NewYorkology

New York City webcam gallery

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:41:56 -0500

NewYorkology will be on vacation this week. In our absence, keep an eye on the city with these webcams:

Click on each link for the live view.

Statue of Liberty webcam, from Red Hook Brooklyn

Bryant Park webcam at 42nd Street and 6th Avenue

Wired New York’s Midtown skyline/Hudson River seen from Hoboken, N.J.

Times Square

Dept. of Transportation’s Brooklyn Bridge at Centre Street

Southern view from the 55th floor of the Empire State Building

]]> Eastern view from the 55th floor of the Empire State Building

Christopher Street webcam at Village Cigars

The Standard hotel, High Line and Hudson River in the Meatpacking District

Pier 6 of Brooklyn Bridge Park construction, along with Governors Island

USS Intrepid at 42nd Street and the Hudson River

Shake Shack linecam at Madison Square Park

Earlier:
150 New York webcams
New York’s 50 best webcams

2010 Winter Restaurant Week set for Jan. 25 to Feb. 7

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:30:34 -0500

NYC Winter Restaurant Week will return Jan. 25 through Feb. 7 with prices frozen at the same rate as in recent years: $24.07 for three-course prix-fixe lunches and $35 for three-course prix-fixe dinners.

The deal does not include beverages, tax or tip. It’s suspended on Saturdays and only some restaurants partake on Sundays.

The dates were announced today by NYC & Co. the city’s official tourism marketing group, but participating restaurants have not yet been named.

Earlier: Restaurant Week deals extended through Labor Day

City pays $96 mln for Coney land, plans new rides in '10

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:57:57 -0500

The City of New York inked a $95.6-million deal to buy 6.9-acres of Coney Island property along the boardwalk to create a massive year-round 27-acre amusement and entertainment district, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday.

The city has been in tumultous negotiatons with developer Joe Sitt of Thor Equities who bought much of the property in recent years and kicked out many tenants, including Astroland. Sitt — who said at the Thursday press conference that his high school nickname was “Joey Coney Island” for playing hookey at the beach — will retain ownership of an adjacent 5.6 acres for future hotels and shops.

“This is a win for all of us in New York City. This is a win for all of us in America that want to see this great brand brought back to life. And this is a great win internatioanlly for all the folks that have followed along,” Sitt said. “It was a brand, forgive me, that was left almost as a legacy that was gonna die out.”

In the near-term, the city will invest $150 million for infrastructure improvements, including underground projects, more repairs to the boardwalk and a brand new Steeplechase plaza, the mayor said. The plan is to return Coney to a sparkly “people’s playground” like in its heyday a century ago.

“Beginning this coming summer, we anticipate that nearly 10 acres of the amusements and attractions will be open for busnesss, which is about double what it was this past summer,” Bloomberg said.

Coney Island is currently home to the Cyclone roller coaster, the Wonder Wheel, the New York Aquarium, the Cyclones minor-league baseball team, the original Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand and the Coney Island Polar Bear Club.

]]> The mayor said he also expects the Ringling Bros. circus to return for the summer of 2010.

The boardwalk is also home to numerous restaurants, bars and attractions with their own devoted followers. And while the mayor thanked “Anthony Shoot the Freak” during the main part of this press conference, the operator of the human paintball-gun shooting gallery asked during the Q&A portion of the event whether his business would have a future in the city’s fancy new plans.

“Our intention is for the foreseeable future to keep all the tenants in place, certainly through next summer,” responded New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky. “And we’re going to be looking to work with each of you to figure out where it makes sense for the various tenants to remain as we build out the amusement park.”

Andrew Berlingieri, the owner of Shoot the Freak, was less than assured.

“We were the ones who stayed with Coney Island through the bad times, and kept the spirit alive. And we’re the first to go when someone gets a big idea,” he told The Brooklyn Paper.

The city said it will seek to offer a 10-year lease for a comany to operate the new Coney Island theme park. Asked why the city was sinking so much money into the project, the mayor started his answe this way: “It’s Coney Island. It’s not just another beach.”

