To call New York City a ‘shopping Mecca’ would be an understatement. New York City offers the ultimate shopping experience – no matter what your taste. Want it all under one roof? Visit a department store. Take a stroll along world-famous avenues and streets that offer designer stores.  

Most of the big international brands have mega stores that stock the widest range of their products. Niketown (57^th Street) offers anything Nike you may ever want and the Sony Store (Madison Avenue) has all of the latest Sony technologies. The Apple Store (Prince Street) boasts majestic glass architecture before you even get through the doors!  

Streets Ahead
New York City plays host to some world-renowned shopping streets that offers a retail experience like none other. Soak up the New York City sites and sounds as you negotiate pedestrian bustle with your latte in hand. 

Madison Avenue
The high-end designer stores that line Madison Avenue read like a who’s who of the fashion industry. It comes as no surprise that this is a favorite amongst the rich and famous, who come looking for their day-to-day gear from big name designers and niche boutiques.

Fifth Avenue
Parallel to Madison Avenue is Fifth Avenue, offering more of the top names in the retail and a sumptuous New York shopping experience. Fifth Avenue is also home to some of the leading department stores in the world, as well as the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Centre. Such an array of attractions means there’s no chance of your running out of things to do on Fifth Avenue. 

Department Stores
Department stores are the best places to conveniently find an array of what is on offer from all the big brands and old favorites. There are a number of infamous department stores along the streets of New York City.  

Bloomingdale’s sits on Third Avenue and is a right of passage for any New York City shopper. Bloomingdale’s is known for its wide variety of merchandise, as well as its generous sales.  

Macy’s is also along Fifth Avenue and is also somewhat of a New York City shopping institution, offering almost everything within a single store. They also claim to be the largest department store in the world! 

Saks Fifth Avenue has all the major American and European labels at this top end store that offers a shopping experience, boasting a free personal shopping service. 

Barney’s New York is on Madison Avenue and is one of the trendier of the department stores in New York City, where you can get all of the most fashionable designer brands.  

Henri Bendel is aptly situated along Fifth Avenue and is more of a boutique department store, offering a glimpse at up and coming designers for New York City’s trendsetter crowd. 

Century 21 is a bargain hunter’s paradise offering designer brands at unimaginably low prices. You’ll need to fend for yourself through the crowds, but it’s well worth the effort! 

Bergdorf Goodman and Bergdorf Goodman Men are both luxury department stores situated on Fifth Avenue and offer top fashions and home ware to those with a discerning sense of style.

Other Shopping Venues
If you are less into labels and vivaciously vintage, East Village boasts a number of small second hand stores where you can get some great bargains on relics of the past. Peruse aisle after aisle of retro garb and leather jackets – each with its own distinct history. Find a colorful array of souvenirs from your visit to New York City from the many street vendors. You’ll also find a numerous vendors selling cheap designer replica accessories that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing – and are a fraction of the price. 

You should also make a point of trying out the food that the street vendors offer. You’ll find quintessential New York grub, such as bagels, hot dogs and pretzels to keep your energy levels in shopping mode.

October is one of those perfect months to visit New York – the city has wonderful weather, great happenings and the pre-holiday excitement is almost tangible in the air. The days are still warm enough to be comfortable, with average temperature highs at 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius), with lows hitting 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Bear in mind that the nights may be cool so it’s advisable to pack a warm sweater or jacket for evening outings. Other things to remember to pack are comfortable walking shoes – water resistant if possible - and season appropriate clothing.  

There is lots to see and do in New York in the month of October. Firstly, New York is well-known for its wonderful fall foliage in the many parks and wooded areas in and around the city. Central Park especially is the perfect place to enjoy the changing seasons and to enjoy the wonderful spectacles of nature. In addition, the crisp weather makes it the perfect time to take in some of those interesting walking tours that New York City is so famous for. 

Many visitors take advantage of the three day Columbus Day weekend during October to plan their trip, to watch the famous parade or enjoy the Mass at the beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Finally, October is Halloween month and visitors can enjoy some of the wonderful activities surrounding this holiday that are spread around the city, for young and old alike, such as the positively ghoulish Halloween Parade that is held each year. Accommodation and flight prices may rise in October because of the approaching holiday season, so it may be wise to shop around for the best deals and avoid disappointment.

New York City is home to some of the best parks in the world. We highlight some of the city’s top parks:

Central Park
Covering 6% of the entire Manhattan area, Central Park is probably the location best associated with the city. This park is a haven for New Yorkers seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city and incorporates a number of attractions in its 843 acres. Visitors can enjoy biking, walks, skating, swimming and a number of top sports facilities. In addition, other major attractions include the Central Park Zoo, the Children’s Zoo, restaurants, interesting architecture, regular shows and programs, as well as breathtaking nature.

