Picture this: You’re in New York snapping photos of the Empire State Building. Thinking it’d be nice to get a pic of yourself in front of this famous monument, you hand the camera to a passerby--and get back a nice shot of your feet. Then, you try holding the camera out at arm’s length, facing you--and get a blurry close-up of your nostrils instead.

Sound familiar? Sure, these silly, off-the-cuff pics can be fun, but when you get home and look at the results, they’re often a letdown. That’s why New York City Photo Shoot got started: so that instead of floundering around trying to get a halfway decent picture of yourself on your Big Apple getaway, you can just relax--and get some excellent ones.

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Posted in New York City
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Last week, my sister called me from the Texas Panhandle, where temperatures had climbed to a bone-dry 100+ degrees, with the region’s famously violent winds creating an effect akin to, as she put it, “a blast furnace.” Sounds terrible, right? Not to me. I sighed wistfully, missing that dry heat that defined the summers of my childhood, remembering those first gusts of hot wind that heralded the season’s arrival, recalling sizzling sidewalks under my bare feet so vividly that I unconsciously rose to my tip-toes to walk across my New York City apartment for a glass of water. Those were truly the summer sidewalks of lore, on which one could quite easily fry an egg. Here in the city, where even 80 degrees feels unbearable when delivered on a platter of New York’s special recipe for mugginess, you’d have more of a poached egg, or perhaps a runny scramble of yolks and cigarette butts and dirt. No disrespect to the city I choose to call home now, but I’ll take a dry 100 degrees over a sticky, filmy 80 degrees any day (and today, it’s a sticky, filmy 90 degrees at 11:30am). In fact, because of this, summer is the only time of year when I consistently miss my hometown.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member Jose Kevo

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Posted in Nature & Outdoors, New York City, Texas
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Yesterday I was posed an interesting question by an acquaintance. After finding out that I was born and raised on Manhattan (that’s right ON Manhattan—it’s an island. See The High-Minded Highjacker), she asked a question she said she asks every homegrown New Yorker: at what point could she consider herself a New Yorker? One’s hometown is a big part of travel; it’s one of the first things people ask you about when they hear you’re traveling. After all, to be in transit, you have to be from somewhere.

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Posted in New York City
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It may not be news to anyone outside of New York or the Tri-State Metropolitan area, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan intended to fund the MTA and help make New York the greenest city in America has been squashed. Regardless of what you think of the plan itself, it was great in theory—it took cars of the road and raised money for public transportation.

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Posted in New York City, Travel News
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Every December 8th since I was a little girl, my mother and I have capped off a day of Christmas shopping with afternoon tea at the Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. The last three Decembers we've had to take our tea elsewhere -- the Four Seasons, the St. Regis, the Pierre -- but truthfully, none have been as delightful as the famed Plaza.

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Posted in Hotel Travel, New York City, Travel News
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If you're still looking for Mr. Right or Ms. Walks-on-Air this February 14th, you might wonder if your chances would be improved by a visit to Valentine, Texas or Valentine, Nebraska. Recently a single friend suggested I write a travel blog called: You Don't Have to Go to Alaska to Meet the Man of Your Dreams. She wanted me to figure out where the most single men live so that she could vacation accordingly.

The travel matchmaker is in. After quite a bit of research, I have some basic findings to report. If you're looking to meet a single guy, go west. If you're looking to meet a single girl, it's time to visit the East. As this helpful map from National Geographic shows, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans, and Miami are chockfull of single women.

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Posted in Austin, Bars & Nightlife, California, Dallas/Fort Worth, Las Vegas, New York City, Offbeat, San Francisco, Texas
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Yesterday marked the official beginning of Chinese New Year. To many people, this late winter holiday means vibrant street festivities complete with fireworks, colorful dragon floats, and tasty Chinese goodies galore. To others, the term “Chinese New Year” barely rings a bell. But given the growing influence of Chinese culture, more people are learning about the holiday and making plans to participate in celebrations across the country and the world.

