Review: Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum

Every Week, Gray Line New York will be highlighting a “Partner of the Week” on our blog. We are going to provide a review for a new partner’s product and share our own insights and experiences. This week, our Partner of the Week is the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum.

If you like exploration, inspiration and excitement, the Intrepid is the museum for you. This Sea, Air, & Space Museum, all located on the aircraft carrier, The Intrepid, gives you the opportunity to learn and experience US history from the past century. Positioned right on the Harbor, I personally think the Intrepid is one of the most uniquely located museums in all of New York City because it has beautiful views of the water on one side and the city on the other.

Captain’s Bridge

Separate from a traditional museum, the Intrepid offers indoor and outdoor experiences like no other museum I have been to. After going quickly through security, I immediately stepped onto the large pier where the ship is docked. It was a beautiful day so I did not rush to get onto the ship/museum and I walked to the end of the pier where a British Airways Concorde was located. It was cool to see because this was one of the only airplanes featured that I could actually touch and walk under.

From there I finally boarded the Intrepid through one of the four towers. This took me onto the Hangar Deck, which is all indoors and filled with countless artifacts and history. A portion of this deck is an exhibit known as the Exploreum. I felt that this is worth noting because of the hands on activities. You could sit in the cockpits of fighter jets, lay in the ships bunk beds and experience a 4-D motion ride, just to name a few. I could tell a lot of kids were especially enjoying this section but that doesn’t mean I didn’t.

WWII Navy Artifacts

After the Exploreum fun was over, I went outside to climb up to the Flight Deck. Here, the entire outside top deck was filled with airplanes and helicopters, each with their own bit of history. I looked at and read about Fighter Jets from the US Navy that were part of wars such as, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and World War II. At the center of this deck I was able to climb up to the Captain’s Bridge. I thought this was one of the coolest parts of the ship because even though it was small, it still seemed like one of the nicest parts. I walked through the control room and the Captain’s Sea Cabin. It felt like one of the most exclusive parts of the ship and I think that’s why it was so appealing and exciting.

After that, I had two more decks to explore- the Third Deck and the Gallery Deck. These decks were inside and completely opposite from the Hangar Deck because it was a lot more closed in, filled with narrow hallways and doorways to climb through. Here, I was able to get a feel of what it was like to be working on the ship. I saw numerous cubbies with bunks and bathrooms, the kitchen, lounge and cafeteria rooms. It was fascinating to see how everything fit, even though it was so crammed.

As I was making my way off of the ship, back onto the pier, I realized that I loved this museum because it was so unique in a way that each deck was completely different from the other. Whether it be outside or inside, or open spaced or closed spaced, this kept the museum constantly exciting and gave off a real feel of the actual boat. I enjoyed that I felt like I was on an exploration rather than formally walking through an organized museum. It is needless to say at this point, but if you enjoy exploring and are looking for an adventure, the Intrepid is the place to be.

Pro Tips:

• Bring sunscreen for warmer days
• Bring Jacket for colder days
• Exploreum for kids and the whole family
• Bring a camera for a lot of pictures
• Some sections you can only get to via stairs, but mostly elevators are provided

To pre-purchase tickets for the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, visit our website now: Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum Tickets

Review and photos by Megan Ryan

#GLNYchat is Taking a Break

Every Thursday since February we have proudly hosted #GLNYchat on twitter. It has been a great place to discuss timely topics and their relation to NYC with our internet friends and we are thankful for everyone who joined us. Today, we will be taking a break.

The chat will be going on hiatus, effective immediately. We are going to take some time off to regroup and analyze our chats so that when we bring it back, it will be better than ever. #GLNYchat isn’t dying, but rather it’s recharging.

I hope that each and every one of you has enjoyed the chats, and if anyone has any suggestions for changing the format or theme or style of the chat, now is the time to let us know in the comments. This chat is designed to benefit everyone, so don’t hesitate to make your voice heard.

What Time are the Fourth of July Fireworks in NYC? (And Other Tips For the 4th)

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks in NYC over the Hudson River

Every year, New York City puts on one of the best 4^th of July firework displays in the country. If you plan on spending Independence Day in NYC, here is everything you need to know:

What time do the Macy’s 4^th of July Fireworks begin?

The 37^th annual Macy’s 4^th of July Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 4^th.

Where in NYC will the Macy’s 4^th of July Fireworks be held?

The fireworks display will be held over the Hudson River in Midtown Manhattan. The barges that launch the pyrotechnics into the sky will sit in the river from around 20^th Street to about 50^th Street.

Where should I go to watch the fireworks?

12^th Avenue will be closed down to traffic and serves as the front row seat to the show. We would also highly recommend finding a rooftop somewhere in Manhattan to sit on, heading over to Jersey to watch the show from the cliffs of Weehawkin, or boarding a harbor cruise for the show.

What time should I go to watch the fireworks?

12^th Avenue will close to traffic likely around 2 p.m. at which point people will begin lining the street. If you want a great seat, you should get there early.

What are the pros and cons to watching the fireworks from each recommended location?

