There is nothing better than finishing work on a Friday and knowing that you have all weekend to relax. A full workweek can be gruelling and exhaust even the most enthusiastic and energetic of worker. Escaping from those stresses is harder now than it has ever been and a weekend break is absolutely necessary once in a while to fully recharge flat batteries.

Everybody has different wants and needs to fulfil in order for them to fully relax. Regardless of what your personal wants and needs are, there are a few cities that will fulfil a great weekend break. Here are the top ten weekend getaways:

1. Chicago – Chicago is perfect for every individual that wants to get away for the weekend. The city has the perfect ambience because of the variety of activities available. The beach can be a haven for relaxation and contemplation, but the city shops are also perfect for retail therapy. The variety of activities on offer is immense – from natural exploration of the Great Lakes to sightseeing around the architectural marvels of the city, there is something for everyone. Staying in a hotel like the Inter-Continental Hotel Chicago can also enhance your stay, with a luxurious setting in a prime location.

2. Dublin – Dublin is great for a weekend getaway because it is effectively the heart of Ireland. There is so much to do, whether your ideal break is strolling around Dublin Castle, visiting historical buildings like the St Patrick’s Cathedral, relaxing in cafes or visiting the Temple Bar where there are funky shops. The Russell Court Hotel is the perfect location to enjoy it from. It is the centre of the city and within walking distance of most of the main attractions.

3. Calgary – This is a must-visit Canadian city if you love to relax in beautiful natural surroundings but have the best of the busy urban environment to amuse yourself too. There is a whole host of shopping options as well as the beauty of Lake Louise, landmarks like the Calgary tower and fun family days at the Calgary Zoo. De-stressing yourself will come with no effort at all here. The Sandman Hotel Downtown is just one of the many places you can choose to stay to fully appreciate your visit.

4. Geneva – The natural beauty of Switzerland such as Lake Geneva will leave you breathless in awe. It is a truly old city with astounding beauty. The architecture is fascinating like the Cathedrale de St-Pierre, but the choice of cafes allows you to take in the ambience of the city too. There are hotels all over the city, but for the best weekend break, a centrally located one will give you access to all of the amazing activities the city has to offer. Try the Beau Rivage Hotel Geneva for the best blend of affordable luxury and prime location.

5. Wilmington, North Carolina – This is the ultimate beach weekend break. Wilmington offers the relaxation of a beach on the Atlantic Ocean with small sidewalk cafes and quaint little shops. The atmosphere is extremely relaxing and unhurried, making it a lovely place to relax in and escape from the hassle of every day life. Visit attractions like the Cape Fear Museum and Screen Gems Studio. It doesn’t matter where you stay because the city works its magic regardless, but the Holiday Inn there is particularly quaint and friendly, with excellent service and facilities.

6. Sequoia National Park – if you want to get back to nature then this is the weekend break for you. Sequoia National Park offers a range of outdoor activities and attractions like Crystal Cave, Hume Lake and Kings Canyon. Wuksachi Lodge is in the heart of the park and offers full access to all facilities, thus making it an excellent place to stay. The service you will receive there is second to none. Ultimately though, the scenery is awe-inspiring and will relieve any strenuous weeks endured at work.

7. Amsterdam – This busy city caters for every tourist passing through without making you feel like an outsider. Relax at cafes and bars such as the Bamboo Bar, Café Meander or at the beautiful jazz bar Casablanca. There are also great theatres including the De Balie and Bellevue Cinerama Calypso. The culture just has to be sampled to be appreciated. Hotels like the Victoria Hotel offer elegant accommodation just outside the city for a quiet haven to relax in to perfectly compliment the busy nature of the city.

8. Rome – Rome is the heart of Italy’s cultural past. There is so much to see and do here, from the ancient architecture like the Colosseum, to the cultural cafes that you cannot help but feel relaxed. The Victoria Hotel is one of the best hotels in Rome and offers unashamed luxury. If you are looking for a city with old values and customer service to match, then this is the place for you.

9. New York – There is the lure of Broadway, art museums to inspire you, the historical buildings and statues like the statue of Liberty as well as the world-renowned shopping experience near Time Square. The city is so addictive that you will want to go back for more. The Edison Hotel is in a perfect city location and provides a comfortable place to relax after the busy days you are likely to have in the city.

