New York StationBuzz

June - August 2009

3STATION BUZZ NEW YORK – SPRING 2009 | www.stationbuzz-newyork.com

Welcome to New York, and to the first

issue of .We have designed our magazine to help

you, our visitor, get the most from your visitwhile being part of the City’s exciting GO GREEN program, and reducing yourimpact on the environment . We will showyou how to best use our great public transitsystem to get where you want to go quickly,safely, and at a reduced cost. It’s the best wayto go if the weather is not inviting, the fastestin any weather, and you will help keep our city green.

Using the NYC public transportationsystem, you will avoid traffic jams and thusget the most use of your limited time with us.We will show you how to conveniently visitsome of the most interesting neighborhoodsof our City which you might have thoughtwere too far out of the way. Remember, foralmost all destinations in New York you pay aFIXED SINGLE FARE, and you get a freebus transfer thrown in as well. WhileManhattan may be the center for hotels andtourism, there is lots to see in the otherboroughs! We show you interestingneighborhoods in every part of the City.

Our magazine features many of the samemaps, and information as other guides, but

we have organized our guide magazinearound major subway stops and theirneighborhoods. Our detailed local maps andlistings will not only guide you to the mostimportant destination, in the area, butwill also introduce you to the less knownand less well promoted, yet interesting places,which are right next door. I think even someof our New York resident readers will learnsomething new about their hometown fromreading our magazine.

Our featured articles will tell you aboutspecial and seasonal events taking placeduring your visit, and our websitewww.stationbuzz-newyork.com is updatedfrequently to bring, those of you who rely onyour computers, even fresher information.

Although we think we know our Citywell, no one can say they know everythingabout it, so we invite our readers, visitors aswell as New Yorkers, to share their knowledgeand discoveries of the riches and hiddentreasures New York City has to offer, so thatwe can feature them in one of our futureissues.

Have a great time in New York.

Ludwig [email protected]

Dear Reader,Dear Reader,

FROM THE PUBLISHER

4 STATION BUZZ NEW YORK – SPRING 2009 | www.stationbuzz-newyork.com


Dear Buzz Reader,Our City government has a mandate to

make New York one of the premier greenspaces in America. We have made a majorcommitment to improve our environment byencouraging the use of public transportation,clean energy, recycling, and reducing eachindividual’s carbon footprint .

New York has the largest and best runpublic transportation system in the world.Our busses and subway systems cover morethan 100 square miles, and are operationalround the clock. Everyone knows TimesSquare, but have you ever been to CityIsland, Jackson Heights or Pelham?Williamsburgh, Chelsea, Park Slope and theUpper West Side are only a few subway stopsaway, and represent some of the mostethnically diverse and creative neighborhoodsin New York. Find some of the finestarchitecture, crafts fairs, zoos, botanicalgardens, out of the way museums and artshows, jazz dancing classes, swimming,tennis, and food choices from more than 100countries. All while “going green” at less thanfive dollars a day.

We have programs in place to rewardshops, restaurants, and even hotels who save

energy and pursue green initiatives. StationBuzz will point you to these establishments inevery corner of our city, so that you may,while visiting, eating and drinking, shopping,and relaxing, actually contribute to thereduction of your individual carbonfootprint, all while having a good time.

Enjoy our subway art and music, takethis opportunity to explore out of the wayneighborhoods, and meet our stalwart NewYorkers who welcome you with ourtraditional hospitality. In today’s economy,we are excited at the chance to offer youtravel solutions which are not reliant on fuel ,and which offer the opportunity for safe, lowcost travel to out of the way places where youwill have fun.

As Borough President , let me say“Welcome” not just to Manhattan, but to theBronx and Staten Island too.

Scott StringerBorough President of Manhattan

FROM THE BOROUGH PRESIDENT

Welcome To The City That Never SleepsWelcome To The City


The Buzz ListThe Buzz List

The Subway system has over 400 stations. Wehave decided to feature major stations in ornear tourist destinations and interestingneighborhoods. In some cases, especiallydowntown, where stations may only be a blockor two apart, we speak of “region”.

