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Have the Ultimate New York Winter Experience

It is busy, it is bustling, it is even a bit brassy, but New York City winter is also irresistible. Here are some tips to have the best time in New York City this (and every) winter season.

New York City winter lights

Plan Ahead: Do your research and get as many reservations on the books as early as possible. Tables at that new place(s) you want to try, rooms at the hotel in the midst of all the action, tickets to the show(s) you want to see…get it all in advance.  

Come Prepared: The previous tip notwithstanding, expect long lines and crowded attractions. Dress in layers and bundle up warmly. It can get mighty cold outside as you visit many of the outdoor attractions, especially those that are prettiest at night.

Turn on the Glitz: Midtown Manhattan is the center of New York’s winter fete. Trek up trendy Fifth Avenue from 40th St to Central Park and see all the lights and glamour. Go to Saks Fifth Avenue’s light display, Tiffany’s dazzling diamonds, and the iconic trees at Rockefeller Center, the New York Public Library, the Empire State Building, Bryant Park, and others.

Make a List: Check it Twice: New York’s winter markets are charming venues worth exploring. They are filled with local artists and designers selling gifts and trinkets that you and your family will adore. Grand Central Terminal holds a unique Holiday Fair, in the stunning Vanderbilt Hall, focusing on socially responsible business and handmade craft gifts.

The wind-down of every calendar year is an exciting time in New York City. Come enjoy the post-Thanksgiving magical air; see the city transformed into a singing, dancing, sparkling Tinseltown.

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New York Through Instagram’s Lense

New York City is full of noteworthy places to take fun and beautiful pictures. With so many quaint corners and iconic buildings, it is no wonder that Big Apple has so many Instagram-worthy spots for any visitor. Try these top picks:

#1: #GrandCentral—  Not all train stations are created equal. Grand Central Terminal is an international architectural beauty known for its glorious façade and remarkable main lobby.

#2: #FlatIronBuilding—the building, shaped like a common household appliance, was designed in 1902 by architect Daniel Burnham and remains one of Manhattan’s most memorable landmarks to this day.

#3: #DUMBO—an acronym for the Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass (DUMBO), this history-filled ex-warehouse neighborhood is now home to art galleries and artisanal coffee shops.

#4: #TheOculus—standing where the 9/11 attacks occurred, The Oculus is a transport hub and the new World Trade Center. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the building is an impressive and significant site for Insta stories.

#5: #WallStreet – get up close and personal with the legendary Charging Bull or just walk around the cobblestone streets.

#6: #NYPublicLibrary—continuing on the animal-sightings, come snap a picture with the celebrated Library Lions standing guard outside the third largest library in the world.

Between photo shoots, whether you are looking for a place to sleep or a place to eat, you should check out any of the Triumph Hotels or Hotel Chandler in Manhattan. Luxurious amenities alongside personalized service make them the perfect option on an instagramable tour of New York. Chic, trendy, and tasteful, these hotels are great for tourists or veteran New Yorkers.

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Enjoy a Relaxing Evening at Hotel Chandler

cocktailsFor those looking for some relaxation, amidst the hustle and bustle of New York’s Flatiron District, Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Chandler is the perfect choice. The building – constructed in the early 20th century in a Beaux Arts style – is right by Fifth Avenue but once inside one feels relaxed in the stately elegant décor which also features modern amenities.

While there, take time to spend a few hours at the Hotel Chandler Bar, and relax in its intimate and elegant setting. It has developed a reputation among locals in the Flatiron District as providing excellent service while offering a wide range of cocktails, fine wines and a rotating selection of beers. And, for some real food, the Hotel Chandler restaurant has some wonderful unique culinary creations using the freshest, seasonal ingredients.

Chandler Hotel

When OfficeWear Became Fun

women-fashionJust last week, Of Mercer opened its doors in New York’s Flatiron District. Home to upscale hotels such as Shimmie Horn’s The Chandler and The Wyndham Garden Manhattan Chelsea West, the area makes for a great hangout. And now, with this new addition, it’s a perfect place for women looking for “work-appropriate dresses made of Italian wool for under $200.”

The store was founded by Emelyn Northway and Dorie Smith. The two first met on a day that they were wearing the exact same dress. They are both graduates of Wharton Business School. The reason behind the store was because the two “found that [women’s workwear] was either oversized or kind of masculine, or brands would call something workwear and it would be miniature and tight…[Thus] the options were either really frumpy and ugly or super sexy.”

Of Mercer provided a solution to this and now the store in Flatiron – as well as offering clothes for purchase – will be “a kind of satellite office space for its core customers,” almost like a hub, catering toward freelancers and those who are stuck in between two meetings.

Future plans for the space include workshops and networking events.

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Local Theater Showings

Mary PoppinsFor those in town for a vacation – maybe staying at Shimmie Horn’s The Chandler Hotel located on 12 E 31st Street – the theater is currently offering has some really great shows. For example, Rupert Holmes’ Accomplice is playing at Murphys Creek Theatre. As well, there is the classic and much loved Mary Poppins by Sierra Repertory Theatre at the East Sonora theatre until May 3.