Prospect Park
Set in Brooklyn, and bordering on diverse neighborhoods, Prospect Park covers 585 acres and offers visitors the chance to enjoy many attractions. These include the popular Long Meadow, a 60-acre lake, hillsides, boating and picnicking. The park – which attracts a whopping 7-million visitors a year – is popular for its natural features and offers city dwellers an oasis in the middle of the city’s most populous borough.

Bryant Park
Set in midtown Manhattan, Bryant Park is a magnet for business people wishing to take their lunch surrounded by greenery and nature. Visitors – which number over 20,000 each day - can enjoy many of the amenities, including a French Carousel, traditional games such as chess, regular shows and displays, dining and nature watching on one of the 2000 moveable chairs scattered around the park.

Madison Square Garden
This historic park, covering 6.2 acres between Fifth and Madison avenues in Manhattan’s Flatiron district, enjoyed a revival in 2002 after it was rid of crime elements and a project was launched to build a playground, a successful dining area and other amenities to attract the crowds. Today, visitors enjoy flourishing gardens, regular cultural programs and a place for the whole family to visit.

Hudson River Park
Built to incorporate five miles of parkland and waterfront, visitors to Hudson River Park will find an enormous array of sports and community facilities. Visitors can enjoy boating, walking, cycling, ballgames and other physical activities. In addition, the park regularly hosts educational and cultural programs that attract young and old.

NewYorkJourney.com features a detailed list of attractions in New York City.

Since it opened its doors in 2001, the Bryant Park Hotel has been a firm favorite among travelers and native New Yorkers. The hotel is housed in one of Manhattan’s first skyscrapers and boasts 128 rooms in 25 stories of luxurious boutique-hotel. The Bryant Park is located in one of the city’s prime locations – 40 W 40^th Street – and is just a stone’s throw away from the best entertainment and dining spots in New York. The hotel has earned a reputation as a nirvana for jetsetters, Hollywood stars and the who’s who of the fashion world, and was voted by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine as the one of the “World’s Best Places to Stay” (2004) and “New York’s Most Romantic Hotel” by CitySearch.com.

The Hub of the Fashion World
Thanks to its great location and reputation in the hotel industry, the Bryant Park Hotel is particularly popular among the fashion fundies of the world. During New York City’s semi-annual fashion week, the hotel is THE place to be seen and the hotel regularly hosts events relating to the industry. Numerous meeting spaces within the hotel (including the Loft, screening room, penthouse, boardroom suite and cellar bar) means that models, designers and others in the industry can operate within luxury and comfort, even when it comes to work related matters.

The Bryant Park Hotel offers Creature Comforts
From its luxurious down comforts to authentic rugs, the Bryant Park Hotel offers its guests the ultimate in pampering in rooms with a modern decor. The hotel offers state-of-the-art entertainment features such as flat screen TV’s, wireless internet access and iPod speakers in all its rooms. Other extras include a fully equipped fitness center, an entertainment planning desk and two renowned spots – the Koi Restaurant and the Cellar Bar. It is not difficult to understand why this award-winning hotel remains at the top of the favorite lists of guests who keep coming back for more. 

Head to NewYorkJourney.com for full details or to make an online booking at the Bryant Park Hotel.

In 1969, the first African America Day Parade was held in Harlem in a bid to provide African Americans the opportunity to join together and honor their people on one special day. The parade begins in Harlem – considered the capital of Black America – and winds its way from 111^th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Street, up until 142^nd Street. Although the parade takes place in New York, it is still considered an event on a national scale and it represents organizations from twelve states that come together to showcase the accomplishments of African Americans. 

The 38^th annual African American Day parade will take place this year on Sunday September 16^th. This year’s parade will focus on a number of important issues close to the heart of African Americans, including a salute to colleges as well as a greater awareness of the problems of racial profiling and racism in general. In addition, the parade will highlight positive African-American achievements and incorporate a number of celebrities and dignitaries in the parade. A huge turnout is expected at this parade, which saw over 900,000 people attend in 2005. The event traditionally draws many musicians and bands that bring the spirit of music and showcases African American success stories in the industry. 

Over the years, several important people have acted as Grand Marshals of the African American Day parade. These include Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jnr, Denzel Washington, Melba Moore and Paul Winfield. This year’s parade will have as Grand Marshals Mayor Ernest Davis, the Reverend Al Sharpton, David Dinkins, Lillian Roberts, Charles Rangel (congressman) and Comptroller William Thompson.

Click for more information on the various NYC neighborhoods at NewYorkJourney.com.

