I think the opera is great. The costumes are beautiful, the sets are elaborate, and the stamina and talent of the singers is pretty amazing. But going to the opera can be kind of expensive, and even with the intermissions I have trouble sitting still for four or so hours. I was excited, then, to stumble upon a way to witness the opera that was free, and that allowed me to move around.
Each summer, the Metropolitan Opera hosts their annual Summer HD Festival. During this festival, HD recordings of well-known operas will be projected onto a screen set up in Lincoln Center Plaza. The festival is completely free for anyone who wants to stop by and have a seat, either on a blanket, a fold-up beach chair, or somewhere on the concrete.
Though seeing the opera on a screen is not quite the same as seeing it live on stage, it's about as close as you can get. An added benefit of the HD projections is that they include subtitles; I once went to see an opera in Italian, and since 'ciao' is pretty much the only Italian word I know, you can imagine I was quite lost without subtitles.
The festival takes place at the end of August (this year August 24th through September 2nd), and is a nice way to take advantage of the last of the summer weather, while simultaneously enjoying the opera. I find that the fresh air, combined with the ability to get up and walk around ensures that I will be alert throughout the performance (it also doesn't hurt that I can consume coffee in my seat). Plus you have the freedom to whisper to your friends next to you about what is happening on the stage. Just don't whisper too loudly if you're sitting with the main crowd, lest you'd like to be the target of a bombarding of "Shhhhs".
I plan on heading to Lincoln Center on September 2nd to see Aida. The screening starts at 8 pm, but as the seating is first-come, first-served I will try to arrive as early as possible. If you're only interested in seeing a snippet of opera you are free to come and go as you like, as there are no official tickets or seats.
Showing posts with label Things that are FREE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Things that are FREE. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
A Morning at the Hudson River
Monday morning 8 am. Wake up to the sound of a power drill in the hallway. Remind myself that it's my day off, and that I should just ignore the noises and go back to bed.
8:01 Get out of bed. Decide that listening to power drills is my personal hell on earth. Must leave immediately.
8:15 Teeth brushed, face washed, contacts inserted. Remember that I haven't done laundry in at least two weeks. Manage to find a pair of bright pink gym shorts bought in my last year of middle school. Scold myself for having no choice but to wear these shorts in public. Secretly applaud myself for not spending money on new gym shorts.
8:20 Out the door and debating where to go. Can't spend money. Wearing gym shorts.
8:25 Start walking towards Christopher Street. Head west on Christopher towards the Hudson. Visiting Hudson River Park is free, and peaceful in the mornings. Peek into a few store windows along the way. Linger outside of a restaurant that smells like coffee. Cross West St and narrowly avoid colliding with a bike.
8:35 Reach Hudson. Inhale, exhale. Begin walking south.
8:55 Start to feel inspired, because everyone around me is running. Decide I'll start running too.
9:02 Bad idea. Remember why I don't like running. Determine that walking is equally inspiring.
9:05 Pass by a couple playing tennis in one of the courts. Pass by some dogs running around in a fenced off area. Pass by benches occupied by readers, meditators, and quite a few nappers.
9:15 Try not to look alarmed as I pass by a man who seems to have lost his pants. Note that New York has probably given me a pretty killer poker face.
9:20 Pause by a grassy area and sit down in the shade. Look over at One World Trade Center. Take a moment to imagine how high up those workers must have been when they attached the building's spire. Decide that the Top of the Rock is the highest up that I'd ever like to be, besides airplanes of course.
9:40 Can no longer ignore my stomach's vocal demands for nourishment. Decide to head back.
10:00 Realize I have 35 cents in my pocket. Enough for a $0.25 banana from the food cart by the subway.
10:30 Arrive home, banana in tow, thoroughly ready for some Penny-Pincher's Morning Oatmeal. Thankful for the close proximity of a calm place to walk, a magnificent view, and a budget-friendly place to go when escaping from indoor construction.
10:40 The power drill noises recommence.
