• Category Archives Tourist Attractions

  • Hayden Planetarium

    Posted on July 5, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    We decided to avoid the holiday crush yesterday by staying in town and visiting the Hayden Planetarium (and the Museum of Natural History). This is one of the most well-known museums in New York and a must-see for visitors. In 2000, the Planetarium area was completely redone/transformed into the Rose Center for Earth and Space, a huge glass cube which contains the spherical planetarium – check out this photo at night!

    There are shows running in the sphere – currently Cosmic Collisions. Two major displays inside structured as walkways are designed to give you a sense of scale/magnitude of both time and size of things in the universe. One long spiral walkway covers a span of 13 billion years. This beautiful space is extremely visual and tactile. More photos…

    Posted on July 5, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Nathan’s

    Posted on July 2, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    At 1310 Surf Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn, stands one of New York’s most well-known institutions. This is the original home of Nathan’s Famous, started by Nathan Handwerker and probably the most famous fast-food emporium in NYC. Their history is quite interesting, and rather than distill it here, I recommend you check this short article.

    They originally sold through fast-food establishments but are now doing major acquisitions, corporate expansions, merchandise branding, etc. For better or worse, this is the pattern of virtually every company with a history in the U.S. Apart from their classic hot dog, they also sell lemonade, seafood, fries, etc. And they sponsor a traditional yearly hot dog eating contest every July 4th.

    Posted on July 2, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Food and Restaurants, NYC's History, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Wonder Wheel

    Posted on June 29, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    I love Ferris wheels. Although few of the original rides in Coney Island remain or operate, the Wonder Wheel is one which is still going strong and with a perfect safety record. Built in 1920 from Bethlehem steel forged on site, it stands at 150 feet tall, and it is unique with outer fixed cars and inner cars which swing.

    We took a ride – a first for both of us. The views were wonderful, and I took many photos while aloft here and more photos here. The Wonder Wheel was landmarked by the city in 1989. It’s a beautiful antique when viewed from any angle – the beach, the air…

    Posted on June 29, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in NYC's History, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Statue of Liberty

    Posted on June 24, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    This view of the Statue of Liberty (with New Jersey behind it) was from the Staten Island Ferry. There are many ferries to various islands in the NYC waters, as well as numerous sightseeing boat excursions. We recommend them, both for their destinations and the views in transit. During the day or at sunset, the views of the city are always rewarding.

    The respite from the city’s intensity is a welcome break – being in the presence of water is so soothing and powerful. The Statue of Liberty is always so inspiring, even to the perpetual cynic. And let us not forget that it was a gift from France – thank you!

    Posted on June 24, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Art and Sculpture, Scenic NYC, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Conservatory Water

    Posted on June 19, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    In the original plans for Central Park, a large conservatory was planned for this area. However, budget cuts forced the planners to redesign it, and they used the model boat ponds of Paris as a model. For this reason, it is commonly referred to as the Model Boat Pond (boating activities will be featured in tomorrow’s posting).

    The area is surrounded by some of the most special trees in the park, a large stand of Lebanon Cedars, and a concentration of Japanese cherry trees which bloom intensely in the spring. It is a romantic spot and is featured in many stories and films placed in NYC, as well as in many personal stories of the inhabitants. It is also a place that attracts a number of unusual and interesting birds. There is a large boreal owl in residence in the woods next to the pond — the area around the pond is a favorite for many bird watchers. Surprising that so much wildlife exists in the midst of a large city. This pond truly deserves a visit – on a nice day, it is so relaxing and bucolic. It’s always reminded me of Seurat’s Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte…

    Posted on June 19, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Natural NYC, Parks, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Fleet Week

    Posted on May 31, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    Monday was the last day of Fleet Week (May 25-30), an annual event since 1984, with thousands of sailors, marines, and Coast Guardsmen participating and hitting the streets of NYC while on leave, like the two in the photo. They arrived on eleven large ships, berthed at piers in Manhattan and Staten Island. The ships were available for boarding by the public, with the crew providing tours.

    Events were planned daily, including a Parade of Ships, flyovers by jets, helicopter demos, music bands, parades, etc., but boarding the ships has been the big draw for most of the public, and the lines were blocks and hours long. Of course, not everyone is thrilled with the military presence and their activities…

    Posted on May 31, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Festivals Parades and Events, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Caught!

    Posted on May 23, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    We’ve been having a lot of intermittent rain showers lately, and these folks got caught in a huge downpour and ran. Gray Line has been running sightseeing bus tours for over 75 years. They’re now offering over 40 Hop On Hop Off tours of Manhattan and Brooklyn in various package deals from $20 to over $100, some even including helicopter tours.

