New York City Culture Travel U.S. 2023 Experiences

U.S. New York City’s Official Destination Marketing Organization and Convention and Visitors Bureau presents It’s Time for Culture℠ Program, offering almost 100 cultural experiences across the Five Boroughs in the NYC United States. 

Comprising seasonal events, concerts, tours, classes, family-friendly programs, workshops and more, visit nyctourism.com/timeforculture to explore and experience the diverse vibrant cultural scenes from Spring Summer May 9-21, 2023.

Mastercard® is the preferred payment partner for It’s Time for Culture as the premier sponsor of New York City Tourism + Conventions' signature vibrancy programs.

Soak in the cultural vibes,  performances and artistics experiments at  Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, Coney Island USA, Queens Theatre, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Mark Morris Dance Group, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Dance Parade, New York Live Arts, Museum of the City of New York, National Museum of the American Indian, Apollo Theater, Harlem One Stop, American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog, Louis Armstrong House Museum, New York Hall of Science, National Lighthouse Museum, among the famed attractions.

U.S. Cultural Travel NYC Highlights 

Spring Season Wine Workshops at New York Botanical Garden 2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx, NY 10458 

Sip and savor spring during a wine lover’s weekend at New York Botanical Garden, featuring wineries from the Hudson Valley, Brooklyn and Long Island. Enjoy a glass or two, unwind with live music, learn the science behind making great wines and kick back with a variety of crafts and games. 

Whitney Museum of American Art Friday Nights at 99 Gansevoort St. Manhattan, NY 10014

The Whitney offers pay-what-you-wish admission for all visitors each Friday from 7 to 10pm. Enjoy the museum’s exhibitions along with drinks at the Studio Bar and sunset views on the terraces. 

The Met Date Night on Fifth Ave. at 82nd St. Manhattan, NY 10028 

Bring a friend or special someone (or just yourself) for an evening of live music, drinks and 5,000 years of art. This event is free with museum admission, which is always pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and NY, NJ, and CT students with valid ID.

The Great Lighthouse Hunt at National Lighthouse Museum at 200 The Promenade at Lighthouse Point, Staten Island, NY 10301 

Travel through U.S. Staten Island and stop at the different locations to view the 10 lighthouses on and around the borough. Each location will have volunteers from the National Lighthouse Museum, who will give you lighthouse facts and the stickers corresponding with each lighthouse on your map. Traveling by car, motorcycle or bicycle (for experienced cyclists) is recommended. A family or group can pay for one car ($35); motorcyclists and cyclists are $15 each. 

Visit New York City’s Official Destination Marketing Organization and Convention and Visitors Bureau presents It’s Time for Culture℠ Program at nyctourism.com/timeforculture

for more information, reservations and enquiries and social media handles @nyctourism and @nyctourismnews on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, hashtag #WhatsGoodNYC and #ItsTimeForCulture .

Sabah Kota Kinabalu Malaysia - Travel Tour with Malaysia Airlines in 72 hours

Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia is the gateway to The Kinabalu Park, Malaysia first World Heritage site and Aspiring Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark that includes Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia and Mount Tambayukon, the 3rd highest in Malaysia and the districts of Ranau, Kota Belud and Kota Marudu.

Escape the everyday monotonous life and immerse yourself in Enchanting Sabah world of magnificent mountainous terrains, lush rainforests, flora and fauna, spectacular sunrise of Mount Kinabalu and splendorous sunsets of the South China Sea.

Mount Kinabalu Sunrise View

Experience snorkeling, diving, sea walking and parasailing at crystal clear turquoise water at Sabah Manukan, Gaya Island, Mamutik, Sapi, Sulug, Pulau Tiga - Borneo’s original Survivor Island, paragliding at Lohan Village Ranau or cycling in the air on Mont K Skybike.

Sabah Beach Resort

In the idyllic sanctuaries at Kundasang and Ranau against the enchanting picturesque postcard perfect Mt. Kinabalu and misty mountainous backdrop, pat an Alpaca from South America at Alpaca Club,  milk a cow at Desa Diary Farm, feed a goat at Sably Goat Haven, cuddle a rabbit at Ranau Rabbit Farm, Arnab Village in Kg Kibbas or simply marvel at the soothing sight of luscious Sabah Tea Garden Plantation. 

Alpaca at The Alpaca Club Kundasang Sabah 

Enjoy Sabah freshly made gelato, ice yogurt, soft serve ice cream, cheese, cow milk, goat milk pudding, Sabah Tea Garden freshly made tea pancakes and Sabah Tea Pandan teh tarik, inhale and invigorate in fresh mountain air, chill at high altitudes in cool dewy misty weather.

