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. On November 11, 2008, the new Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball was unveiled. It’s a 12 foot geodesic sphere, double the size of previous years’ balls and weighs just over 11, 800 pounds.  The ball is covered in 2,668 Waterford Crystals and powered by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDS and can create a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns producing a spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square.  

2009 heralds the 101-year anniversary of the much-loved Times Square Ball. Happy Holidays!

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

‘Tis the season to be giving and what better place to shop for the holidays than New York City. All the major department stores in the city have unveiled their magnificent holiday window displays to entice buyers and this is definitely a spectacle not to be missed!  

One of New York City’s most popular department stores is Macy’s. One window is a changing theme and this year it’s theme is “Believe”.  Their other always depicts a theme from the classic Christmas movie, “Miracle on 37th Street”. Another store famous for its exquisite holiday window displays is Bloomingdales on Third Avenue. The displays stay in place until well after New Year. Bloomingdales’ displays are always classy and showcase intricately detailed scenes. 

Also displaying their holiday windows is Saks Fifth Avenue, the New York City department store icon conveniently located near Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This store’s window display is especially popular with families as it is always whimsical with a touch of fun. This year, the department store created a stunning “Snowflake City” theme display using CRYSTALLIZED (TM) - Swarovski Elements.  Bergdorf Goodman unveils its sophisticated holiday window displays, usually incorporating stunningly authentic antiques and the height of fashion. Other stores to look out for include Barney’s and Lord & Taylor. 

Visitors who wish to make a day out of window display viewing should remember to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers in case they are tempted to go into the warm, heated stores! While most of the major store windows can be viewed in less than two hours, visitors should take their shopping time into account as well! Window-shopping has never been such a pleasure!

Every year, over three million people line the streets of New York to watch the most spectacular holiday parade in history – The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Over 4000 people march their way among stunningly beautiful and intricately created balloons and floats for 2.5 miles through the streets of New York, before passing outside the city’s famous department store Macy’s. In fact, it was a handful of Macy’s employees who, in 1924, decided to entertain the crowds on New York’s streets with their impromptu parade down the avenue. Today, more than 44 million people watch this extravaganza on NBC television broadcasts throughout the day.

This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – the 82nd - will take the usual route, beginning at Central Park West and 77th Street, proceeding to Columbus Circle and moving down Broadway. The parade finally turns at 34th Street, moves past Macy’s Herald Square and comes to a dramatic end at Seventh Avenue. As always, the event covers around three hours – beginning at 9 am and ending at 12 noon. Visitors are advised to get to the area very early (some even go around 6 am!) to get a good viewing spot, due to the popularity of this parade, and to dress appropriately as November can be quite chilly in New York.

This free parade is definitely one of the city’s most eagerly awaited events and will comprise 14 magnificent float-balloons called falloons that represent some of the more popular characters in contemporary media along with over 12 floats. In addition, more than 50 balloons will vie for the spectator’s attention. Traditionally, stars and celebrities take part in the parade, although they are usually outshone the sheer beauty of the event itself. Marching bands, clown groups and school bands will ensure that spectators are kept entertained for the entire event.

Click for the official site of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

It’s a bit early and the snow has not fallen yet but when it does, New Yorkers are filled with excitement at the prospects of ice skating on the city’s designated rinks. As soon as the ice is strong enough, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation designate outdoor safe skating areas across the five boroughs. These ice skating areas are clearly signposted around the city, informing the residents that they are safe for winter sports.

There are several options to skate in the city’s numerous ice skating rinks throughout the winter.

• Abe Stark Rink, located at the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn is open until April, on weekends.
• Kate Wollman Rink is located on Prospect Park and runs through to March. The rink is open all day, throughout the week and provides plenty of extras such as a gift shop and cafeteria.
• Lasker Rink, in Manhattan’s Central Park, is open ’til April, during the week and on weekends.
• The Pond at Bryant Park is a free-entrance ice skating rink offering lessons, birthday party solutions and even skate sharpening service.
• Wollman Rink, just north of Central Park, is open until April. This rink is open throughout the week and also has special ice dance sessions. The Wollman’s Skating School is associated with the rink.
• World Fair Ice Skating Rink is open throughout April and located in the Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
• Staten Island War Memorial Rink is located in Clove Lakes Park, until April, on weekends.
• Rockefeller Center Ice Arena is an exclusive ice skating rink located at the Rockefeller Center and offers exciting options like marriage proposals on the ice rink and romantic dinner-skate combinations.

