Attractions

There are many reasons to love NYC during the holidays. Some reasons we have heard much about. But others are those little surprises you get when turning the block on your way to catch a train or to meet a friend. These unexpected little surprises are not only found all year round in the city, but most especially during the holidays.

One such surprise for me was on my way to catch the train home. I found that Port Authority terminal has a new art resident, at least for the moment. Noel Wiggins, founder of Areaware, a NYC based manufacturer known best for their unique and contemporary design and original expression, has set up a Holiday Pop-Up Shop displaying the various artistic pieces and design items in the area of fashion, accessories, furniture, even toys, by both local and international designers and artists.

We were recently in the store admiring all the brightly colored holiday displays and neon colored windows and ornaments. The Stop Shop follows the most recent of their Pop-Ups, Design to Go. Brought to us by Cyril Duval, after a successful International venture, the Stop Shop has proven to be one of my favorite hangouts this season. Each time I enter, I see something new or differently and can spend a lot of time there browsing through the designs by favorites like Tobias Wong, Ross Menuez, and Harry Allen just to name a few.

I was also able to pick up a few unique toys for my kids from designer Chico Bicalho and a few collectibles for my husband from NYC’s own KidRobot. Prices range from $7.00 for smaller toys and/or collectibles or more for other items. Either way, it’s a great find, and a nice little getaway from the crazed hustle and bustle of Port Authority into a magical place of expression, color, and art.

The Areaware Stop Shop Pop-Up is open through January 2, 2010.

There is no place in the world that I would rather be during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons than in New York City.  I can say this wholeheartedly and without a doubt in my mind, because I have spent many holiday seasons in many places around the world, but despite the wonderful sites elsewhere, I stand firm to my belief that this is definitely the place to be.

Right now, the streets are filled with tourists. Fifth Avenue, Times Square, and Herald Square are almost impossible to walk through, no matter what day of the week, but the shopping is good, the streets are festive, and celebration is in the air.  Some say it starts right after Halloween, and this year that pretty much seemed like the case with some retailers showcasing their best Holiday displays. But, truthfully, the celebrations really begin the day before Thanksgiving with the inflation of the Thanksgiving Day Parade floats. This event has gotten crowded over the years, so if you are heading over to Central Park West (between 71st and 81st St) with the little ones, get there early and avoid the crowds. The inflating of the floats happens between 4:00 and 8:00pm.

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I am not sure what you think of when you first think of New York City, but for me, when I am away from my beloved city there are two things I miss: Central Park and the performing arts scene.

I’ve talked a little bit about it here before; the lights of Times Square, the beauty of the rows of theaters hosting the latest, greatest shows.  I’ve talked about ways to take advantage of ticket sales and discounts, whether it be through TKTS or with seasonal sales and offers like the ones that can be had now through November with the Seasons of Savings.

But Times Square isn’t the only great place to catch a good show.  Take the train (or cab) a little further uptown and you will come upon the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts.

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This summer was a wonderful season for New York.  It was the year when the highly anticipated opening of The High Line walkway came to be.  The work and preservation of the High Line, a railway over the area of West Chelsea, has been in the works since 1999, when Friends of the High Line was first established.

After hours of negotiating and battling with the city, hours of community involvement and fundraising, a wonderful, well-designed, well-preserved piece of New York City history and architectural infrastructure is available for all to appreciate.

I have visited the High Line a few times with my family.  It isn’t a place for kids to run and play around, really.  More like a place to go for a walk, or read, or socialize quietly.  Recently, it has also become a place for some eccentric “only in New York” type of displays, but in general the place is family friendly and lovely.

There are concessions stands and regular events, including screenings of independent films, walking tours, yoga classes, and even family programs.

The design is wonderful in that it brings a newness and freshness to the scene without completely destroying or erasing the symbols of New York history.  The line is a little over a mile long now, but plans for extension are currently in the works, with goals for completion set for summer of next year.

If after taking a stroll along the High Line, or resting on one of the lounge chairs set up along side the railings, be sure to visit the Chelsea Market, one of my favorite markets in the city, with it’s trendy shops, bakeries, and eateries. Ideal spot for a quick snack!

It’s definitely worth a visit, costs nothing to go into, and has quickly become one of those “very New York” places to see.

Photo Credit: Carol Cain

The neighborhood of Greenwich Village in Manhattan is known for many things, like restaurants, shops, clubs, wonderful people watching, amazing art scene, and NYU.  The last thing one thinks about when thinking of The Village is kid-friendly.  I still wouldn’t go as far as stating that it is, though I do think that it should be a stop in your travels while in NYC, even with the kids, because even with the changes in the area over the years, it still remains a cool part of NYC, one that your kids might enjoy walking through.

