New York City (NYC) | She Scribes

Save $10 off any Classic Harbor Cruise – NYC

May 6, 2013 By Kimberly 3 Comments

If you live in, or are planning a trip to, the New York City / Tri-State area and are looking for something fun to do, why not take a cruise?

The Classic Harbor Line is currently offering $10.00 off tickets.

Unlike other boat lines, the Classic Harbor Cruises use ships that are similar to the ones that sailed the Hudson River a hundred years ago.

Here is more information about the cruise line;

Dedicated to helping locals and visitors alike enjoy the unique wonders of New York City, Classic Harbor Line hopes for the privilege of escorting you on a relaxing, inspiring and breathtaking sightseeing cruise through the waters we proudly call home. Our classic yachts – the Schooner Adirondack & Adirondack III and the Schooner America 2.0 (our sailboats), and the Luxury Yacht Manhattan (our motorized yacht) are reminiscent of the classic boats that cruised New York Harbor a hundred years ago.

This would be a fun activity to do with your entire family. Plus it’s a great way to see all of Manhattan.

Check out this brief video that gives you an idea of what you and your family can expect on one of the cruises. You can also view the video here, http://bit.ly/18prvak.

My husband and I have always lived in New York (born and raised). The last time we saw the Statue of Liberty up close was when we were children (we’re both 40-something now). My children have never seen it up close. With the Classic Harbor Cruise we’ll be able to see the famous monument up close. I know my children will love the opportunity.

If you live in the area or are planning on visiting some time soon and want to experience the Classic Harbor Line boats rides you can save $10.00 off each ticket with the discount code FAMILY10. This discount is only available with your ONLINE TICKET PURCHASES. For tickets visit www.Sail-NYC.com.

I am hoping to take my family soon. I’ll post my review and plenty of photos when we do.

Kimberly

*I was not compensated for this post however I will recieve tickets to the cruise line for my participation from US Family Guide.

Filed Under: New York City (NYC) Tagged With: Boat, Cruise, Discount, Sailing

A Perfect Day in New York City

April 13, 2013 By Kimberly

This post is published as part of the 100 cities to home swap before you die initiative from Knok.com.

If you had the opportunity to live in any city around the world, even if it was just for a week or two, what city would you want to live in? Some cities that come to mind for me include Los Angeles, San Diego, Paris, London, Rome and Sydney.

I live just outside another amazing city – New York City. New York City is one of those cities you need to visit at least once in your life. Better yet – live in New York City, even if it’s for a week or two.

I was asked to write an article about a city I felt should be one of the top 100 cities to home swap before you die. The idea is from Knok, a online service that helps people find houses they can “swap” with other members.

If you ever saw the movie The Holiday, the lead characters Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) and Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) swap houses for the Christmas holiday. Amanda goes to live in Iris’s small cottage just outside of London, Englad and Iris travels thousands of miles from chilly England to the gorgeous sunny beaches of Los Angeles, CA. In the movie the ladies swap (or exchange) homes. That is the service that Knok provides it’s members.

When I was approached to write about a city I feel you should live in before you die, it’s only natural that New York City came to mind.

The number one thing I love about New York City is that there is so much to do no matter where you are in the city. Every day can be a new adventure for you if you were a New York City resident (even a temporary one).

I was asked to describe my perfect day in New York City. This is how I would love for my day to go.

My perfect day in New York City would start off with breakfast at the Russian Tea Room (150 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019). When I was a young girl my mom always talked about taking me to the Russian Tea Room. The restaurant was closed down for a long time for renovations. My mother passed away before she was able to take me there. It has been a life long dream of mine to go there at least once in my life. Therefore my perfect day in New York City would start off with breakfast at the Russian Tea Room. Eggs Benedict or Russian Toast both sound delicious.

After a satisfying breakfast I would head over to the Museum of Natural History and Hayden Planetarium (200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024). I ♥ the museum! I could go there every day of the week and not get bored with it. There is so much to see there. My favorite places within the museum are the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, the North American and African Mammal Halls and all of the Dinosaur Halls.

Most people like to meander through the museum. Not me. I love to stop and read up on all the exhibits. That is why it takes me all day to just make my way through half the museum.

In addition I love to take in the latest show at the Hayden Planetarium. If you’ve never been to a planetarium before it’s a really cool experience.

After spending a few hours at the American Museum of Natural History and Hayden Planetarium I’d like to head out across the street to Central Park for some lunch. I don’t need a sit down restaurant. There are plenty of side walk vendors that sell hot dogs, pretzels and ice cream. I would grab a hot dog and stroll through the park and admire it’s beauty. Maybe I would even stop and enjoy some entertainment by street performers.

