True, January is known to be the coldest month of the year in New York City. Snow, cold winds and wet weather make many escape the city for warmer regions, however if one comes prepared for the elements, there are some wonderful reasons to visit New York during this month. 

Because January is the month after the holiday rush, visitors will be able to find some super deals in accommodation and travel. Hotels are vying for tourists and will offer excellent promotions during the winter months. One should bear in mind that snowy weather may hamper travel trips and flexibility should be the name of the game when it comes to holiday planning.  

Less visitors to the city also means that tourists need not stand in long lines to find tickets to a Broadway show. Besides ticket availability, prices are usually cheaper as well.  Post-holiday sales are also an excellent reason to visit New York during January and visitors can pick up designer clothes and other specials at the fraction of their price throughout New York City stores.  

New York is a culinary lover’s delight in January, especially during New York City Restaurant Week where visitors can dine at some of the city’s top eateries at greatly reduced rates.  

Visitors are advised to dress well for their visit in January. With temperatures reaching average highs of 36 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) and dropping to below freezing, obviously warm coats, gloves and scarves are a necessity. However, visitors are advised to dress in layers as stores, subways and museums are heated. The constant leaving and entering of locations may require the removal and addition of layers as the situation calls for. Wind and rain may also cause puddles and visitors should ensure that their footwear is warm and waterproof. A little forethought in terms of what to bring will ensure that visitors enjoy all the wonderful things that New York City has to offer in January.

Head to NewYorkJourney.com for great deals on New York City hotels.

Since it opened up in 1930, the Carlyle Hotel has welcomed guests through its luxurious doors to find a graceful and tasteful location that has been compared to a private pied-a-terre in the heart of the city. The Carlyle boasts an exclusive ambience, one that has been enjoyed by political, business and industry leaders for over 70 years. Luxury accommodation, tasteful in-house shops, celebrated dining and top quality amenities add to this hotel’s legendary status in New York City.

The Carlyle Hotel is Perfectly Situated
The Carlyle Hotel could not have been situated in a more perfect place when it comes to location in New York City. Standing proudly on Madison Avenue in Manhattan’s
Upper East Side neighborhood, known as the Gold Coast, the hotel is just a heartbeat away from all the spots that the city is so famous for. Guests can enjoy the proximity of upmarket shopping, art galleries, top museums and Central Park.

Pampering in True New York Style
No details are overlooked when it comes to luxury and pampering throughout the 181 rooms and suites that make up the Carlyle Hotel. Tasteful interior decoration prevails through the rooms, thanks to the work of top designers in the field – both past and present. Guests can enjoy pampering in the form of his and her toiletry sets, monogrammed bathrobes, TV’s and DVD players, up to three telephones in each room and many more. The hotel also offers a twice-daily in-room maid service and other extras such as babysitting services and a pet-friendly policy.

Dining in the Carlyle
To dine in the famous Carlyle dining room is an experience in itself. The restaurant is regularly frequented by visitors and locals alike, including the who’s-who of New York society, who come to enjoy the exclusive yet intimate atmosphere of this landmark location. Diners can choose from two dining rooms, and try the exquisite food of Chef Jimmy Sakatos in dishes ranging from authentic Greek to classic American. All in all, the Carlyle remains a timeless classic oasis in the heart of the New York City for the ultimate in luxury accommodation.

Click for NewYorkJourney.com’s review of The Carlyle Hotel or for more hotels in the Upper East Side.

Every year, at exactly one minute to midnight on December 31^st, the famous Times Square Ball makes its majestic descent that lasts a full minute until it ushers in the New Year. Millions of people take part in the ceremonious countdown that peaks at 10..9..8… until the final ..2..1 and “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” Nowhere is the celebration felt in New York as it is in Times Square on this night. 

The Times Square ball has been a firm New York tradition since 1907, although crowds would regularly gather in the square to welcome in the New Year long before this date. New Yorkers and visitors alike have witnessed this spectacular ritual for every year since, with the exception of two years during the Second World War due to ‘dimout’ restrictions.  