10. Bordeaux – A weekend break that involves drinking wine may be just what some individuals need to relax after a hard week at work, and that is exactly what you will get in Bordeaux. This French region is at the heart of the wine production France is famous for. Relaxing in vineyards and watching the world go by in cafes or relaxing at Les Sources de Caudalie Spa can make you appreciate life so much more. Appart Valley is a perfect hotel in terms of location and facilities and can make your stay that little bit more special.

Weekend getaways must be tailored to your specific needs in order to get the most out of them, but all of the destinations on the above list may entice you to try something out of the ordinary. Time is precious, so enjoy your weekend breaks as much as you possibly can.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-most-popular-weekend-destinations-2604532.html

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For tips on red stretch marks and white stretch marks, visit the Cover Stretch Marks website.

New York is one of the world’s largest cities and simply exploring the centre can keep you busy for days or weeks. Whether you’re a tourist or New York resident, taking a day trip from the city can reap handsome rewards. From vineyards to historic hotspots, there are plenty of points of interest and all are easily accessible on a day trip from the Big Apple.

It is possible to take a trip to the capital city of Washington DC where you can spend the day soaking up the history and visiting the city’s historical landmarks and memorials such as the Senate, the White House and much more.

Philadelphia is another city that is easily accessible from New York. Steeped in history and often referred to as “America’s Birthplace”, Philadelphia is an interesting place to spend some time. Elsert Alley is the oldest inhabited street in America and you can take in Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the famous Liberty Bell and Constitution Square and Hall, all symbols of freedom in America.

If you have an interest in times gone by then a tour of the historic Hudson Valley’s mansions, dotted along the Hudson River, offers plenty of sights and activities for all ages to enjoy. There are several different tours to choose from and you can even buy your tickets online before you arrive.

Montauk Point is another popular place of lovers of history as the lighthouse found there is the oldest in the state of New York. Montauk Point lies about 120 miles northeast of New York City and offers a great beachfront escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre though you may be tempted to spend a few days here instead of taking a day trip.

Another coastal location well worth a look is Cape May, a pretty spot that’s bursting with old-fashioned sea captains’ residences and gingerbread houses. Whale watching tours are popular here so you can indulge your inner seafarer.

Wine fans will be delighted to know there are two vineyards in close proximity to the city. Palmer Vineyard is located on Long Island, approximately 45 minutes outside of New York City. Pindar Vineyard is also situated on Long Island and often hosts free live music events during the summer months. There are many tours of Long Island itself as this area is popular with the rich and famous. Marvel at the Hamptons, Sag Harbor, Tanger Outlets and many more haunts of New York’s elite.

Back in the city centre, the hotels in New York range from purse friendly basic options to budget busting luxury. New York classics, like the Hotel Gansevoort and Mandarin Oriental, add a touch of luxury and sophistication to your stay. Mid range options are plentiful and inexpensive inns are to be found throughout the city.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/new-york-day-trips-2565744.html

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Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

If you are looking for fun things to do with your kids while visiting New York City, you will that there are many great spots that are not usually listed in the guidebooks. These off the beaten path locations are typically great deals and a ton of fun for both you and the kids.

Baby Loves Disco is a monthly event in the clubs Cielo and Southpaw. This is a great opportunity for both parents and children to have a ‘night on the town’ with disco dancing, bubble creating, juice boxing, and other activities. Check with the clubs for the schedule of this popular event and plan on getting there early, since there may be a long line waiting to get in. Moms and Dads adore this nearly as a lot as children, and it’s a great new concept that you are likely to start seeing in other large cities.

A fun jazz show that gets the whole family involved is called Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz. This event lets everyone participate in creating the music. Keep in mind that jazz music is not nearly as structured as other forms of music and that is what will make this a lot of fun for everyone. A bonus is that you can watch as your kids start to develop an appreciation for this fantastic music genre. The event is held in the Bower Poetry Club and tickets are currently $8, although that is subject to change. Whether you are a jazz fan or not, this is a great activity to include as part of your New York Vacation with your kids.

