Posts in ‘Things to do in New York’

Souvenirs and splurges abound as shopping tours help you save cash and go home with some amazing steals. Shop designer brands at outlets in New York and Hawaii or buy up the hoodies and track suits Americans are so known for at an American mall experience. If your travel partner doesn’t share your passion for products visit one of America’s inclusive malls, such as the Mall of America. Here you can shop, eat, see a film and even visit a theme park! Perfect for families.

Packages generally include coupon books, gift products and vouchers and helpful tips to enhance your shopping experience! continue reading

Travellers planning to pay a visit to the famous Broadway theatre district during their New York tours this year will have opportunities to see shows including Shrek the Musical.

The theatrical version of the Oscar-winning animated movie is currently showing at the Broadway Theatre and will be taking bookings until August 30th.

Taking on the lead role of the famous green ogre in the show in Brian d’Arcy James, who, according to the NY Post, gives a performance that is "multi-layered" and "amazing".

Experienced Broadway performer Sutton Foster plays Fiona in Shrek the Musical, while Daniel Breaker brings to life the popular character of Donkey.

The villainous Lord Farquaad from the film also appears in the stage version, along with a host of supporting characters including Pinocchio, Gingy the gingerbread man and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

People planning a theatre trip during their breaks in New York this year may be interested in seeing one of Broadway’s current best-selling shows, such as Wicked, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys or The Lion King.

New York – From the dizzy heights of the Empire State Building to the serene Central Park, New York has it all!

Spend a weekend in luxury as you enjoy eye-popping views of the New York skyline and relax with the aid of essential oils. Exotic spa deals will teach you how to roll a cigar or refresh you with a rose petal bath. Post-spa fun can be had out on the New York Harbor. Try the new Audubon eco-cruise to appease the naturalist in you or, if a livelier jaunt is your desire, dance the night away or take the helm yourself on an oceanic adventure. City lights will add a sparkle to your voyage no matter what the activity you choose!

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Adventurous holidaymakers planning New York tours later this year may be interested in taking part in the Great Saunter, a hike around the rim of Manhattan.

The 32-mile walk, which will be held for the 24th time this year, is scheduled for May 2nd.

Most of the route is fairly flat and the pace is described as "steady but not fast", although visitors should be aware that the walk will take place come rain or shine so waterproof clothing may be necessary.

Setting off from the South Street seaport at 07:30 local time, participants in the Great Saunter will pass through 20 parks and see the Statue of Liberty, all four of New York’s outer boroughs, the New Jersey Palisades and other sights.

Described as a "world famous civic event", the walk has received support from high-profile figures including secretary of state Hillary Clinton and New York mayor Mike Bloomberg in the past.

It is organised by Shorewalkers, which arranges numerous hikes across the state of New York throughout the year.

An itinerary arranged for April 26th will take in three lakes and three parks in Queens, while on May 9th visitors will be able to take part in a tour of the bridges and waterways of Central Park.

New York – From the dizzy heights of the Empire State Building to the serene Central Park, New York has it all!

New York will become a hive of energy and activity at the beginning of May as it plays host to the Five-Boro Bike Tour, one of its most popular annual events.

Scheduled for May 3rd this year, the event will give people on New York tours the opportunity to travel 42 miles through the city using nothing but pedal power.

Some 30,000 people will hop on bikes to take part in the tour, making it the largest recreational cycling event in America.

The journey begins in Manhattan and heads north, passing through Central Park, Harlem, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn, taking in some of New York’s most iconic sights along the way.

Registration is limited so people planning to take part will have to act fast, but those who do not participate can still gather at various locations to see the impressive sight of 30,000 cyclists rushing past.

The Five-Boro Bike Tour is organised by Bike New York, which will also arrange events in Harlem, Long Island and New Jersey later this year.

New York – From the dizzy heights of the Empire State Building to the serene Central Park, New York has it all!

Hello “isangoers”!

