Things to do in NYC: Central Park

Central Park is one of the urban wonders of the world, a green oasis in the great concrete, high-rise landscape of New York City. It is so naturally part of the Manhattan environment that many people may not realize it is entirely man-made.

Landscaped and recreational areas totaling 843 acres: zoo (home to polar bears, penguins, monkeys, and sea lions in natural habitats), carousel, skating rinks, theatre, lakes, food, visitor centers, and entertainment. Since 1908, more than 150 movies containing scenes in Central Park have been released.

NYC Walking Tours - The Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour

Guided tours of the Met's collection are offered daily by Museum-trained volunteers and are free with Museum admission. Some tours cover the collection as a whole and others concentrate on specific departments or themes. Tours last one hour and, in addition to English, are given in several other languages. Inquire at the Information Desks for points of departure.

Some guided tours are delivered in Sign Language with voice interpretation; see the Signs of Art calendar (available online and as a printed brochure) for a complete schedule. For times and topics on particular dates, consult the online calendar for guided tours about particular subjects on a specific date or range of dates. The Museum is closed on Mondays.

The Year of Magical Thinking

The Year of Magical Thinking, from Joan Didion’s best-selling memoir, is scheduled to open at The Booth Theater in March, 2007.

This one woman play starring Vanessa Redgrave is an autobiographical account of one woman's bereavement over the death of her husband of many years and shortly thereafter the death of her daughter.

Things to do in NYC: The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building was Built during the Depression, the building was the center of a competition between Walter Chrysler (Chrysler Corp.) and John Jakob Raskob (creator of General Motors) to see who could build the tallest building. The building's history is full of oddities and marvelous accomplishments that still intrigue the world.

In 1945 at the end of World War II, an Army Air Corps B-25 twin-engine bomber plane crashed into the 79th floor of the building in dense fog; from 1931 - present, the building acted as an "Ambassador to New York" to many of the world's renowned political and entertainment figures.

Construction commenced March 17, 1930. Framework rose at a rate of 4.5 stories per week. The Empire State Building is 102 stories high, has 6,500 windows, 73 Elevators including six freight elevators, operating at speeds from 600 to 1,400 feet per minute (It is possible to ride from lobby to 80th floor in 45 seconds). The building is designed to serve as a lightning rod for the surrounding area - it is struck by lightning about 100 times per year.

Les Miserables

Open at the Broadhurst Theatre on November 9, 2006 as part of a world-wide anniversary tour. Victor Hugo’s immortal tale of 19th century France amidst an infamous revolution that forever changed society thrilled packed theaters throughout the world.

This stage spectacular, musical adaptation has showcased countless musical talents male and female, young and mature. This fall, in an encore presentation, Broadway audiences will once again witness this beloved production.

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2007

Every February Madison Square Garden becomes the focus for all dog lovers. This 131 year sporting tradition is one of the oldest in America - second only to the Kentucky Derby. Approximately 165 breeds compete in this prestigious event for best in breed and ultimately for best in show. Tickets are available through TicketMaster or at the box office.

Collector's Corner: Antiques Shows in New York

January is high season for the antiques industry in New York City. A group of the best and largest antique shows take place here over a matter of just a few weeks.

Whether you are a long time collector, a novice or simply enjoy browsing through the broad range of offerings, this is a key time for you to be in New York City.

Antique shows scheduled for this January include:

Winter Antiques Show
7th Regiment Armory
January 19-28, 2007
(718) 292-7392

Americana & Antiques at The Piers
Passenger Ships Terminal
January 20-21
(212) 255-0020

Antiques at the Armory
69th Regiment Armory
January 19-21, 2007
(212) 255-0020

Louis Comfort Tiffany & Laurelton Hall - An Artist's Country Estate

Laurelton Hall the lavish country estate of Louise Comfort Tiffany was built shortly after the turn of the century in Oyster Bay, New York along Long Island's north shore. Conceived and meticulously designed completely by this multitalented artist, Laurelton Hall is the crowning glory in this artist's impressive repertoire of works. From architecture to glass to painting and jewelry, each art medium, which at one point or another in his illustrious career became his focus, is represented in this one outstanding accomplishment.

In the exhibit, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you will find many elements of the home, which were salvaged from the fire that destroyed it, plus many pieces of art (including some of Tiffany's own works) from the artist's personal collection. A series of spectacular Tiffany stained glass windows and a portion of the estate's facade are on permanent exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing and can be viewed at the same time.

Company

The revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical Company opened this fall at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The story, which follows lead character, Bobby through the trials of love and dating, is told through a series of memorable songs including Being Alive and The Ladies Who Lunch.

The show is directed by John Doyle who last season won a Tony for directing Sweeney Todd. Does this mean another musical where actors play their own instruments? Absolutely!

Winter Restaurant Week 2007

For ten days, January 22-26 and January 29 - February 2 more than 100 restaurants, including many of New York City's finest will participate in an event to which New York enthusiasts have come to look forward.

During this special period you can delight in delectable three-course lunches for just $25.07 and three-course dinners for $35.07 (beverages, tax and gratuity are not included).

