New York & Las Vegas in January

Classical Culture

You don’t have to wander far to be immersed in culture in the Big Apple. New York’s art galleries are a labyrinth of wonderments and the perfect escape from potentially chilly weather. From The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Museum of Modern Art to the Whitney Museum of American Art, you can warm up as you view the work of Pollack or Picasso. January in New York is also a month that revels in the history of the USA. For instance, every year since 1990 the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) hosts free programming devoted to the memory and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. The civil rights icon leader, whose birthday is observed as a national holiday on the 15th January, is honoured on Monday 16th January in 2017 by a keynote speech, followed by the music of a local choir.

Extremely Entertaining

Whatever you class as entertainment, New York will leave you with plenty to keep you occupied. Each January, Winter Jazzfest brings throngs of music lovers to a variety of downtown venues for five nights of musical magic. Although New Orleans may be the home of jazz, New York is its winter retreat. The signature event is the Greenwich Village marathon where you can hear old masters and rising stars alike. If jazz isn’t your thing, then why not celebrate the Year of the Rooster at two main neighbourhood parties organised by the Better Chinatown Society. The Chinese New Year is certainly celebrated with a bang, with a New Year’s Day Firecracker Ceremony on the 28th January that will see hundreds of thousands fire crackers light up the city.

You also can’t miss the cultural festival with live dance performances in Sara D. Roosevelt Park.

If your first love is the sea and you have the heart of a sailor, then you’ll want to check out the New York Boat Show from the 25th to 29th January in the Javits Center. This nautical convention features a wide array of yachts, sailboats and other things that float, alongside activities and seminars geared towards helping you find your sea legs. Of course, we couldn’t mention entertainment in New York without talking about Broadway or sports! January is jam-packed full of musical shows from The Lion King and Cats to Avenue Q and the much-discussed Hamilton. It is a month full of sporting theatrics also with The New York Nicks and New York Rangers hosting several must-watch games.

Rest and Relaxation

The winter chill isn’t always kind to your skin. Why not pamper yourself by visiting Aire Ancient Baths, which is a luxury Spanish bathhouse in Tribeca. Treat yourself to thermal baths and the steam room. If that’s not enough, Spa Castle Premier 57 in Midtown blend Japanese bath culture with German-style hydrotherapy and a Korean beauty parlour.

Creature Features

New York is lucky to be home to two great zoos. In the Central Park Zoo’s Tropic Zone, you can escape the January chill and view the many-coloured tropical birds. You may also spot a lemur or two! You can also trade the Concrete Jungle for a more exotic one at JungleWorld at the Bronx Zoo, which is home to over 800 Asiatic animals in a natural jungle habitat.