The New York City Traveler

Independence Day is on Friday and nothing says America quite like pyrotechnic displays and hot dog eating contests at Coney Island.  Here’s what you need to know about New York’s two favorite ways to spend the Fourth.   
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks 2008   Bigger is better, according to Macy’s who has four barges loaded with 30,000 shells in the East River.  This year’s display will be synchronized to New York Pops’ new soundtrack “America Dances.”  For locals, tune your radios to 1010 AM while you’re watching the display, while the rest of America can enjoy the televised show, including …read more

Comments Off

The face of the Bowery changed forever on December 1, 2007 when the New Museum of Contemporary Art reopened its doors to the public after a massive relocation to the Bowery.  Since its conception in 1977, the museum has become the most relevant institution with regards to contemporary art, hosting a rotation of temporary and ongoing exhibitions that feature internationally renown and emerging artists.
The building, designed by Japanese firm SANAA, has received major recognition this year from Conde Nast Traveler when it was named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the Architectural World.”  You can’s miss it …read more

Comments Off

New York and Boston aren’t that far apart.  But the culinary scene of these cities couldn’t be more different.  Case in point: lobster rolls and the definition of a “fish shack.”   
My regular fish shack is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on the Charles River.  It’s a true shack meaning that it’s a fish shop that happens to sell a $12 lobster roll.  No tables, so you have to sit on the curb under a big oak tree to enjoy the finest lobster roll that Sully, the fish monger, whips up.    
A few weeks ago I was bent on having a …read more

2 Comments

Danish artist Olafur Eliasson’s massive public art project New York City Waterfalls is now on display. For more information on these waterfalls (and how you can take a free boat tour) check out last week’s post. 
Photo credit: flickr
___________________________________________________________________
Technorati Tags: b5media,The New York City Traveler,New York City,New York,NYC,tourism New York,Manhattan,travel,blogs,New York City Waterfalls,waterfalls,public art

Comments Off

Every Tuesday in July at 8 p.m., a free outdoor classical and Music of the Americas concert series will celebrate its 50th season under the stars featuring musicians who regularly play venues like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Founded in 1953 by violinist Alexander Schneider, member of the famed Budapest String Quartet, the festival traditionally gives up-and-coming virtuosos a chance to strut their stuff. Several now famous performers who appeared in the early stages of their careers include soprano Marilyn Horne and her husband, the late Henry Lewis, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, violinist Tom Chiu, and conductor Gerard …read more

Comments Off

First there was Shakespeare in the Park, then there was Shakespeare Under the Bridge, and now The Drilling CompaNY, an acting troupe, has taken up residence in a downtown parking lot to perform some of Shakespeare’s classics.  
This summer marks the 13th annual year of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot.  The avant garde production employs cardboard sets, minimal props, and plenty of contemporary aspects, including a wardrobe that looks like it just came out of Sex and the City.
The season begins next week with performances of Twelfth Night, and in mid-July, continues with performances of Henry V.  
Bring …read more

1 Comment

“Guardians of the Forest: Photographs by Rodrigo Petrella” | National Museum of the American Indian  Part of the Amazônia Brasil exhibition, these photographs introduce some of the Amazon region’s indigenous people.  Free.  Through July 13.   
“Rococo: The Continuing Curve, 1730-2008″ | Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum  Exploring rococo style and its continuing revivals up to the present day in multiple fields, including drawings, decorative arts, furniture, textiles, and prints.  Through July 6.   
“Sosua : A Refuge for Jews in the Dominican Republic” | Museum of Jewish Heritage  This exhibit tells the story of the the Jewish refugees who found safety on …read more

Comments Off

ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today Show free summer concert series continues into July with even more musical performances from today’s hottest recording artists.  
ABC’s Good Morning America hosts their free concert series in Bryant Park (map).  All concerts are free and open to the public.  Viewers interested in attending the free live performances should arrive at the park no later than 7am.  Admission is on a limited first-come basis, so the earlier, the better.
The 13th annual NBC “Toyota Concert Series on Today” also continues.  All concerts are at the Rockefeller Plaza (map), or in the Today Show studio.  The …read more

2 Comments

Four electrically-powered waterfalls, one almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty, now rise from New York Harbor. Each plume in this privately-funded $15 million public art installation ranging from 90 – 120 feet tall are spilling forth June 26th – October 13th from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, fully lit after sunset. Designed by internationally acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson, all four waterfalls pump a total of 35,000 gallons per minute out of the East River bridging the gap between the city’s natural environment and its industrial and commercial landscape. While building elements like scaffolding form their backbone mirroring NYC’s …read more

Comments Off

If Water Taxi Beach simply isn’t cutting it any longer, try a getaway to one of the New York area’s finest beaches.  Some are close enough for a day-trip while others are best enjoyed by spending a weekend. 

Rockaway Beach, Queens   Watch the longboarders catch some of New York’s best waves at this surfers delight.  Close to the city, Rockaway Beach Park offers a quick get-away.  Free admission.  A to Broad Channel then S to Rockaway Park-Beach 116th St. 
Jones Beach State Park, NY   If you don’t want to wade in the surf of this 6.5 mile beach, try …read more

2 Comments