• The best view is probably from a harbor cruise on the water. Those are running for about $149 which includes some food, music, a cash bar and is an all-around fun time.
• The closest view which is free is on the West Side Highway. You have to get there early and alcohol is not permitted on the street.
• A Manhattan rooftop is a great choice, because it’s free, and you can typically show up 10 minutes before the show without any problem. The challenge is finding a rooftop that allows access. Also, once you find a place, it’s probably illegal to drink alcohol on said rooftop.
• I’ve never been to Weehawkin for the 4^th of July, but there is no better view of New York City than from those cliffs. Surly the fireworks won’t disappoint, though everyone from New Jersey will be trying to find a spot in Weehawkin to watch so you can expect a crowd.

Where are you going to watch the fireworks? Do you have any other tips? Let u know in the comments, and we’ll update this post accordingly.

Photo: Shutterstock

Review: Radio City Stage Door Tour

Every Week, Gray Line New York will be highlighting a “Partner of the Week” on our blog. We are going to provide a review for a new partner’s product and share our own insights and experiences. This week, our Partner of the Week is the Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour

I wasn’t sure what to expect during the Radio City Stage Door Tour, but needless to say I was excited. I arrived at 50^th and 6^th Avenue, quickly went through security and the tour began right on time. I was satisfied with the organization of the check-in and security process because everyone was extremely nice and enthusiastic to get our group into the tour on time so there was virtually no waiting around.

Radio City Music Hall Main Lobby

This tour was a guided tour from start to finish with a small group of people. The tour guide first directed us into the Main Lobby of Radio City Music Hall. Here we learned all about the interior design of the lobby, how it came about and how it got its shape, color and design. From there, we walked down the stairs into the Grand Lounge. As you can see in the pictures below, the Grand Lounge has a darker feel to it with dim lighting. I thought that it was interesting to learn that in the 1930’s and 40’s, people use to come off of the subway, directly into this lounge. The darker colors and dim lighting were used to quiet down the guests, as opposed to the red and orange colors of the inviting Main Lobby.

We took an elevator to the Upper Level Seating and sat in the back rows of the theater to take it all in as a whole. From this seat, I was able to cherish the vast, unique beauty of the theater. One feature that caught my attention that the tour guide discussed here was the acoustics designed in the theater. He explained that there was not one bad seat in the house. In addition to no columns, the walls and ceiling are designed to clearly send sound from the stage all the way to the back row. From where we were sitting, we could clearly hear the workers on stage moving around.

Costume Room

After this, we were finally taken back stage to see things from behind the scenes. We were taken into the Roxy Suite, a VIP room where the performers and musicians hang out in before they perform. It felt cool and exciting to be in the same room that countless famous people have been. Also, with its colors and furniture, this room was one of my favorite features of the tour.

Down the hall from this suite was a screening room where I was given a chance to sit in original seating from the theater from 1932, and watched a short film on the history of Radio City Music Hall. A majority of the film focused on the formation of the world famous Rockettes. Right after, we were surprised with the opportunity to meet and talk to an actual Rockette.

The Roxie room

We continued our journey through hallways and stairs and came across the costume room that displayed clothes from Rockettes and other performers. It was cool to see where the costumes and clothes are made and designed, each in their own individual way. There was also a hallway near here that displayed a long timeline with information and pictures of the Rockettes and Radio City that went from 1927 leading up to today. The evolution was amazing to see laid out like that. But more importantly what I thought was fascinating was seeing how some of its history has not changed at all.

There is so much history and uniqueness in Radio City, which I never would have known before my visit. My fascination and wonder behind this theater only increased as the tour continued. I can definitely say I left there with more information than I thought possible. I have been to shows at Radio City in the past, but the Stage Door Tour offers a completely different experience.

Pro Tips:

• This tour is completely guided and lasts about an hour long
• Photos are welcome, so be sure to bring your cameras!
• This tour is especially good for music and theater fans because of the history
• There will be some minor stair climbing, but elevators will always be available
• You get a special opportunity to meet a real life Rockette. You might get a little starstruck, so think of some things you want to ask her before you begin taking the tour

To pre-purchase tickets for the Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour, visit our website now: Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour Tickets

Review and photos by Megan Ryan

Mother’s Day in NYC 2013

A Central Park picnic for Mother’s Day?

Mother’s Day is coming up and if you haven’t yet, it’s time to start planning. Luckily for you, if you will be in NYC on May 12^th, we have a couple of suggestions for you. Here’s the Gray Line New York guide to Mother’s Day in NYC:

For The Outdoor Mom

The mom who loves the outdoors might not be thrilled about being in the big city for her special day, but did you know that NYC has over 1,700 parks and playgrounds? As shocking as that may sound, that’s not a made up stat. Our recommendation, take mom to The High Line to experience one of Manhattan’s most unique parks, or maybe just head to Central Park for a picnic.

For The Sporty Mom

Who said the ballgame is just a Father’s Day tradition? Take mom to Citi Field for a game against the Pirates.

For The Hungry Mom

Brunch. New Yorkers love their brunch, because it’s breakfast, and it’s lunch. At the same time.

Taking your mom to brunch is as nice a thing as you can do for the woman who brought you into this world. Remember to think ahead, because Mother’s Day is one of the year’s big brunch days, so you may need to make a reservation.

