The Ultimate View!

Start out on 42nd and Lexington Avenue:

Find the beautiful entrance, made of black marble, alluminum and glass:

Credit: www.gonyc.about.com

Walk inside:

credit: www.oobject.com

Marvel at the amazing Art Deco design. Notice how the lighting shines on the colorful marble to create an exquisite effect.

The ceiling is incredible:

credit: flickr user Kimbar

Which building am I talking about...?

Credit: cityforward.wordpress.com

The few times I visited the Chrysler Building in the past, I've only been allowed in the lobby. Beyond the turnstiles to the elevators, no tourist is allowed.

credit: www.iloveoldny.com

Except...

(yes, that is inside the elevator. I'm passing the 60th floor there. Sorry about the blur).

Someone I know has an office in the Chrysler Building, and a few months ago she offered to take me in and show me around.

We finally made it happen last week!!!

The Chrysler Building has been my absolute favorite building in the entire New York City since I learned about it in Art History class two years ago.

I wrote about how much I love views a few weeks ago, so this was really exciting!!

Designed by William Van Alen, and completed in 1930, the Chrysler Building was the world's tallest building for 11 months until the Empire State Building shot up in 1931.

Notice the eagles gracing the corners a few floors beneath the spire?

credit: www.wiredny.com

On which Margaret Bourke was famously pictured taking pictures at death-defying heights?

Check them out from above:

That is 42nd street down below.

How cool is that?!

The view towards lower Manhattan (notice the new Freedom Tower being built - I visited the new 9/11 memorial, which you can read about here):

Upper Manhattan:

The West Side:

The East Side:

The iconic Pepsi-Cola sign in Long Island City, with one of UN buildings in the foreground:

And finally, the sun sets:

The Chrysler Building has a really interesting history.

Credit: www.aviewoncities.com

Which you can read about here.

One fun fact that you may not read about anywhere:
- The Chrysler Building was completed at the start of the Great Depression, so the beautiful lights that grace the ornate crown at the top of the building were never turned on because of the added expense. And then they were forgotten... until the 1980s when they were finally turned on!

Credit: www.wikipedia.org

Can you now understand why it's my most favorite building in the entire city?

Slippery Skates

Finally, after months on my to-do list, I went ice skating at Bryant Park.

My friend and I attempted twice before to skate on The Pond at Bryant Park, but it didn't work out for a variety of reasons (namely, crowds). We decided to go in the middle of the day this time, so we wouldn't have to deal with any lines or crowds. It also didn't hurt that the weather was absolutely gorgeous.

Ice skating is one of those classic winter activities. My family used to skate every winter at Wollman Rink in Central Park.

I hadn't skated for years, so my ice skating experience at Bryant Park didn't start off all that rosy. I clutched onto the wall for dear life for the first 45 minutes. After that, I trepidatiously moved about a  foot away from the wall, and slowly, slowly, with my hands swinging like a mad-man, made my way around the rink.

And then, miracle of miracles, I got used to it!!! And I became professional! (I'm not joking). I zoomed around the ice, no care in the world, zig zagging in between the other skaters, having the time of my life.
(okay, maybe this is a bit fabricated, but I still got really good. Even ask my friend).

Credit: blog.bryantpark.org

I'll be honest, I like Wollman Rink much better. But I think that Bryant Park is beautiful during the month of December, with all its twinkly lights and quaint little shops. At night, of course.

Maybe I'll still get to skate at Wollman Rink sometime this winter. And Rockefeller Center, as well. Anyone care to join?

Interesting Fruits and Weird Fish

I unintentionally went on an adventure. It was so cool!

Two friends were visiting me for a couple of days, and they needed to catch a bus downtown. Of course, I offered to accompany them.

We ended up in... CHINATOWN!!
(yes, they took the Chinese bus - quite an adventure in itself).

Credit: www.thenyknow.com

If you ever want to remain in New York City, yet feel like you've dropped into another country, definitely go to Chinatown.

My first venture into Chinatown was a few years ago when I did Grand Jury Duty in the NYC Criminal Court building a few blocks away. I didn't venture too far in.

But I found myself there once again a few weeks ago, and so I decided to explore!

Throughout American history, the Chinese have been subject to a lot of discrimination with immigration and labor rights. For example, the only racially based legislation that the US ever established was the Chinese  Exclusion Act that remained in effect from 1870-1943. So they began their own community in lower Manhattan.

Today, Chinatown is a huge tourist attraction, boasting various interesting eateries, shops, cheap trinkets and faux designer goods, as well as unusual fruits and vegetables and really weird fish.


I took a walk down Grand Street, possibly the busiest part of Chinatown, and dropped into a few shops along the way.



