New York City Blog

Summer is here, and that can mean only one thing: it's time for the Tonys.

On June 12, 2011, the 65th Annual Tony Awards Ceremony will be held in New York City to recognize excellence in Broadway productions staged during the 2010 to 2011 season. The ceremony, which will be broadcast live on CBS at 8pm EST, will be held at the Beacon Theatre, with Neil Patrick Harris acting as host. Among those celebrities expected to join Harris on the stage are Daniel Radcliffe (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying), James Earl Jones (Driving Miss Daisy), Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act), Christie Brinkley (Chicago), Kelsey Grammer (La Cage aux Folles), and Catherine Zeta-Jones (A Little Night Music).

It's a tragic day for opera lovers in New York City.

According to recently published reports, the New York City Opera is moving out of Lincoln Center, its home of 45 years, due to severe budget constraints.

Pressured by low ticket sales - less than half of the venue's seats are filled on a good night, according to the New York Post - the board of the opera house has decided to cut back on scheduled performances, downsize staff, and search for a smaller venue to accommodate the diminishing crowds.

What trip to New York City would be complete without a fabulous Broadway show? One of our favorite Broadway shows is Chicago: The Musical. This memorable production, based on the 1926 play by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, is the longest-running musical revival in Broadway history and the fifth longest-running show. The play tells the story of Roxie Hart, an ambitious chorus girl who finds fame through murder. As a satire, this play is sure to entertain! Find promos for Chicago here.

The Roaring Twenties not your thing? Better check out Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Conceived by Julie Taymor and featuring music by U2's Bono and The Edge, this $60 million Broadway production - the most expensive in Broadway history - has received much publicity for its disastrous technical glitches and ever-delayed opening day. Despite poor reviews and changes in creative control (Taymor, the play's director, was recently ousted by the show's producers), the play continues to sell tickets and generate buzz. This is one play you simply must see, if not for its own merits, for its impact on history. Tickets start at just $67.50!

There's nothing like New York in spring! Why not make the most of the beautiful weather by taking a walking tour of New York City? Aside from the fresh air, you'll get to take in the breathtaking sights of Manhattan in the company of a friendly and knowledgeable tour guide. Learn all about popular NYC attractions such as the Empire State Building and Central Park. Discover the rich history behind the building architecture of Lower Manhattan. Visit famous NYC sites from your favorite TV shows and movies. You can't help but have a good time!

So it's two weeks till Mother's Day and you still haven't bought your mother a gift. Don't panic: we're here to help. Take a look at this, our unofficial (and slightly unorthodox) guide to Mother's Day gifts and etiquette.

Things to Do on Mother's Day in NYC:

Cook her dinner. No doubt at some point or other you've benefited from one of your mother's homecooked meals. Now's the perfect opportunity to return the favor. Invite her to dinner at your place. Cook the dinner yourself. Give her a glass of wine. Reminisce. Direct the conversation towards your finest achievements. Say things like, "If I hadn't of had a mother like you, I wouldn't of turned out so awesome" and "It's because of you that I became a doctor."* Steer the conversation away from all mention of that time you shredded four rolls of toilet paper and smeared paint all over the walls.

It's April now, and Easter is fast approaching.  If you happen to be in New York City on April 24, be sure to make your way to Fifth Avenue, where you'll find the historic Easter Day Parade. Originally a purely religious event, the New York City Easter Parade now draws people of all beliefs, most of whom attend the parade to see and be seen in the latest fashions. While many people continue to march in observance of the religious holiday, others enjoy satirizing the extravagant outfits of times past by dressing in gaudy costumes. With participants light-heartedly trying to outdo each other's costumes, the Easter Day Parade is something like a spring version of Halloween. One reveler in last year's parade went so far as to don a mesh hat filled with live birds!

Spring has sprung, and as the flowers blossom and the days grow long, you'll find more and more New York City hotels offering fantastic deals to entice travelers into an early vacation. One such hotel is the stylish and chic Hotel Le Bleu. For a limited time, you can enjoy 20% off rooms at this swanky boutique hotel when you book four to seven nights with the Le Bleu Spring promotional package. This sweet deal also includes a free welcome amenity, a free "Fresh Start" basket, free guest parking, and 500 frequent flyer miles. Get the free promo code here.

Like Hotel Le Bleu, the Manhattan Club NYC is offering 20% off its gorgeous hotel rooms when you book multiple nights back to back. This 3.5-star luxury hotel stands in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, just steps from Central Park, and features an on-site bar and fitness center. Get free access to the fitness center and free wireless internet when you book the Multiple Night Discounts package, here!