Shopping in the Big Apple—Food and Shoes

Life should be so simple… Food and shoes, what more could a girl ask for? (Okay… diamonds, but I’m working with a budget here.) With the holidays fast approaching the streets of New York City will soon be chock full of men, women, and children on the hunt for the perfect gift. As such, I’ve decided to list a few of my favorite Big Apple haunts. I started with this blog and am slowly adding a few more as we enter the gift-giving season. The following retailers offer two items that are essential to any woman’s life—-chocolate and shoes: Jacques … Continue reading →

Shopping In New York City—Off the Beaten Path

Sure, you could spend the day with tens of thousands of other shoppers exploring each and every floor of the massive Macy’s store in New York’s Herald Square. Or, you could rub elbows with other shopoholics at Sax Fifth Avenue’s new shoe department in Manhattan that’s so huge that is has its own ZIP code. But, if you are looking for a decidedly different shopping experience I would highly recommend you check out the following lesser known, though truly outstanding Big Apple venues. Your credit card may be smoking by the time you’re done, but somehow I don’t think you … Continue reading →

Big Fun In The Big Apple

It’s no secret that New York City gets even busier during the holiday season. In my previous blog I detailed some of the seasonal events going on in “The Big Apple” during the months of October and November. This blog provides you with more information on the major holiday happenings that get underway in the city in late November and December. But, before I do that I wanted to tell you about a unique arts festival that is often overlooked given that it runs during a time when other, more famous events are being held in New York. The 25th … Continue reading →

New York’s Most Popular Seasonal Activities

In less than two weeks New York City will host the largest Halloween celebration in the country. I wrote about the Village Halloween Parade in a previous blog and detailed how more than 2 million people turn out each October 31st to watch 50,000 enthusiastic costumed characters, more than 50 marching bands, and dozens of giant puppets make their way up Sixth Avenue. Many consider the spooktacular spectacle the kick off to the Big Apple’s holiday season. In the coming weeks the famous city will be packed with visitors looking to take in the magical holiday festivities that New York … Continue reading →

Taking A Break From The Concrete Jungle

In a previous blog I shared some worthwhile day trip destinations for those of you visiting (or living) in New York City. Most of them involved my favorite pastimes—-shopping and eating. I realize some of you may not enjoy indulging in the same hobbies and for you I offer this blog. Let’s face it; sharing sidewalks with millions of others can be taxing on even the most accomplished travelers. Once in a while it’s nice to escape the concrete jungle and visit a more desirable place where the natives are a bit friendlier. You can find such a place about … Continue reading →

Day Trips From New York City

I love the Food Network. I have been a die-hard fan for years—-long before Giada, Paula Deen, and the Barefoot Contessa came on the scene. I’ve been glued since Bobby Flay engaged in his first battle against Jack McDavid on Grillin’ and Chillin’. I’ve been hooked since the Two Hot Tamales whipped up their very first champurrado. And, of course, I became a true blue Iron Chef fan since the instant I saw chef Masaharu Morimoto whack the heck out of a fresh lobster. When the famous Japanese chef opened his new restaurant, Morimoto, in Philadelphia I was so disappointed. … Continue reading →

Big Apple On A Budget—Remember the “S” Word

Let’s face it; traveling to and staying in New York City is not cheap… unless you do so on a night most people are at home curled up on the couch catching up with the ladies on Wisteria Lane. That’s right cost-conscious vacationers, thanks to a new citywide tourist promotion; the Big Apple’s famously pricey accommodations are giving a break to travelers who spend Sunday night in the heart of the Empire State. The new “Sunday Stays” program is being offered at more than three dozen New York hotels. By spending Sunday night at participating properties you can save 20%-30% … Continue reading →

New York City–A Biker’s Paradise?

New York City… honored for bike friendliness? I thought I had heard wrong, or perhaps, the guy on the news had made an error. However, upon further viewing I realized that someone (actually, an entire group of legitimate someones) really believes that the concrete jungle with its convey of yelling yellow cab drivers, take no prisoner pedestrians, and hordes of hassled truck drivers is a premiere place to travel on two wheels. Believe it or not, the League of American Bicyclists just awarded New York City a medal for bike friendliness. Okay, it’s a bronze medal, but considering it ranked … Continue reading →

The Epitome Of Family Fun

There’s a place in New York that is like no other. It’s a place where floors tilted at an 18-degree angle cause fits of laughter instead of disoriented moans. A place where butterflies flutter freely indoors past giant beanstalks and wizard’s workshops; and a place where you can walk through a massive kaleidoscope into a pirate ship. The place: The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. It is considered the nation’s second-largest children’s museum in the country (The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the biggest) and is one of the most popular family attraction in western and … Continue reading →

New York—-Two Tales One City

Ah… New York City. The Big Apple… The City That Never Sleeps… Home of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade… and the place where you visitors should expect the unexpected. Where am I going with this? Follow me… two big stories about two major New York City landmarks made headlines this week and I found it interesting that both had connections to the travel industry. The first bit of news is about one of the Big Apple’s most photographed buildings. The Plaza (it’s a hotel and so much more) is the fictional home to the mischievous Eloise, the setting for Mr. … Continue reading →