5 Things to Do and See
New York is an ever-changing place. It is in a state of continual evolution. A section of the city that was trendy and popular one year suddenly finds itself out of fashion the next. The old warehouses by the Hudson River that were used for packing meat in the old days have now been renovated into the Meatpacking District, a trendy conglomerate of upscale discos and nightclubs. Greenwich Village has been replaced by Brooklyn as the place for artists and bohemians to congregate. The Lower East Side is no longer the punk rock destination that it once was, but has been taken over by chain stores. Whether it is the latest restaurant or a trendy club, people in New York are always looking for the next big thing. Needless to say, as much as the landscape, neighbourhoods and hotspots change, the landmarks in New York remain timeless and eternal. There is nothing that exemplifies this more than Times Square at New Year’s Eve.
This is the time of year when people begin to think about descending on Times Square for its New Year’s Eve celebration. If you are looking to plan a holiday to New York to celebrate the New Year, then the Metro Hotel or the Westin Times Square are ideal locations to stay. Located in the heart of Manhattan, both of these hotels are close to several major attractions, and in New York everything is about the power of location. There is a magical, fairytale quality to New York in the winter. If you are planning a holiday to the Big Apple, then be sure to explore the following.
1. Bundle up and go ice skating at Rockefeller Centre. Every year busy New Yorkers take the time to get into the holiday spirit. This is one of New York’s most celebrated traditions. After a couple of laps around the skating rink and some hot chocolate, take a look at the Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree.
2. Buy tickets for a Broadway Show. The Theatre District is just a short walk from Times Square. No trip to New York is complete without seeing the bright lights of Broadway. There are over 40 professional theatres in the district.
3. Go window shopping on Fifth Avenue. This is often called the most expensive street in America. Designer boutiques like Gucci, Tiffany & Co and Louis Vuitton are all located on Fifth Avenue, as well as Barneys and the Apple Store.
4. Spend a morning wandering through a museum. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art and the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Guggenheim are all in close proximity.
5. Finally, watch the ball drop in Times Square
