New York City: Pushing the Boundaries

-




 New York City: Pushing the Boundaries


Sometimes I forget how exciting and electric New York City is until I go back. The catalyst for this trip began with a golden ticket: Saturday Night Live. Yes, you heard that right. SNL! With hearts racing, my hubby and I were thrilled to be able to witness the iconic comedy show live and in person.


Having visited NYC several times, memorials, museums, and parks had already been checked off my list. As a general rule of travel, I try to avoid going back to places I’ve already visited and doing things I’ve already done - no exceptions this time.  


So what was the itinerary going to look like? No repeats, no reruns. We were determined to unearth new thrills, new tastes, and new experiences each day.


Enter our themes: "show time" and "ethnic eats." Having a theme or two helped us think outside of the box and add some fun to making our choices.


The Shows

Our first show experience began with a taping of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert at the legendary Ed Sullivan Theater, sourced through 1iota.com.  There are many options for free shows on this site including daytime shows, sitcoms, premiers, and more. I applied for tickets about four weeks in advance and received a reply ten days later we were in.


Next evening we wanted to venture to Greenwich Village, a fun, energetic neighborhood close to NYU with many comedy clubs. The best is The Comedy Cellar but be sure to book ahead to get into this venue.


Of course, there are plenty of Broadway plays to choose from. If you are flexible and have a few shows you wouldn’t mind seeing, discount tickets can be purchased at TKTS in Times Square near Broadway and 47 Street. Otherwise, book ahead to secure the show your heart is set on. I booked Water for Elephants in advance - a new show already up for seven Tony’s - and it was amazing!


The Eats

We embarked on a culinary odyssey that spanned continents and flavors. From savory Cuban delights to aromatic Turkish cuisine, we danced our taste buds across the globe, one delectable dish at a time. Chinatown is always a fun stop and if you want an amazing bagel breakfast try Tal Bagels.


Pushing the Boundaries

And let's remember our adventures beyond the city limits. Heading north, the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx was beautiful and in full spring bloom.


Brooklyn’s eclectic charm pulled us southeast of the city. We walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and explored the DUMBO area (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and the Time Out Market. Saturday was perfect for this excursion as the weekend flea market was buzzing with activity.  Then it was off to experience the timeless allure of Coney Island which had just been named by Travel and Leisure as one of the best 25 beaches in the US. Even on a chilly, drizzly day we still had a great time checking out the amusement park, boardwalk, beautiful beaches, and of course Nathan’s Hot Dogs.


Our finale? Cocktails at the legendary Carlyle Hotel, hoping for a glimpse of celebs before the Met Gala.


In the end, New York City proved again why it reigns supreme as the ultimate playground for the adventurous spirit. With each step, each bite, and each laugh, we pushed the boundaries of our expectations, forging memories that will last a lifetime.


Another standout adventure in the books!
Location: New York, NY, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Do Travel Agents Make Money?

-
Image
In my new career as a travel advisor, I’ve been asked several times how I make money. Let me tell you how it works. Commission Structure Many travel components such as hotels, tour companies, and car rentals, include built-in commissions for agents. Even companies like Expedia and VRBO have agent fees built in.  For example, when you book a hotel stay for $1000 through a travel agent, a percentage of that amount is paid out to the agent by the hotel. Importantly, the guest pays the same $1000 regardless whether they book directly or through an agent. Hotels and other providers often prefer direct bookings—they retain more profit. Airfares and Fees Airlines are a different story. Unlike other travel components, airlines typically do not offer commissions to agents on airfares. Therefore, agents may charge a nominal fee for their ticketing services. This fee covers the agent's time and expertise in finding the best flights and managing the booking process. International trave
Read more

Savvy Traveler Tip: Beating the Lines at US Customs

-
Image
Hint: It's free and not a Global Entry card! Have you ever heard of the US Department of Homeland  Security's Mobile Passport Control (MPC)? Or maybe you noticed the sign for the MPC line at customs last time you returned to the US and wondered what it meant. MPC is a free service for US travelers with passports that streamlines entry at 33 major US airports, nine preclearance locations, and four ports of entry. Pre-screening and pre-qualification is not required. Simply download the MPC app on your iOS or Android mobile device and submit the required information. You won’t need to fill out paper forms on airplanes and can go directly to the MPC line at customs for quick re-entry processing. Here’s another helpful tidbit. When looking for the app on your phone, look under CBP MPC (Customs and Border Patrol) rather than just MPC. For more information, check out Mobile Passport Control . A savvy traveler tip to help you create standout adventures!
Read more

Savvy Traveler Tip: Keeping Tabs on Your Bags

-
Image
Tracking your checked bags while traveling can be a game-changer. Not only does it provide peace of mind, but it also helps you and the airline retrieve your luggage if it gets lost. Here are a few ways to keep track of your luggage: Good: Keep Track of Receipts and Tags Always save your baggage claim tags and receipts. They contain vital information that can assist in locating lost bags. Better: Use Airline Apps Many airlines offer tracking services through their apps. Check in using the app and monitor your bag’s journey. American, United, and Delta all offer tracking and Southwest added this feature last October. Best: GPS Trackers Devices like Tile or Apple's AirTag can be placed in your luggage to track its location in real-time via your smartphone. More on GPS trackers.   Released in 2021, Apple’s AirTag quickly caught my attention. I bought AirTags and clip-on holders from Amazon, securely attaching them inside our luggage. They immediately became a travel must-have for me.
Read more