HAPPY HOLIDAYS

 Salisbury Hotel has a long-standing tradition to celebrate the holidays by serving a delicious luncheon for our entire staff just a few days before Christmas. We all get together on the 3rd floor Vanguard Room and enjoy magnificent treats cooked in house by our breakfast room manager Martha Perez and her staff.

Salisbury Hotel staff and management would like to wish everyone Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Prosperous New Year 2014. We hope to see you soon!

NYC ICE-SKATING RINKS

The outdoor ice skating rinks offer a fun way to celebrate the cold weather. All of them offer skating lessons and birthday party packages, and many also have ice hockey. Always check the rinks' official websites before heading out to verify the public skating hours as the schedules often change throughout the season, especially during the holidays. 

Wollman Rink

Open through mid-April 2014

Wollman Rink (also known as the Trump Rink) is an iconic NYC skating spot. Ice skating is a long-standing and beloved tradition in Central Park – as old as the Park itself.

Hours: Monday-Tuesday 10am-2:30pm; Wednesday-Thursday 10am-10pm; Friday-Saturday 10am-11pm; Sunday 10am-9pm

Central Park, enter at Central Park South and Sixth Avenue.

Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center
Open through April 2014


This is the most popular, yet the priciest, ice-skating rink in the city.  It is the perfect setting against the unique urban backdrop of Rockefeller Center's sparkling lights and holiday tree. Watch the skaters glide by afterwards while enjoying a delicious meal at Rock Center Café, The Sea Grill or Cucina & Co.

Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

Open through March 2, 2014


 Due to the free admission, this rink regularly attracts large crowds. The best time to avoid long lines is weekdays before 5pm, and early weekend mornings. Winter Village also features an indoor restaurant and seasonal holiday shops.

Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

The Rink at Brookfield Place
Open through mid-March 2014


At 7,350 square feet, it beats the Rock Center rink and can accommodate 250 skaters at a time. Adjacent restaurant P.J Clarke's serves up warming after-skate meals.

Hours: Daily 10am-10pm

In front of Brookfield Place’s Winter Garden, 220 Vesey Street between West Street and North End Avenue.

South Street Seaport Rink
Open through March 2014


Downtown's most charming rink opened up at the corner of Fulton and Front Streets. Adding to the holiday cheer, carolers will perform at the rink Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the winter.

Hours: Daily 10am-10pm

NYC HOLIDAY MARKETS

 This holiday season shop wisely. Forget about the mass-produced merchandise and crowded stores, get the people you love unique gifts and support small businesses. New York City has a great variety of holiday markets where you can spend time browsing, admiring and talking to the friendly vendors. Here's five of our favorites:

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
November 14 - January 5 

This outdoor market boasts more than 125 artisans selling everything from clothing and accessories to food and hot drinks. Here you can also go ice-skating, take a ride on the carousel, have dinner under the heat lamps at Celsius restaurant or Southwest Porch and admire the beautiful 50 feet holiday tree (will be lit up December 3rd)in the middle of it all.


Bryant Park, 42nd St, between Fifth and Sixth Aves. From the Salisbury Hotel take the subway F to 42nd St.- Bryant Park.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market
December 3 - December 24 

This annual holiday bazaar is within a short walk from the Salisbury Hotel and features handmade items from local artisans and snacks from vendors. Market is the perfect place to enjoy a hot meal or snack, shop for holiday gifts and spend time with friends and family. Hours of operation are Weekdays 10am - 8pm, Saturdays 10am - 8pm and Sundays 10am - 7pm.


  Central Park South, at Central Park West

Grand Central Holiday Fair
November 18 - December 24 

Featuring 76 micro-boutiques illuminated by golden chandeliers suspended from a 50-foot-high ceiling, this elegant market has everything from contemporary jewelry and art objects to African crafts and Christmas ornaments. And since it's situated inside the terminal itself, you won't have to worry about shivering while you're browsing the goods.


