Dollar-Wise Travel

The Miami Herald

Going to the Big Apple can be a really big deal

September 27, 2009

New York -- When you hear the term budget travel, we know what you think: cheap hotels, C-list attraction and meal portions that wouldn't satisfy your average toddler.

But what if we said you could save hundreds of dollars on a weekend trip to New York without missing any of the things that make the city great?

The Big Apple is ripe with freebies and good, solid deals. Here are our favorites:

Where to stay in New York

From now through 2011, more than 60 new hotels are being build in New York. Recent openings include The Smyth (in Tribeca), Cooper Square (in the Bowery), Stay (midtown), The Jane and The Standard (Meatpacking District). Due to open in next few months: Hyatt Andaz Wall Street and Hyatt Andaz Fifth Avenue, and W Downtown.

Hotel rates in New York City have dropped up to 30 percent from last year, but still remain the most expensive in the nation. Rates are highest October through December, when the average topped $300 a night in 2008.

Online booking engines such as hotels.com, Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz offer a wide range of properties and rates starting in the low $100s per night.

The Broadway Hotel and Hostel on the Upper West Side has dormitory-style rooms as low as $26 per person per night. Private rooms with private baths start at $159 a night. Guests who stay three nights or more in November get 10 percent off their entire stay. 212-865-7710, www.broadwayhotelnyc.com.

And across the Hudson River, Jersey City and Hoboken got new luxury hotels this year: The Westin Jersey City Newport (201-626-2900), opened in January, and the W Hoboken Hotel (201-253-2400) opened in March. Information on both: www.starwoodhotels.com

The hotels, two miles apart, are trying to lure business travelers and tourists away from New York with larger rooms, cheaper rates, view of the Manhattan skyline and access to the city via the convenient 24-hour, $1.75 PATH train.

~~JAY CLARKE, ASSOCIATED PRESS

(Pictures of The Broadway Hotel and Hotel)

Broadway Hotel's Walking and Club Tours

Film Festival Finale Tonight: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Steven Spielberg’s classic scifi blockbuster stars Richard Dreyfuss as a regular guy whose strange obsessions turn fantastically clear at Devil’s Tower. Co-starring Teri Garr as his frustrated wife, and Francois Truffaut, the legendary French director, as a scientist seeking communication with extraterrestrials. (1977) 132 Min. Panavision (Sony/Columbia)

From con men and convicts, to custody battles and close encounters, it’s been a summer of memorable Monday nights in Bryant Park. Claim your favorite patch of grass one last time when the lawn opens at 5pm, then sit tight until sunset for tonight’s feature presentation.

(Taken from blog.bryantpark.org)

Restaurant Pick of the Week

Cafe du Soleil

Picture yourself in a sunny french rustic bistro in provence as you inhale the scents of herbs, garlic and wonderful smells of slowly cooked stews with tender vegetables and a bottle of wine set out before you.

Enjoy simple authentic bistro fares while soaking the sun at Cafe du Soleil.

(Restaurant is a few minutes away from the Broadway Hotel and Hostel. Please ask front desk for more details)

Meet the Birds at Bryant Park

Meet the Birds in Bryant Park –

featuring avian guests Desi and Ruby. These Eclectus Parrots are part of a new exotic bird education program. Stop by to watch, ask questions, interact with the birds, or just take pictures. Perfect for children of all ages, this program is brought to you all summer long free of charge.

The sociable, people-friendly birds come to us from the Arcadia Bird Sanctuary of New Jersey. A great resource for the tri-state area, Arcadia provides services for birds in need, whether they’ve been injured or their owners can no longer care for them. An exotic bird, like a Macaw, can live anywhere from 40-80 years, and pet birds will often outlive their owners! When problems arise, Arcadia is there.

Arcadia Director Terri Jones is both a certified avian specialist and a life-long animal lover. You can find her with feathered friends in town every Tuesday from 11:30pm-2:00pm by the Carousel. She brings different types of birds each week, so there’s always a new bird to meet.

(Article and Picture taken from http://blog.bryantpark.org)

City of Water Day!

Thousands of water enthusiasts will float, ferry, paddle, row, splash, canoe, and kayak their way to beautiful Governors Island for the Second Annual City of Water Day Festival. A FREE day of entertainment, education, and adventure for the whole family celebrating the potential of our waterfront, this one-of-a-kind festival is presented by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, Parks, and others.

Festival highlights include more than a dozen fun and free boat tours, including bird-watching eco tours and tours of the working harbor; special children’s activities from fishing, arts and crafts, rides, and a kids race to an exciting line-up of local bands, and more!

