JCI NY - Hope for Philippines Typhoon Victims Benefit Concert, Fashion Show and More..

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary acts of kindness.

Filipinos in New York join together in solidarity for the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines at Toshi's Living Room, tomorrow, Saturday, December 7th from 6pm-10pm. There will be live musical performances, fashion shows and live auction. JOIN NOW!

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Donate to Help Victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines

List of reliable organizations to which you can donate money or in kind to help victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines. 

The United Nations World Food Programme: The WFP has set up an online donation page that will help rush food and resources to the regions affected.

The Philippine Red Cross: Donations will help mobilize teams on the ground with rescue and relief efforts.

UNICEF: Donations will help children gain access to medical supplies and clean drinking water. "Safe drinking water can be impossible to find after such a massive natural disaster. And without it, a child will drink whatever water she can find, no matter how dirty or diseased. That drink can quickly lead to diarrhea, disease and death," UNICEF president Caryl M. Stern said.

World Vision: World Vision is working to get food and resources to those in evacuation shelters.

Catholic Relief Services: CRS is helping with the storm's aftermath by getting supplies and staff into the area.

Salvation Army: Donate online for the Salvation Army's relief efforts, or text TYPHOON to 80888 to immediately donate $10.

Save the Children: Donations will help children and families in the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam. Ten percent of every donation will go toward preparing for any future disasters in the area.

Habitat for Humanity: Donations will help create shelter-repair kits for families rebuilding their homes.

GlobalMedic: The Canadian organization is working to get clean water to victims.

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Noli Me Tangere – The Opera,” is a must-see Tagalog musical masterpiece dabuts in NY

First Tagalog opera in New York, fans of music, history and literature will be able to watch a Filipino masterpiece.

NEW YORK With a 38-piece live orchestra and a cast of world renowned Filipino opera singers "Noli Me Tangere The Opera," is a must-see musical masterpiece that premiere's it's limited run in New York Friday.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/10/07/13/noli-me-tangere-opera-debuts-new-york

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Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz in New York

The Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz, located in Downtown Manhattan, invites the public to its Marian procession to celebrate the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, patron saint of immigrants, on Sunday, September 29, starting at 10 a.m. from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral (51st Street and Fifth Avenue).

A Holy Mass in honor of the saint will be celebrated at the cathedral at 2 p.m.

Volunteers, prayer groups, religious organizations, musicians, performers and custodians of religious images are encouraged join to the event.

For more information, call 347-277-3487.

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Filipinos in NY will be Celebrating the Feast of Mary's Nativity on September 8th 2013.

On September 8th 2013 we will celebrate the 2029th birthday of Mama Mary, with all Filipinos living in New York and New Jersey and with everyone who faithfully believe the Blessed Mother of God.

Jesus said to His mother, “Woman, this is your son.” Then to the disciple He said , “This is your mother.” And from that moment the disciples made a place for her in their heart.”

We are called with the rest of humanity to accept Jesus’ gift of His Mother, and to welcome her into our home and heart. Filipinos look to Mary not exclusively as a mother but as a sister as well. This is significant to understanding how to move forward when we feel lost in the spiritual life. While as a mother propels us forward by gently beckoning and drawing us toward herself, a sister takes a slightly different approach. A sister is one who will stand at our side, either with a hand on our shoulder or a finger in our back. Still one must realize that neither approach will move us forward in the least if we are not first willing to take the step.

As Samarnon, we would like to celebrate our patron Feast of Our Lady's Nativity in a peaceful and solemn environment. As New Yorkers, we would like to send the message of unity and reconciliation to resolve the conflict in a Christian manner because whatever issues we are having right now will never stop generation-to-generation. If we will not stop this conflict right now, who do you think are the real victims? Yes, our children and grandchildren. The Samar group would like to send the message of peace and unity to Filipinos in NY and around the world.

Therefore, we would like to invite everyone to come and join us to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8 at St Lucy's Church 344 East 104th St New York NY. The Tagalog Mass will start at 2pm and followed by our traditional "Salu-Salo" and line dancing or maybe "Kuracha". So please feel free to bring your special food to share with others, after all this is what Filipinos are known for.

If you would like to sponsor the mass, please print the form below and email to  ourladysnativity@gmail.com then click "Sponsor Now" below.

                                                                                     

Maraming salamat and see you all sa fiesta!

