A visit to New York City is exciting any time of the year, even during February when temperatures plummet and the holiday celebrations have come to an end. There are many good reasons for including New York in a travel itinerary during February, including the fact that bargain accommodation and flights are easy to come by after the seasonal rush.

February ushers in the Chinese Lunar New Year and with it a host of colorful parades and celebrations. Chinatown comes alive with feasts and events and visitors will delight in the grand welcome given to the Year of the Rat. February also means Valentine’s Day and what is more romantic than a spontaneous winter getaway to New York City? Some romantic hotels include Thirty Thirty, Dream Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton.

For those seeking out the culinary delights of New York, the New York City Restaurant Week in early February provides visitors with the opportunity to eat at some of the city’s top restaurants at bargain prices.

While February is considered one of the coldest months of the year in New York, visitors who come well equipped won’t have any problem with the elements. Average February highs are around 32°F (4°C), with average lows reaching 29°(-3°C). While February is less rainy than January, visitors are still advised to pack goulashes or boots to keep their feet dry, as well as waterproof coats. Other things that are must-haves in any travel bag during February, include all the usual winter-gear (jackets, scarves, hats, mittens, etc.), as well as a reasonable amount of layered clothing to allow easy putting on and taking off while visiting New York’s heated department stores and museums.

Finally, it’s worth taking into account that the third weekend of February is traditionally a President’s Day Weekend (with the Monday being a public holiday). Most businesses remain closed, although restaurants and other tourist attractions tend to keep their doors open.

The Westin New York Times Square is an iconic Midtown Manhattan landmark.  The hotel features a multicolored, striped glass skin, echoing the zooming traffic in the heart of New York City. Health magazine has ranked the Westin Hotel as one of America’s healthiest hotels, recognizing the Westin’s commitment to tranquility and renewal with spa-like guestrooms, suites and baths.

Located in the heart of Times Square at 270 West 43rd Street, the Westin is the perfect location for exploring all that Manhattan has offer, including the Broadway theatre district, 5th and 6th Avenue shopping, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, the New York Public Library and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

The Westin’s 863 rooms and suites offer guests every luxury and comfort.  The hotel’s signature Heavenly Bed ensures an unforgettable sleeping experience and the Heavenly Bath treats guests to a spa-like combination of amenities and products, including custom-designed terry bathrobes. Rooms are decorated in a soothing color palette and boast views of New York City and the Hudson River.  Rooms comes equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, such as high-speed wireless Internet access, dual-line phones, including one cordless, 32″ flat screen HD TV, and iHome clock radio with an iPod dock.  Rooms are also outfitted with coffee maker, refrigerated mini-bar, and in-room, laptop-sized safe.

The Westin Times Square is home to Shula’s, renowned as one of America’s best steakhouses. Shula’s “No Name Bar” is comfortably elegant and serves up the country’s best wine labels.  Bar 10 is the hotel’s sophisticated lounge.  The hotel is also directly connected to E Walk, a dining and retail complex with options such as Starbucks and the European Bakery Café.

The Westin Times Square is a luxury hotel, with a comfortable, welcoming lobby and a sophisticated lounge.  The hotel offers complimentary wireless Internet access throughout the hotel.  The front desk staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and has one of New York City’s best concierge staff.

NewYorkJourney.com features more information on Westin New York Times Square and other Midtown West hotels.

While January and February are considered the coldest months in New York City, this is not to say that visitors cannot enjoy a host of entertaining attractions. What better place to gain a real perspective of the size and glory of the City that Never Sleeps than the Empire State Building. Two observatory decks – one the 86^th and the other on the 102^nd floor – enable visitors to view the magnificent metropolis of New York from incredible heights. The 86^th floor is 320 meters off the ground and is accessed through high-speed elevators that take visitors to a heated, glass enclosed area. Open promenades with binocular-hiring services, as well as souvenir shops are also available on this floor. For those seeking a slightly higher view, the relatively newer 102^nd floor observatory will provide just that.