Embark on easy to challenging hiking trails at Sosodikon Hill for 360 views of Kundasan and Mount Kinabalu, Maragang Hill for Mount Kinabalu view, Mesilau Cats’ Village and the Mesilou Highland Strawberry Farm, Tinorindak Hill and cloud carpet sightings, Culvert view and Kundasang farmers market, Bukit Kimondou with sunflower flora scape, Mesilou 3Sixty, Crystal Hill, muru turu trail and more.

Sosodikon Hill against Mount Kinabalu

Taste exceptionally culinary cuisine and cocktails from OITOM fine dining, Hyatt Centric ON22 restaurant and ON23 rooftop bar, Limau & Linen, Tana Borneo Scandavian, Tamu rooftop bar at Toojou Hotel, Mamasita mexican, Gusto Italian Food & Wine or local Sabahan dishes. 

Feast on fresh seafood and listen to the waves, live music and wind down with drinks at restaurants, bars and clubs located at Kota Kinabalu Waterfront Esplanade or Todak Waterfront Hawker Centre.  

Sabah Seafood feast fiesta 

Cafe-hopping at Australia Lane, shopping at Imago and Jesselton Mall, relaxing at hotel spas like Shangri-la Tanjung Aru and Rasa-Ria, Le Meriden, Hyatt Regency, Sutera Harbour, Magellan Sutera Resort and Pacific Sutera,  go on and sooth your sensory in Sabah.

Malaysia Airlines, the National flagship carrier of Malaysia launched its inaugural flight to Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah on August 27, 2022 with much fanfare like the traditional water cannon salute upon arrival at BKI, welcome ceremony by representatives from Malaysia Airlines Berhad, Tourism Malaysia, Sabah Tourism Board, and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad who gifted limited edition souveiners for passengers.

Malaysia Airlines plane landing at Kota Kinabalu Airport

Malaysia Airlines SIN-BKI flight uses Boeing B737-800 aircraft, with 16 seats in Business Class and 144 seats in Economy Class, departs from Terminal 1, Changi International Airport Singapore to Kota Kinabalu on MH648 at 10:00 and arrives at 12:25, with returning flight MH647 Kota Kinabalu to Singapore at 07:00 BKI, arriving at 09:15 SIN, every Monday, Thursday and Saturday​​.

For a flexible itinerary, fly with Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur and connect at your convenience to Sabah with 9 daily domestic flights to Kota Kinabalu (BKI) Tawau (TWU) 5 daily flights for travelling to Semporna, Sipadan, Mabul and Kapalai islands as well as 5 flights to Sandakan (SDK).

Malaysia Airlines MasWings Domestic Network 

Stay at the newly minted modernistic Hyatt Centric, Kota Kinabalu latest 4.5 star hotel located near Jesselton Ferry terminal, Le Meridian newly remodeled, minutes from the KK waterfront promenade or Horizon Hotel, right in the heart of the city or Shangri-la Tanjung Aru, Rasa Ria or The Sutera Group of hotels for stunning sea views and luxurious spa.

Horizon Hotel Kota Kinabalu Deluxe Room

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu 

The very first one and only Hyatt Centric brand opened in Kota Kinabalu in October 2022, a first in Malaysia and South East Asia. @hyattcentrickotakinabalu #hyattcentrickotakinabalu 

Hyatt Centric KK Hotel Sunset View from ON23 Rooftop bar 

Set against the lush landscape of Signal Hill, enjoy spectacular sweeping views of Signal Hill, the islands at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and the South China Sea with the most spectacular splendorous sunset, making it the most Instagrammable hotel in Kota Kinabalu possibly.

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu Hotel Infinity Pool

Designed by globally renowned architect Kengo Kuma,  the architecture and interiors reflects the heritage of Sabah and majestic jungles of Borneo showcased in the contemporary suites, guestrooms and lobby. The greenery-accented rooftop creates the sense of being at the canopy overlooking the blue waters and verdant hills which houses the infinity pool, duplex restaurant and bar. 

Hyatt Centric Hotel KK Seaview Suite

Stay at Seaview King Suite with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private balcony and massive living room, dining area, comfortable King size bed, walk in wardrobe and huge bathroom complete with bath tub,  separate rainshower and duo vanity areas.

Dine in at ON22 restaurant or enjoy cocktails and wine at ON23 bar duplex dining destination with it's Zen interiors, vibrant Asian flavours and creative beverages. 

