Winter Time Events in New York, USA

Winter time in New York is a wonderful thing, and just like there are some fun activities carried out during winter, so are there winter time events in New York, USA.

Some of the winter time activities in New York, USA include: doing your Christmas shopping at world famous stores like Macy’s, ice staking outside the Rockefeller Centre or enjoy a sleigh ride through Central Park. It is no wonder that during the festive period of Christmas, the city of New York puts on a series of events that are extremely popular with locals and visiting tourists.

NY Ballet

Cultured winter events in NY

The New York City Ballet – If you are looking for a bit more culture however, then the New York City Ballet will once again be putting on their annual performance of George Balanchine’s, “The Nutcracker”. Performances go on throughout December with the last show being held on the 2nd January.

Lighting the Rockefeller X-mas Tree – a key winter time event in New York, USA

One of the biggest events in New York’s festive calendar is the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. It is the largest Christmas tree in the city, and each year attracts hundreds of viewers.

The tree is traditionally lit up just after Thanksgiving, and symbolises that Christmas has officially come to the Big Apple.

Radio City X-mas Spectacular NY winter event

Another popular attraction is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular which goes on throughout the whole of December. It often features performances by groups like the Rockettes, and the show is popular with families of all ages whereby tourists from all walks of life, together with the young and old all gather for this key winter event in New York, USA.

Other winter time events in New York City

The Lincoln Centre also puts on a number of festive events including: a large Messiah Sing In, nativity plays and other festive performances.

Other caroling services are held in the West Village, with the West Village Messiah Singing being held at St. Luke’s Church.

Whatever you decide to do, there are plenty of sights and sounds in New York that can cater for everyone’s tastes and festive desires, regardless of the season, as has been illustrated here, there are more than enough winter time events in New York, USA that the whole family can enjoy.

The History of Broadway

Without a clear insight into the history of Broadway, you’d only know the modern day Broadway as the epicentre of theatrical performances and Time Square area of the city. The street is full of bright lights and has an almost tangible buzz about it which attracts people from around the world to experience the excitement of this world-famous area of New York. However, it hasn’t always been this way though.

History of Broadway, NYC

One of the main reasons that led to the popularity of Broadway among the early settlers was that there was such a diverse range of nature and wildlife there, something that you would probably find hard to believe given the concrete jungle that it has evolved into.

Stepping back from the history of Broadway street in New York and back to the present – the nature has now disappeared but the diversity remains in different forms, something that stems from the various influences on the area.

The Dutch were amongst the first people to settle in the area; and history has it that they used Broadway as the main route across the island.

This Dutch influence hence created the early template for the island-long influence that the famous NYC street now possesses.

Modern Broadway began to really evolve in the early twentieth century, when famous people mingled with the large number of gangsters occupying and frequenting the area. This helped to give the area the glamorous image that it now possesses.

Broadway developed a reputation as being a late night location which partied on into the night, something which resulted in the evolution of the bars, clubs, restaurants and theatres for which the area is famous. And thus goes an overview of the history of Broadway street which has come a long way…

A Visit to the Statue of Liberty

Most cities and towns have one or two structures or monuments which people associate with that place, but New York City has a number. One of these landmarks is the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour. For thousands of people who entered New York via boat into Staten Island the Statue of Liberty was the first thing they saw. For them it was a signal of freedom and hope for the life they were about to start.

Since the Statue of Liberty was erected in 1886, the visitor numbers to the site have grown significantly. There are not many who visit the city who do not want to at least view the statue, whilst for most people viewing it is not quite enough, they like to

Statue of Liberty

actually visit and ascend it. In order to visit the statue one must take a ferry from the mainland out to Liberty Island, but the cost of this journey is cancelled out by the fact that entry to the statue is free of charge all year round.

The most exciting aspect of visiting the Statue of Liberty in New York City is the opportunity to climb to the very top of it and enjoy the views of the city below. Unfortunately, due to logistical restrictions, only a couple of hundred of people a day can make the journey to the top of the statue, an experience which has an associated cost. Journeys to the summit can be booked quite far in advance, a tactic which is recommended as a way of avoiding disappointment.

