Listing of 2011 Display Windows

A Guide to the 2011 Holiday Display Windows at shops throughout New York City 

Flipping through the pages of our trusty Time Out New York Magazine (Holiday Issue on Newsstands now) we found the pub has once again posted this comprehensive list of NYC retailers with Holiday Windows. Following up on yesterday’s post about Bergdorf’s spectacular windows, this should give you a solid overview of retail stores throughout Manhattan who are putting their backside into decking the halls to create amazing displays. 

If you're visiting from out of town or trying to capture the spirit of the season in The Big Apple, taking to time gaze at the windows is a free, fun activity that is worth your time. Choose your route carefully - many stores are close in proximity to one another on and near 5^th Avenue in Midtown. With a little skill, you can knock out half a dozen locations in under 45 minutes and dodge some crowds. Check out the handy map below.

 Tons of images from windows (and this info) can be found at Time Out New York's Holiday Guide

 
Bergdorf Goodman - 754 Fifth Ave at 58th Sts (212-753-7300, bergdorfgoodman.com). –Winner of The Big Adventure’s Vote for Best Windows!

Dylan’s Candy Bar - 1011 Third Ave at 60th St (646-735-0078, dylanscandybar.com). 

Henri Bendel - 712 Fifth Ave at 56th St (800-423-6335, henribendel.com).

Lord & Taylor - 424 Fifth Ave at 39th St (212-391-3344, lordandtaylor.com).

Barneys - 660 Madison Ave between 60th & 61st Sts (212-826-8900, barneys.com).

Bloomingdale's - 59th St and Lexington Ave (212-705-2000, bloomingdales.com).

Macy's - 34th St and Sixth Ave (212-695-4400, macys.com). .

Anthropologie - 50 Rockefeller Plaza between 50th and 51st Sts (212-246-0386, anthropologie.com).

Tiffany & Co. - 727 Fifth Ave between 56th and 57th Sts (212-755-8000, tiffany.com) 

Saks Fifth Avenue - 611 Fifth Ave between 49th and 50th Sts (212-753-4000, saks.com).

Cartier - 653 Fifth Ave at 52nd St (212-446-3400). 

Fendi - 677 Fifth Ave between 53rd and 54th Sts (212-759-4646, fendi.com).

Louis Vuitton -1 9 E 57th St at Fifth Ave (212-752-4835, louisvuitton.com).

Enjoy the NYC Holiday Windows 2011!

Best 2011 Holiday Windows in NYC? Our Vote is for Bergdorf Goodman

The Big Adventure's choice for Best Holiday Windows in NYC this year: Bergdorf Goodman 

Hands down, one of the best parts of the Holiday season in New York is strolling down 5th Avenue and making your way through Midtown to see all of the amazing, artistic, eye-catching thought-provoking storefront windows that the Retail Stores have set up. From Bloomingdale's to Macy's and even the Gaga Inspired windows at Barney's, the windows have become an annual tradition on par with the Rockettes. 

Each year brings another store outdoing what was done the year before. Months are spent designing, planning and setting up the windows. But who has the best? This year, our vote is for the high-end department store Bergdorf Goodman (754 5th Avenue between 57th and 58th). The windows are clever, wildly-exotic, and just full of color and with a sharp artistic edge. A functional mix that combines a bit of frantic insanity with amazing design.

Mixing couture with stuffed animals in a head-scratching menageries of intersecting worlds, 2011's "Carnival Of The Animals" theme is not to be missed. If the goal of these windows is to be breath taking and draw a gawking crowd 24 hours a day, than Bergdorf has provided a slam dunk success.


Enjoy the Big Adventure photos we shot a few nights ago below and proffesional shots here , but visit yourself for the full experience:

Operation Santa Claus at James Farley Post Office in NYC

Every day, we post a one minute guide to one great thing happening today in New York City. We list doings that are inexpensive or completely free, social and 100% unique to New York. Designed for the curious local or savvy tourist, we aim to expose the eccentric and obvious all over NYC. Check back every morning to crack open a new nutshell

Be a part of “Operation  Santa Claus”

During the Holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in Giant Trees, Endless Sales and general merriment. But December is also a great time to give a lil’ something back and to make a difference.

The Big Adventure fondly endorses “Operation Santa Claus” happening nationwide at United States Post Offices . This seasonal program that is nearly a century old enables Joe Public to become St. Nick for a bit and respond to letters from children that are addressed to the Jolly Old Elf.  Nearly a million letters are sent “Santa Claus” and the “North Pole,” but the letters remain in the area they were mailed (unless they contain a completely crazy Alaska address).

The doing good part is simple: Show up, register and then sit down to respond to letters that kids from all over wrote to Santa Claus.  If you want, you can even respond to a specific Christmas Wish by working with the USPS to buy and send the requested gift. Craft a thoughtful note, bring some joy, help some dreams come true and the USPS does the rest. Not bad, hunh?