XX SOUTH FERRY/BOWLING GREEN/BATTERY PARK REGION

Staten Island, Ferry, Ferries to Statue of Liberty & EllisIsland, Museum of Jewish Heritage, Vietnam VeteransMemorial, Museum of the American Indian

XX WALL STREET REGION

South Street Seaport, Fraunces Tavern, Museum ofAmerican Finance, New York Stock Exchange

XX FULTON ST./B’WAY-NASSAU REGION

World Trade Center Site, World Financial Center, TrinityChurch, St Paul’s Chapel, South St. Seaport Museum

XX BROOKLYN BRIDGE/CITY HALL

City Hall, Historic Art Deco Court Buildings, Municipal Building, Park Row, Pace Uni.

XX CANAL STREET REGION

Tribecca, Little Italy, China Town

XX GREENWICH VILLAGE REGION

New York University, Washington Square Park, Off-Broadway Theaters, Mc Dougal Street Coffee Houses,The Public Theater, East Village restaurants and bou-tiques, Broadway shopping and SOHO

XX UNION SQUARE-14TH STREET

Webster Hall, Irving Plaza, Union Square Park &Farmer’s Market, Chelsea Market, Meat Packing District,Restaurants & Shopping

XX CHELSEA REGION

Restaurants & Boutiques, Art Gallery District, ChelseaPiers Sport Complex, Museum At the Fashion Instituteof Technology

XX HERALD SQUARE; PENN STATION-34TH STREET REGION

Herald Square, Madison Square Garden, Jacob JavitzConvention Center, Empire State Building

XX TIMES SQUARE-42ND STREET WEST REGION

1 Times Square Building, Theater District, NY Public Li-brary, Port Authority Bus Terminal, Water Taxis, Boat Tours

is designed to help younavigate our City bySubway. We want toencourage you to visitnot just specific touristdestinations, but ourneighborhoods as well.While we realize thatmany of our readers arestaying at the mid-townhotels, our magazine isdesigned to start at thesouthern tip ofManhattan, and gonorth, like many of ourSubway lines, and thenhead out into theboroughs. You may wantto pick the chapter withthe station closest toyou, and start exploringin either direction.


XX GRAND CENTRAL

42ND STREET EAST

Chrysler Building, Tudor City & Park, United Nations

XX 50TH STREET-REGION

Rockefeller Center, W 47th St. Jewelry/Diamond Dis-trict, Museum of Television and Radio, St. Patrick’sCathedral, MOMA

XX COLUMBUS CIRCLE-59TH STREET

Carnegie Hall, The Plaza, The Russian Tea Room,Horse Drawn Carriages, Kayaking on the Hudson

XX EAST 59TH STREET

Roosevelt Island Tram, Bloomingdales, One of themost fun shopping areas which extends to 5th Av-enue & the Iconic Apple Store at Grand Army Plaza

XX WEST 66TH STREET

Lincoln Center, Tavern on the Green, Café des Artistes

XX WEST 72ND STREET

The Dakota Building & Strawberry Fields, The HistoricAnsonia Building, Loeb Boat House & Restaurant,Central Park

XX WEST 79TH STREET REGION

Museum of Natural History, Rose Center Planetarium,79th Boat Basin

XX EAST 86TH STREET

Museum Mile, Yorkville/German Town, Carl SchurtzPark & Gracie Mansion

XX MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS- W. 116 STREET & BROADWAY

Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Riverside Church,Columbia University

XX 125TH STREET

The Apollo Theater, The Lennox Lounge, Sylvia’sRestaurant

THE OTHER BOROUGHS

XX BRONX ZOO

Wild Life Conservatory, Seasonal Exhibits & Attrac-tions

XX ASTORIA/LONG ISLAND CITY REGION

P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, Kaufman Astoria Stu-dios’ Museum of the Moving Image, Isamu NoguchiMuseum, Socrates Sculpture Park, Restaurants Galore

PUBLISHER: Ludwig Gelobter

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Dominique Pasqua

ART DIRECTOR & GRAPHIC DESIGN: Mike Rampelt

PHOTOGRAPHY: John Stuart StudioNando Rodriguez,

Pasqua Direct Photo,Lisa Gelobter

CONTRIBUTORS/WRITERS: Nando RodriguezNate Festinger

WEB DESIGN: Nostradamus Advertising

IT EDITOR: Vlad Alexandrescu

SALES DIRECTOR: Fred Moskowitz

1800 7th Ave, Ste. 8C,New York, NY 10026Ph.: 347 727 2622

[email protected]

Station Buzz New York is a proud member of NYC & Co and Fashion Group International

© 2009 by Crystal Publishing Group

is a registred trademark of CRYSTAL PUBLISHUING GROUP

XX BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC

The pre-eminent, progressive performing and cinemaarts center of the twenty-first century

XX GRAND ARMY PLAZA, BROOKLYN

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Brooklyn Museum of Art,Prospect Park

Cover photo: Maureen Plainfield | Dreamstime.com

All rights reserved. Reproduction without writtenpermission of the publisher is prohibited.

