The New York City Traveler

May 15th, 2008

Big Summer Concert Calendar

There are some big headliners touring this summer, and of course many will be playing in New York City.  Here is a quick list of the some of the big summer concerts:

May

• May 15 | Kid Rock, Lynard Skynard, Rev Run, Peter Wolf  Madison Square Garden
• May 24, 25, 28, 30 | The Eagles  May 24/25 at Prudential Center, May 29/30 at Madison Square Garden
• May 29 | Sheryl Crow  Rumsey Playfield
• May 30, 31 | Duran Duran  Rumsey Playfield

June

• June 5 | Eric Clapton  Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
• June 12 | Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band  Madison Square Garden
• June 14, 19 | R.E.M., Modest Mouse, The National  June 14 at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, June 19 at Madison Square Garden
• June 17, 18 | Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Steve Winwood  June 17 at Madison Square Garden, June 18 at Prudential Center
• June 20, 21 | The Cure  June 20 at Madison Square Garden, June 21 at Radio City Music Hall
• June 24, 25 | Pearl Jam, Ted Leo and the Pharmicists  Madison Square Garden
• June 26 | Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band  Radio City Music Hall
• June 28 | Stevie Nicks  Nikon at Jones Beach Theater 

July

• July 10 | John Mellencamp  Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
• July 10, 11 | Steve Miller Band and Joe Cocker  July 10 at Radio City Music Hall, July 11 at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
• July 14, 15 | Bon Jovi, All American Rejects  Madison Square Garden
• July 16, 18 | Billy Joel Shea Stadium
• July 21, 23 | George Michael  Madison Square Garden
• July 27, 28, 31 | Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band  Giants Stadium

August

• August 4, 5 | The Police, Elvis Costello and the Imposters  Nikon at Jonas Beach Theater
• August 12, 14 | Neil Diamond  Madison Square Garden
• August 27 | Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band  Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

September

• September 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18 | Celine Dion  Sept 10, 12 at Prudential Center; Sept 13, 18 at Nassau Coliseum; Sept 15, 16 at Madison Square Garden

__________________________________________________________________

Share This

By Heather -- 0 comments

May 14th, 2008

Go Green at New York’s Freshest Greenmarkets

Spring is here and there are greenmarkets popping up in every corner of New York City.  There are few things that are as easy and environmentally correct as buying seasonal produce from a local farmer, many of whom practice organic farming techniques. 

Greenmarkets don’t just sell produce anymore; they are truly a marketplace where local merchants sell directly to consumers.  Last week, in a quick trip through one of the largest and most popular markets, Union Square Greenmarket, I was surprised that a shopper can pick up an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, organic grass-fed meat, Vermont maple syrup, honey, organic dairy products, potted herbs and plants, cut flowers, and fresh baked goods. 

For optimal quality, farmers only sell items that are in season.  Early to mid-May is the perfect time to purchase peak asparagus, herbs, leeks, lettuce, morel mushrooms, parsnips, rhubarb, scallions, spinach, and spring garlic.  Chickens may lay their eggs year-round, but ducks, pheasants, wild turkeys, and geese only lay eggs in the spring so you’ll find those as well.       

Council on the Environment of New York City (CENYC) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving New York’s environment through waste prevention and recycling as well as promoting farmers market programs.  Click here for CENCY’s PDF list and map of greenmarkets in the five boroughs. 

Photo credit: personal collection

_________________________________________________________________ 

Share This

By Heather -- 2 comments

May 13th, 2008

MTV’s "The Real World" Grows Up and Moves to Brooklyn

It was announced today that season 21 of MTV’s “reality” hit show The Real World is coming back to New York for the third time in the shows 21-year history and will set up shop in Brooklyn. 

MTV has yet to announce which neighborhood will host the newest Brooklyn residents, but rumors are swirling that it may just be the hip hangout of Williamsburg.  The inaugural 1992 season featured the cast living in a Soho loft, long before Soho had was full of trendy stores, and 2001 season of The Real World: Back to New York was filmed in Greenwich Village.