Besides these off the beaten path activities, there are many opportunities to expose your children to the arts by watching the musicals on Broadway or taking in plays at some of the children’s theaters in town. There are also several programs that providing performances year around in several of New York’s city parks. No child is too young to start cultivating an appreciation for the arts and these events could provide cherished life long memories.

As we all know, kids need to work off built up energy with physical activities. If the weather is not the best, you can still check out some of the numerous indoor play areas that are in New York. Essentially indoor playgrounds with all sorts of structures to climb on and activities to do, this is another concept that will soon spread to other cities.

New York has an excellent park system and these offer your family great no cost chances to explore and play. In Manhattan, Central Park is a half mile wide and 2.5 miles long, and contains several lakes and ponds, as well as walking paths and enclosed playgrounds. The park also contains the Delacorte Theater which hosts “Shakespeare in the Park” festivals in the summer months. Also be sure to see the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater and the classic Carousel.

With a little research before you get there, your trip to New York with the family can become a fun filled experience for every member of the family and one that will be fondly remembered for years to come.

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Alan Gardner has been writing articles on many diverse subjects for over a year now. Although he specializes in diet, fitness and weight loss, you can also check out his latest website at www.mensrockportshoes.org which reviews and lists the best Mens Rockport Shoes.

Most tourists choose their destination by the landmarks that they can see there, visiting Paris for the Eiffel Tower and Rome for the Coliseum. But if you want to see places that the world has forgotten, that have stood desolate and lonely for years, then there are places across the world that will give you this opportunity. Below is a list of places in America that may take your fancy. Explore the majesty of these buildings and places of interest, and discover why they were abandoned in the first place.

1) Lyric Theatre, Birmingham, Alabama – in its heyday, the Lyric Theatre, in the historic theatre district, saw performers like Mae West and the Marx brothers, often filled to the hilt with tourists and people wanting a piece of the action. The last performance was 1958, and the theatre has stood abandoned ever since. Be careful if you visit this once glistening theatre, the infrastructure is very unstable.

2) Candler Mansion, Atlanta, Georgia – A national historic site, it once belonged to the son of the founder of Coca Cola. As part of his private house, there was a personal zoo and a ballroom on the third floor for parties. The property was sold to the state that used it as an asylum for alcoholics and mental patients, giving it an altogether eerier purpose. It is now owned by a nearby university, but is believed by the locals in the area to be haunted by th ghosts of its past.

3) Tugboat Graveyard, Staten Island, New York – this is where boats that have been wrecked and ruined are left, all from the early 20th century. It’s almost Davy Jones Locker, but on top of the water.

4) Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Lousiville, Kentucky – once a hospital for the tuberculosis outbreak in America in the early twentieth century, it was closed and reopened as a hospital for old people. It has a creepy atmosphere, compounded by the fact that there is an underground tunnel that was used to take the dead away without causing attention. It is believed to be one of the most haunted places in the state.

If any of these places sound like a dream to visit when you are on holiday this summer, then grab your bad, Travel Insurance and fly!

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Buffalo is a city of New York that lies along the Niagara Frontier. It is the 2nd largest city of the state, having a metro area population of about 1.2 million. It is also Western New York’s economic and cultural center. As a previous bustling industrial area, it currently houses renowned art galleries, world-famous architecture, internationally recognized universities and diverse entertainment. It is also increasingly gaining popularity as one of the most hospitable cities in America, following its award as the 3rd cleanest city. It was twice awarded the “All-America City Award” and USA Today recognized it as the “City with a Heart”.

Niagara Falls

From Buffalo, New York, you can easily get access to Niagara Falls. You only need to take a direct bus route in-between the 2 cities. If you take route 40, the link for the 2 cities is serviced by Grand Island. This bus drives you straight towards downtown Niagara Falls and towards the Niagara Falls Transportation Center. This 26 mile trip costs $2.25 for one way and $4.50 for round trip.

Buffalo, New York Activities

Buffalo Amusement Parks – Buffalo has 2 amusement parks; namely, Darien Lake and Martin’s Fantasy Island. The latter is located halfway to Niagara Falls by Gran Island. Darien Lake is best for adults and larger kids. It’s a short ride east of the New York State Thruway, offering lots of small thrill rides, a good water park and roller coasters.

