One of the popular places to be during the holiday season, is New York City.  From the beautifully decorated department store windows, to ice skating at Rockefeller Center, to the parade and the Rockettes, and everything else that the city has to offer.

One of the highlights of the season is the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center.  The tree overlooks the ice rink, and the promenade leading to the ice rink from 5th Avenue, and is one of the most recognizable holiday symbols.  If you’re making plans for the tree lighting, mark this date on your calendar:

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009, 7-9 pm

The two hour program will include celebrity appearances, music, and lots of festivities.

If you can’t make it for the lighting ceremony, you can still see the tree on display until January 7th, 2010.  It will be lit daily from 5:30 am – 11:30 pm, all day on Christmas, and from 5:30 am – 9 pm on New Year’s Eve.

Photo credit: cchen @flickr

Post from: Blisstree

2009 Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center

But what do you do if you want to combine a love of theater with a really, really special vacation?  Broadway Across America has a very special package for very special theater fans.

Hugh Jackman will appear on Broadway in A Steady Rain

How about a Columbus Day Broadway weekend, taking in the limited engagement, A Steady Rain and the revival of Bye Bye Birdie?

A Steady Rain is about two Chicago cops whose lifelong friendship is put to the test when they become involved in a domestic dispute in a poor neighborhood in town.  It’s very limited 12 week run at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.  It stars Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig, two of the hottest hunks around these days.

The revival of Bye Bye Birdie marks its first return to Broadway in almost 50 years, with an engagement at the Henry Miller Theatre Set in 1960, teen idol Conrad Birdie has been drafted by the Army.  His manager cooks up a plan to send him off with a new song and one last kiss from a fan, all played out on the Ed Sullivan Show.  The revival stars John Stamos and Gina Gershon.

Daniel Craig will appear on Broadway in A Steady Rain

The Columbus Day Broadway Package includes:

• Roundtrip coach airfare to New York city from most major cities within the continental US
• Roundtrip airport to hotel transfers via private car service
• 3 nights hotel accommodations at the Hilton Times Square Hotel (or comparable), including tax (based on double occupancy)
• Invitation to an elegant welcome reception, including food and cocktails, on Friday, October 9th
• Orchestra/front mezzanine seats to Bye Bye Birdie on Friday, October 9th
• Invitation to a group lunch at Sardi’s, including food and beverages.  Take a look at the famous caricatures on the wall of Broadway stars and see how many you, as can recognize.  The lunch with feature a questions and answer session with Broadway performers who will share stories and be available for autographs and photos.
• Orchestra seats for A Steady Rain on Saturday, October 10th.
• Orchestra/front mezzanine seats for a third show, this one of your choice, on Sunday, October 11th.  Specific show will depend on availability, but should include a choice of Billy Elliott, Mary Poppins, Next to Normal, In the Heights, Chicago, Mamma Mia, The 39 Steps, and Rock of Ages.
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes theater tour, or a walking tour, given by a seasoned NYC Guide.
• On site management to address any concerns or needs.
• Compressive guest itineraries sent via overnight delivery

October is a great time to be in New York City.  You can spend your day shopping, enjoying the fall foliage in Central Park, or visiting one of the city’s many attractions.  Come evening, you get your theater fix.

This special package offers once in a lifetime theater opportunities, and at $2,149/person doesn’t come cheap.  But if you have a special person in your life who is a big theater buff, this getaway weekend is well worth the price.

Call (877) 284–4222 for further information and to reserve your spot.

Photo credits: Bauer Griffin

Post from: Blisstree

Spend Columbus Day Enjoying Broadway

This summer, visitors and residents can retreat to the rooftops to not only take in spectacular views of our City from many different vantage points, but also enjoy some excellent food and drink,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company.