Hyatt Centric KK ON22 Restaurant Duplex 

Kota Kinabalu Sabah Nature Adventure Itinerary 

Nabula Handicraft Market | Desa Diary Farm | Poring Hot Spring | Canopy Walkway | Marakau Carp Fish Spa | Kinabalu Park Viewing Platform 

Climbing Mount Kinabalu is the ultimate bucket list in Sabah,  fascinating with more than 4500 species of flora and fauna, high altitude of 1,520m above sea level and staggering height of 4,095.2m at the summit where snow was sighted for minutes if you were super lucky, for Instagram shots, IG reels and stories at Low's  peak and the freshest mountain you could inhale, exhilarate, and revitalise but it typically takes 3 days.

Mount Kinabalu Summit

The next best option is perhaps catching captivating views of majestic Mount. Kinabalu on a clear day or see it shrouded in mysterious mist during photo pitstop at the lookout platform of Kinabalu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nabula Market viewing point or hiking around Kundasang hills.

Desa Dairy Farm Mount Kinabalu Foothills

Desa Dairy Farm farm at the foothills offers breathtaking scenic highlands view of Mount Kinabalu and surrounds with 199 hectares green vast pasture and grazing cows that produces 900,000 litres of milk per year. 

Happy Cows at Desa Dairy Farm

Visit the 'New Zealand of Malaysia' for most Instagrammable shots, feeding the Holstein-Friesian calves and cows, enjoying icy cold fresh made ice cream, nibbling on cheese and sipping frothy milk or learn about fresh milk processing.

After refuelling with Sabahan home style lunch and Sabah Tea, continue to Poring Hot Springs where the sulphur rich bath and dips are supposed to be therapeutic and relax tense muscles, promote good sleep and skin.

Poring Canopy Treetop Walk

Trek pass bamboo enclaves above winding gushing rivers, hike through the rainforest trail to the canopy walkway of suspension bridge that weaves through the crowns of the tallest and strongest rainforest trees at the height up to 41 meters above ground. Take the time to seek and forage butterflies, squirrels, birds and insects, be inspired by the harmonious halcyon pastoral panorama.

Mountainous Harmonious Halcyon Pastoral Panorama

Stopby Marakau fish spa for a colorful carps foot therapy in the shallow river before heading to Kinabalu Park for Instagram photo shots and then journey back to Kinabalu city.

Cafe Hopping Kota Kinabalu | Wine & Dine | Mall Shopping | Sunday Market | Spa Activities 

Kota Kinabalu cafe hopping culture is a chill and lepak way to experience a relaxing weekend in KK. Take a walk down Australian Lane, located at Lorong Dewan where rows of Instagrammable cafes awaits.

Cafe Hopping Australia Lane Nooks Cafe 

Nooks cafe, Woo, October Cafe Gaya, Biru Biru Cafe Bar to the newly open Le Phi attracts trendy, hippy crowd to serious coffee enthusiasts. Be seen, Nuff said.

Visit Gaya Market in the heart of the city, surrounded by endless local restaurants, cafes and coffeeshops and just opposite Horizon Hotel. Soak in the vibrant local community vibes and browse through a wide variety of  knick-knacks from traditional wind instruments blowpipes, hand woven bags, arts and crafts, clothes and antiques, fashion jewellery to souvenirs,  local food snacks and drinks, open only on Sunday from 6.30am till noon.

Gaya Street Sunday Market

Kota Kinabalu Central Handicraft Market by the waterfront is another popular market, open daily for local market experience.

Sabahan Tribe performance at IMAGO

Popular places to shop includes Imago, the latest shopping mall housing Rolex, Coach and Tory Burch, seafront Jesselton Mall with duty free shopping by Valiram Group at Jesselton ferry terminal attracts with Ferragamo, Swiss Luxury Watch Gallery, Versace Beauty, Suria Sabah Shopping Mall by the waterfront with high street brands,  Kota Kinabalu City Waterfront, Centre Point Sabah or for more local vibes, visit One Borneo Place, City Mall Shopping, Karamunsing Complex, KK Times Square, KK Plaza.

Malaysia Airlines Singapore to Kota Kinabalu launch offer is priced attractively for Business Class from MYR 1653 (approximately S$508/ USD375) and Economy Basic from MYR 391 (approximately S$121/USD90)

Malaysia Airlines descending to Kota Kinabalu 

Experience Enchanting Sabah with Malaysia Airlines, stay at the brand new Hyatt Centric Hotel and watch Malaysia Airlines planes goes by literally,  enjoy a relaxing seafront city break in Kota Kinabalu or explore Mount Kota Kinabalu, Kundasang Sabah Nature Adventure for your upcoming holiday vacations.

