Celebrate St.Patrick’s Day in New York

March 16, 2010

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Outside of Ireland, the best place to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17th) is New York. The city hosts the biggest and oldest (2010 will be its 249th edition) St. Patrick’s Day event in the world, with 200,000 participants and drawing two million spectators along Fifth Avenue. Unlike say, the Macy’s Day Parade, the Saint Patrick’s Day parade is endearingly old-fashioned; no cars or floats are allowed, and instead brass bands and members of various Irish

St.Patrick's Cathedral in NYC

St.Patrick's Cathedral in NYC

societies march up the avenue to the beat of traditional Irish music in a spectacle of green and gold.  Each borough also holds its own event, and the city’s hundreds of Irish bars and pub ring loud with the sounds of Celtic revelers well into the night. For the really deal, head to McSorely’s Old House at 15 E 7th Street—it’s the oldest Irish Pub in Manhattan.

For the liveliest local celebrations, don your best green clothing and head to Riverdale in the Bronx, an historically Irish neighbourhood. If you prefer to celebrate St. Patrick’s spiritual significance you could even attend mass at the beautiful neo-Gothic Saint Patrick’s cathedral. Or why not catch a performance of the Irish dance spectacular ‘Riverdance’? This worldwide hit returns to Radio City Music Hall for five days during Saint Patrick’s Day week in New York. Learn also about St Patrick’s day in Korea.

Getting around New York City

November 25, 2009

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If you are flying into New York City for a Christmas Shopping trip for the firt time, you might be a little apprehensive about the local transportation system. NYC certainly sounds and appears to be a big city and it indeed it. The thing is though that NYC is a great city for getting around.

NYC Subway – The subway system is much safer to use these days and it is cheap extensive and trains run often. If

NYC Transport

NYC Transport

you are staying in Manhatten, as many tourists so, you can pretty much get everyhwere you want using the subway system.

Local Buses - A lot of visitors use the subway because it is easier to immediately know the routes. The bus service though is very good and can sometimes be more direct. The real benefit though is that you get to see a lot more of NYC by travelling at street level rather than undergound.

Budget flights into NYC

September 7, 2009

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There are several airlines who offer cheap and budget flights into NYC and these can save really save you a few dollars.

The main choices are:

  • Southwest Airlines – Fly into La Guardia airport to a wide range of destinations. You can book directly online with Southwest and the earlier you book the better.
  • Airtran – Fly from and into Newark and La Guardia and also offer we wide choice of locations.
  • Jetblue  – fly from and into all 3 NYC airports including JFK. Destinations are to all parts of the U.S.
  • NYC Budget Flights guide -A general look at cheap flights to the Big Apple.

Between the 3 airlines above you can get to most parts of the United States at if you book early enough, at a fairly decent price.

Summertime in Central Park

July 27, 2009

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Central Park used to have a reputation as a rough and dangerous place years ago, but these days it is a quite amazing place to hang out in the summer time. If you stick with the lower side and keep to daylight hours then you should be able to enjoy the beautiful summer weather in the park.

I used to walk to and from work through Central Park a few years ago and expect in the summer months to see:

  • Dozens of roller-bladers learning, getting fit and sometimes themselves travelling this way to work.
  • Several people out in boats on the lake.
  • People playing instruments and practicing to play in different corners and places.
  • A number of people playing sports including a spot of baseball, throwing a footbal around or kicking a soccer ball around.
  • Sunbathers using the vast space to enjoy some relaxation.
  • Joggers using the very large central lake as a route for running around.
  • Tourists visiting well-known parts such as Strawberry Fields.

Central Park is almost like a mini city in its own way. I cannot think of anyway better on a sunny day and it is one of the things I love about living here!!!