8:01 Get out of bed. Decide that listening to power drills is my personal hell on earth. Must leave immediately.
8:15 Teeth brushed, face washed, contacts inserted. Remember that I haven't done laundry in at least two weeks. Manage to find a pair of bright pink gym shorts bought in my last year of middle school. Scold myself for having no choice but to wear these shorts in public. Secretly applaud myself for not spending money on new gym shorts.
8:20 Out the door and debating where to go. Can't spend money. Wearing gym shorts.
8:25 Start walking towards Christopher Street. Head west on Christopher towards the Hudson. Visiting Hudson River Park is free, and peaceful in the mornings. Peek into a few store windows along the way. Linger outside of a restaurant that smells like coffee. Cross West St and narrowly avoid colliding with a bike.
8:55 Start to feel inspired, because everyone around me is running. Decide I'll start running too.
9:02 Bad idea. Remember why I don't like running. Determine that walking is equally inspiring.
9:05 Pass by a couple playing tennis in one of the courts. Pass by some dogs running around in a fenced off area. Pass by benches occupied by readers, meditators, and quite a few nappers.
9:15 Try not to look alarmed as I pass by a man who seems to have lost his pants. Note that New York has probably given me a pretty killer poker face.
9:20 Pause by a grassy area and sit down in the shade. Look over at One World Trade Center. Take a moment to imagine how high up those workers must have been when they attached the building's spire. Decide that the Top of the Rock is the highest up that I'd ever like to be, besides airplanes of course.
9:40 Can no longer ignore my stomach's vocal demands for nourishment. Decide to head back.
10:00 Realize I have 35 cents in my pocket. Enough for a $0.25 banana from the food cart by the subway.
10:30 Arrive home, banana in tow, thoroughly ready for some Penny-Pincher's Morning Oatmeal. Thankful for the close proximity of a calm place to walk, a magnificent view, and a budget-friendly place to go when escaping from indoor construction.
10:40 The power drill noises recommence.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Vitamin D via Washington Square
Jumping into the fountain at Washington Square Park is one of the items on my NYC Bucket List. I've yet to cross this task off of my list, however, always blaming my hesitation on the wrong dress, or the wrong shoes. (The truth is, I'm actually scared of all of the children running around inside the fountain. They show no mercy when it comes to splashing!)
Luckily, Washington Square is good for much more than simply taking a dip in the fountain. Spanning Macdougal to Fifth Avenue, and West 4th to to Waverly Pl, this park is home to dancers, musicians, magicians, and chess players alike.
There are plenty of benches in the sun and shade for the taking, as well as open grass (though I'd suggest bringing a blanket, as the grass can be kind of muddy). It's a great place to bring a book, but there's also much to see and to hear. Take Colin Huggins, for example, also known as "the crazy piano guy". Each morning Colin Huggins wheels (or perhaps has a friend wheel, I've never asked) a grand piano into the park, and spends the day playing for visitors. I highly recommend stopping by for a listen if you get the chance. You can also usually find one or two jazz bands performing throughout the day, and sometimes solo drummers as well.
There are a few dance groups that I've seen performing in the park, including a group that executes some pretty amazing acrobatic stunts (check out this photo from Humans of New York of one of these performers). I've seen a few mimes and some very advanced jugglers (although to me, all juggling seems advanced). There have also been yoga classes, parades, and music festivals, and I'm quite sure that I saw someone on a pogo stick the other day.
The northwest corner of the park is always home to expert chess players, waiting for you to join them in a match. I'll let you know that they are extremely familiar with winning. They do, after all, play chess all day, and they are very good at betting you out of your money. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Washington Square is much, much smaller than Central Park, so it boasts a very different vibe. While you can find isolated spots in Central Park to nap or picnic, Washington Square is less private and a little more urban. While school is in session the park is bustling with NYU students, as well as lots and lots of dog walkers. If you are a dog owner yourself, there is a fenced in area where dogs can run loose and, ahem, take care of their business.