For The Music Mom

If your mom is one of those people who always has music playing, than you’re in luck. The Bayou n’ Brooklyn Music Festival will last all weekend, closing on Mother’s Day.

For The Tourist Mom

You have been living in New York City for a year since you left your Ohio roots, and mom is finally coming to visit so that she can spend Mother’s Day with her favorite child. Mom has never been to Manhattan before, so you know that she’s going to want to see everything. No problem, just hop on a double-decker bus tour for the weekend. Tours include Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and a nighttime route. Mom will love you forever.

Does your mom not fit into one of these categories? Let us know in the comments and we’ll update our recommendations for you.

Photo: Flickr / patrickhashley

Review: Bronx Loop Double-Decker Bus Tour

Every week, Gray Line New York will be highlighting a “Partner of the Week” on our blog. We are going to provide a review for a new partner’s product and share our own insights and experiences. This week, we are diving into one of  our own products, the brand new Bronx Loop.

I was excited to go on the Gray Line New York Bronx Loop not only because it is new, but because it also included the Uptown Loop, which I have yet to experience- Not to mention I am a huge Yankee fan and any opportunity to see the stadium is exciting for me.

Before we get to the Bronx Loop, I first got on an Uptown Loop bus and took the first half of that route. Right from Times Square, I hopped on the Uptown bus with dozens of excited tourists. I was just as excited as everyone else and immediately went up the stairs to the top deck of the bus to ensure the best views possible. Even though it was slightly chilly and windy, I have zero regrets about this decision.

Columbus Circle

Uptown Manhattan is personally one of my favorite areas in the city because of its historical and architecturally great buildings and this tour only enhanced my adoration for the Upper West Side. We were taken around the Upper West Side passing views from Central Park to the Hudson River. I enjoyed learning where famous people lived and seeing great landmarks which I have never gotten the chance to see or learn about such as, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine and the General Grant National Memorial.

Upon arriving to the Harlem Market, it was time for me to hop off the Uptown bus and get on a bus to the Bronx. I had a few minutes to spare which was great because I got to walk through the markets and browse through the unique cultural items featured, from handmade jewelry to purses and scarves. After I was done looking, I hopped on the Bronx Loop bus and took a ride through the Bronx to Yankee Stadium. Prior to the arrival at the stadium, I enjoyed learning about the diverse cultures that subside in the Bronx and the art and history contained in the northern borough.

Once arriving at the Yankee Stadium stop, we had about 20 minutes to explore the surrounding areas, so I hopped off and took several pictures of the new stadium. I noticed their official store was open, so I walked through the store and found dozens of trinkets decked out in Yankee logos. After purchasing a shirt, I made it back to the bus just in time for departure.

Central Park West

In no time, we made it back to the Harlem Markets to transfer back onto the Uptown Loop. The remainder of the Uptown Loop took us back down on 5th Avenue to see the beauty of this side of the city. I was able to see many parts of the Park that I have never gotten the chance to see before. The beauty of the park during this early spring time fascinated me and caught my interest. We also passed The Guggenheim Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which are both incredible museums to see and easily hop off to visit.

Arriving back in Times Square, I got off the bus overwhelmed with images and thoughts about my experiences of Uptown and the Bronx that afternoon. I am sure that the pictures that I took and my review of these tours do not compare to my actual experience. Whether you are visiting New York for the first time, or you have lived here your whole life, the bus tour is an experience that is both extremely informative and eye-opening. I recommend you take a tour for yourself to fully understand what I am talking about.

To pre-purchase tickets for the Bronx Loop, visit our website now:  Bronx Loop Tickets

Review and photos by Megan Ryan

LL COOL J Ride of Fame Contest

If you’ve ever wanted to meet actor, rapper and New York City native LL COOL J, this is your chance.

On May 13th, The Ride of Fame is honoring LL COOL J as an immortal celebrity, and 10 lucky fans will be given VIP access to his induction ceremony which includes a double-decker tour around NYC with the man himself. All you have to do is answer one question:

What does “Authentic” mean to you?

How to Enter:

• Send out a tweet telling us what “Authentic” means to you.
• Your tweet can contain a picture, a video, or it can be just the tweet.
• To submit it for entry, Make sure you use the tag #LLCOOLJROF and be sure to follow@RideofFame and @LLCOOLJ

Timeline:

• April 29, 2013 – Contest opens
• May 6, 2013 – 10 winners announced
• May 13, 2013 – Ride of Fame induction and Grand Prize winner announced

Prizes:

• 10 winners will be selected by LL COOL J one week prior to the ride of fame. These winners will be invited as exclusive guests to LL COOL J’s Ride of Fame induction ceremony where they will get to meet him and take a double-decker bus tour of NYC with him.
• Each of the 10 winners will be allowed to bring one guest of their own.
• 1 Grand Prize Winner will get VIP seating during Ride of Fame ceremony and an autographed copy of his latest album, Authentic, for both the winner and guest.

Please read the contest terms and conditions. By entering the LL COOL J Ride of Fame Contest, you acknowledge and agree to the contest terms and contidions