For more information, you can go to www.cityofwaterday.org

Great Jazz On The Great Hill at Central Park Conservancy

When:

Saturday, July 11, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Where:

Central Park and Jazzmobile

Central Park West
New York, NY

FREE EVENT! Enter at 106th Street and Central Park West

(Photo and Info taken from yelp.com)

Broadway In Bryant Park

(Photo and Info taken from bryantpark.org)

Phantom of the Opera | STOMP | Avenue Q | In The Heights

presented by New York's 106.7 LiteFM

Thursdays, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
July 9 – August 13
The Lawn


Find the full schedule of this week’s events and more shows in the Broadway series on bryantpark.org.

Guest of the Broadway Hotel and Hostel can see the front desk for more details.

Enjoy Fourth of July in NYC

Macy's Fourth of July Firework Celebration

Beginning at approximately 9:20 p.m., Macy's will have fireworks being released from six barges in the Hudson River. The fireworks will mark not only America's Birthday, but also the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River. The New York Pops will perform "American River" to accompany the fireworks display, and it can be heard on 1010 WINS. If you're not in the area, NBC will broadcast the fireworks live beginning at 9 p.m. EST.



Hudson River below 59th Street
Fireworks will be launched from six barges in the Hudson River. 12th Avenue will be closed below 59th beginning at 4 p.m. for viewing. Pedestrians can access the 12th Avenue from 11th Avenue at 24th, 26th-30th, 34th, 40th-44th, 47th-52nd and 54th-57th streets. The West Side Highway will be closed to vehicular traffic from 22nd-59th Street starting at 4 p.m. You can also view the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks from anywhere you have an unobstructed view of the sky above the Hudson River.

Restaurant Pick of the Week - Balthazar

Neighborhood: SoHo
80 Spring St
(between Broadway & Crosby St)
New York, NY 10012

(212) 965-1414

www.balthazarny.com

(Photo and Review taken from Yelp.com)

"Balthazar is a popular SoHo Bistro that is bustling at 2pm in the afternoon. The place was filled to the walls and a wait for just two people was 30-45 minutes. Luckily, as usual, the bar is first come first serve.

There was delicious bread being served, thanks to the Balthazar bakery right next door, and the menu items are relatively pricey but well worth it. I had the pleasure of ordering a delicious cheeseburger which was cooked to medium well perfection and served with a tasty slice of Gruyère.

The cheeseburger and fries were delicious. The bartender, Olivier, was a cheerful French gentleman and remarked on the food of his country and expressed their love of Nutella.

Overall, I think Balthazar is a wonderful restaurant that I'd love to eat at again and again. The food is delicious. Just make sure you are willing to wait a while for a seat or plan ahead and make reservations. Either way, it is well worth the wait and I recommend to all that live in New York City and those from abroad."

Need to cool down for the Hot Summer?

Milk and Honey

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
134 Eldridge St
New York, NY 10079

(212) 625-3397

www.mlkhny.com





(Photo and reviews taken from yelp.com)

"I can't say anything bad about this place. I've gone several times (and friends/family have said it's been one of their favorite NYC experiences) and leave with a huge smile on my face every time. It's definitely worth the effort to get a reservation - the drinks are like none other and the atmosphere makes you feel like you're back in the 1920's. If you can swing it, sit at the bar and watch the 'artists' create the drinks. Now that I live in Seattle, even writing this review makes me nostalgic for NYC and a cocktail at M&H!"

(Reviewed by Kate H.)

Have a Sweet Tooth?

(Photo taken from yelp.com)


Sweet Revenge

62 Carmine St.
(between s 7th Ave. and Bedford St.
New York, NY 10014
(212) 242 - 2240
www.sweetrevenge.com

Review By Christopher K. on Yelp.com

Everyone listen up:

The best cupcakes and desserts have been found.

After a long evening watching the Yankee Game, four of us stumbled up to the door of Sweet Revenge. It was well past midnight and the door was locked, but the window was open. After a short plea to let us in, the owner (and cupcake goddess) obliged. What took place after that was sheer culinary carnage. Luckily, lots of items had already sold out or we would have eaten ourselves into oblivion.

I have been hunting for the greatest red velvet cupcake on the planet for years, and the second I took a bite of Sweet Revenge's, I knew my search was over. This was the best cupcake I ever had. And the owner couldn't have been a better host.

If you have been longing for a great cupcake, or any kind of sweet/savory dessert-like thing -- you absolutely have not lived until you drop in on Sweet Revenge.