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Filipinos Worldwide Protest Against China's Invasion Over Philippine Waters

Calling all 11 Millions of Filipinos living abroad to unite for this cause. Filipinos based in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States will march in front of Chinese Embassies to protest against China’s role in the ongoing territorial dispute.

Several private groups comprising former government officials, scheduled holding simultaneous protests in front of Chinese embassies across the world to garner attention and sympathy against China’s flexing of marine muscle in the South China Sea which the Philippines claims as its own.

“We would like to stress that this protest rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Makati City, the financial district on July 24 is going to be the start of something we intend to become bigger – not only in the Philippines, but worldwide,” said Roilo Golez, former national security adviser during the time of ex-President Gloria Arroyo.

The protest is against the incursions of Chinese vessels in shoals and reefs that are within the Philippine 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, said Golez, now a congressman.

“It’s a very good opportunity for Filipinos to unite for a good cause, because we are talking about flag and country,” said Rafael Alunan, former interior secretary during the time of former president Fidel Ramos; and former tourism secretary during the time of ex- president Corazon Aquino.

“We are against China’s lawless policy of intrusion, occupation, theft of natural resources, and intimidation in our Exclusive Economic Zone,” said Alunan, adding this has been the overarching theme of debates and discussions on Facebook and Twitter amongst Filipinos worldwide.

New York

Makati Philippines

Los Angeles

San Francisco

Rome

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Watch Balut Eating Contest in New York

Balut eating contest in New York. Ok ok what is balut? Balut is a developing duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten in the shell. It is commonly sold as street food in the Philippines. They are common food in countries in Southeast Asia, such as Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. This is not your typical Eating Contest as you can imagine, but contestants said they are ready to beat out Wayne Algenio who won by consuming 18 eggs in last year’s contest.

Miguel Trinidad, executive chef of Maharlika and Jeepney and the only Dominican we know of who has mastered the art of Filipino cooking, along with his Filipino partners is organizing the contest on August 3 at the Hester Street Fair on Essex Street. The event will be emceed by Maharlika’s Kyle Ancheta and performance artist Kilusan Bautista.

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Citibike - America's Biggest Bike Share Will Turn NYC into a Cycling City

Learn how to ride a bike 10-30% faster Click Here!

Learn how to ride a bike 10-30% faster Click Here!

New York City's long-awaited and much-hyped bicycle-sharing program is finally in full operations. CitiBike is a privately owned for-profit public bicycle sharing system that serves New York City. It is the largest bike sharing program in the United States. Alta Bicycle Share was selected in September 2011 to develop and operate the system using Montreal's Bixi technology. The system, which operates without city subsidy, is named for Citigroup, which spent US$41 million to be its lead sponsor for six years.

Citi Bike began operations on Memorial Day May 27, 2013, with 330 stations in Manhattan south of 59th Street and in Brooklyn north of Atlantic Avenue and west of Nostrand Avenue. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan christened the beginning of bike-sharing at a docking station near the Brooklyn Bridge Monday morning of its opening. Officials said the system opened with 6,000 bikes, but six weeks later, the actual number in use appeared to be less than 4,300. On June 16, 2013, riders took 25,119 trips, the largest single-day total for any North American bike-sharing system. Then on June 29, 2013, riders set another record by taking 31,464 trips in one 24-hour period. The total number of annual subscribers as of July 8, 2013 is 55,623.

The system is slated to expand to more than 10,000 bicycles and 600 stations in Manhattan south of 79th Street, plus stations in several Brooklyn neighborhoods, including Greenpoint, Crown Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Park Slope and Carroll Gardens as well as parts of Queens. The cost for a grab-and-go bike is $9.95 per day, $25 per week and $95 per year. The annual membership is the best deal, but they all include unlimited rides - just pick up and drop off at any one of the locations in Manhattan (south of 59th Street) or Brooklyn (scattered in popular neighborhoods like Williamsburg). Go to Citibike website for complete information http://citibikenyc.com/

Learn how to ride a bike 10-30% faster Click Here!

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Jeepney: Making Filipino food ubiquitous in NYC

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Tips for Riding the New York City Subway

The New York City Subway is a fast, affordable way to get around New York City. Read these tips for riding the New York City Subway and you'll be traveling around New York City like a local New Yorker in no time.

1. Finding Subway Entrances
Entrances are typically located on street corners with a staircase for descending into the station. If a station is marked with a large green ball, you can buy a MetroCard inside; if a station is marked with a red ball, you need to already have a MetroCard to enter.