Buffalo Zoo – This is one of America’s first zoos. It has various kinds of animals like bears, elephants, otters, hyenas and sea lions among others. There are also animals that freely roam the walkways like the peacocks. The entrance fee for kids is $5 while for adults its $8.50.

Tifft Nature Preserve – This is situated only 3 miles from the downtown area. It’s a site for environmental conservation and education operated by the Science Museum. It has a 75 acres freshwater cattail marsh and a 5-mile hiking trail.

Cheap Buffalo Hotels

Buffalo Marriott Niagara – This is centrally situated off I-290 and close to the New York State University at the buffalo North Campus. The majestic waterfront of downtown Buffalo, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the amazing Niagara Falls are also a short distance away.

The hotel offers 356 newly designed and well-appointed rooms with 32″ flat panel LCD TVs, wireless Internet connectivity, “revive” bedding and the Marriott “plug in” technology. They also have state-of-the-art facilities like a fitness center having cardio theaters, an outdoor/indoor pool, business center, Houlihans restaurant & bar as well a gift shop. They also provide courtesy airport shuttle services and complimentary parking.

For inquiries and reservations to this smoke-free hotel,The nightly rate of the hotel starts at $120.

Comfort Suites New York – This 100% smoke free hotel is located near the Butterfly Conservatory, Buffalo Zoo and the Aquarium of Niagara. Amusement park fans are conveniently placed in close proximity to Martin’s Fantasy Island, Darien Lake Theme Park and even to Niagara Falls.

Amenities of the hotel include complimentary wireless Internet connectivity, local calls, 24 hour airport transportation, full breakfast buffet and shuttle services to local restaurants. They also have a fitness center, hot tub, a heated indoor pool and 100 guest rooms.

Pets are welcome at this hotel for a fee. It’s $15 per night for every 2 pets in a room. Check in time at the hotel is 3pm while check out time is at 12:00nn. The address of the hotel is 901 Dick Road Buffalo, New York 14225

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Museums are located in many cities in the United States and they have diverse subject matter. Museums often focus on art, history or music. But, did you know that some museums are dedicated entirely to food? If you’re planning a culinary vacation, then adding in a visit to a food museum can be an interesting way to learn something new. There are quite a few food museums located in the United States that a person could visit to discover about the history, facts and trivia of food.

The Idaho Potato Museum is a traveling museum that is currently located in New Mexico. This museum originated in 1975 in Belgium, and is the first museum dedicated to the potato. The Idaho Potato Museum features exhibits such as art depicting soldiers peeling potatoes, exhibits showing how potatoes grow, and exhibits showing the importance of the potato throughout the world. As with most museums, the Idaho Potato Museum has an online store where visitors can purchase apparel and other items to show they had visited the Idaho Potato Museum.

The Jello Gallery is located in LeRoy, New York. This museum is open year round and is accessible for visitors confined to wheelchairs. The Jello Gallery focuses on the history of Jello and Jello trivia. There is also an exhibit in the museum that showcases Jello spokespeople throughout the history of Jello. There are many items dedicated to Jello, and the Jello Gallery is home to a gift shop where visitors can purchase Jello memorabilia, cookbooks, and Jello apparel.

Austin, Minnesota is home to the Spam Museum. The Spam Museum is free of charge and open year-round. Exhibits in the Spam Museum include a World War Two exhibit about Spam, an interactive game show exhibit, a Spam diner, and movies about the history and uses of Spam. The Spam Museum allows visitors to learn about a locally made product while having fun.

The Mustard Museum is located in Middleton, Wisconsin. This museum pays homage to the many varieties of mustard. There are over 5,000 varieties of mustard from all over the world on display in the Mustard Museum. This museum features a newsletter that is published on Tuesdays. People not able to visit this museum can view the newsletter online. The Mustard Museum also celebrates National Mustard Day in August. At this festival, visitors can expect mustard games, music, free hot dogs, and free samples of mustard. Inside the museum, visitors can purchase unique mustard varieties for their own personal mustard collections.

While traveling through the state of Washington, people can visit the Washington Banana Museum. This unique museum has many different banana artifacts from various countries. A visitor can expect to see items such as a banana carved from bone, banana posters, and toys for children shaped like bananas. The Washington Banana Museum has no admission charge for visitors. There is no gift shop at this museum, but visitors to the Washington Banana Museum will be able to learn about the history of the banana at this unique food museum.