For more information on other things to do in New York City, take a look through our attractions and tours guides.

In launching Hybrid Limo Express, CTG has given NYC the largest Hybrid fleet of limousines anywhere in the world.

Press Release - When Corporate Transportation Group (CTG) decided to launch its new green limousine service, it didn’t put a toe in the water; it jumped in head-first.  The result is a division called Hybrid Limo Express and the largest fleet of hybrid limousines anywhere in the world. These include black Lexus’, black Camry’s, and black Toyota Highlanders – giving Manhattan’s A-List a green tint.

As Eduard Slinin, President and CEO of CTG, says, “When I was looking to add a green edge to my business, I had to do it in style. People love going green today, but they’re not going to do it if they can’t look good.” Today, Hybrid Limo Express boasts a fleet of 200 luxury hybrid vehicles. It has grown rapidly, with revenues exceeding $12 million in just its first year.

The idea began in 2007, when Mr. Slinin began building his hybrid fleet in preparation for upcoming NYC fuel-efficiency standards. Approved in early 2008 by NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), Hybrid Limo Express has since expanded its fleet of hybrid vehicles to become the fastest growing provider of green vehicles in the New York Tri-State area.

“We see this as a revolutionary shift in the car service industry. A cleaner, brighter, smarter way to travel in and around the city while reducing our carbon footprint,” says Mr. Slinin.

Now in full swing, CTG’s Hybrid Limo Express promises an estimated 45% improved fuel economy and a cleaner, quieter service for its clients and for New York. As the first green limousine service in New York, Corporate Transportation Group, Ltd. is ahead of the curve in its industry.

Some current rates are (note rates are subject to change):

• Anywhere in Manhattan to LaGuardia (and vice versa) - $48
• Anywhere in Manhattan to JFK (and vice versa) - $63
• Times Square to trendy Meatpacking District - $26
• Union Square to Times Square - $23

Click to visit the Hybrid Limo Express website.

It’s nearly upon us once again. The New York City Marathon is one of the country’s – if the not the world’s – greatest sporting events. The marathon traditionally draws over 100,000 applicants from almost every country in the world, and is watched by an impressive two million people who line the streets of New York to witness this event. Around 40,000 eventually manage to cross the finish line. In addition, another 315 million viewers from around the globe watch the televised version. While the first New York Marathon was held in 1970 with only 127 participants, this event has grown to significant proportions and it is safe to say that most marathons organized today are based on the New York Marathon model. The New York City Marathon also provides a solution to disabled athletes through its official wheelchair division. Every year, more than 200 of the world’s top wheelchair-bound competitors vie for the honor of being declared the winner of this division and the event has become one of the most important in handicapped sports.   

This year’s marathon, due to take place on November 2nd, promises to be bigger and better than ever before. As the traditional sponsor, ING has worked hard to create a sporting event that celebrates the uniqueness of the city and its facilities. The marathon covers the areas of New York’s five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island) and unites neighborhoods that are traditionally divided whether by ethnicity, color or religions. The route of the New York marathon runs through the streets of these neighborhoods and incorporates five spectacular New York bridges in its pathway. Runners finally land up at the famous Tavern on the Green in the ever-popular Central Park. It is not difficult to see why the New York City Marathon is considered the largest and most impressive marathons of all times.

Headquarter hotels include the Hilton New York and the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers.

Click for the official site of the NYC Marathon.

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. The park was conceived in 1850. The city, which had quadrupled in size over the previous 30 years, was losing its green spaces. The call for a public park was led by “Evening Post” editor and orator William Cullen Bryant, and the 843 acres of swampland and immigrant housing was purchased by the city.

Today, Central Park is Manhattan’s back yard. In a city of highrises and with a dense population, this 843-acre oasis is a place to take a walk, read a book, attend a concert, and much, much more. Over 25 million people visit the park each year, making it the most visited of any park in the United States.