2. How Free Transfers Work
A MetroCard allows one free transfer within 2 hours of first swiping your card. You can transfer from Bus to Subway, Subway to Bus, Bus to Bus, or between select Subway stations. (Free Subway to Subway transfers only apply when you are required to exit the station to make your connection.) If you take the subway one way and the bus back you can get two rides for one fare, but you can't transfer between buses going in opposite directions (i.e Madison and Fifth Avenue buses).

3. Maps in Subway Stations
One of the most helpful things about New York City's subway stations is the maps located near the entrances. In addition to having a map of the subway system, there is normally a neighborhood map that shows the streets in the area in detail. It's a good idea to check out the map before you leave the subway, but it's also great to know that if you're lost near a subway station, you can always duck in and check out a map to find your way around.

4. Know what a station entrance looks like
Entrances that are always open have green lights, known as "Globe Lamps." Exit only or part-time entrances have red globe lamps, or may not have any lamps at all. Some private properties have subway entrances. However, some entrances are within private properties, and these entrances are not always visible from the outside. Also noting, some entrances are mono-directional, meaning that they only serve an entrance to a platform for boarding trains to one destination. This usually happens at stations without an underpass or overpass to transfer to the opposite platform for return service. There are some exceptions to this, as unlabeled overpasses and underpasses are present (like Bleecker Street on the (6)).

5. Check The Sign Before You Swipe
At many Subway stations, there are separate entrances for trains running uptown and downtown. Make sure you have the appropriate fare. The current fare is $2.50 when using a Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard ($2.75 for a "SingleRide" Ticket: Valid for ONE (1) ride within two (2) hours purchase with no out-of-system transfer to a bus). Once you swipe your card, you can't get a refund, so be sure to check the sign to make sure you're swiping your card at the right entrance. You can also ask an attendant for help if you're confused about where to enter.

6. Don't block the door
Before boarding your train, wait for the disembarking passengers to fully egress before you enter the subway car. People will get very angry if you block their way getting off the train. If you are wearing a bag or pack, remove it from your back or shoulder and carry it in your hands in frony of you. This will make more room in the car for the other passengers.

7. Hold On
If you don't get a seat, make sure you find a pole to hold when the train begins to move -- it is difficult to keep steady without holding on when the subway starts and stops, as it is not always as smooth a ride as you might hope. And no one likes it when you fall on them because you weren't holding on. Remember to give up your seat as a courtesy to elderly, pregnant, or disabled passengers. Special "Priority Seating" at both ends of a subway car require to be free when an elderly or disabled passenger boards the train.

8. Don't Lean on the Poles
Just because you're tired, it doesn't mean it's alright to lean up against a pole in the subway car. When someone leans on the poles, it makes it difficult for other folks to hold on when the train is moving.

9. Avoid staring or making prolonged eye contact with another passenger
Avoid looking other passengers directly in the eye for more than an instant. Staring at other passengers will be seen as a sign of aggression, and you may get an aggressive response. It is also likely that the person you're staring at will be very creeped out.

10. Keep Your Bags (and Your Feet) Off the Seats
Keep in mind that even if the subway isn't very crowded when you board, it may get more crowded quickly, so you should keep your bags on your lap or on the floor in front of you if you're sitting down. Keeping your feet off the seat ensures that other folks have a clean place to sit when they ride the subway.

11. Move To The Center of the Car
When trains are crowded, it is important to move to the center of the subway car to make room for other riders. Standing by the door even if you move to the side makes it difficult for people getting on and off the train.

12. In An Emergency Stay in the Subway Car
The safest place is inside the subway car. In the event of a situation where you have to leave the subway car, you should know about blue and white lights in the subway car. Blue lights in the subway mark the spot where there is a telephone, power off switch, and fire extinguisher. Pick up the phone after switching off the power -- otherwise, power will be restored after about a minute. Five white lights in a circle or on a bar mark an exit to the street.

