Ariel would be right at home at this water spa! (
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Alice liked her tea — and so will you, when you see the spread at Tea & Sympathy (New York Post)
In Historic Richmond Town, they know how to spin the past. (
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This princess needed her beauty sleep (and so do you!) (
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Make like Rapunzel and get hair extensions. (Blue Lantern Studio/CORBIS)
Build your own Hansel and Gretel house — and eat it, too!
Today at noon, create gingerbread houses tasty enough to make the old witch swear off gobbling children forever at the Church Street School for Music and Art’s House Decorating workshop brunch at the Bubble Lounge; (228 West Broadway; 212-431-3433). Enjoy endless building supplies, Champagne and live music. But don’t eat all the decorations; there will be enough hors d’oeuvres to go around. If you’ve got little ones, don’t miss the Church Street School’s family-friendly gingerbread workshops on Saturdays and Sundays in December (100 per house; 74 Warren St.; 212-571-7290). Adult event is $125 per individual, $175 per couple.
Tumble down the rabbit hole for tea
Indulge in high tea fit for Alice and her Wonderland friends at Tea & Sympathy (108 Greenwich Ave.; 212-989-9735). This charming West Village restaurant serves an authentic selection of British comfort food for lunch and dinner. But just a glimpse of the finger sandwich (cucumber and cream cheese, egg salad and watercress, and Coronation Chicken, among others), the scones, cakes and pots of steeping hot tea will transport you across the pond. The Afternoon Tea for One is $35.
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!
Extend your locks at Allure Day Spa & Hair Design (139 E. 55th St.; 212-644-5500). The skilled hair-extension technicians will make your tresses the envy of all the ladies in the land. Choose from two types of extensions — weft or bonded-keratin — to get your ideal look. Both services use only real hair, so you get that lighter-than-air feel fit for a princess. Receive 10 percent off extension services, which range from $400 to $1,500 depending on type, length and fullness desired.
Sleep, Sleeping Beauty
Take a break from all your royal duties and indulge in a nap at Yelo Spa (315 W. 57th St.; 212-245-8235). Take a power nap in a YeloCab — a cozy pod filled with your favorite aromatherapy scent. You’ll be lulled to sleep in a zero-gravity YeloChair (your legs are rested above your chest to induce relaxation. Your choice of soundtrack, including ocean waves, classical music and nature sounds, encourages slumber until you are awakened by an LED “sunrise” effect. The Nap Plus ($40) includes a 10-minute foot or shoulder massage followed by a 20-minute nap. Naps are available in five-minute increments from 20 to 40 minutes. Prices range from $15 to $28.
Channel your Little Mermaid
Spa Castle (131-10 11th Ave., College Point, Queens; 718-939-6313) is a water lover’s paradise — especially in winter. Slip into one of four heated indoor mineral pools or get refreshed with a dip into the cold bath pool in this multilevel spa haven, which actually looks like a castle inside and out. For (mer)people looking to get their tails wet in the open air, there is also a heated outdoor pool, open year-round. Don’t miss the seven themed saunas — LED, gold, salt, far infrared ray, cold, jade and soil. Day passes are $35 on weekdays and $45 on weekends.
Spin like Rumpelstiltskin
Trade in your spinning bike for a spindle Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in December at NYC’s Department of Parks and Recreation’s Drop Spindle group at Historic Richmond Town (441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island; 718-351-1611). Learn to make your own woolen thread, which can transform into your heart’s desire. Though you may not be able to spin straw into gold you’ll learn an age-old fairy tale tradition in good company. Reservation required; $15 for three classes.