Empire State Building &
Manhatten Skyline

New York City is anxious for spring and ready to leave winter 2010 behind. Manhattan, always exciting, is heating up with new events and happenings. The anxiously awaited production of the Addams Family opens this spring at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. The show opens with stars Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth as the leads. Looped also opens, starring Valerie Harper as Tallulah Bankhead. Looped plays at the Lyceum Theatre. The Best Western President Hotel at Times Square is the perfect location to stay overnight, or book for a few days to take in several shows.

Tim Burton fans, in addition to the release of Alice in Wonderland, can see the Tim Burton exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. Running through April, the exhibit showcases the full range of this works from early drawings to film. Over seven hundred pieces including drawings, paintings, photographs and conceptual cinematic pieces demonstrate the broad scope of Mr Burton's artistic talent. MOMA will also host the first ever NYC Pet Show May 22nd and 23rd. This will be held at the Metropolitan Pavilion, showcasing the latest and greatest products for your pets. See just how serious the city is about their pets, and how well they are taken care of.

Grand Central Terminal will host the exhibit Where New York Began, at the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex. Running March through June, on display will be over 100 artifacts uncovered in the pre-construction dig for the south ferry subway station. Pieces, dating as far back as the 1600s will be on display, along with photographs and historical documents. This is open to the public and admission is free.

The Lincoln Center marks the end of its 50th anniversary year in May 2010. There is an ongoing schedule of world class performances on the calendar, something for every taste. The Film Society at Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art present New Directors/New Films '10, March 24th through April 4th. The focus of this film festival is the introduction of new and compelling film and filmmakers. The 2010 schedule includes over 25 films from 19 countries. This is a wonderful opportunity for film lovers to see cutting-edge films and their makers.

Hungry yet? Abraco, at 86 E 7th Street has one of the best Prix Fixe lunches in the city. With a year-round price of about $15 the only issue is seating room for the crowds. Lunches are Mediterranean inspired and feature three small plates. Celebrate spring in Brooklyn the first of May at the Sakura Matsuri, a Japanese festival timed with the blooming of the cherry blossom trees. Held at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, this is a weekend of Japanese performances and culture. Enjoy both contemporary and traditional music and dance, taiko drumming performances, tea ceremonies and ikebana flower arranging along with workshops. For an ideal weekend getaway, book a few nights at the Best Western Gregory Hotel in Brooklyn, it is just four miles from the Botanical Gardens.

Niagara Falls, New York

Buffalo and Niagara Falls sound cold in winter, but it is a great time to visit the area. Buffalo is New York's second largest City and doesn't let a chill dampen the action. You know, Niagara Falls doesn't freeze and winter is the only time ice bridges form below the falls creating a fantastic winter wonderland.

The Niagara Arts and Community Center in Niagara Falls hosts The Art of Beer near the end of February. Come out of the cold and sample regional craft beers and local cuisine. Remember the legal drinking age is 21.

Among the fun events at the Niagara Falls Aquarium are Penguin Days in March and the underwater Easter Egg Hunt SEAster. Both great fun for families with kids. Get up close to penguins through special activities with lots of fun and prizes. Plan now for Easter and the SEAster Egg hunt, as the weather won't matter at the Aquarium.

Buffalo Ski Club Ski Area, fifteen minutes outside Buffalo is an active winter destination for skiing and snowboarding. Complete with miles of trails and six lifts it is a perfect and convenient winter resort. The Rotary Ice Skating Rink in the city is fantastic and free making for a great date or family outing.

The Tifft Nature Preserve is another outdoor option for skiing and snowshoeing among magnificent natural surroundings. The Buffalo Zoo is also open in the winter, not only do you avoid the crowds but the animals are more active in cold weather.

The Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Buffalo Museum of Science are a couple of good indoor options in the area. Check the Gallery calendar for current exhibits, lectures and workshops. The Science Museum features an Explorations Gallery for young children to participate in interactive and hands on activities. In February the Sesame Street Presents: The Body begins which is an amazing exhibition to educate children on our bodies insides, outsides, and how they work.

Fun Fact - South of Buffalo in Jamestown was Lucille Ball's hometown and she is also buried there. The Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown is dedicated to preserving their legacy. In May fans can enjoy Fan Appreciation Week at the Center, a week long event with a full schedule of fun and interesting activities.

Holiday Valley Ski Area and Holimont Ski Area are located in the area outside Allegany and 2010 has been a great winter for snow so far. Another fun activity nearby is O'Dea's Mountain Snow Tubing Paradise where kids and kids at heart can get a lift up the hill and ride tube runs down. Tubing is comfortable and safe with the cushion of the tube absorbing the bumps and ice.

The City of Rochester New York challenges the hardiest cold weather fan at the annual Lakeside Winter Celebration. Not talking about the Chilly Chili Challenge but the Polar Plunge. February brings the 10th annual Polar Bear Plunge, it will chill anyone to the bone, but warm the heart as it is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. The weather will be chilly but the chili in the Chili Challenge won't be chilly, so come challenge the taste buds.

Best Western Hotels are conveniently located in and around Western New York's major cities, highways and thruways. Easy to find and affordable accommodations, Best Western lodging enhances your travel experience.

The Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY

Albany, the Capital City of New York, is the western anchor of Central New York and and center of the Capital Region. Situated on the banks of the Hudson River and rooted in history, Albany makes a fantastic destination for business, pleasure and experiencing the State's political process. Syracuse is the major city in the west of the region.