What this park is great for:
What this park is not great for:
Luckily, Washington Square is good for much more than simply taking a dip in the fountain. Spanning Macdougal to Fifth Avenue, and West 4th to to Waverly Pl, this park is home to dancers, musicians, magicians, and chess players alike.There are plenty of benches in the sun and shade for the taking, as well as open grass (though I'd suggest bringing a blanket, as the grass can be kind of muddy). It's a great place to bring a book, but there's also much to see and to hear. Take Colin Huggins, for example, also known as "the crazy piano guy". Each morning Colin Huggins wheels (or perhaps has a friend wheel, I've never asked) a grand piano into the park, and spends the day playing for visitors. I highly recommend stopping by for a listen if you get the chance. You can also usually find one or two jazz bands performing throughout the day, and sometimes solo drummers as well.
There are a few dance groups that I've seen performing in the park, including a group that executes some pretty amazing acrobatic stunts (check out this photo from Humans of New York of one of these performers). I've seen a few mimes and some very advanced jugglers (although to me, all juggling seems advanced). There have also been yoga classes, parades, and music festivals, and I'm quite sure that I saw someone on a pogo stick the other day.The northwest corner of the park is always home to expert chess players, waiting for you to join them in a match. I'll let you know that they are extremely familiar with winning. They do, after all, play chess all day, and they are very good at betting you out of your money. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Washington Square is much, much smaller than Central Park, so it boasts a very different vibe. While you can find isolated spots in Central Park to nap or picnic, Washington Square is less private and a little more urban. While school is in session the park is bustling with NYU students, as well as lots and lots of dog walkers. If you are a dog owner yourself, there is a fenced in area where dogs can run loose and, ahem, take care of their business.
 |
| The park is also beautiful in the snow! |
What this park is great for:
- children
- picnics
- listening to live music
- reading
- sunbathing
- people watching
- (getting beaten at) chess
What this park is not great for:
- going for a run
- total peace and quiet
- escaping into the wilderness
- biking
- hanging out alone in the wee hours of the morning (unless you know karate, in which case, go for it.)
P.S. The park is free! It's a great spot to bring your friends, so you can feel free to skip out on the expensive dinners without sacrificing your social life.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
A Sunday of Fleas
If you find yourself in New York City with some free time, an empty wallet, and an inkling to see something unique, I'd highly recommend a day at the flea market. Not a day shopping at the flea market (that sort of thing can make a dent in your wallet), but a day exploring and admiring the craftsmanship of NYC's dedicated flea vendors.
The city is home to many flea markets, where customers can find anything from necklaces made of excavated pottery to glasses frames made of bamboo leaves. This Sunday I visited two of my favorite markets, The Market NYC on Bleecker Street, and the Williamsburg Flea in Brooklyn.
The thing about going to flea markets is that window shopping is just as satisfying as actually buying. Since the products sold by the various vendors are almost exclusively handmade, they tend to be a little pricey. For this reason I treat the markets almost like I treat museums, as places with a lot to see and admire. Having said that, flea markets are a great place to find a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special.
The Market NYC is located at 159 Bleecker Street, between Thomspon and Sullivan. It is an indoor market open Wednesdays through Sundays (you can check the market's hours here), that houses vendors selling clothes, jewelry, glasses, prints, and more. The website includes a few images of what sorts of things customers are bound to see, but you should expect to see much more in person than what is featured online. The Market NYC does have air conditioning, making it a great spot to duck in when the sun has made outdoor markets unbearable.
The Williamsburg Flea occurs every Sunday from 10am-5pm, at the East River State Park (90 Kent Ave at North 7th Street). This is undoubtedly the most scenic of NYC's flea markets, as it is situated right by the East River. Since this market is outdoors, you'll want to be sure to choose a nice day; it can be hard to find shade, so if you burn as easily as I do then I'd highly recommend wearing sunscreen!
