Things To Do In New York City

A few weeks ago I shared Fodor’s recommendations on the 15 things not to do in New York City.  Today I’ll take a more positive approach with my take on the 15 things you should do in the city.  Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Take a tour of Yankee Stadium which includes a visit to Monument Park, where you’ll learn about many ot the people who helped make the team the most successful pro sports franchise in American history.
2. Explore Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters, and have lunch at the New Leaf Restaurant.
3. Ride the Subway. Whether you ride five stations or five boroughs, the subway is quintessential New York.
4. Visit Madame Tussauds, where you’ll see incredible likenesses of many favorite real and fictional characters. Yes, it’s tourist…but also fun!
5. Travel to the top (actually the 86^th and 102^nd floors) of the Empire State Building. Then go to the Top (actually the 70^th floor) of the Rock to compare views.  They say bigger is better, but you be the judge.
6. Take in and Off-Broadway (or Off-Off-Broadway) show an entertaining, affordable, and often quite unique experience.
7. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy different views of the Manhattan skyline. On the Brooklyn side, enjoy a treat at nearby Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.
8. Chow down a Nathan’s Hot Dog (or 72, if you dare) at Coney Island. If you’re tempted to take a ride on the Cyclone, you may want to do the first!
9. Visit the Statue of Liberty, and travel up to the crown for some great views (advance reservations needed), and know that part of the trip up is a strenuous stair climb.
10. Take the Staten Island Ferry and get some great views of lower Manhattan, Liberty Island, and Ellis Island. Take some time to see Staten Island.
11. Visit the Unisphere and the Panorama of the City of New York, both from the 1964 World’s Fair, at Corona Park in Queens.
12. Count the statues in Central Park and take a boat ride on The Lake. Then enjoy lunch at the Boathouse.
13. Take a loved one to the Whispering Gallery in Grand Central Terminal, then say romantic things (even a proposal!) to each other.
14. Feast on bulgogi, kalbi, and (if it’s your thing) kimchee in Koreatown.
15. See the many animals at the Bronx Zoo.

Feel free to leave a comment, and please come back – I write and post often! And if you like what I have to say and how I say it, you’ll probably enjoy my novels as well. They’re listed below, and you can read more about them on my improved website, designed and built by my son Don, http://www.randolphmase.com. On my site, you’ll also find excerpts of my books that you can read – please check it out!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

http://www.randolphmase.com

http://www.facebook.com/randolphmase

http://www.facebook.com/MatthewHoganMysteries

http://twitter.com/randolphmase

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at the Cloisters 

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

How Well Do You Know Broadway?

One of the categories on a recent Jeopardy! episode was “Lyrics From Broadway.”  Here are the answers; just come up with the correct question for each.  I’ll give those questions in a future post:

1. “Nobody knows in America Puerto Rico’s in America!”
2. “Sad to say your dream is not the kind of dream I’d like to get, Pharaoh has it in for you.”
3. “And God said, ‘Joe, people really need to know that the Bible isn’t two parts, there’s a part three.’”
4. “Kiss today goodbye, the sweetness & the sorrow.”
5. “High in her tower, she sits by the hour, maintaining her hair.”

Feel free to leave a comment, and please come back – I write and post often! And if you like what I have to say and how I say it, you’ll probably enjoy my novels as well. They’re listed below, and you can read more about them on my improved website, designed and built by my son Don, http://www.randolphmase.com. On my site, you’ll also find excerpts of my books that you can read – please check it out!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

http://www.randolphmase.com

http://www.facebook.com/randolphmase

http://www.facebook.com/MatthewHoganMysteries

http://twitter.com/randolphmase

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at the Cloisters 

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Chicken Wings, Anyone?

It seems that there’s a day designated for just about anything in the United States.  Did you know that today is National Chicken Wing Day?  I’m not sure who designated 5this day, but I suspect that it was done by the many restaurant which sell chicken wings.  I guess I can’t argue with the reasoning; more than 27 billion wings are consumed in the US each year (and more than a billion during Super Bowl weekend alone)!  You can even find special deals today at many restaurants.  Enjoy!