The Capital Region from Albany north to Schenectady and further to Saratoga Springs is a great place to visit all four seasons of the year. Get away to ski, snowboard, ice skate, cross country, snowshoe or snowmobile, this region has it all for wonderful winter activities. Snow and winter transforms the scenery into a spectacular wonderland unique to the season.

The Saratoga region is especially significant in US history as the sight of the Battle of Saratoga which has been called the pivotal battle in the American Revolution. It has been named one of the 15 most pivotal battles in world history. The Children's Museum at Saratoga is a nice escape for children in the winter and spring. There is a full schedule of interactive events that allow children to be in charge in environment built specifically for them. The Museum's 20th anniversary this year will be celebrated in March at the Saratoga National Golf Club with dinner and dancing.

Schenectady may be hard to say if you're not from there, but it is a great place to visit. It is located on the Erie Canal which was pivotal in the growth of the city and it's economy. Known as the birthplace of General Electric, it's history goes much further back to 1661. The Historic Stockade, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the US is an active eclectic downtown neighborhood. Schenectady is also home to Central Park, second to NYC's but less intimidating.

Historic Tip: The historic Proctor Theater in downtown Schenectady has been beautifully restored and is a National Historic Building. This spring, in addition to a full schedule of theater, big stars are on line up with Itzhak Pearlman in April and Carol Burnet in May.

The best stop on a trip to Albany may be the Albany Heritage Visitors Center where assistance is available to help plan an itinerary. The amazing architecture of the city can be seen regardless of any trips length. From the beautiful state capital building with the “Million Dollar Staircase” which took 13 years to complete to the Albany “Egg”. The Egg is home to the City's Center for Performing Arts and is named for it's unique sculptural modern architecture.

Always greatly anticipated along with spring is the Albany Tulip Festival. This year will mark it's 62nd year and it is scheduled for early May at Washington Park. The schedule is complete with food, fun, music, kids activities and the crowning of the Tulip Queen and the Tulip Court.

Syracuse is a crossroads for travel. Sitting on the Erie Canal, rail routes, Interstates 81 and 90 and the largest Airport in Central New York, it is a frequent destination for travelers. Home to Syracuse University there is a large influx of students to the city. Check the Carrier Center schedule for an Orange's home game or a major concert headliner.

The Museum of Science and Technology recently completed the The Life Sciences exhibit which provides hands-on experiences for learning. Large replica's of the human anatomy allow visitors to actually journey through major organs of the body for an amazing learning experience. Other worthwhile options for a museum visit are the Everson Museum of Art or the Erie Canal Museum.

Convenient and affordable, Best Western Hotels are located throughout the region in the major cities and along the Interstate routes. For reliable accommodations and lodging book a Best Western Hotel for your next trip.

Adirondacks State Park, New York

New York's northern tip east of Lake Ontario is dominated by the Adirondack Mountains and the myriad of wonderful places to visit. Lake Placid is famous for the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics and is situated central to the region. The region is on the western coast of Lake Champlain and the St Lawrence river and Lake Ontario are the western border of the Region. If there is snow on the ground look into skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling. Check out the lakes for ice skating or ice fishing. It's basketball and hockey season for indoor events, take in a college or pro game with a favorite team.

Lake Placid and Saranac Lake sit in the heart of the region and offer a full schedule of winter activities and events. The Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness Train adventure is a comfortable and warm way to see the scenery it is a 20 mile round trip train ride from Lake Placid Station to Saranac Lake Union Depot. Departures leave from either station and the schedules allow for varied returns. Perfect to enjoy any itinerary, pace and choice of sights. The Spring schedule begins late in May.

The Saranac Lake Winter Festival held in February is the oldest winter festival in the Eastern US. If you missed it this year, grab your frying pan and start practicing for next years frying pan toss. New this year for Saranac Lake is the first ever Sunchaser Challenge. This is a unique and fun challenge to mark the US Endangered Species Day in May. This 'green' event is great for all ages and abilities and participation is either in teams or solo, come join and support efforts benefiting animals at risk of extinction.

Lake Placid offers many options to entertain visitors in addition to the Olympic facilities. High Falls Gorge is a fantastical sight in winter. Access is safe and can also be done with snowshoes. Rewarded at the Falls with spectacular ice formations on the seven hundred feet of waterfalls frozen most of the winter. On weekends, enjoy warm campfires, hot chocolate and maybe even roast some marshmallows.

The Lake Placid Marathon is ranked by runners as one of the top destination races in the US. Held in June the race activities include a 4 team relay marathon event and the half marathon. Great options for all runners. Lake Placid also hosts the Ironman Lake Placid during July with Mirror Lake as the site for the swim and the cycling taking place through the surrounding Adirondacks. Now is the time to plan for this event.

Along the western coast of Lake Champlain down to Lake George, cities like Plattsburgh, Ticonderoga, and Lake George host a variety of wonderful winter events. Check calendars for ice fishing tournaments and contests, winter festivals, St. Patrick Day breakfasts and parade, and even find an Elvis tribute and contest in June in Lake George.

Best Western Hotels dot the area with convenient and affordable lodging. Offering quality accommodations for overnight or longer stays, look for Best Western when planning trips to the beautiful Adirondack Region.