[drool]


(Guest of the Broadway Hotel and Hostel can inquire more info at the Front Desk)

Good Morning America Concert Schedule / 2009

Good Morning America Concert Schedule / 2009

5/22 – Green Day

5/29 – Lionel Richie

6/5 – John Legend

6/12 – Jonas Bros

6/19 –Jamie Foxx

6/26 – The Cast of the Musical “Hair”

7/3 – Brad Paisley

7/10 – Queen Latifah

7/17 – Third Eye Blind

7/24 – Sean Paul

7/31 – Kelly Clarkson

8/7 – David Cook, Kris Allen, and Adam Lambert

8/14 – Kenny Chesney

8/21 – Reba

8/28 – TBA

All concerts are free and open to the public. Guests should arrive at Central Park / Rumsey Playfield at 6:00 a. m. / East 69^th and 5^th Avenue / New York City

For our Guest at the Broadway Hotel and Hostel, please stop by the front desk for more info.

Free Shakespeare in the Open Air

"Twelfth Night"

Anne Hathaway is the headliner, but Daniel Sullivan's production of the enchanted romantic comedy also stars Audra McDonald, Raul Esparza and other theater favorites.


When: Sunday at 8p.m
Where: Delacorte Theatre, Central Park at 81st Street.

Info: Free tickets (tow per person) available at the Delacorte after 1p.m the day of performance. For other ticket locations and online lotteries, check publictheater.org.

"King Lear"

The New York Classical Theatre bucks the summer-frolic trend with Shakespeare's great tragedy about an aging royal father's inability to understand the true nature of his daughters.

When: Saturday 6/20 and Sunday 6/21 at 7p.m.
Where: 103rd Street and Central Park West
Info: Free 212-252-4531 / nyclassical.org

"Much Ado About Nothing"

Love and frenemies rule this comedy, which director Maura Kelley has, somehow, setin the world of baseball.

When: Saturday 6/20 at 4p.m.
Where: Marcus Garvey Park, Amphitheater in Harlem
Info: Free, 917-776-1039 / theatersmarts.com

Summer Play Festivals

SPF 2009 at the Public Theater

Seven new plays and one new musical make up the SPF 2009 season, starting July 7 at the Public Theater in New York City. Tickets are on sale now for just $10 each.

Location: 425 Lafayette Street

When: July 7 - August 2

Website: SPFNYC.COM


July 7th - 12th

The Chimes

Nick returns to his New England Boarding school still haunted by choices he mad 40 years ago. The past overwhelms the present as this thrilling drama flashes back to four young pranksters drawn together by their knack for Shakespeare and ripped apart by the onset of World War ll.

July 14th - 19th

The Sacrifices

At first glance the family has everything. But once they leave on a Caribbean cruise, the winds change, privilege becomes a prison, and their vacation will be anything but smooth sailing in this touching comedy drama.

July 21th - 26th

The Happy Sad

Finding love is easy. Defining love is not. New York City provides the back drop to a contemporary comedy of sex, love and dating in a city where there are too many options and not enough time.

July 28th - August 2nd

We Declare You A Terrorist

Eight hundred civilians are taken hostage during the performance of a hit Moscow musical. In the aftermath, the playwright is plagued by the story of his captor-a young woman willing to dies for her cause-in an intense drama where one person's patriotism is another's act of terrorism.

Make Music New York

(Photo taken from flavorpill.com)

Make Music New York gives the start of summer a boost with an outdoor concert — or 850. In synch with hundreds of other city festivals around the world, MMNY assembles free live shows all over town. For the day, Governors Island can be referred to as Punk Island, with 70 "no"-to-the-man bands playing on 12 stages. Central Park brings us closer to our French friends with a francophone set-up claiming the same-day moniker of France's own Fête de la Musique. Many readers will appreciate Brooklyn's Indie 200, while a variety of jazz and blues can be enjoyed in Soho's Jazz Gallery and Jazzmobile. No matter what suits your ears, it's hard to go wrong with this many choices.

– Nora Oppenheim

When: Sunday June 21 (11am -10pm)

Where: Various Locations

Info Link: http://www.makemusicny.org/index2.php

For Your Viewing Pleasure

(Photo and review taken from Yelp.com)

Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park

26 New Dock St

(between Brooklyn Brg & Water St)
Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718) 858-4708

Nearest Transit:
High Street (A, C)
York Street (F)

This is one of the most beautiful and peaceful parks in New York-- you feel like you're being cradled by the city; downtown and the Manhattan Bridge on one side, majestic Brooklyn Bridge on the other, and grass and trees and art and amazing quiet all around, all oddly level with the East River (I'm used to seeing the river below me).

