Category: Uncategorized

About Halloween
Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated each year on October 31. It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, dressing up and eating sweet treats.

The Village Halloween Parade
Head to The Village Halloween Parade. NYC’s creative and spooky procession—is one of the best Halloween events in Greenwich Village. More than 50,000 zombies, ghouls, witches, giant puppets and more things that go bump in the night take the streets for a night of costumed revelry. The parade takes place on October 31st from 7.00 pm-10.30 pm, on 6th Avenue, running from just North of Spring Street to 16th Street! This year’s theme is I Am Robot!

Pumpkin Flotilla
Taking place on October 28th at 4 pm, don’t miss out on this New Yorker favorite! Taking place in Central Park, enjoy ghost stories, check out a costume parade and partake in the pumpkin carving. Afterward, the Central Park Conservancy will partake in a traditional Pumpkin Flotilla, where 50 gourds will take a sail across the Harlem Meer at twilight.

Take a Ghost Tour
There’s lots of different ghost tours to do in New York, each with their own exciting offering. Some different options include The Haunted Broadway Walking Tour, Candlelight Ghost Tours of Manhattan’s Most Haunted House and The Greenwich Ghost Tour! Joining any of these tours is a spooky way to spend Halloween Weekend!

Wander the City
New Yorker’s take their Halloween decorations very seriously! For some amazing house decoration, a visit to the Upper East Side is a must! Houses covered in cobwebs, giant witches and ghosts and perfectly carved pumpkins will all greet you on your adventure!

Visiting New York this November? Well we’ve compiled a list of our top things to do and see in the city this month!

Winter in Bryant Park
1st November
With ice-skating, over 170 holiday shops and some of the best food stalls around! Winter in Bryant Park is a must for those visiting New York City over the Winter season! Enjoy a hot chocolate as you browse the Christmas gifts or watch everyone ice-skating

Fitzpatrick Oyster Festival
1st – 15th November
Join us for our annual Oyster Festival on the patio at The Wheeltapper! Each day we will have a different Oyster Special, including Deep Fried Oysters, Chicken and Oyster Gumbo and Herb Baked Oysters! A truly delicious festival, so make sure you stop by to say hello!

New York City Marathon
4th November
First run in 1970, The New York City Marathon is now the largest in the world, with more than 50,000 finishers last year. The 48th New York City Marathon course goes through all 5 boroughs! Even if you’re not taking part, it’s worth taking to the streets to cheer on the marathon runners!

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
22nd November
The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the world’s largest parade, is presented one of our favourite department stores Macy’s! This 3 hour event is one not to be missed if you are visiting New York City! Starting at West 77th Street & Central Park West, the parade travels through Manhattan finishing up at Macy’s Herald Square!

Hit the Sales on Black Friday
23rd November
After Thanksgiving come the Black Friday Sales! If you want a bargain, Black Friday is your best option to get one! Head out with the crowds and hit the sales!

Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony
28th November
A symbol of the start of Christmas in New York! The tree lighting ceremony this year takes place at 7pm on Wednesday 28th November! Make sure you head along to enjoy music and the Christmas atmosphere!

In many American households, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original historical significance; instead, it now centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends.

Thanksgiving takes place this year on Thursday 22nd November, so we decided to share some of our favorite Thanksgiving Traditions with you.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the world’s largest parade, is presented one of our favorite department stores Macy’s! This 3 hour event is one not to be missed if you are visiting New York City! Starting at West 77th Street & Central Park West, the parade travels through Manhattan finishing up at Macy’s Herald Square! It’s one of Teddy Fitz’s favorite things to do on Thanksgiving Day before he heads to the hotel to meet all of our guests so make sure you keep an eye out and say hello to him if you pass him!

Try some of our Favorite Dishes
Thanksgiving is a time for friends and family to get together to share a meal with one another. Some of our favorite dishes include:
Turkey – this is a staple at any Thanksgiving table.
Stuffing – A delicious addition to any meal!
Pumpkin Pie – A seasonal dish that over the years has become the dessert choice for Thanksgiving.
Sweet Potato
Mac ‘n’ Cheese – This was an addition by Teddy Fitz, he’s loves this and make sure he adds it to his Thanksgiving Day table.

