New York, we are two snows in. Santa is holding court at Macy’s, , the Rockefeller Center tree is being decorated as we speak, and on Fifth Avenue stores are unveiling their holiday windows decorated with everything from yeti to totally not played-out tributes to the Jazz Age. Anyone still holding on to dreams of crispy air, blazers as outerwear, and autumn leaves needs to get it together: winter is here and it will be here for a while. Thankfully, our fair city comes equipped with plenty of attractions and fun ways to make the best of the time of year when the sun abandons us for Australia, and the best of these ways is ice skating!
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No Comments | Posted on November 28, 2012 | Categories: Attractions, Dating and Romance, From the Blog, Under $20
tags: Alexis Nedd, Bryant Park, Central Park, citi pond, fifth avenue, FREE NYC, free with skates, ice skating, lasker rink, NYC Ice Skating, rockefeller center, serendipity, wollman rink
Photo Courtesy of The New York Times
Family coming to town? Show them a fun and wholesome good time with some of the INY staff’s suggestions:
Check out the Upper West Side Wednesday night, for the Macy’s Day Parade balloon inflation!
Then check out one of these UWS parent-friendly (read: great food on someone else’s tab) restaurants:
Planet Sushi, Spring Natural Kitchen, Lansky’s, Land Thai, Aroma Café, or Café Frida
Or if you’re closer to Midtown…
Et cetera, Et Cetera, serves up modern Italian food.
Visit Bloomingdale’s for some fun shopping and dining!
Check out Columbus Circle, Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), or head to the top of the Marriot Marquee, for a view of the parade.
Go for lunch in midtown chicken and rice cart or stock up on some groceries to keep when your parents leave…
Sit through a performances of The Rockettes or The Nutcracker for some wholesome fun!
Holiday Markets at Union Square and Columbus Circle are great to walk around in (and not too cold!).
Other fun family destinations: The Highline, Central Park, Chelsea Market
1 Comment | Posted on November 19, 2012 | Categories: From the Blog, Manhattan, Only in New York, Staff Picks
tags: Aroma Cafe, Bloomingdales, Cafe Friday, Central Park, Chelsea Market, Chicken and Rice, columbus circle, Et cetera, land thai, lansky's, Macy's Day Parade, MAD, Marriot Marquee, nutcracker, Parents, planet sushi, Rockettes, Spring Natural Kitchen, Thanksgiving in New York, The Highline
We’re sad you’re leaving New York too, Jeremy!
La Sirena is having a huge close out sale! This Mexican folk art/ Latin cultural space is offering major deals from July 18th to July 31st. Insider tip: discreetly mention the e-mail announcing the sale for even more discounts!
The ALL STARS of improv are doing a show for free tonight at Central Park’s SummerStage. These talents from UCB are sure to add a good belly laugh to your Wednesday night.
Well, we’ve lost Jeremy Lin to Houston. See how New Yorkers are responding here.
You’ve got something to look forward to at Harlem Stage! Check out their newly announced season.
No Comments | Posted on July 18, 2012 | Categories: From the Blog, Only in New York, Special Occasions
tags: Central Park, SummerStage, Upright Citizens Brigade
Central Park
Autumn is falling in New York! Take a look at where INY editors go to check out the fall scenery:
GR: When it comes to scenic trails and bridle paths, Central Park has it all. Avoid the midtown bustle and begin your walk at the park’s W 106th and Central Park West entrance, also known as “The Stranger’s Gate”. Follow the beaten path and you’ll pass elegant, sweeping willow trees, dog walks, and Central Park Conservancy projects. The trail goes all the way to the Onassis Reservoir, perfect for that lazy afternoon stroll.
LJK:My favorite walk is along Riverside Drive. I like to stop and look at Ulysses’ Grant’s tomb on Riverside and 122nd street. I like how his tomb overlooks the Hudson. The quiet there and the monumental presence of his tomb forces me to slow down, reflect on history, and admire how beautiful my surroundings are.
CH: My favorite fall walk is around the Meatpacking District. I love getting lunch at Chelsea Market and then bringing it to the High Line, then strolling around and looking out at the water.
