Bars to try in Downtown Brooklyn

November 15, 2011

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There are many top quality bars in Brooklyn but below are some you can try if you want to avoid cliché visits.

Rebar

Located in on the second floor of an art gallery, one would perhaps not expect this establishment to provide the best bar experience in New York, and in reality, it doesn’t. It does, however, provide a much better experience than you would expect, with nice wooden tables, a cosy atmosphere and some of the best draught beers from Europe, all nicely complimented by a good selection of wines.

Brooklyn bars

Brooklyn bars

Brooklyn Social

This used to be a social club for the area’s Italian male residents, but has now evolved to be an open bar which serves fantastic cocktails and a high level of service. The decor remains highly influenced by Italy and is a really comfortable environment to enjoy a few drinks after a day in the city.

Eamonn’s

No modern city can truly consider their bar scene complete until it has an Irish bar, and this establishment in Brooklyn has all of the warmth and atmosphere that you would expect from a bar in this category. The bar also has a nice clientele with many of the local businessmen and women visiting here, whilst the menu has a good mixture of Irish and American dishes.

Post Office

Whiskey enthusiasts will be in their element here, as there are over 30 different varieties to try, including many brands from around the US which are otherwise localised to where they are brewe

Professional Soccer in NYC

October 11, 2011

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Sport plays an enormous part in the lives of all people in New York city, with all of the teams playing in various sports attracting thousands of people. Soccer despite not being the main sport in the United States, does have a solid following and NYC is a city where you can enjoy professional soccer.

One of the best known teams internationally is New York Red Bulls, a football (soccer) team which plays in the top flight of the American leagues. The reason that Red Bull are so well known is that they have developed a habit of signing top quality players from the best leagues around the world, projecting both the team and the league into the spotlight with people around the globe fascinated to see how the team will progress.

This season promises to be one of the most successful yet for Red Bull, due partly to the fact that the players have had a chance to mould as a team with players such as Thierry Henry having had a chance to settle into the style of play in the USA. There is a very good chance that, with the brand of football that they adopt, New York will enter the playoffs this year and progress to the final. A visit to the Red Bull Arena this season will enable you to savour the fluent footballing style that New York adapt whilst enjoying the great atmosphere that the New York fans create.

One of the best games to watch New York play will be the match against LA Galaxy who include David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan in their ranks, three world class players at the peak of their game.

Read our guide to shows on Broadway NYC yet? Read more NYC travel ideas before you visit the Big Apple.

Visiting the Empire State Building

September 4, 2011

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view from empire state building

When one thinks of the most iconic buildings in the modern world the Empire State Building is one of those which immediately springs to mind. Even in the New York skyline where there are masses of tall buildings there is something about the Empire State building which makes it stand out from the others, a charisma, a personality and a history which has fascinated people for decades. The Empire State Building has been the focal point of many films, videos and songs over the years, and the great news for those visiting New York is that the building is open to the public to enjoy.

Visiting the top of the Empire State building is an absolute must for all those who visit New York as the view from the observation deck is simply breathtaking. Whether you take your own viewing implement or make use of those which are provided, the view from this vantage point will leave you mesmerised and even more in love with this fabulous city. For those concerned about having to walk all of the way to the top there is absolutely no need as lifts can be taken up ensuring that you can save all of your energy for the various tourist activities within the building.

As well as the view, the main visitor features are the retail shops, the restaurants which overlook the city and the opportunity to learn all about the building, its history and the groundbreaking energy systems which it employs. You can purchase tickets in advance to or on the day, but timed ticketing is often in place.

Winter Time Events in New York, USA

June 26, 2011

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Winter time in New York is a wonderful thing, and just like there are some fun activities carried out during winter, so are there winter time events in New York, USA.

Some of the winter time activities in New York, USA include: doing your Christmas shopping at world famous stores like Macy’s, ice staking outside the Rockefeller Centre or enjoy a sleigh ride through Central Park. It is no wonder that during the festive period of Christmas, the city of New York puts on a series of events that are extremely popular with locals and visiting tourists.

Lighting the Rockefeller X-mas Tree – a key winter time event in New York, USA

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

One of the biggest events in New York’s festive calendar is the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. It is the largest Christmas tree in the city, and each year attracts hundreds of viewers.

The tree is traditionally lit up just after Thanksgiving, and symbolises that Christmas has officially come to the Big Apple.

