Flee New York: Weekend Getaways, Day Trips, Vacations and More (Beta)

A New York City "Staycation?"

Gas prices and airfare putting a cramp in your plans to get out of town?  We just read in The New York Observer that, starting today, the city's tourism board will be passing out flyers and giving locals special incentives to enjoy some leisure time right here in the city.  We've pasted the entire announcement from Nycvisit.com/golocal below!

NYC & COMPANY ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS LOOKING TO VACATION THIS SUMMER

TO ‘GO LOCAL’

—Six-Week Initiative Highlights Activities Across the Five Boroughs to Help Residents Explore One of the World’s Top Travel Destinations and Off-Set Vacation Costs during Recession—

—Weekend of July 25 events include Governors Island Folk Music Festival, Rockaway Beach Sandcastle Contest, and the Latino Film Festival—

New York, NY (June 23, 2010)—As part of the recently announced ‘Go Local’ campaign, NYC & Company—New York City’s marketing, tourism and partnership organization—will kick off a six-week initiative, beginning tomorrow, encouraging local residents to discover the City’s five boroughs this summer. Growing economic concerns and rising gas prices has made travel difficult, but ‘Go Local’ will help New York City residents still get the most out of their summer with weekly itineraries on the top activities taking place across the five boroughs. Over the next six weeks, the NYC & Company campaign will encourage residents to explore the City they live—a city widely recognized as the media, culture, dining, sports, and arts & entertainment capital of the world. Campaign elements will include print advertising, up-to-the-minute online information at nycvisit.com/golocal and street teams at locations across the city including Grand Central Terminal, Union Square and the Bedford Avenue subway stop in Brooklyn.

“With rising gas prices and an uncertain economy, our goal is to make New York City accessible and appealing to locals and visitors alike–regardless of their budget,” said George Fertitta, CEO, NYC & Company. “While some may find traveling difficult this summer, they should not feel like they have to compromise their normal getaway plans. Nearly 12.5 million people from around the world are expected to come and experience the excitement and vibrancy of New York City this summer—our residents have a tremendous opportunity to do the same. There is an abundance of activities across the five boroughs, many costing little to no money, and everyone—from our citizens to our 46 million visitors—should take the opportunity to explore them.”

New York City forecasts an estimated 12.5 million visitors between June and August this year, up from 12 million visitors in 2007. Hotel occupancies remain strong, with the month of June reaching an 89 percent occupancy rate with an average daily room rate of $325.

This week’s top highlight: Governors Island, one of New York City’s most historically interesting yet undiscovered attractions, offers one of the best vantage points for viewing The New York City Waterfalls, as well as numerous free outdoor activities including free Bike Fridays (govisland.com), which allows visitors to borrow a bike entirely for free on Fridays. Also on Governors Island, on Saturday, July 26, folk-blues balladeer Eric Bibb will perform as part of the Governors Island Folk Music Festival (folksontheisland.com), which takes place every Saturday at Colonel's Row through August 2. The free folk music festival features outdoor concerts beginning at 1.30pm. Traveling to and from the Island is free and easy with the frequent ferry service which leaves for Governors Island from the Battery Maritime Building at the corner of South and Whitehall Streets in Lower Manhattan

Additional highlights throughout the five boroughs are as follows:

Manhattan

Ideal for “summer-Fridays”, locals should take the opportunity to enjoy the new Dali exhibit currently on show at The Museum of Modern Art (moma.org) while admission is free on Friday evenings from 4-8pm. Additionally, on Friday, July 25, RiverFlicks for Kids (nyc.gov/parks.org) will show the classic film E.T at Pier 46 at Charles Street. The free outdoor screening will begin at 8:30pm and includes free popcorn. Continuing the theme of cinema under the stars, on Saturday July 26, Los Paquetes de Paquita will be screened outdoors as part of the Latino Film Festival (nylatinofilm.com/events/under_stars) at Thomas Jefferson Park. Festivities begin at 6pm and will include a special guest appearance by legendary actress and singer Maria Victoria.

Brooklyn

For a perfect view of The New York City Waterfalls (nycvisit.com/waterfalls/ nycwaterfalls.org) at night, locals should walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to enjoy spectacular views of the illuminated monumental-scale public art installation as well as stunning views of the City that residents often overlook. Worth the walk alone, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory situated at Fulton Ferry Landing Pier serves delicious ice cream and is open from noon until 11pm Thursday - Sunday throughout the summer. Reachable by the number 2,3,4 and 5 and B and Q subway lines, on Friday, July 25, world-renowned composer Philip Glass and his ensemble will perform with Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Marta Topferova to avant garde visuals chronicling cultures around the world at Prospect Park Bandshell as part of the Celebrate Brooklyn! (briconline.org) 30 summers of free performances festivities, and on Sunday, July 27, the free JellyNYC (jellynyc.com) pool party suitable for all ages will take place at McCarren Pool from 2pm – 7pm.

Queens

Located on the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockaway,_Queens Rockaway, Queens">Rockaway Peninsula of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens Queens">Queens, Rockaway Beach is America’s longest municipal beach totaling seven and a half miles, and is a great place to cool off from the summer heat. Lifeguards are stationed on the beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day and visitors can enjoy the only surfing in New York City, as well as basketball and handball courts, roller-hockey rinks, sitting areas and playgrounds along the boardwalk and adjoining areas. On Sunday, July 27, the 13th annual Sand Castle Contest (nyc.gov/parks.org) will take place from noon – 2pm. Visitors should bring buckets and tools, and for easy access, New York Water Taxi (nywatertaxi.com) operates a weekend ferry service costing $6 each way, between Pier 11 in Manhattan and Riis Landing at Gateway's Breezy Point District in Rockaway.