The free summer outdoor movie nights (held by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy) are great, but note: When they say the movie starts at sundown, they MEAN sundown. As in the sun actually being down. So bring a blanket by dusk to claim your space and be prepared to wait.

(Reviewed by Ju L)

Happy Hour with Comix!

Comix
353 West 14th Street,
New York, NY, 10011
(212) 524-2500

Laughing it up at Comix just got a whole lot easier with our all new Happy Hour! Every Monday through Friday from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at the Comix Bar you can enjoy draft beer, wine, well drinks and tasty menu choices for HALF PRICE!
No Cover. No minimum purchase. Just relax, drink, and LAUGH!

And if that weren’t enough...
Buy one get one FREE admission to that evening’s show when you present your Happy Hour receipt to the Comix box office.

Ping Pong @ Bryant Park

(Photos taken from Blog.bryantpark.org)

Enjoy Free Ping Pong at Bryant Park Daily.

Open to everyone.

Bryant Park is situated behind the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan, between 40th and 42nd Streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

Take the F, V, B, or D train to 42nd Street/Bryant Park

Burger Heaven?

Flip

Bloomingdale's
1000 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10022

(212) 705-2993


Recent Review By Debbie W. on Yelp.com:

I loved flip! Four HIGHLY enthusiastic stars. I never expected i'd find a great burger place in the basement of a department store, but this was a fantastic lunch, once you navigate yourself down down down through bloomingdales to find it. Find yourself a treasure map and make the trek cause its really worth it.

Its surprisingly roomy, very bright and very comfortable, and the menu is fairly simple...mostly burgers with a few alternatives. You build your own burger with 3 different kinds of beef burgers available as well as veggie, turkey, and a few other non-beef options. There are a number of sauce options, cheeses, toppings and several different delicious bread choices.

Three is the magic number at flip, and we tried all three beef burgers, short rib, brisket, and waygu. First of all-- you need to be there with two close friends, and do the bite and pass method so you get to try all three burgers. There's no better way to do this. Okay, so....two of them were great, and one was just ok, but most likely, that was because it was overcooked. The Waygu was our favorite by far-- so flavorful! The leaner short rib cut was very different, and pretty damned good too. The brisket was the overcooked one, and Im willing to give it one more chance. The side sauces were incredibly fresh and delicious. I had the pesto and it was bright and green and tasted like it had been made minutes before it was brought to the table. The Thai Peanut was equally impressive.

My favorite thing about the burgers is that they were relatively thin which i love. Thick enough to be filling, and so that they could be cooked medium rare, but not so thick that you cant easily get your mouth around them-- in fact, one of the bread options is rye bread, and the burger would fit nicely.

Oh and the service was terrific. Our waitress was sweet, on the ball, and was always there when we needed her without being annoying or hovery. Oh and i almost forgot...they have the cutest little dessert sliders of mini black and white cookies filled with ice cream. Seriously tiny (IM TALKING SMALL!) but adorable...and there are only two of them, but if you just need a lil bitty sweet-- its a nice touch.

So...my picks...grab two of your dearest friends, and head down for a waygu burger, medium rare, onion roll, sweet potato fries, side of pesto sauce, and make sure your friends try the other burgers and maybe some mac n cheese. Yum. I'll definitely be back.

Summer Fun!

2009 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival

Dinner and a movie with 'wichcraft

Nothing says summer like dining al fresco, so ‘wichcraft is providing picnic pickups on Summer Film Festival nights. It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Call or go online to place an advance order (212.780.0577 or wichcraftnyc.com)
2. Pick up at our kiosk when it’s convenient for you.
3. Sit back and relax over a classic film and your ideal summer meal.

www.wichcraftnyc.com

Presented by Time Warner Cable

The lawn opens at 5:00pm for blankets (no plastic tarps please) and picnicking.
The films begin at dusk (typically between 8pm and 9pm).

June

Mon

15

The Sting

5:00pm | The Lawn
presented by Time Warner Cable

Mon

22

Breaking Away

5:00pm | The Lawn
presented by Time Warner Cable

Mon

29

Gold Diggers of 1933

5:00pm | The Lawn
presented by Time Warner Cable

The New York Botanical Garden

The Glory of Dutch Bulbs: A Legacy of 400 Years


Through June 7, 2009

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s arrival in New York, the Botanical Garden brings a touch of Holland to the Garden. Discover indoor and outdoor displays that feature bright flowering bulbs and companion plants inspired by the great tulip and lily gardens of Holland.

Piano at Bryant Park

(Photos taken from Blog.bryantpark.org)

Thursday, May 28, 2009

12:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m.