5 Places of Historical Significance in New York

There are many reasons to visit New York, such as the retail opportunities, the awe inspiring architecture, the entertainment and the atmosphere. Increasingly, however, people are visiting New York to visit the areas of historic significance, something which has not always been the case due to the reasonably young nature of the country. Below are some of the places of

Staten Island – In the days before immigration laws were introduced, boat loads of people would arrive on this island to begin their new life in New York. Iconic images show people arriving on boats packed to the rafters, many of them without knowing a word

Apollo Theater in NYC

of English.

Statue of Liberty – This is one of the most iconic structures in New York. It is famed as being the first sight that people would see when arriving on boats to Staten Island and is therefore associated with freedom and hope. The visitor can climb to the top of the statue to enjoy glorious views of the city.

Ground Zero – On one of the most horrific days in modern history, two passenger planes were hijacked and flown into the iconic Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre. The consequent collapse of the towers left a gaping hole in the city which is a place of homage for all those touched by the events of the day.

Apollo Theatre – As buildings in New York go, this is one of the oldest and is admired as an feat of engineering.  Learn more about the Apollo Theatre in NYC.

Best Decorative Street Clocks in New York

America in general is not considered to be the most historic of countries, especially in comparison to many European countries. Despite this, there are still a number of aspects of American culture which have historical and cultural relevance. New York, for example, has a number of decorative street clocks still on display. Here is where you can find some of them:

5th Avenue building at Madison Square: This large and charming street clock has been part of the furniture in this street since 1909. Its gold appearance and traditional face provide a traditional feel to an otherwise modern area. Manhattan Avenue: The Bomelstein clock is the legacy of Bomelstein’s jewellers which used to operate next to the spot. It is now a landmark within the city and is often used as a meeting place or point of reference.

New York clocks

Bartham Jewellers: Perhaps an obvious place to find a high quality clock, this clock is somewhat unique and is held highly in the affection so New Yorkers who walk along Maiden Lane. Embedded in the pavement, this 1884 clock posses an old world charm beyond its time.

Jamaica Avenue: In this unfashionable area of New York you can find this highly fashionable street clock which has served the residents of the area for decades. The gothic style design certainly has a significant presence. 

Parks to Visit in New York

When one thinks of visiting New York, most people think of the built up city centre and the attractions held within it. Whilst this is not an entirely inaccurate perception of what the city has to offer, there are certain other aspects of the city which are sometimes neglected. One such aspect is the various parks which offer a stark contrast to the concrete jungle. Below are some great parks to visit in New York City:

Best Parks

Central Park – Probably the most famous park in New York, Central Park in Manhattan is a vast space in the centre of the city. The park has featured in various films and is popular with a wide range of people. At any given time you can find a range of sporting activities taking place, but that doesn’t mean that there is no room to take a peaceful seat and enjoy a picnic.

Greenbelt Park – It is surprising how much nature can be found in such close proximity to one of the most built up cities in the world. GreenBelt Park NYC is an extensive area of land which is perfect for hiking, relaxing or having a picnic. A wide range of different trees and birds call the park home and there is a series of beautiful lakes.

Marine Park – This park in Brooklyn is made up of a number of recreational parks where families and groups of friends find haven in the pleasant green surroundings. The park has a vast natural habitat of small to medium sized animals which live amongst the trees and ponds which are spread throughout.

Winter Time events in New York, USA

Winter time in New York is a wonderful thing, whether it is doing your Christmas shopping at world famous stores like Macy’s, ice staking outside the Rockefeller Centre or enjoy a sleigh ride through Central Park. It is no wonder that during this festive period, the city of New York puts on a series of events that are extremely popular with locals and visiting tourists.

Madison Avenue

One of the biggest events in New York’s festive calendar is the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. It is the largest Christmas tree in the city, and each year attracts hundreds of viewers. The tree is traditionally lit up just after Thanksgiving, and symbolises that Christmas has officially come to the Big Apple.

Another popular attraction is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular which goes on throughout the whole of December. Featuring performances by the Rockettes, the show is popular with families of all ages. If you are looking for a bit more culture however, then the New York City Ballet will once again be putting on their annual performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Performances go on throughout December with the last show being held on the 2^nd January.

The Lincoln Centre also puts on a number of festive events including a large Messiah Sing In, nativity plays and other festive performances. Other carolling services are held in the West Village , with the West Village Messiah Sing being held at St. Luke’s Church.

