Hot spot of the week

A Blog of Passionate New Yorkers Being Resourceful While Still Having Fun

Hot Spot of the Week

SepMon 2010

Farmer’s Market

Where: Union Square
When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays.
Source: urbansource75.org
By: Jose

Open between 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., the market offers a great range of organic and traditional foods! Everything from apricot to variations of honey, you can find all the goodness here.

Farmers_market_Union_Square

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Hot Spot of the Week

SepMon 2010

San Gennaro Feast, Little Italy

Where: Mulberry St. from Canal to Houston,
Grand & Hester St. between Mott & Baxter
When: Saturday, September 19th - September 26th.
Source: sangennaro.org
By: Jose

Although it officially kicked off this past Saturday, you have until September 26th to head over to Little Italy for the 84h Annual Feast of San Gannaro, which is meant to celebrate the Patron Saint of Naples.

Brief History: The first Feast was held on Sept. 19, 1926 when new immigrants from Naples settled along Mulberry St. and brought with them a tradition they had followed since 305 A.D. when San Gennaro was martyred for the faith. It has since grown from a one-day street festival to a phenomenal, 11-day global event attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors.

During the Feast, the area’s many Italian restaurants operate sidewalk cafes in addition to their indoor dining areas where visitors can indulge in a variety of Italian delicacies, including pasta dishes, veal and seafood delicacies, raw clams and oysters, old favorites like meatballs and spaghetti, fried calamari, shrimp balls, assorted pizzas, Italian pastries, cannolis and gelatos, espresso and cappuccino.

For more information on events, such as the Annual Cannoli Eating Competition, parades, participating restaurants and vendors, go to sangennaro.org.

Tags: hot spots, Jose

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Hot Spot of the Week

SepTue 2010

9/11 Memorial Ceremony

Where: World Trade Center Site, New York, NY
When: Saturday, September 11th
Source: about.com
By: Jose

Official World Trade Center Site Memorial Ceremony and Remembrance 2010
The official New York City observance of the anniversary of 9/11 will take place at the World Trade Center site on the morning of Saturday, September 11th, 2010. As always, four moments of silence will be observed to commemorate the times when each plane hit and each tower fell, starting at 8:46 a.m.

Family members of those who perished in the attacks are invited to attend the ceremony and call the New York City Mayor’s office at 212-442-8953 for more information.

The 9/11 Memorial Preview Site (20 Vesey Street) will be open on Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. for family members, survivors and others closely impacted by the attacks. Staff will be available to discuss plans for the Museum and how to contribute to the Museum’s permanent collection.

At sunset, the famous "Tribute in Light" will return to the skies above New York City for the night. The tribute is comprised of 44 7,000-watt xenon light bulbs, arranged into two 48-foot squares inspired by the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers. The illuminated memorial reaches four miles into the sky and is visible from as far as 30 miles away. The two arrays cast the strongest shaft of light ever projected from Earth into the night sky.

Tribute of Light

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Hot Spot of the Week

AugTue 2010

Summer Street 2010

Where: From the Brooklyn Bridge in lower Manhattan to the East 72nd Street entrance of Central Park
When: Saturday, August 21st
Source: nycbikemaps.com/2010-summer-streets
By: Jose

We admit, we wish we would’ve told you about this sooner, but you still have one last Saturday left to take advantage of a car-free bike ride! My cousin and hubby (shown on the left) came to visit for the weekend, and what better way to show them around than through a leisurely bike tour? The street closures will occur from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, August 21st. The streets to be closed are Centre Street, Lafayette Street, 4th Avenue and Park Avenue.

Alternative route back down: Instead of going back down the same way, we cut through Central Park on 72nd Street, then headed over to the bike path on the West Side Highway all the way down the Hudson River Park.

summer-streets-routemap_2010

Lunch: If you’re a little hungry, I’d recommend the The Boat Basin Cafe on 79th and Riverside Drive for some grub. To be honest, the food wasn’t anything to ride home about, but the view from their open-air patio overlooking the marina was worth it!