Also playing locally is the Honky Tonk Angels musical at the Fallon House theatre located at Columbia State Historic Park. And then the whole family can enjoy the Play Reading Series held on a weekly basis with features such as the “absurdist Elizabethan comedy by Tom Stoppard dealing with the exploits of two minor characters in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.”

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New York Gets Donation

NYC-libraryThe city of New York has just received a substantial donation to be used for the enhancement of its libraries and main park.  Mary McConnell Bailey who recently passed away at the age of 88, made a will that requested the city receive a staggering $20m.  The generous lady lived a very modest life – her extraordinary wealth was not known.  She was just known as a hospital and school volunteer. Even her neighbor was shocked at this, having no idea she had anywhere near this sort of money.

Clearly with such a large donation, the city’s libraries and park will undergo quite a change.  For one returning to visit the area – perhaps staying at Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Chandler – in a few years’ time these New York staples might look quite different.  Because Bailey spent so little of her money on herself (living out her days in a very basic Manhattan apartment), the city of New York is set to benefit greatly.

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Exclusive Sushi on the Lower East Side

For sushi with a difference, check out Rayuela.  Offering creative sushi dishes, this restaurant is perhaps, surprisingly, not even Japanese, but Latino!  Located in New York’s Lower East Side, the eatery’s signature dish – tuna rellena – is very popular, having survived two menu makeovers.  So what does this $14 dish offer?  Atkins would be proud since it is a far cry from traditional sushi (omitting the rice) but focuses on avocado and tuna and is, simultaneously, in line with Latin-fusion.  Other ingredients include shrimp and crab which are joined together by spicy chipotle aioli.  Avocado mousse and mandolined cucumbers grace this dish along with a soy sauce broth.

So for those in the area – maybe on vacation or business – who want to get a feel for Latinos and Asian fare, enjoy a bite (or 10!) at Rayuela!

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Raising New York’s Spirits Post-Hurricane

There’s no better place to be on Thanksgiving than New York City, and this year – despite Hurricane Sandy – was no different.  Huge helium balloons were flying in the sky in New York’s Central Park even the day prior to the special day with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. It marked the most expansive public event in a city still trying to bounce back from such a devastation.

The parade’s executive producer, Amy Kule commented, “as it has during turbulent times in our history, we hope the Macy’s Parade serves as a beacon of hope for all who tune in and gather with friends and family to give thanks this season, as they continue to heal from the devastating aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.”  Well, it certainly did that and was a real boost for both locals and tourists alike this year.  For those in the nearby vicinity, perhaps staying at Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Chandler or the Waldorf Towers, this was certainly a Thanksgiving Day to remember and to be thankful for all the city has been able to do in spite of its huge disaster.

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Taking a Tour around Stuyvesant Town

If you want to take a complete mental and physical break from the hubbub of New York City without actually having to venture out too far, Stuyvesant Town—Peter Cooper Village should be the next stop on your agenda.

Named after Peter Stuyvesant – the New Amsterdam’s Dutch colony’s final Director General – the area has been described as one of the most successful post-World War 2 private housing communities.  It got the name Peter Stuyvesant as it was his farm that occupied the site in the 17th century.  Its other name – Peter Cooper Village – came from the founder of Cooper Union, inventor Peter Cooper.

It is also very picturesque. Comprising a whole slew of red brick apartment buildings that span First Avenue to Avenue C, between 14th and 23rd Streets, it covers approximately 80 acres of land.  Included in this are: 56 residential buildings, 11,250 apartments, all housing more than 25,000 residents.

So the next time you find yourself somewhere in the big city – perhaps luxuriating in Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Chandler – take a walk over to Manhattan’s East Side in New York City and get away from the hubbub of happenings, for which the Big Apple is commonly-known.

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The Jazz Standard for Smoking Music and Meals

Visit the Jazz Standard for Great Music

Music is the message at the Jazz Standard, located at 116 East 27th Street, a short walk from Shimmie Horn’s Chandler Hotel. Directed to a large spectrum of music lovers, the Jazz Standard has something for everyone. With two shows each evening, the first set is a bit earlier for people coming back from business meetings, or on their way home after work, making it easy and convenient to relax with some great sounds to finish off the day.

Shows are seven days a week, at 7:30pm and 9:30pm, with a third set on Friday and Saturday nights at 11:30pm.

The music is varied from show to show. The comfortable, intimate setting lets listeners enjoy anything from classic jazz to funk, R&B, blues and more. On hand can be well-known veterans of the music scene or not-yet-famous musicians ready to toot their horns to please their audience. Along with the music patrons can enjoy a delicious meal of perfectly smoked barbecue from the award-winning Blue Smoke BBQ.

Call the Jazz Standard for more information: 212-576-2232.