NYC & Company Announces December Holiday Offers Exclusively For Tristate Area & Amtrak Corridor

NYC & COMPANY ANNOUNCES DECEMBER HOLIDAY OFFERS EXCLUSIVELY FOR TRISTATE AREA AND AMTRAK CORRIDOR RESIDENTS

For the Best Holiday Experience, Visit New York City This Month and Enjoy Great Values and Special Offers Available Now

New York City (December 8, 2009)� NYC & Company, New York City's official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, today announced last-minute holiday getaways and special offers to New York City, encouraging visitors in the tristate area and along the Amtrak corridor to take advantage of this year's extra-special holiday offerings. As the quintessential last-minute getaway holiday destination close to home, New York City transforms into a holiday spectacle full of excitement and energy: the lights, magical storefront windows and the iconic Rockefeller Center tree are among the many attractions and events that contribute to the holiday spirit.

"There is no better time to jump in the car or take the bus or train and come and celebrate the holiday season in New York City," said George Fertitta, NYC & Company�s CEO. "The City opens its arms and welcomes tristate visitors with great entertainment and shopping while at the same time offering tremendous value.�

Now through January, New York City's hotels, restaurants, retail stores, arts and cultural attractions and event venues have a lot to offer last-minute visitors. NYC & Company highlights special events taking place in the City over the holidays, as well as information on how to get to the City, and what to do and where to dine once there:

EXCLUSIVE AND UNIQUE SHOPPING: This season is a great time for creative holiday gift shopping and good bargains, as special shopping destinations appear throughout the five boroughs. Among the unique fairs, pop-up stores and holiday shows are the One of a Kind Show and Sale (December 11�13), Bowery Bazaar (every weekend through the holidays) and the Gifted Holiday Market (9�13 and 16�24). Find unique handmade creations by New York artists, designers and crafters at these venues.

ICE SKATING: For the ultimate winter holiday experience, go ice-skating in New York City. The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center is among the most famous, but there are many others. You can skate for free at the Pond at Bryant Park (thepondatbryantpark.com) or visit Battery Park City on Ice (admission $10, batteryparkcityice.com). For the only rooftop ice-skating experience go to Long Island City, home of the City Ice Pavilion (cityicepavilion.com).

EXHIBITS: Visit the exhibit Leonardo Da Vinci's Workshop at Discovery Times Square Exposition, where modern technologies bring 500-year-old inventions from the artist�s notebooks to life. Or pay a visit to one of the City's world-famous museums, like the Museum of Modern Art, which is presenting the long-awaited Tim Burton exhibit. On Fridays (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day, when most museums are closed), the following museums are among those offering pay-what-you-wish admission:

MoMA: 4�8pm

Whitney Museum of American Art: 6�9pm

International Center of Photography: 5�8pm

American Folk Art Museum: 5:30�7:30pm

ENTERTAINMENT: The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden hosts Wintuk, a Cirque du Soleil production now in its third year in New York. The show, which includes acrobatics, theatrical effects and songs, tells the heartwarming tale of a boy's quest for snow in a land called Wintuk. The show runs through January 3 (tickets $30�$220; cirquedusoleil.com/wintuk). Visit a Broadway show, such as Chicago, Shrek the Musical or The Lion King; check out a list of shows at nycgo.com/broadway.

DINING: Make dinner at one of the City�s world-class restaurants a special part of your stay. Many restaurants offer special menus during the holiday season; popular venues include Alto Restaurant (altorestaurant.com), Anthos (anthosnyc.com), Bar Americain (baramericain.com), BLT Fish (bltfish.com), BLT Market (bltmarket.com), Gotham Bar and Grill (gothambarandgrill.com), Mesa Grill (mesagrill.com) and others.

WHERE TO STAY: Make your Sunday special with the NYC Sunday Stays� program. Room rates are discounted 20�30%, and you can also take advantage of upgrades, discounted services and dining, complimentary breakfast and more. Select from more than 50 participating hotels at nycgo.com/sundaystays.

HOW TO GET TO NYC:

BY TRAIN: Amtrak offers great fares with a 14-day advance purchase (based on availability). What�s more, Amtrak Vacations offers a package that includes rail tickets, Radio City Christmas Spectacular tickets and a hotel. Visit amtrak.com for more information.

BY AIR: New York City's hometown airline, JetBlue Airways, offers four to six nonstop flights daily from Buffalo, Rochester or Syracuse to JFK Airport. The value carrier is known for its low fares, award-winning customer service and free live entertainment on personal seat-back TVs. Book now at jetblue.com.

BY BUS: Take advantage of great deals and low fares on megabus.com. For example, get a $10 discount off select performances of Radio City Christmas Spectacular when you buy a bus ticket to New York City on megabus.com.

BY CAR: Central Parking offers many locations throughout the City. Discount coupons are available at centralparking.com.

For more information about visiting New York City, check out the City�s official tourism website at nycgo.com. When in NYC, stop by the state-of-the-art Official NYC Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue, between 52nd and 53rd Streets in Midtown Manhattan.

About NYC & Company:

NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For more information on visiting NYC, visit nycgo.com.

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