Hyatt Centric South China Sea View with Malaysia Airlines Plane

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu opening offer from MYR360++ (approximately S$132/USD101) with ultra attractive perks like Daily breakfast included, Late check-out 3PM subject to availability. Guided Art Mural Walking Tour of the neighbourhood, once per stay. For a consecutive 3 nights stay enjoy double room upgrade and 1 way airport transfer service per room per stay. Room upgrade will be subject to availability at time of arrival.

Visit Tourism Malaysia Instagram @malaysia.truly.asia #MalaysiaTrulyAsia #CutiCutiMalaysia #DreamMalaysia, Sabah Tourism Instagram @sabahtourism #@sabahtourism and Malaysia Airlines Instagram @Malaysiaairlines #MalaysiaHospitality for what to do in Malaysia, what to eat in Malaysia, what to see in Malaysia, flights to Malaysia and beyond. 

Singapore Marina Bay Countdown 2023 | Family Holiday Activities Carnivals Season

Marina Bay Fireworks Singapore 2023 Countdown, Star Island at The Float Marina Bay, The Great Fiesta Carnival with The ShowMaster Cirque de Cascades, Ice Magic, World Carnival and Food Fiesta, Changi Airport T3 Underground Carnival, part of Changi Festive Village, Changi Jurassic Mile Dino Glow, NTUC Mega Carnival at D’Marquee Downtown East and Jumptopia are festive activities that are fun and entertaining, as popular family recreation in Singapore for Year End Holiday, School holiday, Public Holidays this 2022/2023 Holiday vacation season.

Marina Bay Countdown Singapore 2023 #MBSC2023

Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2023 - presented by Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) features Fireworks around the Marina Bay, Marina Bay Sands Singapore, Star Island hanabi fireworks musical extravaganza with pyrotechnics and dazzling performance, Star Island Prelude at MBS Event Plaza and Esplanade.

Share the Moment on the Merlion and The Fullerton Hotel Singapore light projection shows on the facades with the theme “City of Good” for the last week of December, is in partnership with the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) and Giving.sg.

Take a scenic river cruise down the Singapore River as it sails past the Marina Bay with spectacular view of the light projection shows on the iconic facades of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and the Merlion alongside with Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Gardens by the Bay, iconic buildings and the intriguing architecture of the Singapore skyline.

Singapore Marina Bay The Great Fiesta Carnival

The Great Bay Fiesta is held in Conjunction with Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2023. The Show Master is a new blockbuster entertainment arm by Uncle Ringo that curates the fiesta with The Great Cirque de Cascades, The Great World Carnival, The Great Food Fiesta and Ice Magic: The Great Fantasy on Ice. 

Gandey’s Circus Around The World in 80 Minutes showcases nine International world class circus acts like crossbow slingers Duo Adrenlina, gravity defying Panther Troop,  The Thunderdome, Panther Troupe, Perez Motorbiker Troupe, Cyr Wheel, The CloudSwing, Afumani Warriors, and crazy clowns in the climate-controlled 1,000-seat Big Top, one of the biggest to grace Marina Bay Singapore.

Relish the nostalgia of The Great World Carnival by Uncle Ringo with classic rides like the Flying Dumbo, Ringo Slide, Big Carousel, Pirate Ship, Bumper Car and Water Boat and popular games to win fluffy plushies.

NFT IP of Prime Ape Planet design from the Genesis Collection is an experiential inflatable playland reimagined and redesigned from OpenSea’s renowned projects and a first in the Entertainment and Amusement Rides industry.

Ice Magic: The Great Fantasy On Ice, brought to you by Apollo Entertainment Media and Trident Consultancy is the biggest pop-up Wonderland winter-themed attraction in Singapore. Chocolate Origin, the presenting sponsor of Ice Magic 2022 operates a pop-up Ice Magic Cafe retailing CacaoCat Hokkaido chocolate gifts sets, chocolate ice cream, hot chocolate and chocolate goodies.

Toboggan down a 70m snow slope, the longest and tallest snow slope ever constructed in Singapore, build a snowman, make snow angels, and bounce off ‘snow clouds’, with daily snowfalls of fresh snow churned from the identical snow-making machines models used in the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022, flown in directly to enable visitors to experience the real snow ice magic winter Wonderland at up to -15 degree Celsius.

Slither down the 4.5m high Figure 8 Ice Slide that is crafted by master ice sculptors from Harbin, China, take photo with Singapore Merlion and CacaoCat Hokkaido, step into the ice igloo, play ice bowling and ice curling, try ice cycling with single and tandem bikes for couples in the icy rink.

