NYC Hidden Secrets
Insider Top Picks for October 2009
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October
Truly the beginning of fall in NYC. The leaves start to change, except global-warming really has pushed it later in the last few years. The only to downside to fall is it's a sign winter is coming. The first hints that the holiday season is just around the corner are starting to appear. Broadway headliners include John Stamos, Daniel Craig and James Gandolfini to name a few (see this month's Hot Broadway Tickets).
The whole city is gearing up for Halloween and coats are the dress code, hopefully just lightweight ones. If we're lucky, the NY Yankees will be in the playoffs and World Series and the Giants and Jets are doing well so far in football season. Broadway Shows are starring John Stamos, Daniel Craig and James Gandolfini (see below).
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert
October 29-30th
Madison Square Garden 
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary
Just look at the lineups, and special guests are being announced - need I say more?
October 29th:
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Simon & Garfunkel
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Friends
Paul Simon,
Stevie Wonder
October 30 lineup:
Eric Clapton,
Aretha Franklin
Metallica,
U2
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum - After Dark
October 22-24, 2009 and October 29-31, 2009,
9:00 pm – 1:00 am
Madame Tussauds After Dark What dark secrets lurk in the depths of the world-famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum? Their history tells of a dark side that few care to revisit. During the French Revolution, Madame Tussaud was forced to dig through piles of executed noble’s bodies, creating death masks of famous victims and collecting gruesome artifacts for her travelling Chamber of Horrors like the guillotine blade that beheaded Marie Antoinette.
This Halloween, we’ll take you where you’ve always been afraid to go and show you it’s not all glamour and celebrities.
This is a special event separate of general admission, the attraction will close and re-open for the After Dark event. General admission tickets will not be accepted. Pre-purchased tickets are recommended and send you straight to the VIP line. Tickets: $20 all ages (Groups of 15 or more may purchase tickets for $15). Sign up for GoldStar Events to get your Half Price Tickets.
HALLOWEEN SPOOK-TACULAR AT TOP OF THE ROCK
Saturday, October 31st, 12pm – 3pm 
Top of the Rock at Dusk
Photo by mcgervey
Visit Top of the Rock Observation Deck on Saturday, October 31st to enjoy fun Halloween activities 70 stories above Manhattan!
Face painting, magic shows, art & crafts and cotton candy will be available from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
Purchase your tickets at Top of the Rock!
Spa Week, October 12-18, 2009
Spa Services for $50 all over Manhattan. Appointments open on September 11th.
Great Jones Spa Water Lounge My favorite spa is Great Jones, because of their amazing water lounge, steam and sauna. It is great way to escape to the bustling city, especially in the winter. However, they don't have the best spa week deals anymore (the value of a mani/pedi is not nearly as good as a facial or massage).
One of the better deals is Laser Hair Removal, especially at Completely Bare. Another great spa that partakes in Spa Week is Elizabeth Arden. See Spa Week for details.
Tour of Central Park (Kid-Friendly)
Angel of the Waters Fountain, Central Park
Photo by Chris Brady, Weblicist What could be more beautiful than Central Park in the Fall? Some favorite memories including running, roller blading (I don't have my own bicycle yet, but do recommend you rent them), snacking and cocktails with friends post-exercise at The Boathouse. Fall on the East Coast is unlike anywhere else in the world. Depending on how the fall season goes, this may get pushed to November.
I've never done an actual Tour of Central Park, and since they are free, I am going to try one! Maybe I'll try "Amble in the Ramble." Read more on NYC Free Tours
Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
October 8-11, 2009 (Kid-Friendly)
The Second Annual Wine and Food Festival has over 80 events held in the Meatpacking District and surrounding areas. I missed the first one, but heard from friends some of the sessions were amazing. All Festival proceeds benefit the hunger-relief organizations Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength.
New York City Wine and Food Festival 2009 Talents include Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Paula Deen, Ming Tsai, Giada De Laurentiis, Tyler Florence, Anthony Bourdain, Alton Brown, Martha Stewart, Tom Colicchio and Guy Fieri. Events are designed for adults and kids (see really cool photos), and include the Burger Bash, Grand Tasting, educational wine and food pairing seminars, Godiva "Sweet" and Meatball Madness.
Tickets to the dozens of events range from $18-$400, but most are under $100. Get your tickets 40% off at GoldStar Events, just sign up for free.
CLOSED! God of Carnage - Broadway Show
September 8 to November 14, 2009 - current cast guaranteed only through this date.
Starring Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini and Marcia Gay Harden.
Two married couples meet up to sort out a playground fight between 11 year old boys. The son of one couple (Jeff Daniels and Hope Davis) has broken two of the teeth of the son of another (James Gandolfini and Marcia Gay Harden). It's been called "the funniest play on Broadway" and "brutally entertaining." May be inappropriate for 16 and under. See the God of Carnage site for a video and details and Broadway Box for discount tickets as low as $69.