You can help specifically at the James Farley Gigantor Midtown Post Office at 34^th and 8^th, which handles more letters to Santa than any other Post Office in the country.

   

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Thursday open to 7:00 PM through 12/23

Cost: Free

Where: James Farley Post Office – 34^th Street & 8^th Avenue 

Category: Holidays, Doing Some Good,

More Details: http://operationsanta.com/operation-santa-claus-at-james-farley-post-office-2012/

All Locations Nationwide: http://www.operationlettertosanta.com/Pages/chapters.htm

Visit KGB Bar - To Do In NYC Today

Every day, we post a one minute guide to one great thing happening today in New York City. We list doings that are inexpensive or completely free, social and 100% unique to New York. Designed for the curious local or savvy tourist, we aim to expose the eccentric and obvious all over NYC. Check back every morning to crack open a new nutshell

KGB Bar

Man, we love this bar. Located on the second floor above a small performance space and decked out in red, this Communist throwback dive is plastered with posters of Iconic, fallen leaders from the land of Tsars. An endless vodka selection behind the bar and, to be honest, it is the opposite of the bar where everyone knows your name…or even cares that you’re there. With supposed ties to old Russian revolutionists, we always feel like a Bolshevik revolution is just about to go down while we're inside.

Located on The Lower East Side, the bar even hosts readings and a pretty packed event calendar. Now that the weather is turning a bit colder, this place becomes even more perfect. From Russia with love, this bar knows that with a little vodka, anyone can pronounce "Dostoyevsky" correctly.  

Time: Open Late. Really Late. Every Night.

Cost: No cover; reasonably priced drinks.
Where: 85 East 4th Street near 2nd Avenue

Category: Bars, Social Watering Holes, Literary Readings, Russia 
More Info: http://www.kgbbar.com/

Singing the praises of Club Free Time and Gold Star

Sometimes people say "Hey, there Big Adventure. Nice Hat. By the way,where can I find cheap tickets to events in NYC?" We cannot recommend both Club Free Time and Goldstar New York strongly enough. 

Both have had consistently solid deals to going-ons in NYC for years. Sometimes even stellar deals to Broadway shows and other high ticket items on the cheap. They work with partners all over town and usually have anywhere from fifteen to thirty events to choose from each day.

We use them both very often and would swear by either if we were the swearing type. Goldstar is free and Club Free Time has a small annual membership. Both have small service fees for each event you book through them. Visit today....who knows what cool NYC event you might stumble into for the cheap!

Neil Diamond Free Concert At Rockefeller Center Today

Every day, we post a one minute guide to one great thing happening today in New York City. We list doings that are inexpensive or completely free, social and 100% unique to New York. Designed for the curious local or savvy tourist, we aim to expose the eccentric and obvious all over NYC. Check back every morning to crack open a new nutshell

Free Neil Diamond Concert Today in NYC

Tomorrow night, the heart of Midtown will come alive with the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. The event is free, extraordinaire, a touch magical and all kinds of crazy crowded. We're talking bodies packed all the way down to 48th street. Our advice? Watch it on TV tomorrow and show up tonight for the Free Neil Diamond Concert. 

One of the nifty secrets about a big TV event like the Tree Lightning is that in order to accommodate all of the performances, some must be taped in advance. Enter Neil Diamond. The Cracklin' Rose singer will tape his portion of the show tonight at Rockefeller center. The Big Adventure is a big fan of ole Neil.  Cheese factor aside, he is the consummate performer.  Endless hits, constant smile, and million dollar hair.

So, you can get down to Midtown, see the show for free, enjoy the (unlit) tree and Holiday magic all in a much more sane setting and a day ahead of everyone else.  Sweet Caroline Indeed! Show starts at an early 5:30 PM. You can grab free tickets through Iota, a great service that helps to fill up audiences for televised events at no cost to the fans. Make sure you're there to belt out the high notes from "America"'

Time: Today, Tuesday, November 29th, 5:30 PM

Cost: Free but must get tickets in advance
Where:Rockefeller Center near 50th Street and 6th Ave

Category: Live Music, Christmas, Midtown, Concerts

Info and Tickets: http://www.1iota.com/show/view/NBC_-_Christmas_at_Rockefeller_Center_

Live Rock and Roll Karoke at Arlene's Grocery - Today in NYC

Every day, we post a one minute guide to one great thing happening today in New York City. We list doings that are inexpensive or completely free, social and 100% unique to New York. Designed for the curious local or savvy tourist, we aim to expose the eccentric and obvious all over NYC. Check back every morning to crack open a new nutshell

Rock and Roll Karoke at Arlene's Grocery

Every Monday at 10:00 PM, a Karoke event like none other descends on the Lower East Side at Concert Venue Arlene's Grocery. You slip down the stairs, past the bar and into the back room and gaze upon tight leather pants while hearing screaming vocals. Enter: Live Rock and Roll Karoke!