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. 

It comes as no surprise that in a city that brings us some of the top culinary offerings in the world, will also be home to the best chocolate shops on earth. Chocolate loving visitors to New York City should take some time to explore these magnificent locations and sample their delights.

Jacques Torre, Frenchman and chocolate master extraordinaire, has opened two shops in New York City, one in Brooklyn, known as D.U.M.B.O, and the other on Hudson Street. D.U.M.B.O, in pure European style, offers handmade delicacies by Torre himself, and allows visitors to view the entire chocolate-making process from huge windows within the store. Café-style tables welcome visitors to rest while they taste these delightful creations. In the Hudson Street store, Torre makes chocolates out of beans using authentic vintage equipment and, again, allows visitors a peek into the marvelous process.  

The MarieBelle flagship store on Broome Street in New York City, named for its founder and designer, Maribel Lieberman, is true heaven for chocolate lovers. This is where gifted confectioners let their imaginations run wild with the finest chocolate ingredients, eclectic ingredients and innovative ideas to create true works of art, wrapped up as beautifully as the aesthetic surroundings in the store. Visitors can mingle among antique furniture and glass cabinets as they select whatever their hearts’ desire. 

Finally, visitors won’t want to miss a chocolatier with a difference. Kee Lee Tong Kee’s Chocolates, founded in 2002, has taken the city by storm and has earned itself a global reputation among top connoisseurs. Situated in the fashionable SoHo suburb, Kee Chocolates uses the finest ingredients – some seasonal and some available all year round - to create delicious hand-made offerings at reasonable prices.

New York City features some great chocolate walking tours.

Although August may be drier and slightly cooler than July, it is nevertheless a hot and humid month in New York City and visitors should take that into account when packing for their trip to the Big Apple. This is a wonderful time of the year to enjoy long summer nights, a multitude of cultural events and beautiful parks.

August is a great time to enjoy many free concerts and activities in the many parks scattered around the city. Shakespeare in the Park, for example, is a much-loved summer time theatrical event that has brought some of the best plays written by the Bard to over four million people since it began in 1954.

Central Park SummerStage is another venue that culture vultures should head out to during August. This location hosts numerous shows, dance and musical events throughout the summer, many of them for free. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets to spread out on the grass and enjoy the magical atmosphere.

Film buffs will love August’s Bryant Park movie screenings, when a huge screen is put up in the park every Monday night, and some of the best film creations are shown under the open stars. Movies begin typically at sunset and this type of excursion makes a romantic night out for those looking for something a little different.

Harlem Week is an event that actually covers nearly the whole month of August and pays tribute to the urban, culture, ethnic and recreational contribution of the colorful neighborhood of Harlem to the nation. This event is America’s largest cultural celebration and attracts literally millions of visitors each year to enjoy the smells, tastes and trends of what many see as the epitome of New York.

Other things to look out for August include baseball season and Women’s Liberty Season.

While many local New Yorkers try to avoid staying in the city during the month of August because of the heat, the Big Apple can actually be quite an exciting place to be during the summer. True, August is usually hot and humid - with temperatures reaching average highs of 83 degrees Fahrenheit and average lows of 69 degrees Fahrenheit. However, August is usually cooler and drier than July and therefore slightly more pleasant.

A visit to New York in August calls for extra packing considerations. Tourists would be wise to take with closed (preferably water resistant) walking shoes, a light sweater (to keep warm in air-conditioned museums and other public places), as well as an umbrella and waterproof picnic blanket (for those wonderful free concerts in the park).

For visitors who want to see as much as they can of this exciting city during August but feel that walking tours in the heat are too much to handle, air-conditioned bus tours are a great way to see New York. As evening falls on the city, August is also a wonderful time to take in some free festivals, concerts and films in New York’s beautiful parks and other outdoor locations.

Exciting August events in the city include the Met Opera in the Parks event, the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Park, the HBO Bryant Park Film Festival and - of course - baseball season!

As long as visitors remember to drink plenty of water in order to keep hydrated, the Big Apple in August can be a wonderful, exciting place and will definitely give a feeling of being true New Yorkers!