The publisher is not responsible for the contentof advertisements


ELEVATED TRAINS: The earliest form of trulyrapid transit in New York was the elevatedrailway, or “El”. Designed to run on tracks,about three stories (10m) above city avenues,the elevated trains drastically changed the wayin which New Yorkers viewed their city andlived their lives. By 1871, the age of “Els” hadarrived and most Manhattan residents werewithin a ten-minute walk from an El. By1903, the elevated systems in Manhattan andBrooklyn shifted from steam to electricpower, offering a smoother, cleaner ride. Be-cause the El was such a successful mode oftransportation, it ran uninterrupted whilemany other forms of transportation, whichran concurrently with it, were deemed nolonger useful and were shutdown.

The Els helped to create the urban life wenow take for granted – people were able tolive, work, and shop in different parts of thecity, while constantly interacting with peoplefrom different neighborhoods andbackgrounds. Although the Els became dirty,noisy and blocked sunlight from the streets,for over 70 years people could travel quicklyand cheaply throughout the city. To this dayelevated trains still run in the Bronx,Brooklyn and Queens as extensions of theirManhattan underground routes.

CABLE CARS: New York City’s first cable carline opened in 1883. Cable Cars were pulledby steam-driven machines placed at eitherend of the line, which pulled an endless loop

The New York SubwayA Short History

As in many large cities, public transportation in New York City began withhorse drawn carriages, which quickly morphed into horse drawn streetcars.Because there were no traffic regulations, soon a variety of horse-drawnvehicles jammed the city streets; a precursor of today’s traffic jams.


of wire cable running through a slot belowstreet level. They were very useful in areasthat were too steep for horses. As electricalpower became available, the era of the cablecar ended making way for the trolley.

TROLLEYS: For many years, trolleys ran in allfive boroughs of New York City. They usedelectric current delivered to motors fromoverhead cables or underground conduits.They were faster and cleaner than their prede-cessors the horse drawn trolleys, and, trolleyswere cheaper to build and operate than cablecars. Because they moved on fixed tracks inthe center of city streets, trolleys became anuisance in traffic, while getting on and offwas dangerous for the passengers, causingmany accidents, some fatal. Although sometrolley routes operated until the 1950’s, theincreasing number of gasoline or diesel drivencars and trucks in the 1920s doomed the trol-leys, and, gradually motorbuses replaced them.

MOVING BELOW GROUND –THE SUBWAY: Tomeet New York City’s need for better rapidtransportation, city authorities decided tobuild a subway which would meet two objec-tives. It would not only move people about incrowded Manhattan quickly and efficiently, itwould also encourage them to move out ofcrowded Manhattan. Subway lines were ex-tended to vast tracts of undeveloped land inthe boroughs, where new neighborhoodscould be created, helping to turn a crampedisland city into a sprawling metropolitan area.

Construction of the first subway linebegan in 1900. Initially the City turned to aprivate firm, The Interborough Rapid TransitCompany (the IRT), which was under thedirection of one of the richest men in NewYork, the financier August Belmont. Belmontemployed a work force of 7,700 mencomprised mostly of Italian and Irishimmigrants.

Instead of boring tunnels below theground, trenches were dug down the middleof city streets; walls and platforms were builtand tracks were laid. The “trench” was thencovered over with a metal lid that served asthe platform on which the city stood. Thelaborers used this magnificent method, called“Cut and Cover”, as they meandered between

and around the jumble of pipes and conduitsthat powered the city. Less than four yearslater, the IRT was whisking New Yorkersthrough an underground system of overtwenty miles of track. On its very first day,the IRT carried over 100,000 riders! Thesubway trains, traveling at close to 40 milesper hour, were much faster than trolleys (6miles per hour) and elevated trains (12 milesper hour). Passengers liked the features of thesystem, including local and express service,fewer weather-related delays and the singlefare they had become accustomed to on theother modes of public transit – five centsregardless of the distance they traveled.

