Category Archives: NYC

Citi Bike- NYC Bike Share Program Memberships On Sale

NYC, ,
a blue and white logo
The first time I saw a bike share program was during my first trip to Copenhagen. The bikes were pretty crappy and rarely available at the docking areas. One positive about the program was that borrowing a bike was free. I’m not sure of the exact amount, but from what I recall we had to put in a €1 coin to get a bike. Once you returned your bike to one of the docking areas, your coin was returned. I tested out one of the bikes for a half hour or so and it was a fun way to spend a little time during the visit.
(I recently read that the bike share program in Copenhagen was recently discontinued.)
.
Over a year ago I heard that a bike share program would be coming to NYC. Right away, memories of the bikes in Copenhagen came to mind. I definitely felt that adding a bike share program to NY would be a great addition. It could be another fun activity if you don’t own a bike or it could be used just to get around the city.
.
One big different with the NYC bike share program (called Citi Bike), is that the bikes are not free to use. To use a bike, you need to purchase an annual membership or an access pass good for 24 hours or 7 days.

New York Travel Festival- April 20- 21, 2013

NYC, Travel Articles,
a logo with a circle and a arrow

I’ve attended the New York Times Travel Show a few times in the past. I usually go mainly to check out some of the seminars they feature but rarely find any useful information from the travel exhibitors at the show.

Check out my posts from the 2013 NY Travel Show here: Industry Day and Day 2.

I came across the New York Travel Festival around a month back and was debating whether or not to go. The festival’s goal is “to reinvent the consumer travel show seeking more interaction and a better sense of NYC and beyond”.

After reading a little more into the event, it sounded like it might be worth attending. The festival will feature various speakers, panels and other experiences. The show is a bit pricier than the Times show, but it also sounds like it will be a more worthwhile experience.

Continue reading New York Travel Festival- April 20- 21, 2013 →

A Great TV Find: Jimmy’s Diner- Brooklyn, NY

Food, NYC, ,
a window with a sign on it

While watching Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on Food Network, I came across Jimmy’s Diner. It’s located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn which is not too far from where we live, so I was very interested in watching this segment.

I love visiting places that have been featured on food- related television shows. However, more often than not I’ve found restaurants featured on DDD to not live up to Guy Fieri’s rave reviews..

Regardless of this, after watching the segment about Jimmy’s I had to give it a try. The thing that stood out most were the amazing looking waffles, made to order.
.
I wanted to stop by a few weeks back but when we called ahead, we were told there was a very long wait to get in for brunch. The menu seemed more like a breakfast/ lunch menu so we decided to give Jimmy’s a try for dinner, hoping to miss the crowds. We called again about a week later and were told that the restaurant wasn’t busy, so we headed on over.  Continue reading A Great TV Find: Jimmy’s Diner- Brooklyn, NY →

Lunar New Year Celebrations Around NYC This Weekend

Chinese, Lunar, Manhattan, New Year, NYC, Parade, Queens
a red background with white text and numbers

A couple of weeks back I wrote about receiving a snake plush toy for booking a flight with Cathay Pacific. The promo is being ran to celebrate the Year of the Snake.

2013 is the Year of the Snake in the Lunar (Chinese) Calendar. I’ve read that the Chinese New Year is a very important holiday in China. It is also celebrated around the world in cities with large Chinese populations. 

Some western cities celebrate the Chinese New Year by having a parade. (Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney, Toronto and my hometown of New York City and many others.)

This weekend there will be parades on both Saturday and Sunday in the NYC area.

Flushing, Queens:

  • Saturday, 2/16- There will be a parade in Flushing, Queens. The parade will start at Union Street and 39th Avenue at 11AM. There will be lion and dragon dances as well as other cultural events. On Sunday, 2/17 an indoor festival at Queens Crossing  (136-17 39th Avenue) will go from 11:00AM- 3:00PM. There will be traditional performances and a cultural bazaar. 

Manhattan:

  • Sunday 2/17– In NYC’s Chinatown there will be a parade and festival starting at 1:00PM. The parade will go from Little Italy through Chinatown. The cultural festival will be in Sara Roosevelt Park at Canal & Forsyth Street. According to NYCGo, there should be interesting performances, all kinds of vendors and food in the streets.
Find out more about the events going on in Flushing, Queens HERE
Find out more about the events in Manhattan’s Chinatown HERE

Win A New Years Trip to NYC from KLM

Armin Van Buuren, KLM, New Years Eve, New York, NYC, NYE, Prize, Sweepstakes, Win
a city with a blue sky and clouds

I just found out about this contest and TODAY is the last day to enter!

KLM is giving a trip for 2 to NYC which includes a meet and greet with superstar DJ Armin Van Buuren on New Years Eve. 

I can’t say that I am a fan of trance music or DJ Armin, but if I did not live in NY I’d still be interested in winning a free trip to NY!

The Prize: 

  • Two economy class roundtrip tickets to New York from any destination operated by KLM, Air France or Delta 
  • Four night hotel stay for 2  from December 29- January 2
  • Meet & greet with Armin Van Buuren on 12/31 in NY
  • Two concert tickets for NYE show
  • A Nikon D5200 camera
  • A unique, official Armin Van Buuren merchandise package

Some Rules:

  • The winner agrees to make a movie about the entire trip with the provided camera. The movie must be delivered to KLM within 2 weeks of trip’s end. KLM will use the video with social media. 
  • Open to anyone at least 21 years of age 
  • To enter the sweepstakes, you need to log-in with Facebook
  • Enter by December 9, 2012

Enter for a shot to win a trip to NYC for New Years Eve HERE

DELAYED: Delta NONSTOP NYC- Win A Trip to LA

Delta, LA, Nonstop, NYC, Prize, Storm, Trip, Win
a cityscape with a skyscraper

On Thursday I posted about Delta NONSTOP NYC, a promo where 40 winners will win an unforgettable trip for two to LA (from NYC).

