JoCo's New York

Runner Up in Frommer Photo Contest

2010-05-12T12:59:00.001-04:00

Out of 97,000 entries, my photograph of gondoliers in Venice was a runner-up in Frommer Travel Guides 2010 cover photo contest. I’ll try better next year.

Here’s the photo: http://jocovp.com/FrommerAward.aspx

Random Photographs from Random Journeys

2010-01-29T16:39:00.001-05:00

My self-published book and website are live. LIVE. Woohoo!

Do guns at political events make sense?

2009-08-21T15:57:00.002-04:00

Do guns at political events make sense? Is this a show of 2nd Amendment rights?

Yes, we have freedom of speech, but not the freedom to speak slander or to incite riots or to yell fire in a crowded town hall meeting.

Yes, we have freedom of religion but that doesn't give us the freedom to trigger mass suicide in religion's name.

Yes, the 21st amendment repealed prohibition but that doesn't give us the right to drink and drive or drink and abuse.

So we’re supposed to interpret the right to bear arms as a universal entitlement to carry weapons anywhere we please for any reason we please? Please.

The logical extension is that we can indeed incite riots and create mass hysteria in our drunken stupor so long as we have a constitutionally-protected firearm loaded and ready.

I’m proud not to be an Arizonian.

Calm Down Joco

2009-07-23T12:10:00.001-04:00

"Palin's Resignation..." story on cnn.com. Man, I'm sick of seeing so much press going to someone whose 15 minutes of fame is due to nothing more than being this century's Admiral "Who am I? Why am I here?" Stockdale.

2012 Presidential aspirations? Shirley, you jest.

If the GOP can't come up with something, anything better than her, then Ralph Nader might actually come in second.

How About a Round of Applause

2009-07-15T14:14:00.002-04:00

I don't live in New York City, and I'm guessing most of our readers don't live there either. So when it comes to choosing what to do and where go, I sometimes rely on local experts to assist me.

That's particularly true for Broadway shows. I don't get to see nearly as many as I'd like, so when my wife and I have the opportunity to see a show, we want to get an honest opinion before we spend our money.

Thankfully we have our friends at Applause Theater and Entertainment. They know Broadway. They know Off-Broadway too. And they don't pull any punches.

Sure, they sell tickets; that's their livelihood. But they're real people - Rich, Todd, Bill, Carol, Billy, Claudia, J, Eric and the rest of the crew - who aren't going to sell something just for the sake of making a sale. They'll give me/us/you an honest opinion based on my/our/your likes and expectations. Now where in the name of Sam Internet can you get that anymore?

Todd recently wrote about a potential customer who wanted to buy tickets to Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig's upcoming play, Steady Rain.

"...she said I just loved Hugh Jackman in THE BOY FROM OZ. I told her I could get her great seats for the date she was looking for...however the previous comment made me ask whether she knew anything about the play.
"It is a new play by Keith Huff about love and rage on the streets of Chicago as a domestic disturbance call sends two Chicago cops, friends since childhood, on a harrowing journey that will test their loyalties and change their lives forever. During a routine day, a pair of seasoned policemen, Denny and Joey, return a panic-stricken boy to his guardian. The two protagonists relate their shared story from very different perspectives, giving a picture of family in all its forms, along with the questionable moral choices made in its name. As their lifelong friendship is put to the ultimate test, both men must deal with honor and loyalty in the face of adversity.
"This particular customer thanked me as she said she was sure that would not be suitable for her and her friend."

So when all was said and done, no sale. No dissatisfied customer either.

Can you imagine how this woman would have felt as she sat listening to a hard-hitting play with harder-hitting street language, all the time expecting Hugh Jackman to break into song and dance?

Meanwhile, Steady Rain sounds like something I'd want to see.

But back to my original subject.

At NYCVP, we've relied on Applause for 10 years. We rely on them not just for their opinions and reviews, and not just for their vast inventory of hard-to-get tickets, and not just because they make it so easy to do business, but mostly because we like them. They're genuinely nice people who have also become friends.

Here's what I suggest you do:

If you're looking to purchase theater tickets, call Applause at 800 451-9930 or go online to www.applause-tickets.com

If you are looking to purchase a complete NYC vacation including accommodations, with or without theater tickets or sightseeing, call NYCVP at 877 NYC-TRiP or go online to www.nyctrip.com.

Either way you'll get the best advice and best service you'll find anywhere.

And you'll make new friends too.

Manhattanhenge is Coming

2009-06-19T15:56:00.004-04:00

It happens twice a year and is seen by millions of people at each occurrence, but it has had little notoriety until very recently when it received its name - "Manhattanhenge."

It's the time of the year when the sun sets in perfect alignment with the east-west cross streets in midtown Manhattan, illuminating every street for the last 15 minutes or so of daylight.

So pay attention, locals and visitors, on July 11/12 for this astro-urban delight (which also occurred May30/31) .

For more info check out the Hayden Planetarium website.

Photo taken by Jon Bell http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonbell/3583475697/.

More Free New York

2009-06-15T16:01:00.003-04:00

Save your money - look what's happening this summer in New York City FOR FREE!

MOVIES, PARADES AND STREET FESTIVALS For information on MUSIC and CONCERTS CLICK HERE

Now through August 14 RIVER TO RIVER FESTIVAL
Sunday, June 21 Columbus Avenue Summer Festival Columbus Ave, 86-96 Sts
Monday, June 22 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Sunday, June 28 NYC LGBT Pride Parade 5th Avenue & 52nd St. to Christopher & Greenwich St.
Monday, June 29 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Sunday July 5 USO - Avenue of the Americas Summerfest, (on 6th Avenue from 42nd - 56th Street)
Monday, July 6 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Friday July 10th Community Day Festival, (on Broad St. from Water - Beaver Street)
Saturday July 11th Park Avenue Summerfest, (on Park Avenue South from 17th - 23rd Street)
Sunday July 12th NYC Celebration of Nations Festival, (on Madison Avenue from 42nd - 57th Street)
Monday, July 13 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Saturday July 18th East Side Summer Festival, (on Lexington Avenue from 42nd - 57th Street)
Sunday July 19th NYC Unfolds Street Fair, (on Broadway from Houston - Grand Street)
Monday, July 20 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Saturday July 25th Washington Sq. Summer Fair, (on Bleecker St. from Broadway - 6th Ave. )
Sunday July 26th 52nd Association Jazz Festival, (on 52nd Street from Lexington - 7th Avenue)
Monday, July 27 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Friday July 31st Manhattan Youth Fair, (on Greenwich St. from Barclay - Chambers Street)
Saturday August 1st The C.O.R.E. Health Expo, (on 7th Avenue from 47th - 57th Street)
Sunday August 2nd Festival of the Americas, (on 6th Avenue from 42nd - 56th Street)
Monday, August 3 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Friday August 7th Financial Community Day Series, (on Maiden Lane from Water - South Street)
Saturday August 8th Greenwich Village Festival, (on Greenwich Avenue from 6th - 7th Avenue)
Sunday August 9th Lexington Avenue Summerfest, (on Lexington Avenue from 42nd - 57th Street)
Monday, August 10 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Saturday August 15th Summer Seaport Festival, (on Water Street from Fulton - Broad Street)
Sunday August 16th Madison Avenue Summer Fair, (on Madison Avenue from 42nd - 57th Street)
Monday, August 17 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Saturday August 22nd The Great Irish Festival, (on 6th Avenue from 42nd - 56th Street)
Sunday August 23rd Third Avenue Merchandise Fair, (on 3rd Avenue from 23rd - 34th Street)
Saturday August 29th Friends of Dag Hammarskjold Festival, (on 2nd Ave. from 45th - 57th Street)
Saturday August 29th Down By The Boardwalk Festival, (on West 10th St. from Surf Ave. - Boardwalk)
Sunday August 30th Big Apple Performing Arts Festival, (on 7th Avenue from 47th - 57th Street)
Tuesday September 1st Columbia University Community Block Party, (on 120th St. from Broadway - Amsterdam Ave.)
Friday September 4th Fulton Street Follies, (on Fulton St. from Water - Gold Street)
Saturday September 5th 52nd Street Fall Festival, (on 52nd Street from Lexington - 7th Ave.)
Sunday, Sept. 6 Brazilian Independence Day Street Fair 46th Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue
Monday, Sept. 7 West Indian American Day Parade, Brooklyn
Monday September 7th M.E.C.A. Family Festival, (on Lexington Avenue from 34th - 42nd Street)
Sept. 10-20 Feast of San Gennaro, Mulberry St., Canal-Houston Sts.
Saturday September 12th Gramercy Park Neighborhood Festival, (on 3rd Avenue from 14th - 23rd Street)
Sunday September 13th Tudor City Festival, (on Lexington Avenue from 42nd - 57th Street)
Friday September 18th Tribeca Community Day Fall Festival, (on Church Street from Canal - Franklin Street)
Saturday September 19th 7th Avenue - Guardian Angels Fair, (on 7th Avenue from 47th - 57th Street)
Sunday September 20th Eighth Avenue Fall Festival, (on 8th Avenue from 42nd - 57th St.)
Friday September 25th N.Y.C. Police Museum Festival, (on Old Slip from Water - South St.)
Saturday September 26th Broadway Autumn Fair, (on Broadway from Waverly Pl.- 14th Street)
Sunday September 27th Lexington Avenue Fall Festival, (on Lexington Avenue from 34th - 42nd Street)
Friday October 2nd United Nations Fall Festival, (on 47th St. from 1st - 2nd Avenue)
Saturday October 3rd Union Square Autumn Fair, (on Broadway from 17th - 23rd Street)
Sunday October 4th N.Y.C. Oktoberfest, (on Lexington Avenue from 42nd - 57th Street)
Friday October 9th Christopher Columbus Block Party, (on Murray Street from Broadway - Church Street)
Saturday October 10th Avenue Of The Americas Family Expo, (On 6th Avenue from 42nd - 56th Street)
Sunday October 11th Eighth Avenue Autumn Festival, (on 8th Avenue from 42nd - 57th Street)
Monday October 12th Columbus Day Festival, (on Broadway from Cedar St. - Battery Pl. & on Whitehall St. from Stone - Water Street)
Friday October 16th Financial Community Day Festival Series
Saturday October 17th Washington Square Festival, (on Waverly Pl. from Broadway - MacDougal Street)
Sunday October 18th The Great Third Avenue Fair, (on 3rd Avenue from 23rd - 34th Street)
Saturday, Oct. 24 Americana Jazz Festival, 52nd Street, Fifth-Seventh Aves.
Saturday October 24th Park Avenue South Autumn Fair, (on Park Avenue South from 17th - 23rd St.)
Sunday October 25th The 7th Avenue Autumn Carnival, (on 7th Avenue from 47th - 57th Street)
Saturday October 31st A.D.A.'s World's Largest Block Party, (on Madison Avenue from 42nd - 57th Street)
Saturday, Oct. 31 Village Halloween Parade 6th Avenue from Spring Street to 21st Street from 7 - 10pm
Thursday, Nov. 26 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Central Park West, 7th Ave & 6th Ave. 9am-noon.

