header image for printed pages
RSS

Archive for the NYC family attractions category

NYC Events for the Week of 12/13

December 13th, 2007 by jamie a

Saturday, December 15 (7 pm)
Join the Union Square Barnes & Noble to welcome Anthony Bourdain, chef, author, and food critic for a discussion of his book No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach. There will also be a book signing following the discussion.

Saturday, December 15 - Sunday, December 16
With highlights from their 2007 world tour, the Paul Taylor Dance Company will be performing at the Queens Theatre in the Park in Flushing, NY.

Saturday, December 15 (8 pm)
The String Orchestra of Brooklyn presents their winter concert this Saturday at Saint Anne and the Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn Heights.

Saturday, December 15 (3:30 pm)
Have you always wished you could be in It’s a Wonderful Life? If so, head on over to the Metropolitan Playhouse for their annual It’s a Wonderful Life ActAlong! You can draw lots for one of the parts or you can just sit back and watch!

Planning a trip to New York City? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

Leave a comment

NYC Events for the Week of 12/6

December 6th, 2007 by jamie a

Thursday, December 6 (7 pm)
Join Susan Howe, author of My Emily Dickinson, for Our Emily Dickinson: A 21 Century Response By Artists and Writers at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

Thursday, December 6 (6-9 pm)
The #1 cupcake blog will be celebrating its three year anniversary with a Cupcakes Take the Cake party at Beauty Bar. The best cupcake-inspired outfit will win a prize and there will be (of course) cupcakes for all.

Saturday, December 8 (10 am - 8 pm)
The BUST Magazine Holiday Craftacular takes over the Metropolitan Pavilion with over 200+ vendors, DJs, dancing, food and drinks, and not to mention special guest Amy Sedaris!

December 7 - December 10 (8:30 pm)
Get ready to laugh at the all-ages “Eight is Never Enough: Improv and Musical Comedy Show” at the Laugh Factory Off-Broadway Theater.

Planning a trip to New York City? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

Leave a comment

It’s Holiday Time at the Greenmarket

December 4th, 2007 by jamie a

120307-wreaths.jpg
Photo uploaded by Jamie at Go Card USA

This past weekend, I traveled on the Lucky Star bus (no, not quite as scary as it sounds) to the city with my neighbors to sell Christmas trees and handmade wreaths at the Union Square Greenmarket. My friend Annie’s father, Joel Podkaminer of Trumansburg Tree Farms located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, has been selling trees at the market for more than 25 years.

Eager to be a part of this tradition, Annie, Cassie, and I joined the team outside at the market from 6 am to 6 pm decorating wreaths with berries, pinecones, and red ribbons for the holidays. Families came and allowed their children to pick out their tree for the season, choosing trees from short and stout to tall and lanky. There were Douglas and Fraser Firs to choose from, as well as White Pine garland with Boxwood woven in with the needles.

It was a wonderful experience to see people so excited about carrying their new tree home to their apartment to make it their own with ornaments and sparkling lights. To my surprise, the “Charlie Brown trees” sold incredibly fast, with shoppers wandering up to our tables saying, “That tree is JUST what I wanted!” If you’re looking for the perfect tree or wreath to adorn your home, Joel’s your one-stop shop!

The market abounds with barrels of piping hot apple cider, tables full of apples and fresh cheeses, as well as baked goods like giant ginger molasses cookies and monster-sized muffins. It’s a wonderful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, providing a sense of small-town community within the shadows of the skyscrapers.

Be sure to check out the market for gifts as well as holiday decorations. With products ranging from homemade jams and jellies to Poinsettias, you’re sure to find something uniquely perfect while also supporting independent farmers and the market!

Planning a trip to New York City? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

3 Comments

What to do in NYC on Christmas

November 30th, 2007 by susan j

11162007macys.jpg
Macy’s NYC, Christmas Eve 2006
Photo uploaded by DannoHung

If you’re headed to the Big Apple this Christmas, then you may be pleasantly surprised to  learn that plenty of holiday activities and tourist attractions are open on December 25. For instance, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Top of the Rock™ Observation Deck, and  Madame Tussauds New York all remain open on the big day. Our friends at NewYorkology have compiled a more complete list, so check it out.

Planning a trip to New York City? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

Leave a comment

New York City Events for the Week of 11/29

November 29th, 2007 by jamie a

November 19 - December 29
The Grand Central Station Holiday Fair is underway in Vanderbilt Hall with offerings from jewelry to fun gifts for kids. Keep warm at this great indoor festival and get your holiday shopping done in a snap.

November 28 - December 31
The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater perform their masterpiece Revelations as well as a rotation of their new pieces at New York’s City Center for the next month. Each day is different, so be sure to check the schedule!

Saturday, December 1 (9 am)
Join the New York Bird Club with a guided nature walk tour of Central Park. Lead by an experienced birdwatcher, this tour will make use of your binoculars by showing all the wildlife that Central Park has to offer.

Sunday, December 2 (10:30 am - 2:30 pm)
Celebrate Hanukkah at the 92nd Street YMCA with their Hanukkah Festival! Bring the whole family and build a Menorah, make your own candles, make your own olive oil, and decorate a dreidel! You can also enjoy live musicians, storytelling, and the 2nd annual latkes cook-off.