The sweepstakes was supposed to start today (and include more info about the giveaway). However, due to the storm in the Northeast the start date of Nonstop NYC has been changed to November 5.

The number of weeks to play have been reduced from 7 to 6. The good news is that there will still be 40 opportunities to win!

When the sweepstakes starts next week the first mission will be:

  • Around the World NYC or Not  

Sign up HERE to receive e-mail updates about Delta NONSTOP NYC

Let’s hope the storm doesn’t turn out as bad as predicted and the damage is minimal. I know my windows are all shut and lots of water bottles are filled! 

Stay safe everyone!

Delta NONSTOP NYC- Win A Trip From NYC to LA

Delta, LA, Nonstop, NYC, Prize, Trip, Win
a screenshot of a website

A couple of days back Delta tweeted some info about an upcoming giveaway.
There wasn’t much detail so this is all I have to report:

  • Starting October 29, win two tickets for an unforgettable trip from NYC to LA
  • There will be 40 Winners
  • There are 3 Ways to Win
  • Must be at least 21 years old

I’m not too sure of what the unforgettable trip includes but I’ll be sure to sign up for a chance at the prize on 10/29.

Sign up for prize updates and details HERE

Win A Trip to Top Chef Kitchen in NYC

Eater, Giveaway, New York City, NYC, OpenTable, Prize, Top Chef, Top Chef Kitchen, Twitter, Win
a building with windows and stairs

OpenTable is giving away a trip for two to NYC to have dinner at Top Chef Kitchen

Top Chef Kitchen is a restaurant open for a limited time in TriBeCa. The dinner includes a four course meal prepared by former Top Chef contestants. When reservations became available, they were gone within 45 minutes so here is your shot to get in for a meal!
(Find out more about Top Chef Kitchen on food blog Eater)

 The Prize:

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Two night hotel stay
  • Dinner & wine pairings for 2 at Top Chef Kitchen on 10/30/12

The Rules:

  • Open to U.S. residents 
  • Must be 21 years of age or older at time of entry
  • Travel companion must also be 21 years of age or older
  • One submission allowed per person

 Enter by:

  • Following @OpenTable on Twitter
  • Tweet “I want to dine at #TopChefKitchen with @OpenTable.”  

Enter by October 19 at 5:00pm PDT 

Find out more about the giveaway HERE

Lucas’ Seven Month Old Travel Recap & Our Upcoming Plans

Asia, Baby, Lucas, New York City, NYC, Sign, SoHo, Travel, Window
a sign on a window

While walking around SoHo in New York City we came across this awesome sign. It was in the window of Giggle, a baby store. 

I thought it would make for a good photo with Lucas. It pretty much sums up our thoughts for traveling with a baby. Lucas has not held us back, he has been a great travel partner!

a man and baby posing for a picture

When Kim got pregnant many people commented on how things would slow down for us in terms of travel. I never listened to these remarks and always said how we plan to still go away multiple times each year. The question would then be- with the baby??? My answer was always a firm yes. I have always seen families traveling with infants so why couldn’t we?

The other day I ran into a neighbor that I had not seen in a few months. She asked how Lucas was and then made a comment about us not traveling. I told her how great Lucas was doing and then went on to tell her about our trips we had taken. I also mentioned our upcoming trip to Southeast Asia. After each trip that I spoke about she asked “with the baby”, was he coming along? When I told her yes she was surprised and impressed that we were still getting to travel.

a man and baby posing for a picture

On our two trips (flying) to date with Lucas we’ve definitely had to slow down a little. There are stops needed for feeding and changing but otherwise Lucas has been a great travel partner. 
I don’t feel like we had to pass up many experiences or missed out on much so far.

Lucas is having a great first year of travel. He might not remember the places he went and things he saw but we have lots of pictures to show him when he is older. It’s also been an amazing experience for Kim and I!
Here are Lucas’ trips and the age that he took them:
  1. Barbados- 3 months old
  2. South Dakota- 6 months old
a baby sitting on a white blanket

Tomorrow we leave for Southeast Asia and Lucas just turned 7 months old this past Saturday. We’ll be flying in business class thanks to our mileage collecting! (This should be a great experience in itself!)

We will be visiting:

  • Singapore
  • Bali, Indonesia
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hopefully we’ll get in another little adventure before his first birthday!

Stay tuned…

Big Apple Barbecue Block Party- NYC June 9 & 10, 2012

Food, NYC, Trip Reports, ,
a red and blue sign with a pig
This weekend I’ll be eating some great food at the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in NYC. The event features top BBQ pitmasters from all over the country.
a group of people standing around a grill

The event will be entering it’s 10th year and features “award-winning barbecue and Southern-inspired fare from the country’s top pitmasters available for $8/plate”.
There will be 18 pitmasters at the event from “barbecue capitals like Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, Illinois and more”. There is also live music and cooking seminars throughout the day.

Continue reading Big Apple Barbecue Block Party- NYC June 9 & 10, 2012 →