NYC Summer Adventure: Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens
The Socrates Sculpture Park, located at the western end of Broadway in Long Island City, Queens (about a half mile walk from the N/Q station), is one of the great grass-roots success stories of the past few decades here in New York City. In 1986 a group of local activists and artists banded together and, with some help and leadership from world-renowned sculptor Mark di Suverno, transformed an illegal dumping ground and abandoned landfill into both a working studio and a public exhibition space right on the banks on the East River.
7 Santiago Calatrava Sculptures Line Park Avenue
Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava reasserts the ties between art and architecture in a new exhibition of seven monumental sculptures along Park Avenue in New York, while work continues on the controversial train station he designed for the place where the World Trade Center's twin towers once stood.
NYC’s Best Ice Cream List Adds Two New Contenders
Whether you’re craving a sundae, sorbet or popsicle, these awesome ice cream shops will hook you up with the best classic and original flavors. Ice cream is hands down the most delicious of all summer treats, whether it's slathered with homemade whipped cream or simply perched on a chocolate-dipped cone. New York City's ice cream makers have really stepped up their games this season, and we got the scoop on two of NYC's newest and finest, Ice & Vice and MilkMade.
The Summer Guide To Governors Island
Governors Island is a 172-acre island located in New York Harbor between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Access to the island is limited to May 26 through September 30 on weekends and holiday Mondays. No summer in New York is complete without a trip to Governors Island, NY's car-free oasis in Upper New York Bay. Check out our list of places to go, things to do & fun events to take part in this summer on Governors Island.
Exploring America’s Great Migration at MoMA
It's one of the most significant (and, to my mind, one of the most interesting) stories in American history, the epic tale of the "Great Migration" of American blacks, as six million descendants of slaves fled the Jim Crow south to the cities of the north and west between the First World War and 1970, and forever changed pretty much everything about the nation, economically, culturally, politically, sociologically. There's so much to this vast demographic shift, the implications so deep and lasting, that it's impossible to fully capture in a single art exhibition, or book, but two recent endeavors--one an exhibition at MoMA, the other a Pulitzer Prize-winning book--do an excellent job of bringing the story to life.
Your Guide to Rockaway Beach 2015
No question, Rockaway Beach got hit hard by Hurricane Sandy almost three years ago, and recovery's been slow-going in parts, but there's also no doubt in my mind that Rockaway Beach remains New York City's best subway beach. By which I mean: exit the subway, and you're just two blocks or so from the water. Farther out on Rockaway there are a couple of terrific public beaches, at Fort Tilden and Jacob Riis Park, but you'll need a car, or a bike, or a bus, to get there. But to get to what most people call Rockaway Beach, the A train, usually plus the Shuttle, puts you right there. I went out to Rockaway a couple of times over Memorial Day Weekend, mostly around the popular Beach 90 to Beach 99 area, and here's a quick look at what's new, and what still needs some work.
Dominque Ansel Kitchen takes to the West Village
The first time I gorged myself silly at Dominique Ansel's Bakery in Soho it was back when we all still lived in the pre-Cronut world. Yes, Ansel was much-acclaimed at the time (he was the Executive Pastry Chef at Daniel for six years before venturing out on his own), and the small, friendly shop was usually pretty bustling. But it was neighborhood crowd mostly, as would be expected at any bakery. And then Ansel unleashed his mad-genius Cronut monster, and soon the Bakery opened every morning to around-the-block lines, every tourist guide in on the planet sent visitors to his place, and a tremendous amount of hype greeted his every next creation. For example: the Frozen S'mores, and the Cookie Shots, which still might be my personal favorite Ansel creation (full disclosure: I've never had a Cronut). And now the chef has finally expanded his realm here in NYC with the brand-new Dominique Ansel Kitchen in the West Village which, in a pair of bold moves, serves about a half dozen savory dishes, and absolutely zero Cronuts.
One World Observatory Now Open to the Public
It took eleven years to build, which sometimes seemed like forever. Especially that first half decade or so when there was just that monster hole in the ground, and the construction process was more about meetings and arguments than the actual laying of steel. And then, after a burst of building, all of a sudden One World Trade Center was done, with the first tenants moving in last fall, and, last week, the One World Observatory on the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors opened to the public.
Your Guide to the Best June Events in NYC Parks
You don't have to "do" anything to enjoy virtually any one of New York City's more than 1,700 public parks, stretching out over 28,000 acres across the five boroughs (and that doesn't include the 18 miles of public beaches!). Today's NYC Parks are in better shape, with more community activity than they've ever been. A big driver and consequence of all that renewal are the countless special events--often organized with the help of private organizations and commercial sponsors--that have become an integral part of the greener parts of the city's landscape. Here's a quick look at a tiny fraction of some of these upcoming or ongoing events and exhibitions.
Why Semilla is One of NYC’s Best Restaurants Right Now
New Brooklyn hotspot Semilla offers a rather unconventional but tantalizing menu concept. A seasonal, ten course meal made from in-season vegetables and ingredients is served in a series of freshly prepared smaller dishes. Read more about Semilla and find out where and when to make reservations.
