Archive for the ‘Holidays in New York – Shopping’ Category
One Bedroom Soho Apartment: Perfect For Your Easter Holiday Vacation |
New York City is arguably the best city in the world. Part of what makes it so great is the amazing plethora of extremely diverse neighborhoods, all with their own unique histories. In the span of twenty minutes, you could easily be fooled into believing you are strolling down the streets of Dublin, eating dumplings in Beijing, or sharing a freshly made cannoli in a Sicilian cafe, when in reality, you are merely traversing some of the diverse neighborhoods that make Manhattan and New York City so great.
One of my favorite neighborhoods is Soho, so named for its location south of Houston street. As you meander through the warren of cobble stone streets surrounded by the beautiful and historic buildings that make up much of Soho, you can easily imagine yourself walking over the same stones a century earlier. With dozens of art galleries and museums, and a plethora of delicious restaurants and cafes, you will not be short on things to do. And with easy access to many of New York City’s subway lines, you can easily visit any other part of the city that you wish to see. Why not take advantage of your vacation time this Easter holiday to make this experience your own. To experience the real magic and splendor of Soho without actually living there, you must stay in a vacation rental apartment, so that you may experience it as only a true New Yorker could.
This one bedroom vacation rental apartment, located on the eastern edge of Soho, can be 
your home during an unforgettable Easter vacation. The apartment, which comes fully furnished and with a completely equipped kitchen, comfortably sleeps 3 people. The advertised rates are as listed below, but these are flexible and subject to change.
- For a 3-45 day stay: $344/day
- For 1-3 month stay: $6075/month
- For 3-6 month stay: $5625/month
- For 6-12 month stay: $5400/month
- For longer than 1 year: $5175/month
For more information on this vacation rental apartment, or to find others, please visit AptNewYork.com, and judge for yourself whether or not New York City is in fact the greatest city in the World.
~Z. H.
New York City Chinese New Year |
This year on February 3rd the Chinese will be ringing in the new year with the famous Lantern Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year Parade.
Celebrated in China Town, typically along Mott, Canal, and Bayard streets to East Broadway, the parade will include dragon dances, firecrackers, and traditional food. If you are in NY this February it is not to be missed, the deep colors and intricacy of the costumes and dragons are a wonder to behold.
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But the holiday is much more than one sees on the streets, it is, in the simplest terms, the Chinese Christmas – a time to give gifts, feast, and spend time with family. But there is also vast history and mythology surrounding it’s nature. 
2011 is the year of the Rabbit, a year where those that are born hold characteristics such as ambition, affection, sentiment, and much more.
The Parade isn’t the only thing to be found in China Town. NYC is known for being a “Melting Pot,” and this area is a prime example of it’s rich culture.
China town’s Canal Street is well known for it nick knacks and knock off designer merchandise. While you can find a verity of items from mini Buddhas to handbags up and down the block, there are higher “quality” fakes to be found in secret shops, but be careful, these places are often illegal and sometimes raided by cops.
Don’t forget to taste the food while you are there!
Some of the best restaurants are:
1. Green Bo Restaurant for Shanghai cuisine
2. N.Y. Noodletown for salt-baked shrimp and roasted pork
3. Ping’s Seafood for its fresh-killed fish dishes, and delicious dim sum
4. Wo Hop for Cantonese dishes, such as chop suey, and chow fun,
5. Hop Kee for pan fried flounder, salt baked squid, chow fun, and roast duck wonton soup
6. Congee for shrimp in walnut sauce, and anything prepared with ginger and scallions
7. Oriental Garden for Cantonese-style seafood dishes made fresh with the fish swimming around you in tanks
8. The Grand Sichuan for traditional Sichuan cuisine
Surrounded by the trendy Soho and the fancy Financial District this area is a great place to vacation. Find apartments to sublet around China Town at AptNewYork.com. And celebrate a colorful and exciting second new year!