Let’s start with the basics. Chinese New Year takes place on the first day of the first lunar month of the Chinese calendar, and as such is also called the Lunar New Year. The ancient Chinese believed that a man-eating beast called the Nián emerged from his lair each year on this day to prey on humans. Believing this beast to be sensitive to loud noises and the color red, the early Chinese frightened it away with fireworks and bright red colors. These customs eventually evolved into the scintillating celebrations we enjoy today.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member captain oddsocks.

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Posted in Asia, California, Entertainment, Family & Kids, Festivals & Events, Holiday & Seasonal, International Travel, London, New York City, Shopping
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We’re on day 11 of the writers’ strike, and the Great White Way has been dark for six evenings now. Seeing as New York City is the number one destination this Thanksgiving, there’s bound to be disappointment for travelers hoping to catch a show, whether it’s The Producers or Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

According to Travel Weekly, the Broadway stagehands' strike is costing NYC $2 million every day in lost revenue. Unless the disputes causing the strikes are resolved soon, travelers will miss out on these uniquely New York experiences this Thanksgiving. Luckily, New York City is no one-trick pony and there’s plenty to do in the Big Apple even if you can’t catch a show. And actually – you can catch a show! Off Broadway productions are lighting up the stage as usual – two of my personal favorites are The Fantasticks and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Keep in mind that there are eight Broadway shows not affected by the strike – Mary Poppins and Young Frankenstein among them – but there’s going to be some stiff competition at the TKTS booth, so get there early.

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Posted in New York City
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Editor’s Note: It’s “holiday week” on The Window Seat, and our editors get into the spirit of the season with a series of articles exploring the many facets of this busy travel period.

To so many Americans, Thanksgiving means being together with friends and family which, in turn, means traveling to see those people. As one of the busiest times of the year for the travel industry—somewhere around 25 million people will fly next week—Thanksgiving can strain more than your belt. So what to do when trains, planes, and automobiles seem to be more trouble than they’re worth? Well, my answer is “stay home.” Of course, I have it easy: when I go home for the holidays, I walk there. You don’t need family in The City though to enjoy all that it has to offer.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo Member Jose Kevo

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Posted in Culinary Travel, Entertainment, New York City, Thanksgiving '07
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Editor’s Note: It’s “holiday week” on The Window Seat, and our editors get into the spirit of the season with a series of articles exploring the many facets of this busy travel period.

We all have favorite movies that we answer when people ask, and favorite movies that are for more private consumption. For me, that movie is Home Alone. And the dorkiest reason why I love New York is that, during the holidays, the city is very reminiscent of the sequel to that movie—which I also love.

So I was relieved to discover that other people appreciate how Home Alone 2: Lost in New York lends itself to tourism and that organized tours of Central Park actually market sites from the movie as part of their itineraries.

Whether your idea of a holiday classic is It’s a Wonderful Life or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, here’s a rundown of ways you can celebrate the holiday season on celluloid—and get out of town:

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member RoBoNC

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Posted in Entertainment, Holiday & Seasonal, New York City, Thanksgiving '07
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This weekend, tens of thousands of runners—and even more spectators—will take to the streets for the ING New York City Marathon. Commandeering most of the metropolis for eight-and-a-half hours, the runners will navigate a course that takes them through all five boroughs. For natives and newcomers alike, it can be a great way to see the city. In fact, one of our own will be lacing up her running shoes this weekend in what will be her first marathon. Be sure to wish her luck! Another Gnome employee, John Whitfield, is making a bid for the finish, too. Check out his blog and leave him some words of encouragement!

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Posted in Festivals & Events, Health & Wellness, New York City, Ski & Sport
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There’s something about October. Though I love the triumphant blooming of spring, the snowy days of winter, and the heated energy of summer (provided the heat index is below 90), it’s the slow unfurling of fall that unleashes this little current of bliss in me. As green turns to a kaleidoscope of gold and crimson; the air turns chilly and crisp; and Duane Reade stocks its annual mishmash of Halloween candy, rubber spiders, and superhero masks, I start doing all sorts of ridiculous things, like sighing dramatically (and audibly) at the autumn sunshine; exclaiming 45 times a day to whomever will listen that I love this weather; going for long walks from which I return with a collection of beautiful fallen leaves that I have no idea what to do with; baking. October is my golden hour.