Seventh Annual 'Open House' New York City
(Kid-Friendly)
October 10-11, 2009
From the OHNY Paris/New York:
Design Fashion Culture Tour
Open House New York Weekend is a huge architecture and design event that opens doors to places and venues either not normally open to the public, or that have been shut down. It is a great opportunity to discover new neighborhoods in all five boroughs through special talks, tours, performances and family-friendly workshops – all FREE of charge!
Samples of previous tours include architects discussing design plans for the new World Trade Center and a Historic tour of the Apollo Theatre with Billy Mitchell. Check out OHNY Kids!, various tours, architecture and NY History, sustainable NYC and even compete in their photography contest.
Check their site in September for 2009 OHNY Weekend site and program listings.
New York City Marathon Bus Tour
October 28, 29, 30, and 31
Tour the ING New York City Marathon course in high style! See virtually all of the 26 miles
NYC Marathon Bus Tourand 385 yards of the world's most diverse marathon course in the comfort of a climate-controlled motorcoach. Professional, licensed tour guides will point out the great landmarks and attractions along the route, from the start on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the finish line in Central Park.
The tour will also make a stop at a Brooklyn tavern, the Turkey's Nest (refreshments are not included in price of tour).
Four hours in duration, and departs from the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. There will be two departures per day, 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., on October 28, 29, 30, and 31.
$35 per person.
$25 children under 12.
The New York Aquarium's Halloween at the A-Scarium
Haunted Sea-fari - begins October 10, 2009
A-Scarium, October 24, 25, 31, November 1st
Haunted Sea-Fari
Courtesy of New York AquariumGet your tickets 30% off at GoldStar Events, just sign up for free. Beginning October 10, journey through the Haunted Sea-fari. Kids in costumes enter free with an accompanying adult. Halloween at the A-Scarium is a special event offering fun for the whole family, including the Haunted SeaFari Perils of the Deep and "Alien Stingers," an eerie look at sea jellies. The Aquarium will also showcase over 8000 undersea creatures, plus the interactive Touch Pool, the Planet Earth: Shallow Seas 4-D film, and more. More info at NY Aquarium in Brooklyn.
Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring at Radio City Music Hall
October 9 and 10, 2009 7:30 pm
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship at Radio City
Imagine the original musicians playing along live, at NYC's legendary Radio City Music Hall, in the theater to the Movie! THE GREATEST FILM MUSIC EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR!! Howard Shore's Original Academy Award®-winning score performed live to the epic motion picture.
300 musicians from the 21st Century Orchestra, The Collegiate Chorale and Brooklyn Youth Chorus conducted by Ludwig Wicki will play along with the film.
Times Talks - The New York Times Live Interviews
The TimesCenter 242 West 41st Street (7th and 8th Aves), Tickets usually $30
Times Talks LogoNow, this is NYC!
Times Talks are a diverse series of interviews, in a fairly intimate setting, with world-famous authors, actors, politicians and celelebrities, each facilitated by a New York Times reporter (Master of Ceremonies). Submit your questions in advance and have them answered live. Make sure to check TimesTalks for ticket availability, times and the full list of guests.
October 4 - Patricia Cornwell, Nick Hornby, Tracy Kidder, Nicholas Sparks, and Jeannette Walls.
October 7 - A Conversation with Pedro Almodóvar and Penélope Cruz
October 9 - Bob Costas: Ultimate Sportscaster
October 10 - Barefoot Contessa, Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, Mario Batali
October 12 - The entire cast of Ugly Betty
The list goes on: John Irving, Hilary Swank and Stephen King and André Agassi are just a few of the November headliners.
12th Annual Chocolate Show
October 30 to November 1, 2009
New York Chocolate Show
The Chocolate Show is a huge warehouse space filled with the smell and taste of the world's best chocolate creations. A day full of live demonstrations and free samples.
Get acquainted with famous chocolatiers and pasty chefs. Learn all about chocolate history and make Chocolate crafts in the Kid Zone area.
Metropolitan Pavillion, 125 West 18th St, Buy tickets or learn more.
Central Park Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Sail
Sunday, October 25 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Central Park Halloween
© Photo by NYCLovesNYCHalloween in Central Park is a frightfully fun time! Enjoy spooky storytelling, pumpkin crafts, and more. March in the costume parade at 5:00 pm, and then watch New York City’s largest pumpkin flotilla drift by on the Meer at twilight. Bring your own jack-o’-lantern to participate in the pumpkin sail. No advance registration. Free
Other Central Park Events:
Halloween Crafts
Oct. 29 2-4 pm
Spooks at Belvedere
Oct. 30 4-6pm and 6:30-8 pm
Back to New York City Events from NYC Events October 2009
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