13. MetroCard issue
If your MetroCard won't read for some reason, try the other turnstiles after several failed attempts on the first. Ask the Station Agent for help if one is available in the area. If there is none, run your fingers along the black strip to make sure there are no bends and try again...eventually, either someone may swipe you through or else you should give up and get another MetroCard until you can speak to an agent. If the station agent can't help, they will provide you with an envelope (Business Reply Envelope: BRE) to mail in the card. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for the MetroCard to be processed. For faster service visit the MetroCard Customer Service Center located downtown Manhattan at 3 Stone Street between Whitehall Street and Broad Street. MetroCards are very fragile. Bending, heating, or getting them wet will damage or ruin them. If your card doesn't work after several tries, take it to the station agent and request a replacement. MetroCards are magnetic. Do not place them near any electronic device (Phone, MP3 player, etc.) or magnet as this may demagnetize the MetroCard, resulting in the turnstile not clicking when you insert your MetroCard into the turnstile. If your Metrocard has been demagnetized, see the station agent or a NYC Transit Officer. If the station agent cannot do anything about that card, a Business Reply Envelope will be given for you to mail your MetroCard in.

14. Too much MetroCard
Have a lot of MetroCards with money on them? If they are "PREVALUED" or "FULL FARE" cards (not Unlimited-Ride) and they all have money on them, you may bring up to 7 cards at a time to a station booth and ask the station agent to combine the cards. The final card you give the station agent will be the one with all of the money from the other cards.

15. Don't stand on the left side of the escalator
When getting on an escalator, remember: if you intend on standing, stay on the right. Leave the left clear for those who want to climb up or down.

16. Ask for directions
If you're not sure of where to go, ask somebody! Don't be afraid to ask strangers for directions. Most New Yorkers are don't mind helping others out so just ask and in general, many New Yorkers are very polite people and willing to help.

17. Trust your instinct
If you feel uncomfortable due to another rider(s), trust your gut instinct and move to the last door of the car. When the train arrives at the next station, get out of that car and into the next car. DO NOT GO BETWEEN CARS. It is dangerous and against the law.

18. Train time frequency
You only get about 20 seconds to get on a train. Holding the doors of the train car is prohibited. If the train doors close as you get to the train, just get on the next train. Headways range from 7-10 minutes during rush-hours, 15 minutes during weekends, and up to 30 minutes during late-nights. Be sure that the train you will be boarding is the same line and direction. Multiple trains of varying lines may stop at a single platform.

19. How much MetroCard load to buy
It's best to purchase an Unlimited-Ride time limit of 7-days ($30) if you will be taking 12 or more rides during your stay (day passes are no longer sold). It will save you money. You can use your MetroCard both in subway & busses. Take some extra money for emergencies. This is always a good idea if you're going to be in any big city, and even if you won't be riding the subway. The city is a nice place, but there is crime there and someone might steal your money. To be safe, keep an extra $20–$50 in a very safe place, such as your shoe, inside your shirt, or in your bra.

20. Riding late at night
If you are riding late at night, try to find a populated car—ideally the conductor's car (the conductor is almost always in the middle of the train (the 5th car from the front in an 8 car train and the 6th car from the front in a 10 car train), but some lines have the conductor in the front car or the back car). Some lines might only have the driver that opens and closes the doors, especially during "off-hours."

21. If you see something, say something
Don't place your bags or packages on an empty seat even if the train is empty. NYC Transit Police will issue tickets for that (following the campaign "If you see something, say something"). You will find yourself with a court appearance and can expect to pay up to a $500 fine.

22. Download at least two subway apps
Here's the link where to find complete list of MTA approved apps http://www.mta.info/apps/

Thank you for reading & enjoy New York!

Robert

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5 Tips for Skilled Immigrants to Rebuild Their Careers in the US

When you are first planning your relocation to the U.S., finding a professional job isn’t as easy as you might think it would be. It is important to plan ahead for your relocation and job search. Upwardly Global recommends the following five steps after you arrive in the U.S. to help you plan for a successful job search.

1. You don’t have to go back to school. Your foreign degree is not only valid in the U.S., but it can be just as valuable as a U.S. degree. To show this to employers, you may want to get your credentials evaluated by an organization such as World Education Services or Globe Language Services. While there are some instances where continuing your education might be worthwhile, it’s not always necessary, and a credential evaluation could be just what you need.

2. Create a U.S.-standardized résumé. Résumés look different all around the world, but having a résumé that is formatted in the American-style is an important first step. In the U.S., a résumé is a critical tool to communicate who you are and is often the first impression you are able to make. Therefore, it is important that your résumé include specific facts, figures, and numbers about your accomplishments. Upwardly Global’s résumé template can help you start creating an American-style résumé.