Feel free to leave a comment, and please come back – I write and post often! And if you like what I have to say and how I say it, you’ll probably enjoy my novels as well. They’re listed below, and you can read more about them on my improved website, designed and built by my son Don, http://www.randolphmase.com. On my site, you’ll also find excerpts of my books that you can read – please check it out!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

http://www.randolphmase.com

http://www.facebook.com/randolphmase

http://www.facebook.com/MatthewHoganMysteries

http://twitter.com/randolphmase

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at the Cloisters 

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Things Not To Do in New York City

I normally write about things you may want to try or see in New York, but I’m changing that up in this post.  I recently ran across an article from Fodor’s which contained a list of 15 things you should not do in New York City, including Times Square and the Empire State Building.  Since I’ve done many of them, I don’t agree with all of their non-recommendations.  However, the down sides they share of each one are important to remember before you decide.  See the full list at http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/new-york/new-york-city/experiences/news/photos/15-things-not-to-do-in-new-york-city#!1-intro. Enjoy!  Thanks, Jack.

Feel free to leave a comment, and please come back – I write and post often! And if you like what I have to say and how I say it, you’ll probably enjoy my novels as well. They’re listed below, and you can read more about them on my improved website, designed and built by my son Don, http://www.randolphmase.com. On my site, you’ll also find excerpts of my books that you can read – please check it out!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

http://www.randolphmase.com

http://www.facebook.com/randolphmase

http://www.facebook.com/MatthewHoganMysteries

http://twitter.com/randolphmase

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at the Cloisters 

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Hot Dogs, Anyone?

Last week I threw a hot dog on the grill and enjoyed it with a burger and some potato salad.  And that was dinner for me.

Then I saw the result of the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island, in which Joey “Jaws” Chestnut broke his own record by devouring 72 wieners (with rolls) in 10 minutes.  If you do some math, you’ll find that it was about one hot dog every 9 seconds.  That’s about how long it will take the average person to read the previous sentence.

72 vs. my 1?  That’s one contest I’ll never think about entering…

Feel free to leave a comment, and please come back – I write and post often! And if you like what I have to say and how I say it, you’ll probably enjoy my novels as well. They’re listed below, and you can read more about them on my improved website, designed and built by my son Don, http://www.randolphmase.com. On my site, you’ll also find excerpts of my books that you can read – please check it out!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

http://www.randolphmase.com

http://www.facebook.com/randolphmase

http://www.facebook.com/MatthewHoganMysteries

http://twitter.com/randolphmase

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at the Cloisters 

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Happy Fourth of July!

I think that most Americans know enough about our country’s history to realize that today is a celebration of the signing and approval of the Declaration of Independence, beginning our fight for independence in 1776.  But I also think that most of us take the holiday for granted, and view it as just another day off from work, particularly this year when it creates a long weekend for many of us.  But few of us know much else about the holiday; in fact, I learned a lot as I researched it, such as:

1. In 1778, General George Washington gave his troops a double ration of rum to observe the date. Fortunately, they were recovering from the Battle of Monmouth and didn’t have to prepare for another battle.
2. In 1779, July 4 was on a Sunday, so the celebrations were held on Monday…perhaps that set the precedent for what we do today.
3. In 1781, Massachusetts was the first state to make it an official state celebration
4. The first time July 4 was referred to as Independence Day was in 1791
5. It was made an unpaid holiday for federal workers in 1870
6. It was finally declared a paid federal holiday in 1938
7. The oldest continuous July 4^th celebration has been held in Bristol, Rhode Island since 1785.

So whatever you do today, remember the intent of Independence Day as you celebrate!

Feel free to leave a comment, and please come back – I write and post often! And if you like what I have to say and how I say it, you’ll probably enjoy my novels as well. They’re listed below, and you can read more about them on my improved website, designed and built by my son Don, http://www.randolphmase.com. On my site, you’ll also find excerpts of my books that you can read – please check it out!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

http://www.randolphmase.com

http://www.facebook.com/randolphmase

http://www.facebook.com/MatthewHoganMysteries

http://twitter.com/randolphmase

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at the Cloisters 

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

One World Observatory is Thriving!