Manhattan skyline viewed from Long Island City

Not sure where to go?  Here are some great views, in Manhattan and the boroughs, to get you thinking:

• 230 Fifth – Manhattan’s largest rooftop bar has a Champagne Party Brunch on weekends, 11 am – 5 pm daily, year round.  The roof top is palm decorated and has a full enclosed lounge – so there’s rooftop dining rain or shine.  Brunch features a menu selection of more than 40 choices, most priced between $8-12, along with some specialty cocktails.  Signature dishes are the Liquored Up French Toast and the Matzah Brei.  Spectacular views of the city accompany the food.
• Hotel Gansevoort – Part roof-deck party, part dining experience, the Get Up Get Down Brunch features 360-degree views of the Hudson River and Manhattan, indoor and outdoor terrace seating, and a garden.  Brunch is served noon – 4 pm on weekends, and is a 3-course prix fixe menu ($36) that include specialty items like a grilled Black Angus burgers, steak frites and eggs, and mini cupcakes.  The rooftop brunch is offered through Labor Day.
• Groovedeck – Located at the Hudson Terrace, this rooftop lounge is along the Hudson River, offering up wonderful views of the river.  Brunch is served Sunday, 2-8 pm, and includes assorted traditional brunch choices.  Chocolate chip muffins are a real treat, as are the brunch cocktails, which include red and white sangria, as well as mojito pitchers.
• Peninsula Hotel – Offering exquisite luxury, the Peninsula’s Salon de Ning rooftop bar offers Sunday Brunch on the Terrace on the 23rd floor.  Enjoy the 3-course brunch while overlooking Fifth Avenue and enjoy the spectacular view of the city.  The set menu changes weekly, but always offers delicious choices.  Champagne cocktails are available, including the signature Beijing Rouge, made of pomegranate juice, citrus vodka, and champagne with a raspberry garnish.  Brunch is served Sunday 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, through Labor Day.  Luxury doesn’t come cheap!  Brunch is $49/person, excluding beverages, tax and gratuities.  I love the Peninsula Hotel, and used to frequently meet a friend here for drinks after work.
• Alma – Head off to Brooklyn (Carroll Gardens) for brunch at Alma, offering views of the Manhattan skyline.  Served weekends 10 am – 2:30 pm, brunch is served year round and offers Mexican cuisine, accompanied by cocktails and tequilas.
• Ravel Hotel – This new luxury boutique hotel is located along the Queensboro Bridge in Long Island City.  A buffet brunch is served on Sunday, 10 am – 2 pm, along with endless mimosas till 3 pm.  DJ music accompanies the view of the Manhattan skyline, across the East River.

Do you have a favorite NYC rooftop brunch?

Photo credit:  jl welsh @flickr

Post from: Blisstree

New York City Rooftop Brunches

The building is located at Fifth Avenue at 34th, and is a popular spot for tremendous views of the city.  It’s been featured in numerous movies, including the classic An Affair to Remember and the more recent Sleepless in Seattle.

Beneath its art deco facade, the building houses floors and floors of offices, a 3-story lobby, shops, restaurants, a variety of services, and one of the most popular outdoor observation decks in the world.  Located on the 86th floor, the observation deck offers 360-degree views of the city.  The observation deck is open 365 days a year, from 8 am – 2 pm.  The last elevator goes to the top at 1:15 am.  Scheduling a romantic rendezvous at midnight at the top of the Empire State Building is as much a reality as a theme from the movies, and the view at night is just as spectacular as during the day.

An additional observation deck is located on the 102nd floor as well, but it is enclosed and much smaller than the lower one.  It is open daily, 8 am – midnight, with the last elevator going up at 11:15 pm.

On the 2nd floor, you’ll find the NY Skyride, a simulated aerial tour over the city of New York, that has become nearly as popular as the observation deck.

Tickets for the observation deck are $18.45 for adults (ages 18-61), $12.92 for children (ages 6-12), and $16.51 for seniors (62+).  Prices do not include tax or a $2 surcharges.   An express pass, which allows you to go to the front of the line (and the lines can get lengthy), an observatory and skyride combo package, and a ticket to the 102nd floor observatory are also available.  Purchase Empire State Building tickets online to help cut down on line time.

Because lines and wait time can be lengthy, plan to visit on a day when you have time to get through the queue and enjoy the spectacular views.  After all, you haven’t really seen the city till you’ve seen it from the top of the Empire State Building.

Photo credit: wikimedia

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Birthday to the Empire State Building