Part rock show, part traditional Karoke, this event can be summed up in two simple words: Kick Ass. Wanna be and sometimes actual Rock Stars pick from an impressively large variety of songs and share the stage with a live band who plows through the songs like they were catering to an arena of screaming groupies. Get their early to choose your song and make sure that you follow the 10 Commandments of Rock and Roll Karoke ("Thou shall keep The Black Sabbath holy"). Never pretentious, 100% fun and the high-energy charismatic host doubles as a back up lead singer to help you out when the band gets two steps ahead of you. The small but supportive mighty crowd is always eager to cheer as those who take the stage are to sing.

Not your typical bar Karoke, you'll find a real mix of talent. Pretty sure that I saw the lead singer from Dokken bust out a tune from Motorhead last time I was there. Also saw a Sweedish man who was celebrating a birthday do an interesting rendition of Hells Bells. Arlene's Grocery (in typical Manhattan concern venue naming fashion, not a grocery store, no one named Arlene) hosts this event every Monday at 10:00 PM and Friday at Midnight. There is no cover for the Monday affair.

Time: Mondays at 10:00 PM, Fridays at Midnight

Cost: Free on Mondays, $10 on Fridays
Where: Arlene's Grocery -95 Stanton Street at Orchard

Category: Live Music, Entertainment, Karoke,

Info: http://www.arleneslivekaraoke.com/
lhttp://www.arlenesgrocery.net/karaoke/index.html

NYC Shorewalkers 2011 Walk Of The Turkey

Walk off all that turkey with NYC's Shorewalkers

Feeling a little rotund around the middle after yesterday's feast of Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Pumpkin Pie, Rolls, etc, etc? The always great non-profit group Shorewalkers hosts its annual "Walk Off The Turkey" Event this weekend on Saturday, November 26th starting nice and early at 10:00 AM. The WOTT event is special three times over as its a wonderful way to see a new part of the city, get some solid exercise and make some new friends while just enjoying a nice walk.Have family or friends in town and looking for a low key but active doings? This is your event for tomorrow!

Shore Walkers has been a part of the NYC walking culture for almost thirty years and the WOTT their signature annual events. We particularly enjoy the group's inspiring Mission Statement which pretty much sums it all up: "Seeing The World at 3 Miles Per Hour -To improve your health and stamina, to have fun on your feet while enjoying great walks... to explore and learn about the Hudson estuary and other shore areas, and to meet interesting people"

The Walk Of The Turkey begins at 10:00 AM at the Staten Island Ferry and continues along the Hudson all the way up Manhattan. Admittedly, the 12 miles trek may be a bit ambitious for some but the journey is almost all on level ground and the reward of stumbling across the Little Red Lighthouse at the foot of the George Washington Bridge (as well as other landmarks along the way) is well worth it. The walk takes approximately five ours. Bring some lunch, don't forget the water and prepare to make some new friends. This is a social, late-Autumnal riverside stroll after all. The walk is 100% free.

If your feet aren't feeling it tomorrow, Shore Walkers has walks through the city including a half-dozen more over weekends through the end of the year including "The Great Saunter". Most vary between four and thirty-two (!) miles in length as they explore virtually every path in the city.  So, lace up the Adidas, kiss the stuffing adios and enjoy a slow-paced walk!

More info:  212-330-7686 

http://www.shorewalkers.org/ 

NYC Today: Holiday Shopping at Mxyplyzyk

Every day, we post a one minute guide to one great thing happening today in New York City. We list doings that are inexpensive or completely free, social and 100% unique to New York. Designed for the curious local or savvy tourist, we aim to expose the eccentric and obvious all over NYC. Check back every morning to crack open a new nutshell

Holiday Shopping at Mxyplyzyk

Ah, the day has come. Black Friday. The time to hit the streets and shop till your poor feet are in all kinds of pain. So many people to buy holiday gifts for, so little time. To save you some time and enhance your shopping experience with delight, we recommend a trip to the incredibly cute, one-of-a-kind boutique store Mxyplyzuk (pronounced Mix-ee-plitz-ik after the mischievous nymph from The Superman comics)

Situated in the heart of Greenwich Village at 13^th Street, this store stocks all things quirky. We’re talking great gear that you never knew existed but can’t live without. Custom items that are practical and decorative ranging from kitchen wares to crazy toys to even lighting and clocks for the home. In short, the perfect place to shop for gifts

You can visit them online, but to get the full personality of the doodads, wathcamacallits and knick-knacks they offer, it is worth a trip to the store.  Even if you’re just in the mood to window shop with your hands and to have a friendly chat with the amicable owners.

 Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Sunday, Noon to 5:00 PM

Where: 125 Greenwich Avenue at 13^th Street

Category: Shopping, Unique Stores, Perfect Gifts

Info: https://www.mxyplyzyk.com/v03/index.htm