Planning a trip to New York City? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

Leave a comment

Tree Lighting in Rockefeller Center

November 27th, 2007 by susan j

11272007rtree.jpg
Rockefeller Christmas Tree, 2005
Photo uploaded by MsAnthea “Anthéaïs”

Tomorrow is Rockefeller Center’s annual Christmas tree lighting, and this year’s tree is “going green.” The Associated Press reports that the 84-foot Norway spruce will sport 30,000 energy-saving lights (LEDs). Musical guests for this star-studded event will include Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and Barry Manilow. NBC will broadcast the festivities 8-9 Eastern Time, and the tree will remain on display until the first week of January, when it will be cut into lumber and used to build homes by Habitat for Humanity.

Planning a trip to New York City? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

Leave a comment

What to do in NYC on Thanksgiving

November 21st, 2007 by susan j

11142007buffet2.jpg
Photo uploaded by misocrazy

There’s the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade, of course, but not everyone is a parade person. If you’ve already been there, done or you just want to see the sights instead, then NewYorkology has you covered. Here is their guide to what’s open on Thanksgiving Day. The list includes the Top of the Rock™ Observation Deck, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and other popular New York City tourist attractions. Check back soon for our guide to attractions that are open on Christmas. Happy Thanksgiving!

Planning a trip to New York City? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

2 Comments

10 Holiday Happenings in New York City

November 16th, 2007 by susan j

11162007rockefeller.jpg
Photo uploaded by absolutwade

There’s something magical about New York City in the winter: the festively decorated windows along Madison Avenue, the aroma of peppermint and chai wafting out of the coffeeshop on the corner, and, of course, the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree (pictured above).

In the spirit of the holiday season, we’ve compiled a list of 10 NYC holiday happenings that would make even Scrooge want to join in the fun.

  1. Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center Skating Rink - October 6 - TBA
  2. Museum of Natural History’s Origami Tree - November 19-January 1
  3. Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Christmas Tree Lighting and Neapolitan Nativity Scene - November 20-January 6
  4. 81st Annual Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade - November 22
  5. New York City Ballet’s The Nutcracker -November 23-December 30
  6. City Sights NY “Lights of the Holiday Tour” - November 23-January 1
  7. 75th Annual Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center - November 28
  8. Santaland at Macy’s - November 23-December 24
  9. Lighting of the World’s Largest Menorah - December 4-December 11
  10. Radio City Christmas Spectacular - November 9-December 30

Check back for more details and other fun wintertime activities. Feel free to leave a comment to let us know about your favorite holiday tradition!

Planning a trip to New York City? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

2 Comments

New York Events for the Week of 11/15

November 15th, 2007 by jamie a

November 14 - 18
During 5 Dutch Days/5 Boroughs, you can celebrate the Dutch arts of the city. This event is put together by museums, galleries, historical societies, and preservation groups and culminates with a celebration of Dutch-American Heritage Day on November 16.

Thursday, November 15 (6- 9 pm)
Sunday, November 17 (12 - 5 pm)

Support the Schneider Children’s Hospital when you attend Celebrate a Thing or Two: The Artwork of Dr. Seuss. There’ll be holiday art, live music, cocktails, and an official Cat in the Hat costumed character for photo ops!

Thursday, November 15 (5-9 pm)
Check out the preview opening of Modernism: A Century of Style and Design at the Brooklyn Museum. All proceeds go to benefit the museum’s decorative arts collection.

November 16 - January 6
Beginning on Friday, see the Bronx Zoo in all its holiday glory during Holiday Lights! In its 11th year, see the animals who stay up late, participate in nightly entertainment, and enjoy over half a million twinkling lights.

Planning a trip to New York City? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

Leave a comment

Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade

November 14th, 2007 by susan j

11132007thanksgivingparad.jpg
Thanksgiving parade, 2003
Photo uploaded by alistairmcmillan

Next Thursday marks Macy*s 81st annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. According to Holiday Hacks, this year’s parade features appearances by Idol winner Jordin Sparks, Dolly Parton, the casts of Broadway musicals including Legally Blonde and Mary Poppins, and, of course, Radio City’s Rockettes ®. It will also introduce four new floats: The Care Bears™ Winter Fun-derland, International Cele-bear-ation Clock Tower, M&M’s® Chocolate Candies on Broadway, and Music Bigger Than Life (a rock music tribute). Read a historical overview of the parade on NYC Tourist’s website.

If you’re planning to join the thousands of spectators in Columbus Circle, Broadway or 34th Street, About.com’s New York City Travel Guide Heather Cross recommends that you dress warmly and bring a thermos of coffee or hot cocoa (the forecast temps for temps in the 40’s and 50’s, but you never know!). Heather also notes that many people arrive before 6:30 am to stake out a prime spot for parade-viewing, which many say is at 61st and 72nd on Central Park. But even if getting up in the wee hours of the morning isn’t your cup of Starbucks chai latte (not mine either, especially on vacation), then you can always watch the parade broadcast on NBC from 9 am to noon. Here’s wishing you a happy Thanksgiving!

Planning a trip to New York City? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Save to Del.icio.us Stumble it! Digg this story Add to Reddit

3 Comments

Photo Gallery