Most of the subway system we knowtoday was built during a great burst ofconstruction from 1913 to 1931. Toencourage rapid development, the citydivided subway licenses between twocompanies. The arrangement, which becameknown as the “Dual System,” gave the IRTpermission to expand existing lines inManhattan, Brooklyn and The Bronx. Laterthe BMT (Brooklyn-Manhattan TransitCorporation) received contracts for new linesin Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.Additional lines were added by the IND(Independent Subway System) in the 1930s,terminating many older Els which operatedalong the same routes above ground. In1940, the city unified all three subway linesunder public ownership. New York CityTransit was created by the New York StateLegislature in 1953 and came under the aegisof the Metropolitan Transportation Authoritywhen the MTA was created in 1968.

Today, the NYC subway system servesnearly five million passengers every day with26 train lines operating on over 800 miles oftrack. The subway runs 24 hours a day, sevendays a week, and connects all boroughsexcept Staten Island. Early plans hadincluded expansion of the system to StatenIsland, but the route was never built. StatenIslanders depend on the Staten IslandRailway, which became part of the MTA in1971; it links 22 communities across theisland.

New York City’s subway system is one ofthe busiest and most extensive subwaysystems in the world.


Using the Subway

The NYC public transit system holds thedistinction of being the only system in theworld to run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

A number or letter designates the subwayroutes. The subway system’s more than 5,000cars are climate controlled and well lit. Trainsrun every two to five minutes during rushhours (6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and 3:30 p.m.to 8:00 p.m.), every 7 to 10 minutes at othertimes of the day and every 20 minutesbetween midnight and 5 a.m.

Every subway station entrance displaysthe route numbers of the subways that servethat stop. Above the tracks on the platform,you will also see signs displaying specificroutes and the direction the subway travelsfrom that specific platform.

Because there is no nightly shutdown formaintenance, tracks and stations have to bemaintained while the system is operating.Maintenance work is done during theovernight hours or on weekends, sometimesseamlessly, at other times requiring a re-routing of trains or, when necessary, usingshuttle buses. At these times, you will hearnumerous announcements and seeannouncement signs posted in affectedstations.

PAYING THE FARE

The MetroCard is the present paymentsystem for the subways and buses in the NewYork City Transit System, which operatesunder a single fare system. The MetroCard

functions like a specialized Debit Card. Youdeposit money into your account—thecard—and then use it up as you travel.

Up to three children under and up to 44inches tall and can ride free on subways andbuses when accompanied by one fare paying adult.

TYPES OF METROCARDS

Ü Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard Buy as many rides as you want from $4 to $80.Put $7 or more on your card and receive a15% bonus. For example, a $20 purchasegives you $23 of credit on your card—eleven trips for the price of 10, with $1balance. Refill your card to use the balance.

Conditions of Use: • You get an automaticfree transfer between subway and bus, orbetween buses.• No transfers from subway to subway or to

the bus route on which you started.• No free transfers between the bus routes

listed below:Downtown Fifth Av and uptown Madison Av buses(M1, M2, M3, M4)Downtown Lexington Av and uptown Third Av buses(M101, M102, M103)Southbound and northbound Grand Concourse buses(Bx1 and Bx2), M27 and M50, M31 and M57, M96 andM106, Bx40 and Bx42

Ü Unlimited Ride MetroCardGet an unlimited number of subway andbus rides for a fixed price. Choose from a 1-Day Fun Pass, a 7-Day,

Using the Subway


14-Day, 30-Day, with others available.Conditions of Use: • May not be used againat the same subway station or the same busroute for 18 minutes. Ü 1-Day Fun Pass – Cost: $7.50Conditions of Use: • Good for unlimitedsubway and local bus rides from first use until3 a.m. the following day. It is sold atMetroCard Vending Machines and atneighborhood stores. It is not available atstation booths.Ü 7-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard

– Cost: $25Conditions of Use: • Good for unlimitedsubway and local bus rides until midnight, 7days from day of first use.Ü 14-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard

– Cost: $47Conditions of Use: • Good for unlimitedsubway and local bus rides until midnight 14days from day of first use. This card isprotected against loss of theft when purchasedat a vending machine with a creditordebit/ATM card.Ü 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard

– Cost: $81Conditions of Use: • Good for unlimitedsubway and local bus rides until midnight 30days from day of first use. This card isprotected against loss of theft when purchasedat a vending machine with a creditordebit/ATM card.

TIPS FOR USING THE MTA SUBWAY SYSTEM

Ü Use our guide anddetailed maps so you know which trains totake and which stations to use in order toreach your destination quickly.