Free New York

2009-06-11T13:23:00.004-04:00

Where in the world can you be entertained almost every day for free? Paris? Non. Munich? Nein. Moscow? Nyet.

How about New York City? Yes! All summer long there are lots of free things all over the City. Cost? Fuggedaboudit. Nothing! Zilch. Zero!

MUSIC
Here are just some of the offerings this summer. For more information click on the links. Stay glued to this blog for more free stuff, like parades, street fairs, festivals and other good (FREE) stuff.

NBC's Today Show offers free concerts on most Friday mornings as part of their Toyota Concert Series. So far, here's what's scheduled:

Friday, June 19 - Jonas Brothers
Friday, June 26 - The Fray
Friday, July 3 - Rob Thomas
Friday, July 10 - Rascal Flatts
Friday, July 17 - The All American Rejects
Friday, July 24 - Katy Perry
Friday, July 31 - Kings of Leon
Friday, August 7 - Jason Mraz
Friday, August 14 - Flo Rida
Friday, August 21 - Natasha Bedingfield

ABC's Good Morning America features live concerts too in Central Park on Fridays as well:

Friday, June 19 - Jamie Foxx
Friday, June 26 - The cast of Broadway's HAIR
Friday, July 3 - Brad Paisley
Friday, July 17 - TBD
Friday, July 24 - TBD
Friday, July 31 - Kelly Clarkson
Friday, Aug 7 - TBD
Friday, Aug 14 - Kenny Chesney
Friday, Aug 21 - Reba McEntire

Then there's Central Park Summerstage, with musical and dance events throughout the summer. Acts range from the Indigo Girls to the New York Pops.

Not to be outdone by the loads of free concerts happening all over town this summer, Lincoln Center steps up with its annual Out of Doors series from August 5-23. Music, dance, spoken word, and more from an array of cultures come to the open-air stage for a global celebration of the performing arts. Bring friends and family of all ages to Lincoln Center for a lively Out of Doors season, at a price everyone can afford—absolutely free. Building on Out of Doors roots as a street theater festival, starting with Asphalt Orchestra (August 5 through 9), street bands of all types and stripes will be on the march from 7 to 7:30 p.m., taking over the plazas of Lincoln Center on many evenings throughout the festival, and gathering exuberant crowds in their wake. In addition to Broadway Plaza (the new lower plaza in front of Alice Tully Hall), bands will visit and perform at a number of locations recently renovated as part of Lincoln Center's on-going Redevelopment Project, including the re-designed Revson Fountain on Josie Robertson Plaza and the new Barclays Capital Grove, the elegant, raised, seating area on the Hearst Plaza (formerly the North Plaza).

The New York Philharmonic presents their annual summer Concert in the Parks series throught the City's 5 boroughs.

Thursday afternoons brings Broadway in Bryant Park - the most popular musicals on and off Broadway perform their biggest hits in Bryant Park - for free between 12:30 and 1:30.

An Evening in NYC

2009-06-01T09:30:00.003-04:00

So the President reportedly spent $80,000 to take his wife to New York City for dinner and a show (that amount does include PFCs, fuel surcharges and all government-imposed taxes and fees, but does not include theatre tickets, tax and gratuity on dinner, meals other than those specified, alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls and other miscellaneous items of a personal nature).

I do want to assure you that an evening in New York City does not normally cost $80,000. I have spent many an evening in New York City and have never spent $80,000. I did, once in the 1970s, come close but that had more to do with a lucky feeling I thought I had during a 3-Card Monty experience than with the actual cost of legitimate events.

Want to know how much a weekend in New York City will cost? Bet you'll be surprised (and not the 3-Card monty bet either; just a figure of speech). Check out nyctrip.com and pack your bags. Air Force One is not available though.

Why It's My Favorite Restaurant in New York City

2009-05-22T15:44:00.004-04:00

Fifteen or so years ago my wife and I went into the City for the first time together. We had only been married for a few months and weren't going on our honeymoon until our first anniversary (I decided long ago that I wanted to make sure the marriage "took" before I spent gobs of bucks on a honeymoon. Practical of me, don't you think? She didn't.)

We had tickets to see Miss Saigon at the Broadway Theatre. I hadn't seen a Broadway show in such a long time, but I really wanted to see this particular show. I was part of the 60s-70s Vietnam era so to me a show about that war was appealing. Well, as appealing as a musical about a war that cost over 50,000 American lives could be. Nonetheless we enjoyed the show immensely.

As we exited the theatre that Saturday night at 10:30 it was raining. Not too hard, just hard enough to make it uncomfortable. The gentleman that I am, I gave my wife my sport jacket so she could stay dry. Gentle or not, the man that I am has never let her forget my chivalry that evening (and every time I remind her of it she calls me a cheapskate for not simply buying an umbrella.)

We walked a couple of blocks downtown as the rain continued, finally taking shelter under a canopied entrance to what looked like a bar, on 47th Street just off Broadway in Times Square. By now I was dripping wet, miserable, hungry and not much fun to be around. "Let's just go in here, have a drink and decide what we want to do." "Fine," she said. "You're buying."

And that was that. We had found a home.

We were in Langan's Bar & Restaurant. Had dinner. I had veal, or a steak, or something from a cow. My wife had, uh, something too. I don't remember the details, but I do remember what a wonderful experience it was. Past the crowded bar was a quiet, white-tablecloth dining area. The service was excellent. People were friendly. Food was great.

We stayed long enough for me to dry off. Long enough, too, to have enough glasses of wine to turn a planned 10-block walk back to our hotel into a cab ride, even though the rain had stopped.

We never fail to stop in at Langan's every trip into the City. It might just be for lunch, or for a nightcap, or just to say hi to owner Des O'Brien or manager Katherine. Regardless of what's going on in the City, or in the world, or in our lives, Langan's has that warm, friendly atmosphere that forces us to just relax. And eat well.

---------------------

Take my suggestion. Try Langan's on your next visit to NYC. You can even pre-purchase a prix-fixe dinner (tax and gratuity included)

here!

Mayor Encourages Streetwalkers on Broadway

2009-05-21T13:41:00.005-04:00

Beginning this Sunday, May 24, the City of New York is closing Broadway to traffic in Times Square.

This is the first step in the City's experiment to make all of Broadway in midtown Manhattan a pedestrian zone (see Mayor Announces New Route for 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for details).

So what does this mean for visitors? More room to walk! The sidewalks along Broadway in Times Square were always too crowded. Now, new pedestrian plazas from 47th Street to 42nd Street will ease the congestion, at least for walkers. For vehicles? It remains to be seen what effect closing a main artery for 5 blocks will have on midtown car, truck, bus and taxi traffic. Will it put an unmanageable burden on parallel-running 7th Avenue? I'm sure the City will be watching very closely.

