Search Results for: blog big apple on a budget remember the s word

Shopping in the Big Apple—Food and Shoes

Life should be so simple… Food and shoes, what more could a girl ask for? (Okay… diamonds, but I’m working with a budget here.) With the holidays fast approaching the streets of New York City will soon be chock full of men, women, and children on the hunt for the perfect gift. As such, I’ve decided to list a few of my favorite Big Apple haunts. I started with this blog and am slowly adding a few more as we enter the gift-giving season. The following retailers offer two items that are essential to any woman’s life—-chocolate and shoes: Jacques … Continue reading →

Big Fun In The Big Apple

It’s no secret that New York City gets even busier during the holiday season. In my previous blog I detailed some of the seasonal events going on in “The Big Apple” during the months of October and November. This blog provides you with more information on the major holiday happenings that get underway in the city in late November and December. But, before I do that I wanted to tell you about a unique arts festival that is often overlooked given that it runs during a time when other, more famous events are being held in New York. The 25th … Continue reading →

Big Apple On A Budget—Remember the “S” Word

Let’s face it; traveling to and staying in New York City is not cheap… unless you do so on a night most people are at home curled up on the couch catching up with the ladies on Wisteria Lane. That’s right cost-conscious vacationers, thanks to a new citywide tourist promotion; the Big Apple’s famously pricey accommodations are giving a break to travelers who spend Sunday night in the heart of the Empire State. The new “Sunday Stays” program is being offered at more than three dozen New York hotels. By spending Sunday night at participating properties you can save 20%-30% … Continue reading →

Look What’s New for New York’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

More than one million New Year’s Eve revelers are expected to pack the streets around Times Square to witness the annual ball drop—-nothing new about that. Meanwhile, more than 1 billion more people will be joining the festivities via the Internet or watching the event from the comfort of their own living rooms-—nothing new about that either. When the ball descends down its pole and the numbers 2-0-0-8 light up, the crowd will go crazy, confetti will fall from the heavens and everybody will sing Auld Lang Syne followed by New York, New York–there’s nothing new about that either. What … Continue reading →

How to Score a Free Hotel Room in Europe

Okay, there’s a catch… actually, a couple of catches. But, the concept behind the free stay is so clever I had to share it. The spirit of the Christmas season hasn’t been lost on a hotel chain in the United Kingdom that’s offering married couples whose names are Joseph and Mary a free room at any of its properties. The UK’s Travelodge chain says if you can prove that your name is Mary or Joseph and you are indeed legally wed you will get a free room at the inn. Technically, you will be given a free night at one … Continue reading →

New York Goes Golden for the Holidays

If you plan to be in the New York City area during the holiday season I highly encourage you to head over to Rockefeller Center, not so you can snap a photo of the famous Christmas tree (though it is spectacular and worth taking a few pictures of), but to catch sight of an impressive exhibit that will leave you speechless. Part of Rockefeller Center is paved with gold–golden pennies that is. And not just a few jars worth, we’re talking 100 million pennies (plus a few nickels, dimes and quarters that slipped in by mistake) spread out along an … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Las Vegas Gets Kid Friendly and New York Tourists Hit the Books

Viva Las Vegas… for kids. In just a few hours the doors to a massive new kid-friendly shopping complex will open at the south end of The Strip just past Mandalay Bay. And, when I say massive, I’m not exaggerating. The shiny new Town Square shopping complex is a one-of-a-kind 1.5 million-square-foot open-air complex that developers dubbed a “lifestyle center.” It’s designed to look like an well preserved European village and houses more than 150 shops; a dozen restaurants; a 9,000-square-foot children’s park that includes mazes and a 25-foot-tall tree house; picnic areas; an 18-screen movie theater; a food Emporium; … Continue reading →

New York’s Eclectic Gift Shops

You can’t visit New York City without going home with a few souvenirs, right? Continuing in my series spotlighting some of the city’s most unique shops today I’m throwing out a real zinger–big cheese in the Big Apple. Given that I currently reside in a state known for its dairy products I’m really putting my neck on the line here, but so be it. Take a look at some other must-visit Manhattan shops. Murray’s Cheese Shop Located downtown at 254 Bleecker St. between 6th and 7th Aves. Murray’s Cheese Shop refers to itself as “the nation’s leading cheese purveyor.” It’s … Continue reading →

Shopping In New York City—Off the Beaten Path

Sure, you could spend the day with tens of thousands of other shoppers exploring each and every floor of the massive Macy’s store in New York’s Herald Square. Or, you could rub elbows with other shopoholics at Sax Fifth Avenue’s new shoe department in Manhattan that’s so huge that is has its own ZIP code. But, if you are looking for a decidedly different shopping experience I would highly recommend you check out the following lesser known, though truly outstanding Big Apple venues. Your credit card may be smoking by the time you’re done, but somehow I don’t think you … Continue reading →

New York’s Most Popular Seasonal Activities

In less than two weeks New York City will host the largest Halloween celebration in the country. I wrote about the Village Halloween Parade in a previous blog and detailed how more than 2 million people turn out each October 31st to watch 50,000 enthusiastic costumed characters, more than 50 marching bands, and dozens of giant puppets make their way up Sixth Avenue. Many consider the spooktacular spectacle the kick off to the Big Apple’s holiday season. In the coming weeks the famous city will be packed with visitors looking to take in the magical holiday festivities that New York … Continue reading →