured for 90 minutes. The most notable Radio City Christmas Spectacular performers are The Rockettes, the famed precision dance troupe known for their synchronized kicking. Make sure to take notice at the two numbers that have appeared in every Christmas Spectacular since...
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