The winter Restaurant Week 2007 is the perfect opportunity to try out a new restaurant. Perhaps an elegant midtown classic such as Remi or the 21 Club, a theatre district hot spot such as Blue Fin, a mouth watering steak house such as Maloney & Porcelli, Frankie and Johnnie's or Shelly's, a celebrity hang out such as Nobu or Montrachet, candle lit romance such as One if by Land, Two if by Sea, a room with a view such as River Cafe or the Water Club or something ultra casual and quintessentially New York.

Make your plans now. This is a partial list of selected restaurants participating in NYC Winter 2007 Restaurant Week:

2 West
2 West St.
917-790-2525
4, 5 to Bowling Green

21 Club
21 W. 52nd St.
212-582-7200
E, V to Fifth Ave.

44 Restaurant
44 W. 44th St.
212-944-8844
1, 2, 3, N, R, W to 42nd St.-Times Square

5 Ninth
5 Ninth Ave.
212-929-9460
A, C, E, L to 14th St.

a Voce
41 Madison Ave.
212-545-8555
6, R, W to 28th St.

Abboccato Ristorante
136 W. 55th St.
212-265-4000
1 to 50th St.

Blue Water Grill
31 Union Square West
212-675-9500
4, 5, 6, L, N, R, Q, W to 14th St.-Union Square

Bobby Van's Steakhouse & Grill
135 W. 50th St.
212-957-5050
1, 9 to 50th St. or N, R to 49th St.or B, D, F to Rockefeller Center

Bolo Restaurant & Bar
23 E. 22nd St.
212-228-2200
R, W to 23rd St.

Bond 45 Italian Kitchen Steak & Seafood
154 W. 45th St.
212-869-4545
1, 2, 3, N, R, W to 42nd St.-Times Square

Brasserie
100 E. 53rd St.
212-751-4840
6, E, V to 51st St.-Lexington Ave.

Brasserie 8 1/2
9 W. 57th St.
212-829-0812
F to 57th St.

Ada Restaurant
208 E. 58th St.
212-371-6060
4, 5, 6, N, R, W to 59th St.-Lexington Ave.

Hatsuhana Sushi Restaurant
17 E. 48th St.
212-355-3345
N, R, W to 49th St.

Gotham Bar & Grill
12 E. 12th St.
212-620-4020
4, 5, 6, L, N, R, Q, W to 14th St.-Union Square

Exciting Deals – NYC Holiday Getaway Package

Best New York City Restaurants - Café d’Alsace

New York restaurateur Simon Oren saw his name at the center of many a fine restaurant review following the opening, three years ago, of his French bistro/brasserie, Nice Matin on Manhattan's upper west side. Now, he has cloned this successful fun and light-hearted design on the upper east side and named it Café d’Alsace.

Despite the almost identical aesthetics, the regional cuisine of choice has been changed from the Riviera to Alsacian. Authentic french chef and partner in this venture, Philippe Roussel (from Brittany) has prepared an authentic Alsacian menu offering hearty dishes from this northwest region that more closely resembles german cuisine than the parisian or provençal style that you will find at most french restaurants. Hearty stews such as Baeckeoffe (lamb, oxtail and bacon braised in white wine) garnished sauerkraut, sausages, roast pork and casseroles simmered in Rieslings.

For those who can find room, well prepared deserts abound. The ambiance is cheerful and the chef is commendable but if there is one stand-alone gimmick that is bringing people to café d'Alsace it's the Beer Sommelier (yes they're serious). With almost 120 brews on hand, Avriam, the restaurants beer sommelier can suggest the perfect choice for each meal, and for each individual's taste. The restaurant has become quite popular and reservations are needed for both lunch and dinner.

Tree Lightings - The Baroque Christmas Tree

Each year, The Metropolitan Museum of Art erects a 20-foot Christmas in the center of it medieval sculpture hall. Placed before the large iron choir screen from the cathedral of Valladolid in Spain, this dramatic, low-light setting creates a sight to behold.

The tree is decorated with angels and cherubs and, at the foot of the tree is an elaborately detailed nativity scene composed of 18th century Neapolitan figurines.

From Cézanne to Picasso: Ambroise Vollard, Patron of the Avant-Garde

At a young age, Ambroise Vollard, an art dealer in Paris, began collecting and exhibiting the works of emerging artists. At the turn of the 19th century he was representing not only Cezanne and Picasso but also Degas, Gaugin, Van Gogh, Matisse, Renoir, Rousseau and others.

One successful exhibition followed another and soon Vollard became sought after by emerging artists hoping to be discovered and chosen by the man with the Midas touch. This exhibit, which contains 100 paintings, sculpture, books and prints, brings together works by many of these artists, which at one time were either presented or collected by Vollard.

This comprehensive exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art will be on view through January 7, 2007.

NYC Shopping Guide – Holiday Crafts on Park Avenue

Held inside the armory, this fair gathers 175 of the best known artisans from throughout the states. With a more than twenty year history, this market is an exciting crowd pleaser.

The high quality of the crafts displayed draws a large number of browsing art enthusiasts as well as serious shoppers. Featuring one-of-a-kind and limited editions this market is a great place to find something special for that special someone.

Kaleidoscope Light Show in Grand Central Station

While at Grand Central Station, also enjoy the new Kaleidoscope light show.

Every 30 minutes from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., this new spectacular light show held in the main concourse creates a dancing effect of light and color that turns the building's interior into an incredible prismatic kaleidoscope image.