From December 4 through January 2, New Yorkers and Visitors are Invited to Experience Harlem and Enjoy Savings and Promotions; Free Trolley from Times Square Provides Convenient Access to the Neighborhood

NEW YORK, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- NYC & Company, New York City's official marketing tourism and partnership organization, today kicked-off Harlem for the Holidays in Times Square. From December 4 through January 2, more than 40 Harlem retailers, restaurants, bakeries, theaters, and museums have partnered with NYC & Company to celebrate the neighborhood and the holiday season, with more than 20 merchants offering savings and promotions. New this year, 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.

On Thursday, NYC & Company CEO, George Fertitta, joined Harlem Business Alliance Vice President Regina Smith, Executive Director of HARLEM WEEK, INC Winston Majette, and Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Gray Line New York Sightseeing Michael 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.

Merchants include: The Brownstone, Creole Restaurant, Dinosaur BBQ, Harlem's Heaven Boutique, Harlem Lanes, Harlem Underground, Hats By Bunn, Hudson River Cafe, Katrina Parris Flowers, Londel's Supper Club, Melba's Restaurant, National Jazz Museum, Progressive Unlimited, Settepani Bakery, and Strictly Roots Restaurant.

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).

NYC & Company worked with the Harlem Business Alliance and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce to develop this year's program.

NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and promoting the positive image of New York City worldwide.

SOURCE NYC & Company