Things to see and do in New York - take the Staten Island Ferry - see the Statue of Liberty

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to  Washington Square Park – rich with history, culture and life. At the heart of the Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park is a gathering point for a diverse group of artists, musicians, students, New Yorkers and visitors.

I stayed at the Larchmont Hotel and the Washington Square Hotel, next to Washington Square Park, during my June visit to attend the Travel Bloggers Exchange (TBEX) conference. Of course, Central Park is also stop numero uno for visitors to New York.

When I crave New York cuisine, I turn to Johnny’s Pizza, Bleeker Street Pizza or Grimaldi’s Pizza in Brooklyn.

• Grimaldi’s is famous for its brick-oven pizzas and so good that there is always a line around the block. It’s located right under the Brooklyn Bridge and is easily accessible by Water Taxi, Subway or car. In the summertime you can grab the Water Taxi to the newly opened Brooklyn Bridge Park, order some pizza and enjoy one of the best views of Manhattan’s skyline.

To escape work I go to Central park.Sitting on one of the park benches or – in the summertime – one of the lawns – is a perfect escape from work. Whether you want to soak up the sun or people-watch, Central park is the place to de-stress.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Although it is one of the top visitor attractions in NYC, the MET has a lot of great areas within the museum to go and hide, relax and enjoy various art forms, masterpieces and sculptures. During the summer, the rooftop is the place to be with its annual outdoor exhibits.

If you come to New York, get your picture taken at Times Square. A popular area for visitors, one can have their picture taken with the bright lights and sky high advertisements in the background, or pose with a character, such as the Naked Cowboy, who frequents the area.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at  Peter Luger’s Steak House in Willamsburg, Brooklyn, get the Porterhouse for Two (just be sure to bring a friend!)

New York  is my one stop shop for adventure, culture, diversity and vibrancy. “I want to wake up in the city that doesn’t sleep.”

When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I go to any local pizza joint. Blue 9 has delicious burgers that will only run you about $5. Sweet Spring Restaurant, located in Chinatown, is a small take-out restaurant that serves up Chinese appetizers. Nothing on the menu is more than $5.

For a huge splurge, I go to  Daniel on 60^th Street and Park.Daniel, owned by chef Daniel Boulud, is elegant and delicious with seasonal French cuisine and a swanky bar/lounge.

New York City is the place for adventure, culture and diversity.

Photo ops in New York include:

-          Top of the Rock Observation Desk

-          Empire State Building Observation Desk

-          Central Park 

-          Times Square

-          Union Square

-          Brooklyn Bridge

The best vantage points are taken at Top of the Rock. At 70 stories up you can see a 360 degree view of Manhattan’s skyline.  The iconic Empire State Building is always a must-visit for an aerial view of NYC. From the 102^nd Floor Observatory you can see for miles.

The most random thing about New York is the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island.  It is essentially a celebration of summer and one of New York City’s quirkiest events. Coney Island becomes packed and the boardwalk becomes filled with mermaids and various sea-creatures.

In New York an active day outdoors involves walking. You can walk anywhere in New York, including the streets and bridges. Newly sectioned off bike lanes also have made NYC more bicycle friendly.

My favorite walking route is either the Brooklyn Bridge or the Williamsburg Bridge. There is something special and unique on both side of both bridges.

Best Things to See and Do is the Staten Island Ferry to see New York's skyline

New York’s best museums are the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)

-          The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located on Fifth Avenue, along “Museum Mile” – a stretch of 22 blocks that features 10 museums – and is surrounded by Central Park.

-          The newly renovated MoMA, located in Midtown, is an impressive space with its various floors, modern design and outdoor garden area.

For a night of dancing, go to  The Meatpacking District.

Katz’s Delicatessen is the spot for late night dining. It is one of the oldest delis in Manhattan. Located in the trendy Lower East Side, Katz’s is the perfect late-night spot. On weekends it’s open until 2:45am and on weekdays until roughly 10/11pm. 

To find out what’s going on a night or on weekends, read NY Magazine, Time Out NY.

In the spring you should attend the Bronx Botanical Garden – filled with budding flowers and exhibits.

In the summer you should attend Summerstage – a series of free outdoor concerts in Central Park. Coney Island is worth a day for a fun filled adventure, circus-like experience. Bite on a Nathan’s hotdog while strolling the beach/boardwalk.

In the fall you should visit  Prospect Park and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.

In the winter you should go shopping on Fifth Avenue and see all the festive lights Visit Rockefeller Center to see the annual Christmas tree lighting and for ice-skating.

There are plenty of things to see and do in New York City - honking is not one of them.

A hidden gem in New York is Governors Island - an outdoor sanctuary. The island was founded in the 1600′s by the Dutch and built for the exclusive use of Governors during the colonial times. The Island is now a popular outdoor destination for biking, outdoor exhibits, concerts, picnics, and tours of the colonial houses.           

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to the Balthazar. It’s a famous French café located in the heart of SoHo. You can sit, or take out. It’s a perfect place to gather some fuel for a day of shopping in SoHo.

Just outside of New York city you can visit City Island. It’s  the perfect day-trip. Located at the very tip of the Bronx, you can go the beach, take a swim in the Long Island Sound and eat local seafood at the Lobster Box.  

The best way to see New York is to walk or take the Hop on Hop off Bus. NYC is easy to walk; the Subway is also very easy and accessible throughout the five boroughs.