The newest season will begin filming this summer and will be shown on MTV in early 2009.      

__________________________________________________________________

Share This

By Heather -- 3 comments

May 12th, 2008

"Museum Monday" Begins with the Museum of the City of New York

At last count there are well over one hundred museums in New York City.  They range from the well-known and world famous (Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art) to the provocative (Museum of Sex) to the virtually unknown (African American Wax Museum).

In an attempt to make sense of all of the museums in the city, and based on The DC Traveler’s immensely popular postings entitled “Monument Monday,” I am starting a regular weekly post featuring a different museum… so think of it as “Museum Monday!” 

Housed in an impressive 5-floor Neo-Georgian-Colonial style brick and limestone building, Museum of the City of New York explores the past, present, and future of New York City.  Founded in 1923 and with over 1.5 million items in its collection, the museum collects, preserves, and presents important items from the long history of New York.  From costumes and textiles to prints and photographs, this museum celebrates New York’s heritage of diversity, opportunity, and transformation. 

The Museum of the City of New York offers six ongoing exhibitions: 

• Timescapes  From a small settlement to America’s most populous city, trace the growth of New York City.  This multimedia experience film features animated maps, archival photographs, prints, and paintings from the museum’s permanent collection.  The exhibition lasts 25 minutes and runs every half hour from 10:15am to 4:45pm.
• Perform  One reason New York draws so many visitors is the vibrant Broadway shows.  Costumes, photographs, props, and other original material explores New York’s link with the theater. 
• New York Interiors (1690-1906)  Daily life in city is examined in this exhibition which features New York’s domestic environments through daily objects.     
• Protect  Fire and fire safety has shaped New York and this exhibition examines that evolution.  
• Trade New York City ports and commerce has played a vital role in the history and development of New York City.  Explore the changing face of the New York City waterfront, past and present. 
• New York Toy Stories  Featuring toys, and games all owned or made by New Yorkers, learn more about childhood in New York.  Also, see the Stettheimer doll house. 

The museum hosts various temporary exhibitions as well.  Visit the museum website at www.mcny.org for more information.  

Location:  Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue (at 103rd Street) map, 212-534-1672

Subway:  6 to 103rd Street

Days and Hours:  Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm.  Open on Monday holidays including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day.

Cost:   Suggested admission is adults $9; seniors, students $5; families $20 (max. 2 adults); children 12 and under free.  Free admission on Sundays between 10am and noon. 

Photo credit: flickr

__________________________________________________________________

Share This

By Heather -- 0 comments

May 12th, 2008

The Future of Contemporary Photography at the New York Photo Festival

New York City’s first large-scale event dedicated solely to the art of photography, the New York Photo Festival (NYPF), is kicking off this week. 

Featuring contemporary photography with curated pavilions, satellite shows, and the New York Photo Awards, the festival promises a full schedule of events.  The NYPF festival seeks to celebrate contemporary photography in all its forms, document the future of photography, as well as celebrate the people who produce the work.

Here is a quick preview of the event in an ad created by those every-creative DUMBO residents and famed Sprint commercial directors, the Snorri Bros.:

Location:  New York Photo Festival, various locations in DUMBO, Brooklyn.  Click here for a map of the exhibition spaces. 

Subway:  F to York Street

Dates and Hours:  Opening Festivities (special pass required) May 14; Main Exhibitions open May 15-19 from 10am-7pm.

Cost: $20 adults; $15 students; $5 children.  Discounted tickets and ticket packages available online. 

__________________________________________________________________

Share This

By Heather -- 2 comments

May 11th, 2008

Taste What’s Cooking in Hell’s Kitchen at Empanada Mama

I first fell in love with empanadas while in Mexico many, many years ago.  The small turnovers with sweet or savory fillings is the Latin American answer to the French crepe.  So I was ecstatic to find that there was a restaurant dedicated to these tasty delights right here in Manhattan.  Located in a sliver of a Hell’s Kitchen restaurant (seating for 16 at tables, and 9 at the tiny counter), popular with theatre-goers and the Midtown West hipsters alike, is Empanada Mama.    

