What to do in New York?

Hey guys,

In this post, you'll find suggestions and recommendations on what to do in the city. I usually share this list with family and friends visiting the city and I'm happy to share it with you too.😊

1. Walkthrough Central Park.
2. Explore Broadway - you can find Times Square, Madison Square Park, Flatiron Building, Union Square and so much more if you walk on Broadway between 48-14 street.
3. Cross the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset and finish at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
4. Enjoy the view from the High Line, visit the Hudson Yards and climb the Vessel.
5. Check out, Chelsea Market.
6. Find cool stores and gorgeous Manhattan views from Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
7. During the weekend go-to colorful Little Italy and explore the food at Chinatown.
8. Take the subway to Coney Island, there you'll find a great beach, amusement park, and the New York aquarium.
9. Enter the online lottery for, Lion King, Wicked and Book of Mormon
10. Metropolitan Museum - Don't forget to check out the rooftop.
11. Natural History Museum - Pay as you wish and spend the day with dinosaurs.
12. MoMA - go on Friday evening, it's free of charge.
13. Eat at Shake Shack.
14. Picnic at Washington Square Park
15. Take a ride to the Oculus and World Trade Center, while you're there don't forget to visit the charging bull, fearless girl and Trinity Church.
16. Look at Lady Liberty from Battery Park.
17. Take a ferry to Staten Island to take a closer look at Lady Liberty.
18. Eat Lava Cake at Spot Dessert Bar.
19. If you like sugar and photogenic drinks - go to Sugar Factory restaurant.
20. Shopping - 34 street from 8 avenue and east.
21. Shopping - take a bus to Jersey Gardens outlet for some great deals. Take a coupon book at the information center. Also, since this is a mall, you can visit it during a rainy or a really cold day.
22. Great rooftop - 230 Fifth, you can check out the view from there on the Empire State Building free of charge.
23. Go to Bar 65 at Rockefeller Center at sunset. Remember to wear nice clothes or they wouldn't let you in.
24. On Friday before noon - go to Brooklyn Botanical Garden, it's free. While you there, cross the street and walk through Prospect Park.
25. If you have an international passport, you can get additional 10% discount at the Macy's store.

Join our 'What to do in New York?' Facebook group to keep track with upcoming events and activities in the city.

If you are visiting New York, you'll probably find this post helpful as well: How to use New York Subway? 

That is it for now, I hope you found this information useful. Let me know if I forgot anything and I'll be happy to add it to the list.

See you soon,
Mickey

Winter Storm Jonas

It was a warm opening, but the winter finally made it to New York. A year after winter storm Juno, winter storm Jonas hit the city. It started snowing on Friday night and on Saturday morning I woke up and found a city in white. Snowflakes were dancing outside the window and my phone was buzzing with a severe weather alert. Listening to the news, I heard the mayor asking the citizens not to leave their houses. I did as expected, I took my coat and went out.

Outside, the wind carried the snow in every possible direction. Nature was taking over the concrete town and transforming the city into Winter Wonderland. The red stairs, yellow cabs and green subway stations were all covered in snow. Even the snow fighting trucks, that plowed and salted the city roadways, couldn't overcome the overwhelming amount of snow flakes that landed from the sky. After a while, I could no longer tell the difference between roads and sidewalks.

The visibility was low and the wind was brutal, but cars still roam the streets. Every now and then one of the cars got stuck in the snow, but there always was someone nearby to push it back to the road. Everywhere I looked people were helping each other to cross the streets, get up after falling or giving a steady hand when needed. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

I was heading towards Times Square. Usually, I do my very best to avoid it, but this time the temptation was just too strong. You should always expect the unexpected at Times Square and sure enough, moments after I arrived, I saw a skier, elegantly skiing his way through the square, as if it was a part of his daily routine.

To me, there aren't many things that can top that, so I left Times Square towards Bryant Park. At the park, the fountain was frozen as usual and around it I saw dozens of park employees. They were trying, unsuccessfully, to keep the snow away, but even the huge salt mountains they piled up couldn't fight the pouring snow.

