New year, new experiences? If that is how you are looking at 2017, then you are in the right place! As our NYC Ferry service will launch this year, our team is committed to visiting new streets of the city’s five boroughs to experience new things and meet new people! With that said, here are 1o great things to do this weekend:
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13th Annual NYC Winter Jazz Fest
Beginning January 5th and running through January 10th, this phenomenal 15-stage jazz event is back in town. Whether you are looking to experience some live jazz by one of the festival’s headliners or simply enjoy some new artists, there will surely be multiple new favorites to find this weekend! Tickets range from $30-45 online, and more information can be found at Winter Jazz Fest’s website.
Photograph: Courtesy Rory Moon
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Explore the great indoors
Sure, it is chilly outside, so why not explore what’s really going on these millions of buildings in our city! New York City is known for having something for everyone, anytime, right? Whether you are looking to cross ice skating in NYC off your bucket list, golf at the driving range, take an underground tour or maybe find a nook to read in, TimeOut New York has 10 great indoor activities for you!
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Warm up with some Retro Reggae
Starting at 11pm on the first Saturday of every month, this Reggae Retro party is guaranteed to warm you up as you dance to these exotic beats. The hosts say “Since it’s early roots at the dawn of the new millennium circa Jan 2002, Reggae Retro has become the most anticipated underground reggae event each month. In fact, many are calling Reggae Retro “the dance party that is in the forefront of the keeping roots & culture music in the dancehalls.” Hosted at Little Field, this event is easy to commute to with the R train to Union Street in Brooklyn.
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Join the Amazing Underground Scavenger hunt
This Sunday funday event (Jan 8th) begins at Slattery’s Midtown Pub at 1:30pm, and will lead you and your team on a scavenger hunt like no other, in a way that only New York City can. The hosts say” “Since winter is upon us, we decided to give you a break and avoid the cold! Learn about what lurks beneath the surface of NYC while having a fun, interactive experience!” For $39/person via RSVP’ing, you get to enter this competitive (but fun) scavenger hunt, and push yourself and your friendships to new levels. New Year, new knowledge, right?
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Heated Winter Wonderland Finale at Loreley Beer Garden
Not ready to let the winter holidays go just yet? Here’s for the last hurrah, with the heated winter wonderland finale! The Beer Garden promises seasonal specials, from craft beers to hot drinks, as well as $2 off half liters of beers and cocktails. The event takes place on Saturday, January 7th from noon-midnight. More information on their Facebook event page.
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Volunteer to Create an Underground Park
Nope, this is not sci-fi! This is a real New York City project taking place in the Lower East Side, where we will be expanding ferry service in 2018. The Lowline Lab currently works on creating the technology that goes behind keeping a green space alive under ground, in a city with the nickname “concrete jungle.” While the Highline has repurposed old elevated train tracks, the Lowline is working on expanding the green spaces in the Lower East Side, where (like most of Manhattan) there is no more space to build between high-rises. Sign up to make a change and volunteer here!
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Scout for new Records
“Returning for a fourth year of crate digging delight, the Brooklyn Flea *mini* Record Fair will be taking place inside of the Flea’s new Winter Flea at Skylight One Hanson, the interior of the iconic Williamsburg Savings Bank, during the weekends of January 7 + 8 and January 14 + 15″ the host says. The event will include 15 different record stores and collectors, all with a variety of records for you to search through. Skylight One Hanson also hosts a large indoor food hall, the winter version of the Brooklyn summertime favorite, Smorgasburg. More information about the record fair here.
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Relax at a Spa
Start the new year in a relaxing way by enjoying one of New York’s many spas. While NYC is known for it’s hustle and bustle, there is nothing better than having a zen time in a robe for a day – especially during the colder days! Thrillist shares their wintertime spa favorites, and tells you how to get there, what to do there and how much it’ll cost you right here.
Courtesy: Thrillist.com
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Taste something New
New York City is surely mecca for foodies, and with new food fads, trends and experiential shops opening all over town on a monthly basis, there is always something new to introduce your palate to. Thrillist recently published a list of 100 iconic New York foods to eat (think: non-touristy iconic meals), which will leave you adding them all to your bucket list!
Courtesy: JoeDulude2.com/photo by Henry Leutwyler
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Create a Character: An Evening with Makeup Artist Joe Dulude II
Learn how to create new characters with makeup this Saturday at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, with makeup artist Joe Dulude II. The artist is most famous for his makeup designs from the shows Wicked, but will push any makeup lover’s boundaries and techniques at this free event! RSVP needed, more information and times here.