Look at that over there! (in the picture above)... I see something soo exciting!!! On the right... Look closer. See them?

Persimmons!!!
I love persimmons... they are super delicious, and they are sold in abundance in Chinatown!

Along my walk, I stepped into a store that caught my eye. Looked interesting.




But then I looked closer.

Ich.
(I made the picture smaller because I don't want you to have fish staring straight in your face).
And these fish were not even the worst of it! I saw some fish that I didn't even know could be consumed! Weird.


Anyway, I really just explored one teeny-tiny part of Chinatown. I hope to make my way down there again sometime soon and visit the really awesome parts of the little community. Anyone care to join?

Be sure to check out http://explorechinatown.com/ for more information about Chinatown.

History on 53rd

Credit: www.wikipedia.org

Can you guess what this is??

It is one of the coolest things I've seen in NYC.

I'll give you a hint: November 9, 1989


No, still don't know? How about this: East and West


Okay fine, I'll tell you.

This is a piece of the BERLIN WALL!!


How cool is that!


Located on 53rd between 5th and Madison Avenues, this piece of the Berlin Wall is just one of many that were distributed throughout the world after its fall.


The Berlin Wall was a symbol of the Cold War, and its fall on November 9, 1989 represented the demise of the Communist Regime.

Credit: wikipedia.org

The history of the Berlin Wall is a bit complicated, but in a nutshell: 
During the Cold War, Berlin was divided into two parts - East Berlin was under the Communist regime and West Berlin was not. With the wall as a barrier, East Berliners had absolutely no contact with the modern, more advanced West Berlin. When the wall came down, East Berliners who had been so used the the backwards Soviet way of life, were finally exposed to the modern world.

Here is a great site with more information about the Berlin Wall.

Be sure to check it out! It's a real piece of history!!!

Oh, and there are some fantastic water-fall like fountains there, too :-).

A Relaxing Evening in Central Park

I live in an apartment building, which means that I don't have a backyard. But the truth is, I really do have a backyard, and it's much bigger than the backyards of my friends who live in suburbia.

Yes, I'm talking about the beautiful Central Park!

A few nights ago, I decided to venture out to my backyard and have a little picnic dinner. I packed up some food, a drink, napkins and eating utensils, and I was on my way.

My favorite place to make a picnic is at the Ross Pinetum - a quiet little area near the Great Lawn with a cute playground and lovely picnic tables nestled beneath magnificent pine trees. 

The Pinetum is home to over 425 Pine trees representing 27 species, creating a miniature Pine forest!

credit: Flickr user WallyG 

There are parts of Central Park where you still feel like you're in the city even though you're surrounded by trees and grass. But, there are other parts of Central Park where you feel completely lost in an oasis of greenery and can't imagine how a city exists a few hundred feet away. The Pinetum gives me that feeling; it  is incredibly peaceful, relaxing and beautiful.

Interestingly, a few steps away from the quiet Pinetum is the Great Lawn, the center of activity and excitement in Central Park! It is so easy to go from quiet oasis to noisy activity...

On this rolling 55 acres of beautifully manicured grass, there are a number of baseball diamonds, where on any given night you can watch an exciting amateur baseball game. Families bring their blankets and make picnics by the trees, and Frisbee tournaments are all the craze, as well! 

The Great Lawn was originally the Croton Reservoir, constructed in 1842, but was drained in 1931 when a water tunnel was built making it obsolete. 

I love being out with so many other New Yorkers, enjoying the warm summer evening in Central Park. We all share the park - it is one giant backyard. There are thousands of New Yorkers in one beautiful place - walking dogs, enjoying the scenery, listening to music, taking a hike... and just escaping the hustle and bustle of city life.

Central Park is one of the most wonderful places in NYC. Please comment!  And let me know if you would like me to mention any area in Central Park that you visited and fell in love with.

Secret Water Tunnel!

I decided to take a little detour on my way home from school today. Instead of transferring from the F train to the D and then to the 1 train, I decided to walk from the F train stop to the 1 train stop. (If you didn't understand that, that's ok. You need to be a seasoned New Yorker to understand Subway lingo).

As I walked down 50th street towards Seventh Avenue, I noticed a really cute little seating area in between two buildings!

Wait, what's that thing straight ahead? (Look closely at the picture, and you'll see what I'm talking about).


It looks like a tunnel... let's check it out a little closer:

It is a tunnel!

But a very unique, amazing, secret, WATER TUNNEL!!!


Located between 6th and 7th Avenues, this water tunnel is slim passageway through 48th to 49th streets.

As the water cascades down the slate wall over the tunnel, it splashes around the glass, creating a breathtaking and serene space.