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Venturing out of Manhattan every so often is always fun to do.  Before being a Manhattan resident, I lived in Queens and one of my favorite Summer day hangouts there was in Astoria.

Astoria is considered to have one of the largest Greek populations in all of the NYC boroughs and outside of Greece.  A strong symbol of this can be felt just by visiting Athens Square Park. Bronze statues of great Greek philosophers are displayed throughout, including Piaeus Athenas (c.350 BC), which was presented to New York City by Demetris Avramopoulos, Mayor of Athens on behalf of the people of Greece.

Sculpture of Piraeus Athena

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During the Summer the heat in NYC is unbearable to most.  It is no wonder, come the weekend, hundreds of cars and buses carrying city dwellers will be stuck in traffic on their way to one of the coastal beaches.

Most New Yorkers love the Long Island beaches, such as Long Beach, Robert Moses, and Jones Beach, which is wonderful because Jones Beach also hosts Summer concerts.

Long Beach, NY

But I like to often venture in the opposite direction, towards Orchard Beach in the Bronx, if I manage to leave my apartment early enough in the day for Staten Island for a fun day in the sun.

Orchard Beach in The Bronx

Recently, I discovered a wonderful park and beach area in Staten Island called Great Kills Park and Beach. Though relatively smaller than most of the other beaches I am used to frequenting, this one is also easier to get to, not as crowded, and a lot quieter.

Great Kills Beach, Staten Island

The area offers plenty of options for other activities such as model airplane flying, bird-watching, biking, hiking, fishing, and boating.

Great Kills Marina

The beach has bathroom with shower facilities, and though there aren’t any restaurants nearby, there are truck vendors who sell grilled foods such as hot dogs and burgers, as well as ice cream, chips and sodas.

Great Kills Beach

The beach area has a wonderful play area for smaller kids, but these can also be found through out the park in the various picnic areas nearby. Parking is plentiful and free, and the locals who frequent the beach are friendly and helpful.

The ride from Manhattan, with no traffic, is no more than 30 minutes over the Verrazano Bridge. But my recommendation is that no matter what beach you are wanting to visit, your best bet is to always head out earlier in the day to avoid traffic, because as much as we New Yorkers love our city, when it comes to sunny, hot summer days, we tend to all love our beaches even more!   So pack a lunch, a blanket, and an umbrella, and join us on one the many wonderful beaches we have to offer.

by Carol Cain, NYCity Mama

One of the many reasons why people come, and often stay in New York City is because of the diversity of the people, cultures, and customs found here.  Many immigrants find solace in the fact that the city is broken down into smaller pockets of communities and neighborhoods representative of their homeland.

For the Dominican community in New York City, this neighborhood is Washington Heights, and if you are ever yearning for a taste of Dominican cuisine and sounds but can’t take a plane ticket to get there, than a subway ride uptown on the A train is the next best thing.

The area of Washington Heights spans from as far up as north of Harlem on 155 St and to just below Dyckman St., in the 190s.  It is home to Bennett Park, on Ft. Washington Ave and 182nd St., and the highest point in Manhattan, the grand George Washington Bridge, the beautiful Fort Tryon Park, and the medieval Cloister’s Museum.

View of the George Washington Bridge

Ft. Tryon Park is incredibly relaxing and beautiful. Take a romantic walk along the paths of the Heather Gardens, or have a calm family picnic on the grass fields overlooking the museum.  It is a wonderful place to stop and have a quiet drink surrounded by the lush greenery while sitting at the New Leaf Restaurant and Bar, brought to us by the ever fabulous Bette Midler, and located on the Southern end of  the park.

Heather Gardens

The New Leaf

If you venture further down towards 181st and St. Nicholas Ave you would have reached the heart of Washington Heights.  Walking down St. Nicholas Avenue, especially on a sunny Summer day is definitely a unique experience.  Walk past shoppers and vendors and the various shops loudly playing their favorite merengue or bachata tunes. Ask one of the frio-frio vendors for a tamarind icy and watch as he quickly scrapes off the ice and pours the delicious fruity juice over it for you.  Or stop by one of the fruit vendors and treat yourself to a juicy mango, or a piece of the sugar cane, or some fresh coconut milk right out of the coco (for me, drinking out of the coconut with a straw is always best)!

