Did the Polar Vortex force you to miss the Lunar New Year festivities last weekend? It’s time to cel

Chinatown

No surprise, we are starting in Chinatown. From its beginnings as a general store outpost in Chatham Square, Chinatown has grown into an important enclave of Chinese culture in NYC. To get a taste of that culture try these spots.

Museum of Chinese in America 215 Centre Street

The Museum of Chinese in America is hosting a Family Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, February 20 from 11-4. The scheduled events include a Lion Dance performance and workshop, a noodle-pulling demo and New Year Festival Dancing. The museum also includes permanent exhibits and collections documenting Chinese life in America.

Columbus Park 67 Mulberry Street

This park has a notorious past as a hang out for criminal gangs when the area was known as the Five Points. Today the park serves as a gathering spot for many residents of Chinatown. Most days you can see practitioners of Tai Chi and hear the sounds of traditional Chinese stringed instruments.

Foods of the New Year

Noodles are often part of traditional New Year celebrations as they symbolize long life in the New Year. Head to these noodle experts to enjoy some great noodles. (As if we needed an excuse to do a little carb loading!)

momofuku Noodle Bar 171 First Avenue

The first of the momofuku outposts, this is at the top of most lists for the best noodles in NYC.

Xi’an Famous Foods 81 St. Mark’s Place (6 other Manhattan locations)

An array of amazing noodle dishes, including a selection of must-try hand pulled noodles.

Fish represents abundance in the New Year. We are getting away from the Asian-influenced dishes with our suggestions for some of the tastiest fish in NYC.

Lure Fish Bar 142 Mercer Street

A bit upscale with a boisterous (read loud) bar scene, fresh, delicious seafood abounds.

Seamore’s 390 Broome Street

A more casual approach to fish, many swear by the fish tacos as among the best in NYC.

Luke’s Lobster 93 East 7th Street (7 Other Manhattan locations and a roving lobster truck)

The only answer to “where can I find NYC’s best lobster roll”?

The Monkey’s Celebrated Traits

The Monkey is known to be clever, quick-witted and a master improviser. Where better to see these traits on display than at an improv performance. For our money there is none better than the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). UCB has two NYC locations where you can be entertained for a very reasonable price.

The Monkey is also known to be a great motivator. If you’re looking to exercise your inner cheerleader you can do that on Sunday, February 21 at the NYCRUNS Central Park Marathon and Half Marathon. With the forecast calling for unusually warm weather, you can enjoy some time (the races starts at 8/8:30 so you have to be out there early) in Central Park cheering on the runners. The course is entirely contained within the park.

The Real Deal Monkey

And speaking of Central Park, if you’re looking to see the real thing (we mean Monkeys – just to be clear) you can visit the Snow Monkey exhibit in the Central Park Zoo. If you’re feeling like a trip to Brooklyn, the Prospect Park Zoo has just debuted two new primates in celebration of the Year of the Monkey.

Monkey Bar 60 East 54th Street

What better way cap off your Year of the Monkey celebration than with a cocktail or two at the legendary Monkey Bar in the Elysee Hotel. The whimsical murals of monkeys that decorate the bar area will let you know that you have finished your salute to the Year of the Monkey just right.