It takes just a few seconds to pass through, but the tunnel has an unbelievably captivating effect. As I stood in the tunnel, I did not hear the cars honking, garbage trucks roaring or construction workers drilling... all I heard was water. It is an enchanting experience which lasts only for a second as you pass through.

All that's missing is fish swimming about in the water :-).

I love watching people pass through the tunnel and gasp in amazement at the effect. One guy was minding his own business, and as he passed through the tunnel he looked up in surprise. His eyes lit up, let out a laugh, and said with excitement, "this is so cool!"

Just another awesome secret in the middle of the fabulous New York City!

The Water Tunnel at 48th Street
48th to 49th Streets, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues

Cobblestone, Flower Boxes and Colorful Doors

I found a treasure in Greenwich Village!

The treasure lies behind this brick gate which I discovered when I took myself on a walking tour of the neighborhood.

Credit: bridgeandtunnelclub.com

The treasure is a secret alley called Washington Mews.

Credit: forgotten-ny.com

This 19th century alleyway was originally a mews (horse stables) that serviced the homes in the area, hence the name Washington Mews. In 1916, they were remodeled as artist studios. Today, they are part of the New York University campus.

credit: nycppl.com

I was so excited when I came across this little cobblestone alleyway. The moment I stepped through the brick gate, I was transported to another era. I learned quickly that I must walk slowly through this alleyway (unlike my typical brisk city walk). I just strolled down the street and took it all in. I could almost hear the "clip-clop" of the horses trotting on the cobblestones.

Photo by Randy Aveille | Credit: www.examiner.com

Check out the colorful doors, and the flower boxes overflowing with a fantastic array of flowers in the windows.
Notice the ivy creeping up the walls, and the antique light fixtures above the doorposts.

Washington Mews is one of the last private streets still open to the public (many have gone under lock and key, open only to residents or special guests). Be sure to check it out!

Washington Mews is located off University Place just past 8th street in Greenwich Village.

Flowers... on a roof?!

A few nights ago, I made my way downtown to the Financial District. I was on a mission to discover a secret hideaway, built for New Yorkers seeking to escape the overwhelming noise of the city streets.

What I found was The Elevated Acre, located at 55 Water Street. 

Allow me to take you on a tour.

First, you must find the hidden staircase.

Credit: www.55Water.com

Ride the escalator or take the stairs up to the top. When you get there, you will see this:

Credit: www.55water.com

You have entered into a world of beauty, filled with flowers and greenery, overlooking the East River with magnificent views of the Brooklyn Bridge and beyond.

A view from the other side:

Credit: www.55Water.com

The landscaping is gorgeous! As I walked around, I noticed yellow daisies peaking out from behind some bushes. I felt like I was in a royal garden.

At night, a 50 foot LED light sculpture entitled "The Beacon of Progress," lights up the plaza. 

credit: www.NYTimes.com

On the other side, there is a huge lawn with "year round grass" (i.e. fake grass that looks remarkably real).

Credit: www.elevatedacre.com

The night I was there, I saw a young couple relaxing on the grass and enjoying each other's company. They looked like they had just gotten out of work.

If you are in the neighborhood, I encourage you to check it out! The Elevated Acre is minutes away from The South Ferry subway station, Staten Island Ferry and Battery Park. It is also on the same block as the Police Museum and the beautiful Vietnam Veterans Memorial (both of which will be detailed in coming posts).

Check out http://www.elevatedacre.com/ for more information.

Additional pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cwofford/sets/1214929/

The Elevated Acre at 55 Water Street is open Daily: May 1 through Sept. 30, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Oct 1 through April 30, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Free Admission (!)

Pomander Walk

As a young girl traveling on the school bus to elementary school, I remember passing this:

Credit: NewYorkSocialDiary.com

In my young mind, I labeled these houses as "the only houses in Manhattan." They were such a stark contrast to the tall buildings and elegant brownstones surrounding them in the neighborhood. 

Little did I know that what lay the other side was...

Credit: ny.curbed.com

Cool, no?

I only discovered this quaint little village (95th St. and West End Avenue) a few weeks ago when I read about it in a local paper and then set out to discover it. I was disappointed to find it closed off to visitors (by a wrought iron gate), but was thrilled when a deliver man opened the gate to leave the village giving me exclusive access to this private oasis!

As I walked down the little path between the houses, I felt like I was transported to a different era, or perhaps another country. The homes are reminiscent of Tutor style homes built over a century ago. 

Yes, it does have a name: Pomander Walk. Or "New York's Best Kept Secret." Or "The Cutest Walk You've Never Heard Of."

For more information and a bit of history, check out:
"Pomader Walk - the Cutest Street You've Never Heard Of"