Photo by myself at Luna Park, in Coney Island.
Coney Island in Brooklyn, has been New York City's playground since the late 1800's. Folks were enjoying the last dregs of summer there this holiday weekend. Mark, Rupert and I took a quick tour around. It was very sunny and wonderfully breezy.
Luna Park is the main amusement park there, next to a stretch of boardwalk and the beach. The boardwalk is known for hosting the Mermaid Parade, a public costumed event each summer. All sorts of characters and families frequent the area.
A glimpse of the boardwalk, where you can always find interesting people.
Nathan's hotdogs are required eating at Coney Island. Lines are typical.
Old fashioned, hand lettered signs decorate booths that have been there for years.
Loads of people strolled along the boardwalk.
Benches along one side of the boardwalk afford nice views out to the beach.
Ah, the last gasp of summer!
Coney Island is easily accessible from the subway. Just take the N, Q, D or F trains to the very last stop.
City Portraits is an ongoing, once-in-a-while installment featuring parts of New York.
Related posts: City Portraits - The New York Public Library, City Portraits - Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn and City Portraits - Shelter Island.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
City Portraits - Coney Island, Brooklyn
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A Modern Icon, in New Canaan, Connecticut
Photo by myself, in New Canaan, Connecticut.
Just an hour outside New York lies an icon of modern architecture. Philip Johnson's Glass House is located in New Canaan, Connecticut.
Designed as Johnson's summer getaway, this 1,300 square foot pavilion is situated on nearly 50 acres of land. Architects consider this a major piece of work. It made a splash when it was completed in 1949, expressing the modernist ideal in the lack of applied ornament.
Typically, the wait for a visit can be up to a year. This year, tours have been extended an extra month, through the end of November, and some spots are still available. There is a bit of walking outside, so dress warmly. We drove up, but one can get to the site quite easily from Manhattan, by train.
For tickets and more information, click here.
Friday, Mark and I took a trip to see The Glass House. I have always wanted to visit, and was shocked by how easily accessible the house is from New York.
The interiors are cozy and warm, unlike many modern spaces. There are many traditional references, in fact. The plan is based on the golden mean, a proportion that has been considered pleasing since the Renaissance.
A horizontal band along the facade mimics the wainscots of traditional homes, which in turn relates to the human body. Without it, the height of the building would seem overscaled. Exterior doors are located on all four walls, making each facade symmetrical, another classical device.
The kitchen is ingenious, with panels that flip open to reveal appliances. The bathroom was by far my favorite part, with its tiny green tiles and bronze threshold.
Johnson bequeathed the home to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, upon his death in 2005. Public tours of the house began in 2007.
If you have a chance to visit, Fall is a great time. There are some huge old homes in this town, as well as a cute main street. The train from Grand Central takes you to the New Canaan station, directly across the street from the visitor's center. A short shuttle ride brings you to the property.
Day trips are easily accessible destinations just outside the five boroughs of New York City.
Related posts: Details, Details, The Royalton, Renovated and Building for a Greener Environment.
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Monday, July 20, 2009
City Portraits - Shelter Island
Photo by myself on Shelter Island, an island off of Long Island, New York.
Lawns, water views and pretty houses typify this popular summer spot a couple hours outside New York City.
Just a few photos from our weekend in Shelter Island, where Mark and I were this weekend for a friend's wedding. The weather turned out to be perfect after an initial overcast spell.
There isn't much of a beach on this island. Instead, the water's edge is irregular and often appears at the back or front yards of peoples' homes. You'll find boats pulled up next to houses large and small, and private docks.
The wedding took place at an large, old hotel near the water. The view was very pretty, and dinner was served against a sunset backdrop. The decoration was casual yet elegant, perfect for an outdoor summer wedding.
When the sun finally went down, the whole sky was filled with bright stars. New Yorkers don't see stars often, so this was an unsettling treat!
Shelter Island is comparable to The Hamptons, a well-known summer spot for New Yorkers. For whatever reason, Shelter Island is much less of a social scene, and it's much less congested. There are not nearly as many stores, though the ones there are tasteful.
Above: The interiors of Coastal Cottage, a home furnishings store on Grand Avenue.
City Portraits is an ongoing, once-in-a-while installment featuring parts of New York.
Related posts: City Portraits - The High Line, Chelsea, City Portraits - Washington Square Park and City Portraits - BBQ Block Party, Madison Square Park.
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Saturday, August 23, 2008
The Sticks
Photo by myself in upstate New York.
