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Celebrating New York City in Motion
By Mel and Ronnie Greenberg
Pulsing with sights and sounds, no place on earth is more vibrant and compelling than New York City in motion. Blending its colorful flavor every season of the year, the vast and varied Island of Manhattan, lovingly known as "The Big Apple" is an experience in itself. Whether you're planning on spending a long weekend or week's at a time, grab a map and get ready to check out the energy and excitement of one of the most unforgettable and innovative places in the world.
Must see
The South Street Seaport was once the center of shipping activities and the heart of the Port of New York. Today, preserving the history, the Seaport area is a Historic District with cobbled streets, replete with an authentic sailing ship, museum, boat building shop, and restored buildings housing boutiques and cafes.
Ellis Island was the gateway for millions of immigrants during the last turn of the 19th century. Full of wonder, awe and intrigue, they entered The Great Hall in the Main Registry Building during the height of United States Immigration. The copper clad Statue of Liberty, standing on Liberty Island in the harbor, greeted the million of immigrants entering the country. Today Lady Liberty stands as proud as ever with her torch held high, still beckoning visitors from around the world.
Manhattan's Lower East Side was the neighborhood that was home to the early immigrants. To get a sense of how the immigrants lived, an 1863 building at 97 Orchard Street (south of Delancey) has been preserved and turned into The Lower East Side Tenement Museum. The landmark building houses a number of permanent and temporary exhibits illustrating the family lives, historic happenings, hardships and triumphs of the immigrants.
The landmarks
Reigning over the skyline are such world renowned skyscrapers as the Empire State Building and observatory, the majestic Chrysler Building, and the regal Flatiron Building. Beneath their shadows are the Art Deco landmarks of Grand Central Terminal whose triumphant façade features a fifty foot pediment with statues of Hercules and Minerva surrounding a four-faced 13 foot clock; Radio City Music Hall an awe inspiring Beaux Art showplace, whose stage shows starred the high kicking dancers the Rockettes; and Rockefeller Center with the sprawling bronze statue of Prometheus watching over the winter iceskaters.
Central Park, the 840 acre mecca is where New Yorkers love to play. Lakes throughout this wondrous playground are used for boating in summer and skating in winter. The famous Strawberry Fields is a lush landscaped peaceful area created in memory of John Lennon. It has attracted gifts and various species of plants from all over the world.
The Streets and areas
Times Square, right in the heart of the Theater District, with dazzling and massive electrical ads in motion is the "crossroads of the world." Wall Street is the banking center of the nation. Its name is derived from the protective wall around that street during the Dutch rule in the 1600s. Marked by its flags, the famous 17-story New York Stock Exchange built in 1903 is the pulse and beat of the financial world. Broadway is recognized as one of the most famous streets in the world beginning at the Battery, and running diagonally northward to the end of Manhattan Island. On the upper part of Fifth Avenue, mansions of the new elite, who set the social trends at the turn of the 20th century, once adorned the area. Today, beautiful upscale shops and apartment buildings line the avenue. Madison Avenue is another exclusive shopping street; and Park Avenue and Riverside Drive are prestigious and sought after addresses.
Where to stay
There's little to want for at the exquisite Kimberly a boutique hotel offering European-style elegance and services. It's a haven in the heart of Manhattan's fashionable East Side, with 192 guest rooms and suites Many of the one and two bedroom suites in the Luxury Collection have jetted-bathtubs, and private terraces, an incredible amenity hardly ever found in New York City hotels, In addition they feature antique-styled furnishing, Italian linens, plasma televisions, DVD players and a fresh-cut orchid in each accommodation. Another sought after amenity is complimentary access to all the locations of New York Health & Racquet Clubs, each featuring a wide variety of cardiovascular and weight training equipment, swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, massage therapy and physical conditioning classes. And as if that is not enough, from May through September guests also enjoy access to the luxurious 75-foot NYHRC Yacht for a three-hour cruise through New York Harbor and the Hudson and East River.
Conveniently located in the Kimberly Hotel lobby, Ferro's Restaurant is opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tempting entrees, creatively Mediterranean-influenced, include rack of lamb with couscous and pistachios, chicken kebab, and choices of pasta including homemade ravioli, tortellini and taglatelle and sauces that range from Fillerto di pomodoro, Vongole and Ferros (rock shrimp, cognac sauce, peas).
Located at 145 E. 50th Street, phone for reservations at (800) 683-0400 or www.kimberlyhotel.com
Although dining options in the city are endless, be sure to cap your stay with a sumptuous romantic candlelight dinner at New York's Morton's The Steakhouse. Morton's is famous for its impeccable service and animated signature tableside menu presentation.