After a brisk walk through the park and an on-the-go lunch I would make my way down to Rockefeller Center and make my way up to the Top of the Rock (30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112). The Top of the Rock is a observation platform high above the city, located at Rockefeller Center. Visitors can get an amazing panoramic view of New York City.

Once I was finished at the Top of the Rock I would do some window shopping along 5th Avenue. One of my favorite shops to explore is FAO Schwarz Toy Store. I wouldn’t mind stopping by Lindt too for some truffles.

After all that walking and shopping I would need to have something to eat. There are plenty of fantastic restaurants on every street in New York City. I’d like to take it one step further by having dinner on a Spirit Line Dinner Cruise. Not only can I rest my tired feet but I can also enjoy mouth watering food, live entertainment and spectacular views of New York City as we set sail on the Hudson River. We could even get up close to the Statue of Liberty.

This is how I would spend my perfect day in New York City. Of course this is only a tiny sampling of the wonderful things you can do in New York City. You can always enjoy a Broadway show, or even the Christmas Spectacular at Rockefeller Center during the holiday season (I highly recommend that show!). Time Square is a must see, especially at night. You can also check out places like the 911 Memorial, Madame Tussuad’s Museum, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, the Empire State Building, sports and music events at Madison Square Garden, visit Grand Central Terminal, enjoy amazing foods in Little Italy, check out Peking Duck in China Town, enjoy some sweet treats at Dylan’s Candy Bar and so much more.

Something I really want to do is take a helicopter ride over Manhattan. I’ve taken a helicopter from Manhattan to an air strip in New Jersey, but I would love to also fly over New York City too.

If you ever have the opportunity to spend some time in New York City and really live here like a true New Yorker, you will never be at a loss for what to see or do. New York City is bursting with attractions, fine dining, great shopping and amazing history. That is why I feel that New York City is one of the top 100 places you should live before you die.

If you could recommend one city in the world to live in before you die, what city would you recommend? I would love to hear about it. Feel free to leave a comment and tell me more.

You can also find more New York City related posts and experiences here on my site. You can either do a search for New York City or you can click on the New York City tab in the drop down menu for Travel.

Kimberly

*I am receiving a gift for my participation in this campaign. There was no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.

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Filed Under: New York, New York City (NYC), Travel

If you are in the NYC area go see The Bible Experience

March 25, 2013 By Kimberly

If you live or work in the New York City area, or are planning a trip over the next few days, I thought you might be interested in a FREE exhibit called The Bible Experience.

The other night, The Bible series’ executive producers, Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, were joined by some of their celebrity friends, including Kristin Chenoweth, Montel Williams and Ariana Huffington, to celebrate the opening of “The Bible Experience” in New York.

The Bible Experience is an exquisite gallery featuring rare biblical artifacts and an array of breathtaking photography from the series production in celebration of the epic miniseries. Previously at the Vatican, these one-of-a-kind rare artifacts will be on display exclusively for the first time ever in New York.

I would LOVE to go and see this exhibit myself but it’s not easy for me to get into NYC before the exhibit closes. It’s a once in a lifetime experience to see items that are normally at the Vatican. That sounds amazing!

I have a few photos from the opening event (plus a glimpse at some of the rare and unique items that you can see there).

The Bible Experience is located at 450 West 14th Street between Washington and 10th Avenue and will run 10:00AM to 6:00PM daily from March 20, 2013 to March 27, 2013. Admission is free.

If you have the opportunity to go PLEASE leave a comment on this post and tell me about it. I would love to hear about the awe inspiring things they have on display.

Incidentally, I have a giveaway going on right now for The Bible on Blu-ray (giveaway ends April 7, 2013). You can find the giveaway here – The Bible Giveaway. The Bible will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on April 2, 2013. Look for it wherever movies are sold.

Kimberly

ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHTED TO INVISION

*I was not compensated for this post. I posted this for the benefit and enjoyment of my site readers. Any opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Filed Under: New York City (NYC), Ramblings Tagged With: The Bible, The Bible Experience

New York City History for Kids: From New Amsterdam to the Big Apple

January 3, 2013 By Kimberly

My family and I live in the suburbs of New York City. Depending on traffic I can cross into Manhattan in about 35 minutes. Of course one little fender bender on the George Washington Bridge and traffic can be backed up for HOURS. I haven’t been in traffic on the bridge (yet) but I have been stuck in traffic on the West Side Highway.

