New York is a happening place no matter what time of year you visit. There’s something about springtime, though, that makes a trip to New York more memorable than other times of the year.

Springtime in New York brings with it lots of outside activities. The city starts to wake up from its winter slumber and outdoor events start up again. One of the best events is the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is the host spot for this two day annual event. The Japanese have long-standing customs associated with the beautiful cherry blossom. The festival is a celebration of Japanese culture that includes more than 60 different performances, and Japanese art. And while you’re there, catch a beautiful cherry blossom as it falls gracefully from its limb. The cherry blossom trees at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens are the largest and most diverse outside of Japan.

The springtime is also a great time of year to take a tour of New York. There’s lots of way to go about it too. You can take the traditional bus tour, the most popular way. If you’re feeling a little energetic, and want to feel the refreshing spring breeze blow through your hair, a bike tour or a walking tour would be the way to go. For a real magnificent tour of New York, take a helicopter tour and see how amazingly beautiful New York is for the air.

The springtime weather in New York is a lot like other places in New England. The average daytime highs are a warm 60-65 degrees and the average evening-lows are a refreshing 45-50 degrees. Bring an umbrella with you, though. Remember, April showers bring May flowers; and New York is no exception.

Christmas is a time of year when lights seem to never stop twinkling, bells never stop ringing, and yuletide cheer fills the air. Christmas in New York is a magical place that will captivate you with its beauty and warm your heart with its spirit.

Everyone knows that Rockefeller Center is an amazing place to visit at Christmastime. The famous Christmas tree alit with thousands of lights, people holding hands while they skate on the ice rink that accompanies it, and even a stop at Radio City Music Hall to listen to some excellent music. It’s all unique to New York. The only drawback is the crowds of people who flock there for the same reason you do; to see it all. If you want to avoid feeling like a sardine in a sparkly festive can, make it a point to spend your Christmastime in New York in a different and just as rewarding way.

Located in the same area of Rockefeller center are lots of stores filled with all kinds of beautiful, and unique, things you can purchase. Anthropologie is just steps away from crowded Rockefeller center. They always have a great seasonal window display, and they sell casual trendy clothing you could buy for yourself or for someone on your Christmas list.

The Museum of Modern Art Design Store is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. There’s a wide selection of items that range from apparel to everyday items. The farther up Fifth Avenue you go the more you can expect to pay. Still, even if what’s there is outside of your price range, it’s always fun to look.

Be sure to stop in at the Apple Store on 59th and Fifth. They’ve got a real neat capsule elevator and a beautiful grand staircase. There are little shop and big shops all over the place, take your time, and don’t forget to stop every now to rest your feet and satisfy your pallet with a bite to eat at one of the quaint cafes along the way.

Newark Airport is a popular airport for travelers heading for New York. It’s located 16 miles from midtown Manhattan, and is one of New York’s three major airports. Getting to and from Manhattan isn’t all that difficult, and there are a variety of ways to do it.

The Air Train provides connecting service to the NJ Transit and Amtrak trains. The Air Train is sometimes cheaper than a taxi cab costing only about $12 one way to Penn Station. Air Train service is available between 5am – 2am.

Taxi service from the airport is a bit pricy at approximately $50-$75 per metered fare. This includes tolls. Taxis are available at every terminal. There is an extra charge for luggage that is over 24 inches if the driver handles it. Taxi service is available 24/7.

Note: Return taxi service to the airport runs approximately $65 – $75, plus return tolls. There is also a standard surcharge of $15.

Pre-arranged car service is another option and one that many travelers choose. It’s much quicker than waiting in long lines for a taxi, and it’s great for parties of 4 or more.

Newark Liberty Airport Express service is available from 4am – 1 am and departs every 15 -30 minutes. One-way fares are $13, but round-trip fares are available online for $22. One child under 16 is included in the fare. You can leave from Grand Central, Port Authority or Penn Station.

The Super Shuttle runs 24/7 and provides door-to-door service. Fares run from $15 – $20 and no reservations are required from the airport to your destination. There is a charge for the return trip.
Rental cars are expensive and it’s hard to find a parking spot, but they are an option also.

JFK airport is located in Queens, and is fifteen miles from midtown Manhattan. JFK is one of three major airports in New York, and it welcomes over 29 million passengers annually. Travelers have a number of options for getting to and from the airport.

The AirTrain is a quick and easy mode of transportation. It’s available 24/7. Traveler should review the New York City Subway Map to determine the best connections to get to your destination. There’s a $2 subway fare. When returning to the airport be sure to take the A train that’s marked for Far Rockaway or Rockaway Park. Do not take Lefferts Blvd.

Taxis charge a $45 flat rate plus tolls to any location in Manhattan. They’re available 24/7, and are available at all terminals. There’s no charge for luggage, but the return trip back to the airport is metered, plus tolls.
The Super Shuttle is available 24/7 and provides door-to-door service. Fees are $15 – $19 and no reservations are required for go from the airport to your destination. Reservations are required for your return trip to the airport.

Pre-arranged car service is another option, and can help you avoid waiting in long lines for a taxi. You can also get car service once you land.

The New York Airport Service Express Buses are available between 6:30 am and 11:10pm. The one-way fare is $13, but round trip fare can be purchases online for $22. The fare increases to $15 if you want to be dropped off directly at your hotel. One child under 12 years of age is included in the price of the fare. You can leave from Grand Central Station, Penn Station or Port Authority as well as from hotels located between 31st and 60th streets. The shuttle leaves every 15 – 30 minutes.

If you’re flying into New York and are heading for Manhattan, LaGuardia Airport, located in Queens, is the quickest way to get there. Located only eight minutes from Midtown Manhattan, LGA can give you quick access to your destination. There are a variety of modes of transportation you can choose from to get you from the airport into the city.

The M60 bus can take you to 125th Street in Manhattan where you can get a transfer to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, A, C and D subway trains for a $2 bus fare. Available from 5am – 1am.

The Triboro Coach is available 24/7 from all terminals. (Q47 from Marine Terminal, Q33 from all others) Coach connects with E, F, G, R, V and 7 subway trains for a $2 fare.

Taxis are available at every terminal. Fare is metered, and there’s no charge for luggage. Passengers are responsible for all tolls.

You can also make prior arrangement for car services or call one once you arrive. This option will spare you from waiting in the long lines of people who are waiting for a taxi.

There are also several companies offering shuttles to Manhattan.

New York Airport Service Express Buses is available from 6:30am – 11:10pm. They depart every 15 – 30 minutes and charge a one-way fare of $10.00. You can pre-purchase a round trip fare online for $16.00 and save. One child under 12 years of age is included free in the fare. You can leave from both Grand Central and Port Authority as well as Penn Station, and hotels located between 31st and 60th Streets. There is an additional charge of $2 if you want to be dropped off at your midtown hotel.

The Super Shuttle is available 24/7 and provides passengers with door-to-door service. Fares run between $15 and $20, and reservations are not required from the airport to your destination. Reservations are, however, required on your return trip back to the airport.

Rental cars are also an option, but parking is both difficult and expensive in New York.