One of the newest hotels in New York, the Hyatt 48Lex, will open in August.
The old building, which housed a camera store, a deli and an antiques shop, was demolished around 2005 or 2006. I was curious to see what would take its place.
Once the scaffolding was removed, I was surprised a thoroughly modern structure which is a lovely counterpoint to the building next to it.
Several gargoyles adorn the older building, also a hotel. I wonder where the water that they normally channel will go. I guess it’ll roll off the glass siding of the Hyatt.
It’s a beautiful day here in New York. Sunny, not too humid, with a gentle breeze. I can’t think of a better way to spend the day than on a blanket in Central Park.
I’m sure I won’t be the only one there so I’ll have to get there early and secure a nice spot on the Great Lawn.
The Great Lawn, one of the most famous lawns in the world, is located on 55 acres from 79th to 85th Streets.
The Great Lawn has been the venue for world class performances by the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera.
On Monday, July 11th, opera lovers can attend a concert in the park. For details of the schedule, go here.
And for tickets and information on Shakespeare in the Park, check out their website.
I’ve packed the food, the blanket and my hat and I’m heading out to celebrate this beautiful day. Whatever you’re doing or plan to do, enjoy!
As you may know, the city of Manhattan is laid out in a grid pattern. Twice a year, when the sun sets, it aligns perfectly with the east-west grid of certain main streets: 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd and 57th Streets.
During Manhattanhenge, a viewer on one of these streets can watch the sun setting directly opposite in New Jersey.
Astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson of the American Museum of Natural History is credited with popularizing this phenomena.
This year, according to Dr. deGrasse Tyson, the remaining dates for Manhattanhenge July 11th and 12th (it was also possible to see it on May 30th and 31st). On July 11th, the full sun will be visible on the horizon, whereas on July 12th, only half will be seen.
So, if you’re in or around New York City in July, make sure to look out for Manhattanhenge.
But Manhattanhenge is not limited to Manhattan alone. According to Wikipedia, Chicagohenge will happen on September 25th, Torontohenge on October 25th, and Montrealhenge on July 12th.
Memorial Day weekend marks the official/unofficial start of summer and tomorrow, May 28th, kicks off beach season.
And not a moment too soon. It’s been a long and brutal winter in the Northeast and I, for one, am ready for some sea and sun!
The best part about being in this area is that most of the beaches are accessible via public transportation: subways or train, whether the Long Island Railroad or New Jersey Transit. There really is no excuse not to go to the beach.
So grab your bathing suits, sunscreen, beach towels, floppy hats and sun glasses and check out at least one of these beaches.
When the weather’s good, few of us want to stay indoors, especially at lunch time. And in New York City, vendors with food carts make it easy for those of us who wish to, to enjoy the sun and an inexpensive meal at the same time.
Food trucks are not just around construction sites these days, they’re everywhere. And they’re offering more than just coffee and bagels.
Some offer gourmet food, pastries or desserts.
And some of the more savvy owners go online to let their customers know what’s on their menus, where they will be and at what time.
My introduction to street food (or street meat as a co-worker called it) was from a truck near Rockefeller Center. My chicken and rice rivaled any I could have bought in a restaurant and wasn’t very expensive. In the block around my office, I can buy coffee and bagels for breakfast. For lunch, peas soup, fried fish, curried chicken or oxtail from the mobile extension of a Jamaican restaurant that’s located in Brooklyn. Sometimes before I go down, I check how long the line is or arrange to meet a friend and we catch up while we wait.
I love getting my a meal on the go from a truck, especially when the weather’s good.
Here are a few trucks to check out –
World’s Best Sandwich, 20th Street & Broadway
Super Tacos, 96th & Broadway
Steak Truck, 47th & Park
Yvonne’s, 71st & York
Trini Paki Boys, 43rd & 6th Ave
The Mudtruck East, Astor Place
Desi Food Truck, 50th St & 6th Ave
Bon Appetit!
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Even before the thermometer hits and stays constantly at 70 degrees Fahrenheit (or above), New Yorkers begin to take to the outdoors to enjoy weather and the wide variety of free activities that the city offers.
Events are scattered throughout each borough so everyone can take part. From street festivals, to parades to concerts and movies in the park, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
Here’s a partial list of some of the events I’ve attended over the years:
Shakespeare in the Park – This year, two plays Measure for Measure and All’s Well That Ends Well – June 6-July 30. Limit 2 tickets per person on the day of the performance or on scheduled days in the boroughs.