Ragtime, jazz, and more from the city’s best pianists on the park’s custommade piano in Bryant Park. Presented in partnership with Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians, the Music Performance Fund, and Sam Ash Music Stores

All That Jazz

Jazz at Lincoln Center

Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper West Side
33 W 60th St
(between Broadway & Columbus Ave)
New York, NY 10023

(212) 258-9800

www.jazzatlincolncenter.org

• Nearest Transit:

  59th St-Columbus Circle (1, A, C, B, D)

  57th St-7th Ave (N, Q, R, W)

For the Birds

(Photos taken from Blog.bryantpark.org)

Birding Tours of Bryant Park

Know a bit about birding and find yourself wondering why some birds eschew woody forrests and vast open spaces to call Bryant Park home? Know nothing about birding but looking to pick up a new hobby?

Come to the park on Mondays at 8am, through May 25, to catch one of three tours left in our brand new program, Birding Tours of Bryant Park. We want to make things as easy as possible for you, so like all BP programs it’s free and all you need to bring is yourself!

Tours begin at Heiskell Plaza on the northwest corner of BP (by the ‘wichcraft kiosks) and are led by Gabriel Willow, an expert birder and Senior Naturalist at the New York City Audubon Society. His areas of expertise include birds, ecology, history, and horticulture. In Bryant Park, Gabriel teaches at a beginners pace and touches on all aspects of bird behavior from nesting and mating, to migration and how to recognize specific species and genders.

Small group sizes allow participants to ask questions, share anecdotes, and even receive one on one tutorials on the proper way to use binoculars (yep, those are provided for you!). Over the past few sessions, BP birders have identified a total of 11 different migratory species, not including the park’s resident pigeons and three kinds of sparrows. Who knew so many types of birds were hanging out in midtown?

You can catch the remaining tours on Monday mornings, 8am - 9:15am, through May 25.

Where: Bryant Park 44th Street 6th Ave.

New York Dance Parade 2009

More than 4,000 dancers performing in 55 unique dance styles will samba, belly-dance, break, swing, tap, and bhangra down Broadway and on to Tompkins Square Park for an afternoon of free dance festivities and tutorials. Parade grand marshals — DJ Danny Krivit (house), Luis Salgado (Broadway), Don Cambell (locking), and Morocco (Middle Eastern) — encourage onlookers to boogie down along with Lei Pasifika, Fraternidad Folklorica Bolivia, and Ballet International Africans, as we all celebrate the sheer joy and connective power of dance.

When: Saturday May 16

Where: Broadway to Tompskins Square Park

Yoga @ Bryant Park

Bryant Park Yoga

Tuesday May 12th

10:00am - 11:00am

Enjoy Free Yoga at Bryant Park

Expert instructors, provided by Lululemon Athletics, lead all levels of yogis in Bryant Park.

Location: Upper Terrace, Bryant Park - 42 Street and 6th Avenue

Friday Nightlife

Pacha New York

Pacha has become not only the premier club Venue in new york, but one of the foremost nightlife destinations in the world.

Location: 618 West 46th Street

Doors open @ 10pm

(212) 209 - 7500

Our Restaurant Pick of the Week

The Chef From Hell

Gordon Ramsay at The London

Neighborhood: Manhattan/Theater District

151 West 54th St
(between 7th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas)
New York, NY 10019

(212) 468-8888

We are fans of his tv show (Hell's Kitchen), but will his own restaurant hold up to the high standards?

Columbia University Film Festival 2009

Lights, Camera, Action!

The 22nd Annual Columbia University Film Festival is where you will experience some of the best new film making anywhere. Don't miss this annual showcase of thesis work from advanced M.F.A students.

New York City

April 27 - May 7

IFC CENTER
323 Sixth Avenue at West 3rd Street

Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall hosts the Staatskapelle Berlin (one of the world's oldest orchestras) for nearly two weeks to play the complete symphonies of late-romantic Austrian composer Gustav Mahler. Not appreciated when they were first performed, Mahler's symphonies illustrate the vivid power and all-encompassing majesty of a full orchestra's potential more completely than any composer in the last century. With a shift towards minimalism in modern and contemporary composers, it's refreshing to celebrate the works of a man who relished the dynamic ranges and melodic interplay of the instruments at his disposal.

When:

May 6–17

Where:
Carnegie Hall

Our Guest Lounge

Doesn't it look cozy? Come stay at the Broadway Hotel and Hostel, where our guests enjoy the comfort of watching the latest movies, with our state of the art sound system and flat screen TVs.