Springtime in NYC

New York City celebrates winter’s end with an array of events to make the most of its warmer days and nights. The spring season is an exciting time to be in the Big Apple, not only for the mild weather but also for the only-in-spring activities. You may soon make a visit to the city in April or May an annual event.

Opening Day for Yankees, Mets

Pick a team to root for as April kicks off baseball season in New York. The Yankees begin their 2013 season April 1 when the team takes on their legendary rivals the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. The Mets also begin their season that day as they host the San Diego Padres at Citi Field.

Tribeca Film Festival

Actor Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Film Festival runs from mid to late April in downtown and attracts hundreds of thousands of independent-film fans. The festival has become one of the main go-to celebrations of cinema in the world, and you are likely to spot some of your favorite celebrities in attendance.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Brooklyn Botanic Garden can give Washington, D.C., a run for its money with its own spectacular display of cherry blossoms in April. The garden offers more than 200 trees in 42 varieties for you to enjoy on a fresh spring day.

Fleet Week

Fleet Week is a celebration of the U.S. military’s sea power in late May brings members of the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard to New York. Don’t miss the parade of ships as well as the events honoring the military on Memorial Day.

In addition to these main attractions, the city comes alive in different ways in spring that you should take the time to experience:

• Dine alfresco: Cafes open their sidewalks for diners, and the city’s many rooftop bars can take you away from the street noise and surround you with spectacular skyline views.
• Visit Central Park: The mild weather is the perfect time to indulge in Central Park’s organized events. The park offers catch and release fishing at Dana Discovery Center. You also could take the family on a birding tour on a spring Sunday with the NYC Audubon Society.
• Check out seasonal flea markets: Spring is when the Lower East Side comes alive with vendors ready to sell you their latest offerings in secondhand and vintage items. A weekend exploration of these booths could be the perfect way to spend a lazy weekend.

5 Summer Festivals in NYC worth visiting

Whether you have visited New York countless times before, or you are yet to experience the city that never sleeps, you are guaranteed to get the most out of your visit there by experiencing one of the top 5 summer festivals. Here is a quick guide to what America’s most popular city has to offer each year:

1. Broadway in Bryant Park July

Whether you are a seasoned broadway lover, or yet to be wowed by musical performances, you will love Broadway in the Park. Nothing is more enticing than watching a live broadway performance under the stars, and with previous performances from the stars of Billy Elliot, Phantom of the Opera, and Sister Act Zirkana, the bill has always been consistently great. Families, couples, and friends alike can grab a blanket, head for the park, and make the most of each outdoor broadway performance. More on bryantpark.org.

2. Lincoln Out of Doors- July August

For those who want to carry on the party after the River to River festival, and those who won’t be hitting New York until the later summer months, The Lincoln Out of Doors festival is perfect. Each year an array of world music artists head to New York to play at the festival, including unique artists like the Gypsy Roma Urban Balkan Beats. Lincoln Out of Doors takes the penultimate place as it not only offers a wide variety of musical entertainment, it also has shows especially for children.

3. River to River Festival- June to July

As far as summer festivals in New York go, none can match the River to River festival in terms of size or value. With over 500 free events running between June and July, both locals and tourists can experience music and art at their finest. In the past, top names in the jazz industry have played, as well as stars from the 80s music scene.

4. New York Fringe Festival- August

Each year as the summer reaches its peak in New York, artists from every discipline and culture gather to entertain those who attend the New York Fringe Festival. Described as the ‘largest multi-arts festival in North America’, the NY Fringe Festival plays host to over 1200 performers each year.

5. New York Philharmonics in the Parks- July

Each year, dazzling performances take place across parks in the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Long Island. With the combination of a laid back atmosphere, the New York Philharmonic playing in the background, and free entry, it is easy to see why New York Philharmonics in the Parks goes down so well each year.

Central Park in Summertime

I love NYC in the winter time as seeing the steam rising from the pavements as the heating rising and matched against the snow falling – as you sit in a Mamma and Papps’s diner in the warm. Summer time in NYC is very different and equally enjoyable, but for different reasons. Hanging out in Central Park in summer time is really quite something.

Looking for Central Park area accommodation for your stay in the Big Apple? If you stay on the South side i.e. around 60th Street or on the East side of the park, there are soem great accommodation options.

