5 Tips and Tricks for Visiting the Hudson Yards and the Vessel

On Friday, March 15, 2019, a huge centerpiece installation, the Vessel, was opened in the Hudson Yards, the hottest new neighborhood in town. Hudson Yards, located on the west side of Manhattan (34th and 11th Street), is estimated at $25 billion. And it's one of the world's most expensive projects. The heart of Hudson Yards is the $150 million Vessel. The Vessel, which is now looking for a new name,  is a public structure covered with copper and designed by a British designer Thomas Heaterwick. The structure is similar to a beehive, surrounded by gardens and rises to a height of 150 feet. It consists of 16 floors, 154 staircases, 80 terraces, and 2,500 steps. A visit to the building feels like stepping into an Escher painting, which depicts fantastic structures of staircases that seem to rise and fall at the same time. The Vessel is also accessible to people with disabilities; inside the Vessel, there is an elevator that will take you all the way to the top.

1. Online Tickets

Although it is a public sculpture, tickets are required to climb the Vessel. The tickets are free and can be obtained in one of two ways. The first, which is also the most effective, is to reserve tickets in advance. Every day at 8:00 a.m. tickets are being released on the website for that day and two weeks later. You can reserve your place on this site, which is also the official site of the Hudson Yards: www.hudsonyardsnewyork.com/discover/vessel

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2. Walk-in Tickets

Your second option is to get to the Vessel and stand in line for the walk-in tickets. Every day, they distribute 5,000 tickets on a first-come, first served basis. The three times I visited the place during the opening week (during the middle of the week) the waiting time for the walk-in tickets did not exceed 10 minutes. By the end of the week, on Saturday around 3:00 p.m. there were no tickets left.

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3. Best Time to Visit 

Try to avoid visiting during the weekends, especially now when it's the newest and hottest attraction in town. If you do end up visiting the place during the weekend, try to arrive as early as possible to avoid the crowd. As for the weather, try to avoid windy days. The wind around the Vessel, which is located next to the river, is significantly stronger than the wind you encounter within the city. Also, try to aim your tickets for sunset as it will give you the perfect view.   

4. The Edge, Hudson Yards Observation Deck

The Edge is a 65 feet viewing platform on the edge of one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city. This attraction, soon to be New York highest public balcony, is still under construction and will be officially open only in 2020. Group bookings for events can be arranged by contacting groups@hudsonyardsnewyork.com or sales@edgeny.com. All other interested in visiting the Edge can get on the list here.

5. 3den Lounge

Across from the Vessel is the Hudson Yards Mall, where you can find a variety of activities, luxury brands, restaurants, galleries, and observation decks. One of the mall's most refreshing attractions is the Eden Lounge, located on the fourth floor. The lounge has a large observation window overlooking the Vessel, armchairs and sitting areas, swings, yoga room, free Wi-Fi, loading stands, mini conference rooms, showers, pampering soaps and drinks. It's a place where people mostly stop for refreshments and work meetings. Payment is made based on the amount of time you spend there. To access the lounge, download their app. The app reads 3DEN and you will get 30 free minutes in the lounge if you add my special 3DENMICK coupon code.

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Your complete guide to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

On Thursday, November 22, 2018, at 9:00am, the 92nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will start marching.
The Parade will march south on Central Park West, starting from 77th street. At Columbus Circle, the Parade will then turn east and march down on 6th Avenue all the way down to the Macy's store at Harald Square. You can view the parade route on the map here.
Best viewing points will be at Central Park West (60 - 77th Street and Central Park West). You should get to your designated spot early. Early birds start to show up around 6:00am on the west side of Central Park. Please note that while there are no public viewing spots at Columbus Circle you can view the parade from the Time Warner Mall. The Mall will be open at 9:00am so you'll be able to watch the parade from the second and third toasty warm floors - be there early.
Avoid viewing the parade between West 34th and West 38th street, it's reserved for the national television broadcast. Also, there is no public viewing on Macy's Herald Square. It is going to be very, very crowded. 3.5 million people are expected to attend this event, so be prepared to be squashed around. And get yourself some good warm clothes to keep you from freezing while you wait. To get a sneak peek at the balloons you can attend the balloon inflation on Wednesday, November 21, 2018, between 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET. The line to see the balloons starts at West 73rd Street and Columbus Avenue. And the balloons will be on view outside of the Natural History Museum (between West 77 and West 81st Street).  You can view the balloon inflation map here.

