The Bronx Zoo is one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the country. Often referred to as one of the greatest zoos, the animals can’t be given all of the credit; this award winning zoo has been on the cutting edge in its efforts to preserve wildlife around the world.
With over 4,000 animals on display, the Bronx Zoo offers its visitors the chance to see some of the most endangered species from around the world – as well as some of the more popular. All of the animals are housed in a natural and beneficial environment; in fact, some make you forget that you’re in a zoo all together. For instance, you can view the gorillas frolicking in their Congo Forest, or walk through an acre of land in an indoor Asian Rain Forest.
The Sea Lion Pool is always a popular attraction at the Bronx Zoo. The exhibit is very natural looking with rocky beaches, tidal pools, and islands that remind you of a California coastline. The Sea Lions are fed daily at 11:00am and 3:00pm…so make sure to check it out. After you’re all played out with the sea lions you should make a stop at the Big Bear exhibit. Three of the most famous grizzly bears are housed here; Archie, Betty, and Veronica. They have two swimming holes that they love to splash around in and you’ll have a great opportunity to get a close up look at them.
For the smaller guests there’s a children’s zoo that costs just $3.00 more to visit. It is a big adventure for them with more hands on experiences. The zoo also has a carousel for the kid that’s open all year round. If you need a little rest, take a ride on the monorail where you can relax while enjoying a visual tour of the Bronx Zoo
Getting There
If you choose to drive to the zoo, there is a daily $10 fee for parking. Alternatively, you could take the #2 or #5 train that will bring you within 2 ½ blocks of the zoo. There are also local buses as well as a free trolley that brings you right to the Bronx Zoo on the weekends.
Often times, you’ll pass by thousands of people on a busy Manhattan day and never even notice them. You’re so busy working and living your life that you rarely have time to think about where they came from, or what brought them to New York City. Chances are half of the people you passed that day have some sort of roots to someone who came over to Ellis Island. Often regarded as a tourist spot, Ellis Island is a special place that literally allows you take a step back in time.
Located just minutes off of the Southern Tip of Manhattan, many of the cities residents have yet to take the quick ferry ride over to Ellis Island. If you’re one of these residents, then it is about time to go over there. It is a beautiful 27.5 acre site that takes you back to your family roots and quite possibly to ancestors that you might not know anything about. It’s believed that almost half of all the Americans living in the country have someone in their family tree that arrived via Ellis Island. That is quite an astounding number of people and you should really take the time to see if you were one of those people.
The museum itself is located in the main building of what used to be the immigration station. This is where the people coming into New York City were processed in from other countries. The museum offers self guided tours to show you where they stood and what took place. It explains how last names were changed because they couldn’t be understood, and how people left their old lives behind to start a new one here in the United States.
The wall of honor overlooks the Statue of Liberty and on that wall are the over 700,000 people that have come through those doors in search of a better life. It’s definitely worth the ferry ride to just glance at all the names, or possibly see a name that you might recognize.
Getting There
The Circle Line-Statue of Liberty ferry leaves from Battery Park everyday from 9am to 5pm. They offer extended hours in the summer to accommodate all the tourists as well. Your best bet is to plan the trip ahead of time to make sure you don’t have to wait in those long lines. Off season periods, such as winter and fall, are probably the best times to go to Ellis Island without running into hoards of tourists, although it’s still pretty busy year round. Taking a later ferry will also do wonders in alleviating some of the hassles you’ll encounter with early morning visits.
You may recognize the name from Good Morning America, and you may even pass by Bryant Park on the way to work, but have you really taken the time to enjoy this beautiful park? If the answer is no, then you must give it a try and soon.
You’ll find a wide range of people in Bryant Park – from business executives enjoying their lunches to sports enthusiasts looking to exercise or play a game of baseball. Bryant Park offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life in Manhattan and there is much to be taken advantage of in this striking location.
For you art and history buffs, there are dozens of statues and monuments set throughout Bryant Park to enjoy. Some of the more notable pieces include the lions created by sculptor Edward Clark Potter, the pediment statuary by Paul Wayland Bartlett, the fountains sitting on either side of the library’s main entrance, not to mention the statue of William Dodge – a businessman in NYC. There are many more set throughout the lawn and on the different terraces that adorn the park. Spend the day walking through the park while learning about the many New Yorkers that brought so much life and history to the city.