3. Join an ethnic professional association. You have probably heard the advice of joining ethnic professional associations, but fail to follow the advice. Joining ethnic professional associations is more than just adding a line in your résumé. By joining ethnic professional associations, you will be able to build connections in your industry, find mentors, and learn about job opportunities. Some ethnic professional associations offer e-newsletter subscriptions, which will keep you up-to-date on current events and industry trends affecting your professions. In addition, some associations also offer certifications that are required or recommended for your job.  A list of minority and women member-based professional organizations can be found here. A list of minority professional associations based on ethnicity can be found here.

4. Gain U.S. jobs experience through volunteering. One of the obstacles for career reentry for immigrant professionals is a lack of U.S. experience. Most U.S. employers like to see that you have U.S. work experience and often will not hire people who do not have U.S. work experience. Volunteering or internship opportunities offer you three benefits: 1) ability to update your résumé with U.S. experience, 2) ability to learn or develop a new skill, 3) ability to get U.S. references from that volunteer position who can speak to the quality of your work. Check out VolunteerMatch for a list of volunteer opportunities in your area.

5. Get the necessary support. For skilled immigrants who recently moved to the U.S., trying to understand the U.S. job market and find a job in your field can be a daunting task. There are several organizations, including Upwardly Global, that offer job search support and the opportunity to connect you with professional jobs in the U.S. Visit the websites of the organizations that offer these services and try to find out if their training program fits your need. Getting the right support will help you understand the U.S. job search market and help you secure your dream job.

Upwardly Global, founded in 2000, is a national, award-winning nonprofit organization with offices in San Francisco, New York and Chicago. Upwardly Global helps work-authorized, skilled immigrants, refugees and asylees rebuild their professional careers in the U.S. by providing professional job-search training and access to employers with global talent needs. Annually the organization coaches more than 700 professionals, with a goal to coach an additional 500 participants through our Online Program this year. We engage hundreds of volunteers and partners with a growing list of more than 400 companies to assist skilled immigrants to re-enter their professional field. For more information about the organization, including how to re-license in the U.S and to apply to Upwardly Global training program, please visit www.upwardlyglobal.org.

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When is the best time to visit New York City?

There really is no best time to visit New York City. Visitors fill New York in pretty equal measure year-round — to the tune of more than 48 million in 2010. Winters can be cold but there usually isn’t much snow and there’s nothing like ice skating in Central Park. The city is usually very crowded during the holiday season with people coming to shop and see the big tree in Rockefeller Center. There’s nothing like Central Park during autumn or spring, and summer is a good time to visit if you want to see the city when it’s less crowded (and don’t mind the humidity).You’ll find the streets a little quieter on summer weekends, when locals do their best to escape to the beaches and mountains.

Save 50%-75% on flights and hotels using special Travel Agent Only rates. Click Here

What are some things to know before visiting New York City?
There used to be a time when venturing into certain parts of central Manhattan at any time of the day, but especially at night, were be considered huge no-no's. Nowadays, there aren't very many areas of the city where that is the case, even the infamous Hell's Kitchen neighborhood (next to the Times Square area) is but a shadow of its former self. Filled with trendy restaurants and bars (appropriately named Restaurant Row), and within walking distance from many tourist attractions, as well as the Hudson River pathway, this once dangerous neighborhood is a wonderful place to meet friends, or even stay in.

New York is a walking city, so you should be prepared to do a lot of it (it's the best way to see the city) and there are always tons of tour options as well if you would rather have a guided experience. Eating in NYC can be expensive, but there are also really great options where you don't have to spend a lot of money. Each neighborhood is different, so I always encourage visitors to venture out by train to outter boroughs such as lower or upper Manhattan areas, or even Queens (for great ethnic food) and Bronx for great parks.
Be ready to take advantage of free or discounted museum days, free events at the parks (especially during warmer months) and city passes for discounted access to major attractions and tours. Most of the information is on each attraction's website, but it's also a good idea to coordinate with the concierge at your hotel for passes and discount options. Make sure to grap one of the city's free subway maps (most tourist shops sell them, but you can get them for free at the kiosks in the subway platforms).

Lastly, New Yorker's have a reputation of being rude. We aren't really - but we are always in a hurry and have somewhere to go. We love sharing our city with others, but don't ever really appreciate having them block our way as we are running through (so if you are admiring those awesome skyscrappers and taking pictures, please step to the side of the sidewalk). Our pace if always hurried, even when it doesn't need to be, but we are happy to give directions and share our favorite spots for anything and everything. The hard part will be identifying who is the New Yorker and who is the visitor, meaning you might have to ask a few people before finding someone who knows, especially in a touristy area.

