NYC Labor Day Parade 2012

click to enlarge
via google maps

Here in NYC, we’re known to throw a parade for just about any occasion we can think of, and Labor Day is no different.  The parade starts at 10 a.m. at 44^th Street and travels up 5^th Avenue to 72^nd street.  There will be floats, music, marchers- everything that makes a New York City parade a New Your City parade.

The catch is, the parade isn’t Labor Day Weekend.  If you’re coming into town for the parade, make sure you have the right date.  The Labor Day Parade is held on the second Saturday of September, or in 2012’s case, September 8^th.  So spend this weekend relaxing on your extra day off.  Next weekend is when you get to enjoy the parade.

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The US Open Returns to Flushing Meadows

The fourth and final tennis major of the year is about to begin in its wonderful Queens home.  The US Open is back in in town.

This year’s tournament is loaded with talented players and could be anyone’s for the taking.  Will Olympic Gold Medalist Andy Murray win his first major?  Can Roger Federer take Wombledon and the US Open this year?  Maybe it’s time for an American, like Mardy Fish, John Isner or Andy Roddick can bring the title back to the States.

If you’re going to be in town during the next two weeks, you should make your way out to Flushing Meadows and take part in the festivities.  See the historic Arthur Ashe Stadium and root on your favorite to win their match.  The US Open is one of New York City’s greatest annual sporting events and definitely something not to miss out on.

*Due to that storm the just rolled through NYC, matches are currently under a rain delay*

Grandparents Day Giveaway!

How to Enter:  Tell us why you think a certain set of grandparents deserve to be selected to win tickets to Mary Poppins on Broadway and Dinner at Heartland Brewery or Chop House in Times Square, as well as complimentary car service for the day.

You can nominate a set of grandparents by submitting a link to the Gray Line New York official contest page at newyorksightseeing.com/grandparentsday.  Some fun entry suggestions are:

• Writing an poem
• Making a video
• Taking a photo
• Drawing a picture
• Singing a song
• Designing a website
• Any way that you can think of!

Be as creative as you can be and share with us why your grandparent duo deserves a complimentary day in NYC.

Rules:

• All Nominees must be grandparents
• Nominations must be submitted between August 22, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. and September 5, 2012 at 12:01 a.m.
• Nominations must be submitted via a link to a third party content host (YouTube, Imgur.com, etc.)
• For the best chance of winning, keep submissions concise and on point. Quality over Quantity.
• Winning grandparents will be announced by Gray Line New York on Friday, September 7, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Prize:

• Two (2) tickets to a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday performance of Mary Poppins in 2012
• Lunch or dinner for two (2) at Heartland Brewery or Chop House in Times Square
• My Sedan car service to drive you from anywhere in Manhattan, to and from the theater district for your meal and show.

Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore to be Inducted into the Ride of Fame! *UPDATE*

**UPDATE: Unfortunately, Mary Tyler Moore will not be able to join us on Tuesday afternoon.  Bernadette Peters will be there and accept the award on behalf of the both of them.**

Do you want to be a VIP this Tuesday when we induct Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore into the Ride of Fame?  Well, you’re invited!

On Tuesday, August 21st at Noon, Gray Line New York will proudly induct the newest members into the Ride of Fame, joining a host of exemplary New Yorkers who have represented our city to the finest level.  All are invited to come to the ceremony at Pier 78 on the Hudson River, but a select few can get special VIP access!

Just tell us why you think you deserve to be a VIP and if we think you’re worthy, you’re in!  Send us a tweet, share with us on Facebook, show us pictures of your pets (The duo started Broadway Barks, a charity to help save dogs and cat in NYC).  If you’re a fan of the two icons, this is a great chance to show your appreciation for their work and see them up close and in person!

The Ride of Fame artwork is being done by legendary fashion designer, Bob Mackie. How cool is that?!  This is going to be a fun event on Tuesday, don’t miss out!

