Staycation - Part 2 - How to Pass Time on the NYC Subway

As my train crawled through a subway tunnel on a blistering summer day, I distracted myself with some real life stories my parents told to me as a child, dramatized and embellished for our entertainment at bedtime in lieu of fairytales.

Story #1 - The Ed Sullivan “Wink”

For those unfamiliar with the early days of television, Ed Sullivan hosted a very popular variety show with iconic, mostly American talent. People customarily tuned in to watch him on Sunday nights at 8 pm. It was usually a big family event.

Mom loved to tell how she ran into Ed Sullivan on her way to her new job at the Book-of-the-Month-Club in midtown Manhattan, soon after graduating from Eastern District High School in Brooklyn. With new found income, she glammed up her office attire, most likely copying the fashion of her favorite movie star idols.

Ed Sullivan noticed her on the street, after I’m sure she made it known that she recognized him first, and for just one moment, he gave her a “wink”. That moment became frozen in time.

As kids, we asked about this encounter repeatedly, delighted to see the giddy excitement in her face as she reenacted how Ed Sullivan winked at her, and only her.

Story #2 - The Wasps of World War II

Go figure, but my dad said he loved being in the Army. He said he liked being away from home and getting a paycheck for the first time. I get it.

He was drafted into the army to join the fight with the Allied forces when he was 19 years old, and was ultimately assigned to handling the soldiers’ mail. One would think he would have many hellish tales from the war, but the story he liked to share with us involved “the wasps”, so here it goes. 

One late night in his tent, my dad was snacking on Planters peanuts, when he unknowingly stuck a handful of wasps inhabiting the can into his mouth, and preceded to get stung. He was rushed by the medics to the hospital because his throat had became swollen and he needed immediate medical attention.

The incident coincided with one of WW2’s biggest and bloodiest battles, “Battle of the Bulge” where tragically, there were thousands of casualties and severe injuries to the troops.

The boys, as dad called them, started filing into the hospital wounded and despondent, assuming dad was in the battle and inquired about his circumstances. “What happened to you?” they asked. Frankly, he was too ashamed to give the real reason for his hospital stay in light of all the suffering.

So at the first opportunity, as he tells the story, he tells the medical staff, “doc, get me outta here now”. 

And so he did.

Story #3 - Small Victory 

My mom was so proud how she, being a sweet, innocent girl from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, called out a shady merchant in small claims court and won. 

She portrayed this event as David confronting Goliath. 

As it was told, Mom purchased custom shower curtains, but when she got home and opened the box, the curtains were torn. She returned to the store the next day to get her money back, but the merchant refused and accused her of shredding the curtains because she had “changed her mind!"

So what choice did she have but to take the man to small claims court.

The merchant appeared in court with reams of fabric to impress the judge with the quality of his goods and then made the absurd, unreal accusation again that mom cut up the curtains with her scissors. 

Judgment in favor of Mom. 

She got her money back but more importantly, was empowered winning the fight. Go Mom!

See NYC like a Local - My Staycation

I’m taking a “staycation” in NYC this summer by joining the thousands of tourists who come here from all over the world. Like Europeans, New Yorkers like to leave the city for the beaches and countryside, while visitors come to sweltering NYC in droves. I see why NYC is such a huge attraction, since it has so much to offer as a fun destination (most of the time) and the food scene is first class.



THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

It has been some time since I’ve been to the American Museum of Natural History and today, I decided was the day to visit this gem, even though my primary target was  Zabar's, an upscale specialty food store on the Upper West Side.

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is “awesome". In the summer, you will encounter scores of campers excited to be on a field trip and out of their steamy neighborhoods. Usually, visitors consist of families with young children at an age where they can begin to appreciate the exhibits. Hearing all the different languages, it is evident that the Museum is a worldwide attraction.

Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan at West 81st street and Central Park West, it is a feast for those who appreciate and respect everything related to the earth. The B subway line drops you off at the entrance, but there are plenty of other ways of getting there. What is most enchanting about the place is that you are transported back in time by the many vintage-like, magical displays encased in AMNH’s dark, mysterious hallways.

Hint - NYS residents are permitted to make a "suggested donation", instead of paying full price for admission.

The museum is best known for its extraordinary dinosaur exhibits on the 4th floor, which fascinate, excite, and frighten young children. Here are specimens of the giant creatures dating back millions of years, representing all Paleolithic periods. Scientists claim that these creatures were wiped out by a giant asteroid, volcanic eruptions, and climate change. That is a lot of information to digest!

