Three Unique Views of New York City

Atlantic Avenue Tunnel

A stroll down Times Square, a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, and a visit to the Empire State Building are the typical locations people check out when visiting New York City. While there is nothing wrong with playing the role of a tourist in the Big Apple, you might want to take a break from the norm and check out these three unique views of the city that never sleeps.

230 Fifth (230 Fifth Avenue): The Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock might offer some spectacular panoramic views of New York City, but do they offer a delicious brunch, a year-round heated outdoor bar, and a rooftop garden? Well, if your looking to check out Manhattan from the view of a bird (with an adult beverage or two in hand), 230 Fifth is a “must visit” for any visitor. With rave reviews from the likes of the New York Times and NBC New York as the best rooftop view in all of Manhattan, this is by far one of the coolest places to get away from it all down below and get sauced in the process over brunch (a win, win in my opinion). In order to splurge here you might consider staying at the super-affordable Gershwin Hotel nearby.

The Atlantic Avenue Tunnel (Atlantic Avenue and Court Street): Did you know that the world’s oldest subway tunnel is not accessible via a train? Instead, you will have to meet up with a group at a corner in Brooklyn for a tour that starts off with a climb down a manhole. The once monthly 90-minute trek through the 166-year-old half-mile long abandoned tunnel is narrated by guide Bob Diamond. You will learn a lot along the way from Diamond about the history and one-time importance of the station that was supposed to link New York and Boston. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes (no high heels ladies) and to bring a flashlight. After wandering around underground, come up for air and and check-in down the road at the Nu Hotel.

Staten Island Ferry: (1 State Street Plaza): Many Big Apple insiders still consider the Staten Island Ferry as one of the best and affordable ways (it’s free!) to get an awesome view of Manhattan’s skyline. The Staten Island Ferry might be used mostly as a means of transportation each weekday morning and evening for thousands of Staten Island residents working in Manhattan, but it is also an enjoyable ride for visitors to the area by way of the Upper New York Bay. The five mile water ride takes about 30 minutes each way, so you can enjoy a fun day with family and friends, get that spectacular snapshot, and still be back in time to enjoy plenty of other attractions around the city. The ferry departs in Manhattan at South Ferry, so for a walkable hotel nearby check out the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park or the Wall Street Inn.

Tags: brooklyn, new york, Travel

One Year Anniversary…

While I have been blogging for more than a year now, it was not until one year ago this week that “TheBrooklynNomad.com” officially was launched.

After tinkering around with a pretty embarrassing looking blog by today’s standards on Yahoo site builder, I moved over to blog spot in February 2009. About three days later I learned about Word Press and ditched a blog that really had a boring look to it.

I thought of a name for my blog and well “The Brooklyn Nomad” was the only one that stuck. I kind of regret putting the “The” in my URL as the name “Brooklyn Nomad” is long enough on its own, but I have grown to get used to it.

When I actually started my blog in late February of last year, the full URL was “TheBrooklynNomad.wordpress.com.” Yikes. I quickly decided to upgrade to Word Press’ paid version and chopped off that pesky addition to an already wordy blog name.

I also changed the template to a boring and basic template to the one you see today. I am currently in the process of upgrading and giving my site a face lift with a unique template in the weeks to come. Life unfortunately got in the way of debuting it on my one year anniversary (which for anyone that cares is March 5).

Since my site has been running over the last twelve months, my life has changed dramatically. I was a freelance writer just scraping by and impressed when I got more than 20 unique readers in a day (although 15 of those were probably from me checking the site).

But after four weeks of updating my site daily (sometimes two or three times in one day) I saw the numbers increase. Then people actually started leaving comments (fortunately they were all positive).

Next step was to get myself noticed online. So I begrudgingly opened a Twitter account. Actually I had an account for a few months but never used it. I honestly did not get Twitter and thought it was just some way in which people could tell the world that they were going to have Chinese food for dinner or were tired after a long day at work.

But I started to notice something. As my site grew in readers, so did my followers on Twitter. I then started “Stumbling” and “Digging” my work and before I knew it, my blog had some pretty reasonable visits each day.

