Things To Do in NYC This Holiday Season!

Holiday Season in NYC is the best season. Here are a few things we think you should check out:

• Ice Skating in Bryant Park
• Price: FREE
• Date: November 20 - January 3
  The rink is open to the public for free! Make sure to bring your skates if you have any since skate rental is $19 per one pair of skates. It's open everyday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It's bound to be a fun time!
• Holiday Markets
• Price: FREE
• Date: December 1 - December 24
  Union Square Holiday Market, Columbus Circle Holiday Market, and Garmet District Holiday Market!! You won't want to miss this. These markets are the perfect place to get your family and friends unique presents! 
• New York Botanical Garden Train Show
• Price: Members FREE
            Non-Members $20-$30 (depends on day)
• Date: November 21 - January 18
  Enchanting model trains zip through a display of 150 landmarks, each re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials. Explore a winter wonderland across the 250 acres with special tours, musical performances, and activities for kids. Make sure to bundle up! 
• Radio City Christmas Spectacular
• Price: Varies anywhere from $60-$500 per ticket, depends on seating
• Date: November 13 - January 3
  Every year, the Rockettes push themselves further to put on a show that's more dynamic, more challenging and more magical than the last. Take in cherished moments and create new memories. This is definitely something to see at least once in a lifetime! 
• Lighting of the World's Largest Menorah 
• Price: FREE
• Date: December 6 - December 13
  This is a must see. The Menorah is an extraordinary 32 feet tall (the tallest allowed by Jewish law). It has been towering over Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn since 1985. You can find the lighting schedule online here. 
• Rockefeller Plaza Christmas Tree
• Price: FREE
• Date: December 2 - January 7
  Even though the Christmas tree lighting has already happened, that doesn't mean you shouldn't go check out the tree! This year's tree is 80 feet tall and around 10 tons. It might get a little crowded on the weekends, so plan accordingly. 
• POGO Events: The Amazing Holiday Scavenger Hunt
• Price: $25 per person
• Date: December 20
  Join us for our annual Holiday Scavenger Hunt... YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!

Enjoy your holiday season and stay warm! 

Changing Seasons, Changing Activities

It's almost Spring!

The seasons affect what clothes we wear and what activities we do. We are approaching Spring and that means blooming flowers, warming weather, and new Amazing New York Races!

The groundhog's shadow isn't the only thing predicting the date of the upcoming season. The seasons are predicted by tracking the rising and setting points of the sun throughout the year. This practice is dated back to ancient times of Mayans and Babylonians! Because the sun is our source of light, energy and heat, the changing intensity and concentration of its rays give rise to the seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall.

After March, POGO Events will present New Yorkers with new and exciting races such as bar crawls, movie trivia, and desserts!

Secrets of the Subway

Subways. We ride them every day without paying much attention, but did you know there is more to the MTA system than just a quick ride home?

New York City is a fascinating place, even underground! Here are some secrets of the New York City subway system:

Many of the NYC subways include underground art, colorful installations, and unique sculptures. Take a chance to appreciate the underground world of New York City by strolling through the subway stations or learning a bit about the underground life on one of our “Underground” Amazing New York Race’s.

Abandoned subways?

There are 5 abandoned subway stations in NYC, some of which are located in a heavy traffic subway station very much used still today.

-Worth St. station,

-42^nd street, lower level

-City Hall station

-18^th street station

-Roosevelt Ave., upper level

The famous City Hall subway station, which has been closed and abandoned for decades, can still be seen today if you know what you’re looking for! If you’re riding the 6 train to Brooklyn Bridge, stay on and get a glimpse of the City Hall station as the train turns around.

Which city was never home to a Central Perk cafe?

And the answer is ...

c) Rome

Friends inspired fans all around the world to seek the Central Perk spirit, so perhaps it's no surprise that business owners saw a golden opportunity to use the name. Two years after the series ended, a Central Perk cafe opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; it was so akin to the original that James Michael Tyler, who plays the cafe's manager in the show, was on hand for its opening. A pop-up copy in London appeared briefly in 2009, and in 2010 another shop opened in Beijing. The original set is housed in the Warner Brothers museum in Burbank, CA.

New York Trivia Tuesday

One of the most iconic TV sets from the 1990s was the Central Perk cafe, where Friends characters Rachel, Ross, Joey, Monica, Chandler and Phoebe would all gather together for a cup of joe. Don't go looking for the coffee shop in New York; it's fictional. But the fake cafe has inspired several fans around the world to create tributes modeled after the convivial hangout, down to the name itself.

Which of these cities was not home to a cafe called Central Perk?

a) London
b) Dubai
c) Rome
d) Beijing

Check back on Thursday for the answer to this week's trivia question!

Best of New York: Holiday Gifts Under $40

The holidays are fast approaching, but if you haven't finished your shopping there's still ample time to figure out the perfect gift for the New Yorkers on your list. For the die-hard city boys and girls, we created a list of our few holiday gifts that will be sure to crack a smile - but won't break the bank. Take a look at our top 5:

Subway Line Merch

New Yorkers are infinitely proud of their subway lines: it’s one of the most expansive subway systems in the world and trains run all night. It’s one of the reasons why they say the city never sleeps. So why got get a gift that celebrates one of the iconic things about NYC? There is a lot of subway merchandise floating around, but we especially like these graphic interpretations of the city subway map from lineposters.

Barney Greengrass Tote Bag

For New York brunch enthusiasts, Barney Greengrass is a temple to food. Celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2008, the Upper West Side staple was started by Barney, otherwise known as "The Sturgeon King." A slice of old New York, Barney Greengrass is the go-to place for Nova Scotia salmon, caviar, whitefish, and everything else that makes a bagel sandwich special. Grab one of their tote bags for your NYC foodie friends - you'll have enough dough left over to put a few bagels in there too.

Momofuku Gift Cards

David Chang's Momofuku empire has included some of New York's hottest - and yummiest - restaurants for several years running now. The pork buns are legendary. The fried chicken is out of this world. But the place that really gets us coming back again and again is Momofuku Milk Bar, headed by pastry chef Christina Tosi. When Milk Bar launched, Tosi created the Compost cookie (filled with salty-sweet treats like butterscotch chips and pretzel crumbs), and new offerings are always added. A gift card there will go a long way - although it might put you into a coma of deliciousness.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Whether you’re on a busy street or in a crowded subway car, the noise of the city is never too far away. Sometimes that’s what makes New York so exciting – but occasionally you need the privacy of your own little world. Noise-canceling headphones are great for traveling around the city or on trips outside of it. If you get an earbud version, like these Sennheisers, you can even wear them at the gym or running around Central Park.

The Amazing New York Race

The great thing about New York is that, whether you've lived here for two years or 20, you're never done exploring. For a unique city experience, get a present that promises a day of adventure on the town. The Amazing New York Race is half scavenger hunt, half obstacle course, and all NYC. Teams follow clues to local landmarks and hidden destinations, taking pictures along the way. Based on the famous TV show, this is a present even the most jaded New Yorker will always remember.

What was the Rockettes original name?

And the answer is ...

d) The Rockets

When the now-famous dance troupe was founded, they were christened "the Misourri Rockets." Coincidentally, when the troupe moved to New York, their first home was in the old Roxy Theatre, so the group's name was tweaked to "The Roxyettes." When they finally settled now in their current Radio City location, a compromise was made, and the "Rockettes" were born.