Chinese New Year in NYC

Happy Chinese New Year! This simple guide will help you maneuver through the labyrinth that is Chinatown right here in the Big Apple! Immerse yourself in the rich culture first hand and get a sensory overload of the sights and sounds that will engulf you!

11am-3:30pm, Firecracker Ceremony & Cultural Festival

Roosevelt Park between Grand & Hester Streets. Come join us in Chinatown as we celebrate Chinese New Year with one of the oldest Chinese traditions and an original Chinese invention, firecrackers. The Chinese believes firecrackers brings good fortune and keeps away bad omens with it's loud and explosive pops.

3:30-4pm, Afternoon Snack

Stop by May's Bakery and try their best selling Watermelon bubble tea.

90 E. Broadway, at Forsyth St. | 212 219-0899

4-5pm, Massage

Wu-Lim Services, the first Chinese Traditional Massage in Chinatown at lower Manhattan, opened in the mid 90's. Has the best techniques that have trained a great number of Chinese Massage Therapists who practice Back-Rub, Tui-Na, Acupressure, Qi-Gong, etc. in the whole tri-state area. Relaxation at its best!

$21 for 31 minutes.

179 Grand St., nr. Baxter St. | 212-334-3909

5-6pm- Shop

Peart River Mart is a treasure trove nestled in lower Broadway. Bursting with treats from the orient, this bargain hunting emporium is a must- see for locals and tourists alike. Plan to spend a bit of time here, since there's always something new to peruse.

477 Broadway, New York, NY 10013 nr. Grand St. | 212-431-4770

6-8pm, Dinner

In the heart of Chinatown, you expect uncompromised, robust flavors, and Peking Duck House doesn't disappoint.The kitchen artfully presents a wide standard Chinese menu that highlights the cooking of Peking, Shanghai, and Szechuan. The gorgeous, tawny brown Peking duck is a spectacle: Masterfully carved into thin slivers of tender meat and crispy, maltose-basted skin, it's fun to roll it up into the accompanying pancakes, along with scallions, cucumber strips, and hoisin sauce. Mmmm!

28 Mott St. | 212-227-1810

8pm, Dessert

The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, which has been drawing locals and tourists since 1978. Among the traditional flavors are a citrus-y, herbal green tea ice cream, an aromatic lychee sorbet, a nutty black sesame ice cream and the fresh green avocado; suddenly the exotic choices are vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.

65 Bayard St. nr. Mott St. | 212-608-4170

 Happy New Year!