Enjoy the city. Walk as much as you can (pack comfortable shoes), and venture out of your hotel area.

What should I pack for a trip to New York City?
Deciding what to pack for New York City can be tough — it is the fashion capital of the world, after all. But don’t let that intimidate you. Well, not too much anyway. Instead, focus on being prepared for extreme weather (humid summers and freezing winters) and a lot of walking. Even though the subway is efficient and generally reliable, you will find yourself walking a lot because there is so much to see and do on every block.

As for fashion, you can bring a few stylish outfits — or shop for new ones — or you can always fall back on all black. In Manhattan, wearing all black is always in fashion.

Airport Taxi Fare:

Standard City Rate $2.50 upon entry $0.50 for each additional one-fifth of a mile

JFK-Manhattan $52 + toll + tip

LGA-Manhattan $45 + toll + tip

EWR-Manhattan $55 + toll + tip

Shared Shuttle service: $15 - $20 to Manhattan

Bus Express Ride: $16 to Manhattan

Subway: Airtrain $5 + Subway $2.50 to Manhattan

NYC major attractions & tours:
9/11 Ground Zero Tribute Center  
American Museum of Natural History
Atlantic City Excursion on Academy Bus  
Bike and Roll NYC Bike Rental
Blazing Saddles
Body Worlds: Pulse
Bronx Museum of the Arts
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Brooklyn Historical Society
Brooklyn Museum  
Carnegie Hall Tours
Central Park Bicycle Rentals & Tours
Circle Line Downtown
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
City Sightseeing Cruises
Clipper City Tall Ship Cruises Manhattan By Sail
Dwyer Cultural Center
Dyckman Farmhouse Museum
El Museo del Barrio
Empire State Building Observation Deck
FDNY Fire Zone
Food on Foot Tours
Fraunces Tavern  
Grand Central Terminal Audio Tour
Hallelujah! Gospel Wednesday
Harlem One Stop Cultural & Heritage Walking and Step-On Group Tour Packages  
Historic Richmond Town  
Inside Broadway Tours
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum  
Jewish Children's Museum  
Lets Take a Village... A Greenwich Village Walking Tour  
Madame Tussauds New York
Make Mine Music... A Musical Walking Tour
Museum at Eldridge St.
Museum of American Finance
Museum of Biblical Art (MOBIA)
Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Museum of the City of New York  
NBC Studio Tour
New Museum
New York Botanical Garden
New York Hall of Science
New York Historical Society
New York Insider’s Shopping Tour
New York Skyride
New York Transit Museum
New York Water Taxi
Noble Maritime Collection  
On Location Tours Central Park TV and Movie Sites
On Location Tours UPTOWN New York TV and Movie Sites    
Queens Museum of Art  
Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour
Real Brooklyn Tour
Rockefeller Center Tour  
Shearwater Sailing Manhattan By Sail
Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Staten Island Botanical Garden
Staten Island Children's Museum
Statue of Liberty Harbor Cruise  
The Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO neighborhood tour
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The Cloisters Museum and Gardens
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Museum of Sex
The Paley Center for Media
The Skyscraper Museum
The Studio Museum in Harlem
Top of the Rock
Tour at Lincoln Center  
Van Cortlandt House Museum
Walkin’ Broadway
Wall Street Walks
Wave Hill
Weeksville Heritage Center
Where It All Began... A Lower Manhattan Walking Tour
Whitney Museum of American Art
Yankee Stadium Tours

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New York CityPass 
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Save: 42% off admission prices

Great for: Anyone who wants to hit all the biggies and skip ticket lines.

New York Explorer Pass
The Explorer Pass is perfect for those who want to see NYC at their own pace. Choose 3, 5, 7 or 10 attractions from 50 top sites and tours, and visit them any time you want in 30 days—including the Hop-on/Hop-off double-decker bus. Skip ticket lines and feel like a VIP. Each purchase includes a 52-page, multi-language guidebook. Get the New York Explorer Pass today!
Price: $79.99–$209.99 ($57.99–$139.99 for children ages 3–12)
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Great for: Tour lovers and visitors in NYC who wish to see it all at their own pace

The New York Pass
The New York Pass can be customized according to number of days you’re here (up to seven) for access to over 80 NYC attractions. Passes also entitle bearers to discounts on Broadway shows, shopping and dining, and are accompanied by a pocket-sized guidebook published in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch and Mandarin. You can also package your 2 to 7 Day Pass with a Hop-on Hop-off Bus tour.
Price: $85–$230 ($60–$165 for kids ages 4–12)
Save: Savings varies according to number of attractions visited; potential savings of over $400
Great for: The fast mover who wants to do it all. There is no limit to the number of attractions you can visit with the New York Pass.


