Broadway Bound Part 2

For the past few days I have been researching current Broadway shows in preparation for what could be my first visit to New York in more than four years. I am thrilled at the prospect of heading back to the Big Apple and especially overjoyed that I could soon be sitting in one of the city’s famous theaters taking in a Tony Award-winning musical. Now, if I could only come up with the money I would be in business. When Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein opened on Broadway last year, the top price of a ticket reached $450 for the first … Continue reading →

Broadway Bound

No trip to the Big Apple is complete without taking in a few Broadway shows. Whether you’ve never stepped foot in one of New York’s famous theaters or you make going to a musical part of your annual family vacation you will pleased to know that tickets for some of Broadway’s biggest shows are still available. In my previous blog I mentioned that I am seriously considering taking a trip to New York in the coming months. My friend from high school generously offered me a place to stay and asked if I would like to take in a couple … Continue reading →

Traveling to New York? Think Broadway

If you thought the movie was incredible wait until you see Shrek the Musical. The popular DreamWorks Animation SKG film is headed to Broadway and despite the fact that no actor has signed on to play the title character (yet) tickets are all ready in demand. DreamWorks Theatricals just announced that the show will open on December 14th at the Broadway Theatre, with preview performances beginning November 8th. As I mentioned earlier there’s no word on who will be playing Shrek or his pal Donkey, but stage star Sutton Foster (she’s currently starring as Inga in Young Frankenstein) has signed … Continue reading →

New Payment Options for Tourist in New York

If you travel internationally then you know the U.S. dollar is far from what it used to be worth. Which is why it should come as no surprise that some savvy New York City shop owners have wised up and begun accepting euros and other foreign currency as payment for merchandise. One business owner might have put it best when he said, “Money is money and we’ll take it and just do the exchange whenever we can with our bank.” And that guy isn’t alone. The U.S. dollar is no longer the king among currencies (in fact, these days it … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Passport Alternatives and New York’s Revamped Tourist Attraction

If you are planning a trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean this year take note: The State Department says it will begin accepting applications February 1st for passport cards as alternatives to passports for Americans traveling to the aforementioned destinations. The wallet-sized cards, which will be available to U.S. citizens by this spring, will cost $45 for adults and $35 for children. That’s cheaper than a regular passport, and adults who have passports will have to pay only $20. However, the passport cards will only be accepted for land and sea crossings between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico and … Continue reading →

Big Travel Deals in the Big Apple

Now that the parade watchers, holiday shoppers, and New Year’s Eve revelers have packed up and gone home, hoteliers in New York City are offering incredible rates to fill their rooms. If you have been waiting for an excuse to take in the bright lights of the city that never sleeps (and you don’t mind doing so in chilly temps) then now is the time to book your stay. The following hotels are offering spectacular rates that shouldn’t be passed up. But, don’t procrastinate… the deals are only good through February and are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Algonquin … Continue reading →

Look What’s New for New York’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop

More than one million New Year’s Eve revelers are expected to pack the streets around Times Square to witness the annual ball drop—-nothing new about that. Meanwhile, more than 1 billion more people will be joining the festivities via the Internet or watching the event from the comfort of their own living rooms-—nothing new about that either. When the ball descends down its pole and the numbers 2-0-0-8 light up, the crowd will go crazy, confetti will fall from the heavens and everybody will sing Auld Lang Syne followed by New York, New York–there’s nothing new about that either. What … Continue reading →

New York Goes Golden for the Holidays

If you plan to be in the New York City area during the holiday season I highly encourage you to head over to Rockefeller Center, not so you can snap a photo of the famous Christmas tree (though it is spectacular and worth taking a few pictures of), but to catch sight of an impressive exhibit that will leave you speechless. Part of Rockefeller Center is paved with gold–golden pennies that is. And not just a few jars worth, we’re talking 100 million pennies (plus a few nickels, dimes and quarters that slipped in by mistake) spread out along an … Continue reading →

Penn Station’s Proposed Overhaul

If you have ever visited busy Penn Station then you know why some travelers refer to it as “the pit.” I have heard others refer to it as a “cesspool of commuters,” though I wouldn’t go that far. I’ve been to the nation’s busiest train station several times and yes, it’s not as opulent as Grand Central Terminal’s majestic concourse, but it’s not a complete turn off either. Penn Station is home to Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, Long Island Rail Road trains and half a dozen subway lines, which means if you are traveling to and from New York City … Continue reading →

New York’s Eclectic Gift Shops

You can’t visit New York City without going home with a few souvenirs, right? Continuing in my series spotlighting some of the city’s most unique shops today I’m throwing out a real zinger–big cheese in the Big Apple. Given that I currently reside in a state known for its dairy products I’m really putting my neck on the line here, but so be it. Take a look at some other must-visit Manhattan shops. Murray’s Cheese Shop Located downtown at 254 Bleecker St. between 6th and 7th Aves. Murray’s Cheese Shop refers to itself as “the nation’s leading cheese purveyor.” It’s … Continue reading →