Museums throughout the world showcase any number of fascinating subjects — including food. Whether learning about Jello, Spam, bananas, mustard, or potatoes, foodies on vacation will enjoy these memorable museums.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/unusual-vacation-ideas-5-museums-all-about-food-1801692.html

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Darla Blackmon writes about Long Beach restaurants, art and travel tips. If you’re planning a vacation to Southern California, stop by the site for free information about Long Beach attractions to help you plan your trip.

As a Niagara Falls resident for over 15 years, I’ve had the best moments at Niagara Falls through the fall & winter months. There are many phenomenal aspects that you would never experience if you were to travel through the summer. Not on that; Niagara Falls hotel packages offer outstanding deals in order to fill their vacant rooms. You’ll have pick of the litter, as you explore everything that Niagara Falls has to offer.

The words ‘Winter Wonderland’ only come to mind when I think of the area by the Horseshoe Falls through the colder months. You see, the mist that is generated by the enormous amount of falling water continually shift with the winds, causing ice to form on just about everything. Light stands to guard rails are all covered with an enormous thick shield of ice. Fallen giant Icicles from dripping water are sometime too large to even pick up! Everything and I mean everything is covered in this majestically icy glazed coating, sparkling with the sunlight. Speaking of ice, don’t forget to go ice skating overlooking the falls. Recently, Niagara Parks installed ‘Rink on the Brink’ which is a public skating area just a stone’s throw away from the Horseshoe Falls. Skate Rentals are available with an all day pass for just $8.00CDN.

As an addition to the spectacular winter scenery, each year the Niagara Parks Commission puts up their Festival of Lights. With over 125 oversized animated lighting displays, and 3 million tree and ground lights they light up the wintery nights. There’s nothing quite like taking a stroll with a hot drink through the snow covered parks surrounded by beautiful lights. Drive around Dufferin Island for a fun family lighting display that your entire family will enjoy. On top of it all, there is no charge, however donations are appreciated.

A smart thing to realize is Niagara Falls hotels make their big money through the summer months. During the winter, they just try to keep their heads above the water. Pricing for Niagara Falls hotel packages, attractions, and extras usually drop substantially. Moreover, if you visit the homepage of your Hotel of choice, you’ll find spectacular winter specials posted from time to time. Not only do you get your accommodations, but food certificates, inclusive breakfast, and in some cases attraction passes all at discount pricing.

Weather is not usually that big of an issue. In fact over the last 3-5 years we’ve had relatively mild winters. What most people don’t realize, is that the Niagara Regions average (daytime) winter temperature ranges from +2 degrees to -1 degree Celsius (or 36° to 30° degrees Fahrenheit) – hardly unbearable. Snowfalls are moderate, and snowstorms are infrequent. So, as long as you dress appropriately the weather shouldn’t scare you away. The best part is, most of the attractions are indoors so you’ll enjoy them just the same, just without the large volume of people. In November, my wife and I were enjoying the Hilton Fallsview Hotels mammoth indoor swimming pool, giant 3 story waterslide, saunas and more; ALONE! This was late fall, and it wasn’t even cold yet! Bear in mind, we do get colder spells when temperatures can drop substantially, especially through January and February, so be prepared.

Don’t let the winter get you down. Price savings combined with exciting attractions and fantastic accommodations are sure to combine to create an outstanding time away, Enjoy a weekend getaway, family retreat, or romantic adventure with the beauty and solitude of Niagara Falls Hotel Packages.

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Brad Hoffman is the owner of the Niagara Falls Source, and thrives on teaching others how to experience the high life of Niagara Falls without breaking the bank! For more information on winter Niagara Falls hotel packages visit our site which contains valuable information on how find the hot spots and hidden gems most tourists wouldn’t even know exist!

For a FREE 15 part mini-course on “The Insiders Niagara Falls Secrets” go to => http://www.niagarafallssource.com

Many people forget that New York is a town full of families and plan their vacations without providing much thought to the entertainment possibilities that abound for children in New York City. It only makes sense that with so many families living in this city that there would be very many family oriented things to do and sights to see.