Picture credit: Astroland on Jan. 1, 2009. Amy Langfield/NewYorkology.

Earlier: Coney old and new: ‘Warriors,’ Dreamland and a bell
Ringling Bros. circus confirmed for summer in Coney
Coney Island ‘Phantom of the Opera’ sequel due in ‘09
Original Coney Island Pier for sale, piece by piece
Coney Island’s Astroland to reopen for 2008 season

Empire State opens annual Valentine wedding contest

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:41:47 -0500

When the Empire State Building puts out a request for proposals, qualified applicants must be willing to say “I do.”

The city’s tallest skyscraper allows weddings only once a year - at Valentine’s Day.

Fourteen couples will be chosen to marry, renew their vows or affirm their commitment to each other in ceremonies atop the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day weekend, 2010. Each couple will get a free, private 30-minute ceremony with up to 20 of their guests.

“From big-screen movie love scenes to sky-high proposals, this destination has always been a symbol of romance,” said Carley Roney, editor in chief of The Knot, which is sponsoring the event.

To enter the contest, applicants need to submit their romantic story, photos and reasons for wanting a skyscraper wedding to The Knot or Empire State Building by Dec. 9.

Winners will be chosen based on originality, creativity and their connections to the building.

Picture credit: Amy Langfield/NewYorkology

Video: USS New York departing New York City

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:58:03 -0500

The newly commissioned USS New York departed New York City this morning. The warship, made with seven and a half tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center towers, officially joined the US Navy fleet Nov. 7.

Video credit: Amy Langfield/NewYorkology.

Earlier: USS New York arrives in NYC for commissioning

Free admission at NYC's National Parks, everyday

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:58:40 -0500

Although all National Parks were free today for Veterans Day, it didn’t mean much for New York City - but for a good reason.

All the National Park Service properties in NYC are always free.

The last one to charge a fee, the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, dropped its $3 admission charge as of Oct. 1.

The only caveat, a parks spokesperson told NewYorkology, is that a few of the sites charge transportation-related fees, such as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, which may only be reached by a ferry operated by Statue Cruises. But once visitors reach the island, admission is free.

Other National Parks sites in New York include the African Burial Ground, Federal Hall, General Grant National Memorial, St. Paul’s Church, Floyd Bennett Field, Fort Wadsworth, Fort Tilden and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Picture crredit: Grant’s Tomb. Amy Langfield/NewYorkology.

LimoLiner cuts Boston fare to $69, ends Hartford route

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:24:55 -0500

It’s not quite a cut-rate $1 advanced fare, but the luxury bus between New York and Boston, LimoLiner, will reduce its one-way fares to as low as $69, the company announced late Tuesday.

The fare is available for new reservations for travel after Nov. 20. While it will apply to “many seats on many trips” other seats will be priced at $79 each way, and $89 for peak travel.

Earlier this year, Limoliner added service to Hartford in April, but quietly abandoned the route in September.

LimoLiner buses, which seat only 28 passengers, offer plush leather seats, high-speed Internet, to-your-seat beverage service, and other amenities.

Earlier: Amtrak plans to offer free wi-fi on Acela trains by 2010
Amtrak sale extends to Dec. 16; $49 to D.C. or Boston
LimoLiner bus adds Hartford with $39 one-way fare

Free wi-fi turned on in Times Square

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:09:10 -0500

Starting today, there is free Times Square wi-fi.

Related: Free Bryant Park wi-fi
Free Downtown Alliance wi-fi
NYC Wireless hotspot map

Picture credit: Amy Langfield/NewYorkology.

(Thanks to Budget Travel for the tip.)

Earlier: Central Park unplugged; free wi-fi shut down

Sesame Street Day marks show's 40th year in NYC

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:31:14 -0500

By mayoral proclamation, today is Sesame Street Day in New York City.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the New York-based children’s show, the city erected a temporary “123 Sesame Street” temporary street sign at 64th Street and Broadway, across from Sesame Workshop’s corporate headquarters.