It's on with Alexa Chung

2009-05-19T13:54:00.002-04:00

OK, I'll be the first to admit for the umpteenth time that I have no idea who Alexa Chung is. But then again, I'm not in the 14-28 year age group, and haven't been since Chevy Chase made a living mocking Gerald Ford (if you have to ask who Chevy Chase and Gerald Ford are, then you are in the Alexa Chung age demographic).

But I did receive an email today from a casting director at MTV Studios in New York City's Times Square. She wrote, "We have a new variety show starting this Summer in our Times Square location called 'It's on with Alexa Chung' to take the place of our Total Request Live show. The show will feature musical guests, movie stars and comedians in a talk show format aimed for our MTV viewers (14-28)."

MTV is looking for 14-28 year-olds to fill their studio audience for the show. They contacted NYCVP because we send a good number of groups to the City, especially during the summer when the show is taping.

Interested? If you have a group who wants to attend the taping of "It's on with Alexa Chung" then send our Group Department an email at groups@nyctrip.com. Considering their first week's guests are Jack Black, Soulja Boy, Michael Cera, Kanye West, John Legend, High School Musical's Ashley Tisdale and Ryan Reynolds, it seems like it could be quite an experience for your group.

Let me know when the Lovin' Spoonful are on.

Top 10 Things You Won't Find in New York City

2009-05-18T15:57:00.004-04:00

10. Tickets to the Oprah Winfrey Show – it’s taped in Chicago

9. Free parking – the City sold all it’s free parking spaces to Bismarck ND (for $500 and a block of ice, or something like that)

8. Peace and quiet in Times Square – this is where the “City that never sleeps” never sleeps By the way, there used to be a billboard in Times Square promoting tourism to Tel Aviv, Israel. I think they missed the boat by not saying “Tel Aviv – the City that never schleps”

7. A dull day – 75 museums, 3,000 retail stores, 18,000 restaurants, 100s of horse drawn carriages, 2 skyscraper observation decks, 50 sightseeing tours and one Statue of Liberty!

6. A dull night – 38 Broadway theaters, over 100 off-Broadway theaters, 10 comedy clubs, and millions of lights in Times Square!

5. Neighborhoods that you see on Law & Order and CSI New York – not in midtown Manhattan. It’s one of the safest neighborhoods in the country’s safest major city!

4. Questions like ones that were heard in New York 20 years ago:

"What do you mean the guy carrying my bags doesn't work for the hotel?" "Should a cab from JFK to midtown have cost me $600?"

3. Oceanview rooms

2. Cab drivers obeying traffic laws

1. A tourist who isn’t having a great time

You In?

2009-05-15T13:24:00.004-04:00

It's a simple question. But it heralds, for some, the ride of their life.

Hailing a cab in Manhattan isn't hard. All taxis are the same color, all drivers are licensed by the City's Taxi & Limousine Commission and are required by law to pick up anyone and transport them to any destination within the City (and a few outlying counties as well).

For New Yorkers, taking a cab is almost an involuntary reflex. Need to get from point A to point B? Stick your arm out at a 45 degree angle and a yellow vehicle will appear. (Why are all NYC cabs yellow? If you really want to know, look it up on google. I did and the answer's not all that exciting. I do recall, however, escorting a group of travel agents through the top floor of the Doubletree Guest Suites in Times Square when one looked out the window and said, in all sincerity and naivete, "Why do so many New Yorkers drive yellow cars?")

Once in a lifetime, though, a magic cab appears. You get in, you tell the driver your destination, you buckle your seatbelt, and you hear a loud synthesized sound as disco-like lights surround you. The driver turns around and announces, "You're in the Cash Cab. It's a TV game show played right here in my taxi. I'm your host, Ben Bailey, and I'll ask you general knowledge questions until we reach your destination. Whaddya say, You In?"

Before you even notice the tiny cameras in the vehicle, you're riding through the streets of Manhattan answering questions (hopefully correctly) worth anywhere from $25 to $200 each. Three strikes and you're out, though, as Ben will pull you over and boot you out if you miss three questions.

Cash Cab is a Discovery Network show. I watch it every day. I love it not just for the game aspect, but for the New York City scenery as it rolls along out the cab's windows. It's just so New York, and most of the contestants are so New Yorkish. "Clear the meter please," one crotchety lady orders twice before Ben can finish his You In spiel.

Someday I'm going to get in the Cash Cab. I know its license number (I'm not telling you). I know what the cab looks like (it's yellow). I'll answer every question right. I'll get the Red Light Challenge. I'll even do the Video Bonus. I'll be so charming and intelligent that the Discovery Network will want me on full time. Ben Bailey will be my best friend. We'll hang out together and sign autographs and write books and make movies and be in a rock band.

Yeah, I'm in.

Why Sinatra Liked Patsy's Restaurant

2009-05-13T09:46:00.001-04:00

(this article was published in the New York Times May 11, 2009)

When Frank Sinatra died on May 14, 1998, friends and fans just showed up at Patsy’s Restaurant in Midtown — arguably Sinatra’s favorite restaurant in New York City for decades. Salvatore Scognamillo, the chef and co-owner, remembered people saying, "I just felt I had to be here today."

It was a place that was strongly identified with Sinatra, who had a special table upstairs in the back. "After he passed away, we needed to celebrate his life," said Mr. Scognamillo, the grandson of the founder, Pasquale Scognamillo. On Dec. 12, Sinatra’s birthday, Patsy’s, a Neapolitan restaurant, now has a tradition of serving his favorite dishes like clams Posillipo, fusilli with fileto di pomodoro, and ricotta torte for dessert. Another one of Sinatra favorites was veal Milanese. "He loved it paper thin," Mr. Scognamillo said.

"We certainly wouldn’t be in the position we would be today if it wasn’t for him," Mr. Scognamillo said. Much of their high-profile customer base is like an exercise in six degrees of separation from Sinatra, he said. For example, he said, "Julia Roberts was brought in by George Clooney, who was brought in by Aunt Rosemary Clooney, and Rosemary Clooney was brought in by Frank Sinatra."

This year, to commemorate the anniversary of Sinatra’s death, Patsy’s is displaying a series of 15 photos of Sinatra, which have never before been publicly exhibited. The photos, which will be up until May 21, were taken by Bobby Bank on Feb. 16, 1977, during a recording session at Mediasound Recording Studios, which was around the corner from Patsy’s.

There was one example of Patsy’s level of customer service for Sinatra, also recounted in "Patsy’s Cookbook," that Mr. Scognamillo said sealed the singer’s loyalty to the restaurant. One November in the early 1950s, Mr. Sinatra was having a rough time both professionally and personally. His career was in a gradual slide that had steepened after 1948 and hit bottom in 1952. He had divorced and remarried into a tumultuous relationship with Ava Gardner, which was also in decline.

It was before his Oscar-winning performance in "From Here to Eternity," before reinvention as a cosmopolitan crooner of the 1950s from the 1940s starry-eyed boy next door, before he was immortalized in Gay Talese’s 1966 landmark profile for Esquire, "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold." "Before his comeback, he was down and out," Mr. Scognamillo recalled.

Sinatra was alone at the restaurant the night before Thanksgiving, and many of the other customers walked right past him without acknowledging him. "They are all my fair-weather friends," he said at the time, Mr. Scognamillo said. He said he wanted to eat Thanksgiving dinner at Patsy’s. Mr. Scognmillo’s grandfather did not have the heart to tell him that the restaurant was normally closed for the holiday. "He felt like he would have hurt his pride if he had done that, so he didn’t say anything," Mr. Scognamillio said.

So the restaurant made the reservation. And his grandfather called up the staff and told them to bring their families in for Thanksgiving. "They were moaning and groaning," Mr. Scognamillio said. But they understood it was for Sinatra. The restaurant also called in some other guests to fill out the restaurant — though not enough that Sinatra did not notice that it was somewhat emptier than usual the next day.

So they opened for Thanksgiving for Sinatra, who had a 3 p.m. reservation.
Not until years later did Sinatra find out that they had opened just for him, Mr. Scognamillo said. But no one ever said anything. And the lifelong relationship between Patsy’s and Sinatra was sealed, and Sinatra became the restaurant’s most prominent marketing force.

==========================
Patsy's Restaurant lunch or dinner can be booked as an inclusion in any NYCVP Package with NYC TripQuote at http://nyctripquote.nyctrip.com/

John Lennon Exhibit Opens

2009-05-12T09:52:00.002-04:00

An exhibit entitled "John Lennon: The New York City Years" opens today at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame annex in Soho.

Lennon lived in New York from 1971 until his death in 1980. He loved the City, as his widow Yoko Ono told The Daily News, "because it's the most culturally developed city in the world." "He was an intellectual," the widow says, "so he felt a part of that."

John greatly preferred the city to his previous home in London because, said Ono, "He's English, and English people are not so kind to local heroes."

