What to do in New York in February

By Go City Expert

February is my favorite time of year said no one ever. OK, it's got Valentine's Day, but it can be a long, grey slog until spring. We can help you get through the month with panache. Check out our list for events that will warm your spirits (if not your feet). Here's what to do in New York in February.

Lunar New Year Festival—Metropolitan Museum of Art

First off, celebrate the Year of the Rat with a day of events at the Met on February 1, from 11 AM-5 PM. Start the celebration off with a parade by the Chinese Center in Long Island Lion Troupe in the Museum’s Great Hall. Throughout the day, visitors can choose from such performances as the Sesame Street Puppeteers taking on Lunar New Year; it’s followed by a photo op with them. Participants will also find a calligraphy workshop on zodiac signs, as well as a workshop on making moveable dragon toys. Demonstrations by a tea master, complete with bubble tea tasting, as well as a hand-pulled noodle demonstration, will make sure visitors’ hunger is sated.

Black History Month

February 13-16
Next, the month of February offers numerous ways to celebrate Black History Month. Check out the Harlem Fine Arts Show at the Riverside Church. Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, it brings together artists and collectors to celebrate the African diaspora. Or try out a Harlem walking tour—Taste Harlem’s Historical Food Tour offers plenty of soul food as well as Caribbean and African cuisines, plus stories about Harlem’s architecture and rich history. These are great options for what to do in New York in February.

Winter Jam in Central Park

February 1

Snow Day! This free (yes, free!) winter festival in Central Park on includes a mountain of homemade snow, and it’s worth it just to see it. Plus, of course, there's plenty you can do on and in that snow. Presented by NYC Parks, the Olympic Regional Development Authority, I Love NY, and I Ski NY, the festival offers snowshoeing and sledding, dodgeball and flag football (?!), curling and ice bowling. Someone please try ice bowling. Plus, visitors will find photo ops with bobsleds and snowcats (large enclosed vehicles deigned to move on snow). There’s also puppet making (not sure where the snow fits in) as well as a heated New York Public Library Room, for those who like to observe their snow from a distance, from somewhere it’s warm and cozy.

Chinese New Year Parade and Festival

February 9

This year, the Chinese New Year Parade and Festival will be heading down Mott and Canal Streets at 1 PM, and lasting until 4 PM. It culminates on Grand Street near Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Dragon dancing, martial art performers and of course, gorgeous costumes, are the draw here, along with a festive atmosphere and chance to ring in the Year of the Rat.

Bronx Zoo - Name a Roach

Nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like naming a roach for your beloved. This year, the Bronx Zoo gives you the option of attending “Roach Romance,” an after-hours program for adults on Valentine’s Day that includes wine, chocolate, and the chance to meet some of the animals up close. Bear in mind, part of the program takes place outside, but all paths are wheelchair accessible. If you decide just to go for the name-a-roach-option, you can certainly do that as well, along with purchasing roach-themed goodies like candles and socks. Do think carefully, however, about what this will say about your relationship...

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Image courtesy of Bronx Zoo[/caption]

Empire State Building

Who says visiting the Empire State Building is just for the warmer months? The weather may be slightly nippier during the winter, but you’ll have the same great views, and generally fewer crowds to contend with. Make sure to visit one of the observation decks to get the famed 360 views—you’ll be able to see Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, and more. While you’re there, don’t forget the second-floor exhibits that guide visitors through the building’s construction and its more recent role in pop-culture history. Check out how you can use your New York Pass here.

Brooklyn WineFest

February 8

After Dry January, it's no wonder that Wine-Fest February is close behind. Brooklyn Wine Fest offers the chance to explore wine samples of hundreds of new wines from around the world, along with food, live music, and interactive games. (Better go easy on the wine, then.) Participants receive a souvenir five-ounce tasting glass, and can sample any wine on offer. You'll need a nibble or two with those drinks. Food offerings from vendors including Chavas Empanadas, Taste of Poland, Bang Cookies, and many more will also be available.

Looking for more ways to celebrate February in New York? Why not discover The New York Pass?

