NEW YORK-
For tourists, there’s lots of news from New York City this fall, including a Broadway musical featuring the Grinch, the annual chocolate show, and a discount pass to attractions around Rockefeller Center.
The musical adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ holiday tale “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is making its Broadway debut Nov. 8 at the Hilton Theatre. It will run until Jan. 7. Previews were to begin Oct. 25.
The Chocolate Show returns to Manhattan for the ninth year, Nov. 9-12, at the Metropolitan Pavilion and Altman Building, 125 W. 18th St. Renowned chocolatier Jacque Torres, Payard Patisserie and the Chocolate Bar are among those with booths offerings samples and new products. There will also be cooking demonstrations, a Kid’s Chocolate Zone, and a Chocolate Lounge with chocolate-infused cocktails. A chocolate beauty bar will offer massages and chocolate treatments, and a book display will include chef signings. Tickets are $25 and available online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 212-307-7171.
The 2007 Zagat guide to New York City restaurants is out with a convenient new feature: a fold-out color map of the city’s 50 most popular places to dine, according to the guide’s surveyors. The top 10 on the most popular list are Gramercy Tavern, Union Square Cafe, Le Bernardin, Babbo, Peter Luger, Bouley, Gotham Bar & Grill, Daniel, Jean Georges and Blue Water Grill.
The book also includes lists of eateries by category, including best hotel dining, best people-watching, best child-friendly, and best ethnic food. Many restaurants in the survey are perennial favorites, but readers can also locate up-and-coming places on the “Noteworthy Newcomers” list. Top 10 newcomers were Telepan, The Orchard, Urena, A Voce, Morimoto, Country, Del Posto, Cookshop, Buddakan and Bouchon Bakery.
Those who can get to Manhattan on Nov. 10 for some early holiday shopping may want to check out Lucky Shops, sponsored by Lucky magazine. Last year’s event drew 5,000 visitors from 36 states. Tickets are $50 at the door, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 1356 Broadway at 36th Street. Tickets bought in advance from 866-458-2598 or are discounted. Bags, shoes, jewelry and apparel chosen by Lucky experts from top designers, labels and boutiques will be offered at up to 70 percent below retail.
Looking ahead to the Christmas holiday season, no visit to the Big Apple in December would be complete without a stop at Rockefeller Center to see the skaters and the famous tree, which will be lit Nov. 29.
A new “Rock Pass” combination ticket gets you on the NBC Studio Tour, the Radio City Stage Door Tour and to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for $45, about 17 percent less than you would pay if you bought tickets to the three attractions separately. Top of the Rock admission is by timed entry, so you won’t wait long for your panoramic views of the Empire State Building, Central Park and the city’s bridges and waterways as seen from the 67th, 69th and 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. You can buy the Rock Pass at any of the participating attractions. For more information about the observatory, visit .
Also available is a $30 combination ticket that covers admission to Top of the Rock and the Museum of Modern Art, which is just a few blocks away on 53rd Street off of Fifth Avenue.
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