His guitar, his much sought-after green card, original hand-written lyrics, photographs and artwork are among the items on display.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame annex

click here or paste http://www.nyctrip.com/Pages/Details.aspx?TourID=394 in your browser.

Statue of Liberty

2009-05-11T11:58:00.007-04:00

After last week's announcement by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar (first reported here) that the Statue of Liberty's crown will again be accessible to visitors, little has been released regarding the details. This we do know:

The crown will be open to visitors on July 4, 2009 for two years, after which it will again be closed for work on a permanent safety and security renovation.
Park rangers will lead groups of 10 up the 168 winding stairs to the crown. 3 groups per hour will be permitted.
No system has yet been announced to determine who will actually be able to climb the steps to the crown.

In the meantime the base, pedestal and observation deck are still available inside the Statue for visitors. However guests need a ferry ticket and an advance reserved ticket in order to get inside. These reserved tickets can be difficult to get, particularly during busy tourist seasons in New York City.

Our recommendation is to participate in NYCVP's Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Escorted Tour, which departs daily through September 14 (Friday through Monday after September 14). Tickets to get inside the Statue are an included feature of the Tour.

The Tour leaves from a convenient midtown Manhattan location, close to all major Theater District, Broadway and Times Square hotels. Subway fare and ferry ticket is included as well.

For more information about the easiest way to visit the Statue of Liberty, click here or paste in your browser: http://www.nyctrip.com/Pages/Details.aspx?TourID=11

Crowning Glory

2009-05-08T08:06:00.004-04:00

After being closed for "security reasons" since 9/11/01, the Statue of Liberty's Crown will soon be accessible to visitors, according to an announcement made by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on this morning's Today Show.

The Secretary told Matt Lauer that the crown will be open initially for about 30 visitors an hour on July 4. He said that there would be a lottery system in place to determine who would be lucky enough to make the 350-step journey up a narrow, winding staircase to the top of Lady Liberty.

As we learn more we'll keep you posted right here on this blog.

Creed!

2009-05-07T11:22:00.004-04:00

I got all excited yesterday when I saw a post on cnn.com about Creed returning. Wow, I thought, is Creed Bratton touring with the Grass Roots again? Is he leaving The Office? Will he come back to Scranton?

Then I realized the news article was about the 90s Christian rock band.

They're playing Jones Beach in August.

Creed Bratton is playing Thursday nights on NBC.

Love in New York

2009-05-01T13:28:00.002-04:00

This video won the NYC Region Award in the I Love NY short film competition:

Love In New York - NYC Region Award - The funniest home videos are here

The Phone Company

2009-04-24T16:18:00.004-04:00

I've had a heck of a time recently dealing with a telecommunications company. We used to call it simply "the phone company;" indeed it was at one time the only phone company. Now it's one of several huge mega corporations offering, among other things, telephone, cell phone, internet and cable television service.

Due to my extreme displeasure with the way I've been treated, and my penchant for overreacting to these breaches of what I would consider good customer service, it wouldn't be proper of me to mention the name of the company, but it begins with the letter "V" and rhymes with horizon.

It also wouldn't be proper of me to mention all the misdealings I've had with their "customer service" (and it's necessary for me to place those two words in quotes), because it would just take up too much of your time. Suffice it to say that the sum total of my discussions with the "V" company has taught me

that if you don’t like the answer, call back and ask someone else. You’re sure to get a different answer. Keep calling back until you get the answer you want. Then disregard all answers completely.

to check my bill carefully, and check my credit report periodically. Sometimes "computer errors" occur that are totally, 100% beyond the responsibility of any person at the "V" company who has, at any point in his or her "V" company career, every used a telephone.

"We’re sorry for the inconvenience," is their standard retort when told that something has gone horribly wrong. "There was a computer problem that day. I can see you were overcharged $19,652.30 for that text message. We’ll take it off your next bill." Meanwhile, it will take me 6 months, a top legal firm and a negotiating team headed up by Dick Cheney to get the credit reporting bureaus to remove that black mark.

So what’s the answer? Dixie cups and thread comes to mind, but why should I have to put up with a connection that’s probably even worse than what "V" provides me now? Change carriers? I hear the others are just as bad.

One more thing. After I bought a new cell phone from those "V" people, I received an email from them offering to provide me with a training session. Hey, that could be a step in the right direction for the "Vs". Then I noticed they had spelled the name of their own company incorrectly. Not once either. Twice. Must have been a computer problem that day.

TRAVEL TRADE CRUISE-A-THON

2009-04-22T16:41:00.000-04:00

TRAVEL AGENTS - Are you signed up for the TRAVEL TRADE CRUISE-A-THON June 4 - 6, 2009 in New York City?

New York City is the site of The Travel Trade Show featuring CRUISE-A-THON, June 4th-6th, at the Grand Hyatt New York in the heart of midtown Manhattan.
Agents can earn up to 40 CLIA credits (prior enrollment in CLIA cruise counsellor certification program is not required to earn credits). Plus, the show will feature extensive workshops to help you sell in 2009. We will also have select ship inspections. To keep with tradition, Prizes Galore will immediately follow our trade show. You need to be there to win, so don't miss it!
And as part of this great show, Joel Cohen will conduct a special workshop for agents on SELLING NEW YORK CITY. You can be king of the hill, top of the heap, A number 1 when you learn the secrets of selling New York City! Veteran NYC travel industry insiders will show you how to get your slice of the 30 billion dollar Big Apple pie, how to find the right hotel for your clients, how to get tickets to sold out Broadway shows and concerts, what you can do that the online giants can't do, how to advertise and promote New York inexpensively and what the secrets are to sell New York City profitably. Start spreadin' the news - this is the one workshop guaranteed to make those little town blues melt away.
For more information, visit TRAVEL TRADE's website or paste in your browser: http://www.traveltrade.com/ttshows/index.html.

Mayor Announces New Route for 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

2009-04-09T15:30:00.006-04:00

Mayor Bloomberg’s office has announced that the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will take a new route through Midtown Manhattan, using 7th Avenue through Times Square and along 6th Avenue to Herald Square.

According to today's Press Release:
"The 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will follow Central Park West from its starting point at 77th street, turn east on Central Park South, then proceed downtown on 7th Avenue to 42nd Street. The parade will then turn east on 42nd Street, then proceed downtown on 6th Avenue to Macy's flagship store at 34th Street in Herald Square. At Herald Square, the parade will continue one block west on 34th Street before terminating at 7th Avenue."

So does that mean that each float driver, band leader and parade participant will be equipped with a GPS? Whew, it was so much easier when the parade just came down Broadway. "Go straight until you come to Macy's. Then stop." That's all one needed to know.

But who can argue with the Mayor's reason for working with Macy's to change the route? His plan is to transform much of Times Square and Broadway into a pedestrian plaza, starting in late May. The result, he hopes, is to reduce both traffic and pedestrian congestion as well as to "greenify" (my word, not his) the midtown area.

We'll see how it works. And whether it works is probably dependent upon one's perspective. Will it benefit the tourist? I think so and certainly hope so. Will it benefit commercial drivers, like cabbies and delivery men? I can't see how. Will it benefit the local residents? Probably, once they get used to new traffic patterns and increased/decreased automotive noise/emissions.

From our company's perspective the change means we have to scramble to assist our guests who rely on us to provide them with comfortable, convenient viewing venues for the Thanksgiving parade. We're busy doing that as we speak - or as I write - or as you read - or whatever. We're confident we'll be totally successful in arranging excellent locations along the new parade route.

Fortunately for us, one of our primary venues is the Broadway Lounge at the Marriott Marquis, perched high above both Broadway and 7th Avenue right in the heart of Times Square. It affords an outstanding view of the parade which will still pass right by.

Also fortunately for us the parade will now pass in front of our most popular hotel, the Sheraton New York, and its sister the Sheraton Manhattan at Times Square. We have a large allotment of rooms at both hotels so our guests can be accommodated in the perfect location this Thanksgiving.

Befriend Joel on Facebook Connect with Joel on LinkedIn Follow Joel on Twitter

Let the Sunshine In-Hair is a Hit!

2009-03-23T15:44:00.002-04:00

Our friends at Applause Entertainment give us the inside scoop on Broadway's latest happenings - and they're always unbiased. Here's James' pre-opening report on Hair:

"Last week I had the chance to see the current revival of Hair on Broadway. Having never seen the movie or any production for that matter I wasn't sure what to expect. Sure I knew a lot of the songs going in but that was it. Well after 2 1/2 hours I can honestly say that last Wednesday was truly one of the greatest nights that I have spent in a theater in a very long time. Not only did I love it but at the end of the show the entire audience leaped to their feet and gave the cast a very deserved standing ovation. Now for those of you who think you may be too old to appreciate it, or too young to understand the show or it's message then I have news for you. You're not. It doesn't matter if you're sixteen or sixty. Hair is about love and being happy with who you are no matter what others may think about you. Hair is universal. It will change your life. It did mine. I hope it will do the same for you."