BoatBasinCafe

Tags: Jose, hot spots

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Hot Spot of the Week

AugMon 2010

Governors Island

Where: Ferry departs from the Battery Maritime Building located at 10 South Street
When: Open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through October 10
Source: http://www.govisland.com/
By: Jose

I’ve lived in New York for over ten years and I had no idea what Governors Island had to offer until this past weekend. Intrigued by a recommendation from my sister-in-law, Tim and I decided to take our bikes and go for it! All it took was 20 minutes to get there - from door to hammock. We rode, explored, relaxed, and had one of the best BBQ chickens! I promise you, that if you haven’t spent time here, you’re missing out on one of
New York City’s hidden treasures.

Our favorite part of the trip was snagging one of several hammocks that are on the island. The one we got had a great view of Lady Liberty (pic below). There aren’t that many, so try to get there early. Did I mention that going there is free? Ferry service runs from Manhattan to Governors Island every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

jose_rolon_governors_island_hammock

Directions to the Governors Island Manhattan Ferry The Governors Island ferry departs from the Battery Maritime Building located at 10 South Street, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in Lower Manhattan. The ferry terminal is accessible as follows:

By Subway 1 to South Ferry station; 4, 5 to Bowling Green station; R to Whitehall St. station

Directions to the Governors Island Brooklyn Ferry Free ferries depart every Saturday and Sunday beginning at 11 am from Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park. Pier 6 is at the foot of Atlantic Avenue.

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Hot Spot of the Week

JulMon 2010

New York Public Pools

Where: There are 54 pools to choose from! Click here for complete list.
When: Saturday, July 10th @ 2pm.
Source: rochestercityballet.com

Given the recent heat wave, we thought it would be appropriate to let you guys in on some of the New York public pools through the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

All 54 Parks outdoor pools opened for the season on Tuesday, June 29 and remain open until Labor Day (September 6). General hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Indoor pools are open year-round. Check with the individual recreation centers for schedules. Please note that recreation center membership ($75 per year for adults; $10 per year for seniors; free for children and teens under the age of 18) is required for the use of our indoor pools.

14093

Asser Levy
Asser Levy Place and E. 23rd Street
Setting: Outdoors & Indoors
Type: Intermediate
(212) 447-2020

RedHookPool_V2_460x285

Red Hook
Bay and Henry Streets
Setting: Outdoors
Type: Olympic
(718) 722-3211

4017829381_a9f17500c2

Lasker @ Central Park
110th Street & Lenox Avenue
Setting: Outdoors
Type: Olympic
(212-534-7639)

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Hot Spot of the Week

JunTue 2010

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks 2010

Best Views: West Side between 23rd and 59th Streets and choice spots along the New Jersey waterfront.
Why we think it’s cool: Do you even have to ask?
Source: about.com

The 2010 Macy's fireworks show will feature more than 40,000 shells exploding at a rate of more than 1,500 per minute and fireworks reaching heights of 1,000 feet in the air. At approximately 9:20 pm on July 4th, the 26-minute display will be set off from six barges positioned between 24th and 50th streets on the Hudson River. This year Macy’s has increased the amount of shells that can reach heights of 1,000 feet in the sky, providing for greater visibility of the show for millions more spectators.

Best Hot Spots for the Fireworks?

West Side Highway and Surrounding Area The best views of the fireworks show will be from the northbound lanes of the West Side Highway and 12th Avenue between 23rd and 59th streets. Twelfth Avenue and the northbound lanes of the West Side Highway between 23rd and 59th streets will closed to traffic for public fireworks viewing. Pedestrian access to the viewing area will be via the following streets: 24th, 26th through 30th, 34th, 40th through 44th, 47th, 49th through 52nd, 54th, 56th, and 57th.
New York City parking guru Gridlock Sam told us that the best viewing area would probably be south of 42nd Street along the pier by the Circle Line. Other prime West Side public viewing spots include:

- DeWitt Clinton Park (access from 11th Avenue)
- Pier 54 (limited access from 14th Street)
- Pier 84 (limited access from 44th Street)
- Selected side streets between 11th and 12th Avenues

Keep in mind that the public viewing areas get extremely crowded, so arrive early (by 5 pm if you want a decent spot) and bring chairs or a blanket to spread out and whatever other supplies you need to enjoy the wait (water, food, iPods, etc.). Keep in mind that large bags and containers will be subject to security checks.