Ü To enter the subway stations and access thetrains, you need to swipe your MetroCardat the entrance turnstile. Upon doing this,the word “Go” will appear in the electronicdisplay, indicating you should moveforward through turnstile, the electronicread-out will also display your remainingMetroCard balance.

Ü After entering the subway station, followthe appropriate signs to the subwayplatform for train you intend to use. Payattention to the direction the train will betraveling, uptown or downtown, forexample.

Ü In most subway stations, there is aCustomer Information Center bulletinboard with a subway map, train schedulesand information about changes in servicedue to construction. Many subway stationsalso have a station agent to answerquestions and provide directions.

Ü The front and side of all subway trainsdisplay the route number or letter. Localtrains make every stop along the designatedroute, while express trains make fewerstops. The subway maps indicate expressand local stops.

Ü As in any major city or crowded area, avoidshowing cash or your wallet in public.Keep in mind that the subways aregenerally very safe, however pick-pocketingcan occur. Keep a firm grasp on yourbriefcase, purse and wallet. Never leaveyour belongings unattended on a bus, asubway, or in a subway station.

OTHER NOTABLE FACTS

Ü Globe Lamps: At the entrance to most ofthe system’s subway stations there arelampposts topped with a 2-tone coloredspherical globe, one half being white. Thecolor system uses green lamps to indicate24-hour entrances while red lamps indicatelimited hours of access.

Ü Artwork: Many stations are decorated withintricate ceramic tile work, some of itdating back to 1904 when the subway firstopened for business. The subway tileartwork tradition continues today, abeautiful example of which can be found atthe Broadway and West 86th St IRTBroadway line #1 stop. The Arts for Transitprogram oversees art in the subway system.Permanent installations, such as sculpture,mosaics and murals are as abundant as aretalented musicians performing in stations.There are also commissioned posters ondisplay in various stations. “Art cards”,some displaying poetry, are in many of thetrains themselves, in unused advertisementfixture slots. Some of the art is byinternationally known artists, DavidHockney being the most popular.

Finally, if you need directions orassistance while riding the subway, considerasking a New Yorker. Most people will bemore than happy to oblige.


12

3

4

6

8

10

7

5

9

Now just how complete would a trip toNew York City be without taking an easy rideto 59th Street-Columbus Circle? Thesubway line which runs beneath thislandmark was completed in 1904 while thestation went through a major renovation in1934, connecting the No. 1 and 2 lines to theA, B, C and D, making this one of the city’sbiggest subway hubs. Back in 1904, youcould not easily transfer from the numberedtrains to the lettered trains, as they wereowned by different private companies. Today,you can weave your way, seamlessly in andout of all the trains and grab a seat in theclimate controlled cars as you merrily ride toyour destination. Walking the passageways,make sure to take note of the original artwork(Whirls and Twirls) by conceptual artist, Sol

LeWitt. As native New Yorkers know, thisdestination is in the heart one of the city’strendiest areas.

Who would have guessed, back in 1492,that Christopher Columbus’s transatlanticexploits would land him on a pedestal at thelower reaches of the fashionable West Side?(Which stretches north from ColumbusCircle to 110th Street, between Central Parkand the Hudson River). Columbus Circle is alarge-scale monument to this Spanishadventurer—the 70-foot granite rostralcolumn is adorned with bronze reliefs of histhree ships, the Nina, the Pinta and the SantaMaria. In 2005, new fountains, woodenbenches and the beautiful greenery thatsurrounds the monument were completed. Itis said that when you are inside the circle, all


your worries fade away as you listen to thesounds of the water cascading in the fountain.We will let you be the judge of that.

Depending on when you are in New York,you may be able to celebrate Columbus Dayin true New York style, by attending thefabulous Columbus Day Parade which takesplace the second Monday in October. Whilethe Parade starts at 44th street and movesnorth on Fifth Avenue to 79th Street, there isalso a ceremonial wreath laying at ColumbusCircle. NYC’s Columbus Day Parade is thelargest Columbus Day celebration in theworld complete with breath-taking floats,extraordinary costumes and wonderful music.

On any given day, intriguing scenery,both natural and man made, awaits, as youallow your gaze to fall upon the colossal TimeWarner Center complex, an 80-story multi-use skyscraper and one of the newestlandmarks to join our skyline. The reflectionof Central Park and the statue of Columbuson the glass frontage of the building will notonly take your breath away, but will remindyou that in New York, it’s all about being fabulous.