You can read about the vendors of the Williamsburg Flea on the market's website. In addition to art, records, jewelry, dresses, t-shirts and other sorts of retail merchandise, the flea market contains plenty of food vendors. Yesterday we found a vendor making vegan beet burgers, another selling dark chocolate, and yet another preparing and selling some all too tempting frozen slushies.
After we finished at the market, we planted ourselves on some grass (in the tiniest shadow of a bush) near the water. The park boasts a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline, which we were content to enjoy while the weather was nice.
Some other market locations in the city include:
The city is home to many flea markets, where customers can find anything from necklaces made of excavated pottery to glasses frames made of bamboo leaves. This Sunday I visited two of my favorite markets, The Market NYC on Bleecker Street, and the Williamsburg Flea in Brooklyn.
 |
| Williamsburg Flea |
The Market NYC is located at 159 Bleecker Street, between Thomspon and Sullivan. It is an indoor market open Wednesdays through Sundays (you can check the market's hours here), that houses vendors selling clothes, jewelry, glasses, prints, and more. The website includes a few images of what sorts of things customers are bound to see, but you should expect to see much more in person than what is featured online. The Market NYC does have air conditioning, making it a great spot to duck in when the sun has made outdoor markets unbearable.
The Williamsburg Flea occurs every Sunday from 10am-5pm, at the East River State Park (90 Kent Ave at North 7th Street). This is undoubtedly the most scenic of NYC's flea markets, as it is situated right by the East River. Since this market is outdoors, you'll want to be sure to choose a nice day; it can be hard to find shade, so if you burn as easily as I do then I'd highly recommend wearing sunscreen!
 |
| View from the East River State Park |
You can read about the vendors of the Williamsburg Flea on the market's website. In addition to art, records, jewelry, dresses, t-shirts and other sorts of retail merchandise, the flea market contains plenty of food vendors. Yesterday we found a vendor making vegan beet burgers, another selling dark chocolate, and yet another preparing and selling some all too tempting frozen slushies.
After we finished at the market, we planted ourselves on some grass (in the tiniest shadow of a bush) near the water. The park boasts a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline, which we were content to enjoy while the weather was nice.
 |
| East River State Park |
Some other market locations in the city include:
- GreenFlea on Columbus at 76th St
- Artists & Fleas in Chelsea and Williamsburg
- The Antiques Garage in Hell's Kitchen on 25th St
- Fort Greene Flea on 176 Lafayette Avenue
This is by no means a complete list of NYC markets. Leave a comment here if your favorite flea isn't on this list; I'd love to hear recommendations for new markets to check out.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
It's Time to Finally Get That Library Card
A few weeks ago I published a post about finding affordable books at Strand Bookstore. Today I'm going to talk about another Penny-Pinching staple for book-lovers in the city. Beyond those who like to read, this spot is great for writers, researchers, dance-lovers, music-lovers, drama-lovers, and New Yorkers in need of free wifi and some quiet space.
Allow me to introduce the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
This library has much more to offer than just books and magazines. Located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, the Performing Arts Library has Circulating Collections of musical scores, songbooks, CDs, and audiocassettes, as well as books and DVDS about music, dance, drama, etc.
What is truly special about this library is its Research Collections. These collections are divided into the Billy Rose Theatre Division, the Jerome Robbins Dance Division, the Music Division, the Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound, and the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. Information about all of these collections can be accessed through the Research Collections link above, but for today I am going to focus on my personal favorite division, the Dance division.
The division's webpage describes itself as follows:
If you wish to view some of the dance or theatre video archives that the library has to offer, it is recommended that you call ahead. Walk-in appointments are an option, but they are not guaranteed as there are a limited number of screens available. Before entering the screening room you will be required to leave your possessions in a secure holding room, to ensure that no material is secretly being recorded. You must also provide a reason for wishing to view the materials (i.e. student, research project, independent study, etc.) Basically, they want to make sure you aren't there to illegally record and replicate a copyrighted performance.
