New York City activities, walking tours, sightseeing, theater, events and exploring one of the biggest cities in the world.
Fall is the perfect time for a Metro North train ride up into the Hudson Valley and worth spending a full weekend day outside the city. With apps like All Trails you can get information on a number of hikes to easily plan your trip in advance.
The 6th annual Harlem Arts Festival kicks off this weekend. Once again there is a stellar mix of comedy, dance, music, food and workshops. There is no better reason to venture over Marcus Garvey Park on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the festivities.
Attention racers! On your mark. Get Set. Cycle!
Father’s Day marked the 44th annual Harlem Skyscraper Cycling Classic. A community event where cyclists of all ages and skill levels race the loop around Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. Races are between 10-30 laps around the park and have some decent prize money for the winners.
GreenThumb Community Gardens started in New York City in the 1970’s. These gardens are located throughout the city and while they are fenced have access to the general public. The spaces are maintained by individuals who live on the block and have a range of styles and layouts.
Located in Long Island City, next to the East River, the museum does take a little effort to get there but the the traveler will be happily rewarded.
We all recognize some of the historical or interesting places in the cities where we live. And we all fall into the pattern of being comfortable excusing ourselves as being too busy to go or rationalizing we will visit another day. Those days turn into months which turn into years. I am guilty of this and the Morgan Library is a prime example. It’s right on Madison Avenue and I have literally passed it 1,000 times. And finally, one rainy Friday evening, I forced myself to walk through the doors and couldn’t have been happier.
If you grew up outside of New York and now live in the city, you are faced with an annual dilemma that involves the purchasing of a live Christmas Tree.
Every year, right after Thanksgiving, tree stands are set-up throughout the city. They are filled with douglas firs, frasers and balsam firs. Friendly staff are stationed at these stands 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Christmas.
As fun as it is to see experience the sights and smells of fresh trees all around the city, there is a glaring problem. These trees range anywhere from $80 to $200 for trees starting at 5 feet.
It has become somewhat of an annual pilgrimage up to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery on Halloween. And just 25 miles north of the city, it’s an easy morning or afternoon activity. Also, since New Yorker’s love Halloween, you can make this trip and still be back into the city by the evening for ghoulish (i.e drunken debaucherous) pursuits.
Wanting to escape city living, at least for a couple hours on the weekend can be pretty straightforward in New York.
Case in point, Croton Gorge Park is 40 miles north of Manhattan (if you have a car) or you can take the Metro North Train to the Croton on Hudson stop. Note: if you take the train you will then need to take a car service for the remaining 2.5 miles to the park (and remember this because I will revisit it later.)
I spent half a weekend afternoon in Queens eating, drinking (coffee) and snapping pics along the way. I think I have a great 2 stop trip in the borough the next time you have friends and family in town.