Christmas in New York City

Are you coming to NYC for the holidays? Awesome! Here is a collection of Christmas events, trees and decorations landmarks in the city. Please note that all of these are completely free and you don't need to pay for a special tour to see them. You can visit the famous Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, for example, by simply taking the subway. The address is holiday lights displays from 82nd to 85th Street, between 10th and 13th Avenues, Brooklyn. How to get here from Manhattan: Take the subway, D train to 79 Street Station in Brooklyn and then walk about 15 minutes to 82nd Street and 10th Avenue. Before you go: This is an outdoor activity, so check the weather forecast, and look for a day with the warmest weather for this trip. Price: $5.50 for the subway, roundtrip, everything else is FREE of charge. Here is a live video from this beautiful neighborhood:

Of course, attending the lighting ceremony of the Rockafeller Center Christmas tree is very high on the "to-do list" of many people. Please note that is you want to attend the ceremony you should arrive early. Otherwise, this is what you should expect:

You can also go see the Christmas tree when it arrives at Rockefeller Center. It's much less crowded and you might even get some souvenirs from the famous tree:

Whether you decide to join the ceremony or not, you should definitely save a spot in your schedule to visit this place. Rockafeller Center is wonderful throughout the year and a pure magic during Christmas time:

And, while you are at Rockafeller Center, be sure to join the Winter Palace light show at the east end of the Channel Gardens projected on Saks Fifth Avenue:


If it's snowing you should take it as a cue to put on your warmest coat, go out and explore the city, because there is nothing more spectacular than seeing NYC with all her Christmas decorations covered in white:

Actually, sometimes, it is so cold in here that even the famous Bryant Park Fountain freezes over:

There is a Christmas hub between Radio City, Rockafeller Center, Fifth Avenue, and Bryant Park and you can include them all in the same walk. You can start at the red ornaments and Radio City Christmas tree, walk to Rockafeller Center, Saks and south on Fifth Avenue to the NYPL and end your tour with a cup of hot chocolate at Bryant Park:


Here are some more Christmas landmarks and events in NYC:
Tavern on the Green in Central Park

Macy’s Holiday Windows

Empire State Building

Columbus Circle Stars

Wall Street Christmas Tree

Washington Square Park Christmas Tree

Secret Pet Christmas Tree at Central Park
Every year people from the community choose a tree in Central Park and decorate it with photos of their beloved pets that passed away. The location is kept secret. When the holidays are over, all the decorations are removed from the tree and stored until next year. You can find more details about this tree on the internet, but you can’t find it’s location there. As a respect for the community, I also am not disclosing it’s location.

Christmas Carols at Gramercy Park

Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center

Union Square Winter Market

Madison Square Park Christmas Tree

Lotte Palace Christmas Tree and a Christmas recommended walk

Christmas at Bloomingdales

If you are looking for more Christmas suggestions, you are very welcome to join the Facebook groups: 'My Christmas in New York' and 'What to do in New York'.

When is the best time to visit NYC?

Do you want to know when is the best time to visit New York City?
And what are the best events in the city? I'm here to help!
After doing daily live videos for over a year from NYC, I can now share with you the weather highlights from each month throughout the year.
So without further ado, here are the best live videos 2017-2018

Click on the months you are interested in to get more details. Also, if you have a problem with this link, try going to each month separately:
1. January
2. February
3. March
4. April
5. May
6. June
7. July
8. August
9. September
10. October
11. November
12. December

Also, you are very welcome to join my Facebook groups and follow my Instagram account:
1. Mickmicknyc
2. What to do in New York?

