Keeping Up With The Paul

NYC Restaurant Week participants are offering an entrée with at least one side dish for lunch or dinner at just $20.21—and no, that price is not an accident. You can find a list of participating restaurants here, and even better, a list of participating restaurants that will deliver straight to your doorstep here.

Not only can you indulge in your favorite dishes from your favorite restaurants from the comfort of your home, but, you can sip on your favorite cocktails, too! Because we could all use a drink, or two, Restaurant Week has included the sale of to-go drinks such as beer, wine, or cocktails as an additional add-on—an easy way for you to show a little extra support. And, while the delicious tradition typically lasts only as long as its name suggests, they’ve extended the program through February 28th! Hello, Valentine’s Day plans!

Once you receive your meal, help out your favorite spots by sharing a delicious photo of it on social media using the hashtags #NYCRestaurantWeek and #NYCRestaurantWeekToGo.

From marveling at Sixth Avenue buildings’ whimsical decor to enjoying a hot chocolate at the Bryant Park holiday market, we’re sharing a few of our favorite ways locals and visitors alike can embrace the season’s merriments in 2020.

Visit the Country’s Most Famous Christmas Tree | In true NYC tradition, a giant Christmas tree is already on full display at Rockefeller Center! Though the 75-foot Norway spruce is typically only lit from 6 AM to midnight, you can expect it to be merry and bright for the full 24 hours of Christmas Day.

Shop at an Open-Air Market | Looking for the perfect stocking stuffers? The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park feature over 170 vendors offering handmade gifts from artisans all over the world. Shop, sip a hot cider (or chocolate), and break to watch the figure skaters at the park’s beloved ice rink.

Glide Across the Ice | Speaking of Bryant Park’s ice rink, grab a pair of skates and take a few laps around the free admission rink yourself! Surrounded by holiday cheer, secure a timed reservation to skate with your loved ones. Another option of course, is the iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center where you’ll be accompanied by the famous Christmas tree!

For most of us, it’s the first thing we put on TV when we awake on Thanksgiving morning. But, for others, it’s a congregation of the masses beginning from the “West Side” along Central Park, heading east along Central Park South, skirting into Times Square, and then south right through Midtown.

However, to safely bring the spectacle to millions nationwide during this unprecedented time, the annual production will be reimagined as a television-only event with no live audience. The route will change as well, for the grandiose balloons will make their way down a new route within Herald Square.

Though we’ll miss the cheering crowds, a number of theatrical and musical performances are scheduled to participate in this year’s event. From the renowned Radio City Rockettes to famed collaborators Jimmy Fallon and The Roots to the celebrated Dolly Parton, there will be no shortage of stars.

So, while we might not be together this holiday, there’s something quite comforting in knowing that we’ll all be connected when we tune in on Thanksgiving morning.

Rather than making the trek upstate to see fall leaves, we highly suggest visiting the following parks so that you can check leaf-peeping off your 2020 New York bucket list right here in the city.

• Fort Tyron Park | After a stroll into the Heather Garden’s vast course of perennials and a delightful walk through the Cloisters, hike through the arching trees all to take a seat at the Linden Terrace, better known as one of the highest points in Manhattan. From there, you’ll be able to gaze across the water at the Hudson River Palisades, which has 20 miles of cliffs covered in vivid cooper and orange foliage.

• Prospect Park | Around here, the first trees to change to the sought after orange and red color are the sugar and red maples, which you can spot around the park’s lake. The rest of the foliage within the park will soon follow suit come late October, with elm, sour gum, and sassafras all displaying a similar, stunning color.

• Central Park | The obvious choice, the park has several options for spotting pristine foliage. We recommend beginning at the Conservatory Water, near the entrance at Fifth Ave and 72nd Street, to spot hawthorn trees covered in red berries. Then, continue to the 38-acre Ramble in the center of the park. Here, you’ll find a large tree, known as the Tupelo Meadow, with leaves that appear in various shades of red, yellow, and purple throughout the fall season. From there, you can continue your trek in the North Woods and become engulfed in warm shades of orangey-red.