42nd St, between Vanderbilt and Lexington Aves

Union Square Holiday Market
November 21 - December 24

Purchase gifts from more than 150 vendors at this outdoor bazaar. Gorgeous handmade jewelry, ties, cuff links and other men's fashion items, luxurious truffle salts, olive oils and vinegars, chic bags, scarves, tights and shoes, holiday themed crafts and decorations, warm food, drinks and festive atmosphere. Hours of operation are Weekdays 11am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 8pm and Sunday 11am to 7pm. The market is closed on Thanksgiving Day.

 14th St to 17th St, between Broadway and Park Ave South 

Artists & Fleas at Chelsea Market
November 14 - January 5 

Brooklyn purveyors set up shop across the river at Artists & Fleas’ seasonal pop-up bazaar, situated inside Chelsea Market. Expect to find trendy and noncommercial holiday-themed gifts. Every item is locally made and well crafted. 


75 Ninth Ave, at 16th St

TISCH CHILDREN'S ZOO IN CENTRAL PARK

The Tisch Children's Zoo is located within a short walk from the Central Park Zoo. Created solely with kids in mind, you won't find a more child-friendly and fun attraction in all of New York City. It features a petting zoo complete with several domestic animals, the Acorn Theater that performs daily shows, and the Enchanted Forest where you'll see live turtles and frogs along with birds in a complete habitat. Small bronze sculptures of the animals stand next to each pen. When a child touches a sculpture it emits the appropriate cry or squawk. 

Sweet, friendly Othello, the only cow in Manhattan.

  The zoo offers young visitors the unique opportunity to pet and feed animals, as well as plenty of places to play, climb and explore. Here children can get close to goats, sheep, a cow and a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig. Make sure to bring quarters to buy nutritious food for the animals to nibble out of your hand. 

With the admission ticket to the Central Park Zoo you also get admission to Tisch Children's Zoo at no extra cost.

The Central Park Zoo is open 365 days a year. 

November 4, 2013-April 4, 2014 Daily 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.* 
April 4, 2014–November 2, 2014 Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.* Weekends & Holidays 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.* 

*Last ticket sold 30 minutes prior to closing.

MEET THE TEAM : DIXIE

Hotels around the world are taking preventive measures in order to keep bed bugs at bay.

Salisbury Hotel has a preventive program in place that involves one adorable, but highly professional bug detective, named Dixie. We are proud to have Dixie as a member of the Hotel team. Her training allows us to feel confident that we are proactively protecting our guests from this international travel problem.

Dixie started her bed bug sniffing career four years ago. She was profiled to be genetically fit as a scent detection dog. She was evaluated to have the drive needed to be successful on the job. Dixie has been trained and certified to sniff out any possible trace of bed bugs. This eliminates unnecessary chemical treatments. The key to using dogs for inspections is the teamwork between the dog and its handler.Dixie lives with her trainer Steve in the countryside where she gets plenty of exercise. When not hard at work, she relaxes playing outdoors and chasing butterflies.

University studies have shown that canines are 98% effective in detecting bedbugs, compared with humans who are only successful 30-40 % of the time at low level exposures. There are many misconceptions about bedbugs. Cleanliness doesn't prevent bedbugs and they don't transmit disease. They are most commonly transferred in the luggage of unknowing travelers. It is a good practice to have your luggage shrink wrapped at the airport to avoid exposure in the freight compartment and storage areas.

Hotel management ( and Dixie ! ) will continue to do be vigilant to protect our guests.

Dixie with her handler Steve

CENTRAL PARK ZOO

Central Park is just 2 blocks north from the Salisbury Hotel and has so much to offer for families with children, including playgrounds, swimming pool, row boats, turtles in every lake,  Victorian Gardens (summer), Wollman iceskating rink (winter), but one of the most popular attraction is the CentralPark Zoo. The zoo consists of three parts: The main zoo where you can see anything from exotic birds to snow leopards and the always fun California sea lions, the Tisch Children’s Zoo and a 4D Theatre.