Then just a few days before my 29th birthday I received an e-mail from Napa Valley, California. It was a resort and spa that actually wanted me to come visit them and write a review of their property. Huh? Me? Really?

While I was flattered that they thought enough of my site to want to put me up for three days with full use of their spa and complimentary meals, I was just not able to fly myself round-trip cross country. So I had the tell them, “thanks…but just not now.”

I am still friendly with the management at the resort and am hoping to FINALLY make the 3,500 or so mile trek to the great state of California by the end of this year with my wife.

Speaking of my wife. This poor woman has had to put up with my obsession with travel for years. So when this blog started getting me some more freelance work and plenty of opportunities to travel around the world, I thought she might pack up and get going. Instead she has been a big fan of my work and amazingly supportive of my nomadic ways.

She and I are also pretty excited to welcome into the world our first born child this April. Little Nomad or Baby Nomad as many of you have nicknamed him will have his passport by Christmas if I have it my way.

I am not going to babble on and on like this is some sort of acceptance speech at an award show  nor will I name a list of people that have been so great to me over the last year or so.

But all I want to say is thanks for checking out my site, make sure you click on my ads so that I can feed my baby and I hope you enjoy reading my travel experiences, New York tips, and hotel reviews as much as I love to write about them.

Travel often!

Tags: brooklyn, new york, nomad

Take a Stroll Down Brooklyn’s Restaurant Row

Believe it or not there is more to New York than just the island of Manhattan. When you are in town be sure to hail a taxi or hop a train ride and check out one of the outer boroughs. One in particular that any visitor to the Big Apple should check out is Brooklyn.

If you make your way to a family (and foodie) friendly neighborhood called Park Slope, you will most definitely want to take a stroll down 5th Avenue aka “Restaurant Row.”  Here among the abundance of baby carriages you will find many different types of eateries like fancy restaurants to quirky cafes and everything in between.

Al di la Trattoria: Husband and wife chef Anna Klinger and her husband Emiliano Coppa run a restaurant so popular with locals and visitors that they refuse to take reservations. Yes it is first come, first eat at this crazy busy corner restaurant that serves up authentic Italian cuisine. Plan on arriving when the doors open or else be ready to wait. Fortunately the couple opened a wine bar right around the corner, so you can sip on some reds and whites while you wait for your table. I highly recommend ordering the hangar steak with arugula smothered in a balsamic vinegar. This establishment only accepts cash. 248 5th Avenue.

Stone Park Cafe: This often lively eatery is truly a great place to grab a few drinks and food with friends and family. Good music plays over the sound system as waiters shuffle from table to table ensuring a great dining experience. The decor of the cafe is bright and airy with brick walls in the front area and a more traditional look in the back area. Be sure to check out their $19 prix fare menu which includes a first course, second course and dessert. They also offer a brunch special and a great collection of beers on tap. 324 5th Avenue.

The Chocolate Room: You didn’t think I would leave out a great spot for dessert did you? If you’re looking to dine at one place and then get some goodies elsewhere or you just want to skip your lunch and dinner for some serious sweet tooth snacking, then this is your place. You will be on a chocolate covered cloud nine. Some items on their menu include the brownie sundae, chocolate fondue for two, chocolate layer cake and hot chocolate float. Plus if you like beers, down a few chocolate flavored stouts! 86 5th Avenue.

All of these great restaurants and the rest of 5th Avenue’s “Restaurant Row” are all within a short bus ride or walking distance from Brooklyn’s Nu Hotel.

Tags: al di la, brooklyn, chocolate room, new york, park slope, stone park cafe

On the Rocks: Three Intoxicating New York Whiskey Bars

Drink up!

Whether you like it on the rocks, with a little soda, cold, or warm, there is nothing better than a good glass of whiskey (or whisky, as Scots seem to prefer). New York City is home to a plethora of wonderful booze locales that serve up a mean glass of single malt scotches or fine whiskeys. These NYC bars feature an extensive selection of the adult beverage that is perfect to sip on a cold winter night.