Have an ice cold Edelweiss beer from the Austrian Alps,  sip specially created Great Fiesta Magic cocktails at the Ice Magic Bar or enjoy  steaming hot chocolate, chocolate fondant brownie, decadent soft serve chocolate ice-cream from Chocolate Origin at Ice Cafe or indulge in Cacaocat Hokkaido limited edition Yuzu chocolate.

The Great Food Fiesta consists of festive bites, specialty food, snacks and drinks from Candy Kanomthai Grill, Baan Apple, Indy Pancake Cartoon, The Big O Group, My NoNNas, Magnum and Ben & Jerry ice cream and a beer garden.

The Great Tesla Electric Light Show by The Great Bay Fiesta’s official electric vehicle (EV) partner is a daily light show that features all Tesla range -  Model 3, Model Y and Tesla Supercharger with a jazzy light show with its headlights, taillights, cabin lights, and other lighting, programmed to beat in sync with the music.

Car enthusiasts will be among the first to experience the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y in Singapore at a designated test drive route alongside Marina Bay Singapore.

The Great Bay Fiesta by Trip.com is located at Bayfront Event Space from 1 December 2022 to 1 January 2023, open daily from 1pm to 10pm. Tickets for Cirque de Cascades starts from $76, and Ice Magic from $45 for adult, $25 for child and Carnival Admission Ticket with $5 Carnival Credits for $10 

Changi Airport T3 Underground Carnival, part of Changi Festive Village 

Experience the PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE of carnivals all with over 30 carnival rides, game booths and photo-opportunities for everyone from young kids to adults. 

Step into The Great World to the Tua Seh Kai Great World Amusement Park with nostalgic vibes, old school carnival games, Uncle Ringo rides, heritage photo gallery and mama shop selling old school snacks to relish one's childhood.

Test your skills at The Modern World game booths like Ball the Clown, King Hammer and  a large 3D shooting gallery that boasts a variety of maps, enemies and levels.

Teleport to The Future World and hop on to the Wonder Wheels or race down the Dino-Kart.

Carnival credits can be purchased via the iChangi app or a physical carnival card at the carnival ticketing booths.

Changi Airport T3 Underground Carnival is located at Changi Airport Terminal 3 Basement 2 & 3, from 4 November 2022 to 2 April 2023. Operating Hours are Weekdays (Wednesday-Friday): 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM, Weekends, School Holidays & Public Holidays: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Changi Jurassic Mile Dino Glow 

Be mesmerized and amazed with Changi's 3km light-up as you walk down Jurassic Mile beside life-sized dinosaurs at the Changi Airport Park Connector. Reminiscence of iluminating colours of Avatar 2, step into a mystical world of fantasy with magical glow as you stroll down the landscaped lanes.

For the first time, at the start of the Park Connector, indulge and purchase from food trucks offering local fare, burgers and freshly-churned ice-cream, for you to fuel up upon embarkation on this journey of outdoor fun or disembarkation.

Changi Jurassic Mile Dino Glow is located at Terminal 2 (opposite carpark 2A), Access from Hub & Spoke or via Terminal 4, from 6 December 2022 fo 31 January 2023, 7:00 PM–1:00 AM

NTUC Mega Carnival at D’Marquee Downtown East 

Have a fun filled funfair and play with over 20 unlimited games & rides in each timeslot, covering around 50,000 square feet of play area all in one single price! 

Try the Virtual Reality (VR) station for a heart-pounding immersive adventure, challenge at arcade zone, race in Daytona, show off your dance moves, challenge your friends to a match on the LED air hockey game or navigate endless slides and mazes in the wheely fun obstacle course.

Jurassic Jamboree showcases dinosaur-themed attractions like dino egg trampoline, Dino sand pits,  Viking rides, tree sildes and merry-go rounds 

Mega Carnival is located at D’Marquee Downtown East from 19 November 2022 – 5 February 2023, with tickets from $28.

Kiztopia Jumptopia Wonder Garden: Festive Village

Marina Bay Sands Expo houses Jumptopia: Festive Village with seven curated zones. Explore Santa Reindeer Squad, Tiger Sleigh, Bell Gingerbread House, Mark Carnival, Haribo Birthday with Honey, Drago Christmas Land, Happy Snow Globe, Eli Tub, TimeZone arcade corner, inflatable castles, play areas, live performances,  'snow' area,  Christmas market and festive food, Pizza Expressa and snacks.

Jumptopia: Festive Village is located at Marina Bay Sands Expo® and Convention Centre, Hall C from 22 Nov 2022 - 3 Jan 2023, 10am to 8pm (Monday to Thursday) 10am to 10pm (Friday to Sunday, PH eve, PH), tickets from $36 for 3 hour play.