The main zoo has several exciting points such as the Tropic Zone which is like entering the rainforest. Viewing platforms at various levels help you discover the animal life in all layers of our walk-through rainforest habitat. Exotic birds fly around freely, you can catch a family of cute mongooses playing or lemurs napping on a tree branch. 

Snow Monkeys

California Sea Lions

In the middle of the central plaza you’ll find seals swimming around in their pool splashing water on to curious onlookers and jumping on the rocks to pose for the audience. They will also do tricks with their trainers throughout the day during feeding times.

Plan your visit at the zoo according to the feeding times. Penguins get fed daily at 10:30 am and 2:20 pm and Sea Lions at 11:30 am, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

If you get hungry there’s The Dancing Crane Café that serves wide variety of meals, snacks and beverages. Cafe is open during zoo hours and can be accessed either from the zoo or the park.

FAMILY FUN IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN

Manhattan is like a big playground for kids. There's many exciting museums, playgrounds, parks, theaters, sightseeing rides and cruises, toy stores like Toys"R"Us and FAO Schwartz, candy stores like M&M World and many fun theme restaurants to suit families with children of all ages. Below we've highlighted few options for a fun family day out right here in Midtown Manhattan, all within walking distance from the Salisbury Hotel.

FAO Schwartz

767 5th Avenue at 58th St.

FAO Schwarz, founded in 1862, is the oldest toy store in the US. Their flagship store is just a couple of blocks away from the Salisbury Hotel and is a must-see destination for all families. At the door you'll be warmly greeted by the store’s real-life Toy Soldiers, an integral part of the iconic brand. Once you enter the store you're surrounded by gigantic fluffy animals and at the end of the store you'll see the inviting FAO Schweetz, a nearly 6,000 square feet candy land. 

Once you get upstairs, kick off your shoes and play some tunes at the iconic Big Piano or head to the "Muppet What-Not Workshop" where you can create your very own Muppet. There's also an entire department dedicated to dolls, including the "Newborn Nursery" where little mommies can experience the thrill of adopting a newborn with life-like dolls.

Ellen's Stardust Diner

1650 Broadway at 51st Street

Its combination of typical diner food and fun retro theme without a ridiculous price tag makes this spot a memorable stop for families with kids of all ages. The outside of the diner looks like an old railroad car and the retro diner theme continues inside. Every now and then the waiters will break out into song, singing old 50s rock tunes and dancing around the room. Their menu is quite expansive and includes a separate section for kids 6 years old and under.

Jekyll & Hyde

216 W 44th St. (between 7th & 8th Avenues)

Located in Times Square, Jekyll & Hyde gets close to an amusement park atmosphere. From the moment you walk in the suspense never lets up. You'll experience live entertainment, funny characters and spooky special effects such as portraits with moving eyes, bathrooms hidden behind bookcases, and talking skulls. 

On the separate kids menu you'll find many favorites such as burgers, spaghetti, mac & cheese, chicken fingers and many delicious desserts. 

Jekyll & Hyde Club. Photo source.

La Bonne Soupe

8 West 55th Street (Between 5th & 6th Avenues)

This family-friendly French bistro serves a reasonably priced, "American classics with French twist" that adults and children will enjoy. Try their Parisian crêpes, specialty soups, omelettes, burgers and delicious salads. There's also a special "Junior Menu" for the little ones that features an entree and dessert for $12.50.

Central Park Zoo and Tisch Children's Zoo

5th Avenue & 65th St.

Central Park Zoo is a great place to visit with children. The Central Park Zoo is home to a variety of animals, including seals, sea lions, penguins, snakes, bugs, monkeys and birds. From a steamy rain forest environment to an icy Antarctic penguin habitat, the zoo offers visitors a chance to see animals from a variety of climates. 

The Tisch Children's Zoo is located a short walk from the Central Park Zoo and offers visitors a variety of interactive activities for children, including a petting zoo, climbing activities and performances. Here you can also see the daily feedings of the sea lions, harbor seals and penguins throughout the day.

Central Park Zoo. Photo source.