Radio City X-mas Spectacular NY winter event

Radio City, NY

Radio City, NY

Another popular attraction is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular which goes on throughout the whole of December. It often features performances by groups like the Rockettes, and the show is popular with families of all ages whereby tourists from all walks of life, together with the young and old all gather for this key winter event in New York, USA.

Cultured winter events in NY – The New York City Ballet

Nutracker Ballet, NYC

Nutracker Ballet, NYC

If you are looking for a bit more culture however, then the New York City Ballet will once again be putting on their annual performance of George Balanchine’s, “The Nutcracker”.

Performances go on throughout December with the last show being held on the 2nd January.

Other winter time events in New York City

Lincoln Center, NYC

Lincoln Center, NYC

The Lincoln Centre also puts on a number of festive events including: a large Messiah Sing In, nativity plays and other festive performances.

Other caroling services are held in the West Village, with the West Village Messiah Singing being held at St. Luke’s Church.

Whatever you decide to do, there are plenty of sights and sounds in New York that can cater for everyone’s tastes and festive desires, regardless of the season, as has been illustrated here, there are more than enough winter time events in New York, USA that the whole family can enjoy.

The History of Broadway

June 24, 2011

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Without a clear insight into the history of Broadway, you’d only know the modern day Broadway as the epicentre of theatrical performances… The street is full of bright lights and has an almost tangible buzz about it which attracts people from around the world to experience the excitement of this world-famous area of New York. However, it hasn’t always been this way though.

Broadway, New York City

History of Broadway, NYC

One of the main reasons that led to the popularity of Broadway among the early settlers was that there was such a diverse range of nature and wildlife there, something that you would probably find hard to believe given the concrete jungle that it has evolved into.

Stepping back from the history of Broadway street in New York and back to the present – the nature has now disappeared but the diversity remains in different forms, something that stems from the various influences on the area.

The Dutch were amongst the first people to settle in the area; and history has it that they used Broadway as the main route across the island.

This Dutch influence hence created the early template for the island-long influence that the famous NYC street now possesses.

Modern Broadway began to really evolve in the early twentieth century, when famous people mingled with the large number of gangsters occupying and frequenting the area. This helped to give the area the glamorous image that it now possesses.

Broadway developed a reputation as being a late night location which partied on into the night, something which resulted in the evolution of the bars, clubs, restaurants and theatres for which the area is famous. And thus goes an overview of the history of Broadway street which has come a long way…

A Visit to the Statue of Liberty

May 10, 2011

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Most cities and towns have one or two structures or monuments which people associate with that place, but New York City has a number. One of these landmarks is the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour. For thousands of people who entered New York via boat into Staten Island the Statue of Liberty was the first thing they saw. For them it was a signal of freedom and hope for the life they were about to start.

Since the Statue of Liberty was erected in 1886, the visitor numbers to the site have grown significantly. There are not many who visit the city who do not want to at least view the statue, whilst for most people viewing it is not quite enough, they like to

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

actually visit and ascend it. In order to visit the statue one must take a ferry from the mainland out to Liberty Island, but the cost of this journey is cancelled out by the fact that entry to the statue is free of charge all year round.

The most exciting aspect of visiting the Statue of Liberty in New York City is the opportunity to climb to the very top of it and enjoy the views of the city below. Unfortunately, due to logistical restrictions, only a couple of hundred of people a day can make the journey to the top of the statue, an experience which has an associated cost. Journeys to the summit can be booked quite far in advance, a tactic which is recommended as a way of avoiding disappointment.

5 Places of Historical Significance in New York

April 7, 2011

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There are many reasons to visit New York, such as the retail opportunities, the awe inspiring architecture, the entertainment and the atmosphere. Increasingly, however, people are visiting New York to visit the areas of historic significance, something which has not always been the case due to the reasonably young nature of the country. Below are some of the places of

Staten Island – In the days before immigration laws were introduced, boat loads of people would arrive on this island to begin their new life in New York. Iconic images show people arriving on boats packed to the rafters, many of them without knowing a word

Apollo Theater in NYC

Apollo Theater in NYC

of English.

Statue of Liberty – This is one of the most iconic structures in New York. It is famed as being the first sight that people would see when arriving on boats to Staten Island and is therefore associated with freedom and hope. The visitor can climb to the top of the statue to enjoy glorious views of the city.

Ground Zero – On one of the most horrific days in modern history, two passenger planes were hijacked and flown into the iconic Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre. The consequent collapse of the towers left a gaping hole in the city which is a place of homage for all those touched by the events of the day.