The Wishbone
If you’ve enjoyed a turkey Thanksgiving, you will be left with a wishbone. This is to be snapped between two people, the person who gets the bigger end will have their wish granted in the coming year.

Take A Walk Around The City
One thing Teddy Fitz always recommends is a post dinner walk around the city. He loves to see the city on a quieter evening after the crowds from the parade have gone home for their dinner.

Football
A lot of people will spend the afternoon watching the Football games with their families. The first Thanksgiving Day football game took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Thanksgiving Day of 1869 and it has been a Thanksgiving Day tradition ever since!

All of us here at Fitzpatrick Hotels would like to wish you, your family and your friends a Happy Thanksgiving.

Are you planning a trip to New York December? We’ve put together a list of our must-see sights this December!

Winter in Bryant Park

With ice-skating, over 170 holiday shops and some of the best food stalls around! Winter in Bryant Park is a must for those visiting New York City over the Winter season! Enjoy a hot chocolate as you browse the Christmas gifts or watch everyone ice-skating.

5th Avenue

5th Avenue comes alive at Christmas! Stroll down one of the world’s most notable shopping streets and take in the Christmas buzz! First stop, Tiffany’s – their Christmas lights display is a sure sign that Christmas in New York has kicked off! Next stop off at Rockefeller Center to view their iconic Christmas tree and ice-skating rink! The Christmas windows that line 5th Avenue are always a treat and some of our favorites include Lord & Taylor, Henri Bendels and Saks Fifth Avenue!

Ice-Skating

Why not try your hand at ice-skating if you’re visiting the city this December? New York has a number of ice-skating rinks including Wollman Rink in Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park and Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers.

Go See A Show

Going to see a show in December is a great Christmas treat! Some of the classic Broadway Shows include The Book of Mormon, The Lion King and Wicked! Or if you really want to get into the Christmas spirit, why not go and see the Christmas Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes which runs for the month of December.

With Christmas just around the corner, we’ve decided to share a list of our favorite things to do in New York this Christmas.

Christmas Display Windows

Christmas is the time when all of the stores in New York go all out for their Window Displays! Some of our favorites include Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Macys and Lord & Taylor! (Make sure you check out Lord & Taylor’s window display if you are in New York this year as the store is due to close their 5th Avenue location in 2019!)

Ice Skating

We may have mentioned this before but only because it’s a wonderful winter experience to enjoy while you visit the city! Some of our favorite locations include Bryant Park, Central Park and the Rockefeller Center!

 Rockefeller Center

Visit the famous Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center! It’s almost a New York tradition to take a photo in front of the tree! Although, if you are looking for the biggest Christmas Tree in New York, head to the New York Stock Exchange!

Go to see The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City

This show runs through to January 6th and is a New York Tradition! The show is 90-minute long and features more than 140 performers combining singing, dancing, and humor with traditional scenes.

Light Show at Saks Fifth Avenue

The light show at Saks Fifth Avenue is one not to be missed! Running every few minutes and accompanied by music, it is a showstopper and you will often find a number of people stopped on 5th Avenue to watch the show!

Visit More & More Antiques

Located on the at 378 Amsterdam Avenue, More & More Antiques transforms from an Antique Store to a Christmas Shop each year! It’s filled with hundreds of ornaments and the perfect Christmas gifts!

Jet Ski Tour

Looking to take in New York from a unique and different perspective? Why not witness some of New York’s most iconic and captivating sights from a Jet Ski? The NYC Harbor Jet Ski is a 4 hour excursion to Manhattan, where you will have a front seat to all New York’s greatest attractions. Landmarks and attractions you will see on your water based adventure are The Statute of Liberty, Coney Island, Verrazano Bridge, Eilis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, the World Financial Center along with much much more. Whether you are a tourist or alocal from New York you will not want to miss this exciting and adrenaline boosting sight seeing tour.

To find out more check out the website.

Big Bus Tour

An enjoyable and a convenient way to see New York, the open tip Big Bus sightseeing tour allows you to take in the city’s famous landmarks like the Statute of Liberty and the Empire State Building. The bus operates on a hop -on and hop-off policy, meaning you are free to explore and visit New York’s tourist attractions like the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. During the bus tour you will learn about the city’s history from informative and entertaining commentary. There are a number of ticket options to choose from to suit your budget and your preferences. The Big Bus Tour is a great way to see New York and visit the cities most iconic landmarks and attractions. Please visit the Big Bus Tour website for more details.