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Hot Spot of the Week

JunMon 2010

Pride March

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New York City’s annual Pride March began in 1970 as a commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The March has since grown to become the oldest and one of the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) events.

This year’s Pride March will begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday June 27th. The step-off for more than 350 groups and 500,000 participants will take place on 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue. The March then follows the Lavender Line to its conclusion at the intersection of Christopher and Greenwich Streets. Longer than St. Patrick’s green line by many blocks, the Line is an identifying symbol of New York City’s Pride March and will mark all four miles of the March’s route. The route moves south on Fifth Avenue and turns right (west) on 8th Street and continues to the top of Christopher Street by the Jefferson Market Library. From here, the March will pass down Stonewall Place and the Stonewall Inn, site of the riots in June of 1969.

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Hot Spot of the Week

JunMon 2010

Where Should You Watch The World Cup?

samsarmy

OK, this week we’re giving you a few Hot Spots! After months of anticipation The World Cup has officially taken flight. This is a great time to call your friends and invite them to keep the summer party going. With New York apartments feeling a little cramped these days, we thought we’d give you a few venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn to meet all of your football partying needs.

Manhattan
Dos Caminos Soho 475 W. Broadway, (212) 277-4300
Open thirty minutes prior to kick-off each World Cup morning.

Double Crown 316 Bowery, (212) 254-0350
DIY Bloody Mary Bar for early morning matches.

Mercadito 179 Ave. B, (212) 529-6490
Regular $25 all-you-can-eat taco special (even for 10am games).

Brooklyn
The Black Horse Pub 568 5th Ave., (718) 788-1975
Drink and food specials and several free-to-enter drawings for giveaways.

Woodwork 538 Vanderbilt Ave., (718) 857-5777
Open at 6am on some days.

Madiba 195 Dekalb Ave., (718) 855-9100
Celebrate the World Cup's home country this year with one of the city's few South African Restaurants.

Tags: Jose, hot spots

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Hot Spot of the Week

MayMon 2010

Museum of Sex

Address: 233 Fifth Ave., New York
Why we think it’s cool: Do you even have to ask?
Why we think it’s cool #2: There’s a fun exhibit on entitled Rubbers: The Life History & Struggle of the Condom
Website: museumofsex.com

When the Museum of Sex first emerged on New York City’s Fifth Avenue on October 5, 2002, it was without precedent in the museum world. In the past seven years the Museum of Sex has generated 16 exhibitions and 5 virtual installations, each in keeping with the Museum’s mission of advocating open discourse surrounding sex and sexuality as well as striving to present to the public the best in current scholarship unhindered by self-censorship. With each new exhibition, lecture series, event and publication, the Museum of Sex is committed to addressing a wide range of topics, while simultaneously highlighting material and artifacts from different continents, cultures, time periods and media.

museum of sex condoms

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Hot Spot of the Week

AprMon 2010

The Little Red Lighthouse

Established: 1889
Directions: It stands on Jeffrey’s Hook, a small point at the base of the eastern pier of the George Washington Bridge.
Why we think it’s cool: It was made famous by the 1942 children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde Swift and Lynd Ward.
Why we think it’s cool #2: Makes for a great bike ride up the Hudson and a perfect picnic spot.
Website: littleredlighthouse

The Little Red Light House was reconstructed here in 1921 as part of a project to improve Hudson River navigational aids, and was in operation until 1947. The proposed dismantling of the lighthouse in 1951 resulted in a public outcry, largely from fans of Swift's book, leading to the preservation of the lighthouse by the City of New York/Parks & Recreation. The lighthouse is now a New York City Landmark.