NYC & Co., the city’s official official tourism marketing group, and Toys R’ Us and Babies R’ Us are marking the occasion with a line of co-branded plush toys and clothing, including an NYC fire fighter, police officer, taxi driver and sanitation worker.

]]> Picture credit: Julienne Schaer/provided by NYC & Company. Caption: NYC Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting Associate Commissioner Julianne Cho, Alison Bartlett O’Reilly (Gina), Grover – Eric Jacobson, Bob McGrath (Bob), Emilio Delgado (Luis), Sonia Manzano (Maria), Desiree Casado (Gabi), Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch – Caroll Spinney, NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. Loretta Long (Susan), Joan Ganz Cooney, Roscoe Orman (Gordon), Elmo – Kevin Clash, Zoe – Fran Brill, Gary E. Knell, Rosita – Carmen Osbahr, Abby Cadabby, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Murray – Joseph Mazzarino, and Cookie Monster – David Rudman, gather for the 40th anniversary celebration of Sesame Street at 64th Street and Broadway.

Museums, zoos, ice rinks, clubs open Thanksgiving Day

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:56:30 -0500

In case you find yourself in New York City on Nov. 26, 2009 looking for something to do besides share a bird with your beloved family members, here are some places that will be open on Thanksgiving Day in NYC:

The Macy’s 83nd Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. at 77th Street and Central Park West. The new route this year starts out the same, traveling south down Central Park West to Columbus Circle. But this year it will skip Broadway,and instead turn onto Central Park South and then south on 7th Avenue. Once it reaches, 42nd Street, the parade will head east until it reaches Bryant Park at 6th Avenue. The parade will continue south on 6th (Avenue of the Americas) until it reaches 34th Street, where it will turn towards Macy’s at herald Square.

Restaurants open Thanksgiving Day

Radio City Christmas Spectacular - performances at 2, 5 and 8 p.m.

Cirque du Soleil’s “Wintuk” at Madison Square Garden - performances at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Broadway Thanksgiving Week schedule includes Thanksgiving Day performances of “Hamlet” at 7:30 p.m. as well as “Chicago,” “Oleanna,” “Phantom of the Opera” “West Side Story” and “White Christmas” at 8 p.m.

Big Apple Circus - 2 p.m. performance

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - 9 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. (Although tickets to the statue’s crown are sold out through 2009, you can still reserve free pedestal/museum access with your ferry tickets.)

Empire State Building open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Last elevator goes up at 1:15 a.m.)

Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock open from 8 a.m. to midnight (Last elevator goes up at 11 p.m.)

Socrates Sculpture Park - 10 a.m. to sunset

Discovery’s Times Square Exhibition featuring “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” and “DaVinci’s Workshop” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

]]> Madame Tussauds wax museum - opens 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium - 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. (last ticket sold at midnight)

Bodies - tickets sold from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jewish Children’s Museum - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Central Park Zoo - open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Prospect Park Zoo - open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Queens Zoo - open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

New York Aquarium - open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Central Park carousel - 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wollman Rink, Prospect Park ice skating opens for the season (weather permitting)
The Pond free ice rink at Bryant Park - 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center - open from 9 a.m. to midnight; first session is 9 a.m. to noon, the least busy time of the day. After noon, expect a 1- to 2-hour wait to skate. Details: (212) 332-7654.

Wollman Rink in Central Park - open, but hours have not yet been set (Last year: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Prospect Park Turkey Trot 5M from 9 a.m.

Mark Murphy at the Iridium Jazz Club at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.

New York Voices at Birdland at 8:30 and 11 p.m.

Dizzy’s Jazz Club show at 7:30 p.m.

Beatles tribute band Strawberry Fields at BB Kings Blues Club at 7 p.m.

Caroline’s Thanksgiving Day Show at 8 p.m.

BAMcinematek screening of Ingmar Bergman’s “Persona” at 2, 4:30, 6:50, 9:15 p.m.

IFC screenings include “Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill” at 11 a.m., “Brazil” at midnight

Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise on the Manhattan Yacht at 2 p.m.