Empanadas, small turnovers filled then fried until golden brown, is the main feature on the menu and at Mama Empanada, there are no less than 44 varieties of empanadas on the menu.   The main feature is the traditional wheat flour empanadas, 23 types of which are on the menu.  The fillings range from the more traditional like shredded chicken and shredded beef (both $2.50) to the more unique like the Tuna Jalapeno ($2.95) and the Americano, filled with hot dogs and cheddar cheese ($2.50).  For a departure from the traditional, Empanada Mama also offers 8 types of corn flour empanadas and 5 varieties of oven baked wheat flour empanadas. 

The empanadas are served in small white paper bags with the type of empanada stamped on the front and served on the side is a red tomato salsa and green cilantro salsa.  I have tried shredded chicken, shredded beef and Brazil (ground beef, olives, sauteed onions, and potatoes), all of which I found fantastic, and I simply cannot get enough of the in-house salsa.   

Empanadas aren’t the only things on the expansive menu.  Traditional Latin American favorites such as a variety of arepas (from $4.75), tapas (from 3.95), and entrees like Arroz con Pollo ($10.95) also round-out the menu.  The beer selection was also impressive for a small restaurant.  I found my favorite Brazilian beer, Brahma, as well as Presidente (Dominican Republic), and the Stella Artois (all $6). 

Save room for dessert!  Sweet empanadas, like Elvis (bananas and peanut butter) and USA (apples and cinnamon) are available, as well as the traditional favorites like flan and rice pudding. 

Like many Manhattan restaurants, with a minimum order of $10, Empanada Mama delivers.  The delivery zone is from 42nd to 62nd and from 5ht Avenue to 12th Avenue.    

Location:  Empanada Mama, 763 Ninth Avenue between West 51st and West 52nd (map), 212-698-9008

Subway:  C, E to 50th Street  

Hours:  Daily 11am-midnight, delivery ends at 11pm.

Photo credit: personal collection

_________________________________________________________________

Share This

By Heather -- 5 comments

May 10th, 2008

Photo: Only in The Village

You can count on seeing interesting people in Washington Square Park.  This guy was offering “free hugs” and you would be surprised about the number of people that took him up on his offer. 

Photo credit: personal collection 

_________________________________________________________________

Share This

By Heather -- 5 comments

May 8th, 2008

Transportation 101: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Manhattan

Last Sunday morning I found myself stranded in Dallas needing desperately to get to New York by Monday morning.  My options were very limited and I ended up flying into Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). 

I spent the entire 2+ hour flight from Dallas to Philly worrying about how I was going to make it through three states as the day was quickly turning to night.  After a little research on the ground, I was amazed to find that getting from Philadelphia to Manhattan (even on a Sunday night) is a breeze! 

Most of the options below begin with the SEPTA regional rail — Philadelphia’s mass-transit train which serves airport.  The R1 SEPTA stops at Terminals E & F at :09 and :39 after the hour then continues to Terminal C & D, Terminal B, and Terminal A before starting towards Central Philadelphia.  The cost is $7 peak ($6 off-peak), cash only, which is payable onboard.  Allow at least 45 minutes for the ride to town in order to make connections.

SEPTA Train-to-Independent Bus Operator: Least Expensive 

The trip between Philadelphia and New York takes around 2 hours in minimal traffic.

