Saturday = Tourist Day. Today I went to the Frick Collection, an art museum on the east side of Central Park and the sort of place that features on tourist ‘to do’ lists. But while it’s a famous spot, I had zero idea what would be inside. As it turns out, it’s filled with recognizable paintings by the European masters, …
Read MoreTag / things to do
November 14, 2013
…cheered at an art battle
A week ago, Ryan noticed this graffiti underway in a building near his office at Bryant Park. After a bit of sleuthing, he found out it was to celebrate the upcoming ‘Art Battle U‘ where student artists paint live on stage. So we bought tickets. The battle was held tonight at Webster Hall – and …
Read MoreNovember 13, 2013
…saw Holiday Under the Stars
It’s not too early to start Christmas shopping, is it? If you fancy hitting the stores at the Times Warner Center at Columbus Circle, you’ll be in for an extra festive treat: Holiday Under the Stars. Suspended in the atrium of the shopping centre are 14 LED stars of varying sizes. From 5pm each night, …
Read MoreNovember 12, 2013
…watched Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular
When I met a Rockette at Radio City earlier this year, I promised to return soon for their lauded Christmas Spectacular. Today, with the help of a friendly Groupon, I beat the holiday crowd and settled down for the show. Apart from high kicks and glitzy costumes, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. And …
Read MoreNovember 11, 2013
…browsed the Winter Village
I love Christmas. I love the songs, the food, the decorations, the smells. And this year there’s extra cheer because, for the first time in a few years, I’ll be able to head back home to England for Christmas with my family. I’m already looking forward to it, so I am more than ready to …
Read MoreNovember 10, 2013
…visited the Natural History Museum
Now that the city is being rattled by autumnal winds, a wander around its museums seems the perfect way to spend a chilly Sunday afternoon. So today Ryan and I visited one of its best: the American Museum of Natural History. The seemingly endless rooms of dinosaur bones, animal models, human artifacts, special exhibitions and …
Read MoreNovember 9, 2013
…took Ryan Gosling on the Staten Island Ferry
Today I went on a long-overdue date with Ryan. No, not that one. Ryan Gosling, of course. New York is crammed with celebrities – I’ve spotted Meg Ryan drinking a cuppa, Jennifer Aniston browsing labels and Kelly Ripa heading home after the gym – so occasionally you’re going to be introduced to a recognizable face. …
Read MoreNovember 8, 2013
…visited the Morgan Library
All year I’ve struggled with museum opening times. There are hundreds of museums and galleries across the city, but most close by 5 or 6pm, shutting us workers out. Thankfully I’ve begun to realize that they don’t ignore us entirely, because a handful throw open their doors late one night a week – and entry …
Read MoreNovember 6, 2013
…checked out the ‘Heroes’ mural
This afternoon, kids and community members put the final dabs of paint on a massive 3D mural honouring the city’s 9/11 heroes on the Lower East Side. I had hoped to make the ribbon cutting ceremony, but unfortunately I couldn’t escape work in time. But not to worry because the mural was still waiting for me when I finally got …
Read MoreOctober 31, 2013
…marched in the Halloween parade
In the U.K., Halloween passes without so much as a ‘boo’. I’ve been to a couple of parties and donned a fair few homemade costumes over the years, but nothing on the same scale as they do over here in the U.S. As I walked home from work, I dodged swarms of mini monsters and …
Read MoreOctober 29, 2013
…got spooked at a haunted house
In the spirit of Halloween, I decided to give myself a fright tonight at a haunted house. To be honest, before I went, I was pretty skeptical about whether or not I’d actually feel the fear. But oh dear god, it scared the bejeezus out of me. I headed to ‘Killers2‘ housed at the Clemente Soto …
Read MoreOctober 27, 2013
…made Halloween candy at the Brooklyn Kitchen
It’s the end of October, which means some Halloween festivities this week. And I can’t begin those without some spooktacular sweets for energy now, can I? This afternoon I headed to the Brooklyn Kitchen, a massive homeware store in Williamsburg that also holds daily cooking classes. After donning an apron and a nametag, I walked to …