Years ago I had the pleasure of visiting Windows on the World on the 107^th floor of One World Trade Center and found the experience awesome!  Unfortunately, the opportunity for anyone to visit ended on September 11, 2001.  But last year, One World Observatory opened on floors 100-102 of the new One World Trade Center, and they’ve al;ready had more than three million visitors!  Thanks to NBC New York, you can get a preview of what’s there, including the elevator ride up.  Just go to http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/One-World-Trade-Observatory_New-York-392283021.html; I think you’ll enjoy it!

Feel free to leave a comment, and please come back – I write and post often! And if you like what I have to say and how I say it, you’ll probably enjoy my novels as well. They’re listed below, and you can read more about them on my improved website, designed and built by my son Don, http://www.randolphmase.com. On my site, you’ll also find excerpts of my books that you can read – please check it out!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

http://www.randolphmase.com

http://www.facebook.com/randolphmase

http://www.facebook.com/MatthewHoganMysteries

http://twitter.com/randolphmase

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at the Cloisters 

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

New York City, Then and Now

The New Yorker has produced a new split-screen video that shows action from the olden days (1930s) next to today.  It’s about 9 minutes long, and features the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, and more.   Go to http://gothamist.com/2017/06/13/then_and_now_nyc.php?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark; I think you’ll enjoy it!  Thanks, TP.

Feel free to leave a comment, and please come back – I write and post often! And if you like what I have to say and how I say it, you’ll probably enjoy my novels as well. They’re listed below, and you can read more about them on my improved website, designed and built by my son Don, http://www.randolphmase.com. On my site, you’ll also find excerpts of my books that you can read – please check it out!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

http://www.randolphmase.com

http://www.facebook.com/randolphmase

http://www.facebook.com/MatthewHoganMysteries

http://twitter.com/randolphmase

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at the Cloisters 

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Are You a Roller Coaster Fan?

I like a good roller coaster ride, and I prefer the newer steel type (such as the SooperDooperLooper in Hersheypark).  I find rides on many of the wooden coasters are very bumpy and give me headaches.  If you do enjoy roller coasters, here’s your chance to take a ride (virtually, of course) on two of New York City’s famous roller coasters, the Cyclone (old) and the Thunderbolt (new), both located on Brooklyn’s Coney Island!  Go to http://www.nycgo.com/articles/cyclone-vs.-thunderbolt-coney-island-roller-coaster-showdown/%20?cid=email_tinyc_20170503; you won’t regret it!

Feel free to leave a comment, and please come back – I write and post often! And if you like what I have to say and how I say it, you’ll probably enjoy my novels as well. They’re listed below, and you can read more about them on my improved website, designed and built by my son Don, http://www.randolphmase.com. On my site, you’ll also find excerpts of my books that you can read – please check it out!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

http://www.randolphmase.com

http://www.facebook.com/randolphmase

http://www.facebook.com/MatthewHoganMysteries

http://twitter.com/randolphmase

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at the Cloisters 

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale

Cheap New York City

Do you want to save some money in New York City?  If so, budgettravel.com offers a list of 16 Secret Bargains in the city based on interviews with locals, celebrities, editors, and readers, and some of them may surprise you.  Go to https://www.budgettravel.com/article/budget-travel-tips-best-kept-secrets-of-nyc-from-citys-savviest-celebs-insiders_52869; you won’t regret it!  Thanks, Jack.

Feel free to leave a comment, and please come back – I write and post often!  And if you like what I have to say and how I say it, you’ll probably enjoy my novels as well.  They’re listed below, and you can read more about them on my improved website, designed and built by my son Don, http://www.randolphmase.com.  On my site, you’ll also find excerpts of my books that you can read – please check it out!

Randolph Mase, Fiction Writer

http://www.randolphmase.com

http://www.facebook.com/randolphmase

http://www.facebook.com/MatthewHoganMysteries

http://twitter.com/randolphmase

My Novels:

Death on Broadway

Death Beneath the Streets

Death in Central Park

Death at The Cloisters

Death Inside Diamond Head (under construction)

Nathan Hale