The first to announce an official reopening date was the beloved Metropolitan Museum of Art. While placing its guests and employee’s safety at the forefront, the museum plans to reopen its doors come end of August. CEO, Daniel H. Weiss said, “the Museum can serve as a reminder of the power of the human spirit and the capacity of art to bring comfort, inspire resilience, and help us better understand each other and the world around us.”

Following suit in more of a modern fashion, the New-York Historical Society will soon welcome visitors to its brand-new, outdoor exhibit: “Hope Wanted: New York City Under Quarantine.” With free admission and face mask and social distancing requirements in place, the installation will be located in the museum’s rear courtyard.

“Hope Wanted” highlights NYC’s (very) recent, traumatic past with photos and interviews of ordinary New Yorkers living during an extraordinary moment. And although these events may not even feel like the past yet, NYHS has a special way of treating history as the present.

The Historical Society is scheduled to officially reopen indoors September 11; until then, you can visit "Hope Wanted.”

The Highline: A perfect example of what this city does best, The High Line cleverly rehabbed an old space into something beautiful. This 1.45-mile-long abandoned freight rail on Manhattan’s West End has been transformed into an elevated, mixed-use public park where New Yorkers or visitors can pretty much do as they please. Oh, and the view isn’t too bad either.

Central Park: A walk, peddle, or carriage ride through the endless pathways of Central Park is a must-do on anyone’s NYC itinerary. The 693 acres of man-made gardens, meadows, forests, and rolling hillsides is something you have to see to believe. But besides being a beautiful place to experience a little nature, the park is home to many attractions within its borders—most of which are free: Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle, and Central Park Zoo.

Statue of Liberty: An iconic symbol of the city, the Statue of Liberty rests upon a 14-acre swath of land just one mile south of lower Manhattan. A ferry ride will take you to the monument and along the way will stop off at Ellis Island, where visitors can discover the records of their relatives. If you plan to visit the state, plan ahead—there’s a limited number of tickets available each day.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s: This classic film we all know and love will have you standing outside Tiffany & Co. during the wee hours of the night—with a danish in hand, of course. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.

Splash: This fantasy rom-com not only offers a Tom Hanks throwback, but also a virtual vacation of New York City. Splash is available for streaming on Disney+.

When Harry Met Sally: This famed film will take you on a tour of the city’s most beloved attractions, such as Central Park, The Met, and Kat’s Deli, in their late-80’s form. When Harry Met Sally is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.

1. Ever been driving up First Avenue and feel like you’re catching an unimaginable streak of green lights? You’re not just lucky—the city’s traffic lights are programmed to match drivers going around 28 miles an hour. 

2. We all know Subway’s most popular sandwich: the Italian BMT. But, did you know it was named after an actual subway? The Brooklyn Manhattan Transit, to be exact.

3. Lo and behold, the rumors are true: there is a 6 ½ Avenue! Located halfway between Sixth and Seventh Avenues lies a pedestrian walkway. And if you look close enough, you’ll be able to spot small “6 ½ Ave” signs at every intersection.

4. It’s no secret that space is hard to come by around here, but it's one of the reasons we love this city. However, if everyone lived as densely as they do in Manhattan, the human race could fit into a single country as small as New Zealand.

5. Our Thanksgiving morning tradition, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, was once even more noisy than it is today. The parade originally featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo, but the constant roaring would scare children. And thus, they were replaced by balloons!

In 1750, a quarter century before the American Revolution, retired British captain Thomas Clarke purchased 94 acres of New York City land. He built an estate on the property and named it “Chelsea” after a veteran’s hospital in London. The Estate passed through many hands over the years, but the name “Chelsea” stuck as the official name of the neighborhood, which now roughly extends from 14th to 30th street west of Sixth Avenue.