We try to get into the city as often as we can. We don’t usually go down “just because” because it costs at least $40 to park (plus tip), gas and tolls (I think the GW Bridge is up to $12 now). We tend to venture in if there is an event I was invited to attend with my family, or if we are doing “touristy” things.

We have seen many places around the city and visited many historic landmarks, but when it comes to the history of one of the world’s most famous places, we don’t know anything about it. We learned a little bit out the history of Central Park this past summer when we took a tour, but that is about it.

New York City has a rich history that spans hundreds of years. From the early Dutch colonists to the Patriots who rebelled against the British during the American Revolution, there is clearly more to the Big Apple then just big buildings and expensive restaurants.

We have several books about New York City. Most of them are photo books (coffee table books). It’s nice to look at photos of the amazing architecture. Sadly we won’t have any books that give us more information about the city.

I received a copy of a book to review called New York City History for Kids: From New Amsterdam to the Big Apple. It’s a book geared towards children (ages 9+), but as an adult I was able to read parts of the book and learn more about the city. Believe it or not adults can benefit from reading this books too.

Here is a brief overview of the book.

In this lively 400-year history, kids will read about Peter Stuyvesant and the enterprising Dutch colonists, follow the spirited patriots as they rebel against the British during the American Revolution, learn about the crimes of the infamous Tweed Ring, journey through the notorious Five Points slum with its tenements and street vendors, and soar to new heights with the Empire State Building and New York City’s other amazing skyscrapers. Along the way, they’ll stop at Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and many other prominent New York landmarks. With informative and fun activities, such as painting a Dutch fireplace tile or playing a game of stickball, this valuable resource includes a time line of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and web resources for further study, helping young learners gain a better understanding of the Big Apple’s culture, politics, and geography.study, helping young learners gain a better understanding of the Big Apple’s culture, politics, and geography.

We gave this book to our son for Christmas, along with an interesting 3D puzzle of New York City. I thought they went great together. He could learn about the history of NYC while building it too.

I was worried that the book might be written in a way that was boring or not interesting enough for my “reluctant reader” . Thankfully it is written with children in mind. The book is packed with history, famous landmarks, famous people and more but it’s written in such a way that keeps a child’s interest. Or at least it has my son’s interest. As I mention previously, he’s a reluctant reader however he loves anything and everything about New York City. I have actually seen him reading the book. I dare not mention that I saw him (he might stop reading – he’s weird that way). As long as I see him with the book in his hand from time to time I’m happy.

A lot of the illustrations in the book are old. There are a lot of maps, diagrams and drawings that are in black and white. My son even commented that he wished there were more current images and photos. I guess when kids see things like that they think about history books and that might be a turn off for some children (unless of course they are really into history).

I like that my son has been able to tell us a few things about NYC that we never knew. As a mom it makes my heart smile when we’re ad dinner and he’ll say “Did you know…” and proceed to tell us something about NYC that he read in the book. It also reminds me of how little I know about NYC. I know nothing!

The book does come with over 20+ activities that help children understand some of the historical things they are learning about in the book. Sadly my son wasn’t interested in any of the activities (at least not yet anyway). It might just be the getting over the holidays and getting back into the swing of things at school. Perhaps when they have Winter break or over the weekend he might take interest in some of them. I know one of the crafts is to make a model of Fort George. That sounds like something he might be interested in. There is also a “how to” for playing stickball. I think he might enjoy that too. From what my husband tells me his father (who was born and raised in the NYC Burrough of Queens) used to love to play stickball.

If your child or grandchild enjoys learning about history, or perhaps as a fascination with the Big Apple, you might want to consider picking up this book. It might make a great teacher resource too if you are doing any lessons on New York.

New York City History for Kids: From New Amsterdam to the Big Apple is available at many book retailer locations (both online and offline).

Kimberly

*I received a free book copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.

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Filed Under: Books, Children, New York, New York City (NYC), Reviews

Heading off to New York City

December 9, 2012 By Kimberly

I’m heading off to New York City shortly. Even though I live just outside the city I’ll be staying at a hotel overnight. That is because bright and early Monday morning myself and a few other bloggers are heading off to visit the set of a new movie called Delivery Man. It starts Vince Vaughn (too many movies to mention!) and Cobie Smulders (Robin on How I Met Your Mother & The Avengers).

I can’t give away too many details because the movie is not set to be released in theaters until October 2013. All I can say is that it has something to do with a man (Vaughn) who donated sperm to a sperm bank and suddenly hundreds of his children want to meet him. That certainly makes for an interesting story line. I can’t wait to see how it all plays out. I hope it’s a comedy! I am not sure yet.