Frio-Frio Stand

Tropical Fruit Vendor

There are several restaurants that specialize in rotisserie chicken, which is best eaten with rice, beans and some friend green plaintains, of course. My favorite is Malecon Restaurant and while there make sure you order beer like a true Dominican, and ask for a Presidente.  If all this Caribbean flare still makes you long for a water view and serene atmosphere, walk up 18st St. and into Fort Washington Park.  There not only will you be able to visit the historical Little Red Lighthouse, but you can also sit by the shores of the Hudson River, underneath the GW Bridge and watch the sun set before making your way back home.

The Little Red Lighthouse

By Carol Cain, NYCity Mama

For many years now Times Square has been known as a “must stop” tourist destination for anyone visiting New York City.  It is, after all, the beating heart of New York, the host of every New Year’s Celebration, and the home of the most popular, most anticipated Broadway shows.

Times Square at Night

The Times Square area consists of the blocks between Sixth and Eighth Avenues from east to west, and West 40th and West 53rd Streets from south to north. It is the home of The Great White Way, referred as such because of the bright theater lights that shine there, and where famous theaters showcase popular performances such as Chicago, Wicked, Hair, Mamma Mia!, The Lion King, and more.

Lights of 42nd St.

One of my favorite spots for finding great deals on tickets for Broadway and off Broadway shows is the TKTS discount ticket booth located on 47th St, right in the center of Times Square.  Tickets available may not always be for the big name shows (though at times one could get lucky), but the selection is pretty good and the prices can’t be beat.

The Crowd at the TKTS Booth

Kids love visiting Madam Tussauds Wax Museum, and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not on 42nd Street, and the huge Toys R Us located on 44th and Broadway. It is easy to find a lot of the big chain restaurants along 42nd St as well, such as Chevy’s and ESPN Zone. If you want to have a nice hearty brunch, for example, to the tunes of some fabulous Blues grab a table at B.B. King, where tickets are also sold for evening concerts. Or try some of the best cheesecakes in the area at Junior’s on 45th St.  However, an even better selection of eateries in the area are actually found along 46th St., otherwise known as Restaurant Row.  Here you will find a restaurants and bars for every palate and occasion.  (But here’s a secret: One of my all time favorite restaurants is not on 46th St at all, it is actually on 52nd St, a restaurant called Victor’s Cafe, and it is the most amazing Cuban food in the area.) A short walk away towards 7th Avenue is the majestic Carnegie Hall, and a few blocks even further on 10th Ave, along the water, is The Intrepid Space Museum.

The Flight Deck of The Intrepid Museum

But if you’ve come to New York and have seen and done all of this already, it’s still worth revisiting Times Square. And that’s because just recently, NYC has implemented a program called “Green Light for Midtown” which means both areas of Times and Herald Squares (Broadway, Avenue of the Americas and 34th St) now have “pedestrian plazas” equipped with lounge chairs, free for all to use, and often times even entertainment.

People Lounging on one of the Pedestrian Plazas

This effort has completely transformed Times Square into a less-congested, seemingly less-crowded area, more pedestrian- and eco-friendly, offering a breath a fresh air and relief for everyone to enjoy.  So, next time you come to NYC, make sure to see what’s new in Times Square.  Grab a lounge chair, a non-alcoholic drink or coffee from the nearby Starbucks, or enjoy a lazy stroll through one of the most ever-changing and visited destinations in the world.

Central Park Fountain

Guest Post by Carol Cain (NYCityMama) of The Adventures of an NYC Mama 

As the days get warmer in NYC, one of my absolute favorite places to be is Central Park.  When I moved out of the city, this was the one place that I always thought about that made me want to return.  

Now, back in the city, the to-do list is growing, and most of the list items take me to the park.  One of our favorite places to visit with the kids is the Central Park Zoo.  It is small in comparison to the Bronx Zoo but no less great and,  in combination to the Tisch Children’s Zoo, a petting zoo for children 6 and under, it makes for a wonderful visit. We often like to follow the visits to the zoo with a ride on the Carousel with the kids.  

Central Park Carousel

Another place that promises hours of fun is Wollman Rink. In the Winter this is where you will find the ice skating rink, but in the Spring and Summer months it is the home to Victorian Gardens Amusement Park, with rides and games for all ages.  

Central Park, New York City

The Great Lawn is a wonderful spot for picnics, though the park also has smaller fields for more private gatherings. And starting in June you can’t miss out on the free Summer Stage performances or, the also free, Shakespeare in The Park .  

Central Park, New York City

Whether you’re looking for a low key afternoon strolling in the many paths of the park, a peaceful venture on one of the row boats on the lake , a day full of entertainment and fun, or a romantic meal at the Boat House or Tavern on the Green, you really can’t go wrong with a visit to New York City’s central destination.  

Outdoor dining in Central Park