The original ball was made of iron and wood, was decorated with 100 25-watt light bulbs and weighed a whopping 700 pounds. From 1955 until the 1980s, an aluminum ball was used, temporarily turning into a giant apple to promote the “I Love New York” tourism campaign for several of those years. The new Millennium called for a totally new look for the Times Square Ball and Waterford Crystal was approached to create a ball fit for the occasion. The result was more than stunning – an interesting geodesic sphere, almost six feet in diameter and weighing over 1000 pounds. The effect of the lighting and more than 500 Waterford crystals was a fitting welcome for the 21^st century.  

2008 heralds the 100-year anniversary of the much-loved Times Square Ball and in honor of this event, a new LED crystal ball was unveiled. Visitors to this year’s celebrations at Times Square will thus be able to enjoy a fantastic sight that promises to be twice as bright as the Millennium ball. Seasons Greetings!

For a directory of New York hotels in the Times Square area, head to NewYorkJourney.com.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a not-to-be-missed annual show that is performed at the Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center in New York City. This show combines elements of world-class dancing, dazzling costumes and incredible backdrops to bring together one of the best-loved performances in the world. Indeed, the Christmas Spectacular is viewed by over 1-million people every single year!

The show runs over a period of six weeks and stars the famous Rockettes – a precision dance company based in Manhattan. A total of 140 dancers and actors take part in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular each year, from the beginning of November to the final days of December. While the show started out in 1933 as two simple acts between movie screenings, in 1975 it took on its present length of 90 minutes. Over the years, technology has enabled the show’s creators to take it to dazzling heights, such as the introduction of a 3D movie at the beginning.  

In keeping with tradition, the story outline of the show remains very much the same from year to year. The movie recounts the tale of Santa Claus making his way towards the Radio City Music Hall and the show begins once he lands. Over the years, several new songs and items have been added and, incorporated into the show with much-loved classics such as the act with a theme from The Nutcracker ballet and the March of the Wooden Soldiers dating back to 1933, brings viewers one of the most magical performances in the world. 

This year’s Christmas Spectacular celebrates 75 years in the making of the show. As a result, patrons are promised one of the most extraordinary experiences that they will ever see, including snow, fireworks and incredible new songs and dances performed by the Rockettes. For anyone in New York City over the holidays, this is definitely a show that HAS to be seen.

Click to book tickets for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

When world famous choreographer George Balachine created the New York City Ballet in 1933, among the first performances he put on was the much-loved Nutcracker, set to the beautiful music written by Peter Tschaikovsky. Since then, one of the most popular Christmas traditions among New Yorkers and visitors to the city has been a visit to the theater to see one of the most beautiful ballets ever performed.

Ballet patrons are immediately transported to the magical world of fantasy and dreams from the moment that the show begins. The dancing in this version of the Nutcracker has been described as world-class – a standard that has come to be expected from such as prestigious ballet company. In addition, some of the best sets, instruments and lighting are used to create an all-encompassing audio and visual delight. Nearly 60 people work backstage to ensure that scenery, lighting and costumes are coordinated to perfection. During the entire production, over 600 lighting instruments are used to create breathtaking scenes, including the trademark giant, 1-ton Christmas tree on stage, that grows to a full height of 41 feet.

The Nutcracker incorporates the highly professional team of dancers from the New York City Ballet of all ages, including young children. Costumes are designed for all participants and there are an average of 150 magnificent costumes onstage for each performance of the show. The audience will never forget the Sugar Plum Fairy’s tutu, which is made up of 7 layers of tulle!

One of the reasons that the Nutcracker is so popular is Tschaikowsky’s incredibly haunting music on which the tale is based. Over 60 musicians play in the orchestra during a typical performance, bringing home the magic of 19^th century theater and culture.

The Nutcracker traditionally runs from the last week of November to the final days of the year and should definitely be slated in as a ‘must-see’ in any itinerary these holidays.

Click for the official site of the New York City Ballet - The Nutcracker.