A mouthwatering variety of favorite cut steaks, fresh fish, Maine lobster and chicken entrees, along with seasonal fresh veggies, are presented on a cart rolled to your table where the server displays and describes each menu item in entertaining detail. Slow roasted prime rib, a double cut, served bone-in is available in limited quantity every Friday and Saturday nights
Located at 551 Fifth Avenue (entrance on 45th Street) phone for reservations at (212) 972-3315 or www.mortons.com
For detailed information, maps and brochures on New York City go to www.nycvisit.com
New England Charm
By Rita Cook
A visit to New England might be one of the smartest choices you can make when determining your next trip. There's so much to do in just one centrally-located place and u=indeed, whether you are spending time on Nantucket or on mainland Cape Cod, taking in the country's history in Mystic, Conn. Or even traveling somewhere more obscure like New Hampshire and the White Mountains, it's all New England and a great way to spend a vacation no matter what the time of year.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Head to the Cape, get some rest and relaxation, and discover what everyone loves about New England and Cape Cod. If your visit is in the spring, the season will just be changing with new flowers blooming and upcoming beach days not long away.
In Chatham, the Wequassett Inn is a wonderful spot to spend a few nights, right on the water and facing Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Nestled in among salt marches and woodlands this quaint five-star inn is on 22-acres complete with clapboard cottages and views that will entice you to wile your day away in the beach chair.
The highlight of the inn is the main restaurant, nautical in feel, but eclectic in style. Make you want to have your sailboat parked up the coast at Hyannis Port. For land lovers, there is golf in Chatham and a drive up the coast is perfect anytime of year.
www.wequassett.com
Nantucket, Massachusetts
After a few days in Cape Cod, book a flight on Cape Air and spend some time relaxing on Nantucket Island. In Nantucket don't settle for anything less than the Wauwinet Inn. A Relais & Chateaux property, it's located nine miles from Nantucket Town, which means just far enough away to relax. You can enjoy the complimentary mountain bikes for exploring the island, or select from The Wauwinet's variety of boats for an outing on Nantucket Bay.
The Wauwinet originally opened in the 1800s as a restaurant to serve guests arriving to the island by boat, but these days it is not only an amazing inn, but a Nantucket historic landmark. Restored to the magnificence of its golden era roots, the inn offers the amazing restaurant Toppers, which has won a number of awards and has a chef to back the promise.
Indeed, the laid-back atmosphere of the Wauwinet set to the backdrop of old world charm on this peaceful island is just the right mix for a world-class retreat. Romantic, while also offering the sophistication of a historic European inn, you'll walk away with a smile and many good memories.
www.wauwinet.com
Mystic, Connecticut
For a trip that could also include a stop in New York City (just 130 miles away), how about the sleepy little town of Mystic, Conn. One of the best stops in the entire area is the Inn at Mystic with sweeping views of the Pequotsepos Cove, Mystic Harbor and Long Island Sound - an experience unparralled in the region. Take an early morning kayak excursion up the Pequotsepos Cove or enjoy bird watching in the a.m. From a romantic standpoint the inn is a good idea since Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall used this place as their honeymoon location. Guests can choose from a variety of options of where to stay from the Inn (built in 1905) to the Gate House to the Motor Inn. Four-poster canopy beds, wood burning fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs grace many of the rooms and the Flood Tide restaurant serves excellent food day and night.
Mystic is an old historic seaport made even more famous by the film "Mystic Pizza." Visitors can take in the Mystic Aquarium where the chance to get up close and personal with beluga whales and penguins is the norm. The Mystic Seaport Museum, which is the country's leading maritime museum, covers 17 acres along the Mystic River and a history that includes an old 19th Century coastal village and several national historic vessels including the Charles W. Morgan. Finally, the Olde Mistick Village is a great place to shop for a variety of souvenirs while also taking in the early American charm. Yet, one more good reason to visit Mystic is that it has been named one of the 1,000 places to see before you die.
www.innatmystic.com
New Hampshire's White Mountains
Whitefield, N.H. is a glorious place to spend a few days away from it all. In the White Mountains, the Mountain View Grand offers the past and present in one unique package. Renovated several years ago, you can book a spa treatment for two or spend some private time in the Jacuzzi located in the tower with 360-degree views of the countryside.
Tourists have been traveling to Whitefield since the 1800s and often spent time on the peak of Kimball Hill (elevation 1,734) where the 70-foot high Howland Observatory Tower was located complete with a telescope and refreshments for just 25 cents.
One of the best things about visiting Whitefield and the Mountain View Grand is the horseback riding at the Off the Course Stable. Go for a private trail ride and ask for a Belgian/pony mix. Another option, in the winter ice-skating and anytime of year; go into town and enjoy the friendly locals and quaint atmosphere.
www.mountainviewgrand.com