3. My Christmas in New York

1. JANUARY
January 1, 2018 - New Year Celebrations in Times Square

January 4, 2018 - Snowstorm in NYC

January 5, 2018 - freezing today, -9 degrees Celsius / 15 degrees Fahrenheit

January 7, 2018 - Freezing in Brooklyn

January 11, 2018 - 50 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 degrees Celsius

January 14, 2018 - Ice on the Hudson River

January 17, 2018 - Snow on the Brooklyn Bridge

January 22, 2018 - 7 degrees Celsius / 45 degrees Fahrenheit with some rain showers

January 23, 2018 - Rainy day walking to Flatiron Building

January 26, 2018 - Ice skating performance at Bryant Park

2. FEBRUARY
February 4, 2018 - Rainy day in Union Square

February 5, 2018 - Getting ready for Valentines Day in Times Square

February 8, 2018 - Sunny cold day in Central Park

February 11, 2018 - Rainy day, walking on Broadway

February 13, 2018 - Winter at the Bushwick Collective

February 14, 2018 - Lunar Year Fireworks

February 17, 2018 - Snowy rain/sleet, walking on Broadway

February 20, 2018 - Spring weather in Central Park

February 22, 2018 - Winter is back in Times Square

February 25, 2018 - Chinese New Year, Chinatown Parade

February 28, 2018 - Spring break at Central Park

3. MARCH
March 8, 2018 - International women's day

March 13, 2018 - Snowy rain / sleet waking on Broadway

March 17, 2018 - St. Patrick's Parade

March 19, 2018 - East Harlem and walking to Central Park

March 21, 2018 - Snowstorm in Times Square

March 22, 2018 - Snowy Central Park

March 25, 2018 - Macy's Flower Show

4. APRIL
April 1, 2018 - Sunny Easter Parade at St Patrick's Cathedral

April 2, 2018 - Snowstorm in Central Park

April 3, 2018 - Rainy and cold at Columbus Circle

April 5, 2018 - Begining of Cherry Blossom at Central Park

April 7, 2018 - Pillow Fight in Washington Square Park

April 9, 2018 - Cold evening in Times Square, 6 degrees Celsius / 42 degrees Fahrenheit

April 10, 2018 - Sunny day at Central Park, 10 degrees Celsius / 50 degrees Fahrenheit

April 13, 2018 - Sunny day at SoHo, 24 degrees Celsius / 76 degrees Fahrenheit

April 14, 2018 - Sunny day at Central Park, 22 degrees Celsius / 72 degrees Fahrenheit

April 15, 2018 - Winter at Central Park, 6 degrees Celsius / 43 degrees Fahrenheit

April 16, 2018 - Wind and rain at Bryant Park, 10 degrees Celsius / 50 degrees Fahrenheit

April 18, 2018 - End of season for the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center

April 19, 2018 - Rainy day in Central Park

April 20, 2018 - Sunny day, view from 86th floor of the World Trade Center

April 22, 2018 - Sunny day in the city

April 23, 2018 - Morning in Central Park

April 24, 2018 - Tulips at Brookfield Palce

April 25, 2018 - Rainy day at Times Square

April 26, 2018 - Sunny day at the World Trade Center

April 27, 2018 - Rainy day, walking on Fifth Avenue to Central Park

April 28, 2018 - Highlights from today’s Cherry Blossom Festival at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