Downtown Culture Pass
The Downtown Culture Pass gives you three days of unlimited admissions to eight downtown museums, gift shop discounts, plus a walking tour.
Price: $30 ($15 for children ages 13–17; $5 for children ages 6–12; free for children 6 and under)
Save: 67% off admission prices
Great for: Visitors who wish to experience the diverse cultural attractions of Lower Manhattan, all within walking distance

Bargains galore in the Big Apple!

New York is a shopper's paradise! You can find anything and everything in the many stores throughout the city-and now you can shop TAX FREE in NYC on clothing and shoes priced under $110. There are thousands of shops, so whether it's upscale Madison Avenue or the bargain-friendly Lower East Side, the Big Apple offers everything for everybody!

The New York Pass, CityPass and Explorer Pass adds something to your shopping experience as well. Some places will have a special gift waiting for NYC Pass holders. Others like Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s will offer you 11% discount. Also, don’t forget to visit the Century 21 Department Store. They sell designer merchandise at 40% - 70% off retail prices.

Another huge shopping experience are the world-famous Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, where you can enjoy everyday savings of 25% to 65% from Dolce & Gabbana, Gap Outlet, Nike Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Salvatore Ferragamo, Timberland and many more. With the New York Pass upon your arrival you will receive VIP Coupon Booklet worth hundreds of dollars of additional savings at participating stores.

Macy's visitors shopping pass 
Sample Sales Calendar
Sample Sale Avenue  

What are the best souvenirs to buy in New York City?
Souvenir shopping in NYC can be fun and these shops are everywhere! If you wanted to go beyond the basic "I Love NY" mug or t-shirt (though those are fun too), check out these options:

My favorite are the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The MoMa gift shops. The kinds of unique gifts you find here make perfect tokens for any occassion. And because these museums are such NYC icons, it's like bringing a piece of NYC art with you.

The Transit Museum also has a wonderful gift shop with posters, and other items displaying the famous NYC subway map (from mugs, to shower curtains, to underwear!) as well as toy NYC number and letter trains. There are two locations: the main museum is located in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn and the other, much smaller version (mainly gift shop) is in Grand Central Terminal.

Another great option is purchasing NYC themed gift baskets from Chelsea Market Baskets. The shop itself in located inside one of my favorite markets in the city, Chelsea Market and the baskets are filled with high quality, high end treats displaying the best of the best in the NYC food scene to take home (or ship).

But of course, nothing beats the age old practice of saving the Playbill from your night out in the theater, or that perfect photo in Times Square or while up on the Chrysler Building. Those are always the best.

What are the best food gifts to buy in New York City?
When looking for the perfect food gift, NYC is not a bad place to be in. This food mecca has so much to offer that the problem isn't where to find a unique food gift, but rather where to start looking. In warmer months, the city’s farmers markets are a treasure trove of foodie gifts. But NYC also has one-stop shopping food destinations worth checking out, like 
Bleecker Street, home to many artisan food shops such as:

Murray's Cheese for artisanal cheese, perfectly aged for any palate. A gift certificate for one of their cheese classes is also a great treat.

Ottomanelli & Sons Prime Meat is a family-owned butcher shop that has been serving the best steaks and cuts for over 100 years.

Amy’s Bread is celebrated for her organic, whole-grain bread options, as well as baked sweets and pastries.

O & Co. has a huge selection of olive oil and vinegar products, many available for sampling. They also have wonderful spreads and crackers, as well as a few olive oil based beauty products.

Porto Rico Importing Co. offers coffee lovers a wonderful selection of organic beans that are environmentally friendly and support family-owned coffee farms. Just walking into the shop is a treat for the senses.

Of course, one of the best ways to experience it all at once is to gift a NYC food tour, where you learn both the history and taste along the way.

Another stop to check out when in town is the Chelsea Market. Here you will find many shops and eateries, as well as the Bowery Kitchen Supply store to appeal to the foodie in your life.

If looking for a gift with more of a European flair, a cooking class at Eataly is the way to go, along with any one of the many Italian food products and literature.

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