Built in the 1920s, the Hotel Elysée is a small hotel offering visitors to New York City an intimate, cozy respite from the bustle of Manhattan awaiting just outside. Leisure travelers will appreciate the convenient location of Hotel Elysée, which is within easy walking distance of many Midtown Manhattan attractions, including Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue shopping, Central Park and The Museum of Modern Art. Room rates with the discounted rates start around $310 per night and include continental breakfast, internet access, New York Sports Club passes and wine and hors d'oeuvres each weekday evening.

About.com readers can save 10% off published rates at Hotel Elysee for stays throughout November. You can book your hotel online using the special code "TURKEY" or call the hotel directly and ask for the "About.com Rate."

Hotel Review: Hotel Elysee Review

_{Photo courtesy of HKHotels.}

In it's October 2009 issue, Cookie Magazine highlights six chain hotels that are good choices for families: The Four Seasons, Embassy Suites, Loews, Paradisus, Aloft, and The Ritz-Carlton.

Families visiting New York City might want to consider some of these chains with locations in New York City:

Embassy Suites New York:

102 North End Avenue, 212-945-0100

Like the name implies, all the accommodations are suites, giving parents and children traveling together a bit of extra space (and privacy!). In addition, room rates include cooked to order breakfast and a nightly Manager's reception with wine, beer, cocktails and snacks. The location is a bit of a walk from the subway, but it's near the Hudson River and Battery Park, and well situated for families who want to explore downtown Manhattan.

The 14th Annual Kids' Night On Broadway offers children 6-18 the opportunity to see select Broadway shows for free when accompanied by a paying adult -- quite a deal when Broadway tickets can easily cost over $100 each! Starting today (November 9, 2009) at noon, tickets will go on sale for performances on Tuesday, February 2, Wednesday, February 3 and Sunday, February 7, 2009. The second ticket must be used by a child ages 6-18 (they may ask for ID when in doubt at the theater), and tickets must be purchased in multiples of two (each ticket will be issued at half price). Over 20 Broadway and Off-Broadway productions are participating, including Avenue Q, Hair!, Billy Elliot: The Musical and Wicked.

Official Site: Kids' Night on Broadway
Best of NYC: Best Broadway Shows for Families

_{Kids' Night on Broadway graphic courtesy of The Broadway League.}

From November 12-15, 2009, the American Museum of Natural History will once again host the Margaret Mead Film and Video Festival. This four day film festival features documentaries that help viewers to better understand the diversity of the world's peoples and cultures, to honor the legacy of famed anthropologist Margaret Mead. The 2009 Festival will screen 33 documentaries which are set around the world -- from Alaska and Brooklyn to Africa and the Ukraine.

Details: 2009 Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival

Visitors Guide: AMNH Visitors Guide

Visitor Tips: AMNH Visitor Tips

For the fifth consecutive year, The Pond at Bryant Park will be offering free ice skating to New Yorkers and visitors alike. To celebrate its grand opening on November 6, 2009, The Pond at Bryant Park is hosting a free-to-the-public lunchtime event with skating performances, celebrity appearances, commentary from New York City officials and Citigroup, music and additional entertainment beginning at 1 p.m.

Article: Ice Skating on the Pond at Bryant Park
More: Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center Guide
More: Ice Skating in New York City

_{Photo of The Pond at Bryant Park © Heather Cross, Licensed to About.com}

Ferne Afrin, About.com's Guide to UK Travel has put together a great round-up of Christmas Markets around the world. Christmas Markets began as a tradition in Germany and Austria, but today you'll find them throughout Europe, and of course, New York City promises to have a little bit of everything, so we have our own Holiday Markets that offer great shopping opportunities in New York City.

In the spirit of Halloween, Concierge.com has put together a round-up of Twelve Deadly Hotels, including two in New York City -- the Chelsea Hotel, where Sid Vicious killed his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, and the Park Central Hotel (formerly the Park Sheraton), scene of two famous mob murders.

Article: Twelve Deadly Hotels
Events: Halloween Events in New York City
More: Haunted New York City

On Location Tours features great tours for visitors to New York City who want to see locations used in their favorite films and movies. In addition to tours for fans of Sex & The City, Gossip Girl, and The Sopranos, On Location Tours has two more general tours: a walking tour of Central Park Movie Sites and a bus tour of New York TV and Movie Sites. On Location's Tours are all led by enthusiastic, knowledgeable tour guides and provide fun and interesting ways to explore New York City.

Article: On Location Tours of New York City
Best of NYC: Best New York City Walking Tours
Best of NYC: Recommended Guided Tours of New York City

_{Photo of Museum of the City of New York from the Gossip Girl Sites Tour © Heather Cross, Licensed to About.com}

If you're not going to be in New York City for Halloween, you might want to check out About.com's latest blog carnival, a round up of celebrations and events for Halloween Around the World.

Once again, you can lace up your skates and glide around The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center. Ice skating at Rockefeller Center is an iconic holiday tradition, but if you want to beat the crowds, now is the time to go (plus, you'll save money, since prices on skate rentals and sessions go up as of November 6, 2009).

Article: Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center Guide
More: Ice Skating on the Pond at Bryant Park
More: Ice Skating in New York City

_{Photo of Rockefeller Center Ice Rink © Heather Cross, Licensed to About.com}