That day nature won over the city. Jonas blizzard covered New York City with 26.8 inches of snow, just 0.1 inches away from the all-time record of the 2006 blizzard. During the storm, New York City has plowed 7.25 million tons of snow, enough to fill the Empire State Building 24 times. Later that night, when the storm was over, I went out again to see the aftermath of the storm. I learned that the same snow that freezes the streets can also melt our hearts.

Central Park Moments

I love almost everything about New York City, but mostly, I love Central Park. The park is beautiful 24/7 and I can see the sky and feel the earth. Also, the park is always changing and only recently the icy lakes and snowy-leafless trees transformed into a colorful spring blossom. The huge flowers of the Magnolia trees are always a delight and the falling petals from the cherry trees add some magic to the atmosphere.

The park was deserted during the winter, but now it is packed with people, especially during the weekends. However, Central Park spreads on 843 acres, so it is fairly easy to find some hidden places in the park. Also, at night, the park is usually empty and this is a great opportunity to capture some of the park's landmarks, like this Bethesda Terrace.

For viewing spring flowers, Shakespeare Garden, is one of the best places. The garden is covered with flowers on different levels, from ground to tree-top. There I found: the pink flowers of the Magnolia, red tulips, white and yellow Daffodils, blue and purple Lilacs and many more flowers and colors.

The smell is absolutely intoxicating, so don't forget to stop and smell the flowers.

Louie

Louie is a 4 years old French Bulldog. Louie stayed with us for a whole week and we immediately found out that Louie will adore anyone who hold food in his hands and will viciously fight any vacuum cleaner in sight. He is the undeniably king of Manhattan and if you walk with him on the streets you feel like a celebrity.   

Walking on the streets, nothing will distract Louie from his agenda; not the noise, not the people, not the squirrels or other dogs. He is fully focused on finding the best places to do his business.      

Since his belly is so close to the floor, I have to clean him with wet wipes after every walk. Louie, from his end, will find a good spot to roll in and get back some earthly smell. He is especially funny when he decides to roll over a rock. 

Louie is a great model and will be very happy to pose for a treat. If you ask me, this is a very cheap price to pay for such a royalty. 

Spring Time!

After a very cold winter it is now spring. The flower show at Macy's was a good sign, otherwise I wouldn't have known. The snow started falling around noon and it stopped only a few hours before midnight. It was as beautiful as ever but I felt bad for all the wildlife that really needed a brake from the cold.    

Central park is always beautiful but when it snows it is absolutely spectacular, especially since people tend to avoid the park during snow storms.

Times Square is also a must for me during snow showers, there is always something going on there. This time, the bride and groom made my day as they were jumping and kissing, posing for the wedding photo-shot.  

Although I really enjoy the snow I hope that it is the last one for the season. The ducks had enough snow and ice, they are now ready to move on to spring...

New York City - Winter Wildlife

Tufted Titmouse at Central Park (Fifth Avenue and 70 street). February 8, 2015.

Northern Mockingbird at Central Park (the Metropolitan Backyard). February 8, 2015.

European Starling at Central Park. February 8, 2015.

Blue Jay at Central Park. February 8, 2015.

Eastern Gray Squirrel at Central Park. February 8, 2015.

Canada Goose at Prospect Park Lake, Brooklyn. February 10, 2015. 

Common Merganser (females) at Prospect Park Lake, Brooklyn. February 10, 2015. 

Ring-Billed Gull (first winter) at Prospect Park Lake, Brooklyn. February 10, 2015. 

American Robin at Prospect Park Lake, Brooklyn. February 10, 2015. 

White-throated Sparrow at Prospect Park, Brooklyn. February 10, 2015. 

Mallard (male) at Prospect Park Lake, Brooklyn. February 10, 2015. 

Mute Swan at Prospect Park Lake, Brooklyn. February 10, 2015.

