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.

The post Wintertime Fun in NYC appeared first on The MAve Hotel.

Yes, a lot of people opt for the touristy stuff when visiting New York—like climbing the Statue of Liberty, even sailing around the entire island—but something really cool that could land you on TV and in the eyeline of major celebrities—something really cool that makes your friends envious is being part of an exclusive NYC television audience.

Here’s the skinny on some of your favorite NYC shows:

Saturday Night Live

From Chris Rock to Tina Fey to Will Ferrell, Saturday Night Live continues to crank out insanely talented comedic actors. Attending a live taping is absolutely one of the coolest things you can do in New York next to seeing your ancestor’s signature on Ellis Island. In the halls of SNL you’ll see vintage photographs of actors in those magical moments that have become part of pop culture history. Standby tickets (one per person) are distributed at 7am on the day of the show at West 49^th St. (entrance to 30 Rockefeller Plaza). Ask for a ticket to either the dress rehearsal (8pm) or the live show at 11:30pm. Requests for advance tickets (two per applicant) must be submitted by email only in August to snlticketsnbcuni.com. Recipients are determined by lottery. To attend the show you must be 16 or older.

Live! With Kelly (and now Michael too)

With an electric roster of guests that’s ranged from ping-pong champions to the Twilight Breaking Dawn cast—the demand is so hot that tickets can be mailed up to a year in advance. Tickets are available online around a month in advance and standby tickets become available weekdays at 7am in the ABC Studios on the Upper West Side (7 Lincoln Square, corner of W. 67^th St. and Columbus Ave.) Call this number for more info: 212.456.3054

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon has done it all with his amazing talents as musician, singer, actor, comedian and gregarious talk show host. Plus, with his mega hot house band as the Roots, he’s got a steady rotation of Hollywood’s most elite in music, acting, and comedy. For tickets, try the Ticket Information Line for a max. of 4 tickets (about one month in advance). Single standby tickets are available on taping days—Monday thru Friday at West 49^th Street on the side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza (arrive before 9am). The ticket info line is: 212.664.3056, or check www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com

Good Morning America

Hosting the ever-popular early morning news and entertainment show are Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos. And like a hit of espresso, they power you for the day with a glimpse of events around the world and a new way of looking at it all. GMA airs live, weekdays from 7-9am and ticket requests (online only) can be sent four to six months in advance. The show airs at 7 Times Square at W. 44^th St. and Broadway in Midtown.

The Late Show with David Letterman

Known for his nutty top-10 lists and zany humor, Letterman has kept people laughing for more than 20 years. To request tickets in advance (max. of 2), you can submit an online request or fill out an application in person at the theater. For standby tickets, call 212.247.6497 starting at 11am on tape days which are Monday thru Thursday. Be aware—you may need to answer Letterman-type trivia to secure your ticket. The Ed Sullivan Theater is located at 1697 Broadway between 53^rd and 54^th Streets.

The post How to Score SNL Tickets, and Other Shows Too appeared first on The MAve Hotel.