Heather's New York City Travel Blog

Labor Day is celebrated the first Monday in September, and marks the official end of summer. If you'll be in New York City for Labor Day, check out our Labor Day in New York City page for information about events, closings and more.

The 6th Annual Central Park Film Festival begins today and lasts through Saturday. Each of the five films in the series highlights one of New York City's five boroughs from Working Girl's iconic Staten Island Ferry scenes to the chase scenes through the Bronx in The French Connection.

Visitors Guide: Central Park Film Festival Visitors Guide
More: New York City Outdoor Film Festivals
Visitors Guide: Central Park Visitors Guide
Map: Central Park Map

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are both popular destinations for visitors to New York City. (If you've ever seen the line for tickets, you'll have no doubt I'm telling the truth!)

You can visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on the same day if you get started early enough since it will take 5-6 hours to visit both attractions. I highly recommend buying advance tickets if you're planning to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Visitors Guide: Statue of Liberty Visitors Guide
Visitors Guide: Ellis Island Immigration Museum Visitors Guide
FAQ: How Can I See The Statue of Liberty and Visit Ellis Island in the Same Day?
FAQ: What Ticket Should I Buy for Visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island?

Lots of visitors to New York City find themselves at South Street Seaport whether they're picking up Broadway Tickets at the TKTS Booth or taking a Sightseeing Cruise. There is mall-style dining inside of the Pier 17 shops, but you'll have a much better meal if you check out one of our Recommended Restaurants near South Street Seaport. Our list offers a variety of suggestions near South Street Seaport that will help you dodge the area's tourist traps and have a delicious meal.

Where to Eat: Recommended Restaurants Near South Street Seaport
Tours: Best NYC Sightseeing Cruises
Broadway: Getting Discount Tickets at the TKTS Booth

Planning a trip to New York City in the next few weeks? We've got some great deals on New York City hotels to share with you and they even include discounts over Labor Day Weekend! If you're looking further ahead, we've even got one deal that's good through the end of 2008.

• End of Summer Specials from Morgans Hotel Group offers a savings of $50 off the best available rate at Morgans (237 Madison Avenue), Royalton (44 West 44th Street) and Hudson (356 West 58th Street) hotels. At the Hudson, you'll also get two complimentary cocktails with this rate. Rates and dates of availability are different for each hotel. See complete details here: End of Summer Specials from Morgans Hotel Group.
• Choose between the Sunday Special or the Summer Getaway at Hotel Thirty Thirty to get 20% off a Sunday night stay or getting your third night at half-price at Hotel Thirty Thirty. See complete details here: Specials at Hotel Thirty Thirty.
• The Discover Downtown Package at the Millennium Hilton features nightly rates from $225 and includes 2-for-1 admission to nine museums, a $25 gift card to Century 21, a South Street Seaport gift bag, other discounts and is available through December 31, 2008. See complete details here: Millennium Hilton's Discover Downtown Package.

Just kidding. While I generally discourage visitors from driving in New York City, sometimes driving in New York City is necessary. Many people find their first experience of driving in New York City to be very stressful, so we've put together tips for driving in New York City to help you prepare yourself.

Do you have any tips for driving in New York City? Share them in the comments section below.

Tips: Tips for Driving in New York City

With just one month remaining of Summer in New York City, August is a popular time for visitors to New York City, especially those willing to brave the heat. Be sure to keep yourself hydrated and consider staying at a New York City hotel with a pool. There's still time to catch Shakespeare in the Park, Central Park SummerStage events and even the Bryant Park Film Festival.
Guide: August in New York City

While you can see The New York City Waterfalls from several spots along the waterfront in Manhattan and Brooklyn, you will get the best close-up view of the Waterfalls from one of the many sightseeing cruises in the New York Harbor. Last week, I went on The Official New York City Waterfalls Cruise, Classic Harbor Line's Waterfalls Cruise and a private sightseeing cruise in the New York Harbor. All three cruises offered good views of all four Waterfalls, as will just about any sightseeing cruise you choose in New York City.

For visitors looking for a cheap and quick experience, the Official New York City Waterfalls Cruise is a solid choice. There are a limited number of free tickets available if you request them in advance, and the rest of the tickets are just $10 ($9 for seniors, $5 for kids). There is a pre-recorded introduction to The New York City Waterfalls by Olafur Eliasson and the 30-minute ride gives participants a close up view of all four Waterfalls.

If you're after a more sophisticated experience, Classic Harbor Line's luxury yacht is offering a 90 minute cruise, complete with a complimentary glass of champagne. The boat is elegant and comfortable, and the cruise offers visitors a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty, as well as the four Waterfalls. The yacht travels from Chelsea Piers under the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges before returning to Chelsea Piers and tickets for their cruises are $40-50/person.

Visitors Guide: The New York City Waterfalls
Cruises: New York City Recommended Sightseeing Cruises

Every year Condé Nast Traveler issues a list of hot new restaurants, spas, nightclubs and hotels around the world. It should come as no surprise that New York City is home to many of their selections in a variety of categories. If you're looking for some hot new places to include on your New York City itinerary, check these selections out.

New York City Restaurants:

• Allen & Delancey - modern American on the Lower East Side
• Anthos - modern Greek cuisine in Midtown
• Bar Boulud - Daniel Boulud's casual bistro near Lincoln Center
• Dell'Anima - Italian trattoria in the West Village
• Dovetail - fine dining on the Upper West Side
• Insieme - Italian cuisine in Midtown West
• Market Table - seasonal American cuisine in the West Village
• Merkato Fifty Five - African cuisine in the Meatpacking District

New York City Hotels:

• Bowery Hotel - 135 room Lower East Side hotel
• Duane Street Hotel - just 45 rooms in this intimate TriBeCa hotel
• The Plaza - newly renovated, the Plaza offers 282 guest rooms just off of Central Park

New York City Nightclubs:

• PDT - "secret" cocktail bar located inside Crif Dogs in the East Village
• Tailor - small plates and cocktails in SoHo

Complete Article: The Hot List 2008

This past weekend, I went to check out the Super Heroes: Fashion and Fantasy exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Even if you're not a huge museum-person, you might enjoy seeing the original costumes used in many Super Hero movies (including Christopher Reeves' costume from Superman) and many fashions that were inspired by Super Hero costumes. The exhibit will continue through September 1, 2008.

Despite the heat, we headed up to the Rooftop to see Jeff Koons on the Roof. The Rooftop Bar offers patrons a great view of Central Park, a chance to see the exhibit, and also has beer, wine and concessions available. On a busy Saturday afternoon, there wasn't a lot of shade or seating available, but it was still nice to enjoy a cool drink while taking in the exhibit. Jeff Koons on the Roof will be on exhibit through October 26, 2008, weather permitting.

Exhibit: Super Heroes Exhibit Website
Exhibit: Jeff Koons on the Roof
Visitors Guide: Metropolitan Museum of Art