Albany Greets Spring with 200,000 Tulips

Albany, New York greets spring with over 200,000 tulips blooming in a myriad of colors and varieties to celebrate Albany�s rich Dutch heritage.

Its 63rd Annual Tulip Festival on May 7 and 8 in Washington Park provides entertainment on four stages, over 100 crafters, fine arts show, gardening talks, food vendors, and family fun.

The Heritage Weekend on May 14 and 15 at the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area kicks off the tourist season with special events and discounted admission with a state-wide bang.

From May 3 to 22 there are Albany Vanguard Show House Tours at 10 Stafford Rd, Loudonville, NY. This remarkable historic home is owned and is being completely restored by Nathanial Bette. It was originally commissioned in 1839 and completed in 1841 by William Stafford. He was a merchant, assemblyman and judge. He named his summer home Prospect Place. 

Over the years many illustrious Albanians owned the home and a full history will be presented. Mr. Bette has been working with Albany�s Designers and Decorative Painters to bring the famous home back to its original Federal beauty with touches of its other historic features and the comfort and beauty of current designs. Like all �Grande Dames� this house has aged very well and the present day version to be presented in May will be a true work of art. Albany looks forward to showcasing this renovation through the talents of its many and varied interior decorators, designers, and faux finishers. House tours will benefit the Albany Symphony Orchestra.

For more information about top events in New York take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New York. 

For more information on Albany events visit www.albany.org

Lilac Festival in Rochester, New York

The World�s Largest Lilac Collection

One of the nation�s biggest, oldest and most delightful flower events, the annual Lilac Festival in Rochester, New York, provides 10 days of art, music, food and flora every May.

This community-wide celebration � an international springtime party � takes place from May 13 to 22 this year, as always at the beautiful 155-acre Highland Park.

The only 10-day free festival of its kind in North America, the festival is inspired by the magnificent lilac collection at Highland Park which plays host to over 500 varieties of lilacs on more than 1,200 bushes. What was first planted in 1892 by horticulturist John Dunbar has turned into the world�s largest lilac collection that even Martha Stewart has enjoyed when she visited the festival in 2007. This event is perfect for all ages and was voted as a top 100 event by the American Bus Association for 2010. 

Other than the fragrant backdrop of the lilacs, there is much that makes the festival special � 10 days of free entertainment on the festival�s main stage including performances by national recording artists and free children�s entertainment during the week and on the weekends. 

Daily special events include the new Business Rocks Lilacs on Monday, Lilacs & Bubbles on Tuesday, Farmers Market on Thursday and Medved Lilac 10K & 5K Family Fun Run on Sunday. The 2011 Lilac Parade will bring dozens of marching bands, decorated floats, clowns, children�s choirs, dancers and costumed characters. 

Visitors will see not only nature's bounty in abundance, but exhibitors, food vendors, entertainment, children's activities and much more. 

For more information about top events in New York take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New York. 

For more information on Rochester�s Lilac Festival visit www.lilacfestival.com

New York City Winter Offers

New York City is casting the spotlight on Harlem during Black History Month in February featuring new ways for New Yorkers and visitors to explore the neighborhood and take advantage of some of the best culture, restaurants and entertainment that New York City has to offer.

Cultural institutions highlighted throughout the month include: the Apollo Theater, Dwyer Cultural Center, El Museo de Barrio, Harlem Stage, the Museum of the City of New York, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and The Studio Museum in Harlem.

It is part of New York City�s marketing campaigns which include the City�s first-ever Broadway Week, the Get More NYC campaign, the return of the Off-Broadway promotion On the House and NYC Restaurant Week. The Get More NYC campaign, with programs offered throughout January and February, highlights special offers across retail, dining, culture, entertainment and hotels.

During the first-ever Broadway Week, January 24 to February 10, two-for-one tickets go on sale for 18 popular Broadway shows. Theatergoers can also enter the official AT&T Broadway Week Sweepstakes for a chance to win Broadway tickets for an entire year.

 NYC Restaurant Week� from January 24 to February 6 features more than 300 participating restaurants, including 35 new eateries, making it the largest NYC Restaurant Week in the program�s 19-year history.

The third annual On the House, an Off-Broadway program supported by media partner Time Out New York, offers two-for-one tickets to more than 30 Off-Broadway performances from January 24 to February 13.

For more information about top events in New York take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in New York.


For more detail on all of New York City�s winter programs and offers, visit www.nycgo.com.