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Aerial view of New York, Central Park
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Discover the Best Parks in New York City

The best parks in New York – what not to miss! by Mia Russell New York, New York! The city that never sleeps may conjure images of a concrete jungle full of skyscrapers, but it’s also home to some beautiful parks and green urban spaces. Nestled along the Hudson River and tucked between towering buildings, the city’s parks offer a tranquil refuge from the continuous hustle and bustle of the city. There are over 1,700 parks spread around the five boroughs, each with its own character and charm. From the exquisitely landscaped, sprawling beauty of Central Park to the neat High Line on the Lower West Side, New York’s parks are cherished gems that provide a quiet oasis in the heart of the city. Whether you are looking for a place to walk your dog, do some exercise, enjoy a picnic, or simply take in the fresh air, these parks offer all that and much more. Head outdoors with this list of the best parks in New York City. Central Park, Manhattan One of New York’s most recognized attributes, Central Park is the lush green heart of Manhattan. Designed by the award-winning landscape architect team, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the park spans 843 acres and is home to everything from a lake to an ice-skating rink. You could spend days in the park without seeing everything. Hike the winding trails amidst rocky streams in the 38-acre wilderness area known as the Ramble. Rent a rowboat from the picturesque Loeb Boathouse and spend a few hours paddling on the lake. If you prefer someone else to do the work, enjoy a gondola tour followed by lunch at the boathouse. Rent a bike and explore Central Park on two wheels! Use your pass to rent a bike from Central Park Full Day Bike Rental, along with a helmet, a bike basket/bag, a bike lock, and a map of the park. Spread a blanket at Sheep's Meadow and enjoy a picnic while watching the world go by and wander through Strawberry Fields in search of community theater troupes rehearsing Shakespeare. Explore the historic Belvedere Castle, visit the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art, and go wild at the Central Park Zoo. The park also hosts major events like the New York City Marathon, Shakespeare in the Park, and outdoor SummerStage concerts where you can dance the night away under the New York sky. Riverside Park, Upper West Side For spectacular sweeping views down the Hudson River, Riverside Park in the Upper West Side is the park to be. Stretching for four miles along the Hudson River from 72nd to 158th Streets, this scenic waterfront park is home to stately trees and sloping lawns, and unrivaled views of the city skyline and the river. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, of Central Park fame, Riverside Park has loads to do from meandering bicycle paths on the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway to tennis courts and a skate park. Children’s playgrounds are peppered throughout the park, as well as some of New York’s finest monuments like the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument and Grant’s Tomb. Grab a delicious picnic pack from Perfect Picnic with your pass and spend a few hours relaxing in Riverside Park, eating great food and soaking up the beautiful river views. Prospect Park, Brooklyn Another Olmsted and Vaux marvel, Prospect Park is the crown jewel of Brooklyn. Sprawling across 585 acres in Brooklyn, the park is flanked by some of Brooklyn's most historic neighborhoods with beautiful old brownstone houses that have been standing for over a century. A tranquil oasis in the heart of Brooklyn, the park is home to a 60-acre lake and beautiful landscapes with stately trees like the Nethermead and Long Meadow. Iconic landmarks such as the 1857 Litchfield Villa, the Grand Army Plaza, the Picnic House, and the magnificent Boathouse on the Lullwater. You’ll need a few hours to explore and enjoy all that the park has to offer. Take a pedal boat ride on the lake and wander around the Prospect Park Zoo. Stroll through the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Use your pass to get free entry into the gardens! Go roller skating or ice skating at Lakeside and catch a summertime show at the Prospect Park Bandshell. If you haven’t had your fill of spectacular greenery, pop into the nearby New York Botanical Garden to see some incredible fauna and flora. Wander around the old-growth Thain Family Forest and admire the stunning designs of the herbaceous and mixed borders in the Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden. Get lost in the Arthur and Janet Ross Conifer Arboretum and smell the roses in the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden. Don’t forget to use your pass to get free entry into the New York Botanical Garden. Bryant Park, Midtown West Tucked behind the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is the beating cultural heart of Midtown Manhattan. Located on 42nd Street and surrounded by buildings, this 9.6-acre park is a well-cultivated retreat where New Yorkers gather at any time of day. Lovely lawns and tall, shady trees make this the perfect spot for escaping the office or taking a break from sightseeing for a breath of fresh air. Bryant Park is a mecca for arts and culture and hosts a dizzying array of engaging activities and events throughout the year. Join a free yoga, tai-chi, and dance class in the park, or enjoy a game of boules or Kubb (Scandinavian lawn bowling). Relax over a board game and take in a movie at the outdoor classic film festival on Monday nights in summer. Enjoy free wireless access around the park. Winter brings wonderful offerings to the park like the pop-up Bank of America Winter Village and an ice-skating rink. Don’t miss having a photo at the mythical Bryant Park Fountain with its curiously shaped icicles. Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village Washington Square Park is the symbolic heart of Greenwich Village. Marking the park’s north side entrance is the iconic white Washington Arch, honoring George Washington, and making the park one of New York city’s most recognizable public spaces. The park has long been a hotbed for counterculture and creativity from a gathering place for the Beatnik movement and the hippies, and today, avant-garde artists and students from NYU. There’s always something happening in the park from diehard chess enthusiasts battling it out in the corner to a dance group performing in front of the arch. Lounge on the grass and listen to musicians play their tunes; eat lunch on the steps of the fountain and watch street artists perform. Why not use your pass to visit Washington Square Park and explore the surrounding neighborhood on a Greenwich Village Walking Tour ? Enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the ‘birthplace of American Counter-Culture’ where you’ll visit Washington Square Park, discover film locations (Friends and Mozart in the Jungle), and learn about the area's famous residents like Edgar Allan Poe and John Wilkes Booth. The High Line, Chelsea From a disused railroad track to one of the top attractions in the city, the High Line in Chelsea is a much-loved treasure. Stretching from the Meatpacking District to the Hudson Rail Yards, the 1.5–mile long public park was built on an abandoned elevated railroad high above the streets below. This verdant floating garden passes through some of New York City's most historic neighborhoods in the Lower West Side of Manhattan. Enjoy a High Line, Chelsea & Meatpacking District Walking Tour with your pass! Begin at the trendy Chelsea Market where you can sample some of New York’s gourmet goodies. Head up to the High Line and meander along the pedestrian walkway, passing tranquil pools and modern sculptures. Take in the art installations and admire some of New York's most famous buildings, including the Empire State Building and Frank Gehry’s IAC Building. Explore the regentrified Meatpacking District, an industrial area that was transformed into one of New York’s most affluent neighborhoods. Learn about the legends of Death Avenue and the tales of the West Side Cowboys. If you have the time, use your pass to pop into the world-renowned Whitney Museum of American Art to see some amazing artworks. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Nestled beneath New York City's oldest suspension bridge, Brooklyn Bridge Park is an idyllic spot for escaping the crowds and soaking up some beautiful views over lower Manhattan. With the iconic New York skyline as a background, the park is a popular spot for enjoying outdoor activities like basketball, football, and volleyball. Use your pass to rent a bike from Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rental and explore the park and the beautiful bridge. Enjoy a leisurely ride along the scenic, waterfront greenway, and admire innovative artworks woven into the natural landscape of the park. Expansive green lawns are perfect for picnicking, and a water play area offers cool respite from the city heat in summer. Ride the beautifully restored 1920s Jane’s Carousel or rent a kayak and hit the Hudson. Hop on the seasonal ferry at Pier 4 to visit nearby Governors Island, which has its own share of green space to explore. The Hills at Governors Island, Governors Island Escape from the non-stop hum of New York with a short trip to the green oasis of Governors Island. A quick ferry ride from Brooklyn takes you to the shores of this peaceful isle where you’ll find lush green hills offering breathtaking city views. The once abandoned military base in New York Harbor was transformed into a magnificent park where city dwellers can escape to enjoy outdoor recreation. Designed to pay homage to the lush, hilly landscapes of pre-colonial Manhattan, the island features four man-made grassy knolls boasting panoramic views of the harbor. Use your pass to rent a bike from Surrey Bike Rental and explore the island. Pedal around the 172-acre isle and take in the spectacular sights. Check out the art installations dotted around the island including Day is Done, the Cabin sculpture, and Yankee Hangar. Delve into the island’s military past at Fort Jay and Castle Williams and get your hands dirty at the Island’s Urban Farm. Take in the breathtaking views of the New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Lower Manhattan skyline. When you’re done, head to Hammock Grove or Picnic Point for a laid-back picnic.
Go City Expert
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10 Things About NYC Comic Con 2019