The Whiskey Ward: Located just three blocks from the Williamsburg Bridge, this Lower East Side saloon is decorated with many whiskey jugs and barrels that really do a good job to set the drinking mood. The amazingly extensive list of whiskeys include bourbons, rye, Irish whiskey, single malts, un-chill filtered scotch, and many more. The scene is a mixture of serious sippers and amateur drinkers and the prices are reasonable. 121 Essex Street. Stay nearby at the Hotel on Rivington or the Thompson L.E.S.

The Dead Poet: Walking down the often times bustling Amsterdam Avenue in the Upper West Side, one might miss this literal literary hole-in-the-wall if they blinked. But the Dead Poet is a must visit destination for whiskey drinkers that also happen to enjoy good literature. Why, you ask? Because the owner of this tiny bar is a former English teacher who has decorated the space with verses by his favorite writers. Enjoy a glass — or twelve — of some Irish whiskey and then squeeze by the 20-foot bar area to enjoy a quick game of pool or a fistful of popcorn. 450 Amsterdam Avenue. Stay nearby at the Lucerne Hotel.

d.b.a.: With two locations, one in New Orleans and the other in the East Village, d.b.a. (which has been rumored to stand for “drink better ale” and “don’t bother asking”) is a serious drinkers destination. With roughly 250 different beers on tap that range from the usual names to boutique micro-brews and 60 tequilas, it is the mind boggling collection of 90 single-malt Scotches that have most customers smiling and sipping. During the warmer months be sure to step outside and enjoy your adult beverage on the covered patio area. Avoid d.b.a. during the workweek after-hours or else you will be waiting a little longer for that refill due to the busy crowds. 41 First Avenue. Stay nearby at GEM Hotel SoHo.

Tags: big apple, dead poet, new york, new york city, nightlife, Travel, whiskey ward

Loosen Up at These Three New York Luxury Spas

The Spa in the Mandarin Oriental, New York

They say that New York is the city that never sleeps. While that might be true, locals do enjoy some downtime at the numerous luxurious spas that our Big Apple boasts. From day spas to hotel spas, we got you covered with three destinations that you need to check out when attempting to recharge your batteries after a long day of wandering around NYC:

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental: When it comes to luxury, the Mandarin Oriental’s 35th floor spa has it down to a science. The views alone are outstanding – the rooms provide spectacular bird’s eye views of Central Park and the Hudson River. Services include Ayurvedic skin and body treatments, various massages and acupressure. Guests are asked to book 90-minute services when making their appointment. This 14,500 square foot space comes with a price, however, so you might need an extra massage or two after realizing how much you dropped here. But hey it’s all worth it, right? 80 Columbus Circle. Complete the splurge with a stay at the Mandarin Oriental.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa: Most people are familiar with this spa now that it has branched out to more than 20 locations nationwide. But it all started here in New York City back in 1910 when a nurse named Elizabeth Arden opened one of the city’s first spas, using (guess what) a red door as its trademark symbol. My wife swears by Irene, who is an esthetician, so ask for her when you book your next facial or massage. Other treatments include eyebrow shaping, various waxing procedures and the spa even offers a hair and nail salon on site. Prices are moderate as far as NYC luxury spas go, so you can get rubbed sans guilt. 691 Fifth Avenue. Stay nearby at the Peninsula New York.

Oasis Day Spa: With three locations throughout New York (two in Midtown and one in Westchester, NY), Oasis has grown tremendously since it opened as a chair-massage family business a little over a decade ago. The largest and most popular location on Park Avenue is well known for its soothing on-target skin and body treatments that include over a dozen type of massages, various waxing procedures and body bronzing. Prices are more affordable than you would think for a spa located at such a ritzy address. 1 Park Avenue. Stay nearby at the Affinia Dumont (which also has an Oasis Day Spa on site).

Tags: ELIZABETH ARDEN RED DOOR SPA, MANDARIN ORIENTAL, new york, new york city, OASIS DAY SPA