Travelrific® Travel Journal

Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!

Archive for new york

It’s a Dog’s Life

By Linda Tancs

Well, maybe it’s not quite a dog’s life after all.  Even pooches need to get away from it all, as Canine Camp Getaway of New York would have you believe.  How does a vacation in the beautiful Adirondacks sound?  Your faithful companion will enjoy activities ranging from frisbee to skateboarding, rewinding afterwards at the very social Yappy Hour.  Don’t feel left out.  You can enjoy your own pursuits, like horseback riding, zumba, and the spa.  The fun lasts from 24 to 28 June at Lake George.

Nation’s Largest City Zoo

By Linda Tancs

The Bronx Zoo in New York is the nation’s largest city zoo.  Managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society, its exhibits include the Congo Gorilla Forest, the Wild Asia Monorail, Tiger Mountain, and Madagascar.  The zoo is especially renowned for its Education Department, dedicated to teaching youngsters and adults about wildlife and wild habitats through guided tours, family overnights, summer programs, and opportunities to meet zoo experts.  Save 20% when you purchase a Total Experience Ticket online, which includes all the popular attractions like the 4-D Theater, Bug Carousel, Butterfly Garden, Congo Gorilla Forest, Children’s Zoo, JungleWorld, Wild Asia Monorail, and the Zoo Shuttle.

A Fortress in Manhattan

By Linda Tancs

At the foot of Manhattan in New York City lies a fortress, a national monument that celebrated its 200th anniversary last year.  Known as Castle Clinton (named after Governor Dewitt Clinton of New York State), the structure was one of the New York Harbor forts built just before the War of 1812 with Great Britain.  Over the last two centuries, the fort has also served as an entertainment center, an immigration landing depot and an aquarium.  Saved from demolition in 1946, the Castle was restored to its original design by the National Park Service and today houses the ticket office for the Statue of Liberty, welcoming over 3 million visitors annually.

Raising the Chocolate Bar

By Linda Tancs

They’ve raised environmental consciousness to a whole new level at Gnosis, a New York City chocolatier (www.gnosischocolate.com).  Consider, for instance, that the boxes are 100% recycled, 80% post-consumer recycled, and FSC certified–with vegetable ink printing.  Add to that ethically sourced raw cacao from Bali, Ecuador, and Peru and a dose of heart healthy low glycemic sweeteners, nutrient dense fruits, nuts, and medicinal herbs sourced from the Amazon to the Himalayas.  The result is chocolate that is good for you, body and soul. 

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Meet the Wing King in Buffalo

By Linda Tancs

At least 33 tons of crispy, delicious buffalo wings will be served this weekend at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in–where else–Buffalo, New York.  Each Labor Day weekend, tens of thousands of people travel across the country to downtown Coca Cola Park in celebration of Buffalo’s signature dish.  It’s there you might also pay tribute to the Wing King, Drew Cerza, the event’s founder.  Do you have a favorite restaurant or sauce?  Nominate them for the Hall of Flame, and give them something to cluck about.

 

Pets and the Holidays

By Linda Tancs

Do pets make good gifts?  Not always.  But the folks at North Shore Animal League, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, would love for you to consider adoption of one of their many companion animals–or else assist with their rescue efforts, healing or sponsorship programs.  Visit their campus at 25 Davis Avenue in Port Washington, New York.  Happy holidays to all.

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Puppet Lore in New York City

By Linda Tancs

There’s a new stop on the NBC Studios tour in New York City these days. As reported on NBC Nightly News, the pipes that Frank Oz, Jim Henson and others painted into early versions of The Muppets characters during breaks on “The Jack Paar Show” have been discovered and now offer studio visitors a peek into the origins of those beloved puppets. Gives new meaning to the phrase “pipe dreams,” doesn’t it?

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DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION

The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.

The Last of the Mohicans

By Linda Tancs

The last of the Mohicans settled in the Berkshires in the 1600s.  See the nature, hear the harmony and experience the culture of today’s Berkshires.  The Mohicans knew a good thing when they saw it.  Visit Travelrific ® Radio for more information.

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DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION

 The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services related to the Berkshires that are mentioned herein.

Going to the North Pole

By Linda Tancs

The North Pole is a lot closer than you think–as in North Pole, New York, in the High Peaks area of New York State’s Adirondack Park.  Like its more northern cousins (e.g., Alaska and Lapland’s Santa Claus Village), the New York version celebrates its famous moniker with a Christmas themed family amusement park sporting  rides, shows and shops for children and adults of all ages.  For those dreaming of a white Christmas, this is the place to be.  On any given year, the weather data suggests a 96% chance of any amount of snow for the holiday.  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow–and Merry Christmas!

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DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION

 The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.

Rockefeller Tree Lighting

By Linda Tancs

From today until 7 January 2010 you can enjoy one of the most famous trees in the world, New York’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.  This tree is green in more ways than one.  Following a tradition begun with the 75th tree in 2007, the 75+ foot spruce will be illuminated with 30,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs.  Tonight is the lighting ceremony, beginning at 7:00pm and concluding at 9:00pm.  The two-hour long program features various celebrity appearances and top musical entertainment, together with the countdown and tree lighting.   Better get there early for the best views of the event, taking place at 30 Rock.   The nicer the weather, the larger the crowds.  Not in the area?  Watch the tree online.

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DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION

 The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.