-by Sam Richman
Christmas In Queens, NY |
Want to make this year’s Christmas fun and relaxing? Then check out Lady Simone’s “Ujamaa & Imani” holiday celebration in Springfield Garden, New York. Easily accessible and cheaper than staying in the city, your family will appreciate experiencing a different side of New York.
According to New York Daily News, the holiday bash will kick off on December 29th at 6:00p.m. The party will provide entertainment for the whole family. Kids will be entertained and the hard to please will be more than satisfied! The holiday celebration will have live performances featuring the Legacy Dancers, the Dream Castle Models & Lady G Queens Fashion Week. Along with a live DJ, free giveaways, and food, kids get in for FREE!
There’s nothing better than having fun in the city without all the hassle of traffic and crowds. So don’t miss out on the holiday celebration in Queens at the Occasions Banquet Hall. After all, there’s no better way to spread the Christmas cheer than a Christmas party with friends and family!
5 Holiday Events in Queens:
1. Santa at Queens Center Mall: take a picture with Santa, shop, and enter to win $10,000!
2. The Nutcracker: an original version of the all time favorite Russian American ballet.
3. Holiday Open House: visit the Queens County Farm Museum for free tours, mulled cider and craft activities for kids.
4. Wild Holiday Party: join in on the festivities at the Queens Zoo and get a chance to see pumas, coyotes and bears find their holiday treats!
5. Harare 2011: free admission to the Afrikan Poetry Theatre for the New Year’s Eve/ Ujima Celebration with DJ “Omar” and complementary food and beverages.
For a selection of vacation rentals visit Urban Living International
For more places to stay, check out AptNewYork.com
By Jennifer Chan
Best Christmas Events for Kids |
In a lot of ways Christmas is for children, the gifts, the lights, the magic that comes with the belief in Santa. It’s a time where anything can happen and wishes really do come true. New York City, while known for it’s nightlife isn’t limited to holiday shopping deals and christmas happy hours, there are many events for families to enjoy together.
2. There are so many amazing lights in NY, it’s hard to find the time to see them all, but it’s even harder to justify missing some of these glowing peices of art. See them all in one go with the NYC Holiday Lights Tour. This tour won’t just drive you around, but let you hop off so you can really experience the beauty.
3. The Zoo isn’t what first comes to mind when thinking of holiday activities, but NYC Zoos have special events dedicated to the holiday season. The Central Park Zoo, is having a Wild Holiday Party and Presents to the Animals through Dec. 21st, and the Bronx Zoo has holiday lights, the Holiday Express Train, and the Bear Express Experience which includes music, story telling, and live reindeer!
4. Chanukah may be over, but the spirit never dies. Keep the Chanukah spirit going with Klez for Kids on December 26th, where you can sing, dance, listen to Clarinetist Greg wall’s band Klezmerfest, and even learn some yiddish!
5. New York City is known for it’s large stores, and with that comes amazing window displays. Put away a day to pass by all of the great ones with this walking tour.
6. Have Breakfast with Santa! Christmas Rock Center Cafe hosts this unique event every weekend till Christmas.
7. Ice Skating in NY during Christmas is a time honored tradition, and don’t feel tied to Rockefeller Center, you can escape the hustle and bustle of all the tourists by attending one of these great spots: The Pond at Bryant Park, Riverbank Ice Skating Rink, Wollman Rink in Central Park, Lasker Rink in Central Park, City Ice Pavilion, Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, and Kate Wollman Rink in Prospect Park.
8. Bring your kids to see a broadway show, it may be one of the larger budget activities, but it’s something your children will remember forever. And, to take some weight off your wallet, try getting discounted tickets from broadwaybox.com, or TKTS booth.
9. See a spectacular display of gardens around the city with the annual Holiday Train Shows.
“Called “one of New York City’s best holiday gifts to itself,” and a chance to “see the city anew,” by the New York Times, the Holiday Train Show is a winter wonderland full of twinkling lights, and the sights and sounds of New York City at its best.”
10. And of course, the must see kid event of NYC is the Macy’s Santa!
And Have A Very Merry Christmas! 
-by Sam Richman
photo by Axel Bührmann’s photos via Getty Images