Staten Island

A new addition allowing visitors to easily explore Staten Island is the Gray Line Discover Staten Island Tour (NewYorkSightseeing.com) hop-on, hop-off bus service with hourly departures every day. Tickets cost just $15 and the tour includes stops at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, the Staten Island Zoo, the Forest Avenue Shopping District, Clove Lake Park, Fort Wadsworth and the St. George Ferry Terminal. Visitors can reach Staten Island via the free Staten Island ferry (siferry.com) where refreshments (including beer) may be purchased on board.

The Bronx

One of the borough’s most popular attractions, the Bronx Zoo (bronxzoo.com), which recently opened its newest exhibit, Madagascar, at a cost of $62 million, is part of NYC & Company’s ‘Summer in the City’ savings program and visitors to the zoo can enjoy discounted entry by visiting nycvisit.com/summerinthecity and accessing the 2008 Saving Pass which features close to 200 special savings offers throughout the five boroughs. On Fridays access to the Bronx Museum of the Arts (bronxmuseum.org) is free and visitors to the borough should combine their visit with a trip to Orchard Beach (nycgovparks.org). Referred to as the “Bronx Riviera”, the mile-long crescent beach located at Pelham Bay Park, is ideal for soaking up the sun and there is a boardwalk for people-watching, as well as a band shell where weekend concerts are held and tennis, paddleball and basketball courts.

For more information about staying in NYC this summer go to nycvisit.com/golocal

Water Taxi Beach: Flee New York in New York

It's June and the summer heat is descending on Manhattan and the other four boroughs of NYC.  And sometimes, you don't have the time or money to make a proper getaway or day trip outside the confines of the Big Apple.

If you're looking for a quick, affordable 4-6 hour respite from the city pavement, you might do well to hop on a city water taxi and head to Long Island City.  Abutting the taxi landing is a real sand beach and bar -- complete with a volleyball court, picnic tables, DJs, and of course frozen margaritas --  it's known as Harry's Water Taxi  Beach and offers a great spot to watch the sun set over Manhattan while enjoying yourself in a beach-style atmosphere.  It's popular with the hipster set, but if you go during a weeknight, you can avoid some lines and get a quiet, perfect view of the skyline at sundown. 

To get there, just take any water taxi to the Long Island City, Queens stop and you're as good as there!

LINK [NYC Water Taxi Beach]

Metro North Offering Getaway Trips to the New York Botanical Garden This Spring and Summer

On the Metro North railroad, the New York Botanical garden is only a short 20 minute train ride from Grand Central.  All spring long, Metro North is offering a getaway special for day trippers looking to enjoy some botanical splendor in the Bronx.  You can get discounted admission to the gardens with your Metro North ticket, enabling you to see one of the finest much-botanical gardens in the country.

With dozens of gardens, an enclosed rain forest and desert, acres of forest native to New York, waterfalls, a river and lush landscaping throughout the garden, the botanical garden is really something to see.   Garden hours are 10AM - 6PM.  Here are some details on the Metro North Getaway pacakge:

Pricing:  From Grand Central Terminal or Harlem-125th Street: adults, $26.25; seniors, $23.50; children 12 - 16, $25.25; children 5 - 11, $7.50; children 2 - 4, $6; children under 2, FREE." Save 5 percent if you order on the web...

Package Details: round-trip fare at a discoubt, bargain admission to the Garden's grounds, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Everett Children's Adventure Garden, Tram Tour, and the Rock and Native Plant Gardens (seasonally).

Madison Square Park: Meet Colorado

Looking to get away from NYC to someplace like Colorado?  Well if you're an American Airlines frequent flyer, this is probably not the week to do that!  However, you can sidle down to Madison Square Park today, where the Colorado State Tourism board will be helping transform the park into "Colorado for the Day," including a white water rafting attraction.  You can read more details on the event in Colorado-based newspaper, The Mountain Mail.

NYC Map Essentials

Are you a New York city newbie feeling a bit lost?  You need a map.  The MTA's subway map is probably the most important map you can have. Watch this space for a complete rundown of essential maps to both New York City and the surrounding areas you'll be looking to flee to on the weekends before you can say Times Square in July.

New Exhibit at the Met: Poussin

We interrupt this travel blog to urge you to see the new Poussin exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

 

New York Magazine Day Trips Guide

We just came across New York Magazine's guide to day trips in the NYC area.  It's quite helpful.  It suggests nine itineraries covering the five boroughs, Tarrytown, Riverhead, Connecticut and New Jersey.

See the guide here.

New York City Tree Pruning

Here's a New York activity that will make you feel like you've left the city, even though you're just in the Bronx.  The Sherman Avenue Garden is offering a mid-winter tree pruning workshop January 31st.  In addition to learning how to prune, participants will be taught to recognize when pruning is necessary.   Here is more info:
       
Location: Sherman Avenue Garden, 953 Sherman Avenue between East 163rd & 164th streets.(B, D, 4 train to East 161st Street /Yankee Stadium)

 

More Information: Phone number: (718) 292-1821

New York Sunday Stays Promotion

Here's one possible way to make Sunday the new Saturday:

Maybe you don't feel like driving or flying, but can't face the malaise that comes with Sunday afternoon and evening and the creeping threat of a return to the office on Monday.  The NYC tourism board has a possible solution in their Sunday stays program.  They offer 20-30 percent discounts on luxury hotel rooms in the city for Sunday night, as well as discounted dining at some desirable locations you maybe haven't tried before. 

It's worth checking out...

 

Links:

Sunday Stays Program web page
New York Times article on Sunday Stays

Flee New York in New York

Today's the 105th year the Coney Island Polar Bear club will dash into the Atlantic Ocean clad in nothing more than speedos and a smile.  Do you have the courage to strip down and join them?  We don't, but you can read about their exploits today here.