14lighthouse

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Hot Spot of the Week

AprTue 2010

Green-Wood Cemetery

Founded: 1838
Location: 500 25th St., Brooklyn, NY
Directions: Take the R train to 25th Street Station. Walk east one block to Green-Wood at 5th Ave. and 25th St.
Why we think it’s cool: It’s massive - 478 acres of hills, valleys, glacial ponds and paths.
Website: http://www.green-wood.com/

Alright, so I’m sure some of you folks might find it a little odd that we picked this as the Hot Spot of the Week. If someone would have suggested it to a few weeks ago, I would’ve thought they were a little off their rocker. Tim and I came for a visit here last week and as it turns out, it’s one of the most beautiful places in New York. It holds one of the largest outdoor collections of 19th - and 20th-century statuary and mausoleums.

To give you an idea of how beautiful it is, by 1860 the Green-Wood Cemetery was attracting 500,000 visitors a year, rivaling Niagara Falls as the countries greatest tourist attraction. Who knew this place was right in our back yard.

Cool Fact: Legend has it that the beautiful Monk Parakeets that you’ll find nested up those spires of the entrance, first appeared in the wild in the late 1960’s, after having escaped from a shipment at New York Kennedy Airport.

gw007

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Hot Spot of the Week

AprMon 2010

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

Location: 900 Washington Ave., Brooklyn
Directions: Take the 2 0r 3 to Eastern Parkway; 4 or 5 to Franklin Ave.
Why we think it’s cool: The Garden has more than 200 cherry trees and forty-tow Asian and cultivated varieties, making it one of the foremost cherry-viewing sites outside of Japan.
Website: http://www.bbg.org

Located near the Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, and Park Slope neighborhoods, the 52-acre garden includes a number of specialty “gardens withing the Garden,” plant collections, and the Steinhardt Conservatory.

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Hot Spot of the Week

AprMon 2010

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Location: Along the East River (bet Montague & Middagh St.)
Why we think it’s cool: This 1/3-mile stretch along the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway has one of the best city views.
Historic Inforomation: nycgovparks.org
Contact Info: 800-201-PARK

Postcard-like views of lower Manhattan, South Street Seaport, the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge draw photographers, couples on romantic walks, and New Yorkers who want an inspiring place to sit and think.

800px-Brooklyn_heights_promenade

Tags: hot spots, Parks

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Hot Spot of the Week

MarMon 2010

The Highline

Location: 529 West 20th St., Chelsea (212) 206-9922
Why we think it’s cool: After a long Winter, this is a perfect spot to enjoy Spring in New York.
Flickr photo taken by: Josiah Lau (left)
Park Information: thehighline.org

The High Line is located on Manhattan's West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. Section 1 of the High Line, which opened to the public on June 9, 2009, runs from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street.

The Highline New York

Flickr photo by lucas_roberts426

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Hot Spot of the Week

MarMon 2010

Village Chess Shop

Location: 230 Thompson St., West Village (212) 475-8130
Why we think they’re cool: They’re open 24 hours a day!
Also Sells: Backgammon, Books, Clocks and more.

The Village Chess Shop has been at the same location since 1972. They are in the heart of Greenwich Village, just one block below Washington Square Park. They were the first to create a place where chess players could come and play as well as find a set to bring home. "The Chess Shop", as they are commonly referred to, takes great pride in displaying hundreds of chess sets from all over the world.

221r_village_chess_shop

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Hot Spot of the Week

MarMon 2010

Irish Hunger Memorial

Location: Lower Manhattan, in Battery Park City (Vesey St. at North End Ave.)
Artist: Brian Tolle
Why we think it’s cool: Floats above the ground as if a piece of Ireland dropped down from the sky.
Photos by: Caleb Smith

Battery Park’s Irish Hunger Memorial commemorating the Great Irish Famine of the late 1840’s is one of Lower Manhattan’s most beautiful pieces of Art- if not it’s most iconic. This peaceful garden sits on a fraction of an acre, in reference to the fact that poor Irish landowners were deprived of aid by the British and forced to immigrate to New York or starve in Ireland.

Designed by Brian Tolle, it includes an authentic Irish country cottage as part of the design. The sloping monument, with it’s highest point facing New York Harbor is worth walking to the top of. Note the native Irish flora and imported rocks as well as the thousands of feet of famine related text covering the walls.

Irish5