In January we have released a great number of new tours, activities and experiences and I would like to introduce them all to you. We have some exciting products in New York (spa days, river cruises and others), things to do in Orlando, San Francisco, a selection of tours for Elvis Presley fans, activities in Singapore and more. So without further ado, this is what we have “fresh from the oven” just for you:

New Things to do in New York

Statue of Liberty Cruise - This one-hour audio-guided tour explores the history of New York City and shows the best views of its present. It tells the story of the harbor from its first settlement through 9/11 till the present day.

New York Hop on Hop off Tour (1 or 2 days) - Get unlimited access to a fleet of fast, fun boats serving ten stops at the city’s hottest neighborhoods and attractions. Water Taxis are fast and fun, so you’ll see more sights in less time and enjoy a stress-free, breezy ride.

Sunset Cruise in New York - Unwind after a long day of sightseeing with a drink and a front-row seat to the greatest show in the world – the sun setting behind the New York skyline.

Exploring New York with the Flexpass -Make the most of your stay in New York City with this very convenient and great-value Flexpass. Choose between a Single Flexpass or a Double Flexpass and enjoy the flexibility to tour the Big Apple according to your convenience and comfort.

Fourth of July in New York - Be prepared to be mesmerized on this unforgettable Fourth of July cruise as you watch the New York skyline explode with a dazzling display of fireworks. continue reading

This post is the first of 3 about our favourite places for Christmas shopping and the things you can do while you are there. Today, New York.

It goes with out saying that New York is one of the world’s most fabulous Christmas shopping spots!

Why not turn your Christmas shopping trip to New York into a Holiday adventure? continue reading

The heart of downtown Manhattan, Times Square is the center of the cultural and social life of the city – making it an appropriate location for the one of the biggest and most famous new year’s celebrations on Earth.

On December 31st the iconic spot will see hundreds of thousands of revellers of all ages gather to enjoy the last moments of 2008 and usher in 2009.

While all the usual accoutrements of the passing of one year to the next are observed – not least a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne – the most well-known tradition is one unique to the city: the dropping of the ball at One Times Square, which marks the stroke of midnight.

Bars, restaurants and hotels around the area will be packed out with happy partygoers, with some of the more high-rise establishments offering some very special deals and exclusive views of the evening’s proceedings.

Visitors to the Big Apple enjoying one of the many New York tours on offer over the festive period should consider making Times Square their party point of choice on New Year’s Eve.

Why not book tickets for the Manhattan Sky or Observatory in advance?

Despite the slump in the value of the pound against the US dollar, British people might still consider jetting off to the Big Apple to do their Christmas shopping, it has been suggested.

According to a leading travel publisher, the sustained interest in this seasonal treat might even be because of the credit crunch, rather than in spite of it.

Tom Hall, travel editor at Lonely Planet, said: "The temptation of busting out of the gloom that surrounds them [UK holidaymakers] at the moment and going and living it up in New York for a few days, might override other concerns."

In addition, Mr Hall suggested that the environmental impact of long-haul travel might also be put on the back burner while the economy is in the doldrums.

"I think everybody is aware of the environmental impact of a huge number of things in their life, flying is obviously included in that. Whether it stops people going who want to go, I’m not sure."

Founded by Tony and Maureen Wheeler when they published their first guide, entitled Across Asia on the Cheap, Lonely Planet has become one of the best-selling travel book series worldwide over the last 30 years.

New York – From the dizzy heights of the Empire State Building to the serene Central Park New York has it all!

New York is the "ultimate city" for a Christmas break, one travel expert has said.

The city offers appeal all year round, but comes into its own over the festive season, said Tom Hall from the Lonely Planet.

He explained that the "thought of hopping across the Atlantic for a few days" is appealing to holidaymakers, explaining that low-cost travel and hotel accommodation is widely available.

Just before Christmas is a "good time" to visit New York as prices tend to be more affordable than over the actually holidays.

"Ultimately the more cities you visit, the more you realise that New York is, in many ways the ultimate city, and it’s somewhere that goes beyond shopping, so it’s great for three or four days, or even longer if you can spare it."

Research from the Post Office Travel Services Christmas Shopping Guide has revealed that consumers can save 17 per cent on presents by shopping in New York.

The best savings were found on designer clothes, with many other bargains also available.

New York – From the dizzy heights of the Empire State Building to the serene Central Park New York has it all!