Food and Culture Walking Tour

There are a multitude of different walking tours you can take in New York, why not take a walking tour with a difference that includes enough tasting on the menu for lunch? The Chelsea Market and Meatpacking District Food Tour is a three hour tour through the Manhattan neighbours of Chelsea and the Meat packing district. The tour includes a visit to the historic indoor food market mecca in Chelsea plus a short walk on the cobblestone streets of the trendy Meatpacking district as well as a visit to the famous Highline- the park in the sky. Participants on the tour will experience the sights, sounds and flavours of this 118 year old historic building that hosts the renowned market as well as learning why the Chelsea Market has become the ultimate food paradise destination by tasting your way through. A stroll along New Yorks only elevated outdoor park with magnificent views of the Hudson River while learning about the bustling and trendy Meatpacking district, finishes off the tour perfectly. If this tour sounds like something you would like to take part please visit the website for more details.

Helicopter Tour of New York

What better way to get a clear birds eye view of New York city then in your own chartered helicopter? The helicopter tours give you an exciting and the unobstructed up-close view of the city and its landmarks and attractions.
There are a number of packages to meet your preferences whether it is visiting a number of attractions or a more specific liberty tour, airport transfer to NYC or a general helicopter ride around the city, the tour can be tailored to you. The chartered flights can be scheduled any time of the day or night. New York Helicopters prides itself on its commitment to affordable, safe, convenient and efficient transportation services that has earned its reputation as New York’s leading provider of helicopter tours. To find out more information on the different packages you can avail of or to get more information on the helicopter tours please visit the website for more details.

Visiting New York is an incredible experience and there is always so much to see and do; you could spend years in the city and not experience half of it. If you are in New York for a short visit it can be difficult to know what to see or put off until your next visit. We at Fitzpatrick Hotels have compiled a mini guide for first timers visitors to New York City compromising of some of New York City’s most famous and well known landmarks.

The Statue of Liberty:

Globally recognised as the symbol of freedom the statue of liberty is a must visit destination. Gifted to America form France in 1886 this iconic monument is located on Liberty island in Upper New York Harbour. To get to the Statue of Liberty you will need to take a short ferry which will bring you directly to the island. From here you will begin your tour which lasts for 30-45 minutes. The tour provides a general history the island, the statue and of the many emigrants who’s first sight of America was of the Statue of Liberty. A visit to the Statue of Liberty is a must for any tourist visiting New York.

Empire State Building:

The majestic Empire State Building is one of worlds largest skyscrapers. It is located in Midtown Manhattan, New York, and it dates back to the 1930’s. The observation deck on the Empire State Building is one of the most popular in the world and has been visited over 110 million times by people from all over the world.
On the second floor of the Empire State Building is a motion simulator attraction which was opened in 1994. This is a cinematic presentation that provides a virtual aerial tour of New York lasting approximately 25 minutes.
Queues to enter the Empire State Building are legendary and a trick to beat the crowds is to arrive between 8am and 11am.
While in New York a visit to the world famous Empire State Building is a must and it is an experience that you will never forget.

Grand Central Station:

Often referred to as Grand Central Terminal, Grand Central Station is a commuter and railroad terminal at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. This station is a throwback to the olden days of incredibly detailed architecture. Look in wonder at the incredible ceilings or have some drinks in the legendary Oyster bar. Visit the Whispering Gallery and tell your partner a secret or visit the gourmet culinary market and try exotic and different food. Even if you are not taking a train anywhere you can spend hours exploring the magical Grand Central Station which has loads to see and do. You can also take the grand tour of the station which is provided daily.

Central Park:

The world famous Central Park is an urban park located in middle upper Manhattan. It is the most visited park in the United States with over 35 million visitors per year. The park is a beautify and welcoming hiatus for tourists and New Yorkers alike who might be looking to get away from the busy city for a while.
There are many ponds and lakes in the park and during the winter months there are two ice rinks open.
The Central Park Zoo, Strawberry Field gardens (named after the famous Beatles song) and Belvedere Castle are also some of the many things to see in Central park. Central Park is free to explore and with only a few amenities inside the park charging an entrance fee. Well worth a visit Central Park is a unique attraction of outstanding beauty.