• New Century Bus  Take the SEPTA to Market East Station.  New Century buses stop at 55 N 11th St Philadelphia, PA 19107 (map) at least hourly from 6:30am until 11pm and arrive in New York’s Chinatown. Cost: SEPTA $7 +New Century Bus $12= $19
• P2P Circulator  Take the SEPTA to 30th Street Station (Amtrak).  P2P Circulator buses depart from 30th Street & Market Street (map) and arrive at New York-Penn Station.  Six departures daily from 7am until 7pm.  Cost: SEPTA $7 + P2P Circulator $15= $22    

SEPTA Train-to-Amtrak: Moderately Expensive to Expensive

• Take the SPETA to the 30th Street Station (Amtrak).  From the platform go downstairs and walk to the adjoining Amtrak station.  Trains run about every 30 minutes and include regional routes (1 1/2 hours to New York-Penn) to the high-speed Acela (1 hour to New York-Penn).  Cost: $7 SEPTA + from $43 (regional train) up to $196 (Acela train) = $50-$203

Limo or Shared Ride to Midtown:  Most Expensive

There are a number of limo services which make the run from Philadelphia International Airport to Manhattan.  Dave’s Best Limousine service makes the trip from Philadelphia International Airport to Manhattan.  Prices start at $55 and rise considerably.

My Recommendation:  I have only taken the SEPTA to the Amtrak but I was amazed at how easy and it was!  I took the (cheaper) regional train which made stops in Trenton, Metropark, Newark International Airport, and Newark-Penn Station before making its final stop at New York-Penn Station, but I still made it home and was in bed by midnight!   

_________________________________________________________________

Share This

By Heather -- 0 comments

May 7th, 2008

Experiencing the BoltBus from New York to Boston

This past weekend I finally had the opportunity to take the BoltBus (which I have covered extensively here and here) from Boston to New York!  I didn’t get one of the “as advertised” $1 fares, mine was $15 due to my lack of planning and having to purchase the ticket as the last minute.

I won’t rehash my entire 4 hour journey but it did go something like this:  Boarded, sat down, plugged in laptop to the a/c outlet, connected to the free   Wi-Fi, and 4hr 30min later I found myself in the middle of Manhattan.  All in all, the trip was great and I found that the power outlet and free Wi-Fi allowed me to be productive on the trip.  

Here is a quick pro and con list of the BoltBus:

Pros: 

• Free Wi-Fi
• A/C outlets
• Inexpensive (from $1 to $20) 
• Boards by zone so no chaotic boarding
• Super-friendly drivers
• Clean bathrooms (nicer than airplane lavatories) 
• Bolt Rewards Program (buy 8 one-way trips and receive 1 one-way free)
• Never felt like my life was in jeopardy (driver never slammed on the brakes, driver never swerved, didn’t hear gasps of horror from other passengers, etc.)
• Bus smelled like cinnamon (which was nice for 5 minutes)

Cons:

• The Boston buses arrive and depart out of Midtown which was absolutely chaotic on Sunday afternoon
• It took us 45 minutes to drive from 125th Street in Harlem to 34th Street in Midtown because we went down Fifth Avenue.  Is there no better (faster) way?
• Bus smelled like cinnamon (which made me sick after the first 5 minutes)

Words of advice:  When I purchased my ticket online it showed that it only had “Zone C” boarding available.  At that point I backed out of the screen and joined the Bolt Rewards program.  When I returned to the purchase screen as a logged-in Rewards member I got a “Zone A” boarding, good for priority boarding.  Not sure if this will work every time, but its worth trying! 

Photo credit: personal collection 

_________________________________________________________________

Share This

By Heather -- 2 comments

May 6th, 2008

The New York City Traveler is on the Move

The New York City Traveler is on the move… to New Jersey for three days!  I am on the way to Penn Station this morning to hop NJ Transit to the Jersey Shore, or more specifically, Spring Lake, New Jersey.

Located just 60 miles from New York on the Jersey Shore, Spring Lake boasts white sandy beaches, fabulous dining, historical sites, and beautiful Bed & Breakfasts.

The weather has been great for the past few days in New York, so I am hoping that trend will continue through my trip.  Stay tuned for my dispatches and photos from beautiful Spring Lake, New Jersey!  

Photo credits: Flickr; Flickr; Flickr

__________________________________________________________________

Share This

By Heather -- 1 comment