Whatever you decide to do, there are plenty of sights and sounds in New York that can cater for everyone’s tastes and festive desires.

3 Shows you must visit on Broadway

There are so many things to see and do in New York, but the city’s theatre district is famed for its numerous shows, plays and comedy stand-up. If you are in the Big Apple and fancy seeing one of the many shows playing, here are three suggestions for an evening that will be worth the rather high prices! *Of course, Broadway regularly changes its shows, but here are some of the biggest, that are almost always playing.

Broadway NYC

1. The Lion King – Based on Disney’s smash hit movie The Lion King, the show is based on the story of young cub Simba, who goes on a journey across the Pride Lands of Africa when his father, the king of Pride Rock is killed. The show has won six Tony Awards including Best Musical, and is famous for its catchy songs from Oscar winning composers Elton John and Tim Rice including “Circle of Life” and “Can You Feel The Love Tonight?”. The show’s jaw-dropping puppetry and spectacle has to be seen to be believed.

 2. The Phantom of the Opera – One of the longest running shows ever to be shown on Broadway, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous show is also the most financially successful show to be shown in New York. Telling the tale of a Parisian opera house, haunted by a Phantom, the show is famous for its songs including “Music of the Night” and “Think of Me”. The show has also been made in to a movie, shown in almost every country around the world and is currently in residence at the New York’s Majestic Theater.

3. Chicago – Enjoying a recent revival with the success of the Oscar-winning film, Chicago is another of the longest running shows to be shown on Broadway. The show was first produced in 1926, and was written by a journalist who had based it on real-life criminals. It was turned into a musical in 1975, and has enjoyed solid success, until its revival in 1996 when it went stratospheric.

Taking a Day Out in Coney Island

Less than an hour away by train from Manhattan a very different world awaits. Coney Island has been engraved in collective memory though countless films, songs and popular culture references. Its famous amusement park and indeed the whole area fell into decay in the 1990s, but a over the past decade it has been spruced up and given a new lease of life.

It is during summer of course that Coney Island comes alive, as New Yorkers head to the Atlantic Coast to find some relief from the sweltering city. The famous Barnum and Bailey Circus sets up camp here every summer, this year with a show inspired by Coney

Coney Island in NY

Island itself. Another big attraction is New York’s Aquarium and its walrus feedings. On Thursday evenings during summer free concerts will be held opposite the aquarium complex featuring top artists including Brenda Lee and The Beach Boys.

Coney Island has traditionally been known for its oddities and even in the politically correct 21^st century many of them are still around. ‘Shoot the Freak’ invites you to knock down, well human misfits. For more fun park nostalgia, check out Coney Island Arcade where original amusements such as Skee Ball and Pokeroo can be played. More memorabilia can be seen at the Coney Island Museum, which also shows old sci-fi and fantasy films and hosts talks on the history of Coney Island.

Of course the bracing Atlantic air is often good enough reason to head to Coney Island. Its famous boardwalk has been pleasing crowds for generations, and has earned its rightful place as a true New York icon.

Bright Lights-Big Screens

New York City is renowned for outdoor summer entertainment and one of the most popular forms is open-air cinema. Whether it’s in a park or on a rooftop, the silver screen becomes almost as common in New York as hotdog stands in July and August.

The biggest and longest-running outdoor film festival is HBO Bryant Park, located behind New York’s Public Library. Starting On June 21st and continuing through to the end of August, movies will be screened every Monday night, kicking off with the James Bond classic Goldfinger.

At the movies in NYC

If indie films and documentaries are more your thing, check out the program at Rooftop Films which, as the name suggests, presents underground films on the city’s rooftops together with a Q&A from the director.

New York’s summer film festivals often show movies that take the city as inspiration. Such is the case of the River to River festival (Elevated Acre, 55 Water Street) by the East River, which will show such classics as Broadway Danny Rose and Muppets Take Manhattan. One similar note, Habana Outpost festival on Fort Greene will show Fame, A Bronx Tale and Flashdance.

Families should not miss Movies Under the Bridge, a free series of blockbusters screened on the shores of Long Island Sounds. Beginning August 17th, popcorn is included in the (free) admission price.