MK: There may not be changing leaves, but you’ll certainly find multicolored fashion trends on a walk down Bedford Ave in Williamsburg, Brooklyn! The weather is perfect to grab a cup of coffee at any of the independent coffee shops, wear your most stylish vintage outfit, and let the people watching begin!
No Comments | Posted on September 27, 2011 | Categories: Attractions, From the Blog, Native's Pick
tags: Autumn, Central Park, Highline, Leaves
No one loves pasta more than I do– it’s undeniable. Spaghetti, penne, farfalle, you name it, I’m eating it: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My enthusiasm to attend Casa Barilla in Central Park probably went unmatched by millions of Manhattan residents.
A $5.00 donation benefiting the Food Bank for New York City provided 25 meals to hungry New Yorkers, and left my stomach satisfied as well, as I stuffed myself with Barilla samples, from cherry tomato bruschetta spread to rotini pasta salad or my personal favorite, the new piccolini pasta with vegetables “hidden” inside. You’d have to be pazzo not to love this!
Casa Barilla Invitational!
Walking into the large blue tent, filled with exhibits on the history of Barilla, tasting stations, cooking classes, demonstrations, an espresso bar, and more, I was overjoyed with pasta enthusiasm and excited to experience all that Casa Barilla had to offer!
Sharing our pasta dishes, hot farfalle with marinara and basil and whole wheat penne with vegetables at the large group tables in the middle of the tent was certainly a highlight. I chatted with pasta lovers alike, shared recipes and New York tips, and even practiced my Hebrew! The Casa Barilla invitational, a contest similar to Iron Chef, hosted by RC Smith was certainly another memorable event of the day.
Delicious Pasta!
I left with a full stomach, a Barilla tote bag filled with free pasta and cheap, delicious sauces from their on-site shop, as well as a fantastic recipe booklet which has inspired many of my meals this week! While the event ended Friday, keep an eye out for Barilla’s return to NYC- who knows what amazing pasta parties they have planned? Bon Apetito!
-Melissa Kravitz
No Comments | Posted on September 18, 2011 | Categories: Attractions, Dining, Event-Related, From the Blog, Native's Pick
tags: Central Park, Cooking, Eating, Melissa Kravitz, pasta, sauce
Free pasta? Sounds too good to be true, right? Next week (Sept 13-16): Casa Barilla is taking over Rumsey Playfield in Central Park to celebrate Italian food, culture, and heritage through demonstrations, interactive workshops, and more! Register now for FREE classes. Admission to the event is a $5 donation and will certainly pay for itself in penne and rigatoni (rumor has it there will be delicious goody bags!). Wear your macaroni necklaces and we’ll see you on top of spaghetti in Central Park!
2 Comments | Posted on September 8, 2011 | Categories: Dining, Event-Related, From the Blog, Native's Pick, Only in New York
tags: Barilla, Central Park, free, pasta
July 1
New York Asian Film Festival
Join Lincoln Center’s annual New York City Asian Film Festival from July 1 through the 14th for a remarkable journey into Asia’s cinematic culture. Exploring both the traditional and modern, the festival showcases newly released films from Korea, China, Japan, and India (to name a few) as well as favorites from the past. Film showings are accompanied by informative talks discussing the cultural idiosyncrasies of Asian film as well as trends of diffusion between the Eastern and Western industries. Directors, actors, and film industry giants will be present to answer questions and grant autographs to eager fans.
Check out the schedule and get your tickets today!
Volunteer Paint Day at the Bedford Playground
Give back to the community and help repaint the Bedford Playground! Snap on your overalls and grab a brush!
2 – 4:30pm
Bedford Playground (Bedford Ave, between S. 9 St. And Division Ave)
Email julia@openspacealliancenb.org to sign up!
Dance.Here.Now at Governors Island
Put on your dancing shoes and ride the ferry to Governors Island to enjoy the four day outdoor music festival featuring Fat Boy Slim and many more artists!