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Posted in Holiday & Seasonal, New York City
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I’ve never really understood the appeal of the spa, let alone spa travel. I bruise easily, am ticklish, and have frighteningly sensitive skin, so my spa visits (mostly results of misguided gift certificates) have been somewhat traumatic. But ever since I visited China, where inexpensive spas were ubiquitous and my body sore from traveling, I’ve begun to rethink my position. Luckily, should I decide to become a true Spahound, my en-route options are fast becoming endless as transportation hubs take notice of spas’ popularity.

From October 31 to November 3, Spa Finder will assemble representatives from 50 of the world’s leading spas at New York’s Grand Central Station for The Spa Experience, allowing commuters to receive treatments or attend seminars on their way to work. I’m not sure I like the idea of taking to the massage table or cozying up to any sort of seaweed in public, but I’ll admit that an on-the-go massage does sound like the ultimate antidote to Grand Central’s legendary hustle and bustle.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member smmmarti guide

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Posted in Health & Wellness, New York City, Spas
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In my youth, I spent a good deal of time playing after-school sports on Randall’s Island in the shadows of Manhattan. On Sunday, however, I sat on the hay and grass field next to Icahn Stadium and took in some great music at Farm Aid. Though the spirit of most open-air concerts, particularly ones headed by Willie Nelson and promoting homegrown food, tends to be pretty friendly, I was still reminded of New York at another time. Immediately after 9/11, New York was transformed in so many ways: it was scarred, terrified, and numb. It was also friendly, kind, and supportive. While I witnessed the typical kindnesses amongst people at the concert—bumming cigarettes, sharing sunscreen, dancing, and chatting—it all felt reminiscent of those precarious days of aftermath when doors, along with handshakes, hugs, and goodbyes, were held for just a little bit longer.

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Posted in New York City, Polls & Studies, Security & Safety
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When Virgin America began ticket sales late last month, the site was so flooded with traffic that potential customers – frustrated by long delays – simply gave up trying. Certainly, plenty of people were trying to book at once, but the real culprit was an orchestrated cyber attack that resulted in a slow start for sales. Though the offender remains unknown, it does get you wondering. Could a rival airline have been responsible? Very unlikely, though several of the legacy carriers lobbied vigorously to block Virgin America from entering the market.

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Posted in Air Travel, Business Travel, California, International Travel, New York City, Travel News
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I’m all about taking surveys. I can’t get enough of answering questions. I actually arrive at the doctor’s office embarrassingly early so that I can devote as much time as I want to filling all the forms out. And so when Travel + Leisure magazine and CNN Headline News launch their America Favorite Cities survey on April 30, you can bet I’ll be at the head of the line waiting to take it.

Last conducted in 2004--when Washington, D.C. was voted the best city for sightseeing, Honolulu the best city for romance, and New York the best city for family trips--the survey asks participants to dish on the cities they’re familiar with, ranking the restaurant scene, shopping options, and historical and cultural sights. You can even, if you like, give your opinion on your fellow residents, answering questions on their friendliness, their intelligence, and--gulp!--even their attractiveness and fashion sense.

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Posted in California, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York City, Polls & Studies
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This morning I heard some disturbing news on the radio. The Coney Island amusement park (AKA the Astroland Amusment park) has been sold to a real estate developer, at least according to the NPR story I woke up to. Everything save the cyclone, an official landmark, will be torn down and made into…What exactly? That is the question.

When I first heard the news I was blurry with sleep but this got my blood pumping. It's sacrilege to tear down Coney Island! After all, I have yet to go on all the rides! I'm thinking what – more luxury rentals by the sea? Is there no one else who wants to see some things remain the same? Ugh, I feel old. It's an ugly thought this early in the morning. But what about preservation of an icon?

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Posted in New York City
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