It wasn't too long ago that geeks were considered outcasts. Shunned by society for their supposed wizard robes, d20 dice and extensive knowledge of J.R.R Tolkein's novels. But today, geek is chic. Monstrosities like The Big Bang Theory, juggernaut franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the rise of gaming into the everyday have catapulted geeks into the stratosphere. And now the hub of geek, Comic Con, has become the go-to place to meet your heroes. If you fancy attending, or already have your ticket clenched in your sweaty fist, you need to know what to expect. So here are 10 things you need to know about NYC Comic Con 2019. When is it? NYC Comic Con runs from October 3 - 6, in the year of our lord Kevin Feige, 2019. And where do I go to get my fill? Well, my dear friend, NYC Comic Con 2019 takes place at the Javits Convention Center at 429 11th Avenue. Onward! Why should I go? If, like us, you're any kind of modern media consumer, you've surely dipped your toe in the comic-adjacent pool. There are countless comic-related films, TV shows, and video games around these days. Some might be pretty obvious, the aforementioned Marvel movies. You know, the ones that dominate the multiplex every year for the past decade. Others, like the Kingsman series or Amazon's TV series The Boys, are also adaptations of graphic novels. So the better question is, why wouldn't you go? Here's a snapshot of the best things on offer this year. Dr Who? Well for starters, all you Whovians will not want to miss the talk with Christopher Eccelston. For all non-Whovians, he was the first Doctor in the modern reimagining of Doctor Who. He'll obviously be talking about that, but also expect him to speak on his roles in Marvel's Thor: The Dark World, and TV's underappreciated The Leftovers. He might even discuss his role in 'the most early-2000's film imaginable', Gone in 60 Seconds. Don't hold your breath though. He probably doesn't want to remember it. 'Catch a Conversation' with Christopher Eccleston from 11am til 12pm on 3 October. He's a wizard, Hagrid! Right after, you get the chance to sit down with the cast and creatives behind stage behemoth Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. They'll be talking about how they brought the magic of the books and films to the stage. Fans will see never before seen photos and videos from behind the scenes. If you've not yet caught the show, or want to know more about it, check it out. Behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes place between 1-2pm on 3 October. Mr J?! If you're a fan of DC's Harley Quinn, Comic Con 2019 has you covered. All-day on Friday 4 October, head to Hudson Yards Loft for an interactive exhibit about the past and present of one of DC's most enigmatic villains. Explore her first appearance in Detective Comics, through to her recent movie appearances, including some sneak peeks at the upcoming Birds of Prey. They've got props, costumes, and sketches for all to see, as you don't even need a ticket or pass to attend. So really, you have zero excuses. "How you doing, ya old pirate?" That's right, Lando Calrissian himself Billy Dee Williams will be at New York Comic Con this year. From 11am - 12pm on Friday, expect a full recounting of his time playing the galaxy's favourite rogue. That includes his return to the franchise in The Rise Of Skywalker, so any Star Wars fans chomping at the bit for new info before December dare not miss out. Now you've got a Hulk For all fans of video games and Marvel, NYC Comic Con 2019 has just what you need to scratch both itches. Come check out the Marvel Games Panel between 3 - 4pm on Friday to hear from the minds behind the upcoming Iron Man VR and Avengers games. You're sure to catch some never-before-seen gameplay of both. And we're also promised some unannounced exclusive reveals and surprises too. "Make it so." Jean Luc is back, baby. It's been nearly 20 years since we last saw Captain Picard on the big screen (and even longer since we saw him every week on TV). But he's back, thanks to the upcoming Star Trek: Picard CBS series. So of course, none other than the man himself Sir Patrick Stewart will be in attendance at NYC Comic Con 2019. Enjoy a sit down with the cast and creative crew behind the anticipated new show on Saturday 4 October between 1:45 and 2:30pm. Did I mention that Sir Patrick Stewart will be there? We are not worthy. You go, girls And round off the weekend with a look at how women have shaped the world of comics with the Women of Marvel panel on Sunday 5 October from 12:15 - 1:45pm. Hear from the best talent in the industry, as they talk about their creations, what it's like in the industry, and what the future may hold. Now you're primed and ready for NYC Comic Con 2019. Let us know if you're going, and what you're looking forward to while you're there. And while you're there, why not check out a Marvel and DC Superheroes walking tour, or get a refresher on who won big at this year's Emmys?
Dom Bewley
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Famous New York Locations