I’ll be tweeting about it, as well as the other bloggers who will be on set with me. If you would like to follow along use the hashtag #DeliveryManMovie.

If you have any questions you would like me to ask Vince or Cobie in regards to the movie feel free to leave a comment and let me know and I’ll do my best to ask them for you.

I won’t be able to post the interviews or details of the set visit until closer to the movie’s release date.

Kimberly

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Filed Under: Entertainment, Movies, New York City (NYC)

Win Two Tickets to Spirit of New York – Winner’s Choice! (Giveaway ends 12/12/12)

November 28, 2012 By Kimberly

If you live in the Tri-State area (NY, NY, CT) or even in Eastern PA, you might be interested in a really nice giveaway in honor of Spirit of New York Cruise Lines 25th Anniversary. I’m giving away two tickets to the winner’s choice of cruise (except holiday or themed cruises).

Spirit offers passengers three levels that are climate controlled (so you won’t freeze in the Winter or sweat in the summer). The ship also have over sized windows so you can take in the breathtaking views of Manhattan and the surrounding area. You can even stroll around the deck for some fresh air and even more amazing views of the Hudson River.

One of the things on my “Bucket List” was to go up in a Helicopter. I considered it “bonus points” if I was able to see Manhattan from a Helicopter. Last year I knocked two things off my Bucket List in one day – I went on a Helicopter and saw Manhattan from above, and I went on a hot air balloon ride (both in the same day!).

I’ve been in Manhattan, and I’ve flown above Manhattan, but I’ve never been “around” Manhattan via the Hudson River. That is something I added on my Bucket List after I saw the photos my daughter took from the cruise line.

My daughter has been on a Spirit Cruise for her friend’s birthday. She has seen TWO Broadway plays (with chorus at school). Two things that I really want to do. I’m jealous!

Spirit is run by Entertainment Cruises.

One of the reasons why I want to go on an the Entertainment Cruise is so I can capture amazing photos of New York City.

Check out these photos that my daughter took when she was on the Spirit Cruise ship(her first name is the same initial as mine – and yes, she’s an amazing photographer).

She snapped these photos with a little pocket camera. I wonder how pictures would come out with my Nikon?

My daughter was on the dinner cruise with her friends (and the birthday girl’s parents). Both lunch and dinner cruises are available with Spirit of New York.

Entertainment Cruises offer lunch cruises, dinner cruises, holiday cruises and themed cruises. Your ticket not only gets you on board one of the beautiful ships but it also covers your cost of food and entertainment.

Each cruise offers you a meal from the Grande Buffet with includes a bountiful array of salads, entrees and side dishes. Of course no delicious meal would be complete without dessert. Appetizers and cocktails are also available for purchase (not included in the ticket price). Coffee, tea, ice tea and water are complimentary.

Dinner cruises also include live entertainment. At night your talented server staff will delight you with unique solo performances of some of your favorite songs. From line dances to Top-40 hits, Spirit’s DJs know how to get everyone up and dancing and rock the night away.

You can finish your meal or your evening with a lovely stroll across the deck to take in the sights and sounds of Manhattan and New Jersey.

I checked out their holiday cruises. WOW! If I had the $$$$ I would take my family to the New Year’s Eve cruise or the Christmas Eve cruise. They make both nights truly memorable. Some day I’ll do that with either my family or just my hubby.

The cruises are family friendly (lunch and dinner cruises). You might want to check on the specifics for holiday and theme cruises just to be on the safe side. Alcohol is available for purchase on the ships.

The Spirit Cruise ship sound like a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to going on a cruise with my family someday soon.

If you would like to learn more about Spirit of New York or Spirit visit www.SpiritofNewYork.com. You can also make reservations online too. You can even find them on Facebook – www.Facebook.com/SpiritofNewYork.

For more information about Entertainment Cruises visit www.EntertainmentCruises.com.

In honor of the Anniversary of Spirit of New York, Entertainment Cruises would like to offer a lucky winner TWO Tickets. The winner can chose from a lunch or dinner cruise (holiday and theme cruises are not available with this giveaway). The retail price of this prize ranges from $97.80 – $169.80 depending on which cruise the winner selects.

This giveaway is open to anyone but you have to be available to come to NY to get aboard the ship. This giveaway will end on December 12, 2012 at 12:01 AM (EST). The winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

To enter please leave a comment on this post and tell me WHY you would like to win the tickets.

For extra entries you can use the Rafflecopter widget (below) but you must complete the initial entry requirement or the additional entries won’t qualify.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kimberly

*I was not compensated for this post. I posted this for the enjoyment of my site readers. Any opinions expressed are my own adn are not influenced in any way.