Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

Must-See Week is here, bringing you 2-for-1 tickets for attractions, museums, performing arts, and tours across the five boroughs. We have a discount offer and a chance to win a pair of tickets to Joy Behar’s new play, “My First Ex-Husband.” Head to the Armory for The Winter Show, the nation’s premier antique show, and don’t miss the exciting Meet the Breeds event for dog lovers at the Javits Center. Hurry to Gabrielle Carlson’s blowout sale for unbeatable deals. Our Long Island reporter shines a spotlight on art classes. Also, please vote for our friend Karen Nason for Entrepreneur of Impact. And can you guess where our roving photographer is this week?

NYC’s Must-See Week

NYC Must-See Week is an annual event that offers 2-for-1 tickets to over 60 attractions, museums, tours, and performances across New York City. This year, it runs from January 21 to February 9, 2025. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore the city’s top sights without breaking the bank!

Some of the participating attractions include:

• Museums & Galleries: MoMA, Guggenheim, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and more.
• Sights & Tours: Empire State Building, Central Park Tours, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, and more.
• Performing Arts: Carnegie Hall, New York Philharmonic, and The Metropolitan Opera.

Here are some of the top attractions to check out during NYC Must-See Week:

• Empire State Building Observatory: Enjoy breathtaking views of the city from one of its most iconic landmarks.
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Explore an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art.
• Guggenheim Museum: Admire the unique architecture and innovative exhibitions in this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building.
• New York Botanical Garden: Escape the city’s hustle and bustle with a visit to this lush, tropical oasis in the Bronx.
• Carnegie Hall: Catch a world-class performance at this historic venue.
• Life and Trust: Dive into an immersive theatrical experience set in 1929, just before the Stock Market Crash.
• QC NY Spa: Pamper yourself with wellness treatments at this serene spa on Governors Island.
• NYC Bagel Tours: Satisfy your taste buds with a delicious bagel tour through the city.
• Edge Observation Deck: Take in stunning views from the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere.
• Museum of the Moving Image: Discover the art, technology, and cultural impact of film, television, and digital media.

Get all the details and book your best of NYC experience now.

Discount Offer + Ticket Giveaway

A hilarious, no-holds-barred series of stories created by the legendary Joy Behar.  With razor-sharp wit and zero filters, Joy dives into the messy truths of love, marriage, and divorce, revealing the chaotic, funny, and often eye-opening realities of relationships.  These stories are as relatable as they are outrageous, offering something for anyone who’s ever tied the knot—or thought about untying it. Each month brings rotating cast. GET THE DETAILS.

Jan. 24-Feb. 2. The Winter Show at the Armory

The Winter Show at the Park Avenue Armory is a premier art, antiques, and design fair in America. This year, it runs from January 24 to February 2, 2025. The show features over 70 internationally renowned dealers presenting a wide range of works spanning 5,000 years of civilization. You’ll find everything from Roman glass and Chinese ceramics to modern and contemporary American art, glass, ceramics, and furniture3.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to see rare and precious items, and it also serves a greater purpose by supporting East Side House Settlement, which provides critical services and resources to residents of the Bronx and Northern Manhattan. GET THE DETAILS.

Jan. 25-26. Meet the Breeds

AKC Meet the Breeds is an exciting event for dog lovers of all ages! It’s the nation’s largest educational dog extravaganza, and it’s happening at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on January 25-26, 2025.

At Meet the Breeds, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Meet hundreds of dogs and puppies from over 170 breeds.
• Learn about responsible dog ownership and find out which breeds might be the best fit for your lifestyle.
• Watch impressive demonstrations by dogs showcasing their skills in obedience, agility, and more.
• Participate in interactive activities and educational sessions about dog care and training.

It’s a fantastic event for anyone who loves dogs or is thinking about adding a furry friend to their family. GET DETAILS AND TICKETS.

Now to Jan. 28. The Sale of the Season

Sure, sales are everywhere, but Gabrielle Carlson’s collection of beautiful clothes in fabulous colors and luxurious fabrics stands unrivaled. Believe me, this is one sale event you simply can’t afford to pass up. Hurry to Gab’s before the sale ends. 1034A Lexington @73/74 St., NYC

Spotlight on Long Island: Art Classes

There’s a certain kind of magic that happens in an art class- a quiet transformation that extends far beyond the canvas. Whether you are a seasoned painter or someone who hasn’t held a paintbrush since childhood, stepping into an art class is like stepping into a world of possibility. Our Long Island reporter Andrea Peponakis shines a light on some of Long Island’s art classes. GET THE DETAILS.

Roving In Paris

Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

There are many nicknames for the spectacular city of Paris. City of Light, City of Love, Capital of Fashion and The Lady of Iron are obvious ones, not even touching upon its wine, cheese, croissants and coffee, some of my favorite simple indulgences!

Paris is a seamless blend of the old and the new, especially evident in its stunning architecture and design. One of my favorite examples of this is the Frank Gehry Louis Vuitton Foundation Museum shaped like a glass sailboat that has become a French landmark as much as the newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral.  The Louvre from 1793 serves as a divine backdrop for the 1989 addition of I.M. Pei’s modern glass pyramid.

On a smaller scale, this holds true with the intriguing placement of contemporary sculptures such as Jeff Koons outside the Petit Palais and Daniel Buren outside the Grand Palais. This combination is proof that Paris is a blank canvas and always a work in progress.

Since Paris recently hosted the Sumner Olympics, every gold detail shines blindingly bright. Over time the glow will fade and the urban grit of the complex vibrant city will absorb it, filling it with new character, forever defining trés chic!

~Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath”

Help Karen Nason Win the Entrepreneur of Impact

Karen Nason was our very first Tomatoes Got Talent winner. Not only is she a great performer, but she is an amazing entrepreneur who has had several successful businesses. Your vote for Karen also supports a great cause to help schoolchildren thrive and live well-nourished, physically active lives. Vote Now.