Central Park NYC

Central Park NYC

Experience The Beast Speed Boat

July 3, 2009

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If you are a true daredevil you definitely have to go on board with ‘The Beast’. Captain Mad Dog guides his speedboat through the harbor during a half hour race. Skyscrapers and other sights passes you. By the Statue of Liberty, ‘The beast’ stops for a short while to give you the opportunity to shoot some nice close-up photo’s of the Statue.

Before you know it, you are back on track with a high speed of 90 kilometers per hour. ‘The beast’ can hold 145 passengers at a time and is the largest and fastest speedboat in New York. It has more than 90 speakers, and people are entertained with popular music. Many people from all over the world are coming to New York to experience this

Beast speedboat NYC

Beast speedboat NYC

crazy mad boat ride only daredevils can handle. You can make a ride with Captain Mad Dog every weekly day from the 3rd of May until the 28th of September from noon to sunset.

In the month October, people can also enjoy ‘The beast’ during the weekend. The boat departs from the Hudson River in midtown Manhattan. The departure time is every hour from 12pm to 7pm and the departure time are on a first-come first-served basis. The ticket price for adults is $21.99 and the price for children is $15.99 per ride. The return is the same has the departure point.

Join us down at the Tribeca Film Festival

June 15, 2009

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After the attacks of 9-11 movie star Robert de Niro and film producer Jane Rosenthal organized a new film festival in the TriBeCa area in New York in Lower Manhattan. The Tribeca Film Festival was founded in 2002 and held in this area because of the consequent loss of vitality in this neighborhood. The aim and mission is ‘to give the international film community and the general public the possibility to experience the force of film by redefining the film festival experience’.

The festival was also established to celebrate New York City as a big filmmaking center. In 2006 and 2007 there were over 250 films and 1.000 screenings. Because of that, the Tribeca Film Festival has now become one of the leading film festivals in the world. Documentaries as well as narrative features and family-friendly films will be shown.

Furthermore, there are panel discussions with persons of the entertainment world and a music lounge which is produced with ASCAP, in order to showcase up and coming artists. A distinctive element of the Tribeca Film Festival

Tribeca movies

Tribeca movies

is the Artists Awards program where upcoming and renowned artists are celebrating filmmakers by providing original works of art that are given to the filmmakers competition winners. Some artists who have participated this program are Chuck Close, Alex Katz and Julian Schnabel.

Looking for Tribeca accommodation? There are some very goodshort term rental options and also with the area quite close to Little Italy, there are several excellent Italian restaurants in the area for a meal before or after the film festival.

The Mermaid Parade arrives at Coney Island

June 2, 2009

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The Mermaid Parade is an annual event, held nearby the sea in Coney Island New York on the 20th of June at 2pm. This event is the nation’s largest art parade and officially, the parade was celebrated because the summer is started.. The Mermaid Parade was founded in 1983 by Coney Island USA which is a non-profit art organization. Their purpose is to defend and maintain the honor of the American culture through innovative and extraordinary performances.

During this event, people wear handmade extreme costumes. Every year there are, Neptunes, various sea creatures, the occasional wandering lighthouse, Coney Island post card or amusement ride, antique cars, marching bands and

Coney Island

Coney Island

drill teams. People throw fruit in the sea to calm the Sea Gods. After the parade, is the Mermaid Parade Ball, this is where participants can come together and enjoy the live music, purchase raffle tickets and watch acts performed by some of New York City’s hottest burlesque stars.

They also produced other festivals like Coney Island Circus Sideshow, Ask the Experts, Burlesque at the Beach, The Coney Island Tattoo and Motor Festival and the Creepshow at the Freakshow.

During this event, people can eat everywhere since Coney Island is the birthplace of the Hot Dog. Of course there are restaurants such as Coney Island Surf and Turf, Nathan’s Famous and Totonno Pizzeria Napolitano.

The New York International Fringe Festival

May 18, 2009

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The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC) is a large multi-art festival in New York. The festival is held from the 14th of August and lasts until the 30th.
This event is the largest multi-art event in North America and has more than 200 companies performing from all over the world in more than 20 venues.