For instance, there are 5 zoos in New York City; some of them better known than others. The five zoos are Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Bronx Zoo, and Staten Island Zoo. Each zoo has something slightly different to offer than the others and if you have a true animal lover in your family there really is no harm in stopping by all of them. Also if you purchase the New York Pass you will find that most of the zoos mentioned above offer free admission to card holder.

For the child who loves drama, New York City offers many theatrical productions that might suit him or her just fine. The first is geared towards girls and is American Girl Place. You can enjoy dining, shopping, and theatre while spending a day with your special little girl. This is a great bonding experience for mothers and daughters. The Manhattan Children’s Theatre produces several high quality shows for children and families throughout the year at quite reasonable prices (season tickets are also available for those who live nearby). The New Victory Theater offers a different type of theater experience for families to enjoy. The Paper Bag Players are a must see experience. They offer a different type of theatre for children that encourages audience participation that gets your children involved in the dramatic process. If you have the time you should also check out TADA! Youth Theater in order to show your children that even children have talents that need to be explored and can make a difference not only in their own lives but also in the lives of others.

In addition to the great activities mentioned above, there are several children’s museums located in New York in addition to other museums that offer exhibitions that may be of interest to your children. The following museums are well worth checking out even if you decide to seek entertainment elsewhere: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Staten Island Children’s Museum, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, FDNY Fire Zone, Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, New York Hall of Science, Sony Wonder Technology Lab, Queens Country Farm Museum, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Times Square. There are many more museums in the city that may provide plenty of family entertainment and education but these are some of the most kid-friendly museums in the city.

Shopping is a fun and often educational process that often gets overlooked or even ignored when it comes to children. However, it would be remiss to mention great family things to do in New York without mentioning some of the wonderful children’s retailers that abound in this city. Books of Wonder is aptly named as it brings back those books that held such wonder for us as children and gives us the chance to share those books with our children. They have old and rare books as well as many excellent current book selections. New York is also home to the largest Build-A-Bear store in the world, which will make the bear lover in your family’s eyes light up with glee. There’s FAO Schwarz, which is a toy store unto itself and almost worth the price of the trip to NYC alone. Old and young kids alike will enjoy spending an afternoon here. Toys R Us Times Square is offering up a Dinosaur portion of competition however by brining in great attraction to get families in the door and buying toys. Be sure that you let your little ones ride the Ferris wheel and that you get a copy of the photograph as a keepsake.

New York City is gaining a reputation for a much softer far more family oriented side. Don’t let the past reputation of this city prevent you from making this the family vacation destination it could be ideally suited to be.

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Celebrating the New Year in New York City has to be one of the most exciting times to visit this fascinating cosmopolitan city. The main event at this time of year, and one you don’t want to miss, is standing in Times Square and being part of the thousands that see in the New Year when the ball finally drops from the flagpole in One Times Square.
And this is no ordinary ball, it’s actually a 2 foot geodesic sphere whose surface is covered in 2,668 Waterford crystal triangles and it weighs 11,875 pounds. The 2,668 crystals are powered by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDS, and its palette consists of over 16 million bright colors and billions of patterns creating an impressive array of patterns.

Don’t visit New York at Christmas time without some forethought. This time of year the weather can range from slightly cold to bone-chilling icy, it can even snow. Make sure you take plenty of sweaters and warm clothing with you as you will be outdoors for a majority of the evening and it will spoil your night if you can’t bear the cold.

There are plenty of other attractions in New York City of course and here are just a few that just shouldn’t be missed if it is your first time here.

One of the most inspired holiday traditions in New York City has to be the big department store windows. Every Christmas designers work their magic by transforming them into the most imaginative landscapes, fantasy creations and festive winter wonderlands that have people travelling to the city from all over. Don’t miss the Santa Land creations at Macy’s http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herald_Square : Herald Square, the Christmas scenes filled with animated figures and vehicles at Lord & Taylor, and Sleeping Beauty at Saks Fifth Avenue, complete with mechanical dolls dancing to the Tchaikovsky ballet.

The view from the top of the Empire State Building is another ‘must-see’ that just can’t be passed up if you are in New York City this New Year’s Eve. The building is over 1,453 feet from its base to the top of the lightning rod and has 1,860 steps from street level to the 102nd floor.

