If guests of our boutique hotel The MAve in Midtown want to get a more complete picture of NYC’s art scene, they have to dig a little deeper than the museums and instead delve into the city’s galleries, studios and street art.

As no one could be expected to arrive to NYC and immediately have a handle on all the city’s art-world happenings, it’s a good thing that companies like Artigo Tours exist.

Artigo Tours is an art-loving tourist’s one-stop shop, as the company provides a host of tailor-made tours that take travelers on an exploration of the city’s famed and fantastic art scene.

Because Artigo Tours offers individualized tours, no group will leave disappointed. Interested in the creative process? Artigo can take your group into the active studios of working artists and even into their workspace homes. The company also arranges guided visits to some of the city’s top art schools like Cooper Union and the Pratt Institute where the next generation of great artists is currently being trained.

Tours vary in length anywhere from a short walking tour of a neighborhood to a multi-day expedition across the city’s art world. Other specializations of Artigo include architecture, street art and private collections, where tourists visit the residences of prominent art collectors to see their private collections of masterpieces.

For a free alternative to Artigo, check out the Tribeca Open Artist Studio Tour (TOAST). Organized by an artist-run non-profit, this annual art walk takes visitors into the studio space of hundreds of artists in over thirty buildings in NYC’s trendy TriBeCa neighborhood. This year TOAST runs from May 3rd to May 6th, so try not to miss it!

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Guests staying at our boutique hotel The MAve have a limitless amount of options when it comes to exploring NYC, but those looking for a somewhat unique way to see the city should think about calling Manhattan Helicopters or the Spirit of New York.

Departing from a helicopter pad downtown, Manhattan Helicopters takes visitors on 15-30 minute aerial tours of Manhattan. Zooming past the Lower Manhattan skyline and along the East River, the helicopters travel past iconic NYC landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Times Square.

At approximately $200 per person, the tours aren’t cheap, but they are definitely fun and the present an altogether unique way to see the city.

For something a little more down to earth, the Spirit of New York operates daily lunch and dinner cruises on its luxurious three-deck ships. Sailing on the Hudson River, East River and the Upper New York Bay, the cruises give patrons ample time to appreciate the NYC skyline and famed landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty as they dine.

Guests on the dinner cruise can take advantage of the ship’s new open-air rooftop lounge and enjoy drinks and dancing against the backdrop of the New York skyline.

Dinner cruises last for three hours and prices start at $85. Lunch, meanwhile, is served on two-hour long cruises starting at only $45. Not bad at all for a buffet lunch and a scenic cruise around the city.

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First on the agenda is the illustrious Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York and indeed the country’s premier art museum, the Met is the one museum in the city that can absolutely not be missed. Though they suggest $25 per person, admission is always discretionary at the Met, which means frugal tourists can save a bit of coin. Also, on Fridays and Saturdays the museum keeps its doors open until 9 p.m.

Not far from the Met, the Guggenheim Museum has a two-hour window on Saturdays that allows visitors to take in the museum’s impressive art collection for less than the $18 standard admission fee, as from 5:45 p.m. until closing at 7:45 p.m. admission to the Guggenheim is discretionary.

On Fridays another Upper East Side Museum, The Whitney Museum of American Art, waives its $18 admission fee in favor of voluntary donations from 6 p.m. until close at 9 p.m. This is a great time to visit, as for all but the most ardent art fans $18 may be a little too steep to visit the museum’s niche collection.

In Midtown, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) is one of the world’s principal museums of contemporary art. Its collection, encompassing six floors, is fantastic and includes famed pieces by artists as celebrated as Monet, Miro and Van Gogh. Thanks to a special promotion by department store Target, admission to the MOMA is free every Friday night from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., which amounts to a savings of $25.

With all of this saved money on museums and the great deals by our boutique hotel The Mave—20% discounts on stays of 3-4 nights—it seems that having a great time in NYC isn’t as expensive as you thought.

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Getting to the museum from our boutique hotel The MAve in Midtown Manhattan is a breeze using the NYC subway, as it’s only a one-interchange and 20-minute trip from the hotel.

Since its inception in 1971, the MoMA PS1 has been dedicated to showcasing only the most innovative and experimental side of contemporary art. The museum is the world’s largest non-collecting contemporary art institution, which means the works and installation pieces on exhibition at the museum are owned by the artists themselves and not the museum. This makes for a fluid space that continuously evolves as it showcases the works of both renowned and up-and-coming artists.