If you’re looking for a quiet place to get some work done, the park offers free wireless internet access as well as 2000 movable chairs.
Whether you’re here on a date, for work, or to just think things over, you’ll find a plethora of opportunities at the park. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of Bryant Park.
Getting There
Located behind the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan, Bryant Park is easily accessible to all of the residents of New York City. The park sits between 40th and 42nd streets and only a block from Times Square. You can either walk if you live nearby or you can take the F, V, B, or D train to the Bryant Park/42nd Street station.
Often referred to as The Met by the locals, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the largest and finest art museums in the world. It’s hard to even refer to The Met as just a museum because it is so much more. Besides offering you looks at the some of the most amazing pieces of art from around the world, there’s quite an experience to be had here. From the classes they teach for adults, to the lectures, you can come to The Met and never have the same experience twice.
The art that lines the walls and rooms of The Metropolitan Museum of Art are really breathtaking….to say the least. There are both permanent and moving collections at the museum – including Impressionist Art, Sculptures, Ancient Near Eastern Art, Ritual Objects, and Islamic Art. That’s just a few of the many exhibits and/or artifacts on display at the museum.
Take advantage of one of the free guided tours offered by the museum. They’re available in many different languages so everyone can listen in. After your guided tour is over, you’re free to roam around the museum for hours. In fact, many people choose to just plop down and study the skillful art around them. Also available with museum admission are gallery talks. This is when some of the museum curators, advanced students of art, or independent scholars discus different aspects of the collections or special exhibits. If your love for art supersedes your love for anything else, then you definitely shouldn’t miss these comprehensive and informative talks.
If you have a passion for the arts but don’t quite know where to begin, you may want to consider taking an adult art class at The Met. It’s more than just a classroom; it is a classroom in the famed Metropolitan Museum of Art where you get hands on experience in learning and absorbing art. You’re taught by master instructors and it’ll allow you to see art in a whole new way. Some of the programs have fees, but there are quite a few that are free and only require registration.
When you think of Brooklyn you don’t often think of a large sprawling park, but that’s exactly what you get. Prospect Park is huge at 585 acres and is right in the heart of Brooklyn. The landscape is stunning…designed by the same person who designed Central Park in Manhattan.
The park is right in the middle of very diverse neighborhoods and is a local hangout for many of the residents that live in this populous borough. There are an incredible amount of activities to enjoy in this large park, but you can also enjoy just laying around on a sunny day – soaking in the rays and reading a book. There are loads of places that you can go and sit quietly by yourself, or you could enjoy the company of friends, family, or a date.
Once you get there, you can start off with the Prospect Park Audubon Center – the nation’s first Audubon Center. This is where you will find all the boat tours, bird watching walks, the park’s visitor center, as well as the interactive exhibits that children love. You can even grab a sandwich at the café on your way to see more of the beautifully landscaped Long Meadow area.
The Long Meadow is a 1 mile long unbroken meadow in the middle of this urban park filled with rolling hills and trees that are scattered about. This is the perfect place to take your time to enjoy the nature and peace and quiet that you will find. You can also find a great game of football being played here at any given time. Enjoy your time as you make your way to the Grand Army Plaza which holds many of the historic monuments in the park such as the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Memorial Arch. It is also where you will find Bailey Fountain as well as a collection of statues. The Green Market is open seasonally there for your enjoyment.
For the kids, you have the Prospect Park Zoo as well as Wollman Rink. They have pedal boating which is a really popular activity on the 60 acre lake. The outdoor skating rink is tons of fun and a fantastic date activity.
With all the beauty, quiet sitting spots, bird watching, and boating all in one place, you’ll be hard pressed to ever find another place like it.
Getting Here
The park is easily accessible to the people who live here, as well as people coming from other neighborhoods. You can take the F, Q, S, or B train or the 2 or 3 train all leading to Prospect Park station. If you drive to the park, there is even free parking year round located at the Wollman Rink.
The Bronx Zoo is one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the country. Often referred to as one of the greatest zoos, the animals can’t be given all of the credit; this award winning zoo has been on the cutting edge in its efforts to preserve wildlife around the world.