To find out more about Fitzpatrick Hotel Manhattan as well as the other hotels in the Fitzpatrick Group please click here and book your stay today!

The area around Grand Central serves not only as one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world but is a great destination for shopping and dining. The Fitzpatrick Grand Central hotel is only a stones throw away from the iconic landmark and the exceptional shopping facilities that come along with it.

Grand Central 

The Grand Central Terminal is one of the largest train stations ain the world as well as a cultural icon, having been the backdrop of many historic event and films. The iconic building  is renowned for its beautiful Beaux- Arts architecture; it was designed in 1912 and is a magnificent historic landmark.

Shopping at Grand Central

Why not indulge in some retail therapy while you are staying in Grand Central. Pick up a souvenirs in the array of gift shops and convenience stores available or shop in the popular boutiques of Banana Republic, the Apple store, Kenneth Cole, Aveda and Hermes. There are also toy stores and children’s apparel to keep the kids happy as well as a range of cosmetic, hair care, speciality food stores and electronic and service stores to cater to all your shopping needs.

Dining at Grand Central

All that shopping will make you work up a healthy appetite and thirst. Luckily there are a number of great restaurants available in the busy station with an Oyster bar, Café Spice and Manhattan Chilli Company to name a few. 

Shopping near Grand Central

For many visitors no trip to New York would be complete without a visit to New York’s most famous shopping district Fifth Avenue.  Within a short walking distance of Grand Central and in the heart of Manhattan, Fifth Avenue has a mix of exclusive high-end fashion stores as well as the more high street commercial stores.  Visitors to Fifth Avenue are spoilt for choice for shopping, dinning as well as taking in some of the New York’s landmark buildings such as the Rockefeller Center, St. Patricks Cathedral, the Empire State Building and the Public Library.

Fitzpatrick Grand Central

The Fitzpatrick Grand Central is as its name suggests next to the famous station with its appealing retail shops. Like its sister hotel 12 blocks away, the Fitzpatrick Grand Central prides itself in providing a warm Irish hospitality in an elegant atmosphere against the backdrop of the bustling city. Situated directly opposite the Grand Central station visitors can benefit from the easy accessibility to all parts of Manhattan. The hotel is also within walking distance of New York’s most famous attractions such as the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center as well as the Theatre District.

The newly renovated hotel consists of 144 deluxe rooms and 11 suites. The rooms are ideal for both business and leisure visitors to the city, visitors can relax in their spacious and comfortable surroundings, luxurious canopied beds, separate sitting areas and work stations.

The Wheeltrapper Pub is located just off the hotel’s lobby and is a popular destination for both locals and hotel guests alike. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the pub daily and the heated outdoor Patio.

For more information on Fitzpatrick Grand Central and our sister hotel Fitzpatrick Manhattan please visit our website and book that New York shopping trip you have been day dreaming about today.

New York Manhattan

New York is made up of five boroughs: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. While Manhattan may be the smallest in size of all the five boroughs, it is packed with New Yorks biggest attractions, dining and unforgettable views. It is in many ways the center of the action in New City.

Manhattan Hotels

When visiting New York you will be spoilt for choice for accommodation. Manhattan offers the most comprehensive range of hotels in New York. Stay in the heart of the action and within walking distance of all the main attractions and landmarks. The Empire State Building, Central Park, the United Nations, Rockefeller Center are just some of the top attractions inextricably linked to Manhattan.

Fitzpatrick Manhattan

You will find the Fitzpatrick Hotel Manhattan in the heart of midtown Manhattan. The hotel offers a blend of luxury and Irish charm in a refreshingly classic atmosphere. The hotel is located on Lexington Avenue and is neighbour to some of the city’s most popular museums, theaters and shopping districts not to mention Central Park. Staying in this prime location makes sight seeing and visiting the unique cultural attractions all that easier as they are right on your doorstep. Famous landmarks like St. Patricks Cathedral, and tourist attractions like the Russian Tea Rooms and Carnegie Hall are moments away.