There are 2 observatories in the Empire State Building, the one on the 86th floor is at 1,050 feet and reached by high speed, automatic elevators. You can admire the views from the glass-enclosed area or venture out to the outdoor promenades on all four sides of the building. If you are feeling brave then carry on up to the 102nd floor Observatory, and take a look through the high powered binoculars available on the promenades, perfect for admiring the 360-degree view of the Big Apple and surrounding city.

Ice skating in Central Park is the dream of many. Particularly charming in the winter evenings it is such a romantic location with the crisp frosty air and moon and stars twinkling above. There are skating coaches available to teach you to skate, or just teach yourself, its fun! Central Park has two skating rinks, Wollman Rink and Lasker Rink where you’ll find hundreds of in-line skaters taking lessons or honing up their skillful moves. There’s also an ice skating rink at the Rockefeller Center rink.

Central Park is the most famous park in the world and is huge, you can easily spend a whole day here and still not have seen even a third of the area. The Imagine Mosaic in Central Park’s Strawberry Fields is a worldwide funded tribute to John Lennon, previously a Beatle who lived in the city for a long time. The Mosaic has become a place where his fans are able to meet up and talk about his life and music, as well as jam a little, people come from all over the world which makes it quite an interesting place hang out at for a while.

Another popular location in Central Park is Bow Bridge, as it elegantly extends 60 sixty feet over the lake, from Cherry Hill to the Ramble. Arguably the most beautiful cast iron bridge in the world with its charming curves and delicate ornamentation, it also offers incredible views of the surrounding park lands.

http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com/United-States/New-York-City/ : New York city accommodation and hotels can be affordable and found easily if you look online. Just enter your requirements and the areas you want to stay and you’ll soon be making a quick and easy hotel reservation.

December is the most wonderful time of the year, and a wonderful time to visit New York City! Show off your best moves on the Rockefeller Center skating rink by the twinkling lights of the spectacular Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Shopping, shows and New Year’s Eve in Times Square are just some of the fun things to do in the city during the festive holiday season.

The Tree at Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree at 50th Street and 5th Avenue is a beloved New York tradition and a must-see Manhattan holiday attraction. Located at Rockefeller Plaza (which spans from 48th and 50th Streets between 5th and 6th Avenues) the branches of towering tree are circled in thousands of twinkling eco-friendly lights. The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony typically takes place in late November or early December. The televised star-studded event features ice-skating performances on the ice rink and draws thousands of spectators.

Skating at Rockefeller Center
The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center opens in mid-October, but it’s a particularly wonderful winter experience for travellers visiting New York in December. That’s because in December, visitors and New Yorkers alike can glide and twirl around the ice under the towering sparkling beauty of the Rockefeller Center tree, just like a scene out of a movie! Rent skates or bring your own, and be prepared to wait during peak times as only 150 skaters are permitted on the rink at once. Skaters can stop for a bite at the Rock Center Café, located right by the ice. The world-famous rink is accessible from 5th Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets.

Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular
Need to kick your Christmas spirit into high gear? Check out a performance of this renowned Christmas show to get you right into the spirit of the holidays. The Radio City Music Hall, located on 6th Avenue at 50th Street, hosts the annual Christmas Spectacular which features dazzling choreography and the world-famous high kicks of the Radio City Rockettes. From Santa’s workshop coming to life to the popular “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” this beloved tradition will delight the entire family.

New Year’s Eve in Times Square
Planning to spend New Year’s Eve in New York City? Consider heading to Times Square to watch the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball drop at 11:59p.m. This symbol of New York City draws a crowd of up to a million to Times Square each year, and the vibrant celebration includes fun freebies such as confetti bags, pom-poms and balloons. Revellers will enjoy a festive firecracker display and exciting performances by top entertainers. The new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is covered in thousands of Waterford crystals, creating a stunning kaleidoscope of colours and patterns as it makes its descent from its perch on a flagpole at the top of One Times Square.

New York City is a fantastic shopping destination any time of year, but the bonus of visiting in December is getting to do your holiday shopping while taking in the incredible holiday storefront windows at shops like Macy’s, Sak’s Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s. A couple of tips – keep in mind that December is peak travel season in New York City, so arrange travel plans well in advance, and remember to bundle up as the weather is typically quite chilly.

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