For beer lovers, nothing quite beats the New York Brewfest, now being offered as an annual event for the second year running in the city. Heartland Brewery will present this year’s event on September 14^th at Pier 16 and 17 at South Street’s Seaport. Sanctioned by the New York State’s Brewers Association, the festival showcases the wares of some of the area’s most successful craft breweries. This year’s event will also honor the beers of companies beyond the state line, with special focus on America’s Northeast region. The Brewfest opens its doors at 5 pm. on Friday afternoon and runs for five hours until 10 pm. Click for hotels located near the South Street Seaport.

At the entrance to the New York Brewfest, visitors receive a 4-ounce sampling glass upon payment. In keeping with state legalities, only visitors over the age of 21 will be served alcohol and personal identification may be required before a glass and wristband is issued. Ticket prices cost around $49 and allow patrons to taste over 300 beers on offer. A large number of company representatives and beer experts will be mingling with the crowds for visitors to ask questions about specific products or beer-making methods.

A number of food vendors will also be on hand at the New York Brewfest to ensure that beer is not the only thing that patrons enjoy consuming at this festival. Visitors can soak in the atmosphere of this event to the background sounds of no less than five bands who will perform this year, namely: Bernie Clark and the Rhythm Sharks, the Bag Pipe Dudes, the Blue Method, Josh Dion Band and Shelly King, the First Lady of Texas music. All proceeds from this year’s New York Brewfest will benefit the not-for-profit NYS Brewer’s Association.

Click for the official site of New York Brewfest.

Every year, New York celebrates the popular Feast of San Gennaro in September. What began as a humble one-day feast has turned into an 11-day extravaganza that celebrates Italian culture and religious traditions, topped off by a celebratory Mass and candlelit procession in honor of the Patron Saint of Naples, and attracting over 1-million visitors.

This year’s Feast of San Gennaro will run from September 13^th to the 23^rd. The festival will include a culinary heaven, featuring the wares of 35 of Little Italy’s top restaurants, as well as the offerings of local street vendors. The event even hosts an exciting cannelloni eating competition that draws crowds by the hundreds! Music is the heart and soul of the Feast of San Gennaro, and visitors can enjoy live band entertainment, popular Italian folksongs, pop singers and more. More than 300 licensed vendors will offer visitors a chance to purchase arts and crafts, festival souvenirs, food and others.

Special events for this year’s San Gennaro festival include the Blessing of the Stands on the opening evening of the festival, where the priests from the Most Precious Blood Church give their blessings to the festival’s vendors and stallholders. On Saturday, September 15^th, the statue of San Gennaro leaves its home in the church and is carried lovingly through the streets of Little Italy in the Grand Procession. On Wednesday, September 19^th, the religious nature of the festival comes to the fore with a Celebratory Mass led by the pastor of the Most Precious Blood Church, Father Fabian, and a religious procession immediately afterwards. All the parades follow the same route, beginning on Mulberry Street (between Canal and Bayard Streets) and winding along to East Houston Street, Mott Street, Grand Street and finally back to Mulberry and Canal Streets.

Click for more information on NYC neighborhoods or for the official Feast of San Gennaro website.

In 1926, a handful of immigrants from Naples decided to continue a religious Italian tradition in their newly adopted city of New York and held a one-day feast to honor St. Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples. The feast was held in commemoration of the day that St. Gennaro was martyred in 305 A.D. Since then, the feast has grown into an exciting, colorful 11-day festival that incorporates the original religious message, with a celebration of all that is Italian in New York.

The San Gennaro Festival attracts more than a million people on an annual basis, that come together to enjoy the atmosphere created along Hester, Mulberrry and Grand Streets from noon to midnight. Each year on September 19^th, a religious procession makes its way through the streets of Little Italy after Mass at Mulberry Street’s Most Precious Blood Church. During the festival, top Italian cuisine rubs shoulders with scrumptious street food and visitors can enjoy offerings by 35 of Little Italy’s most famous restaurants. Visitors can also enjoy Italian music and entertainment, as well as pick up some interesting souvenirs. Arcade games, street performances, carnival rides and other forms of entertainment keep the youngsters amused.

Since 1996, the festival has been run by the not-for-profit organization, Children of San Gennaro (Figli di San Gennaro) and for the past decade this group has donated more than $1.5-million to worthy causes in the city. In fact, the San Gennaro festival generates the most money for philanthropic causes than any other public festival. Many educational and welfare organizations in the five borough and tri-state areas are on the receiving end of substantial cash donations each year following the festival.

To find a hotel located near the Little Italy area, head to NewYorkJourney.com.

The next post will have information on this year’s celebrations.