Guide to New York Zoo

If you are visiting the city of New York then one of the most iconic attractions is the Central Park Zoo. The zoo has gained this status through a number of appearances in celebrated and popular literature such as J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye, in Robert Lawson’s Mr Poppers Penguins and more recently the animated Madagascar films.

Zoo

The zoo is relatively small, covering just 6.5 acres and is actually part of a group of four zoos and the aquarium which are integrated. There has been a zoo in Central Park since the 1860’s when it was opened as a menagerie and became the city’s first official zoo. There were several developments throughout the 20^th century but it was the renovation that took place during the mid-1980’s which totally transformed the zoo from housing animals in cages to fully naturalistic and interactive environments that you see today.

The zoo consists of three primary areas; polar, where there is the polar bear pool and the cooled penguin room. A temperate area and tropical area which has an indoor rainforest with fruit bats, an ant eater exhibit and leaf cutter ant colonies. The zoo is also home to several endangered species including red pandas, tamarin monkeys and thick billed parrots. The zoo also made history in 2009 when it displayed a snow leopard, making it one of the very few places in the world people were able to see this severely endangered animal.

Travel Insurance for NYC trips

It is very easy to get carried away with the excitement when planning a holiday to New York City and certainly you should be excited. NYC without question is one of the most exciting and dynamic cities in the world and why would one spend too much time worrying about things like travel insurance, i.e. things which are not exactly fun to think about. You also of course have to think about the ESTA Card (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). Make sure to use the official government website to get this done for free, because many companies online are charging for this service even though you do NOT need to pay anything at all. The ESTA for those of you visiting USA for your first time, is pre-clearance entrance and it is now necessary to have this if you wish to visit NYC or any part of the U.S.

NYC travel

Travel Insurance is the other key you need along with the ESTA and return (roundtrip) flights (make sure to have a return flight ticket because travelling into the U.S on a one way ticket will very often mean that you will be severely questioned on why you have entered the country on a one way ticket. Always try to have an onward or return ticket when entering USA. Travel Insurance is essential when visiting the U.S because there is no free health care service and the costs are very high. Break a leg in NYC and you could find yourself owing thousands and one or 2 nights in a hotel and you will potentially find yourself having to remortgage your house when you return home!

Travel insurance for NYC is not even that expensive these days so there is not really any excuse for not taking out a policy before taking your holiday. If you are a family of 4 then the price does impact on the cost of your holiday If you cannot afford the travel insurance cover though, then seriously consider about going because the impact of any health care costs in USA can be life changing. Shop around on the various price comparison websites and there are many reasonable deals.

New York’s Best Sports Teams

A visit to New York is an absolute dream for sports lovers as there is a collection of some of the most famous teams in the world.

New York Yankees

This is perhaps the most famous baseball team in the world, with the club badge being a fashion statement around the globe. The Yankees compete in the major baseball league and are one of the most successful teams in the history of the sport. The club is based in the Bronx and play their home games at the Yankee Stadium, which is a brand new development.

baseball nyc

New York Knicks

Playing in the National Basketball League, the New York Knicks are known around the world for their exciting style of basketball and for the fantastic atmosphere in the Madison Square garden which is the venue for their home games.

New York Rangers

The National Hockey league is arguably the best hockey league in the world and the New York Rangers are amongst the sport’s high fliers. Home games are played in Madison Square Garden and are well worth a visit for the adrenaline filled all action pace of the game.

New York Giants

American football is the most popular sport in the USA and the New York Giants are the most successful team in New York and attract tens of thousands of people to each game. A visit to a Giants game can be more like going to a festival as there is always such a fantastic atmosphere and a whole host of entertainment to go with the sport.

New York Red Bulls

Soccer is the fastest growing sport in the US and the New York Red Bulls are city’s flagship team. Big names from around the world come to play for this team and the standard of the game makes it well worth a watch.

Bars to try in Downtown Brooklyn

There are many top quality bars in Brooklyn but below are some you can try if you want to avoid cliché visits.

Rebar

Located in on the second floor of an art gallery, one would perhaps not expect this establishment to provide the best bar experience in New York, and in reality, it doesn’t. It does, however, provide a much better experience than you would expect, with nice wooden tables, a cosy atmosphere and some of the best draught beers from Europe, all nicely complimented by a good selection of wines.

