A few things in the NY retail scene make me happy.
100 year old family businesses, preferably that have been in the same location or neighborhood where they started.
Shops that are about 150 square feet, crammed with all manner of products.
Specialty food shops.
New York has some distinct historical advantages. If you wanted to visit the final resting place of our 18th President, Ulysses S. Grant, simply head to 122nd Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Like new adventures or last minute plans? Well, keep your ears open, especially when you’re in a new city and sitting on local public transit.
I was heading to Philadelphia for 12 hours and got to the city about 3 hours before the event I was attending. As I sat on the SEPTA between Trenton and Philly, I overheard a father and son talking about the Auto Show that was in town (and where they were going.)
A quick google search later, I saw the show was at the convention center (right above the train stop where I was going to exit) and since it was February and cold out, this was clutch. Entry was $14 (perfect.) And just like that I have my local activity for the afternoon.
The Baylander (IX-514), long since retired from naval service has found it’s way up the Hudson and is docked at the West Harlem Piers off 125th street.
The culmination of years (that turned into decades) of digging and construction was realized today with the public opening of the second avenue subway line.
Lookup the definition of serenity and San Diego is likely to appear. You might also take a page from Frank Costanza’s playbook and repeat “serenity now” as you board your west coast bound flight to escape a New York winter.
The uptown art scene is happening and one of the places you should visit on your cultural tour is ilon Art Gallery.
Located on 123rd between Adam Clayton and Frederick Douglas Boulevard, this very cool gallery (located in a brownstone!) is accessible by the 2/3 trains and A/C/D trains off the 125th street stop in Harlem. I have been before and the location, curated pieces and proprietor all make for a great experience.
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.
Take a moment to imagine you are in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Florence Italy or Madrid Spain. What do you think about? Oysters Rockefeller? Cheese Steaks? Gelato? Serrano Ham?
Food is directly associated with our travel experiences. It helps us experience local cultures and in our own lives it’s how we pass down family traditions.
Winter in Iceland, experiencing the darkness and chasing the Northern Lights felt like an adventure worth having. So, why not pack that adventure into a 48 hour excursion to the middle of the Atlantic in November? No reason not to, really. So a 4 hour and 45 minute red-eye flight later (basically the time it takes to fly across the US) I touched down in Keflavik International Airport.
And as I stepped out of the airport into 50 mph gusts of wind and driving rain, in that moment, I was happy.