NYC festivals

NYC festivals

FringeNYC is organized by The Present Company. People can participate this festival as a volunteer, intern, donor, sponsor, advertiser or staff person. To make this event a huge success there are more than 200 shows, 1500 volunteers, 4500 artists and audience of 75.000 people needed to make it all happen. The performances are from 2pm to midnight and in the weekends from noon to midnight.

It all started in 1996 when The Present Company produced Brian Park’s Americana Absurdum. The company started with only one employee and those who hung out after our daily jobs.

It doesn’t matter if you are an alumni, a fan, a volunteer, a participant, a staff member, a writer, an actor, a dancer, a teen, child or senior. The New York International Fringe Festival is accessible for everybody.

The entrance price depends on the type of ticket. The prices vary from $8 to $500. The $500 ticket allows you to see all the shows. For visiting 5 shows the price is $ 70.00 and for 10 shows it is $ 120.

Top 5 famous buildings in New York

May 11, 2009

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If you happen to be visiting New York, a must see are 5 famous buildings in New York. This includes the highest tower of the United States, the oldest building in and the highest skyscraper of New York.

1. Chrysler Building – The Chrysler Building is one of the highest and most striking buildings in New York. Allegedly, this building is inspired to the bonnet of the first Chrysler car. It has 77 floors, is 319 meters high and in 1930 it was the highest building of the world. One year later the Chrysler Building was in height defeated by the Empire State Building. Address: 405 Lexington Avenue, New York.

2. Empire State Building – The Empire State Building is now, with its 380 meters, the third tallest building in the United States. It has 86 floors that offers a breathtaking view. Since 9-11, this building again is the highest building of New York. Address: 350 5th Avenue, New York.

3. Columbia University – Columbia University is the oldest institute of higher education in New York and the sixth oldest university of the United States. It was established in 1754 by King George II of England. In 1784, the name of

Chrysler Building in NYC

Chrysler Building in NYC

the university has changed in Columbus University, named after Christoffel Columbus, who discovered America. Now the institute has about 23.000 students. Address: 116th Street and Broadway.

4. Flatiron Building – The Flatiron Building which is situated on Broadway is one of the most famous skyscrapers of New York. The form of the building explains the name. The Flatiron Building opened its doors in 1902 and was one of the first skyscrapers in the world. It is a good example of the Chicago style with a renaissance façade.
Adres: 175 Fifth Avenue, New York

5. Freedom Tower – After the terrorist attacks of 9-11, which has destroyed the WTC towers, people wanted a new skyscraper to symbolize the pride and immunity of America. The tower is designed by the architects Daniel Libeskind and David Childs and will be 541 meter high.With 90 cm thick walls in the stairways, biological and chemical filters in the ventilation system, a 61 meter high pedestal of concrete and steal against bombings, this tower will be the safest skyscraper in the world. The Freedom Tower is expected to be ready in 2011.

Celebrating the 4th of July in New York

March 23, 2009

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 Everybody knows this special day…the 4th of July. It is the most important patriotic day America has and the best place to celebrate this special day must be New York City. Independence day is celebrated annually and especially this day New York offers a lot of festivities and activities to do.

Everybody has a day off and nobody is staying home. On the streets it is cozy and busy everywhere. Most of the American families spend this day together with friends and family. You can see the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest,

NYC fireworks

NYC fireworks

barbeques, baseball games, picnics, carnivals, political speeches, public events celebrating history and traditions, concerts, cruises and of course the immense Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular.

This massive fireworks is at the end of the day. You can see Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular while eating your dinner on a cruise and listening to live music. This is only one of the many activities that can be done in New York on this day. The 4th of July is, besides Christmas, the only day that is celebrated by the whole United States. If you happen to be in New York this day, just open a newspaper and you will find many activities you can do on this day. It is recommended to foreigners, to experience this national day at least one time in your life.

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