Atlantic City is definitely one of those places that have to be seen to be believed. I've been there once and it was quite surreal. I'm not a gambler (not yet anyway) but this is a kitschy experience even if you don't gamble--or perhaps only if you don't gamble (if you do you probably take it very seriously).
There's a new direct train service--Aces Train--that leaves Friday, Sat. and Sunday from Penn Station at 34th St. and arrives in Atlantic City 2 hours and 40 minutes later.
The site advertises coach tickets for $29-69--not sure what the difference is--are you sitting on someone's lap for the $29 fee? But it looks a bit more comfy than the free bus services to Atlantic City. Which I have never taken.
Check out the Atlantic City official website for stuff to do here other than gamble--the boardwalk is a hoot and it is a real experience.
Showing posts with label day trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label day trip. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Jones Beach -The Ocean, and Everything Else
Posting about the concerts at Jones Beach in Long Island reminded me that while I haven't been there in awhile--and, frankly, I prefer the New Jersey Shore (more on that later) as I like a quiet beach for contemplation--it is really wonderful fun if you're going with friends. It's a gorgeous vista and the boardwalk is 2 miles long. Some areas are more crowded than others...but there is a lot to explore, lots of concessions, mini golf, shuffleboard, etc.
Also they have the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center--located on on a barrier island beach. They have an exhibit area and stuff geared towards kids (outside the exhibit area kids can dig up whale bones in the Discovery Bone Cove, walk through the butterfly garden or view a shipwreck). An environmental boardwalk takes you out into the dune environment to see plants and animals that live there.
HOW TO GET THERE
Jones Beach is reachable in 45 minutes by the Long Island Railroad (leaving from Penn Station at 34th St and reachable by the Number 1,2 and 3) (here's the link to the lowdown --here's another link to the schedule to Freeport, LI.) and they have an excellent package--LIRR Jones Beach Package-- 16.50 from NYC leaving from Penn Station about every half hour. Once you arrive the LIRR has a shuttle bus to the East and West Boathouses and Mall. Buses run from and to the train on a limited schedule--you can still reach the train after these hours but you would have to take a taxi or walk...presumably a bit of a walk:
Also they have the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center--located on on a barrier island beach. They have an exhibit area and stuff geared towards kids (outside the exhibit area kids can dig up whale bones in the Discovery Bone Cove, walk through the butterfly garden or view a shipwreck). An environmental boardwalk takes you out into the dune environment to see plants and animals that live there.
HOW TO GET THERE
Jones Beach is reachable in 45 minutes by the Long Island Railroad (leaving from Penn Station at 34th St and reachable by the Number 1,2 and 3) (here's the link to the lowdown --here's another link to the schedule to Freeport, LI.) and they have an excellent package--LIRR Jones Beach Package-- 16.50 from NYC leaving from Penn Station about every half hour. Once you arrive the LIRR has a shuttle bus to the East and West Boathouses and Mall. Buses run from and to the train on a limited schedule--you can still reach the train after these hours but you would have to take a taxi or walk...presumably a bit of a walk:
- Weekends starting at 8:49 AM, return up to 5:35 PM; 8:06AM/10:45 PM from 6/21-8/31
- Weekdays starting at 8:58 AM, return up to 10:45 PM
- Buses run later on concert evenings. Bus service is available before and following each performance, and the package will remain available through the final concert date.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Coney Island--Lots to Do, and Must Do
Coney Island in Brooklyn is one of those NYC MUST DO's for every New Yorker...and for visitors it's even more a must-do, because it is simple, kitschy fun, with the added benefit of greasy carnival food and the imperative to eat it--simply because you are in Coney Island.
It's a bit of a pain to get to--just in terms of length of subway ride from Manhattan (45 min to an hour) but you definitely can spend most of the day here, as there is a lot to do and even more to look at. You can even lay on the beach, if you are brave (I find it dirty and crowded and loud, but for some that's part of the...charm). It's definitely a crucial destination for any visitor with a sense of adventure-because it is out of the way, it is more a place for New Yorkers than tourists. And if you live in NYC and haven't been here yet--shame on you! Get going...you only have to go once, but it is a must-do.
