New York for the Holidays, IgoUgo-Style

What can we say? We love New York! That's why members of the IgoUgo staff are bringing you a slice of our collective holiday experience in the Big Apple, from browsing at the Strand Bookstore to avoiding the thought of January's credit-card bills with a drink at the Blarney Cove. Happy holidays from everyone at IgoUgo!

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Ha! Try taxicabs splashing you with puddles of slush and gusty Hudson River winds threatening to carry you away like Mary Poppins! Ah, New York City during the holidays—is there anything quite like it?

Of course not! Only in New York could the crystal UNICEF snowflake, possibly worth more than Donald Trump himself, dangle just blocks from the equally extravagant Rockefeller Center Christmas tree without residents blinking an eye. Maybe it's because so many of them are busy twirling on ice skates at the plaza's rink, which basks in the tree's 30,000-bulb glow. And towering over them all is the Empire State Building, which on any given night might be beaming down the red and green of Christmas or the blue and white of Hanukkah.

But the New York holiday grandeur certainly isn't limited to larger-than-life snowflakes or lights that line the streets from Harlem to Wall Street—there's world-class shopping to be done, too! Sniff out leather handbags and sparkling diamond necklaces at New York institutions like Bergdorf Goodman, Macy's, and Bloomingdale's. Or pop into one of the thousands of niche shops sprinkled around the city, which sell just about everything under the sun—if you want it, they've got it.

Wide-eyed kids will certainly clamor for the oversized teddy bears at newly reopened FAO Schwarz, and beg for a ride on the towering 60-foot Ferris wheel within Times Square's Toys'R'Us. Both stores are stocked with every kind of toy imaginable, to be sure, but you might want to stroll over to the annual Union Square Holiday Market for a (slightly) less frenetic shopping experience. Here you'll find all sorts of unique gifts, from homemade soap and skin cream to hand-knit sweaters and funky jewelry.

No matter what your New York experience entails, there's one thing for certain: the unparalleled opulence here will never overshadow the city's romantic winter spirit. So from all of us at IgoUgo, to all of you, have a safe and happy holiday!

New York at a Glance

Location: Manhattan, an island that hardly needs introduction, is located on the southeastern tail of New York State, surrounded by four boroughs—Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx—not to mention the state of New Jersey to the west.

Getting There: With hubs at JFK and LaGuardia airports, JetBlue is one of the most cost-friendly carriers flying to the Big Apple. Check the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey website for updates and information on all modes of transportation to and from New York.

When to Go: Low temperatures average a cool 30°F (-1°C) in December before dipping to 25°F (-4°C) in January… a far cry from the sticky, sweltering heat that's pent up in these concrete canyons during the summer. Visit during the mild spring or autumn for weather most conducive to a long day strolling the city streets.

Where to Stay: For a whiff of New York elegance and luxury, the New York Palace Hotel offers decadent accommodations comparable to the equally plush Plaza Hotel. Or, search IgoUgo's member reviews for more suggestions.

For more information about everything New York, please visit the NYC & Company website.

IgoUgo's Best of New York

Get Your Drink On: Best Bars

Looking to warm up with some hot tunes and a tall pint of lager? Pull up a stool at the All State Café, where you'll find a rockin' jukebox, a friendly atmosphere, and some of the best burgers in the city.
Attention, vodka aficionados: Keith McNally is looking out for you. The man behind über-popular NYC hot spots Lucky Strike and Balthazar strikes again with Pravda, which serves over 70 varieties of this Russian favorite. A few shots and a plate of fries might be the perfect tonic for shopping fatigue.
If you've shucked the city and made a beeline for Brooklyn to escape the crowds, head to Williamsburg's Bembe to soak up some Brazilian heat in the middle of winter. Hoppin' beats, stiff drinks, and beautiful people… all the makings of a happy holiday!

What to Do, What to Do: Best Holiday Experiences

The weather outside may be frightful, but a stroll through the Upper East Side can still be delightful. With a stop at chocolate haven Serendipity 3 after browsing at Gianni Versace and FAO Schwarz, how could it not be?
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you can't compare to New York City's most famous evergreen! A visit to the Rockefeller Christmas tree is an essential for any visitor, whether it's your first time in New York or your twentieth.
Longing to curl up with a good book? You'll find 18 miles of pages, to be exact, at Strand Bookstore, New York's famous discount wholesaler. From hard-to-find rarities to autographed first editions, Strand has it all.
Will Aunt Betty know it's not a real Prada handbag? Not likely. Budget-conscious shoppers should head to Chinatown, where you'll find everything from purses and watches to DVDs and CDs scattered throughout a labyrinth of side streets.
Escape the holiday hoopla and let your inner Scrooge shine at the Blarney Cove. This "charming" dive bar is conveniently located near Union Square, where the insanely packed Christmas market has provoked many a "bah, humbug" from impatient shoppers.

Get Your Eat On: Best Restaurants

To get your day of shopping started on the right foot, there's nothing quite like a hearty brunch—or all-you-can-drink mimosas. Lucky for you, the Upper West Side's classy-but-cheap Arte Café offers both, and at prices insanely low for the Big Apple.
We're not sure if this will earn extra points on Santa's list, but you can save a cow by eating a pig instead at Biscuit, where you'll find homey, comforting soul food to warm the, er, soul.
If it's cozy, old-world ambience you're after, the West Village's romantic Ye Waverly Inn is the place to be. Saddle up next to the roaring fireplace, gaze in wonderment at the Inn's lovingly decorated Christmas tree, and enjoy a plate of wild mushroom ravioli in pumpkin cream sauce.
Ever wondered what ramps taste like? No, not that kind of ramp! The Tasting Room combines this member of the leek family with tender Moulard duck breast, just one of their many specialty dishes. Go ahead and splurge—it's the holidays!
Warm up with a steaming bowl of ramen at Rai Rai Ken, New York's answer to the Tokyo noodle house. Grab a pair of chopsticks and dig in!

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