Boy, this might be a show not to miss! I remember the original off-Broadway show, and I could still sing the music even today (only in the shower though). This could be the "Jersey Boys" surprise hit of 2009, so take my (and James') advice and get tickets soon!

You can read more reports from Applause on their website here.

The Price Is Right

2009-03-12T08:58:00.006-04:00

New York City Vacation Packages was recently featured on the hit CBS game show the Price Is Right. The show's producers selected NYCVP to provide sightseeing, limousine, spa treatments, Broadway show and tour guides for the big prize of the day, a magnificent Showcase trip to New York City valued at over $18,000!

Debra Fisher won the prize, announced as "nyctrip.com's Ultimate New York City Experience." In addition to roundtrip first class airfare and accommodations at the Westin New York at Times Square, Debra will receive

orchestra seats to a hit Broadway show
1/2 day shopping trip including chauffeur driven limo and a personal Shop Gotham escort
Spa treatments at LATHER Spa including a massage, manicure and pedicure
2-hour private PhotoTrek Tour with a guide and professional photographer
Admission to the Empire State Building Observatory, American Museum of Natural History, Radio City Stage Door Tour and escorted tour of the Statue of Liberty
Dinner at Sardi's
Brunch at Tavern on the Green
Evening dinner cruise aboard World Yacht

NYCVP is working with BCD Travel in Chicago on "this fabulous showcase prize that could be yours if the Price Is Right."

Putting the NEW back in New York

2009-03-10T13:18:00.004-04:00

Time for some good news - with a capital NEW. NEW hotels, NEW attractions, NEW shows, NEW prices. NEW York is buzzing again, despite what the media might be saying about the economy or about tourism.

New New York City Hotels

Recently opened - the Hilton Garden Inn 35th Street, just off 6th Ave. near Macy's, the Empire State Building and a short walk to Times Square. Newly built, state-of-the-art guestrooms feature their "Garden Sleep System" - with one of the most comfortable beds you will ever experience!

Also new - the Holiday Inn Manhattan at 26th Street and 6th Ave. in the trendy Chelsea section, a 10-minute or so walk to the heart of Times Square. This Holiday Inn is a full service hotel with fitness center, lounge, restaurant, business center and free high-speed, wireless Internet access.

And to paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumors of Broadway's demise have been grossly exaggerated. In fact, they're blatantly untrue. Several shows closed in January, as scheduled. But many new shows have opened, or will open shortly. Shrek the Musical has opened to great reviews. Other new shows, currently playing or about to begin performing, include revivals of Guys and Dolls and West Side Story, and the return of Hair to New York, this time to Broadway. The always popular Jersey Boys, Wicked, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia! and The Lion King still pack them in, too.

The brand new Ripley's Believe It Or Not! museum has opened in the heart of Times Square presenting visitors with the ultimate insight into the world of the odd and bizarre. Not quite so odd, nor as bizarre, is the recently re-opened USS Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum offering an interactive and multi-sensory adventure for adults and kids.

So here's the upshot of it all. Don't listen to anyone except me. I'm bringing you good news. Matt, Wolf, Anderson, Katie - they need to do the same. Tell the stories of what's succeeding (not failing), what's opening (not closing), what's re-priced (not over-priced). Stay tuned here for the best of the story.

How to Plan the Perfect Itinerary - With Kids

2009-02-09T13:32:00.006-05:00

Traveling to New York City with kids? It will be a COMPLETELY rewarding experience if you take some professional advice.

What follows are itineraries that will keep a family - especially the kids - entertained. You'll especially want to pay heed to my last piece of advice - and perhaps the most important - that you'll find at the end of this blog!

As important as WHAT TO SEE is HOW TO SEE IT. Although Manhattan is a rather small and walkable island, spending your time trying to figure out how to get from Point A to Point B (or worse yet, getting caught in traffic) can spoil an otherwise fun day.

Also, following a strenuous adventure with a relaxing interlude will pay dividends. Here are some daily itinerary ideas:

Morning visit to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum on 42nd Street. Spend 2 hours or so walking through the hands-on and up-close exhibits, most of which will be familiar to kids age 8 and up. Afterwards, walk about two blocks to the huge Toys R Us (44th & Broadway), then have lunch at the nearby Planet Hollywood (45th & Broadway). For a relaxing afternoon, take a Circle Line 3-hour sightseeing cruise around Manhattan (go by taxi to their 42nd St. & 12th Ave pier). An evening Broadway show like Disney’s The Lion King, Little Mermaid or Blue Man Group (off-Broadway) will end an unforgettable day for Dad, Mom and the kids!

2-Day Itinerary:
Day One: See all the major sights of the City by boarding the Downtown Gray Line New York double-decker hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus at 8th Ave between 47th & 48th Streets. Your narrator/tour guide will describe the sights of Times Square and the Garment District before you get off the bus at the Empire State Building. Take the elevator to the Observatory to get an amazing view of New York City.

GOOD TO KNOW: You can get FREE ADMISSION to the Empire State Building Observatory if you purchase a complete New York City vacation from New York City Vacation Packages.

Re-board the next bus and continue through the Lower Manhattan neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, Soho and Chinatown until you get to Battery Park. Get off the bus and walk towards the water to get a great view of the Statue of Liberty. When you get back on the bus you’ll find your next stop is South Street Seaport, a great place to have lunch and do a bit of shopping.The tour will continue through the historic Lower East Side and East Village, past the United Nations (where you can get off and take the brief 1-hour tour for an additional cost) to Rockefeller Center, Central Park and on to the Hudson River pier.

Day Two: Kids and parents should enjoy today’s Uptown hop-on hop-off tour as it heads past Lincoln Center and Central Park. You’ll see stately apartment buildings occupied by New York’s Rich and Famous, including The Dakota, where John Lennon lived and Yoko Ono still does. You might get off the bus here to walk a short distance into Central Park to Strawberry Fields, Yoko’s memorial to John.The next stop is a must-see – the American Museum of Natural History, with its Hall of Ocean Life featuring a 94-foot blue whale, the Rose Center for Earth and Space offering the popular Space Show and Hayden Planetarium, and the famous dinosaur halls. By the way, your kids might be interested in looking at the Museum’s web site for kids.

GOOD TO KNOW: You can get FREE ADMISSION to the Museum if you purchase a complete New York City vacation from New York City Vacation Packages.

The tour continues past other sites in uptown Manhattan including the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Riverside Church and Grant’s Tomb (guess who’s buried there) until reaching Harlem. It’s worth getting off the bus to walk around this area rich in the history of American music, dance and literature. Don’t miss the Apollo Theatre, which has showcased talent for almost 70 years, or the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market, full of traditional African crafts.

As the tour returns to midtown you will pass the famous Museum Mile, home to some of the City’s top museums and galleries. If you still have time and energy you can disembark at 65th Street and 5th Avenue for a stroll into Central Park and its Zoo.

More Family-Oriented stuff in the Big Apple:
Children’s Museum of Manhattan – for the under-12 set
Kramer Reality Tour – for Seinfeld fans
NBC Studio Tour – 70 minute “behind the scenes” tour including NBC History Theater, famous working studios and mini-control room.
NY SKYRIDE – awesome simulated aerial tour of New York City
Sony Wonder Technology Lab
New York Hall of Science

The last piece of advice - and perhaps the most important - is this: DON'T STAND IN LINE TO BUY ADMISSION TICKETS!

Kids (and adults too) get cranky. Don't subject them to a long wait while you and hundreds of others wait to get into your next attraction. BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE. You won't usually pay any more for this service and you'll breeze right through the ticket-purchase lines at major sites like the museums, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty ferry, Circle Line cruises and Madame Tussaud's. You'll also benefit by having advance reservations at some must-sees like the NBC Studio Tour.

HOW TO BUY YOUR ADMISSION TICKETS IN ADVANCE: Go to the NYC Ticket Machine at http://nycsightseeing.nyctrip.com/. You can buy tickets to most major sites, attractions and museums in New York City and print most of them immediately!

A First-Timer's Guide - Choosing a Hotel (2)

2009-01-27T09:11:00.024-05:00

It’s probably a good time to talk a bit about geography and location, because you’ll want to be assured your're staying in a safe area near all the great landmarks and attractions of the City.

New York City, as you most likely know, is made up of 5 boroughs – Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. When people talk about visiting New York City, they’re usually talking about the borough of Manhattan. This is the part of New York that includes most of the major attractions and landmarks, not that the other boroughs don’t have their share.

Most of the popular hotels are located in Manhattan. In fact, they are located in a small, rather compact section of Manhattan commonly referred to as Midtown.

If we look at an enlargement of that area, we’ll see that midtown Manhattan is where Times Square, the Museum of Modern Art, Rockefeller Center, Radio City, Central Park, Carnegie Hall and the Theater District are. Macy’s, the Empire State Building, Bloomingdale’s, 5th Ave shopping, Restaurant Row, Madison Square Garden, Penn Station – all located in midtown Manhattan.

