For years I have been reading about The Doughnut Plant on the Lower East Side and wanting to visit. As someone who considers doughnuts a practically-perfect food ("perfect" it would be if it had any nutritional value whatsoever, and we all know the answer to that), this seems like the mecca for my kind; you can actually see the doughnuts being made! These award winning sweets are available at Zabars and Bloomingdales (and, it seems, they have opened or are opening a location at the Chelsea Hotel of all places!) among other places, but one of these days I want to make it down to the plant at 379 Grand (about three blocks east of Ludlow, 2 blocks above Canal...).
HOURS
Tuesday - Sun. 6:30 til donuts are sold out (5-7PM)
Showing posts with label off the beaten path. Show all posts
Showing posts with label off the beaten path. Show all posts
Saturday, July 10, 2010
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.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Governors Island-Mini-Golf and (The) B52s!
Governors Island has been getting a lot of press lately--twice this month in the NY Times. Their latest story about Governors Island was published last week... and since I'm lazy and haven't been there yet (tho I really really want to go--it just has that factor of having to work for it that Manhattanites HATE...), here are a few excerpts:
"To hear island officials tell it, Governors Island has come of age this summer, with the opening of the southern portion and the 2.2-mile promenade around the perimeter. Also newly opened is Picnic Point, an eight-acre lawn on the southwest corner that features hammocks, picnic tables and what officials declare are the best shore views of the Statue of Liberty. This month a dining and entertainment spot called Water Taxi Beach opened, adjacent to the ferry dock, boasting an ambitious menu and tied in with a nighttime concert series that includes Erykah Badu on Aug. 4 and the B-52s on Aug. 18.....(also Judy Collins July 26th.. edit).
On the lawn near Liggett Hall is an artist-designed 18-hole miniature golf course, with holes inspired by city rooftops, the Cyclone roller coaster and even an electric guitar.....
A former military post with roles in the War of 1812, the Civil War and both World Wars, for roughly two centuries it served as a base for the United States Army and Coast Guard, which officially left in 1996...There are miles of bike paths; guided tours are available, conducted by rangers from the National Park Service, which oversees part of the island, including Castle Williams and Fort Jay. Or you can wander aimlessly along rows of handsome, if faded, Victorian and Romanesque Revival buildings that once housed military personnel...Visitors rave about the views here...
Hours and directions
Open May 11-Oct 11. Friday Sat and Sunday.
Directions and ferry schedule The Governors Island Ferry departs from the Battery Maritime Building located adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in Lower Manhattan. The ferry terminal is accessible as follows:
"To hear island officials tell it, Governors Island has come of age this summer, with the opening of the southern portion and the 2.2-mile promenade around the perimeter. Also newly opened is Picnic Point, an eight-acre lawn on the southwest corner that features hammocks, picnic tables and what officials declare are the best shore views of the Statue of Liberty. This month a dining and entertainment spot called Water Taxi Beach opened, adjacent to the ferry dock, boasting an ambitious menu and tied in with a nighttime concert series that includes Erykah Badu on Aug. 4 and the B-52s on Aug. 18.....(also Judy Collins July 26th.. edit).
On the lawn near Liggett Hall is an artist-designed 18-hole miniature golf course, with holes inspired by city rooftops, the Cyclone roller coaster and even an electric guitar.....
A former military post with roles in the War of 1812, the Civil War and both World Wars, for roughly two centuries it served as a base for the United States Army and Coast Guard, which officially left in 1996...There are miles of bike paths; guided tours are available, conducted by rangers from the National Park Service, which oversees part of the island, including Castle Williams and Fort Jay. Or you can wander aimlessly along rows of handsome, if faded, Victorian and Romanesque Revival buildings that once housed military personnel...Visitors rave about the views here...
Hours and directions
Open May 11-Oct 11. Friday Sat and Sunday.
Directions and ferry schedule The Governors Island Ferry departs from the Battery Maritime Building located adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in Lower Manhattan. The ferry terminal is accessible as follows:
By Subway
1 – South Ferry Station
4, 5 (weekdays) to Bowling Green
W (weekdays only), R (weekdays and weekends) – Whitehall St. Station
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Mt. Vernon Hotel Museum-charming respite
I mentioned The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum (NOTE: the museum is closed in August) at 61st between 1st Avenue and York in a prior post. Well, I returned yesterday, and had a charming visit. My mother and I were the only visitors at the time and the museum had only 2 visitors prior to us that day. We received a personal tour by an 18 year old student who was adorable and enthusiastic and smart, and it made the visit that much more special. The two other docents there were incredibly friendly. It felt more like a visit to a friend's home than a museum tour.
The house itself was built by John Adams' daughter Abigail and her husband but never used by them due to economic troubles (hmmm..sounds familiar!)--subsequently it became a hotel used by wealthy New Yorkers as a respite from the Big City (which at that time extended only up to 14th Street). Swimming in the East River was a -gasp-favorite activity. The rooms are filled with period pieces, and not particularly spectacular compared to similar period rooms in the Met. But it is the idea of this charming, 18th century home in the middle of crazy Manhattan (with a view of the Rososevelt Island tramway and Queensborough Bridge) that makes this a special, off-the-beaten-path destination.
NOTE: The museum is closed in August. Note also there are STAIRS and no elevator--hard for seniors tho doable.
Admission$8 adults, $7 students and seniors Free for Museum Members and children under 12 Museum Hours11AM- 4PM Tuesday through Sunday (please arrive no later than 3:30 to leave enough time for last tour). Closed the month of August, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day Directions to the Museum The Museum is located at 421 East 61st Street between First and York Avenues. Public transportation: Bus: M15, M31 or M57. Subway: N, R or 4, 5, 6 to 59th Street/Lexington Avenue Station or the F to Lexington Avenue
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