Just a New York minute!

Mother’s Day will be here before you know it and if you want to treat that special lady in your life with a memorable gift, why not whisk her away to New York City. The Big Apple is full of activities that Mom will love and the chance to spend time with her children (or grandchildren) will certainly make for a wonderful holiday. Gather up the family and make Mom the guest of honor on your Mother’s Day in NYC vacation.

The Mother’s Day in NYC Vacation Package

To help make the planning of a Mother’s Day vacation to NYC quick and easy, we’ve put together a featured vacation package that includes everything you need (save for the suitcase) to have a great time in NYC with Mom.

You’ll start off your trip with accommodations for two nights or longer at a midtown Manhattan hotel, right in the heart of the action of NYC. You’ll be steps away from world class restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. From there, it’s time to head out and see the best of the Big Apple, with free admission into the Empire State Building Observatory, Museum of the City of New York, or NY Water Taxi Statue of Liberty Flex Pass – take your pick and enjoy! You’ll also get free admission to your choice of the American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, or Top of the Rock Observation Deck. Finally, on Sunday, enjoy a Mother’s Day Brunch aboard World Yacht with a complimentary mimosa and relaxing live music. It’s the perfect way to relax and see the beauty of the Hudson River. And of course, you’ll get all of our NYCTrip.com exclusive discounts.

If you’re ready to surprise Mom with this amazing trip, you can book here and start planning!

Things to Do With Mom in NYC

Looking for other activities to do on your NYC trip? We’ve got you covered with this list of great ideas and hotspots that are sure to make your trip even more unforgettable:

• Surprise her with flowers! NYC is filled with vibrant street vendors and corner markets with fresh blooms. Surprise her with a bouquet to kick off your trip!
• Take in a Broadway show. There are plenty of hot musicals opening on Broadway this spring and you can always add on tickets to your New York City vacation package with us.
• Unwind at the spa. We offer several add-on packages that Mom can enjoy as part of her trip at Oasis NYC Day Spa. There are also other incredibly day spas throughout midtown Manhattan that are sure to leave her feeling pampered.
• Sip a cup of tea! Visit the Russian Tea Room, Alice’s Tea Cup (close to Central Park!), or other top tea places throughout Manhattan. It’ll be a lovely way to spend your afternoon!

Have another idea for spending Mother’s Day with Mom in the Big Apple? Add your plans to our list!

Did you ever think you could see the best of NYC for under $40 per day? It can be done! There are plenty of things to see and do in the Big Apple that are free or cost only a few dollars. In fact, we've compiled a list of some of our favorite things to do for $5 or less. Add them to your itinerary when you book your NYC trip for a real taste of what this magical city has to offer. We promise that these activities are both exciting and wallet-friendly!

• Visit the Mahayana Buddhist Temple at 133 Canal St. for a calming and spiritual experience amid the hustle and bustle. Bring a dollar for donation. 
• Learn about New York City's transit system by visiting the New York Transit Museum at Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street. Just a few dollars will get you access to the history of one of the world's most trafficked and treasured transportation systems. 
• Grab a hot dog at Gray's Papaya. Popular with both the locals and tourists from around the world, Gray's Papaya is home to some of the best hot dogs in the city - and the price is perfect. Locations at Eighth Ave. and 37th Street, Broadway and 72nd Street, and Sixth Ave. and 8th Street. 
• Take a free tour of City Hall. The Public Design Commission of the City of New York gives free tours of City Hall throughout the week (usually mornings), plus a weekly tour at noon on Wednesdays. Sign up at the NYC Tourism Kiosk at the southern end of City Hall Park on Broadway at Barclay St.
• Laugh at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre: The Upright Citizens Brigade has served as the birthplace of some of the nation's greatest comedians and for just $5, you can catch a show of the comedy and improv group. Check the schedule at UCBTheatre.com to see when you can catch a discount show. 

What's your favorite low-cost way to enjoy NYC? Share your favorite spots with us in the comments!

Time for some good news - with a capital NEW. NEW New York hotels, NEW New York attractions, NEW New York shows, NEW New York prices. NEW York is buzzing again, despite what the media might be saying about the economy or about tourism.

New York City Hotel Openings
Recently opened - the Hilton Garden Inn 35th Street, just off 6th Ave. near Macy's, the Empire State Building and a short walk to Times Square. Newly built, state-of-the-art guestrooms feature their "Garden Sleep System" - with one of the most comfortable beds you will ever experience!

Also new - the Holiday Inn Manhattan at 26th Street and 6th Ave. in the trendy Chelsea section, a 10-minute or so walk to the heart of Times Square. This Holiday Inn is a full service hotel with fitness center, lounge, restaurant, business center and free high-speed, wireless Internet access.

And to paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumors of Broadway's demise have been grossly exaggerated. In fact, they're blatantly untrue. Several shows closed in January, as scheduled. But many new shows have opened, or will open shortly. Shrek the Musical has opened to great reviews. Other new shows, currently playing or about to begin performing, include revivals of Guys and Dolls and West Side Story, and the return of Hair to New York, this time to Broadway. The always popular Jersey Boys, Wicked, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia! and The Lion King still pack them in, too.

The brand new Ripley's Believe It Or Not! museum has opened in the heart of Times Square presenting visitors with the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Not quite so odd, nor as bizarre, is the recently re-opened USS Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum offering an interactive and multi-sensory adventure for adults and kids.

So here's the upshot of it all. Don't listen to anyone except me. I'm bringing you good news. Matt, Wolf, Anderson, Katie - they need to do the same. Tell the stories of what's succeeding (not failing), what's opening (not closing), what's re-priced (not over-priced). Stay tuned here for the best of the story.