In order to view the video archives or check out materials, you must have a library card. These are easy to acquire, so long as you can provide a document that proves your New York City residence. I brought a postcard from a friend that was sent to my New York address, for example. With your library card, you can also set up a username and password on the NYPL website, and then check up on which books you've checked out, which books you've put on hold, etc.
The Performing Arts Library is open Mondays and Thursdays from 12-8 PM, and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12-6 PM. While Lincoln Center is the only Performing Arts Library location, there are plenty of other New York Public Libraries located throughout the city.
Oh yeah, and did I mention that everything about the library is entirely free? Seeing a performance on a screen is not the same as seeing it live, but on a day when you've had no luck with student rush tickets, this can be the next best thing.
Allow me to introduce the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
This library has much more to offer than just books and magazines. Located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, the Performing Arts Library has Circulating Collections of musical scores, songbooks, CDs, and audiocassettes, as well as books and DVDS about music, dance, drama, etc.
What is truly special about this library is its Research Collections. These collections are divided into the Billy Rose Theatre Division, the Jerome Robbins Dance Division, the Music Division, the Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound, and the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. Information about all of these collections can be accessed through the Research Collections link above, but for today I am going to focus on my personal favorite division, the Dance division.
The division's webpage describes itself as follows:
The Jerome Robbins Dance Division of The New York Public Library is the largest and most comprehensive archive in the world devoted to the documentation of dance. Chronicling the art of dance in all its manifestations - ballet, ethnic, modern, social, and folk - the division is much more than a library in the usual sense of the word. It is part museum, part film production center, and part consulting service to the professional dance community. It preserves the history of dance by gathering diverse written, visual, and aural resources, and it works to ensure the art form's continuity through an active documentation program.Resources such as original manuscripts (think choreographer notes), posters, newspaper clippings, and photographs are all available to researchers. What is also available, and unique to the Performing Arts Library, are video archives of ballets, Broadway musicals, and all other types of dance performances. Videos that are hard to come by on Youtube are available for viewing at the library. I like to come to the library to watch full-length works choreographed by George Balanchine, since The George Balanchine Trust prevents his ballets from being recorded and replicated without permission.
If you wish to view some of the dance or theatre video archives that the library has to offer, it is recommended that you call ahead. Walk-in appointments are an option, but they are not guaranteed as there are a limited number of screens available. Before entering the screening room you will be required to leave your possessions in a secure holding room, to ensure that no material is secretly being recorded. You must also provide a reason for wishing to view the materials (i.e. student, research project, independent study, etc.) Basically, they want to make sure you aren't there to illegally record and replicate a copyrighted performance.
In order to view the video archives or check out materials, you must have a library card. These are easy to acquire, so long as you can provide a document that proves your New York City residence. I brought a postcard from a friend that was sent to my New York address, for example. With your library card, you can also set up a username and password on the NYPL website, and then check up on which books you've checked out, which books you've put on hold, etc.
The Performing Arts Library is open Mondays and Thursdays from 12-8 PM, and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12-6 PM. While Lincoln Center is the only Performing Arts Library location, there are plenty of other New York Public Libraries located throughout the city.
Oh yeah, and did I mention that everything about the library is entirely free? Seeing a performance on a screen is not the same as seeing it live, but on a day when you've had no luck with student rush tickets, this can be the next best thing.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
A Little Light Reading
These days lots of newspapers, magazine articles, and general journal writings can be accessed online for free. For the nostalgic New Yorker who still prefers paper over screen, however, the city's got you covered.
Take a look around and you're bound to find one of the city's many newsstands that boast free news sources. I'm referring to those mailbox-like containers that we often pass by, that are filled with free access to writer's workshops, restaurant guides, and crosswords galore.
These publications span across many genres, and hopefully have something to offer to everyone. Let's take a closer look at a few of these reading materials.
The Village Voice: Below is an excerpt from the Voice's website, describing the publication:
Metro: To be honest I've always been turned off by the Metro, simply because I cannot escape someone shoving the paper in my face as I attempt to enter the subway station for my morning commute. Do not, however, allow my content-unrelated bias to sway your own opinion of the paper! Check out its website to see what the newspaper has to offer. My roommate and I have some serious plans to tackle this issue's crossword puzzle.