Here's a little geography and geometry lesson – all the avenues in midtown Manhattan go north and south. All the streets go east and west. All, that is, except Broadway which goes diagonally through midtown. Where Broadway crosses an avenue it creates a triangle, which New Yorkers in their infinite wisdom call a square. Broadway and 7th Avenue – Times Square. Broadway and 6th Avenue – Herald Square. Broadway and 8th Avenue – Columbus Circle. Oh well, so much for geometry!

Fifth Avenue separates East and West in Midtown Manhattan. Midtown East is noticeably quieter and more upscale - the hotels in this area attract more business travelers and seasoned New York City visitors. Hotels on the East Side include
Doubletree Metropolitan
Intercontinental Barclay
New York Helmsley
New York Palace
W New York
Waldorf=Astoria (pictured)

Midtown West is home to Times Square, the Theatre District, Restaurant Row and Carnegie Hall. The area is more favored by tourists because there are lots of restaurants, Broadway theaters, souvenir shops - and most sightseeing tours depart from Midtown West. The most popular hotels are

Crowne Plaza Times Square
Doubletree Guest Suites NYC
Hotel Edison
Flatotel
Hampton Inn Manhattan Times Square North
Hilton Garden Inn Times Square
Hilton New York
Hilton Times Square
Jumeirah Essex House
Marriott Marquis
New York Renaissance Hotel
Novotel New York
Park Central Hotel
Sheraton Manhattan at Times Square
Sheraton New York
Sofitel Hotel
W Times Square
Warwick New York
Wellington Hotel
Westin New York at Times Square

For a great interactive map of Manhattan hotels, along with nearby attractions, restaurants and theaters, click here or paste http://nyctrip.com/pages/citymap.aspx into your browser.

A First-Timer's Guide - Choosing a Hotel (1)

2009-01-26T11:31:00.011-05:00

NEW YORK CITY ACCOMMODATIONS

New York City has a virtual plethora (I don’t know what that word means, but I like how it sounds) of hotels and motels in every price range. The adage and caveat that “You get what you pay for” must be observed, though.

Generally speaking, hotels in the popular midtown Manhattan Theatre District are somewhat more expensive than, say, a local John’s Notell Motel in another part of the US. Consider however that a Sheraton, Marriott or Hilton in midtown Manhattan is going to be within walking distance of the best live entertainment in the world (Broadway), the best shopping avenue in the country (5th Avenue), the most famous park in the world (Central Park), the most famous skyscraper in the world (Empire State Building), the largest department store in the world (Macy’s) and the 24-hour neon glamour of Times Square.

So can you get a cheap hotel room in New York? Sure. Just beware. There are several factors that determine why a hotel room is cheap:

Location. If you want to be in the middle of all that New York City has to offer, your cheap hotel room probably won’t put you there. Instead you’ll be spending money on taxis, parking and tunnel or bridge tolls. Wouldn’t you rather have a conveniently-located hotel so you can get an early start – or a late night – and still have a place to relax in between?

Features and amenities. Don’t need your own private bathroom? Don’t need a doorman or security guard to make sure your temporary residence is off-limits to intruders? Don’t need someone to ask directions or get you a taxi? Don’t need heat or air conditioning? Don’t need a wake up call? Don’t need a quick cup of coffee or tea in the morning? Aha! C’mon, live it up. Spring for the private bathroom. Feel safe and secure when you finally turn in at night. Treat yourself to a good hotel. You deserve it.

Age and cleanliness. These two factors don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand, but they’re both important. When was the hotel last remodeled? Shag carpeting is a giveaway.

“But really,” you might ask, “how much time will I spend in the room anyway?” “Well,” I might answer, “at least a third of your vacation!”

So how does the novice New York-bound traveler know where to stay? Here’s good advice:
You or your travel agent should check with a New York City expert like New York City Vacation Packages (NYCVP). They not only can make sure you’re staying where you want to be, but their prices are very good too. For a listing of Manhattan hotels, and some general information about each, click here.

Here's some more advice that will NYCVP will give you: there is real value to be found by utilizing your travel agent and NYCVP. You'll learn that you can save a lot of money by understanding the seasonality of New York City.

For instance, if you stay away from the City's PEAK SEASON and instead travel during its LOW SEASON you'll save a ton on hotel accommodations. As an example, a 5-star hotel room that's $700 a night in peak season is under $300 a night in low season. A 4-star hotel room that's $650 a night in peak season is under $200 a night in low season!

So when is "LOW SEASON"? January, February, July, August, Christmas week and certain holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends - great times to be in the Big Apple because you'll save lots of money!

There are more ways that your travel agent and New York City Vacation Packages can save you money. Give them a holler and you'll find out that New York City doesn't have to be an expensive place to visit!

Coming up - more valuable money-saving info. Stay tuned.

A First-Timer's Guide to New York City - Intro

2009-01-23T13:55:00.003-05:00

New York City - Gotham - the Big Apple - the City that Never Sleeps - whatever you might want to call it - is now the most visited destination in the United States.

In 2008, over 47 million visitors traveled to the City to enjoy its many famous attractions, entertainment venues, department stores, restaurants, sports teams, museums and neighborhoods. They came for pleasure, they came for business, they came for culture, for romance, for excitement ... for 47 million reasons!

New York City has so much to see and do. It's arguably the Greatest City in the World - it's the safest major city in the US - it's a great vacation destination - and yes, believe it or not, it's even friendly. Why, they even wrote songs about it ... so Start Spreadin' the News ... New York's got it all!

New York is home to some of the biggest, the best, the liveliest, the newest, the oldest, the tastiest, the matchless, the greatest and the utmost. The coolest thing, though, is that New York City is a perfect vacation destination for adults, kids, families, seniors, grandparents, honeymooners, groups and singles. Did I leave anybody out?

But with so much to see and do - and never enough time to see and do it all - it's so important to enlist the aid of a New York City expert to help you. I'd suggest you contact your travel agent or New York City Vacation Packages (www.nyctrip.com or 877-NYC-TRiP). An even better idea is to visit your travel agent and have him/her contact New York City Vacation Packages.

Your travel agent or New York City Vacation Packages (NYCVP) can help you make the most of your vacation time and show you how to take advantage of special prices that will save you money on accommodations, sightseeing, entertainment and meals.

In future blogs I'll let you in on some of the secrets of the City-

how to plan the perfect itinerary
how to dine without spending a fortune
how to get tickets to "sold out" concerts, theater and sporting events
how to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in comfort
how to avoid lines at popular attractions

What else would you like to know? Send an email to jocovp@comcast.net and your topic may be a future blog on Joco's New York!

NYCVP’s Cohen Says New York City Positive for 2009

2008-12-03T12:24:00.004-05:00

“New York City will be a major destination for American travelers in 2009,” claims Joel Cohen, Vice President of New York City Vacation Packages. “Although vacation travel in general will be affected by the economic situation worldwide, many signs point to New York City as being very attractive as an alternative to other leisure travel markets.”

Cohen is convinced that Americans will continue to travel. “People will not give up vacation travel. They may not go as far, stay as long or spend as much, but they certainly will not give up their vacation. I believe that people will want to go to a destination where they can pack a lot into a little less time.” New York, Cohen maintains, fits that description perfectly.

He cites the many historical, cultural, educational and entertainment venues in the City that families, couples, seniors, honeymooners and groups would find attractive. “When I think about what a vacationer can do in New York City in 4 or 5 days, I know it will result in a vacation full of memories - much more so than lying on a beach ,” Cohen continued. “75 museums, 50 sightseeing tours, 2 skyscraper observation decks, the Statue of Liberty, Broadway performances, the world’s largest store, harbor cruises, comedy clubs, TV and movie sites, 9 professional major sports teams, horse-drawn carriage rides, famous restaurants – New York City really can be a perfect destination.”

New York City may have had a reputation for being expensive, but Cohen says that’s not the case any longer. He says that with the advice of a good travel agent, potential travelers can find a real value. Here is how a travel agent could advise a would-be New York City vacationer:

Take advantage of seasonal pricing. Hotel rooms are often more than 50% discounted during “low” seasons, typically January, February, July, August, Christmas week and certain holidays like Easter weekend, Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Plan a New York City trip well in advance. Hotel rates have dropped considerably due to the decrease in European visitors, but that might only be temporary. Take advantage now of low rates by locking them in now.

Look for “smart pricing” opportunities, such as weekend versus midweek rates and tour packages that include free meaningful features and dine-around plans.

Understand the importance of air and rail service. When other leisure destinations are experiencing severe cutbacks in air service, New York City is not. Rates to New York City will remain competitive and available.