There is so much going on at the AMNH that it is hard not to spend the entire day exploring its spectacular exhibits of mammals, reptiles, birds, native peoples, ocean life, gems and minerals, and a multitude of other things. 

The Rose Center for Earth and Space, formerly known as the Hayden Planetarium, is adjacent to the Museum and can be seen with the purchase of a separate ticket. I will conquer this area in a separate visit this summer when my energy is replenished.

Giant Whale in Hall of Ocean Life

CITI FIELD

Citi Field stadium is home to the NY Mets baseball team. It is located in the borough of Queens, reachable by the 7 train, about 30 minutes from Times Square. In the summer, it is great way to spend an afternoon with a hot dog, cheering for your favorite team.

Recently, I witnessed the rivalry between two New York teams, the NY Mets and the NY Yankees, in the "subway series” on July 4th weekend. Fans demonstrate their loyalty to each team by wearing their team’s jerseys and cheering wildly. I’m happy to report that no fights broke out between the very enthusiastic, competitive fans during the game. The Mets won 12 to 6. Let's Go Mets!

If you arrive early, there is street entertainment and a good chance of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Met.

THE WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

The Whitney Museum of American Art is located in the very hip meat-packing district of NYC, close to the Hudson River waterfront at 99 Gansevoort Street. 

Its location is proximal to other exciting attractions such as the High Line, an elevated, lush walkway on former railroad tracks, stretching about 1.5 miles long, and Chelsea Market, a very cool food mall set in an old warehouse with selections from many ethnic restaurants and home to the Food Network. The views from the Museum are stunning, as you can see much of the waterfront and New Jersey from across the river.

This Museum focuses on 20th and 21st Century American Art and features many iconic artists such as Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and other well known artists in its permanent collection. Admission is free if < age 25, on Friday nights from 5 pm to 10 pm, and on the second Sunday of each month.

The exhibition that I saw featured the artist Amy Sherald, famous for the portrait she created of Michelle Obama that hangs in the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. Her gorgeous portraits of African-Americans display her unique style and are representative of American life.

PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN

Prospect Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the designers of Central Park, has stood the test of time. 

It is the premier backyard for the residents and dogs of the neighborhood, Park Slope, and attracts many visitors. The park, which is over 500 acres, has a 3.5-mile loop, used by runners and bikers alike, day and night. It is a very functional green space offering free summer concerts, a zoo, a turn-of-the-century refurbished carousel, an ice rink, athletic fields, and unlimited trails through its forest. Many of the original structures, such as the Picnic House and Boat House, are remarkably still standing and utilized. 

It is a much-appreciated respite from the demands of urban living, especially on hot summer days.

Grand Army Plaza Farmers Market

PARK SLOPE

FAVORITE NEARBY QUICK EATS 

  ROMA PIZZA (7th Ave, Park Slope)

  SUSHI LUNCH SPECIAL  

   JPAN (5th Ave, Park Slope)

TAKING A MANICURE BREAK  

  MOM'S NAILS  (5th Avenue, Park Slope )

AND .... the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens (BBG) are a short walk from Grand Army Plaza, adjacent to the Park. Located on Eastern Parkway, they should not be missed on your visit to Brooklyn.

CONEY ISLAND

Coney Island is probably the world's most well-known amusement area.

In the late 1800s - early 1900s it was an affordable escape for working class families. There were three legendary amusement parks that defined the area: Steeplechase, Luna Park and Dreamland, but none of them exist today, although a redeveloped amusement area does go by the name, Luna Park. In its heyday, Coney was known for its side freak shows. There are still a few pockets of that remaining if you search along the side streets. If you are interested in the fascinating history of Coney Island, I recommend reading Coney Island Lost and Found, by Charles Denson, who as a child collected many of the seaside artifacts, like decorations from bath houses, left behind by greedy housing developers.

Today, the amusement park is very expansive and includes the world famous wooden Cyclone (1927) and the enormous Wonder Wheel (1920), both worth checking out if you are not afraid of speeding trains and heights.

The beach stretches for 3 miles, and is a pretty decent for a city like New York. The sand and water are clean. It attracts thousands of city dwellers who can reach its beaches for the cost of a subway ride in less than an hour from Union Square. It is not by any means a tranquil place, and in some places can be on the gritty side, but it works as a refresher on a hot summer day. The boardwalk is lovely for a stroll or bike ride and goes from Seagate to Brighton Beach.