5. MAY
May  3, 2017 - Brooklyn Bridge Park

May  5, 2017 - Rainy day in the city

May  11, 2017 - Times Square

May  12, 2017 - Rockefeller Center

May  13, 2017 - Rainy day, walking on Broadway

May  16, 2017 - Central Park

May 17, 2017 - Sunny day at the High Line

May 19, 2017 - Top of the Rock

May 21, 2017 - Coney Island

May 31, 2017 - Sunset at Central Park

6. JUNE
June 3, 2017 - Strawberry Fields

June 5, 2017 - Taste of Times Square

June 7, 2017 - Bryant Park

June 8, 2017 - Rockefeller Center

June 10, 2017 - Central Park

June 15, 2017 - Central Park

June 16, 2017 - Conservatory Garden in Central Park

June 17, 2017 - Mermaid Parade, Coney Island

June 19, 2017 - Severe thunderstorm in Times Square

June 25, 2017 - Pride Parade

June 26, 2017 - Central Park Secret Garden

7. JULY
July 6, 2017 - Hudson River Park

July 7, 2017 - Rain in Times Square

July 11, 2017 - Hell's Kitchen

July 20, 2017 - Rockfeller Center

July 20, 2017 - Chinatown and Little Italy

July 22, 2017 - Brunch at Timna

July 23, 2017 - East Broadway

July 24, 2017 - Central Park

July 25, 2017 - Bryant Park

July 27, 2017 - Upper West Side

July 28, 2017 - Central Park

July 31, 2017 - Evening walk through Broadway

8. AUGUST
August 3, 2017 - Rainy day, Flatiron Building

August 3, 2017 - SoHo and NoLita

August 4, 2017 - Summer in Central Park

August 6, 2017 - Friends House at West Village

August 7, 2017 - Rainy day in Times Square

August 9, 2017 - Brooklyn Bridge

August 10, 2017 - Sailing to Lady Liberty

August 14, 2017  - HOPE sculpture

August 17, 2017 - Roosevelt Island

August 29, 2017 - Rainy day, walking on Lexington Avenue

9. SEPTEMBER
September 1, 2017 - Manhattan Bridge

September 3, 2017 - Autumn is officially here, rainy day in the city

September 17, 2017 - Movie production at 49th street

September 19, 2017 - Rainy day in the city

September 21, 2017 - Little Italy, Feast of San Gennaro 2017

September  22, 2017 - Beautiful day in NYC

September 24, 2017 - Theater Flea Market

September 28, 2017 - Sunset from Brooklyn Bridge

September 30, 2017 - Williamsburg, Brooklyn

10. OCTOBER
October 1, 2017 - High Line

October 14, 2017 - Upper East Side, haunted house

October 15, 2017 - Zombies in East Village

October 19, 2017 - Halloween at Chelsea Market

October 21, 2017 - Autumn in Central Park

October 21, 2017 - Halloween Dog Parade

October 24, 2017 - Rainy day at Washington Square Park

October 25, 2017 - Battery Park

October 26, 2017 -RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns

October 27, 2017 -Autumn in Central Park

October 28, 2017 - Dyker Frights

October 28, 2017 - Winter Village at Bryant Park - Opening day

October 29, 2017 - Rainy day in Times Square

October 30, 2017 - RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns 🎃 Garden of Gourds

October 31, 2017 -Village Halloween Parade

11. NOVEMBER
November 1, 2017 - Autumn in Central Park

November 3, 2017 - Brookfield Place

November 4, 2017 - Getting ready for Christmas at Rockefeller Center

November 24, 2016 - Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

November 28, 2017 - Autumn in Central Park

November 29, 2017 - Holiday stars at Columbus Circle

November 29, 2017 - Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center

12. DECEMBER
December 9, 2017 - Christmas at Rockefeller Center

December 9, 2017 - Snowy day in the city

December 10, 2017 - Tavern on the Green

December 15, 2017 - Snow in Bryant Park

December 17, 2017 - Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center

December 18, 2017 - Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

December 20, 2017 - Christmas at Rockefeller Center

December 21, 2017 - Macy's holiday windows

December 22, 2017 - Wall Street Christmas Tree

December 24, 2017 - Christmas carols at Gramercy Park

December 25, 2017 - Freezing cold in Liberty Park

December 26, 2017 - Evening in Bryant Park

December 28, 2017 - -10 degrees Celsius / 14 degrees Fahrenheit

December 30, 2017 - Snowy day in Times Square

December 31, 2017 - Happy New Year from Times Square

Finally, after going over all these videos, I can conclude that in terms of weather and events in the city, the best time to visit is October.http://mickmickphotography.blogspot.com/2018/01/what-is-your-favorite-nyc-building.html