There is No Business Like Snow Business

I woke up early in the morning anxious to see the result of Juno, a.k.a #snowmagadon. As most New Yorkers, I was very disappointed when I looked through the window and saw that we are not covered in snow more than usual. There was so much preparation to this storm, everything was shut down, schools, subway trains, stores and offices, cars were banned off the roads and many were given a day off work. In this case, the math is simple; one day off + heavy snow = Central Park. So there I go. The park was packed and everybody was happy and smiling. Sledging was one of the main attractions. Even the smallest hills had someone sliding off of them. Kids and adults alike, were all just having fun sledging down the hills. I especially liked the mother and two children sliding with their hyper energetic puppy. Another popular activity was building snowmen and (of course) taking selfies with them.

Remember when a week ago I said that: "Piles of snow were quickly turned into snowmen, popping up under every tree, like mushrooms after the rain"? Well, after Juno there were giant snowmen popping up. Some of them were definitely the tallest snowmen I have ever seen. Walking through the park felt like touring a snowmen museum. Absolutely fabulous! Between all the humans, dogs visiting the park enjoyed the snow as well. They were jumping and running, sniffing and digging.

Finally, the sunset painted the sky in pink. This was the appropriate ending to a perfect snow day after the storm. And the most important lesson I have learned is that if you don't have a sledge, you can always slide on a piece of cardboard. 

When the sun set, people pored from the snow hills into the roads. They were holding their sledges and the street lamps lit their way back home.

The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway

I love going to Central Park, especially when it is covered with white snow. So far, this winter we did not have a lot of snow and this is only the second time the park was covered with white, fluffy snowflakes. Piles of snow were quickly turned into snowmen, popping up under every tree, like mushrooms after the rain. My absolute favorite was a beautiful snowdog, that was carefully sculptured by a very talented couple.

I remember the first time I attempted to build a snowman, it was a complete disaster. The snow wouldn't stick and I ended up with a small amorphous snowmountain. When the snowdog was complete, I said my goodbyes and continued towards the Bethesda Fountain to meet up with other photographers for the 500px photowalk. It was very easy to find them, as there was a big crowd of people standing with fancy cameras. As I arrived, I was immediately drawn to a man walking with three Borozi dogs and, luckily for me, they were approached by a young English bulldog. 
I did the most reasonable thing I could think of and went to greet the dogs with my camera. There is no doubt that animals are my comfort zone and "somehow" the majority of my photos feature animals. The dogs were very playful but the Borozi are so big that in most of the photos I had at least one of them blocking the view. Eventually, I had to disconnect myself from the kisses of Brooklyn, the bubbly English Bulldog, and stumbled upon an empty, snowy-white road.

The dogs and the snow were all very photogenic, but the girl with the balloons was definitely the highlight of the day. She was walking towards the Bow Bridge and I was one step behind. It was a well calculated scene; the colors of the balloons, the clothing, the location, and I was fortunate enough to be there.

However, the last photo I will leave you with, also from the Bow Bridge, is of a vase that looks like a troll. Enjoy :)

  
        

Let It Snow

I have been waiting for snow for a long time, ever since I realized that last year I missed some great photo opportunities during last year's storm. Luckily for me I was in the city today when the snow showers started. I probably should also mention that the temperature dropped to -7 degrees Celsius / 19 degrees Fahrenheit. It was cold out there!

Ice skating today was a very good choice as both the rink in Bryant Park as well as the rink in Rockefeller Center were almost empty from skaters. It seems that most of the tourists left the city after the celebrations of New Year's eve. I really wanted to do some street photography, but, as always, I found myself in Central Park.

I love watching the male Northern Cardinal, their beautiful red color overwhelm me every time I see them. During the snow showers, the contrast between the white snow and the red feathers of the cardinal was absolutely stunning.

I started my day with colors and I finish it with black and white. I find that all the colors of people, cars and signs in the park are distracting from the beauty of the snow dancing with the trees in the park.

  Night photography will be up next.