“There are endless reasons to love New York City in every season, but something special happens when the snow falls – from Lunar New Year celebrations in Flushing and the tree lighting in Rockefeller Center, to watching the Polar Bear Club brave the frigid waters on Coney Island. People from around the world feel the pull of New York City…,” raves Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Yet, it can get pretty chilly in New York City in winter and even a metropolis of this caliber is confronted with receding visitation numbers especially during the months of January, February and March, a typically slower period of travel. In order to counteract this trend and to stimulate and expand winter arrivals to its five boroughs, NYC has unleashed the large-scale promotional campaign unlock nyc. To make the destination more affordable for global travellers, NYC entices its future clientele with hotel room discounts of 22 per cent on average plus attractive dining and theatre deals during the first term of the year.
From Norwegian woods: When the enormous Christmas tree is put up and illuminated at the Rockefeller Center, tens of thousands crowd the sidewalks for the event and hundreds of millions watch it live across the continents.
The ice rink at its base could well be the most famous one on the globe. Photo credit: Will Steacy.
Hidden spaces, iconic places
“This winter, we are giving visitors the keys to unlock a more accessible, affordable and intimate NYC. Whether it’s walking the Brooklyn Bridge as snow falls, skating on one of the outdoor ice rinks, or keeping warm in a world-class museum, we’re encouraging visitors to discover a different side of NYC,” says Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company, the city’s official marketing partners.
Not been to a theatre performance in ages? Well, here on Broadway you are surely spoilt for choice! Photo credit: Joe Buglewicz
If you are craving for favourably priced Asian food: Zabb Elee’s features fine dishes from northeast Thailand. They run restaurants in Manhattan and Queens and accolades for their oh-so-delicious cuisine are exuberant. Zabb Elee in Jackson Heights, Queens, earned themselves a Michelin star; the actual scene is at its downstairs sake bar, though. A relaxing drink and perhaps the chili garlic pasta with shrimp tempura may be just the sort of spice to warm you up on a chilly winter’s night.
When your face and fingertips are numb from the cold outside, a visit to the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side of Manhattan not only thaws the ice out of your system, it also funnels a little more wisdom into it! At the Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems upstairs you’ll be surrounded by a dazzling sea of sparkling jewels. And just in case you’re looking for a rock of your own: the Diamond District is only a brief subway ride away. Photo credit: Marley White.
How about a nightly sightseeing cruise on the Staten Island Ferry? It has enclosed seating, operates 24/7 and, best of all, it’s absolutely free! Curled up by the big picture windows and armed with a warming drink, you can watch the imposing NYC skyline glide by. Tip: disembark in St. George for a drink or a meal.
Sam’s Soul Food on the South Bronx’s historic Grand Concourse, has been run by Ghanaian native Samuel Amoah for more than 15 years. The trendy spot exudes cosiness and includes music spun by DJ Hollywood, an influential figure in hip-hop. You may even see the likes of Grandmaster Flash or DJ Kool Herc drop by. Photo credit: Kate Glicksberg.
At Totonno’s in Coney Island, you can check if it’s true what they say: that you have never had a pizza like this before! The authentic thing from a real Brooklyn coal oven is to be had in whole pies only. Photo credit: Jen Davis
Header image: Brooklyn Bridge, Borough Dumbo, NYC. Photo credit: Julienne Schaer