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Enjoying Winter in New York After the New Year’s Celebration

Posted byBy ABS Contributor | Published on: | Updated on January 3, 2013 CommentsComments (0)
Ice skating at the Wollman Rink in Central Park

Winter after the New Year is one of the best times of year to enjoy New York City. Seriously. There’s deals to be had (many hotels offer a third, fourth or fifth night free; see nycgo.com for winter deals), there’s finally some elbow space on sidewalks in SoHo and Greenwich Village, and the city wears the cold well with a few must-see events for those that don’t mind adding an extra sweater.

To help with a winter New York City visit, here’s what to do to leave you with warm feelings about the cold season:

1. Ice skating

A century ago, about 30,000 New Yorkers would hit Central Park’s long-gone Great Rink to hit the ice on a winter weekend. (Not so much to skate as to flirt.) Those days are gone – ‘happy hour’ changed everything – but skating outdoors in New York, particularly at night, remains a classic New York experience.

The rink at Rockefeller Center, a city icon, is a wee rink packed with visitors who pay the rather exorbitant prices for a photo opp in front of the gold Prometheus statue. It’s $25 to skate, $10 to rent through January 7, then only $5 cheaper afterwards.

Skating’s better at Wollman Rink, in the southeastern corner of Central Park. It’s a wide outdoor rink, with great looks at Midtown buildings and the park’s tree tops. To save, skate Monday to Thursday ($11 to skate, $11 to rent); it’s $6 more on weekends.

A cheaper, just-as-lovely setting is at Bryant Park, a pocket-sized rink that’s free to use. Rental is $14. Open through March 3.

2. Chinese New Year

One of the city’s greatest events, the Chinatown parade to celebrate the lunar new year is scheduled for February 17 in 2013, the year of the snake. About half a million go each year to sample food on the sidewalks, shop and see dragons parade down Canal Street.

Even many locals don’t realize it’s not the only shot to celebrate. Flushing, Queen’s version – which is actually a couple years older than Chinatown’s – is just as colorful, with far fewer people (about 10,000 a year).

3. Restaurant Week

Never mind the fact that the foodie-themed ‘week’ spans three (January 14 to February 8), this beloved event offers reduced set meals at great city restaurants for $25/$38 for lunch/dinner – a real deal …

Read more: Robert Reid, Lonely Planet

 

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