Chopsticks NY: Now this was a publication that I had not heard of. "Experience Japan in New York City" is what the cover of the issue reads, and it does certainly seem to be the source for all things Japanese. The July issue features a list of recommended Japanese restaurants, an interview with the founder of a Japanese vegetable farm, and a Japanese-Style Tomato Salsa recipe. Check out the website if this is something you'd be interested in.
Other free publications include amNewYork, Manhattan Family (maybe not so applicable for the average college student), Gay City News and more.
It was fun to sit down and flip through these different publications. If I were to go back again I'd probably only pick up the Village Voice, but spending a few hours expanding my horizons (who knew that making a hole in a pacifier can help end your baby's pacifier phase) lead to some pretty entertaining discoveries. If anything, these newsstands are a good place to stop by if you have a long subway ride to undergo, and you've accidentally left your copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at home (it happens to the best of us).
Take a look around and you're bound to find one of the city's many newsstands that boast free news sources. I'm referring to those mailbox-like containers that we often pass by, that are filled with free access to writer's workshops, restaurant guides, and crosswords galore.
 |
| These are only some of the free publications available at a news hub by my apartment. I went to grab more but a nearby NYPD officer was starting to give me funny looks... |
The Village Voice: Below is an excerpt from the Voice's website, describing the publication:
[T]he Voice has earned a reputation for its groundbreaking investigations of New York City politics, and as the premier expert on New York's cultural scene. Writing and reporting on local and national politics, with opinionated arts, culture, music, dance, film and theater reviews, daily web dispatches and comprehensive entertainment listings, the Voice is the authoritative source on all that New York has to offer.The Voice has a great section towards the end of each issue listing events happening in the city (music concerts, club events, movie listings, etc.) The issue I picked up features a restaurant guide that I will definitely be investigating (and reporting back with any good deals), as well as reviews of the movies Despicable Me and The Lone Ranger.
Metro: To be honest I've always been turned off by the Metro, simply because I cannot escape someone shoving the paper in my face as I attempt to enter the subway station for my morning commute. Do not, however, allow my content-unrelated bias to sway your own opinion of the paper! Check out its website to see what the newspaper has to offer. My roommate and I have some serious plans to tackle this issue's crossword puzzle.
Chopsticks NY: Now this was a publication that I had not heard of. "Experience Japan in New York City" is what the cover of the issue reads, and it does certainly seem to be the source for all things Japanese. The July issue features a list of recommended Japanese restaurants, an interview with the founder of a Japanese vegetable farm, and a Japanese-Style Tomato Salsa recipe. Check out the website if this is something you'd be interested in.
Other free publications include amNewYork, Manhattan Family (maybe not so applicable for the average college student), Gay City News and more.
It was fun to sit down and flip through these different publications. If I were to go back again I'd probably only pick up the Village Voice, but spending a few hours expanding my horizons (who knew that making a hole in a pacifier can help end your baby's pacifier phase) lead to some pretty entertaining discoveries. If anything, these newsstands are a good place to stop by if you have a long subway ride to undergo, and you've accidentally left your copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at home (it happens to the best of us).
Friday, June 21, 2013
Remembering 9/11
Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my roommate at the World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial. I hadn't been to the site since the memorial opened in 2011, so after the spire was recently added to the top of One World Trade Center I decided it was time.
The memorial consists of the North Pool and South Pool, the museum (not yet open), the tridents within the museum (not yet open), and the Survivor Tree. The site is surrounded by the tall buildings of the World Trade Center, including 1776-feet-tall One World Trade Center, and 977-feet-tall Four World Trade Center. Between buildings Two and Three will be the WTC transit hub. Although the site is not finished, we were able to get a good look at what has been done so far.