Cohen further urges travel agents to align themselves with a good New York City tour operator. “New York City can be a complicated destination to sell because of the many varied options available. However it also is a very profitable destination for the same reason. You can put a virtual New York City expert in your office by relying on a specialized tour company like New York City Vacation Packages. We can provide customized vacation plans for you and your clients, and everything will be commissionable.”

Contact New York City Vacation Packages at 877 NYC-TRiP or visit nyctrip.com.

It ain't home

2008-10-30T15:31:00.005-04:00

I was recently in Los Angeles on a brief business trip.

I didn't mind the long flight. I didn't mind avocado and sprouts with every meal. I didn't even mind the long drives on the freeways just to get from Point A to Point A(1).

What I did mind was the Neil Diamond song going through my head from the moment I arrived until the moment I left.

I'm not a big Neil Diamond fan. I know he's sold a lot of records, made some movies and entertained millions. Just not me (although truth be told, it's hard not to react in some dopey way to Sweet Caroline).

But when a song reverberates in my brain for days it's pure hell. It wasn't even the whole song either, just a few lines. Over and over again, like a tremendously awful version of Groundhog Day.

L.A.'s fine, but it ain't home —

New York's home but it ain't mine no more

They were the words. It pains me to think that my writing includes two instances of "ain't" and a double negative to boot. Too bad there's no ending preposition (my mother-in-law says that's something up with which she will not put).

What was it about Los Angeles that forced those lyrics into me? Why couldn't it have been Gladys Knight instead of Neil Diamond?

L.A. proved too much for the man,

So he's leavin' the life he's come to know,

He said he's goin' back to find

Ooh, what's left of his world,

The world he left behind

Not so long ago.

He's leaving,

On that midnight train to Georgia,

And he's goin' back

To a simpler place and time.

Strong, meaningful words sung so soulfully. And those Pips. Who doesn't love those Pips? Woo Woo.

But I regress.

I do know why those words pervaded my soul. L.A. is fine, but it could never be my home. L.A.'s not New York. Never will be. Probably doesn't want to be. L.A.'s got its good features. Weather. Lots of highways. Weather.

But what it doesn't have is character. Real character. "You talkin' to me?" character. Fuggedaboudit.

New York is pastrami, pizza and bagels. L.A. is quiche (and "pizza" created by an Austrian named Puck).

New York is Broadway, De Niro and Sinatra. L.A. is TV.

New York is a crazy taxi ride. L.A. is a stretch Hummer.

L.A. has Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Santa Monica. New York has Hell's Kitchen.

L.A. has Catalina Island. New York has Coney Island.

New York has the Statue of Liberty. L.A. has a statue of George Tirebiter (true!).

L.A. has the Oscars presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. New York has Nathan's International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest. OK, I'll give that one to L.A.

New York is style. L.A. is stylized.

I sat in a tony (definitely an L.A. word) al fresco wine bar where I couldn't order a glass of wine unless I also ordered food. The signs on every lamppost cautioned neer-do-wells "Skateboarding, rollerblades, bicycles and smoking prohibited." Outside, on the street, skateboarding, rollerblades, bicycles and smoking were prohibited. Try and get away with that in New York.

6am on a Saturday morning I hiked the one block from my hotel to Starbucks. People on all 4 corners waiting for the light to change so they could cross the street. Not a car in sight, I did what anyone in New York would do. I got such looks, and even a comment from someone. It ain't home.

Yes, I know. L.A. is the TV and movie capital. So all those great TV shows are taped in L.A. You know - Seinfeld, Friends, Sex and the City, Law & Order, 30 Rock, The King of Queens, Hill Street Blues, Cosby, Taxi, NYPD Blue, Will & Grace. Try and imagine any of those shows without the character of New York.

I do have friends and colleagues who live in L.A. and love L.A. Even some who once lived in New York and prefer to stay in California. It's just not for me. But at least that song's gone from my head now.

Lower Manhattan - Part 3

2008-08-12T10:59:00.001-04:00

I met Tony Di Sante in January 2002. New York City Vacation Packages, the company I work for, arranged several overnight bus excursions into the City for folks in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area of Pennsylvania. The plan was to test a new sightseeing tour with these vacationers. We hired Tony, a licensed New York City tour guide, to escort the group to Lower Manhattan and visit not only Ground Zero, but also the highlights of this historic downtown area.

Although I had worked in Lower Manhattan in 1969 and 1970, I knew very little about the area. I do remember watching the construction of the Twin Towers, and I remember seeing a ticker tape parade for the Apollo 11 astronauts who landed on the moon. Other than that, I can only recall how vibrant and lively Lower Manhattan was from 9am to 5pm weekdays, and how quiet and desolate it was at other times.

After the tragedy, however, Lower Manhattan became a "must-see" for visitors. No longer were the streets empty after hours. Especially on weekends, the area around Ground Zero was always crowded. This is what prompted us to offer this new, controversial tour taking visitors from Midtown Manhattan to Lower Manhattan.

The beauty of the tour wasn't in just taking people to Ground Zero. That might have been the original intention, but it became apparent to me that there was so much history and so many stories throughout Lower Manhattan that made the tour interesting, relevant, educational and stimulating.

It was Tony Di Sante who, along with company President Barry Tenenbaum, planned the itinerary to showcase not just Ground Zero, but also St. Paul’s Chapel, the Woolworth Building, City Hall, Trinity Church, Wall Street, Bowling Green and Federal Hall.

Tony’s matter-of-fact style worked well, especially during the always emotional visit to Ground Zero. He would speak to the group at several brief stops after exiting the subway, but once he reached his previously scouted-out location for the day’s best view of the tragic site, he was always quiet.

Not so quiet, though, when he led everyone down Broadway to Trinity Church, then across Wall Street to Federal Hall and a close-up view of the New York Stock Exchange. That’s when the real narrative began – the race to build the world’s tallest building, the site of the City’s first terrorist attack some 80 years earlier, the buttonwood tree, the sculpture that mysteriously appeared in front of the Stock Exchange one morning; then the story of the Hamilton-Burr duel and what it meant to Trinity Church, and how the world’s tallest building in 1913 was paid for in nickels and dimes. All of a sudden the area came alive. Its history, from a Native American trading spot to the inauguration of the nation’s first president, to a virtual skyscraper museum, to the tragedies of 1920 and 2001, was real.

Lower Manhattan has certainly changed in the almost 40 years since I was one of the million or so who worked in that area. The Charging Bull, the Bronze Sphere, the new Sports Museum of America, South Street Seaport, the world’s most unique McDonalds – it’s definitely worth a day or more on any visitor’s itinerary. Especially if you could spend part of that day with Tony Di Sante.

The best resource on the web for planning your next New York City vacation - www.nyctrip.com!

Watch my Travel Agent Training Video - Best of New York - on youtube.com.

Lower Manhattan - Part 2

2008-08-06T16:59:00.004-04:00

It was an atypically warm Saturday in November. There was a bit of a breeze when we exited the subway, but what we noticed was the odor in the air.

Neither of us knew what to expect, so we weren't surprised by the crowds. We were surprised, though, that even after seven weeks had passed the air was thick and the odor unlike anything we had ever experienced. Someone was handing out dust masks, which my wife put on immediately.

Not knowing where to go, we just followed the crowds. At each corner we'd peer to the right, straining to see through the hordes of people. We'd catch glimpses of twisted metal or crushed concrete until we'd snake and inch our way to the front of the masses; there, separated from the activity by a police barricade, we got a better view of the horror.

Just why we went to Lower Manhattan that November day, I really can't say. Why we had to get to the front for a better view, I can't say either. Nor can I speak for the tens of thousands others doing the same. What I know is we had to go.

Several firemen, dirty and exhausted, answered questions as they stood on the other side of the barricade. I remember I wasn't interested in what they were saying because they didn't have the answer to the only question I had. No one had the answer. Even today, 7 years later, no one has the answer.

St. Paul's Chapel, just one block away, somehow escaped damage. It became both a sanctuary for the firemen, police and rescue workers, as well as a makeshift memorial (it's wrought iron fence became the perfect gallery walls for some of the most touching, most emotional and most heartbraking artwork one would ever see). The Reverend Lyndon Harris of St. Paul's put into words the importance of the historic church during this trying time. "Emerging at St. Paul’s was a dynamic I think of as a reciprocity of gratitude, a circle of thanksgiving—in which volunteers and rescue and recovery workers tried to outdo each other with acts of kindness and love, leaving both giver and receiver changed. This circle of gratitude was infectious."

Outside the chapel it was the silence that was infectious. All of these people and not a sound. Very few spoke, and then only in hushed whispers. There was nothing anyone could say. The scene, the St. Paul's memorials, the thought of the horror less than two months earlier, the stories of heroism, the rescue and recovery efforts of the volunteers, the thousands of innocent victims, the overriding question "Why?" - no single person would dare compete by speaking. There was a lot of crying though. Silent, keep-to-yourself crying. The kind of crying that doesn't make you feel better. The kind of crying that lasts forever.

To be continued ...