Brooklyn bars

Brooklyn Social

This used to be a social club for the area’s Italian male residents, but has now evolved to be an open bar which serves fantastic cocktails and a high level of service. The decor remains highly influenced by Italy and is a really comfortable environment to enjoy a few drinks after a day in the city.

Eamonn’s

No modern city can truly consider their bar scene complete until it has an Irish bar, and this establishment in Brooklyn has all of the warmth and atmosphere that you would expect from a bar in this category. The bar also has a nice clientele with many of the local businessmen and women visiting here, whilst the menu has a good mixture of Irish and American dishes.

Post Office

Whiskey enthusiasts will be in their element here, as there are over 30 different varieties to try, including many brands from around the US which are otherwise localised to where they are brewe

Professional Soccer in NYC

Sport plays an enormous part in the lives of all people in New York city, with all of the teams playing in various sports attracting thousands of people. Soccer despite not being the main sport in the United States, does have a solid following and NYC is a city where you can enjoy professional soccer.

One of the best known teams internationally is New York Red Bulls, a football (soccer) team which plays in the top flight of the American leagues. The reason that Red Bull are so well known is that they have developed a habit of signing top quality players from the best leagues around the world, projecting both the team and the league into the spotlight with people around the globe fascinated to see how the team will progress.

This season promises to be one of the most successful yet for Red Bull, due partly to the fact that the players have had a chance to mould as a team with players such as Thierry Henry having had a chance to settle into the style of play in the USA. There is a very good chance that, with the brand of football that they adopt, New York will enter the playoffs this year and progress to the final. A visit to the Red Bull Arena this season will enable you to savour the fluent footballing style that New York adapt whilst enjoying the great atmosphere that the New York fans create.

One of the best games to watch New York play will be the match against LA Galaxy who include David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan in their ranks, three world class players at the peak of their game.

Read our guide to shows on Broadway NYC yet? Read more NYC travel ideas before you visit the Big Apple.

Visiting the Empire State Building

When one thinks of the most iconic buildings in the modern world the Empire State Building is one of those which immediately springs to mind. Even in the New York skyline where there are masses of tall buildings there is something about the Empire State building which makes it stand out from the others, a charisma, a personality and a history which has fascinated people for decades. The Empire State Building has been the focal point of many films, videos and songs over the years, and the great news for those visiting New York is that the building is open to the public to enjoy.

Visiting the top of the Empire State building is an absolute must for all those who visit New York as the view from the observation deck is simply breathtaking. Whether you take your own viewing implement or make use of those which are provided, the view from this vantage point will leave you mesmerised and even more in love with this fabulous city. For those concerned about having to walk all of the way to the top there is absolutely no need as lifts can be taken up ensuring that you can save all of your energy for the various tourist activities within the building.

As well as the view, the main visitor features are the retail shops, the restaurants which overlook the city and the opportunity to learn all about the building, its history and the ground-breaking energy systems which it employs. You can purchase tickets in advance to or on the day, but timed ticketing is often in place.

The Empire State is an iconic and symbolic building in the Big Apple and given the views from the viewing area, this is one attraction you really should not miss!

Further Information:

• Tickets and official Empire State website: http://www.esbnyc.com/

Building History

Activities for Couples in New York

NYC subway

New York City is a great city to visit with your partner as there are so many activities which can be enjoyed together, and below is a brief guide to just some of these. Take ride through Central Park in a horse drawn carriage.

This is an activity which may be all too resembling of a wedding day to the commitophobe, but you cannot argue against the romantic value of riding around the most famous park in the world in a horse drawn carriage. You can cosy up to your loved one whilst taking in the sights and breathing in the fresh air.

Rockefeller Centre
There are a host of romantic activities in one place here, including holding hands whilst ice skating, engaging in a spot of underwear shopping, browsing the art gallery, or indulging in one of the centre’s many eateries. During the Christmas season there is also huge Christmas tree which provides the perfect setting for a cup of coffee.

Scale the Empire State Building
The view from the top of the Empire State building is the perfect way to fall in love with the city of New York and might just inspire you to fall in love with the person with whom you enjoy this experience.

Metropolitan Museum of Art
Art is considered one of the most romantic forms of expression and this is one of the best museums in New York to experience this. Hold hands as you walk around the various exhibits and bond over the shared enjoyment.