They have tons of interesting events that are well-kept secrets, and many that are not: some, like the wacky Mermaid Parade, have already occurred this summer. But there is still a lot left to do. Here are a few:
Circus Sideshow- ( as much performance art as sideshow). Open Wednesday through Sunday until Labor Day. After Labor Day, the Sideshow returns to Weekend-only operation "SIDESHOWS BY THE SEASHORE is located at the corner of Surf Avenue & West 12th Street in the heart of the Coney Island amusement park. The sideshow seats 99 people and there is a FREAK BAR (serving beer) and a GIFT SHOP in the lobby. Both the inside and the outside of our historic 1917 building are decorated in canvas sideshow banners painted by Valerie Haller or Marie Roberts. The building was originally Child's Restaurant which employed singing waiters. In the 1950's and 60's it was home to Dave Rosen's Wonderland Circus Sideshow where such legends as Sealo the Seal Boy, JoJo the Dogfaced Boy, tattooed man Jack Dracula and talker Bobby Reynolds once worked and performed."
Astroland Amusement Park - Do NOT miss the World Famous Cyclone ("one of the most famous attractions in Brooklyn, New York. The first rides of the historic roller coaster began on June 26, 1927. Over 80 years later, the Cyclone is still thrilling thousands of riders each year. An official New York City Landmark since July 12, 1988, Cyclone was listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places on June 31, 1991." )
Seaside Summer Concert Series -FREE
Aug. 13: Blondie + Pat Benatar + The Donnas
Aug. 20: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons + Connie Francis
Aug. 27: Donna Summer
Fireworks on the Beach - Astroland and Deno's Wonder Wheel Park sponsor fireworks at 9:30 every Friday night during the season. Fireworks generally start the last weekend in June and conclude the Friday before Labor Day
Burlesque on the Beach Kitschy performance art.
ABOUT CONEY ISLAND
Coney Island is a New York City neighborhood that features an amusement area that includes 35 or more separate rides and attractions.
DAYS AND TIMES OF OPERATION
Coney Island is a seasonal center operating roughly between Easter and Labor Day. Rides and attraction are generally open on weekends from Easter until Memorial Day, all week long from Memorial Day until Labor Day, and then weekends from Labor Day until the end of September. The beach and boardwalk are open all year round (although lifeguards are only on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day) and Nathan's Hot Dogs and the New York Aquarium are open almost every day of the year.
HOW TO GET THERE BY SUBWAY: Take the D, Q N or F train to Stillwell Avenue (last stop). This takes about 45 minutes from midtown Manhattan.
It's a bit of a pain to get to--just in terms of length of subway ride from Manhattan (45 min to an hour) but you definitely can spend most of the day here, as there is a lot to do and even more to look at. You can even lay on the beach, if you are brave (I find it dirty and crowded and loud, but for some that's part of the...charm). It's definitely a crucial destination for any visitor with a sense of adventure-because it is out of the way, it is more a place for New Yorkers than tourists. And if you live in NYC and haven't been here yet--shame on you! Get going...you only have to go once, but it is a must-do.
They have tons of interesting events that are well-kept secrets, and many that are not: some, like the wacky Mermaid Parade, have already occurred this summer. But there is still a lot left to do. Here are a few:
Circus Sideshow- ( as much performance art as sideshow). Open Wednesday through Sunday until Labor Day. After Labor Day, the Sideshow returns to Weekend-only operation "SIDESHOWS BY THE SEASHORE is located at the corner of Surf Avenue & West 12th Street in the heart of the Coney Island amusement park. The sideshow seats 99 people and there is a FREAK BAR (serving beer) and a GIFT SHOP in the lobby. Both the inside and the outside of our historic 1917 building are decorated in canvas sideshow banners painted by Valerie Haller or Marie Roberts. The building was originally Child's Restaurant which employed singing waiters. In the 1950's and 60's it was home to Dave Rosen's Wonderland Circus Sideshow where such legends as Sealo the Seal Boy, JoJo the Dogfaced Boy, tattooed man Jack Dracula and talker Bobby Reynolds once worked and performed."
Astroland Amusement Park - Do NOT miss the World Famous Cyclone ("one of the most famous attractions in Brooklyn, New York. The first rides of the historic roller coaster began on June 26, 1927. Over 80 years later, the Cyclone is still thrilling thousands of riders each year. An official New York City Landmark since July 12, 1988, Cyclone was listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places on June 31, 1991." )
Seaside Summer Concert Series -FREE
Aug. 13: Blondie + Pat Benatar + The Donnas
Aug. 20: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons + Connie Francis
Aug. 27: Donna Summer
Fireworks on the Beach - Astroland and Deno's Wonder Wheel Park sponsor fireworks at 9:30 every Friday night during the season. Fireworks generally start the last weekend in June and conclude the Friday before Labor Day
Burlesque on the Beach Kitschy performance art.