    The open upper level of the double decker buses appears to be the preferred seating, unless it rains – then you had better put on your free raincoat and run inside, because this is New York and there’s no refund for you 🙂

    Posted on May 23, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Slings and Arrows of NYC, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • I Love New York

    Posted on May 19, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    Unexpectedly, I ran into this film crew shooting a new commercial series for an I Love New York PR campaign, a slogan which the city has been using to promote itself since way back when. They say they intend to put more emphasis on celebrating the “ordinary people’s” New York. This particular one will show a breakdancing group, Full Circle, performing in front of the Washington Square Arch, referring, we suppose, to the many performers that use Washington Square Park as a stage, who all attempt to be compelling enough to stop traffic. Luckily, the timing was right, and I was able to capture some video of the dancers…

    Posted on May 19, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Street Performing, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • FAO Schwartz

    Posted on April 21, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    This famous toy store on 59th and Fifth Avenue (read their history here) has life-size stuffed animals that are very realistic and expressive, made in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History. Some are based on endangered species. They also have mechanical toys, such as child-size sports cars. It’s worth going in even without a child, just to take in the experience of the myriads of rare types of animals posed around en masse (see more photos here).

    The big cats are heavily represented, and they even have a section devoted to many of the famous dog breeds, also life-size, so you could conceivably try having one at home before or instead of having a real one…

    Posted on April 21, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Stores, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Too Many Choices?

    Posted on April 8, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    Not really. This is NYC, so it has to be three in one to really hit you and draw you in. Nationwide fast-food chains have restaurants clustered in certain parts of the city, mostly near tourist and some office areas, evidence that we have more than our share of bad restaurants along with the rest of the country.

    American out-of-towners can feel more comfortable visiting or working here – they can get a meal with no surprises and not have to deal with scarier, authentic ethnic foods available all over the city. Around the corner from this place is a row of Korean restaurants that are very reasonably priced but probably way too unfamiliar in taste for people who want to keep one foot out the door while they are in this cosmopolitan city.

    Posted on April 8, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Food and Restaurants, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Metal Ferns

    Posted on April 5, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    More on Rockefeller Center, the Art Deco extravaganza. Here is a detail of a bronze statue, one of a symmetrically placed pair, which have giant fern fronds graciously presenting the central area in front of the main building, presently occupied by an ice skating rink. Must be the last few days for the skaters – winter came back today for a little while, but it’s fighting a losing battle. Very soon, as every spring, the ice thaws and then there are cafe tables with umbrellas to protect us from the sun…

    Posted on April 5, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Art and Sculpture, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Rock Floor

    Posted on April 4, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    The 30 Rockefeller Center lobby has very highly polished black terrazzo floors inlaid with brass designs and dramatically lit sepia murals that go on for acres throughout a number of interconnected buildings. It is the ultimate NYC Art Deco atmosphere and is meticulously maintained – the golden lighting reflects off the black floors. I often feel like I am an extra in a film set as I rush across these dark polished surfaces, with Ira Gershwin playing the background score, “Rhapsody in Blue.”

    You can walk quite a distance underground to avoid bad weather, and there are also many shops and restaurants, as well as a TV station. We are looking forward to getting up to the recently reopened and restored observatory on the top floor, which is said to have the best views of the city. We will be doing more postings about this quintessentially glamorous part of midtown Manhattan. Here’s a link to a lot more about this landmark…

    Posted on April 4, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Architecture, Art and Sculpture, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • The Naked Cowboy

    Posted on April 1, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    Have you heard of the Naked Cowboy? He certainly doesn’t need any more promotion – Robert John Burck now has an international career. He has been a fixture for some time as a New York City street performer, working Times Square, as seen above, earning as much as $1000 per day. His routine consists of playing guitar dressed only in briefs and cowboy boots. Read an interview here. What’s next, a Naked Cowgirl? Too late – I understand someone is already doing it.

    Posted on April 1, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in People, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Gray’s Papaya

    Posted on March 30, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    The ubiquitous New York hot dog chain, this one is at 8th Street and 6th Avenue in the Village. Gray’s was started in 1972 by Nicholas Gray. Competitor Papaya King dates back to 1931. Both use the respected Sabrett hot dog and sell a variety of tropical drinks, such as papaya, for the supposed health benefits, and each has their loyal followers. The large hot dog greets you at the door. They celebrate yearly – note the colorful hanging paper fruit. These chains have spawned even more copies with similar themes – Papaya Dog, etc.

    Gray’s is open 24/7 and serves at a fast New York pace – you eat standing up and are out in minutes. This is one of those old time fast food joints, throwbacks from before the days of big multinational chains such as McDonalds, that still exist in Manhattan, similar to the many Ray’s Pizzas, who all claim to be the best and the original. You can get a meal for under $2, practically unheard of in Manhattan. Here’s another view from the inside.

    Posted on March 30, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Food and Restaurants, Only in New York, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.

  • ESB Straight Up

    Posted on March 19, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    The most iconic symbol of NYC, the Empire State Building, is rendered in pure art deco. The closer you are to it, the less you can see of it as a whole. It dissolves into an enormous looming abstraction, and the day’s sky multiplies itself reflecting from all the windows. Every night, it’s lit with different colors, frequently to symbolize a particular cause, special interest, or holiday. To see the listing, click here.

    Posted on March 19, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Architecture, Only in New York, Scenic NYC, Tourist Attractions. Bookmark the permalink.


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