Mr. Ferate's enthusiasm and energy are as engaging as his knowledge about New York City. The tour features the Lincoln Building, as well as Grand Central Terminal. Primarily focused on history and architecture, Ferate does an excellent job setting the scene for the creation, evolution and eventual restoration of Grand Central Terminal.
Grand Central Station is one of New York City's greatest architectural gems. Five to six million commuters pass through Grand Central daily, and while the amazing design might go largely unappreciated, many of the details make this volume of traffic possible. Mr. Ferate points out that the length of tiles throughout the terminal relate directly to the size of human arms, legs, and hands, making it easy for people to move throughout the area without collisions or other mishaps. He also reveals how impressive the restoration of the ceiling in Grand Central was by pointing out a spot left unrestored and is still black from pre-restoration cigarette smoke in Grand Central. Participants on the tour will also get a chance to discover the famous "whisper gallery" outside of the Oyster Bar, and Mr. Ferate takes participants by the hand and leads them to opposite corners to try it out themselves.
Justin Ferate does an outstanding job depicting the history of Grand Central, dispelling myths and misconceptions, and makes this educational tour fun and engaging.
Tips:
Day 10: Grab A Meal at the Central Park BoatHouse
Head out to a Mets Game and enjoy some ole' fashion baseball. For tickets, directions, and more information, click here.
The Harlem Gospel Choir has shared its message of love & inspiration with hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Through its dynamic performances the Choir strive to create a better understanding of the African-American culture & the inspirational music called Gospel as it relates to the Black Church. The theme of every performance is "bringing people & nations together & giving something back".
This idea comes from our reader George, thanks! Punk Rope is a blend of recess and boot camp for people of all ages, sizes, shapes, and fitness levels. Playful themes, story-driven calisthenics, fitness games, rope jumping, and raise-the-roof music bring out the kid in all of us, even in kids.
Day 6: Visit Steinway Hall on 57th StreetLocated on West 57th Street in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Steinway Hall is the legendary flagship store of Steinway & Sons. Since opening in 1925, it has been a landmark destination, imbued with a rich history and tradition, eagerly sought out by music enthusiasts, piano students and professionals throughout the world. Three floors of elegant, distinctive selection rooms are filled with more than 150 Steinway and Steinway-designed Boston and Essex instruments.
Built to the specifications of the Steinway family, and designed by the architects Warren & Wetmore (Grand Central Terminal, New York Yacht Club), Steinway Hall is a grand testament to the beaux arts tradition, a registered New York City historic landmark, and above all an environment rich with passion. The breathtaking two-story rotunda is the dramatic centerpiece of Steinway Hall. The spectacular 35-foot domed ceiling was handpainted by Paul Arndt, with allegorical scenes of lions, elephants, goddesses and nymphs depicting the influence of music on human relations. The walls are adorned with fluted white Italian marble columns alternating with green pilasters of highly polished Greek marble. Descending from the ceiling is a magnificent, glittering 19th century Viennese crystal chandelier.
Steinway & Sons commissioned esteemed American artists to create paintings that would create a rich visual landscape throughout Steinway Hall. Original oil paintings depict great composers, such as Berlioz, Chopin, Handel, Mozart and Wagner, or legendary pianists, such as Franz Liszt. Ignaz Paderewski, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Anton Rubinstein. Many distinguished artists are represented, including Rockwell Kent, N.C . Wyeth and Charles Chambers, overall creating the effect of an opulent art museum where grand pianos are on display.
Beyond the rotunda, a gallery displays memorabilia collected by five generations of Steinways, giving life to the history of Steinway & Sons as well as a glimpse into America’s rich musical history. Included in the display cases are awards and medals presented to Steinway & Sons during more than 155 years of piano making, insignias noting the firm’s appointment as official supplier of pianos to the world’s great concert halls, scale models of historic Steinway pianos, and displays of meticulously-crafted parts and materials used in all Steinway pianos, whether for the home or for the concert stage.
Also on display are the other members of the Family of Steinway-Designed Pianos, including the Boston and Essex piano lines. Both lines have been designed by Steinway & Sons and made to our specifications to accommodate those clients who seek outstanding quality features in mid-priced and introductory-priced instruments. Magnificent, one-of-a-kind instruments from Steinway’s custom made art case collection, pianos made in exotic wood finishes from the Crown Jewel collection and specially designed pianos from the Limited Edition series are all found within the walls of Steinway Hall.
Below street level is the world famous Steinway Basement. Here, all Steinway pianos to be delivered in the New York area are scrutinized by a team of specially-trained technicians. In addition to inspecting every detail of cabinetry, they tune, regulate, and make certain that the fine tolerances in each instrument’s action mechanism meet the uncompromising Steinway standard.
At the 58th Street side of the basement is the renowned Steinway “piano bank” where piano professionals come to select instruments they will use in concerts, in recordings, and on tour. As one accomplished concert pianist put it, “There isn’t a first class piano player in the world who does not expect to visit the Steinway Hall concert basement before a New York performance. It is a piano mecca – sort of the center of the piano universe.”
Are you curious about Sushi and Japanese tapas? Whether you're a long-time fan of Japanese food looking to have a greater understanding and appreciation of the cuisine or a newbie looking for a solid introduction to a variety of Japanese culinary traditions, Foods of New York's Sushi and Japanese Tapas Food Tasting Event is sure to please.
Day 4: Check out a Broadway Show Last-MinuteThey can take requests until 4.30pm EST on the day of the performance. Last Minute deals are posted here every weekday at 10am EST, but due to the volume of sales, your best bet is to call for guaranteed tickets.
Our city’s over 500 miles of shoreline and its inland lakes and rivers offer a world of opportunities to participate in the fun, adventure, and excitement of fresh- and saltwater sport fishing.
Each borough boasts it own unique fishing spots. Veteran anglers have their favorite “holes,” the locations of which are often closely held secrets. Old timers who have fished off City piers since they were kids are always willing to share stories ripe with local color and history. From piers and beaches, to lakes and rivers, New York City’s waters challenge and welcome both the salt- and freshwater angler. For a start, head to a fishing lake in one of our parks:
In the Bronx...