A few gems we call the “RestaurantCollection” found inside this building willleave your taste buds in ecstasy; whether

you’re in the mood for a Steakhouse,Japanese, French, or a large brasserie with anEastern European flavor, the star chefs willhelp you discover just why you had to stopby. As you walk the halls your innershopaholic can indulge its desires, in shopslike Coach, Armani Exchange, Aveda, andDean & Deluca, just to name a few. TheMillenia Fine Art collection on the 4th flooralso has captivating art pieces featuredthroughout the Time Warner Center. There’sno doubt that you’ll find something to pleaseyour shopper’s soul.

When you think of a park, you think ofgreenery, a shrub, maybe a tree here or there.But when New York set out to construct ourversion of a park, our forerunners went all-out and the end result is the iconic CentralPark. Frederic Law Olmsted and CalvertVaux’s design, called ‘the Greensward Plan’was selected in 1857 and marked the park’sbeginnings. At Columbus Circle, is thesouthwest entrance to the park, inviting youto come and walk inside. But even as youstand in the Circle you can marvel at themany activities happening all around you.From a romantic ride in a horse-drawncarriage or a bicycle rickshaw, a rented bicycleor even a pair of in-line-skates, you’ll find


yourself faced with the myriad of optionswith which to explore the park.

What better way to view New York thanto take a romantic ride on a horse-drawncarriage? These old fashioned carriages can befound year round parked on Central parkSouth, waiting to give you the opportunity toenjoy a sweet summer breeze or to snuggle upwith a wool blanket to keep out the winterchill. And while on this delightful andpicturesque ride, your driver will offer yousome homespun insights making your rideboth pleasurable and enlightening.

Facing the corner of Fifth Avenue and59th Street, known also as Grand Army Plaza,the Plaza Hotel, with its 282 luxurious guestrooms and 102 spacious suites, proudly keepsup tradition while introducing new luxuriousfeatures. Home to “Eloise”, the mythicalheroine of the bestselling children’s books byKay Thompson, with its legendary ambiance,the white glove service it offers—an elitegroup of white-gloved butlers with onestationed at every floor, this impeccablelandmark offers you every pampering detail.Indulge in The Plaza’s glamorous lifestyle bytaking High Tea at the Palm Court or havingan unforgettable meal in the Oak Room. Youwon’t be sorry you did.

If you are a fan of great music, you arealready familiar with Carnegie Hall. Named

after Andrew Carnegie, a major contributorto its construction, it opened its doors in1891 with a concert featuring the music ofTchaikovsky. To protect it for futuregenerations, in 1964 it was declared anational historic landmark. This worldfamous concert hall, has presented almostevery musical legend since its opening,including the Beatles.

Ah, the sights, the shopping, the—wait,something’s missing. What about the food?For delectable dishes, ride to the 35th floor atthe Mandarin Hotel and head into thedecadent Asiate, 80 Columbus Circle (at60th) for some of the City’s most talkedabout fusion experiences. Challenge yourtaste buds as you try savory dishes with atrendy French-Japanese vibe, and you’llunderstand why New York is known as a cityof distinct flavors.

Okay, let’s be honest for a second. Hasyour New York adventure left you a bit tired?Do you have more pep but it’s pooped and itneeds a little jolt? Head over to Yelo, a trueNew York destination, where you’ll find newwellness products for sale. This posh shop, at315 W 57th St, welcomes your tired, yourpoor, you scrunched-up feet and offers you aluxurious aromatherapy-infused nap insideone of their stylish pods which will restoreyour senses and revive your spirits.


• The Maine Monument designed in 1901, at the entrance to Central Park, it was created tocommemorate the 260 brave men who lost their lives when the battleship Maine sank in HavanaHarbor in 1898.

• Central Park Tours and Rentals 2 hr tour of Central Park for $30 includes bike rental availablewithout guide – 20/2hr or $35/day. Located Columbus Circle, also at Lincoln Center (Corner of59th/CPW for more info: 212.541.8759). Have a romantic time while riding in a horse-drawncarriage through the city. Estimated Cost (not including tip): $34 for the first 20 minutes and$10 for each additional 15 minutes.

• Catch an insider’s view of Carnegie Hall 57th Street just east of 7th Avenue, by taking a tour,but make sure you’ve got plenty of memory in your digital camera, because being inside thishistorical monument will surely awaken the aspiring photographer in you.