Apollo Theatre – As buildings in New York go, this is one of the oldest and is admired as an feat of engineering.  Learn more about the Apollo Theatre in NYC.

Park to Visit in New York

February 8, 2011

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When one thinks of visiting New York, most people think of the built up city centre and the attractions held within it. Whilst this is not an entirely inaccurate perception of what the city has to offer, there are certain other aspects of the city which are sometimes neglected. One such aspect is the various parks which offer a stark contrast to the concrete jungle. Below are some great parks to visit in New York City:

Best Parks

Best Parks

Central Park – Probably the most famous park in New York, Central Park in Manhattan is a vast space in the centre of the city. The park has featured in various films and is popular with a wide range of people. At any given time you can find a range of sporting activities taking place, but that doesn’t mean that there is no room to take a peaceful seat and enjoy a picnic.

Greenbelt Park – It is surprising how much nature can be found in such close proximity to one of the most built up cities in the world. GreenBelt Park NYC is an extensive area of land which is perfect for hiking, relaxing or having a picnic. A wide range of different trees and birds call the park home and there is a series of beautiful lakes.

Marine Park – This park in Brooklyn is made up of a number of recreational parks where families and groups of friends find haven in the pleasant green surroundings. The park has a vast natural habitat of small to medium sized animals which live amongst the trees and ponds which are spread throughout.

Why I love summertime in London

August 10, 2010

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 The best time to visit London is in the summer, when you can keep your heavy coats at home and walk about the streets wearing shorts and sandals. Summer in London, is when the city becomes colourful and bright, hosting flower shows and concerts. Should you visit during this time of the year, you will find that the weather is perfect for activities and sightseeing as the summers in London are not at very hot.

London summers

London summers

During the summer months, London hosts a lot of cultural festivals, music concerts and street fairs. Tourist will enjoy eating pretzels, fish and chips and other snacks from street vendor while sipping on a beer and listening to live music. Many of these events are free and are held outdoors and some of the very popular ones include the Carnaval del Pueblo which occurs every year in the month of August. This show is held at the Burgess Park in Camberwell and features live music and dance performances from Latin American countries. Portavilion is yet another event which is held out site the Tate Modern and showcases live acts and performances from Sadler’s Wells.

You can also opt to visitors London’s many parks and have a picnic there under the trees. Another interesting event held during the summer is the Notting Hill Carnival, which is an exciting party that takes place on a massive scale during the Bank Holiday weekend in August. I particularly enjoy this event with its music, dancing and colourful costumes and try to make sure that I am in town every year to be a part of it.

Do remember that on occasion, London can heat up and if you are looking to cool down in a pool, try one of the region’s lidos which do not cost much to swim in.

Be part of the audience in NYC

May 25, 2010

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If there is one thing as synonymous with New York as hot dogs and yellow cabs, it is  live TV shows. Emblematic American programmes such as Good Morning America, The Today Show, David Letterman and many others are either taped or transmitted lived from the Big Apple, often with the city’s dramatic skyline blazing in the studio background.

Most of these shows need audiences and being part of them is a fun thing to do on your visit to New York (albeit perhaps you won’t see the they type of mayhem portrayed in 24 Rock, a comedy series about the making of a live variety show).

NYC Free shows

NYC Free shows

Tickets, which are free, are very much in demand by locals too, so you’ll need to be persistent and act quickly.

Good Morning America (ABC Network)

If you don’t mind heading to the Times Square studio at 7am, make a request for tickets well in advance via their website (www.abcnews.com). If not, arrive at the studio by 6:45am and try your luck for a standby ticket.

The View, (ABC Network)

If you are prepared to wait a year or two, you may be able to score tickets for The View, the hugely popular, all female panel discussion show led by Whoopi Goldberg. Apply now through the show’s website: http://theview.abc.go.com/

Late Show with David Letterman (CBS Network)

The holy grail of the live audience tickets, you can either register on-line or in person at the Ed Sullivan Theatre (where the show is taped) Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to noon, or on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. You’ll be called if you get lucky but its not over there; you’ll also have to answer a question about the show in order to get the tickets.

The Daily Show with John Stewart (Comedy Central)

My personal favourite for its mix of politics and irreverence, simply email requesttickets@thedailyshow.com for tickets. They are generally booked well in advance but give them a good reason why you should attend and you just may get lucky.

Other Live Events in New York City

There are always a number of live events and many of which are free and others do cost. Events such as the frequent Belly dance Intensive workshops run by Madam Raqia Hassan are certainlt worth considering.

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