The Socrates Sculpture Park, located at the western end of Broadway in Long Island City, Queens (about a half mile walk from the N/Q station), is one of the great grass-roots success stories of the past few decades here in New York City. In 1986 a group of local activists and artists banded together and, with some help and leadership from world-renowned sculptor Mark di Suverno, transformed an illegal dumping ground and abandoned landfill into both a working studio and a public exhibition space right on the banks on the East River.
7 Santiago Calatrava Sculptures Line Park Avenue
Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava reasserts the ties between art and architecture in a new exhibition of seven monumental sculptures along Park Avenue in New York, while work continues on the controversial train station he designed for the place where the World Trade Center's twin towers once stood.
NYC’s Best Ice Cream List Adds Two New Contenders
Whether you’re craving a sundae, sorbet or popsicle, these awesome ice cream shops will hook you up with the best classic and original flavors. Ice cream is hands down the most delicious of all summer treats, whether it's slathered with homemade whipped cream or simply perched on a chocolate-dipped cone. New York City's ice cream makers have really stepped up their games this season, and we got the scoop on two of NYC's newest and finest, Ice & Vice and MilkMade.
The Summer Guide To Governors Island
Governors Island is a 172-acre island located in New York Harbor between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Access to the island is limited to May 26 through September 30 on weekends and holiday Mondays. No summer in New York is complete without a trip to Governors Island, NY's car-free oasis in Upper New York Bay. Check out our list of places to go, things to do & fun events to take part in this summer on Governors Island.
Exploring America’s Great Migration at MoMA
It's one of the most significant (and, to my mind, one of the most interesting) stories in American history, the epic tale of the "Great Migration" of American blacks, as six million descendants of slaves fled the Jim Crow south to the cities of the north and west between the First World War and 1970, and forever changed pretty much everything about the nation, economically, culturally, politically, sociologically. There's so much to this vast demographic shift, the implications so deep and lasting, that it's impossible to fully capture in a single art exhibition, or book, but two recent endeavors--one an exhibition at MoMA, the other a Pulitzer Prize-winning book--do an excellent job of bringing the story to life.
Your Guide to Rockaway Beach 2015
No question, Rockaway Beach got hit hard by Hurricane Sandy almost three years ago, and recovery's been slow-going in parts, but there's also no doubt in my mind that Rockaway Beach remains New York City's best subway beach. By which I mean: exit the subway, and you're just two blocks or so from the water. Farther out on Rockaway there are a couple of terrific public beaches, at Fort Tilden and Jacob Riis Park, but you'll need a car, or a bike, or a bus, to get there. But to get to what most people call Rockaway Beach, the A train, usually plus the Shuttle, puts you right there. I went out to Rockaway a couple of times over Memorial Day Weekend, mostly around the popular Beach 90 to Beach 99 area, and here's a quick look at what's new, and what still needs some work.
Dominque Ansel Kitchen takes to the West Village
The first time I gorged myself silly at Dominique Ansel's Bakery in Soho it was back when we all still lived in the pre-Cronut world. Yes, Ansel was much-acclaimed at the time (he was the Executive Pastry Chef at Daniel for six years before venturing out on his own), and the small, friendly shop was usually pretty bustling. But it was neighborhood crowd mostly, as would be expected at any bakery. And then Ansel unleashed his mad-genius Cronut monster, and soon the Bakery opened every morning to around-the-block lines, every tourist guide in on the planet sent visitors to his place, and a tremendous amount of hype greeted his every next creation. For example: the Frozen S'mores, and the Cookie Shots, which still might be my personal favorite Ansel creation (full disclosure: I've never had a Cronut). And now the chef has finally expanded his realm here in NYC with the brand-new Dominique Ansel Kitchen in the West Village which, in a pair of bold moves, serves about a half dozen savory dishes, and absolutely zero Cronuts.
One World Observatory Now Open to the Public
It took eleven years to build, which sometimes seemed like forever. Especially that first half decade or so when there was just that monster hole in the ground, and the construction process was more about meetings and arguments than the actual laying of steel. And then, after a burst of building, all of a sudden One World Trade Center was done, with the first tenants moving in last fall, and, last week, the One World Observatory on the 100th, 101st, and 102nd floors opened to the public.
Your Guide to the Best June Events in NYC Parks
You don't have to "do" anything to enjoy virtually any one of New York City's more than 1,700 public parks, stretching out over 28,000 acres across the five boroughs (and that doesn't include the 18 miles of public beaches!). Today's NYC Parks are in better shape, with more community activity than they've ever been. A big driver and consequence of all that renewal are the countless special events--often organized with the help of private organizations and commercial sponsors--that have become an integral part of the greener parts of the city's landscape. Here's a quick look at a tiny fraction of some of these upcoming or ongoing events and exhibitions.
Why Semilla is One of NYC’s Best Restaurants Right Now
New Brooklyn hotspot Semilla offers a rather unconventional but tantalizing menu concept. A seasonal, ten course meal made from in-season vegetables and ingredients is served in a series of freshly prepared smaller dishes. Read more about Semilla and find out where and when to make reservations.