• The newly opened Museum of Arts and Design at 2 Columbus Circle is a vibrant andengaging cultural center like no other institution in the city. The Museum also has a 155-seatauditorium and a ninth floor restaurant with sweeping views of Central Park.

• Located at 150 West 57th Street between Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Tower is theRussian Tea Room Opened in 1927 by former members of the Russian Imperial Ballet as agathering place for Russian expatriates, it has withstood the test of time as one of NYC’slandmark restaurants.

• Don’t rush off before taking a stroll through the Museum of Biblical Art (MOBIA) where you willmarvel at the relationships between art, religion and the Bible. The museum is at 1865Broadway at 61 Street.

• New York Society for Ethical Culture at 2 W. 64th Street houses an 800-seat Auditorium, afavorite of musical groups because of its warm, full acoustics. A calendar of events is available in thelobby and on-line

• The current façade of Roosevelt Hospital was built in 1993. Along with being a full-servicecommunity and tertiary care hospital, it’s also an academic center with a wide range ofresidencies and fellowships. (10th Ave and 59th Street)

• Make sure to stumble upon the Trump International Hotel and Tower where two friendlydoormen are ready to open the doors and let you inside to indulge in the atmosphere. You’llrecognize the building by its signature silver globe stratgically placed in front. (One Central ParkWest Near the intersection of Central Park West and Columbus Circle)

• In the summer you may want to take advantage of free kayaking at the foot of the Hudson RiverPark at 56th Street, Pier 96. Who knew the scenic waters of the Hudson could be so calming?10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Before you head backto the subway foryour nextdestination, makesure you check outthese other New YorkCity gems, as theysparkle, waiting foryour attention.



New York City is a story that never ends.Millions of lives in a city that hustles andbustles its way to the top paint a colorfulpicture of diverse cultures, fine food,fascinating history, and sights galore. And,72nd Street and Broadway is the perfect placeto experience that story for yourself. Whetheryou’re seeking amazing architecture andhistoric buildings or trendy restaurants andshopping, you’re bound to find the at 72ndand Broadway, the crown jewel of the UpperWest Side.

Begin your trip to this breathtakingneighborhood by catching the 1, 2, or 3 trainfrom wherever you may be to the 72nd Streetstation. Commonly called ‘7th Avenue line’,this train traverses the entire West Side ofManhattan. 72nd Street is both an express

and local station, so both trains stop at thishub of commerce and culture.

As you exit from the station, you’ll noticesomething unusual. Unlike most stations,72nd Street and Broadway sports 2 grandkiosks as entryways, both on islands in themiddle of the intersection of Broadway andAmsterdam Avenue. This wasn’t always thecase. When the station opened in 1904, itfeatured just one entrance between 71st and72nd street. But this configuration didn’tallow passengers to change from the uptownto the downtown tracks, and had very narrowstairways. Some years ago the station wasrevamped to include a second kiosk, alongwith a crossover between tracks.

Once you step out of the kiosk, you’llfind yourself in the middle of Broadway –


literally. The station sits on an island in themiddle of this bustling thoroughfare, whilethe more recent kiosk is in Verdi Square,which features park-style seating and anewspaper stand. Verdi “Square” is actually atriangle. The so-called square’s centerpiece is alarge statue celebrating the great Italian operacomposer, Giuseppe Verdi, whose famousoperas include Rigoletto, La Traviata, andOtello.

But don’t start singing arias yet – youradventure has just begun! Head north alongBroadway to admire one of New York’s mostbeautiful examples of Beaux-Arts architecture:the Ansonia. You’ll immediately recognize itsmajestic façade, which rises imperially fromthe corner of Broadway and 73rd. Thispalatial structure was completed in 1904 andoriginally served as one of New York’s finestresidential hotels – and home to more than afew celebrities. As you pass through thestately archways that curve above the entranceto this landmark, you’ll enjoy the sameexperience as legends like baseball great BabeRuth, composer Igor Stravinsky, novelistTheodore Dreiser, and mafia headman ArnoldRothstein, who were all attracted to theresidence’s monumental apartments. Cravingsome present-day hype? The building is a

favorite set for many filmmakers, and filmslike Single White Female, The Sunshine Boys,Perfect Stranger and many others all featurethe Ansonia prominently.

