Best Ways To Spend New Year's Day In New York City
A new year has begun, but how are you going to start it off? Just because the rest of the world parties hard on New Year's Eve, doesn't mean that everything is shut down the day after. Museums, concerts, plays, gyms, cruises and other great cultural activities are all options for you and your family on Jan. 1, 2016. Here are the top five events taking place this New Year's Day.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
1260 Ave of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
(212) 465-6741
www.radiocitychristmas.com
Christmas may have already passed a week ago but the Rockettes are still on stage. With three separate showings throughout the afternoon and evening, this holiday classic is exactly what you and your family of little ones needs to recover from the festivities of the day before. See the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, the 12 Days of Christmas, the Nutcracker and even Santa Claus. The show is only at Radio City until January 3, so catch it while you still can.
New Year's Brunch Cruise
Pier 40
353 West St.
New York City, NY 10014
1-888-467-6256
hornblowernewyork.com/cruises/new-year-day-brunch
Hornblower Cruises hosts their annual brunch cruise this New Year's Day, leaving from Pier 40 at 1:30 p.m. This cruise features not only free-flowing champagne, but a live jazz band that will serenade you on your cruise around the city. The luxury yacht will host a seasonal brunch menu and decadent desserts. Parents, grandparents and adults of every generation will love this special celebration.
New York Botanical Gardens Holiday Train Show
2900 Southern Blvd.
Bronx, NY 10458
(718) 817-8700
www.nybg.org/hts15
If you haven't been to the Holiday Train Show at the NYBG yet, this year is the year to go. One of the coolest holiday activities around town, kids and adults alike will love watching the model trains zip through the landscape of New York City, created out of natural materials like bark and leaves. See if you can find the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Freedom Tower all around the half-mile track within the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Advanced registration is suggested and available.
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Polar Bear Club's New Year's Day Swim
Boardwalk at Stillwell Ave.
Coney Island, NY 11224
(917) 533-3568
www.polarbearclub.org
Join the Coney Island Polar Bear Group and Camp Sunshine as they embark on their annual swim in the Atlantic Ocean. It will be chilly for sure, but hundreds of half naked men and women do it every year. While it is free to participate, a donation of $20 is suggested to benefit Camp Sunshine, a camp in Maine that supports families affected by life-threatening childhood illness. Registered attendants also receive free admission to the New York Aquarium. To participate, register online or in person and meet on the boardwalk on Stillwell Avenue at 1 p.m. in Coney Island.
JCC Manhattan Fitness Fair
334 Amsterdam Ave.
New York, NY 10023
(646) 505-4444
jccmanhattan.org/health-wellness/new-years-day
If your New Year's resolution was to lose some weight and get back in shape, then head to JCC Manhattan for a free fitness fair. Whether you're a member or not, the JCC is open to you this Jan. 1. Try out fitness and wellness classes, take part in seminars, enter giveaways and enjoy specials on membership all day long. You won't regret heading to the gym today; start your year off right.
Related: Best Books For A New Year, New You
Jennifer Eberhart is a writer, reader, crafter, traveler and New Yorker. She works in midtown New York City for non-profit organizations. Her degrees are in communication studies and art history.You can contact Jennifer on Twitter at @egyptologist. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
