The New York City Traveler

Following the lead of such cities as Bogota, Paris, and London, Mayor Bloomberg is closing down a major city north-south thoroughfare and only allowing pedestrians and cyclists. 
Park Avenue will be closed to motor vehicles from 7am until 1pm on three consecutive Saturdays, August 9th, 16th, and 23rd.  The street will be closed south of 72nd Avenue to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Get out, meet your neighbors, and enjoy New York’s largest block party.

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Between Manhattan and Queens lies a sliver of land, Roosevelt Island.  The island is primarily residential, but taking the Roosevelt Island Tram on a round-trip is a fun way to see the city in a whole new angle. 
Photo credit: flickr
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Let the fiesta begin! New York’s annual Puerto Rican Day Parade will march up Fifth Avenue this Sunday.  The parade, the second largest in New York behind the West Indian-American Carnival Parade, celebrates Puerto Rican heritage and its contribution to the society of New York.
It is estimated that The Puerto Rican Day Parade has over 80,000 participants that march, over 2 million spectators, and is viewed on local and international channels, making it a truly international event.    
The parade has been marred by violence in the past.  In 2000, violence was at its height and last year, police …read more

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The Whitney is so much more than just a biennial.  The Whitney Museum of American Art is the leading collection of 20th-century American contemporary art located right in the heart of Manhattan on the Upper East Side.   
The Whitney was founded in 1931 with the donation of 700 objects from Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney.  Whitney, herself a well regarded sculptor, initially attempted to make the donation to the Metropolitan Museum of Art but the donation was declined, leading Whitney to be the founding member of the Whitney Museum of American Art. 
Currently, the permanent collection consists of over 12,000 works, …read more

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Met Holiday Mondays returns to the Metropolitan Museum of Art this Monday, Memorial Day.  The Met is usually closed on Mondays, but with the support of Bloomberg, the Met and all of its galleries are open on select holiday Mondays. 
This is your chance to catch temporary exhibits that are currently on display:

Jeff Koons on the Roof
Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
American Landscapes
Medieval and Renaissance Treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum
Tiepolo Drawings from the Robert Lehman Collection
Anatomy of a Masterpiece: How to Read Chinese Paintings
Radiance from the Rain Forest: Featherwork in Ancient Peru
Beauty and Learning: Korean Painted Screens

All …read more

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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 …read more

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Fashion designers have always been fascinated by the idea of how clothing can transform the body, and even the perceived character, of the wearer.”  Giorgio Armani 
Fashion is inspired by many things and art is not just two-dimensional objects for your viewing pleasure.  The newest exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and part of the museum’s Costume Institute, looks as how movie and comic book superheroes have inspired fashion.  Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy displays over 60 clothing ensembles, including movie costumes, active sportswear, and couture.
The exhibit is divided into very eight very distinct themes that discuss …read more

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Children’s Day in Japan is fast approaching and New York City’s own Japan Society is inviting children and adults to celebrate this historic Japanese national holiday. 
Festivities include performances of Japan’s classic stories for children: Peach Boy (Momotaro), Golden Boy (Kintaro), Story of the Old Man Who Made Withered Trees to Blossom (Hanasaka jiisan), and The Monkey and the Crab (Saru-kani gassen). 
Following performance, visitors can enjoy traditional snacks (kashiwa mochi) and create their own samurai helmets (kabuto) and carp streamers (koinobori), traditional Children’s Day decorations. 
Location: Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street (map)
Subway:  6 to 51st Street; 4, …read more

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Visit the rainforest of Brazil without leaving the jungle of New York City.  Amazônia Brasil has a four-part exhibit that provides insight into the complex Amazon of Brazil.  Learn about how climate change is affecting the diverse ecosystem of the rainforest, visit a re-creation of an Amazon village, and meet indigenous artisans and shamans.    
Amazônia Brasil – Main Exhibit:  South Street Seaport, Pier 17
South Street Seaport has been transformed into a re-creation of the Brazilian rainforest.  In the 13,000-sq.-foot experience, visitors can see the sights and sounds of the Amazon and walk through a replica of a Amazon village.  Lending …read more

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This Friday night, trade in your usual club-hopping routine for Guggenheim’s Art After Dark.  The first Friday evening of each month, the Guggenheim Museum opens its doors at for a evening of DJ music, drinks, and art.
This week, Shepard Fairey will be the guest DJ spinning a mix of old-school, hip hop, rock, and electronica at the Guggenheim.  Fairey is one of the most influential street-artists of his time.  He initially became known for his “André the Giant Has a Posse” (later known as OBEY Giant) campaign.  Most recently, Fairey is the artist behind the “Progress: Obama” campaign.   
This Friday, …read more

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