The Ansonia isn’t the only bit of historyyou’ll come across on your visit to this gem ofa neighborhood. If you’ve ever heard of theBeatles (and who hasn’t?) you’ll want to pay avisit to The Dakota Building, as well asnearby Strawberry Fields. The Dakota risesfrom the northwest corner of 72nd Street atCentral Park West, and features highlydisplayed gables and peaked roofs reminiscentof a North German Renaissance town hall.But architecture is usually the last thing onvisitors’ minds when they come to view thislandmark, which is most famous for housingcherished Beatles member John Lennon andhis wife, Yoko Ono. The entrance to thebuilding is the site of Lennon’s assassinationon December 8, 1980. The event shook theworld, and just minutes after the shooting,crowds gathered in front of the Daokta tosing, chant and pray in commemoration ofone of modern history’s greatest icons.

Five years after the devastating event,Strawberry Fields was dedicated. It is inCentral Park, across from the Dakota.Named after one of the Beatles’ most famous

Dakota Building


songs, the monument pays tribute to the greatBeatle who met his fate just a few feet away.The memorial is on a triangle-shaped plot ofthe park, and features a centerpiece of acircular mosaic of inlaid stones. At the centerof the circle can be seen the sole word‘Imagine’, reminding us of Lennon’s mostwell-known song and his philosophy of peace.Every day, people lay flowers on the circle tohonor the beloved Beatle, and once a year onthe anniversary of the assassination, YokoOno pays a visit to the memorial.

After paying tribute to one of modernhistory’s great figures, why not lighten themood and please your palate with a trip toThe Boathouse Restaurant in Central Park?You’ll find the boathouse conveniently at thenortheastern tip of The Lake, a large body ofwater which spans the west side of the parkfrom 70th to 77th. The Boathouse Restaurantis where nature and nourishment convene inNew York, here you can feast on savorymenu items like grilled shrimp, chicken orcrab cakes while enjoying one of the park’smost idyllic settings. After your meal, don’tmiss the Boathouse’s other allure: rent arowboat or take to the lake in a real Venetiangondola for a stomach-settling taste of NewYork’s most beautiful location.

Of course, if you prefer your cuisine inthe city, you’ve got plenty of options. And tomake it even easier, Amsterdam Avenue,which runs parallel to Broadway north of

72nd Street is a smorgasbord of some of thecity’s hottest restaurants. Here, you’ll findone-of-a-kind delights like Salumeria RosiParmacotto, whose main attraction isauthentic Italian prosciutto. The people whorun this unique restaurant are experts onItaly’s finest meats, and with over 15 differentvarieties of the delicacy, you’re sure to findone to please. Your taste buds will marvel asChef Cesare Casallo brings his authenticItalian flair to the table, and theknowledgeable and passionate employees atthis trendy establishment are ready withanswers to all your questions.

If you’d like to travel a more Easternroute to satisfaction, head up Amsterdam toFusha, where pan-Asian cuisine awaits you insplendor. Inspirations for the cuisine hereinclude Japanese, Thai, Malaysian, Chinese,and Vietnamese food, and menu items runfrom traditional Asian entrees like FruityCrispy Duck and Honey Glazed WalnutChicken to more adventurous dishes – for ajolt of Eastern excellence, be bold and try theChar-Grilled Sake-Miso Chilean Sea Bass. Ofcourse, no pan-Asian restaurant is completewithout its own full-service sushi bar. But theexperience at Fusha doesn’t end with the food:from the moment you step into this classyrestaurant, you’re virtually transported into aChinese palace, the ornate wall carvings, faux-stone facades, and an aquarium all add to adistinctive experience.

• The Ansonia, 2109 Broadway. For lush architecture, New York history, and a healthydose of celebrity.• The Dakota, between 72nd and 73rd Streets at Central Park West. John Lennon fans andBeatles admirers will appreciate this place of lore.• Strawberry Fields, in Central Park off 72nd Street. To pay tribute to the great, late JohnLennon, see this memorial, which Yoko Ono visits every anniversary of Lennon’s death.• The Boathouse Restaurant, Northeastern tip of The Lake in Central Park, (212) 517-2233. For posh dining in a green environment, and to don oars on New York’s favoritelake.• Salumeri Rosi Parmacotto, 283 Amsterdam Avenue, (212) 877-4800. For an authenticItalian experience, and anyone who’s ever been curious about prosciutto.• Fusha, 311 Amsterdam Avenue, (212) 877-9300. Experience pan-Asian cuisine in itsfullest form.

New York StationBuzz

Documents

hiddentreasures new

new yorkers

new york resident readers

mandate tomake new york

buzz reader

city green

city government

use of public transportation