Opening Ceremony BLOWOUT SALE
Starting June 29th, Opening Ceremony is holding a huge-up-to-70%-off summer blowout sale! Check it out before they run out!
Opening Ceremony NYC, 35 Howard Street (between Broadway and Crosby); 212-219-2688
Opening Ceremony Ace Hotel, 1190-1192 Broadway (between West 29th and West 30th); 646-695-5680
July 2
The Scene at Tavern: Pedal Stop
Hosted by Bike NYC and Bike & Roll, this day is dedicated to uniting bikers from all around the city! Come get suggestions, repairs, and share tips at this FREE event.
9 am – 4:30 pm
Tavern on the Green, Central Park
Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival
“The first ever classical/contemporary music festival to be held on Governors Island kicks off its inaugural season with a series of outdoor concerts. Curated by Artistic Directors/NYC-based pianists Blair McMillen and Pam Goldberg, Rite of Spring launches with a performance of Terry Riley’s “In C” led by keyboardist/conductor/musical impresario Jed Distler, featuring nearly 40 of New York’s top freelance musicians, including members of the American Modern Ensemble, Newspeak, the Momenta Quartet, The Asphalt Orchestra and others.”
1 and 3 pm
Governors Island
Parks’ FREE Outdoor Summer Movies: E.T.
Settle down for everyone’s favorite family-friendy alien movie! Bring a blanket and some snacks.
St Mary’s Park, Bronx
8 pm
WARM UP!
MoMa’s PS1 outdoor concert and art series, Warm Up, begins this Saturday and will continue every Saturday through September 3. This series introduces audiences to the best in experimental live music, sound, performance, and more. Make sure to check it out!
2 pm to 9 pm
Admission: $15
OPUS Dance Theatre with Dance Iquail!
Iquail Shaheed, artistic director of DANCE IQUAIL, has had experience with choreographing a variety of dance companies from PHILADANCO to The Lion King. This company now speaks in the universal language of movement, and grapples with serious themes ranging from racism to violence and abuse while promoting the power of family and unity through dance.
7:00 pm Master class
8:00 pm Performance
St Mary’s Park, Bronx
July 3
Upright Citizens’ Brigade IMPROV
The Upright Citizens Brigade performs longform improv with possible special guests from Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock & The Colbert Report.
7:30 pm: $10, tickets are only available via pre-sale.
9:30 pm: FREE – tickets are distributed at 8:15 pm outside the theatre on the night of the show.
307 West 26th Street
Overtime Concert Series
Independent artists perform at the Bowery.
8 pm. Tickets here!
July 4
Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks in New York City
Since 2009, the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks display has taken place on the Hudson River instead of the East River, from 20th to 55th Streets. The spectacular display will last 26 minutes and 40,000 rockets will be fired up to 1,000 feet!
9:20 pm
West Side Highway
July 4 Marathon
Come to this FREE marathon! Just show up and run! Marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 10 km, and trail course events are being held. The Holiday Marathon course is the only trail marathon inside New York City! The course is challenging, beautiful, and scenic, a true adventure.
9 am – 4 pm
Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
Watch and engage in this national hot dog eating contest. Wear stretchy pants! Eat up!
Surf Avenue (at Stillwell Ave.), Coney Island
1 Comment | Posted on June 30, 2011 | Categories: Attractions, Brooklyn, Entertainment, Event-Related, From the Blog, Manhattan, Native's Pick, Neighborhoods, Nightlife, Only in New York, Queens, The Bronx, Weekend Forecast
tags: Bedford Playground, Bike and Roll, Bike NYC, Bowery, Central Park, Coney Island, eating contest, Fourth of July Weekend, free outdoor summer movies, Govenors island, Holiday Marathon, Improv, Independence Day, July 4 Marathon, Macy's, Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks, MOMA PS1, New York Asian Film Festival, New York events, Opening Ceremony, OPUS Dance Theatre, Overtime Concert Series, Philadanco, Sales, st. petersburg ballet, Tavern on the Green, The Lion King, The Scene, Upright Citizens Brigade, Van Cortlandt Park, Warm Up
I’m not quite sure how I survived the past few summers in NYC without a bicycle. Maybe I just didn’t know what I was missing? Regardless, my new set of wheels has provided me with a much-needed break from over-packed subway cars and un-air-conditioned cross-town buses. While I’ve always enjoyed walking through our fantastic city, riding across NYC on a bicycle remains incomparable. I love that the beautiful architecture whizzes past me as I inhale fragrant scents wafting out of food trucks. Yet my early bike rides were not quite as pleasant, so I’ve compiled my list of do’s and don’ts for New York bikers. Try and pull yourself off the couch and away from Weeds or True Blood for a day and see NYC from a new perspective!