Not exactly New York City. The photo above is from our trip upstate last weekend. Mark and I attended a party a couple hours north of Manhattan, in Columbia County, New York.
Being among acres of greenery and a spring-fed pond hit the spot. The nice thing about New York is that given a set of wheels and a little time, you can get out to nature quite easily.
I hope everyone is enjoying the last precious bits of summer.
Day trips are easily accessible destinations just outside the five boroughs of New York City.
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Monday, June 9, 2008
Summering with Gatsby
Photo by myself at the Ram's End Inn, on Shelter Island.
A long table with place settings was prepared for a civilized luncheon.
Over the weekend, Mark and I went to a party thrown by one of his work associates, in celebration of her tenth wedding anniversary.
The theme was 'The Great Gatsby', and the setting was gorgeous. If you remember the book, Gatsby was set in West Egg, a fictional wealthy summer playground for New Yorkers. Guests were encouraged to come in 1920's garb.
The party was held at The Ram's Head Inn which looks like a large, old cottage, nestled among lawns, gardens and tennis courts. The Inn is located on Shelter Island, a small island off the northern part of Long Island. To get there by car, we had to board a car ferry.
Mark and I were overwhelmed by the drive up - there are wineries, farms and pretty shingle style summer houses. Long winding roads were shaded by trees, and at times you could see the glimmer of the ocean through the greenery.
With the heat and humidity, Mark and I motored along with the windows down most of the time, until it became absolutely unbearable. What struck us the most was that there was no 'scene'. There was no swarm of fashionable people, just peaceful quiet and the unmistakable smell of flowers. We were in the country, and it was beautiful.
I must have gotten carried away with the sangria and chit chat - almost none of my photos show people, and many were blurry. I was woefully underdressed, not having given much thought to the occasion. Some of the women wore nice dresses, a couple sporting hats. One fella wore a seersucker suit (!).
In the end, I had a good time. After lunch, many of us drove to a nearby beach to wade and lie about. Both Mark and I were so naturally tired at the end of the day, we stumbled back to our motel and slept deeply.
Sunday morning, we got up to motor around and admire all the beautiful houses. Then we bought some delicious fresh produce and a homemade blueberry pie at a farmhouse stand, and made the long, hot, drive back to the city.
Day trips are easily accessible destinations just outside the five boroughs of New York City.
Related posts: Life's a Beach, Mission Suspended and Giving Thanks.
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Sunday, June 8, 2008
Vacating the City
Photo by myself at the beach in Long Island.
Mark and I are off to nearby Shelter Island this weekend to attend a friend's anniversary party. Shelter Island is a small island off of Long Island, where many New Yorkers own summer houses. Mark and I will have to drive Clive, his Mini Cooper, onto a car ferry to get to it.
The theme is Great Gatsby garden party. I hope to get some great photos of people all dressed up in preppy outfits and some beautiful summer houses.
This weekend is rumored to get very hot, in the 90's. The nice weather in New York tends to come and go very quickly. In the summer, the city is known for being hot and humid.
People dread the hot days, especially the subway stations, which become intolerable at times. As an antidote, I'm posting this photo, which evokes cool sea breezes.
I hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend!
Day trips are easily accessible destinations just outside the five boroughs of New York City.
Related posts: Life's a Beach and Montauk, The End . Read more...
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Life's A Beach
Photo by myself in Sunken Meadow, a state park in Long Island.
New York beaches kick off the summer season with Memorial Day weekend. It was the first working day for life guards, though the waters won't be bearable for a couple months. The water temperatures for Long Island are typically in the mid-50's at this time.
Sunken Meadow is one of many beaches relatively close to the city. It's a state park with huge grass fields, areas for picnics and barbecues, and even a 27-hole golf course.
Wooden life guard posts are set up along a pristine beach, and a tidy boardwalk runs for nearly a mile along the shore. No one was in the water today, but there were a couple volleyball games in progress and many folks walking along the boardwalk.
The New York State Parks website lists 72 state parks that have beaches. The more well-known of these include Jones Beach and Robert Moses State Park.
Day trips are easily accessible destinations just outside the five boroughs of New York City.
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Thursday, October 25, 2007
Going Dutch
Mark and I loved Philadelphia. I've been there before very briefly, but never had a chance to walk around. This trip we barely walked around, too - most of the time was spent in the car, driving through the countryside and stopping at little antiques dealers in the Amish areas.
After the cheesesteak debacle, we drove to where we were staying, a little clapboard, family-owned bed and breakfast. It had sloping floors, a little garden out back, a country kitchen, and heaps of Ye Olde charm. You could hear people speaking in the rooms above and below (so it was like we'd never left New York, haha). Next time, we'll have to stay the whole weekend.