Farmer’s Markets – Farmers and vendors bring fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, arts, etc., to various venues around the city. One of the biggest, in Union Square, operates year round.
New York City’s reputation as the destination for the visual arts is legendary. With major museums, art galleries and exhibition spaces, I could spend every Sunday visiting each one and not see everything on display. So I have to be strategic.
Last weekend, I decided to visit the Museum of Art and Design (MAD) in its new home at Columbus Circle. The brainchild of Aileen Osborn Webb, it was opened in 1956 as the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, with its stated mission to celebrate the work of American craftspeople. The museum was renamed the American Craft Museum in 1979 and finally the Museum of Art and Design in 2002 to reflect its focus on the broader interplay between craft, design, art, architecture, interior design, technology and the performing arts.
My goal last Sunday was to catch the final day of an exhibition called the Global Africa Project, a sweeping look at contemporary African art, design and craft worldwide. Pieces were drawn from the works of over 100 artists working in interior design, fashion, sculpture, photography, paintings, furniture, jewelry, ceramics and textile from Africa, Asia, Europe, the United States and the Caribbean.
I wished I hadn’t waited until the last day as I felt rushed to take it all in but I’m glad I didn’t miss it. It was a great opportunity for me to learn about these artists, the majority of whom I hadn’t heard of before.
My next stop was to view the collection of tapestries documenting the collaboration of the feminist artist and educator, Judy Chicago and weaver Audrey Cowan and her husband, Bob. This is an impressive collection of work designed by Ms. Chicago and interpreted by Ms. Cowan.
The museum has an extensive collection of jewelry, the majority of which is housed in drawers which visitors are encouraged to check out. Most people, however, seem to miss the the sign.
Visit the Open Studios on the 6th floor to watch artists working in jewelry, ceramics, sculpture. Stop by the restaurant for lunch or visit the museum store on the main floor for gifts.
Museums tend to be overwhelming for me so I tend to select one exhibition and soak it all in. Though MAD is smaller than say, the Metropolitan, it’s possible to view all the exhibitions in a day.
One feature that I like is the ability of visitors to the museum’s website to view its collections and curate their own show, like I did here.
The Museum of Art and Design is located at 2 Columbus Circle. Open Tuesdays – Sundays from 11:00 – 6:00 p.m., Thursdays 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., closed on Mondays and major holidays. Entrance is free to members, high school students with ID and children under 12. General admission $15/$12 for seniors/students. On Thursdays from 6:00-9:00 p.m., you can pay as you wish.
One of the nicest things about living in New York City is Central Park. At more than 800 acres, it is an oasis of green in a sea of concrete and brick.
Running from 59th Street to 110 Street, Central Park receives approximately thirty-five million visitors annually.
It is a popular venue for skating, concerts and theatre, boating, birding, rock climbing, running, walking, bicycling, etc., and is central to the enjoyment of life in the city.
Central Park near 72nd StreetCatch and release at the Turtle Pond
Fishing is not allowed in the park but people still throw out their lines. Whatever they catch has to be returned.
King Jagiello
There are nearly 29 sculptures in Central Park. This one commemorates King Jagiello of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania.
Belvedere Castle
Belvedere Castle offers spectacular views of the park and surroundings from its observation deck. There’s no charge to enter but visitors can leave a donation in boxes on the main level.
Belvedere CastleGreat Lawn from Belvedere Castle
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Walking around New York City last week with my sister and niece forced me to pause and look up at buildings I have come to recognize only from eye level.
It was the refreshingly bright gold of the cupola against the grey sky that caught my attention and caused me to look up.
Met Life Tower
Then I took in the rest of the building and wondered why I hadn’t noticed it before.
At 700 feet high, the Met Life Tower was, according to Wikipedia, the tallest building in the world from 1909, when it was built, until the Woolworth Building surpassed it in 1913. There are 50 floors.
Clock faces on each side of the tower measure 4 feet tall and 26.5 feet in diameter.
The gilded cupola provides constant illumination.
Next time you’re in the vicinity of 1 Madison Avenue in the Flatiron District, take a look up. I’m sure you’ll be pleased by what you see.
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