At any one time there are a number of semi-permanent, long-term exhibitions on display at the museum, as well as several rotating, temporary exhibitions.

The museum is open from 12-6 p.m. Thursday through Monday, but is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The admission fee is on a voluntary basis, but $10 is the suggested donation for adults.

In the summer the museum hosts the Warm Up musical series. This event takes place every Saturday over two months each summer and provides a stage for some of the world’s top DJs to show off their musical creations. The event is hosted in the museum’s central courtyard and is really popular with the city’s hip music fans. Admission is $15 and the event runs from 12-9 p.m.

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Guests staying at our NYC hotel The MAve are in an excellent position to explore all The Village has to offer, as the hotel is situated in the adjacent Flatiron District.

One of the best reasons to visit the West Village is for all of the amazing restaurants. But while it’s easy to find a good restaurant in the area, there are still some hidden gems that are worth searching for.

Mary’s Fish Camp, on Charles Street, is an outright amazing seafood restaurant that is usually packed with locals who come for the fish tacos and other seafood delights.

Another place worth checking out is the Israeli restaurant Taïm. More of a takeout spot than a dine-in place, Taïm is popular at lunch time because of its sabich (eggplant and egg) sandwich, falafels and smoothies.

On Hudson Street the EN Japanese Brasserie is a great choice for dinner, as it has a quiet and romantic setting and services delicious Japanese cuisine featuring homemade tofu.

For some traditional New York street fare head over to John’s Pizzeria on Bleecker Street. One of the best pizza places in a city chock-full of pizza places, this pizzeria has a magical way of making sure every one of its pizzas comes out of its brick oven baked to perfection.

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Keeping with our theme of saving travelers money, New York has some incredible thrift stores that offer shoppers a way to purchase the latest from the world’s fashion capital without breaking the bank. Don’t let the term “thrift store” deter you, as we’re not talking about the Goodwill here. Instead imagine fashionable stores that sell super trendy vintage and brand-name clothing.

The Angel Street Thrift Shop in Chelsea is a good place to start, as it has a wide selection of designer brands at affordable prices. Even better than the great deals, all proceeds from the store benefit programs for New Yorkers with mental illnesses, addiction and HIV.

The Arthritis Thrift Shop, on the Upper East Side, is the place to go for diamond-in-the-rough type finds and exploring its cluttered racks can be a lot of fun. As its name suggests all proceeds from sales at this shop benefit the Arthritis Foundation.

Across the East River, Williamsburg is the place to go for vintage thrift store finds. This trendy neighborhood is at the forefront of hipster fashion and it has several shops worth checking out. Monk’s on Driggs Ave has a huge selection of vintage clothing and jewelry, including a large assortment of men’s clothing. Vice Versa on Bedford Ave is another great find with its large stock of clothing and accessories. Otherwise don’t miss the Buffalo Exchange, which is a nice and orderly break from the clutter of the other Williamsburg thrift shops.

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Winter is upon us and though the temperatures are cold, New York never stops. Bustling year round, there are plenty of fun ways for tourists to enjoy NYC and the cold climate. Guests staying at our boutique NYC hotel the MAve in Midtown will be centrally located to explore all the city has to offer, and, of course, our attentive staff will be ready to answer any sightseeing questions they might have.

Perhaps the most iconic way to spend a winter evening in New York is to ice skate at the Rink at Rockefeller Center. Situated in front of 30 Rock, famed for being home to NBC and shows like 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live, this ice skating rink is classic New York. The rink is open from November until April from 7 a.m. until midnight and skating is reasonably priced at $20 per 1.5 hour session.

Exploring Central Park is another great way to enjoy the city during the winter. The park’s many small trails and lawns take on a magical feel during the winter, as the heavy snow contrasts beautifully with the surrounding city skyline. The Central Park Zoo is a good stopping point for visiting families, as the city’s resident polar bears and snow leopards feel especially at home during the winter. The zoo is open daily in the winter from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For a romantic Valentine’s Day date with a loved one think about heading to the interstellar-themed gala at the American Museum of Natural History. Taking place in the museum’s planetarium, this upscale event includes an open bar of champagne cocktails and chocolate-themed appetizers accompanied by a live string quartet and a gorgeous view of the planetarium’s stars.