Circle Line 42 cruises

Spirit Cruises Thanksgiving Day lunch cruise boards at 1:30 p.m. at Chelsea Piers

Bateaux New York Thanksgiving Dinner cruise boards at 6:15 p.m. at Chelsea Piers

In addition a number of the city’s main attractions are always open rain or shine, night or day, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Staten Island Ferry, and Times Square.

Updates: Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers open for indoor ice skating - noon to 4 p.m.

Holiday Shops at Bryant Park - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

(Editor’s note: This list will be updated as more locations confirm their holiday hours.)

Picture credit: Amy Langfield/NewYorkology.

Kids' Night on Broadway tickets go on sale for February

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:38:50 -0500

Tickets go on sale at noon today for the February installment of Kids’ Night on Broadway, which allows a full-paying adult to get an additional ticket for free as long as it’s used by a child ages 6 through 18.

Broadway’s “Billy Elliot,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Chicago,” “Fela!,” “Finian’s Rainbow,” “Hair,” “In the Heights,” “Lion King,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Mary Poppins,” “Memphis,” “Next to Normal,” “Oleanna,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Ragtime,” “South Pacific,” “Superior Donuts,” “West Side Story” and “Wicked” are all scheduled to take part. Off-Broadway’s “Stomp,” Altar Boyz” and “Avenue Q” will also offer the buy-one, get-one-free deal.

The Kids’ Night on Broadway offer is available February 2, 3 and 7. Expect the popular shows to sell out quickly. Not all shows are appropriate for all ages.

Kids’ Night on Broadway, which was previously an annual event, switched to a monthly schedule, but that only lasted a few rounds before the program went on haitus.

Image source: Kids’ Night on Broadway

'Present Laughter' to sell Broadway tickets from $10

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:35:31 -0500

Tickets go on sale today for the Broadway revival of Noel Coward’s “Present Laughter” with Victor Garber.

And since the comedy is a production of the Roundabout Theatre Company, 100 tickets will be sold for only $10 each, but only to the first four preview performances starting Jan. 2. Tickets may be purchased online, via phone (212) 719-1300, or at the box office.

“Present Laughter” will play the American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St., map. Opening night is set for Jan. 21; the play is set to close March 21.

Image source: Roundabout Theatre Company.

Earlier: ‘Hamlet’ starts $35 student rush after $25 seats sell out
$10 Broadway tickets for ‘Miss Julie,’ ‘Wishful Drinking’

Met Opera lottery to offer free dress rehearsal tickets

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:34:12 -0500

Update: Here’s the link to enter the free ticket lottery before Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.

On Friday, the Met Opera will open a free-ticket lottery to the final dress rehearsal of Bartlett Sher’s new production of Jacques Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.”

The Met Opera will hand out 3,000 tickets for the Nov. 30 daytime dress rehearsal. The lottery will remain open through Nov. 19.

The Kafka-inspired opera stars Joseph Calleja, Anna Netrebko and Alan Held; James Levine conducts. Following the dress rehearsal, it will premiere at a Dec. 3 gala.

Image source: Met Opera’s detail page for “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.”

Earlier: $16 open rehearsals at NY Philharmonic all season
Met Opera free rehearsals start with ‘Tosca’ on Sept. 17

Yankee Stadium tours resume after World Series win

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:56:23 -0500

Tours of the new Yankee Stadium resumed today, after a short hiatus for a little post-season play that resulted in the 27th World Series win for the Bronx Bombers.

The $20, 45-minute Classic Tour includes visits to the dugout, Monument Park, the New York Yankees Museum, and sometimes - the clubhouse.

The tours are offered several times a day through mid-March.

Image source: New York Yankees official website.

Earlier: Yankee Stadium behind-the-scenes tours begin today

New 50-cent taxi tax jacks up JFK flat-rate to $45.50

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:16:06 -0500

When New York state last week added a 50-cent tax to all cab fares in NYC, among the things it’s messed up is the $45 flat-rate price for the trip between JFK Airport and Manhattan.

The 50-cent “MTA Tax,” which went into effect Nov. 1, was approved by state lawmakers and the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission.

The full taxi rules are online (in pdf format.)