Today’s Matchbook Monday is from Tavern on the Green, located in Central Park on the Upper West side of Manhattan (Central Park at West 67th Street).  It is one of the most successful independently owned restaurants in the U.S. 
Tavern on the Green is a frequent haunt for the famous and infamous of Manhattan, including actors, entertainers and politicians.  It’s been the site for many opening night receptions for Broadway shows and movie premieres, and has been featured in tons of movies and television shows.  Perhaps you remember seeing the restaurant, in all its glass and twinkling lights glory, …read more

  Although you’ll find C.O. Bigelow products sold in other stores, there’s nothing like visiting the original store in Greenwich Village.
Founded in 1838, C.O.Bigelow’s is the oldest continually operating apothecary-pharmacy in the country.  That’s 170 years!
C.O. Bigelow’s is located at 414 Avenue of the Americas (between 8th & 9th Street) in Greenwich Village.  It’s is accessible by subway (West 4th or Christopher stop) and the PATH (9th Street).
The store still fills prescriptions at the back of the store, but as you work you way back there you’ll pass through goodies galore.  There’s a focus on homeopathic products and remedies, …read more

This matchbook is one that I found in the back of a drawer, but still one that brought back some fond memories.  It’s from a restaurant that no longer exists, Citarella, the Restaurant, although it’s parent company still remains in business as a terrific venue for gourmet shopping and food, including take out.
The restaurant was located at 1240 Sixth Avenue (corner of 49th) near Rockefeller Center in New York City.
My experience there occurred on a layover one Christmas Eve.  Working, and being away from home, on a holiday is never a fun event, but you make the most of …read more

The Manhattan skyline is one of the most recognizable in the world.  Whether view from an airplane as you are flying in, from Central Park, the top of the Empire State Building, or from a downtown ferry, the New York architecture is some of the most photographed around.
This photo was taken while on a ferry ride out to see the Statue of Liberty.
 
Photo credit:  personal collection
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The American Institute of Architects announced the results of its annual poll and named the top 150 favorite structures across the United States. 
Here are the Top Ten on the list:

Empire State Building
The White House
Washington National Cathedral
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Golden Gate Bridge
U.S. Capitol
Lincoln Memorial
Biltmore Estates
Chrysler Building
Vietnam Veterans Memorial

As I browsed through the list, I noticed that although I have visited 59 of the buildings on the list, I have only written about a handful.  Those that I have written about include:  Empire State Building  (1), Lincoln Memorial (7), Washington Monument (12), Supreme Court (15), Rockefeller Center (56), TransAmerica Pyramid (61), Corning Museum …read more

It’s been awhile since I’ve made a trip to New York City, and looking through recent information about current museum exhibits, it’s clear that I must plan a trip soon. 
High on my list of things to see will be the Louis Comfort Tiffany Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Louis Comfort Tiffany was the son of Charles Tiffany, of jewelry fame.  While he embraced a variety of artistic mediums (mosaic, pottery, metalwork, enamel, jewelry, glass, etc.), he is probably best known and recognized for his decorative stained glass work.  The name “Tiffany” now evokes not just the thought of gorgeous …read more

A few years ago, while on a layover, I became very seriously ill.  Although I thought everything would be okay once I woke up in the morning, it became clear in the wee hours that I was wrong. 
Fortunately my airline has some pretty good procedures in place for getting medical attention for ill crewmembers.  Once I realized that my situation was serious, I was able to get help from a co-worker who helped get me to a hospital for emergency intervention.  I was treated and released later that same day to return home. 
The situation was unpleasant, but I had help, …read more

A holiday shopping excursion in New York City is not complete without checking out the decorated windows.  I spent one Christmas Eve on a layover in the city, and enjoyed a trip to look at all the beautiful lights and decorations.  It made being away from home on a holiday a little less depressing.
What is there to see?  Here are some of the major displays that I’d recommend:

Rockefeller Center:  The tree is lit, and the Swarovski decorations are up.  There are lots of other decorations to see in the area, and there’s skating at the ice rink.   Rockefeller Center is located …read more

Happy Monday!
Here are this week’s money saving travel tips:

Travel seems to be one of the few remaining areas where it’s okay to discriminate based on age.  And this time, that’s a good thing.  Look for “senior” discounts at restaurants, attractions, and various events where admission prices may be lower if you are senior.  The age that you become a senior varies from place to place, but if you think you might be in the general age range, be sure to inquire.
On the other end of the age spectrum, there are frequently discounts for young children and infants.  Most attractions allow …read more

When ya gotta go, you gotta go!  And Charmin makes it a little bit easier if you’re in Times Square when you gotta go.
Charmin (the toilet paper people) has installed 20 clean, accessible, public restrooms in New York’s Times Square, right next to the Virgin Megastore.  Charmin says that it’s a holiday gift to New Yorkers and tourists ““ family-friendly public restrooms in a location where they are desperately needed. 
This isn’t your typical outhouse, either.  The restrooms are staffed with attendants who provide cleaning after every use.  Additional amenities include:  baby-changing stations, stroller parking, lounge area, tourist information, entertainment, and …read more