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss Brooklyn Bridge Park’s brand new Pier 6 Playground. One of the largest playgrounds in all five boroughs, the recently opened area is home to large rope swings, a sprinkler system, and mountains to climb. While at the park, you can also admire the views of lower Manhattan, the Hudson River, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

What are your favorite things to do in New York City?

Thanks to Francisca Ovalle and NYC The Official Guide for assistance with this post.

Photos and YouTube video by Nancy D. Brown

Thanks to these travel bloggers for their New York City Insider Tips;

Jennifer Miner and Kara Williams: The Vacation Gals

Michaela Potter: Briefcase to Backpack

Sherry Ott: Otts World

Donna L. Hull: My Itchy Travel Feet

Wendy Perrin: Conde Nast Traveler magazine and Truth.Travel blog

Gary Arndt: Everything Everywhere

Sheila Scarborough: Sheila’s Guide to the Good Stuff

Tiffany Dowd: Tiffany Travels

Trisha Miller: Travel Writers Exchange

Caitlin Fitzsimmons: Roaming Tales

Mary Ann Grisham: Enchanted Travel

Johnny Jet: JohnnyJet.com

Jill Robinson: Jill Robinson.com

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Nancy's Candy Co. - A Gourmet Delight at San Francisco Fancy Food Show

You’ve heard of the diamond’s four c’s? Color, cut,  clarity and carat are all characteristics that are important to a diamond. Well, I’ve discovered the three c’s and a g at the San Francisco Fancy Food Show. Chocolate, cheese, caramel and granola are important to the quality of my life.

In its 35th year, the Winter Fancy Food Show offers specialty food retailers a peek and a taste into what’s new and what’s next in the ever competitive gourmet food world. I decided to approach this year’s show, January 17-19, 2010, with a look at the regional connection we have with our foods.

While the show isn’t open to the general public, I’ve put together a short video of my three c’s; chocolate, cheese and caramel, with a granola product from Jackson Hole thrown into the mix because I’m headed to Wyoming this year.

Social media fans can find the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

What gourmet foods have you discovered on your travels?

Amano Artisan Chocolate www.amanochocolate.com

The Bunnery www.bunnerynaturalfoods.com

Chocolate Santander www.ourniche.com

Happy Goat Caramel www.happygoatcaramel.com

Nancy’s Candy Co. www.nancyscandycompany.com

Republica del Cacao www.republicadelcacao.com

Mr. Gabbani in front of his shop in Lugano, Switzerland

My San Francisco post was fortunate to be featured in National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel blog. Since then, I’ve decided to offer my favorite tips and locations for first-time visitors to select regions.

Here are my recommendations for a trip to Lugano, Switzerland in the canton of Ticino. The first place you’ll want to visit is downtown Lugano and the Parco Ciani.

To jump into nature in Lugano, go hike a nearby mountain.

If you love books, you’ll want to visit the Canton Library.

If you come to Lugano, get your picture taken at the top of a mountain.

Food in Lugano, Switzerland

Are you anxious to try the local food of Switzerland? Go to Grotto Ticinese in Cureglia, five minutes by car; or Grotto Rossi in Castelrotto in the Malcantone region west of Lugano or visit the Mendrisotto region south of Lugano to find easy paths among many vinyeards in Ticino where grottos as Grotto Fossati in Tremona offer traditional, affordable meals.

Laderach Chocolate, Lugano, Switzerland. Photo by Nancy D. Brown

If you have to select one thing off the menu at Restaurant Olimpia in Plazza Riforma, order the steak tartar.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to the Grand Cafe Al Porto.

Lugano is one of the best places for shopping. Items are cheaper to buy here than in Italy. In Lugano there are chocolate shops, watches, of course, and fashionable clothes. Via Pessina is the gourmet street. Check out the five specialty shops of Lino Gabbani.

When watching your dining dollars, stretch them further at Migros or the Coop department store for food and clothes. For a huge splurge, I go to Cristallo Ristorante.

The Pearl Casino is the spot for late night dining, but be warned, Lugano is not the place to grab a meal after midnight.

Just outside of Lugano you can visit Morcote, Switzerland, have lunch at the Grotto del Parco and visit the Scherrer Garden.

Things to do in Lugano, Switzerland

Photo opportunities in Lugano include Lake Lugano and Mount San Salvatore.

The best vantage points are taken by riding a finicular to the top of Mount San Salvatore and going on the roof of the San Salvatore church.

If you want to join in with the locals, the most random thing about Lugano is the swim race in mid-August in the lake.

Take a boat ride on Lake Lugano in Switzerland.

In Lugano, an active day outdoors involves walking, hiking or biking. A favorite jogging or walking route is the Lugano Gandria Olive Tree Path.

Lugano’s best museum is the Museum of Cultures.

For a night of dancing, go to Madai Disco, Tito’s Place, Laroy or Al Lido.

To find out what’s going on at night or on weekends, read Corriere Del Ticino, but only if you can read Italian.

You can tell a lot about Lugano from visiting the rural valley like Monte Bre.

In the spring you’ll enjoy walking Lugano with all of the flowers in bloom.

In the summer you might like to experience August 1, it’s like our Fourth of July Independence celebration in the United States.

In the fall you might like the local harvest festivals. While in the winter time you should go to Piu Gusto in December.

An undiscovered gem in Lugano is Grotto Flora. And if you are traveling with children, you won’t want to miss Swiss Miniatur.

Where are your favorite places to visit in Lugano, Switzerland?

Thank you to Guide Marco Mastelli and Ticino Turismo for assistance with this post.

Photos and YouTube video by Nancy D. Brown

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