DO take out your earbuds and listen to the amazing sounds summer NYC has to offer in the summer! There are so many talented musicians strumming guitars on a park bench, poets shouting out verses on the street, couples having insane arguments you can’t wait to make fun of on Twitter. Let the city be your playlist!
DON’T forget a water bottle. You’ll get thirsty and you’re not going to want to get off your bike to find a water fountain. And trust me, a Venti Frapuccino isn’t easy to hold while navigating up Avenue of the Americas.
DO know how to change gears. You’ll do it. A lot. Also, avoid all signs that say “big hill,” your legs may never forgive you.
Endless sea of JP Morgan runners
DON’T go for a ride in Central Park during an event, such as the JP Morgan Challenge. It’s cool to watch, but unless you want to be stuck on the wrong side of the park for 30+ minutes while angry Central Park Rangers yell at you for getting in the way. Hey, I’d be angry too if I had to wear those pants all day.
DO wear appropriate biking clothes, ie spandex. Other bikers won’t take you seriously if you’re wearing a floral Abercrombie tank top and cut off jeans. Trade your pocketbook for a backpack and you’ll be well on your way to successful biker fashion!
Read the complete post »
8 Comments | Posted on June 18, 2011 | Categories: Dos and Don'ts, From the Blog
tags: bikes, Central Park, Melissa Kravitz, outdoors, tips
With so many places to go in New York City, it can be really hard to find that perfect place to go for a date. This week, my boyfriend and I set out to find the five perfect romantic places to go on a date in Manhattan and we finally narrowed it down to our favorite five:
1. My personal favorite is Café Lalo at 83rd St and Amsterdam Avenue, which has become famous for being the set of the blind date scene in You’ve Got Mail. With brick walls, large, open windows in the spring, and framed vintage posters on the wall, the setting is perfect for a low-key first date. Be sure not to miss out on the cheesecake: the strawberry is an easy favorite, but the chocolate-covered Oreo is a must try. Rich but smooth, this cheesecake is nothing short of perfect and goes wonderfully with Café Lalo’s fresh raspberry lemonade.
2. Bettolona, between La Salle St & Tiemann Pl., offers a more traditional setting a great choice. Twinkling lights, large windows overlooking the street, and low lighting set the mood. With an impressive list of specials each night and a Bolognese—the best I have yet had in New York City—you and your date will not be disappointed. Read the complete post »
3 Comments | Posted on June 8, 2011 | Categories: From the Blog
tags: Bettolona, Cafe Lalo, Central Park, chocolate, Max Brenner, Rosa Mexicano, Simone Marie Martelle
Technical difficulties aside, Central Park was the place to be on August 1st. SummerStage had lined up three astounding female singer-songwriters—St Vincent headlining, Basia Bulat and tUne-yArDs opening. The evening game plan involved listening to enjoyable live music and rocking
out—but no, waiting was going to be our, the audience’s, primary activity of the day. Monstrous lines along with an undeniable friction amongst the stage crew—resulting in delays—extended the already lengthy wait; the tension only escalated with the gloomy clouds, hanging heavy with water and threatening to end the show.
But the show went on. Canadian folk singer Basia Bulat was the first opener. Read the complete post »
2 Comments | Posted on August 12, 2010 | Categories: Central Park, Event-Related, From the Blog, Manhattan, Uncategorized
tags: Central Park, concert, concerts, free, indie, Kyla Cheung, music, SummerStage