The iconic Parachute Jump is Coney Island's "Eiffel Tower" and is a remnant of the World's Fair from a bygone era and can be spotted many miles away. It marks the site of the famous and wonderful Steeplechase Park, tragically destroyed by developers in the 1960s. 

If you get hungry, Nathan's Famous hot dogs is across the street from the Stillwell Avenue subway station on Surf Avenue. The NYC Aquarium is nearby as well and worth a visit with the kids for the seal shows, penguins, and sharks.

August Beach Day

The Wonder Wheel

Stillwell Avenue Subway Station

Sideshow - Remnant of a Bygone Era

Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs

Parachute Jump from 1939 World's Fair

THE CENTRAL PARK ZOO

The zoo is on the small and expensive side, but a nice escape from the city for about an hour or so and convenient, since it is right off of Fifth Avenue in the park. 

The big attractions are the harbor seals who perform tricks at various intervals during the day and two rescued brown bears. You can also see Lemurs from Madagascar, penguins, snow monkeys, a snow leopard and a variety of tropical birds. 

If you really want an immersive zoo experience though, you need to head up to the Bronx to visit the Bronx zoo, which is a lot larger and has a lot more going on.

THE UNION SQUARE FARMERS MARKET

This greenmarket is open several weekdays but is really bustling on Saturdays. Aside from all of the produce, there are many artists selling their work, and an assortment of vendors selling jewelry and handmade items from other countries. It is genuinely an interesting atmosphere to walk around and explore. 

Union Square is often the meeting site for protesters and random musicians. There is a lot going on in this part of the city. Across the street, you can find Whole Foods, a Nordstrom outlet, DSW shoes and other retailers. Paragon Sporting goods is also close by and worth checking out for quality sporting attire.

DUMBO, BROOKLYN

Dumbo is an acronym for a neighborhood in Brooklyn. It stands for "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge". The translation of DUMBO would be a very good Jeopardy question, don't you think?

Like a lot of neighborhoods in NYC, this area was neglected for many decades and is now a huge tourist attraction with multi-million dollar apartments containing world-class views of the Manhattan skyline. The area has many new high rises, but started its development with abandoned industrial loft-like buildings. Hundreds of tourists line up on Washington Street every day to take selfies with a view of the Manhattan Bridge and post it on Instagram to document their visit to a cool NYC neighborhood.

In DUMBO, you can find Brooklyn Bridge Park by the East River offering fantastic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline. It is an ideal spot for wedding photos and not unusual to find brides taking part in elaborate Vogue-like photo sessions. It is also home to Time Out New York, a food hall with an eclectic array of stalls.

You can also find Jane's Carousel for only $3 ride.

WASHINGTON STREET

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK

VINNY'S OF CARROLL GARDENS (on Smith Street)

Penne a la Vodka

JANE'S CAROUSEL

THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (MoMA)

If you appreciate great art museums, you cannot miss MoMA located on West 53rd Street between 5th and 6th avenues. 

I’m most excited to see the Impressionist and Cubist paintings on the 5th floor during my visits. I never tire of seeing Van Gogh, Matisse, Chagall and Picasso. It is best to go on less crowded days, perhaps midweek, for unobstructed views that allow you to study the paintings without having to move briskly along. The museum building underwent a renovation in 2019 and contains many beautiful design elements, so it is a great place to walk around and soak up the modern atmosphere. The museum’s store is also well worth a look for unique items with impressive designs.

New York State residents are offered free admission on Friday nights but you must reserve a space on-line usually days before. If you are not a NY State resident, "Pay What You Wish" is available after 4 pm.

LOUIS VUITTON (Building on 5th Avenue near MoMa)

This is real!



RANDOM COOL CULTURAL PLACES IN NYC

One incredible feature about NYC is that it is a walkable city, so discovering new places to explore is always a possibility.

Today, on my stroll, I came across the Ukrainian Art Institute and Villa Albertine, attractions set in ornate, gilded-era mansions along Central Park West. Admission was free.

The Ukrainian Art Institute featured an exhibit by a Ukrainian born artist, Alex Gritchenko, but I was mostly interested in seeing the 150 year old interior with a beautiful carved wooden staircase on four floors.

The Villa Albertine is an elegant French bookstore in an another 19th century mansion. I’m surprised that I hadn't discovered it sooner.

UKRAINIAN ART INSTITUTE  

VILLA ALBERTINE

The “Little Prince” by French children’s author Antoine de Saint Exupery