While the Financial District, located at the southern tip of Manhattan, maybe most closely synonymous with Wall Street and towering office buildings, it is also home to world-class museums, public art installations and performances, and unexpected treasures that make it a worthy destination for art lovers. Better yet, during a time of increasing unknowns and fluctuating Covid statistics, many of FiDi’s cultural elements can be safely experienced outside or at a distance. From large-scale sculptures to a landlocked lighthouse, here is the ultimate art lover’s guide to FiDi.

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Courtesy of Pearl River Mart

The two-week Lunar New Year festival began this week, ushering in the Year of the Tiger. Kicking off February 1 and running through February 15, the Lunar New Year celebrates the end of the winter and looks forward to spring and new beginnings. Thanks to its multiple Chinatowns and diverse Asian communities across the five boroughs, New York City offers many ways to celebrate the new year, including a fireworks display, parades, lion dance performances, lantern making, and more.

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Image courtesy of Pig Beach

Whether you’re watching Super Bowl LVI from one of the city’s best sports bars and restaurants or from the comfort of your couch, good game day grub is a must. Ahead, find local spots with the best Super Bowl spreads, from in-person viewing parties with drink specials to ready-to-eat platters for pick-up and delivery.

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This year, think outside the box to wow your Valentine. Use these ideas for fun, flirty and family-friendly one-of-a-kind gifts for your one in a million. These gift ideas include something for everyone in your life, from the plant lover to the New York City foodie. In particular, there are plenty of experience gifts for Valentine’s Day. Because why not gift the present of your presence?

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Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

As the pandemic rages on, New Yorkers have maintained their resilience. However, many who were already struggling have had an even rougher time, with thousands of New Yorkers facing hunger, homelessness, and unemployment. As the federal holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., approaches, consider taking action and assisting the less fortunate in your community. Ahead, find a number of New York City organizations seeking volunteers this winter. Note, many of the organizations listed have put safety protocols in place to prevent the spread of the virus, including masks and social distancing.

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There has never been a better time to design a corner of your home that’s dedicated to the pursuit of cozy. Whether it’s a reading nook, a scrolling snug, or a daydreaming den, this chill zone should provide a break from the home office, the home gym, and whatever part of your home is Grand Central Station. That doesn’t mean it can’t be as easy on the eyes as it is on your mood. Below you’ll find a selection of chic and cozy lounge chairs to elevate your off-duty oasis (and if you really still want a BarcaLounger, you’ll find one here).

Cool and cozy lounge chairs, this way

Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash

Winters in New York City can be brutal, with even our notoriously hot, steam-heated apartments feeling uncomfortable during a cold snap. Thankfully, there are several ways to stay warm in your home, and we’ve researched the best products to keep you toasty during this frigid season. From thick throw blankets and cozy rugs to a towel warmer, these are the best items to keep you warm all winter long.

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Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro and other leaders brief the press after Sunday’s deadly five-alarm fire Photo: Michael Appleton / Office of Mayoral Photography on Flickr

A five-alarm fire ignited in a residential tower in the Bronx on Sunday morning, killing 17 people, including eight children, and marking the city’s most devastating fire since 1990. According to Fire Department officials, a faulty space heater started the fire at the 120-unit Twin Parks North West building, located at 333 East 181st Street. In addition to dealing with the tragic loss of life and dozens of serious injuries, families in the building have now been displaced and are in urgent need of relief supplies. We’ve put together a list of organizations accepting monetary donations and emergency supplies for those affected by the fire.

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Central-Park Winter, 1862, via NYPL Digital Collections

While we haven’t had much snow yet this year, New York is already a winter wonderland thanks to the many ice skating rinks found across the city. If you choose to glide through the season on ice, taking a spin anywhere from Central Park to Coney Island, you’re sliding into a New York winter tradition that includes the nation’s first organized ice rink, a decade of “Icetravaganzas” that drew millions, a glittery trend of hotel ice gardens throughout Midtown, and even a relationship to the origins of baseball. So lace up, and read on for a history of ice-skating in New York City.

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The 2007 Times Square Ball during construction. Image courtesy of Focus Lighting.

When midnight hits this New Year’s Eve, the Times Square Ball will dazzle people just the same from five feet away or on their television. Making this magic happen is no easy feat, though. To learn a bit more about how the nearly 12,000-pound ball was created, we chatted with principal designer Christine Hope of Focus Lighting, the architectural lighting design firm that conceptualized the current ball more than 10 years ago. From engineering a new system to make all 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles sparkle to dreaming up the magical light show that plays leading up to the ball drop, Focus Lighting shares the inside scoop on this world-famous tradition.

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