Lower Manhattan

2008-07-29T11:28:00.011-04:00

With the neon and hyper-activity of Midtown Manhattan, it's easy to overlook the historical significance of Lower Manhattan.

For most of the latter half of the 20th century, Lower Manhattan was simply "the financial district." Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, World Trade Center, Woolworth Building, Federal Reserve. Commerce was the main draw. When the banks and exchanges closed in the late afternoon, everyone went home. The streets that were lined with (literally) millions at noon were empty at night and on weekends.

My most vivid memory of Lower Manhattan was seeing a ticker tape parade honoring the astronauts who first landed on the moon in 1969. It was an incredible event. Millions of onlookers, tons of confetti and ticker tape (who knows what that is any more?), and an hour after the parade passed by my building at 25 Broadway, the streets were clean and there wasn't any evidence of the event.

The only historical significance to me was that during the 2 years I worked in Lower Manhattan I watched the construction of the World Trade Center Twin Towers.

Then came the tragedy.

In its aftermath the focus changed. People were drawn to Lower Manhattan, particularly to the site of the former Twin Towers. For whatever reason, the area became known as Ground Zero not just as a geo-militaristic term but also as a geo-tourism term.

As Mayor Giuliani encouraged visitors to come to New York City, to support the City, to help the City rebuild economically, tourists arrived in droves. They stayed in Midtown, but for the first time that I know of, they wanted to visit Lower Manhattan. They needed to see, to pray, to pay respects, to seek closure, to get mad, to cry, to blame, to ask questions for which there were no answers. Regardless of their motives they converged on Lower Manhattan and Ground Zero.

Our company, New York City Vacation Packages, was (and still is) 100% invested in New York City tourism. For several months following the tragedy visitors who responded to the Mayor's plea asked our help in getting them to Lower Manhattan.

In March of 2002 we decided to hire an experienced tour guide, Tony DiSante, and operate a FREE tour from Midtown Manhattan to Ground Zero and Lower Manhattan. Tony, himself a resident of Lower Manhattan, had familiarity with the area both before and after the tragedy and conducted a respectful mission to the scene of the tragedy, as well as to many of the other sites in Lower Manhattan.

On our first such tour on that sunny but chilly Saturday morning in March 2002, we were accompanied by a reporter and photographer from a New York newspaper, a CNN film crew and reporter, and about a dozen or so tourists who paid nothing for the tour - it was after all a FREE tour.

CNN ran a mostly factual 8-minute feature on the tour later that afternoon.

The newspaper, however, never quite got the story right. According to the article in the newspaper, we were charging $1,900 for the tour! And since the incorrect story was picked up by the wire services, I got plenty of emails and phone calls when the story appeared in USA Today and many local papers.

I spent the next several months explaining the true story to newspapers and on radio talk shows. "No," I'd say, "We're not charging $1,900 for a tour. It's FREE. Tourists are asking for help getting to Lower Manhattan and we're arranging it for them AT OUR COST."

My most trying time was responding to questions from author, sports writer and radio talk show host Mitch Albom. "We are not profiting from the tragedy," I told him after he accused us of doing what we knew our hearts would never let us do. But he has an audience to entertain.

His last remark to me was, "The market will decide if what you are doing is right."

Mitch, the market decided. We still operate the tour. In fact, not long after appearing on Albom's radio show, I had the pleasure of escorting three private tours for the entire staff of the City's convention and visitors bureau.

I learned a lot about the media from that sunny Saturday in March. I learned a lot, too, about Lower Manhattan from Tony DiSante. I'll share that knowledge with you soon.

42nd Street

2008-07-25T09:53:00.007-04:00

It was a pleasant drive in those days, from our home in Pennsylvania to the Big City. My father had bought his first brand new car, a 1954 Plymouth Savoy, which replaced his 1946 Pontiac that he had bought a few years earlier for $200, almost 2 weeks' salary.

The Plymouth made it to New York City in about 3 hours, its 4-40 climate control operating at full blast (that's 4 windows down at 40 mph - we didn't know from air conditioning in the '50s).

Traversing the Pennsylvania mountains and the New Jersey farmlands, the ride was certainly less than spectacular; that is, until we entered the Lincoln Tunnel. My mother kept an eye out for the markings on the tunnel wall - "There it is, there it is!" as she pointed. Indeed, there it was. Written on the wall, just as she had told us for weeks, building our anticipation for this epic journey. The vertical line with "New York" on one side and "New Jersey" on the other. It was everything she had promised. For that fraction of a second, that miniscule moment of our lives, we were at the precise spot where New Jersey became New York. We discovered the secret of fire. We harnessed the atom. We cured measles. We were in New York.

Oh, how little it took to excite us then.

The Empire State Building. I don't remember any long lines; I don't remember the elevator; I don't remember if the weather was nice. I just remember walking around the Observation Deck in absolute awe. Looking down at the TOPS of big buildings. Seeing for miles in every direction. Could I see Pennsylvania? Dad said no, but I thought I saw my house. Past New Jersey.

Times Square. So many people. We stood on the corner of Broadway and 42nd Street. My Mom told me that if we stood there long enough we would see every famous person in the world. At the time I don't think I was interested in standing there long enough to see every famous person in the world, but I was absolutely fascinated by the signs in Times Square, particularly the Camel cigarette sign that blew smoke rings. While they scoured the crowds for famous people, I just stared at the smoke rings. Sadly, I learned how to blow smoke rings just like that sign did (but I'm now smoke-free for 145 days).

I recall that 42nd Street in the '50s was mostly movie theaters. Maybe there was more to it, but that one block between Broadway and 8th Avenue was so brightly lit, with every marquis dancing for attention. It seemed to me that the whole movie world must have started on 42nd Street and then moved around the corner and up Broadway. The lights of Times Square were bigger and brighter, but their fuse was lit on 42nd Street. To me, 42nd Street was the center of the New York universe. Even my favorite Camel sign was positioned so the best view of it was from 42nd Street.

All these memories came back to me last weekend. For perhaps the first time since the early '70s (the movies were "unique" in the '70s; the lights danced but the dance was a lot different) I walked on 42nd Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue. So much has changed that remains the same. The lights are even brighter but the fuse is elsewhere. The movie theaters are there, a monsterplex of 25 theaters on 11 floors. The obligatory gift shops and fast-foodaurants. 42nd Street has evolved but there's still one constant: 42nd Street is still the center of the universe.

There are attractions like Madame Tussaud's and Ripley's. There's the old New Amsterdam Theatre, the only remaining remnant of the 1990s disneyfication of the Street. Dave & Buster's sole New York City location just opened. BB King's Blues Club hosts some of the best musical acts in the City. And stuck in the middle of it all, somewhat hidden in the neon and color of the Street, is a Hilton hotel.

Maybe it's not what we'd call pure New York. Maybe it's gentrified and disneyfied and McDonafied. But it's glitz and glamour and neon. And it took me back 50 years. What's wrong with that?

The best resource on the web for planning your next New York City vacation - www.nyctrip.com!

Watch my Travel Agent Training Video - Best of New York - on youtube.com.

My Daughter's 16th

2008-07-24T08:41:00.004-04:00

First published in May 2003 Travelsmart:

As I sat in the Nederlander Theatre waiting for the musical Rent to begin, I knew my 16-year old daughter Marley was excited about seeing *NSync’s Joey Fatone live on stage. She and I had, just a year earlier, camped out overnight at Rockefeller Plaza so she could see her favorite group perform for The Today Show.

Fatone has matured from boy-band to movies and Broadway stage. So has Marley. It wasn’t the presence of her pop idol that was memorable to her. It was the storyline and the music of Rent, a long-running show with undercurrents of homosexuality, Aids and other subjects that Dads don’t always like to talk about with their 16-year old daughters.

This day and this musical were special to me, more special than Cats or Grease or Blue Man Group. This day marked the transformation from childhood to adulthood. Not for Joey Fatone. Nor for Marley. For me.

Broadway has a way of doing that. A stimulating show. A late dinner, then a stroll through the crowds, past the sidewalk vendors, all the while talking about what we’ve just experienced. No doubt it was a memorable time for Marley. For me, an epiphany. I’m not the father of a kid anymore.

We’ve seen Urinetown, the Musical too. A surprise winner of multiple Tony Awards, it surprised me also. First, no bathroom jokes. Second, Marley understood the show’s allegory and appreciated its subtle humor.

There’s something on Broadway for everyone. Musicals, plays, dramas, comedies, dance … and each one will challenge your emotions and change your life in some way.

Newest Photos

2008-07-23T15:15:00.003-04:00

Thought I'd thrill my loyal fans with my newest photos from my weekend in New York City July 18-20. Top to bottom:

World Trade Center area, now primarily a construction site.
30 Rockefeller Center (30 Rock). It's not just a TV show, it's ... it's ... it's ... no, it's just a TV show.
42nd Street. Not your father's 42nd Street. Not my father's 42nd Street.