Home to the popular Highline, the chic Meatpacking District, New York’s contemporary art scene, and famed stars from Jim Morrison to Taylor Swift, Chelsea has remained a swanky, diverse, and historical neighborhood.

Gather your friends and family and indulge in all the chocolate you could ever dream of. Think unlimited tastings of delicious chocolates, wines, and craft spirits at this one-of-a-kind, sugary, event.

From melted chocolate fondue to hand-rolled truffles to artisan chocolates, all chocolate lovers will be more than satisfied.

After eating all that tasty chocolate, quench your thirst with craft beers, ciders, Prosecco, premium wines, and flavorful whiskeys.

Not a fan of chocolate? Don’t worry, there’s a treat for everyone here—cupcakes, cookies, candies, macarons, cake pops, popcorn, and donuts will be available for you tasting pleasure as well.

Learn more about this sugar-filled event and buy your tickets today!

If it’s your first-time visit, we highly suggest a guided audio tour and starting with the collection galleries on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th floors. There you can look out for some of the museum’s most popular artworks and explore all that’s new.

The MoMA is ideal for exploring artworks by themes—grab a map and take your time here, the creativity will simply amaze you.

If you plan on spending the day, there's plenty of live performances to catch in the new Kravis Studio, as well as in the Marron Atrium and the Pope.L exhibition.

Start planning your visit today!

We highly suggest starting at The Greek and Roman Sculpture Court—take in the two-story hall brimming with the museum’s prolific collection of Greek and Roman art, focusing on ancient statues.

Once you’ve soaked in the history, make sure to check out the 19th- and 20th-century European paintings and sculptures, featuring 16 works by famous Post-Impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh.

Planning on making a day of it? After a busy day of exploring, visitors can head to a variety of different restaurants, all located in the museum. Start planning your visit today!

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and we know just the way to celebrate—step into the spirited wonderland of Bryant Park Winter Village this December.

Watch as the community skates around the 17,000 square-foot ice skating rink located in the center of the village, and stroll through over 170 festive shopping kiosks. Kick-off your holiday shopping tradition and start crossing off the family list with unique ornaments, beautiful jewelry, and festive giftware—all alongside an array of food trucks.

Bryant Park’s annual Tree Lighting will take place on Thursday, December 5th at 6 pm. Enjoy Christmas songs, special performances, fireworks, and more. Plus, after the ceremony, the public is welcome to skate to live music. We wish you a warm and joyful holiday season! 

As we’re sure you already know, the giant balloons, amazing floats, and incredible performances are simply one-of-a-kind. On Thursday, November 28th, from 9 am to 12 pm, kick-off the holiday season with an epic experience.

The parade route begins at West 77th Street & Central Park West and ends at Macy’s Herald Square. Once you check out all of the balloons and floats, you’ll already want to start planning your day. Already excited? You can visit the Macy’s parade shop online and surf through some really awesome collectibles. Plus, you can take a 360-degree virtual tour of the design room on the Macy’s website!

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Brimming with dancers of all styles, giant puppets, artists, over 50 bands, and thousands of New Yorkers dressed in costume, you'll want to stay and celebrate all night long. 

Brainstorming your costume yet? We’ll let you in on the details—make sure to arrive between 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm, and we highly suggest taking the subway. If you’re interested in participating in the costume contest, all you have to do is show up. If you’re in the parade, you’re in the contest—secret scouts will be walking around doing the judging.

Gather your family and friends, go all out, and have a blast! We wish you a very safe and fun-filled Halloween.

We recommend a walk along New York City’s famous 1.45-mile-long railroad-turned-linear-park for a truly astonishing night. The Manhattan rail trail – located about the same distance away from The Paul NYC – is an incredible sight to see, featuring the lush greenery of 10,000 plants and trees against a sparkling backdrop of New York skyline. As if that weren’t enough, the High Line has a jam-packed schedule of events and programming this summer, including stargazing nights, theater performances, open-air dance parties, outdoor art exhibits, and so much more. Walk on over and experience the nighttime magic of the High Line for yourself!