The North and South Pools are located where the original Twin Towers stood. Along the perimeters of the pools are the names of the victims of 9/11, as well as the names of the six people who were killed in the bombing of the WTC garage in February of 1993.
The Survivor Tree is a Callery Pear tree that workers recovered (in stump form) at Ground Zero. The tree was replanted in a park where it could grow, but today resides once again at the World Trade Center. You can touch the bark (but not the leaves) when you visit the memorial.
When the museum opens it will feature two steel tridents, recovered from the North Tower facade. Other artifacts from the original site will also be featured.
The memorial contains electronic directories that allow visitors to look up victims from the attack, and then locate their names on either pool. Visitors can search the name, flight number, or hometown of the victim; my roommate comes from a very small town, and we were surprised and saddened to find that someone born there had been a passenger on Flight 77.
In spite of the tragedy that occurred on September 11th, the memorial that honors the victims and heroes of that day is quite beautiful. I highly recommend taking a trip down to see it, and I look forward to returning when the museum is open, and the surrounding buildings are complete.
Let's Talk Logistics.
The memorial consists of the North Pool and South Pool, the museum (not yet open), the tridents within the museum (not yet open), and the Survivor Tree. The site is surrounded by the tall buildings of the World Trade Center, including 1776-feet-tall One World Trade Center, and 977-feet-tall Four World Trade Center. Between buildings Two and Three will be the WTC transit hub. Although the site is not finished, we were able to get a good look at what has been done so far.The North and South Pools are located where the original Twin Towers stood. Along the perimeters of the pools are the names of the victims of 9/11, as well as the names of the six people who were killed in the bombing of the WTC garage in February of 1993.The Survivor Tree is a Callery Pear tree that workers recovered (in stump form) at Ground Zero. The tree was replanted in a park where it could grow, but today resides once again at the World Trade Center. You can touch the bark (but not the leaves) when you visit the memorial.When the museum opens it will feature two steel tridents, recovered from the North Tower facade. Other artifacts from the original site will also be featured.
The memorial contains electronic directories that allow visitors to look up victims from the attack, and then locate their names on either pool. Visitors can search the name, flight number, or hometown of the victim; my roommate comes from a very small town, and we were surprised and saddened to find that someone born there had been a passenger on Flight 77.
 |
| Memorial Museum |
Let's Talk Logistics.
- Cost The memorial is free to the public. Visitor passes can be acquired at the site itself (which requires a long wait in line), or you can reserve passes online for a $2.00 fee. We chose the latter option because it was hot outside and we didn't want to be stuck in line, and I'm very glad that we did!
- Security The security is like that of an airport. You will need to remove your watches, keys, and sunglasses, and make sure you don't have a pocket knife on you. Ladies keep your purses small, as bags that exceed 8"x17"x19" will not be accepted.
- Transportation The 1/2/3/4/5/6 trains all stop close to the location. The M5, M20 and M22 buses are also options. We took the 1 train to Rector street, and it was a quick walk from there to the memorial's entrance.
Check the forecast ahead of time to visit on a day with good weather. It is pretty amazing to sit on one of the benches and look up at how tall those buildings really are...
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Been working on the railroad
On a day when you feel like being outside, not spending a lot of money, and reconnecting with nature, NYC has got you covered. The city boasts a good number of parks that each vary in atmosphere, and that are all free and open to the public.Today we're going to talk about the railroad.
The High Line is a park built on an old rail line, that runs above the Meatpacking District up to 34th street. It is a somewhat narrow strip that overlooks the Hudson, and gives walkers a good look at some architecturally unique buildings. The tracks are still visible in locations throughout the park, decorated by the plants growing around them.
This park is great for a morning, afternoon, or evening stroll (the park is open from 7:00 AM-11:00 PM). In summertime, especially on weekends, it can get pretty crowded during the day, so plan on walking at a pretty leisurely pace. The park is a good spot to bring some reading, as there are benches and lounge chairs for the taking; this is also a great way to get some sun if your skin is looking a little, well, paler than you'd like it to.
