Harlem for the Holidays

From December 4 through January 2, more than 40 Harlem retailers, restaurants, bakeries, theaters, and museums have partnered with NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing tourism and partnership organization, to celebrate the neighborhood and the holiday season.

Also, a Harlem for the Holidays trolley — operated by Gray Line New York Sightseeing — will provide free rides to the neighborhood. The service will be offered daily through January 2, with a trolley departing from Times Square and making four stops within Harlem.

Yesterday, NYC & Company CEO, George Fertitta, joined Harlem Business Alliance Vice President Regina Smith, Executive Director of Harlem Week, Winston Majette, and Gray Line New York Sightseeing Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mike Alvich, along with a 15-member gospel choir from the Marble Collegiate Church in Times Square to welcome passengers and send off the first trolley as part of this year’s Harlem for the Holidays program.

“This holiday season we encourage both New Yorkers and visitors to head to Harlem to experience some of the City’s best dining, entertainment, culture and fabulous shopping,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. “In these tough economic times, Harlem for the Holidays, combined with free trolley service, makes visiting Harlem even more convenient, and easier than ever to explore and enjoy all the attractions and offers uptown.”

The free Harlem for the Holidays trolley will depart daily every two hours between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm from Times Square at the corner of West 48th Street and Broadway. It will provide hop-on, hop-off service at four locations in Harlem before returning to Times Square. Trolley stops are: 125th Street and 8th Avenue, 135th Street and 7th Avenue, 125th Street and Lenox Avenue, and 116th Street and Lenox Avenue. Passengers will need tickets to board the trolley; tickets are available at the Times Square Information Center (7th Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets) and at the Gray Line Visitor Center (777 Eighth Avenue between 47th and 48th Streets). There will be no trolley service on December 25 or January 1.

Harlem for the Holiday offers include free museum admission, 10% discounts on clothing purchases, and free desserts with the purchase of a meal at neighborhood restaurants. Patrons must mention Harlem for the Holidays to take advantage of the promotions.

For a complete list of Harlem for the Holidays merchants, special offers and trolley information, visit www.nycgo.com or call 311.

Harlem for the Holidays information also is available at City visitor kiosks in the Financial District (26 Wall Street), at City Hall Park (Broadway at Park Row) and in Chinatown (at the intersection of Canal, Walker and Baxter Streets).

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