ABOUT CONEY ISLAND
Coney Island is a New York City neighborhood that features an amusement area that includes 35 or more separate rides and attractions.
DAYS AND TIMES OF OPERATION
Coney Island is a seasonal center operating roughly between Easter and Labor Day. Rides and attraction are generally open on weekends from Easter until Memorial Day, all week long from Memorial Day until Labor Day, and then weekends from Labor Day until the end of September. The beach and boardwalk are open all year round (although lifeguards are only on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day) and Nathan's Hot Dogs and the New York Aquarium are open almost every day of the year.
HOW TO GET THERE BY SUBWAY: Take the D, Q N or F train to Stillwell Avenue (last stop). This takes about 45 minutes from midtown Manhattan.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
New York Botanical Garden-250 acres of beauty and peace
I've spent some lovely times here. A wonderful place to get some peace from the busy-ness of the city, though it takes some effort to get here. Take a blanket and a book and relax on one of the hills between the pines not far from the entrance and the outdoor cafe (though you are only supposed to picnic on the tables by the Children's Adventure Garden).
Especially interesting is the 50 acre native forest, with many paths, and a lot of solitude. If you have hard time getting around, they have a hop-on hop-off tram as well.
Additionally they are open now some evenings. At Christmas they have a wonderful model train landscape that is made from all-natural materials--truly amazing, although you need to buy tickets ahead of time, generally, and it is a long wait even then to get in (at least it was for us). So be cautious about bringing young children as it can be a wait.
They have a decent cafe with outdoor and indoor tables near the entrance, and another cafe further inside the garden. It's a nice place to wait with a book if you get tired, and your companions want to do EVERYTHING...;)
This is fairly easy to get to by Metro-North--much more difficult by public transportation, where you have to take a long subway ride and then wait for a bus (or walk 8 blocks) in a not-so-great neighborhood to get you to the entrance. Spend the extra few dollars for the train from Grand Central. Oh, and by the way, when coming back by train, MAKE SURE you are on the right track going in the right direction! They change tracks occasionally and it can be confusing. Check the electronic board and/or ask your fellow passengers to make sure you are going to NYC and not upstate before you board! :
TO THE GARDEN BY METRO-NORTH-GRAND CENTRAL
By Metro-North Railroad: Round-trip tickets can be bought before boarding. Take the Metro-North Harlem local line to Botanical Garden Station. Walk across Kazimiroff Boulevard to the Garden's Mosholu Gate entrance.
Just 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan
Also convenient from other locations
HOURS
The Garden is open year-round, Tuesday to Sunday,10 a.m.-6 p.m. The Garden is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Mondays, except for the following dates:
Especially interesting is the 50 acre native forest, with many paths, and a lot of solitude. If you have hard time getting around, they have a hop-on hop-off tram as well.
Additionally they are open now some evenings. At Christmas they have a wonderful model train landscape that is made from all-natural materials--truly amazing, although you need to buy tickets ahead of time, generally, and it is a long wait even then to get in (at least it was for us). So be cautious about bringing young children as it can be a wait.
They have a decent cafe with outdoor and indoor tables near the entrance, and another cafe further inside the garden. It's a nice place to wait with a book if you get tired, and your companions want to do EVERYTHING...;)
This is fairly easy to get to by Metro-North--much more difficult by public transportation, where you have to take a long subway ride and then wait for a bus (or walk 8 blocks) in a not-so-great neighborhood to get you to the entrance. Spend the extra few dollars for the train from Grand Central. Oh, and by the way, when coming back by train, MAKE SURE you are on the right track going in the right direction! They change tracks occasionally and it can be confusing. Check the electronic board and/or ask your fellow passengers to make sure you are going to NYC and not upstate before you board! :
TO THE GARDEN BY METRO-NORTH-GRAND CENTRAL
By Metro-North Railroad: Round-trip tickets can be bought before boarding. Take the Metro-North Harlem local line to Botanical Garden Station. Walk across Kazimiroff Boulevard to the Garden's Mosholu Gate entrance.
Just 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan
Also convenient from other locations
HOURS
The Garden is open year-round, Tuesday to Sunday,10 a.m.-6 p.m. The Garden is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Mondays, except for the following dates:
- September 7, Labor Day: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- October 12, Columbus Day: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
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