Along the way you'll find some artwork, mostly in the form of sculptures. This morning while walking the High Line I saw a video projected along the side wall of an underpass. There was also a sculpture of a nose inside a wheelbarrow (find the deeper meaning in that) and a woman wearing sunglasses that I've posted here.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
A Night out at the Movies
Last year, when I saw Titanic in 3D, I cried. It's hard to say though, whether those tears were from the scene at the very end of the movie where Rose and Jack reunite (ok I'm sorry, I'm a girl, it gets me every time), or the fact that I paid $17 to see the movie.
Yikes.
Movies in the city are not cheap... at all. But I love going to the movies, especially on a summer night when you can't think of what to do. Luckily, there is a way to see movies for cheap when you're in the city for the summer. More than cheap, the movies are actually free. Parks across the city hold outdoor screenings of movies throughout the summer (see the schedule here). Last year I sat by the Hudson and saw an outdoor screening of Horrible Bosses. Granted I left to take a phone call halfway through the film and missed the second half (I swear every time I sit down to watch that movie something comes up and I miss the end—I'm assuming they don't actually kill their bosses but I really couldn't tell you), but it was fun to be out there on the grass with everyone and their picnic blankets.
Plus you really can't beat a free movie.
These outdoor movies are also a great thing to do on a date. Take a look at the schedule to see if anything strikes your fancy. I know I'll be at Pier 63 on July 31st to see Moonrise Kingdom, which if you haven't seen yet, I highly recommend.
Yikes.
Movies in the city are not cheap... at all. But I love going to the movies, especially on a summer night when you can't think of what to do. Luckily, there is a way to see movies for cheap when you're in the city for the summer. More than cheap, the movies are actually free. Parks across the city hold outdoor screenings of movies throughout the summer (see the schedule here). Last year I sat by the Hudson and saw an outdoor screening of Horrible Bosses. Granted I left to take a phone call halfway through the film and missed the second half (I swear every time I sit down to watch that movie something comes up and I miss the end—I'm assuming they don't actually kill their bosses but I really couldn't tell you), but it was fun to be out there on the grass with everyone and their picnic blankets.
Plus you really can't beat a free movie.
These outdoor movies are also a great thing to do on a date. Take a look at the schedule to see if anything strikes your fancy. I know I'll be at Pier 63 on July 31st to see Moonrise Kingdom, which if you haven't seen yet, I highly recommend.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Your Daily Dose of Culture
For the visually inclined New Yorker, the city's museums are a great way to spend the day, and not the contents of your wallet. MoMA, or the Museum of Modern Art, is a personal favorite of mine. If you're looking to do this museum on a budget, you have a few options. The museum is free to everyone on Friday evenings between 4 and 8 pm, which is a great time to go if you want to check out the museum without paying a cent. If you're anything like me, however, the crowds are a little claustrophobia-inducing. With a student ID you can pay $50 a year to become a member. The membership allows you to visit anytime for free (including early members-only hours), and gives you discounts to the store (which is where I do all of my Christmas shopping!) with additional member benefits. This membership makes sense if you plan on going more than three or four times a year, since student pricing per visit is $14. Students and staff from select universities in the city can also receive free admission. Look here to see if you fall under this category.
I spent this afternoon on the second floor of the museum, which includes the Contemporary Galleries, Prints and Illustrated Books, and Media section of the museum. Below are a few photographs I took of some of the works.
There are other museums in the city that offer "recommended" admission costs. Look out for a later post on $1 trips to the Met...
I spent this afternoon on the second floor of the museum, which includes the Contemporary Galleries, Prints and Illustrated Books, and Media section of the museum. Below are a few photographs I took of some of the works.
El Anatsui
Bleeding Takari II
Tauba Auerbach
Untitled
Wolfgang Tillmans
Suzanne & Lutz, white dress, army skirt
There are other museums in the city that offer "recommended" admission costs. Look out for a later post on $1 trips to the Met...
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