photo by John-Paul Palescandolo & Eric Kazmirek

NYC is full of hidden gems, especially underground. A chance to view this beautiful subway station is much easier than you think. Take the 6 Train to the Brooklyn Bridge Stop, then don’t get off the train. Stay on the train when it turns around to go back uptown and you will pass through this beautiful subway stop, known as City Hall. I guess it sometimes pays to miss your stop!

I have lots of things I love to do in NY, but one I think is really cool is walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. In fact, the picture of me on my about page was taken on one of my many trips across the bridge. A friend emailed me today asking what she could do/see/eat once she gets to the other side on her planned trip tomorrow. Here are some ideas:

DUMBO

• Grimaldi’s Pizza (the website even has the directions of how to get there if you are walking over the bridge)
• Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
• Superfine has an amazing jazz brunch every weekend and takes reservations!
• Dewey’s Candy store – because who doesn’t like candy? Especially one filled with retro finds!
• River Cafe is right under the Brooklyn Bridge and offers amazing views and food.
• Jacque Torres has a shop there – YUM!
• Brooklyn Bridge Park is awesome! plenty of open space, amazing views, cool art installation. They are having a Harvest Festival tomorrow (saturday october 23) including pumpkin decorating and a parade!
• Check out Jane’s Carousel to get in touch with your inner child

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS
Walk to the Brooklyn Promenade for a great view and wander around Brooklyn Heights. There are lots of great sites and architecture, including Norman Mailer’s house.

She promised to let us know if she comes across anything else in her travels, but if you have any other ideas, please share.

This weekend I took my friend Beth’s advice from her guest post a few weeks ago recommending a day trip to Peddler’s Village and the town of New Hope in Pennsylvania. While I was a few weeks too early for the Apple Festival, it was still a wonderful way to spend a fall day out of the city.  Both areas are filled with lots of shops & antique stores and wonderful restaurants. The drive from NYC was a little less than two hours, which makes it a great day trip. If you make the drive, be sure to eat at Lilly’s on the Canal and don’t miss their eggplant french fries!

There are some amazing websites and blogs out there, especially relating to NYC. Covering everything from where to find the nearest public restroom to where to get the best dumpling, some are better than others. However, MUG (the Manhattan Users Guide) has put together a great list of some of their favorites.

Thanks to NewYorkology for passing this along.

What is your favorite NYC website?

Trying to figure out what your next adventure will be? Whether you think you want to explore the jungles of Belize or just relax on a lounge chair in Florida, you are bound to find the best and most information at the Adventures in Travel Expo. Held this weekend at the Meadowlands, the show will be full of information on every type of location and activity you can think of. You can even experience some adventure at the show by zip-lining or scuba lessons. With plenty of prizes and lots of vendors looking to help you plan your next trip, it is a great way to spend a day this weekend. Tickets are $10 each and the Meadowlands are accessible by public transportation.

Where do you plan to go on your next vacation?

Everyone likes options, especially when it comes to food. I recently tried out the new Food Hall by Todd English in the Plaza. What a treat! The endless menu would satisfy any craving and the open kitchens provide excellent entertainment while dining.  With eight different different stations ranging from pizza to sushi, you will not be disappointed. What you order is not dependent on which station you are seated at. While there is plenty of seating, I would not recommend dining with more than one other person as the counter seating makes it difficult for conversation, however, the food and presentation is wonderful.  My favorite dish was the cheese plate which in addition to of course some delicious cheeses were olive tapenades, olives, dried cranberries and nuts, and an amazing fig spread. So if you are in the area and want a treat, I definitely recommend a visit.

Bear Mountain State Park

Looking for something to do this weekend?

• Don’t forget about Open House New York
• Go on a hike even if you don’t have a car. This is a list of hikes accessible by public transportation. And if you do have a one, here are some great hikes.  I’ll be heading to Breakneck Ridge.
• NYC Yarn Crawl
• Many museums that are not normally open on Mondays will be open for Columbus Day. Mommy Poppins has a full list.
• The Food Network NYC Wine and Food Festival is going on all weekend. Attend one of the many events.
• Just hang out with a book in Central Park.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Looking for the perfect gift? Interested in a fun new spot to check out with your new guy?  What about the perfect place to find a new dress for that upcoming date? Or which shoes match that hot new dress? Email me and each Wednesday, I will post your questions and answer them!

Request: I have given a gift from my friend’s wedding registry for her engagement and shower. For the wedding, I want to stray from the list, but give something with a little more thought than just money. Do you have any suggestions?

Recommendation: Following the registry is not a must, it is just a guideline. But if you do want to be a little more creative, here are some ideas:

Gift Certificates are great, because they give the couple a certain amount of flexibility but still allowing them to splurge a bit! How about a gift certificate to:

• A restaurant for the couple to enjoy a special night out on their honeymoon or when they come back.
• for the hotel where they are staying on their honeymoon.
• for a spa on their honeymoon. If the hotel doesn’t have a spa, try SpaFinder to find one nearby.
• Select Registry allows you to purchase a gift certificate for the couple to use at over 400 Inns, Bed and Breakfast and small hotels across the country. Even if they are going on a honeymoon, who wouldn’t want a short getaway once all the excitement of the wedding and honeymoon is over?

Giving a sentimental gift is also nice. Try getting creative to create a keepsake for the couple.

• This picture frame with two openings allows the couple to display their invitation next to a photo from the day. Inserting the invitation yourself is a nice touch when they open the box.
• Tiffany will engrave the couple’s invitation onto a c crystal platter which makes a wonderful memento of the day.  They even match the font!

Did you receive any fabulous “off the registry” gifts that you enjoyed?

If you have been reading this blog for awhile you know I love NYC and really love discovering its hidden gems, getting an insiders look or learning more about places you always could only admirer from afar. That is was is so great about Open House New York. It allows you to do all of the above all over New York City on Saturday October 9 and Sunday October 10. Get an insiders view to buildings, structures, studios and more at the 8th annual event. Tour the Newtown Creek’s Digester Eggs (those Hershey kiss shaped domes you can see from the LIE), check out Tom Otterness’ Studio (creator of those little brass sculptures throughout the Union Square Subway station) or chose from an endless list of other locations.  Make sure to check the list early because some events do require advanced sign-up and the most popular ones fill up fast. But everything is free, so be sure to take advantage of this great event and get to know your city!

Where would you like to visit most?

My amazing friend Beth agreed to help me out, by writing a post while things are a little busy around here:

Aly and Ribbons usually focuses on things to do in New York City and being a Manhattenite myself, I love reading about what’s happening on my island. However, sometimes I think one of the best things about living in this city is leaving it to hit up some of the awesome festivals that are only a couple hours drive away. One of my favorites is Peddler’s Village Apple Festival in Lahaska, PA.

On November 6-7 go experience their traditional Autumn celebration featuring apple treats including country apple butter, apple cider, apple dumplings, apple fritters and everyone’s favorite apples dipped in caramel! Artisans sell their wares and demonstrate their skills at the Street Road Green Artisan Area in the village. There is also live entertainment and a ton of great little shops and restaurants. When you leave the festival take the ten minute drive to the town of New Hope or Lambertville to check out amazing local artists, antiquing, and fine dining.

Go for the day or make a whole weekend out of it.  If you stay overnight be sure to take in a show at the Bucks County Playhouse. A historical mill that was converted to a playhouse in 1939, they put on Broadway caliber performances at a fraction of the price. With so much to see and do-definitely worth the price of the car rental!