Fun Facts

A two-story windmill dominated Manhattan’s skyline in the 1660s.

The Federal Reserve Bank on Wall Street in Manhattan houses 24 percent of the world’s gold bullion.

Basketball player turned rapper turned basketball player Shaquille O’Neal is a native of Newark.

Your Itinerary

If You Have Two Hours
A staple of the New York holiday season, the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink glided its way into local tradition when it debuted on Christmas Day, 1936. Ever since then, the open-air frozen roundabout has attracted a steady stream of visitors each winter to midtown Manhattan. With a heavy dose of pop music blasting through the chilly air, you can unleash your inner Scott Hamilton ($15.50-$19 per session, $9 skate rental). Or, you can join the famous golden Prometheus in some grade-A people-watching: couples flirting shakily, obliging parents teetering along after their kids, clutching the walls for dear life. . While the gargantuan Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree won't light up until Dec 2, the holiday spirit is potent throughout November: Monday through Thurs from 9 am until 10:30 pm, Fri through Sat from 8:30 am until midnight, and Sun from 8:30 am until 10 pm.

If You Have Two Days
A trip to New York without a glimpse of the Broadway Stage is sort of like a trip to Vegas without a roll of the dice: you can do it, but it won't be much fun. "Billy Elliot: The Musical" debuted in November last year and proceeded to win 10 Tony Awards this spring, including Best musical, Best Direction and Best Choreography. A joint Tony award for Best Actor was awarded to the three young savants who take turns in the title role every week. Adapted from the inspirational and tender 2000 film about a young boy who won't let his passion and talent for ballet wither under the pressure of life in working class northern England in the 1980s, the musical touches on the historic Miner's Strike of 1984: Billy's father and brother are two miners engaged in the losing battle against Margaret Thatcher's decision to close down coal operations across the country. Due to the enduring popularity of the musical, it's best to call for tickets ahead of time. Playing at the Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th Street, Tues at 7 pm, Wed through Sat at 8 pm, and Wed and Sun at 3 pm.

If You Have a Long Weekend
2 exhibits at the American Natural History Museum:

For more than 1000 years, the legendary silk route spanned from current-day countries China, Iraq and finally Italy, simultaneously creating wealth and blending cultures. Starting Nov 14, as winter blusters outside, The American Museum of Natural History will reawaken the sun-scorched and alluring world of those early centuries of commerce with their exhibit "Traveling the Silk Road: Ancient Pathway to the Modern World," concentrating on the heightened 7th through 13th centuries. Visitors can see real silkworms working away, or wander through replicas of desert markets. As a special treat, every Sunday afternoon, The Silk Road Project-Yo-Yo Ma's non-profit that brings together 60 musicians from across 20 different nationalities-will organize a live performance of traditional music from across the globe, right inside the museum. Not to give the silkworm all the credit, though; the AMNH recently reopened its popular Butterfly Conservatory. A 15-minute tour will let you into the warm habitat of these winged watercolor masterpieces, while also providing education on anatomy, ecology and conservation. http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/

— Samantha Lavien

Convention & Visitor's Bureau