One of the most popular attractions in New York – especially during the winter months – is the New York Skyride, situated on the 2^nd floor of the Empire State Building. Here visitors get to enjoy a virtual tour simulator that takes them on an aerial ride of New York City. The experience includes motions seats, state of the art technology and extra high screens.

Two must-do museum visits in the winter months include the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art. The former is one of the world’s leading science institutions and offers visitors the chance to view breathtaking collections and exhibitions that highlight the history of the earth – from the time of evolution to the present day.

The Museum of Modern Art, located in Midtown Manhattan, is one of the world’s foremost museums of this type of art. Over 2.5 million people pass through this institution’s doors each year to view its unparalleled collections and exhibitions dedicated to modern and contemporary art.

The winter months are definitely a good time to enjoy some of the best that New York City has to offer!

What better way to enjoy New York City in the winter months than by taking in a couple of top Broadway shows? This year’s lineup is more exciting than ever before, including some of the all-time favorites such as Mary Poppins, Wicked, Young Frankenstein and Jersey Boys.

Mary Poppins - both young and old will be delighted to see P.L. Traver’s much-loved tale of an English nanny and the Banks family come to life on stage. The audience will be captivated by Academy-award winning songs and the magnificent stagecraft that help create one of the most spectacular and well-recognized musicals ever created for film and theater.

Based on the 1974 movie, starring Mel Brooks, the theater version of Young Frankenstein takes a tongue-in-cheek look at Mary Shelley’s classic novel and provides the audience with over two hours of brilliant comedy and music. Directed by Susan Stroman, Young Frankenstein is an example of how a much-loved text can be created into a wildly popular show.

Another show that is taking Broadway by storm is the fantasy-filled musical, Wicked. Based on classic Wizard of Oz, Wicked tells the tale of the two main witches in the story - Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West. This award-winning show meets rave reviews time and time again.

Finally, don’t forget to grab tickets for Jersey Boys. This winner of the Best Musical award is a tribute to Frank Valli and the Four Seasons and provides the audience with non-stop, foot-jerking rock and roll music magic to the tune of hits such as “Sherry” and “Oh, What a Night!” Jersey Boys continues to play to full houses and is one of the most unforgettable musicals on Broadway today.

For a directory of all Broadway and off-Broadways shows or to book tickets online, head to NewYorkJourney.com.

Situated in the very heart of Manhattan’s cultural district, the Buckingham Hotel has welcomed visitors for over 75 years. This historical, all-suite hotel opened up in 1929 at the height of New York’s musical history and has always been a favorite for guests seeking a comfortable oasis amidst the bustle of the city’s cultural buzz. Guests consider the Buckingham Hotel their home away from home, thanks to the friendly service, over-sized suites and the wonderful musical atmosphere that permeates the hotel.

Perfect Location in New York’s Cultural Heart
For guests who wish to visit all the great cultural spots in New York, there is no better place to stay than the Buckingham Hotel. Located directly opposite the great Carnegie Hall and just a few steps away from other New York cultural houses such as Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art, this hotel allows visitors to explore all the theater, music and dance houses of the city from one of the most convenient spots in New York. Also in the hotel’s near vicinity are Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Broadway.

Enjoy Great Accommodation at Buckingham Hotel
While the Buckingham Hotel honors the rich cultural history of the city through a musical theme throughout, it has not for a moment forgotten the needs of the contemporary traveler. The hotel boasts rooms that are considered huge in comparison to other boutique hotels in the city, with a fully equipped kitchen in every guest suite. Visitors can unwind after a busy day of cultural enrichment or New York shopping and enjoy a drink in the Patron’s Lounge, free internet connections, 24-hour sauna and fitness center, a complimentary newspaper and many other perks to tell guests how welcome they are in this hotel. For a spot that is literally a hop, skip and a jump away from everything that makes New York so exciting, try the Buckingham Hotel.

Click for more details on the Buckingham Hotel in Midtown West at NewYorkJourney.com.