Read MoreOctober 26, 2013
…visited Central Park’s castle
A couple of weeks ago, I learned there’s a castle right in the middle of Central Park. Today was crisp and sunny – and seemed to be the perfect day for a visit. And when I got up there this morning, there was an added treat as the leaves are just changing, turning the park orange and red. Belvedere …
Read MoreOctober 23, 2013
…visited the Time Landscape
Venture to the northeast corner of West Houston and LaGuardia Place, and you’ll also venture back in time. A tiny public park called the ‘Time Landscape’ sits on the corner and features plants and trees that existed in that spot – and across the rest of Manhattan – before the Subways, Starbucks and disgruntled millions …
Read MoreOctober 22, 2013
…saw Stomp
Stomp was first performed in 1991 in Brighton, which is the nearest city to my childhood town – and as it happens, the show is my neighbor here too. I finally decided to head to the Orpheum Theater in the East Village to see it tonight – and I’m very glad I was given this second …
Read MoreOctober 19, 2013
…climbed to the top of the world’s largest cathedral
When I entered the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine on West 112th Street this afternoon, I immediately welled up. The inside of this grand building, which claims to be the world’s largest cathedral, is breathtakingly beautiful. As soon as I walked through its two-tonne doors, I knew it was going to be one of …
Read MoreOctober 18, 2013
…raised a glass to Cider Week
Fridays usually mean a bevvy or five – but this week there was an excuse: The start of Cider Week 2013. The 10-day festival features talks, tastings and classes at around 50 different pubs, bars and markets across the city – and tonight was the kickoff event: The night market at Union Square. Ryan and …
Read MoreOctober 16, 2013
…bought American-made crafts
All summer I’ve enjoyed New York’s outdoor markets, but it’s getting chillier and darker, and no one wants to be browsing in the cold. Tonight I checked out a market celebrating crafts made in America – but thankfully this was under the gorgeous blue skies of Grand Central Station. The two-day fair, American Made, is …
Read MoreOctober 16, 2013
…saw Art in Odd Places
If you take 14th Street and walk across the city, it’s sheer madness. The street, which is one of the widest downtown, sweeps you past neon chain stores, four-lane roads and the mania of Union Square. And for this week only, it also takes you past an array of outdoor art – but you’d better …
Read MoreOctober 12, 2013
…visited The Cloisters
Today I jumped on the subway and about half an hour later, I was in Europe. Or so it seemed. I visited the Cloisters – a museum in Fort Tryon Park in Washington Heights that’s built from European architecture dating between the 12th and 15th centuries. The building and its gardens – which are part …
Read MoreOctober 9, 2013
…saw Madison Square Park’s tree sculptures
I had a date with Katia after work tonight so I had to scuttle to a new thing ASAP. Thankfully this is Manhattan, so finding a great, quick experience nearby wasn’t too hard. Madison Square Park has a new outdoor art exhibit and I wanted to see it before it started getting dark out, so …
Read MoreOctober 7, 2013
…was the queen of King Pong
The title of this post is a little deceptive. I did play table tennis at King Pong, but I still need a bit of practice before I rule. After work, Ryan and I headed to SoHo for an hour-long game at the ping pong club and it looked pretty serious when we got there – …
Read MoreOctober 6, 2013
…went to the Havemeyer Sugar Sweets Festival
I had asked friends to come to the Fourth Havemeyer Sugar Sweets Festival with me today but they backed out. I was not only left confounded as to why anyone wouldn’t want to go to a giant bake sale, I was also left not really wanting to go myself. But this is where the power …
Read MoreOctober 6, 2013
…visited Socrates Sculpture Park
I think I’ve found my favourite park in New York: Socrates Sculpture Park. As well as giving plenty of green space, the park in Astoria, Queens exhibits sculptures and multimedia installations. Nearly 30 years ago, a sculptor wanted to build the park on what was then a former landfill, and a group of artists and local youngsters helped him. It was …
Read More
Recent Comments