The 'The City That Never Sleeps'! Test your knowledge of famous New York locations with our Big Apple quiz below! One of the greatest cities in the world, New York is packed with culture and bustle with its historic neighborhoods and an abundance of different cuisines. The city’s energy pours out on to the streets draped with graffiti. Its famous architecture lightens up the skyline at night. Its dynamic culture can be sampled in each unique shop and restaurant. One thing’s for sure, you’ll never be short of things to do. And if it isn’t already on your bucket list of places to visit, then it should be added- right now! If you’re up for a challenge and want to get your brain juices flowing, why not take the ‘Big Apple’ quiz below that we’ve created especially for you? Go ahead. Unleash your inner quiz master! Want to learn more about these famous New York locations? Here’s some great news! You can prepare for the trip of a lifetime and visit these amazing New York attractions- all included in the New York Pass. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island represent liberation and freedom. More than 12 million immigrants were processed at Ellis Island upon their arrival to the United States. image credit: timeout.com Empire State Building Visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Empire State Building is an American icon located in Midtown Manhattan and has featured in over 250 movies since 1931. image credit: kitano.com The Met Breuer The Metropolitan Museum of Art has an extensive collection of contemporary and modern art. The stunning new building was designed by renowned modernist architect Marcel Breuer. image credit: nytimes.com Looking for more incredible museums like the Met? Check out our guide to The Best Museums in New York City.
Shashia Mitchell

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