This Weekend, Pretend You’re in The Great Gatsby

Photo: C. Holly Van Voast
via dreamlandorchestra.com

Have you ever let your mind wander while reading Hemmingway or Fitzgerald, and wonder what it might have been like to live during their time?  Have you ever thought about the authors of the “Lost Generation” and wished that you could have been a part of the roaring twenties?  If you answered no, watch this trailer for the new Great Gatsby movie and then get back to me.

I’ve got some good news and some bad news for you.  First, the bad news is that the roaring twenties have come and gone, and that lavish, free-wheeling lifestyle may have led to the Great Depression.  Also, The Great Gatsby, while a great piece of literature, is fiction.  It didn’t actually happen.

The good news: who cares!  This weekend on Governors Island is the Jazz-Age Lawn Party featuring Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra.  Dress up like you’re on your way to Gatsby’s mansion to wine and dine with West Egg’s finest.  Grab your partner for the Charleston Dance Contest or take some lessons and learn how.  The 1920’s are back in New York this weekend, so let’s have some fun!

The party will be held on both Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m.  Advance tickets are sold out, but entry is available at the door for $15 on a first-come, first-served basis.

6 Things to do Before Summer Ends

Fans pack the bus with LMFAO on their way to a free concert in Central Park

Yesterday we blogged about Christmas.  Ok, maybe we should pull the reins a little bit and take a deep breath.  Last I checked, it’s still summer.  The sun stays out late into the night, sandals are still appropriate footwear and it takes a near-miracle to find a table for lunch in Bryant Park.  Summertime.

But, as the charming residents of House Stark would say, winter is coming.  It may be months away, but the fact is it’s going to get cold out sometime this year.  So while the weather is still on our side, let’s get outside and have some fun.  Here are the 6 things you must do before the summer ends.

• See a free concert in Central Park – There are so many free concerts in Central Park that it would be a sin not to take advantage.  Every Friday is the GMA Summer Concert series, where you can catch the Neon Trees or the Backstreet Boys later this month.  Later in September the Foo Fighters will take the stage with the Black Keys and Neil Young for a benefit show.  These are just a few of the highlights, but there are free shows all the time.
• Grab a pint at a beer garden – Nothing says summer like an ice cold beer in the hot sun.  With open container laws prohibiting you from walking around the streets with your own brew, a beer garden is your next best option.  Grab some friends, sit outside and relax with the delicious taste of New York’s finest craft beers.
• Go to the market – Way back in April we told you to go to the market, and we stand by that decision.  You may feel like there are street markets popping up everywhere on every weekend, but I can assure you that come winter time, you’ll miss them.
• Catch a ball game – The Yankees are in first place and play in the most historic stadium ever build in 2009.  Why wouldn’t you want to see them play?  The Mets are not in first place, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of it.  They still have the most exciting pitcher in baseball (R.A. Dickey) and pretty cheap seats.
• Watch a movie – We’ve tweeted about them, we’ve facebooked about them, and now we’re blogging about them.  Outdoor movies are awesome!  Grab a blanket and find a spot on the lawn in Bryant Park.  Swing over to Brooklyn and watch Clint Eastwood do his thing in Brooklyn Bridge Park (Unforgiven is playing August 23).  You’ll have a blast!
• Explore the gardens – Have you been to the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn? How about Queens? The Bronx?  New York may not have earned the nickname ‘Concrete Jungle’ because of its nature, but there sure is a lot of it here.  Between Central Park and the incredible gardens in the outer boroughs, you can spend days just losing yourself in the green.  You should enjoy it before the cold comes and everything dies.

Well, there’s our list.  What are your thoughts?  Anything else that you want to do while it’s still warm out in NYC? Let us know in the comments.

2013 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

Will you be in New York for the holiday season? What’s Christmas in the Big Apple if you don’t visit the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. This year the ceremonial lighting will take place on the evening of Wednesday, December 4th, 2013 and will mark the event’s 81st anniversary.  The famous tree will remain lit and be viewed into the New Year until 11 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2014.

New York looks even better at night with breathtaking lights.  If you’re going to be in Manhattan this winter, don’t forget to check out our Holiday Lights tour, which starts in November.

The event is a free event and you do not need tickets to attend.  Be sure to show up early to get the best spots!

**Updated for 2013**