Top 10 New York buildings to put on the “to see” list

by Anna Brones on

New York is known for its skyline. Skyscrapers and notable architecture are what the city is made of, and although some of the city’s famous buildings leave much to be desired, there are a whole slew of them that are worth a visit.

The Center for Architecture recently came out with a list of 10 great buildings to see in New York. But the list doesn’t include more famous buildings like the Empire State Building; everyone knows what that one looks like. This list compiles the buildings that are a little more cutting edge, from the first green skyscraper to a store with a glass bridge and staircase. Here are the top five:

Conde Nast Building
Brooklyn Museum
Prada New York
Rose Center for Earth and Space
Apple Store Soho

Read about these and the other five buildings in the USA Today article.

The American Girls Revue shows to end after a decade run

by Jamie Rhein on

When my daughter was 3 1/2 she received her first American Girl doll— Bitty Baby, the Asian version. Then came outfits with their accessories. Then came the Just Like You American Girl doll version, the kind where you choose your hair color, eye color and skin tone–Asian. Then when she was nine, we folded and bought Josephina, the Hispanic version. My daughter never asked for anything. It was me. I was hooked. For a brief while, I was the kid who could afford (barely) a bit of the fantasy that American Girl sent my way with each new catalog and as long as my daughter liked her dolls. . .and there was a birthday or Santa Claus.

Alas, childhood is short. My daughter’s interest in her dolls stopped at about age 11. No point in spending the money on those ever so clever outfits with accessories to match even if Josephina’s led us through watered down Hispanic culture of yesteryear through the books that matched the outfits and accessories, and I never got around to buying the Chinese New Year outfit for Just Like You Asian girl. By the time I found out about an American Girl store had opened in Manhattan, my daughter was into the eye rolling phase.

Although Asian girl and Josephina are perched high on a shelf in her bedroom, darling Bitty Baby is in the basement in a box with all her clothes–carefully packed but moved over to make room for other phases in life. The American Girl company is also making room for other things.

The live shows, The American Girls Revue that started in the Chicago store and then was added to the Los Angeles and Manhattan locations are stopping. The L.A. version will close on April 1. The NYC and Chicago versions will close September 1. There’s still some time to see the characters the dolls represent sing, dance and act out aspects of the lives from history the dolls represent. The stores are staying open, and I’m sure out there there are mothers and grandmothers pouring through catalogs savoring those days of childhood. [via Chicago Tribune]

Valentine’s Day and two chocolate fixes

by Jamie Rhein on

Over at Intelligent Traveler Jeannette Kimmel describes in detail the chocolate covered hotel room experience one couple will win in Godiva Valentine’s Day Promotion. The Bryant Park Hotel in New York City is the site of this Ultimate Chocolate Fantasy weekend that includes a chocolate spa treatment. That reminds me of the scene in The Who’s movie “Tommy” when Ann Margaret, wearing a white outfit, swims in the stuff. Odd. As a person who is satisfied with one square of dark chocolate, the thought of chocolate covered walls paired with chocolate furniture makes me feel a bit ill, but I admit, the idea is fascinating.

For a chance to win this first prize, or one of the 100 second prizes, look inside a specially marked $23 or more Godiva gift box to see if there’s a message in an enveleope that says “Congratulations!” That’s the short version–here are the details.

If the idea of a chocolate bath or any kind of chocolate beauty treatment sounds enticing, there’s more than the contest version. In Hershey, Pennsylvania at The Hotel Hershey, you can get a Whipped Cocoa Bath, Chocolate Hydrotherapy, a Chocolate Bean Polish, a Chocolate Sugar Scrub, a Chocolate Fondue Wrap and/or a Cocoa Massage. Don’t stop with one treatment. There’s a whole menu on the Day Spa package list.

Be part of Improv Everywhere

by Jamie Rhein on

If you thought, “How cool is that?” when reading Jerry’s post on stopping time in Grand Central Station and wish you had been involved, it is possible to get in on some improv action yourself. Improv Everywhere, the New York City-based group that pulls off these clever pranks has spin-off groups in other cities.

Global Improv Everywhere is found across the United States, as well as, Vancouver, Toronto, London and the Netherlands with membership in each chapter ranging from 50+ to over 100. Anyone can join in the creating public “joy” and “chaos” efforts–the aim of Improv Everywhere missions. Currently there is a plan to do a nationwide freeze on February 23. Check out the Web site for details and also to find out how to join up with a chapter in your city if there is one or start one yourself. You can also hook up with the New York City version by registering online. You can also get an Improv Everwhere T-shirt with this logo on it..

Being in an Improve Everywhere stunt seems a bit less intimidating than being in a Spencer Tunick nude photo shoot.

New York businesses now accepting euros

by Anna Brones on

What happens when a large American city starts attracting European tourists by the millions? Stores start taking euros just as easily as US dollars. That’s what is currently taking place in New York City where “Euros Accepted” signs are popping up all over the place. Businesses want to make a buck, and apparently it doesn’t matter what kind of currency that buck is in. Those businesses are doing some smart thinking in taking whatever kind of currency the tourists can fork over; tourism in the city brought in $28 billion in 2007.

If you own your own business, things are even better as pointed out by Billy Leroy of Billy’s Antiques and Props, “I am happy to take 200 euros , because what I do is keep them. So when I go back to Paris I don’t have to go through the nightmare of going to an exchange place.” Smart man, I’d be doing the same thing.

Only a few time zones and a 7 hour flight away from big European cities like London and Paris, New York City is pretty much the new European weekend shopping getaway. Make euros the accepted currency and the Big Apple might even be on its way to joining the EU… I don’t think so, but if you are a European, those dollar prices make the city pretty attractive.