We had a chance to walk around a little and ooh and aah over the beautiful brick townhouses on Sunday morning (very little of New York is brick, so visiting old cities like Boston and Philly are a treat). It was Sunday, so all the stores were closed, but we could at least take in bits of the tree-lined streets and perfect weather.
Amish country was relaxing. There were trees, hills, and a horse and buggy or two. I purchased a couple nice things for my apartment. We drove through Intercourse, Bird in Hand and Strasburg, stopping short of Lancaster. Absolutely nothing could have been done without the trusty GPS, which used to sound like John Cleese (after a minor meltdown, it had a sex change). The whole experience of getting lost will be obsolete in a generation.
All this escapism has been good for me. So far, the week has been beyond stressful. There have been late nights, computer glitches and just a general feeling of angst. Fortunately, I am not alone. My coworkers and I swing around to each other, mutter and comiserate. Thankfully, tomorrow is Friday, and there are drinks in my future. TGIF!
Day trips are easily accessible destinations just outside the five boroughs of New York City.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Mmmm...Cheesesteaks....
This was the perfect weekend to drive to Philadelphia - the leaves were changing, the weather was beautiful. Our weekend began Saturday night. Mark and I decided to join a Mini Cooper rally for a late drive to Philadelphia for cheesesteaks.
Sounded fun, but just about everything went wrong. We missed the rest stop where we'd planned to meet some other New York Mini Cooper owners. No one had anyone's cell phone number. Mark had his Apple phone, so as we sat in a parking lot, he browsed online, emailing people, getting a couple numbers and leaving phone messages.
Meanwhile, I scanned the highway for a battalion of Mini Coopers. Of course, it was nighttime, so I couldn't see a thing. I thought I could tell whether a car was a Mini by the distance between the headlights and tail lights, but I was truly kidding myself. We had a walkie talkie with a ten-mile range, and every few minutes, Mark would broadcast an SOS.
After sitting for an hour in the parking lot and getting questioned by a cruising police car, we set off to Philadelphia by ourselves. The plan was to meet at Tony Luke's around 10:30 pm for their famous cheesesteaks.
The place was unglamorous but distinctive. Everything that could be aluminum, was. There was a window to place your order, a window to pick up, and several picnic tables under heat lamps. The cheesesteaks, on the other hand, were astounding. Juicy, littered with slightly crunchy onions, and doused in gorgeously melted American Cheese...I can see why Philadelphians call it their signature dish. In honor of my diet, I had two Texas style hot dogs (beef frankfurter, hot dog bun, chopped onions, and a spicy, curried sauce). They were good, but they weren't cheesesteaks.
Most interesting was the demographic that night. We sat among men in white shirts and ties, older people, younger people, couples on dates, people binging after the hockey game and a couple Harley riders. The couple next to us had driven from New Jersey. After meeting them, late night cheesesteak runs seemed almost sensible.
Just as we'd gotten up from our picnic table, the walkie talkie squawked from my purse. 'There's another Mini Cooper here'.
Happily, it was the other other Mini drivers from New York. It wound up being a rather small rally (just four cars), but the feelings were generally the same - excited to be there, amazed by the food, and happy that delicious cheesesteaks were just a short drive from home.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Montauk, The End
The other day, Mark drove and I sat beside him, in a Dramamine-induced haze. It was only the first week of January, but because the world is coming to an end, the weatherpeople were predicting a record high of 70 degrees. And so we decided it was time to revisit nature, traveling through the Hamptons on to Montauk, the eastern tip of Long Island, where we’d hit water and have to turn back.
But because the air was so warm, and the water a bit less so, there was nothing but fog for us to see. As we wound along the generous roads, I could make out the twisting trunks of old trees alongside and the tidy lawns of well-to-do lives in the background. Everything was quiet and misted over, and I felt like I was looking at the insides of my brain.
We sped through Southampton, then Bridgehampton, then East Hampton, with all the fancy stores in between. Gradually, the trees shriveled and crept away from the road, to tussle with the brush and tall grasses. The road bucked and struggled a little, as if in protest, and suddenly it gave way, to finish in a long swooping curve. We’d reached ‘The Point’, or ‘The End’, as they call it, the end of the road.
We circled, hopeful to catch a glimmer of the water meeting the horizon. But the road kept going and we kept following it and eventually, we were home.
Day trips are easily accessible destinations just outside the five boroughs of New York City.
Photo by Evilcabeza. Read more...