One wintertime holiday in New York that’s not to be missed is Chinese New Year. The first day of the week-long new year celebrations, February 10th 2013, is commemorated by a huge parade and a dazzling array of firecrackers. More than 200,000 people are expected to converge on Manhattan’s Chinatown for the festivities to see the dancing troupes and eat the delicious cuisine on offer from the many street vendors.

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The city’s most well known celebration is the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Times Square. An annual tradition that has been taking place since 1907, the celebration is aired live in the homes of millions of people and has become an American tradition of sorts. Visitors to New York, however, have the chance to experience it first hand. Partygoers usually begin arriving for the celebration in the late afternoon around 3 p.m. For the long wait until midnight entertainment is provided in way of dances, celebrity appearances, gift handouts and musical performances—this year’s performers include Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen and PSY (Gangnam Style).

Ok, so you’re a hip visitor to NYC and you’re looking for something a little less cheesy than the ball drop in Times Square. Well, as you can imagine, New York has something for everyone.

The Macao Trading Co, a hip lounge in Tribeca, is putting on a James Bond-esque party equipped with casino games like roulette, burlesque and cabaret performances.

Meanwhile the Canal Room in SoHo will be throbbing with ironically dressed partygoers celebrating the best—and worst—of the 1980s. The five-hour open bar should loosen everyone up a bit though.

For something truly hip venture out to Brooklyn and check out “Evolve Presents the Future” at the Electric Warehouse, a converted warehouse in the heart of Brooklyn. The party has a futuristic theme and a dress code that requests guests come as futuristic cyborgs. Along with the underground indie dance music there will be circus acts, carnival dancers and interactive art installations. How hip!

No matter how you choose to spend your new year’s even in NYC guests at our boutique hotel The MAve in Midtown Manhattan will have a central location that is perfect for exploring the city’s festivities and a welcoming place to rest their head after a big night out.

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One way to fully enjoy the city’s skyline is to have a drink—or two—at one of New York’s many posh rooftop lounge bars. It’s a great way to impress a friend or a romantic partner and a good chance for a photo opportunity as well. So skip the boring observation decks on your trip to NYC and instead hit up some of these hot rooftop bars!

Le Bain, above the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District, is a happening spot that’s packed nightly with fashionable patrons and models. The rooftop has faux grass and plenty of lounge chairs from which to enjoy the excellent views. Come during the day and there will be no problem getting in, otherwise come dressed to impress.

In Midtown Manhattan, not far from our boutique hotel The MAve, is the Sky Room. This bar is spread out over a series of terraces covered by retractable roofs on the 33rd floor and has awesome views of the Empire State Building and Times Square.

Another option in Midtown is Upstairs at The Kimberly. This ultra-chic lounge is on the 30th floor and has several bars on terraces on multiple sides of the building. The retractable roofs make it a good choice rain or shine and the views of the Chrysler Building should not be missed.

Uptown, in Columbus Circle and near Central Park, is Above Six. This cozy rooftop bar has comfy couches and stunning views of the Upper West Side. Expect to pay around $10 for a cocktail.

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Short for South of Houston (Street), SoHo is one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods. (To avoid standing out in New York make sure to pronounce the Houston in Houston Street as how-ston.) Fashionable locals love SoHo because of its quiet streets, super chic restaurants, boutique shopping and its posh address.

Check out the area around Spring Street/Prince Street/Broadway for the largest collection of boutique shops. For the classic look of fashionable New Yorkers visit the DIGS (Done in Great Style) flagship store on Lafayette Street. LEGACY, on Thompson Street, is a SoHo stalwart that has a huge reputation for vintage clothing. More vintage clothing can be found at the very cool What Goes Around Comes Around on Broadway or Patina on Broome. Luxury goods connoisseurs can stop in at Palma, where the shop attendants serve as personal shoppers/style coaches.

Currently guests staying at our boutique hotel in NYC, the MAve, can enjoy a 20% discount on any stay over two nights that includes a Sunday, which means you’ll have that much more cash to blow on your SoHo shopping spree!

Stick around SoHo for dinner and drinks after a long day at the stores. Blue Ribbon Sushi on Sullivan Street and Prince is without a doubt one of the best Japanese restaurants in New York. Super cool and very chic, this restaurant offers inventive takes on traditional Japanese cuisine that is to die for. Don’t miss their house salad, whose blend of avocados, tomatoes and dressing is superb. Afterward a popular place for cocktails is the Naked Lunch lounge on Thompson Street. Packed on the weekends, the locals come for the bar’s long-running happy hour.

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