If you are looking for exceptionable experience and a calm oasis from the city outside you need look no further then Fitzpatrick Manhattan. The intimate size of this boutique hotel allows staff to focus and provide for its guests on a personal level of service akin to the finest Irish country house. The comfortable, modern amenities and personalized service make it ideal for both leisure and business travellers. Our boardroom the Vico Room seats up to 14 around a cherrywood boardroom table that includes a “65 inch flat panel LCD television.

The hotel’s popular bar and restaurant the Fitz features an extensive menu that offers a wide variety of delectable choices making it perfect for breakfast, a quick business lunch or some leisurely cocktails with friends, the Fitz bar and lounge suits all occasions.

Fitzpatrick Grand Central

The Fitzpatrick Grand Central hotel like its sister 12 blocks away provides warm Irish hospitality in an elegant atmosphere. Located next to the world’s largest and most famous train station, guests staying here have the advantage of easy access to anyway in Manhattan. The hotel is within walking distance of the Theatre District, Times Square, the United Nations as well as the must-see attraction of the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center and the iconic shopping on Fifth Avenue.

The comfortable guest rooms and suites consist of 144 deluxe rooms and 11 suites. They are ideal for both leisure and business travellers with separate sitting areas and work stations and luxurious comfortable beds.

As a guest of either hotel you can enjoy complimentary access to New York Sport Club located three blocks away. The club offers a wide range of equipment as well as a sauna and steam room so you can continue on your fitness routine while you’re away.

The Wheeltrapper is located off the hotel’s lobby and is a very popular destination for both locals and hotel guests alike. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served throughout the day with a heated outdoor patio making it the ideal spot no matter what time of year.

For more information on these Manhattan hotels please visit the Fitzpatrick site by clicking here.

New York consistently ranks in the top ten list of city breaks for tourist and its easy to see why.  With so many  places to visit and things to do it can be difficult to know what to see and do and it would be impossible to pack it all into a short or even a long stay.  Here at Fitzpatrick Hotels we have compiled a list of some of the hidden tourism gems that Manhattan has to offer, places that might not be on everyones radar but places that should be visited none the less.

Ghostbusters Firehouse

Manhattan is filled with famous movie locations but few are as iconic as the firehouse from the 1980’s classic, Ghostbusters. If you are a fan of the movie then a visit here a must. Still a working firehouse the exterior of the building hasn’t changed since the days that the Ghostbuster were residents.
The firehouse also appeared in the 2005 movie Hitch, an episode of Seinfeld and the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters.
If you would like to see more movie or television show locations in Manhattan you can book a tour here and you will see where many world famous movies and TV shows were filmed.

David Zwirner

David Zwirner, one of New York’s better know galleries.  This a large space, taking up the ground floor of several buildings. If you happen to be here for an opening, you’ll be brushing up against  hipsters and business people alike with a bottle of beer in hand, always generously served from iced trash cans. The gallery often shows minimalist art such as Donald Judd’s empty cubes or John McCracken’s colourful planks, and lots of photography ranging from Thomas Ruff’s abstractions to Philip-Lorca diCorcia’s fashion.  For more information click on David Zwiner click here.

Children’s museum of Manhattan

Where better to bring children on a trip to Manhattan than the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.  A place that emphasizes early childhood education, creativity, health and world culture there is something that will attract the interest of any child.  The museum was founded by Betty Koram in 1973 and it continues to grow from strength to strength. Classes and exhibitions run frequently and they are a fun and creative way to learn and interact with other Children. This is a truly magical place that children and adults love.
For more information on the children’ museum of Manhattan click here.

Ripleys Believe It Or Not 

Definitely more offbeat than obscure, this destination will leave you amazed, intrigued, confused, and possibly even a tiny bit grossed out. While the building exterior may not be as wild as some of the other Ripley’s locations, inside it spans two massive floors and is a great way to kill an hour or two. If you have never tour a Ripley’s museum before, well then you might as well start with what is arguably one of their best. It’s located at Times Square and is imposible to miss.  For more information click here.

So after a long day of sightseeing don’t forget to visit Fitzpatrick Hotels and relax, unwind and have  something to eat or drink.  Our gorgeous rooms also make for a comfortable place to stay on your visit to New York.