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I like to think of myself as a Chinatown Bus pro. For years, I have been using the many "Chinatown" bus lines for trips to both Boston & Washington, DC. Why pay for the train when the bus is just...
I like to think of myself as a Chinatown Bus pro. For years, I have been using the many "Chinatown" bus lines for trips to both Boston & Washington, DC. Why pay for the train when the bus is just as fast, much cheaper, less stops and movies on the long routes?
I just took my first trip to Philly via bus and was thrilled to find that P2P Circulator was clean, cheap and ran from Penn Station (easier for me to get to than NY Chinatown). I was a little nervous, though, because when I arrived for a 1:30pm bus, the 11:30am bus had not yet left. I have been assured that this was a fluke. I have to take their word for it at this point! Let's hope my trip home is as smooth.
https://www.apexbus.com/p2p.aspx
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Don't be fooled by the dressed up actors and the building facade - the Betsy Ross House was largely reconstructed for the Bicentennial in 1976. Regardless of how much is original, how much is...
Don't be fooled by the dressed up actors and the building facade - the Betsy Ross House was largely reconstructed for the Bicentennial in 1976. Regardless of how much is original, how much is recreated and how much is "of the period", the experience is a good one.
Walk through the colonial house to learn more about Betsy and what her life was like when she was asked to sew a flag for our new nation (the flag that is often associated with her name is not actually the design she used as it took a while for the nation to have 13 states...and then the number jumped to 16 fairly quickly). Check out the first floor exhibit of works sewn by her descendants -- apparently the talent was passed on!
Cute gift shop and frequent (free) performances in the courtyard at the entrance.
There is an entry fee (minimal) and an audio guide is available.
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Fans of the Morimoto Buddakan empire who find themselves in Philly will enjoy not only outposts of these two faves, but also a fantastic seafood restaurant in STRIPED BASS. The setting: an old bank...
Fans of the Morimoto Buddakan empire who find themselves in Philly will enjoy not only outposts of these two faves, but also a fantastic seafood restaurant in STRIPED BASS. The setting: an old bank building re-fitted as a hot dining spot. The food: delicious seafood with nouvelle cuisine flair. The portions: small, which is good for the body and not so good for the wallet as...The price: high ($37/entree and you are going to be ordering at least 2 if not 3 courses).
Extensive wine list and attentive waitstaff (don't be distracted by the fact that they all seem to wear ill-fitting uniforms) are checks in the plus column for this central city spot.
Great decor, but the piped in electronica could use a rest.
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The Park Hyatt at the Bellevue has not always been a Park Hyatt...as a result, the rooms all have a different charm and different shape. The gorgeous wallpaper in the hallways looks straight out of...
The Park Hyatt at the Bellevue has not always been a Park Hyatt...as a result, the rooms all have a different charm and different shape. The gorgeous wallpaper in the hallways looks straight out of a Colonial Williamsburg house and the food (whether in the cafe of at the very nice NINETEEN restaurant) is a real treat.
You may feel like you are in a maze as you try to reach the lobby - just go into the upscale Bellevue mall (it is not really a mall, but it is close), and a left toward the parking lot entrance and take the elevator to the 19th floor. Voila...you have reached your check-in point and the cafe.
The one negative to the hotel is that the elevators stink - they are slow and seem to constantly be under repair.
Pluses include fabulous bath products, comfortable (pillowtop?) beds with tons of pillows, and plush robes.
Price is reasonable for the neighborhood of Philly you are in and the level of service you receive.
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Every visitor to Philadelphia - whether one is there for a day, a week or a month - must visit Independence National Historical Park. Not only is the park a beautiful part of the city, it reminds...
Every visitor to Philadelphia - whether one is there for a day, a week or a month - must visit Independence National Historical Park. Not only is the park a beautiful part of the city, it reminds all visitors of how and why our country became a republic. The sites are free and almost all of them are open daily from approximately 9-5 (tours of Independence Hall require a timed ticket during peak season March-Oct and Declaration House is only open in the morning). Bishop White House and the Todd House (home of Dolley Todd Madison before she met James) are shown by tour - the tour is free, but timed and arranged at a counter in the Visitor Center.
The message is this: before your visit, check out the maps and site descriptions at www.nps.gov/inde When you arrive in Philly, hit the Visitor Center to be sure you have the correct times/days open so you can efficiently plan your tour of the park.
I don't think that hiring a tour guide is necessary - the rangers are so kind and willing to answer any questions. The maps are good and the pamphlets are informative. If you are in good shape and a real "go-getter", you will be able to see just about everything in one day. However, I recommend two days to explore the park as there is a lot of information to take in.
Please note: Some sites in and around the park are not open on Mondays and/or Tuesdays. Do not rely on guidebooks - the descriptions seem to be aimed at weekend visitors.
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Sephora
Category:
Retail Shopping
1500 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
(212) 944-6789
As an actor, I often have to find a specific type of make-up or a color that I wouldn't typically wear but is necessary for the show. It is difficult to get this done at a department store (where I...
As an actor, I often have to find a specific type of make-up or a color that I wouldn't typically wear but is necessary for the show. It is difficult to get this done at a department store (where I usually buy my make-up) because employees work at specific counters and are supposed to sell their brand only. For me, Sephora is a lifesaver.
Today, I had to find red lipstick (I NEVER wear red lipstick) that would 1) look good and 2) look like it was from the 1930s. I walked into Sephora in Times Square and foolishly just started to try on reds. My face was a mess. I was losing patience. I needed help. A very friendly Sephora worker not only came to my aid, but she found me a very affordable brand!
Sephora is great because a customer is able to mix and match brands. I like to wander the aisles, hoping to find a new product without having the pressure of having a salesperson pull it out of a counter ready for a big sale. Thumbs up, Sephora!
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If you are in the area (stuck waiting for your friend from Delaware's delayed Amtrak train at Penn Station? just dropped off your taxes at the Farley Post Office?), you may be tempted to stop in...
If you are in the area (stuck waiting for your friend from Delaware's delayed Amtrak train at Penn Station? just dropped off your taxes at the Farley Post Office?), you may be tempted to stop in the Tick Tock Diner for a bite to eat. Don't be too tempted. It is passable, but does not give you the great diner experience that can be found elsewhere.
Last time I ate in here, my coffee was burned but my eggs were great. The time before, it was the opposite. Inconsistency is not what one looks for in a diner. Granted, there are not many great food choices in the area (unless you want to spend $$$ and grab a steak right next to Madison Square Garden), but you should make the effort and find a spot further off the beaten path.
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I am a fan of the Moonrock for many reasons - not the least of which is the very friendly staff! As a person who works odd hours, it is not unusual to see me here for dinner at 11:30pm. Some of my...
I am a fan of the Moonrock for many reasons - not the least of which is the very friendly staff! As a person who works odd hours, it is not unusual to see me here for dinner at 11:30pm. Some of my favorite items are the chicken parmigiana (you better be hungry before ordering this as the pasta is just about falling off the plate underneath two very large chicken cutlets) and the avocado sandwich that I recommend on toasted multi-grain bread instead of the semolina listed on the menu.
Moonrock serves one of the better (and least expensive) breakfasts in the area, but tables are hard to come by on Saturday and Sunday mornings. You won't be disappointed if you commit to waiting, though!
I have never felt rushed out of here and have drunk so many cups of coffee that I am sure I owe them more than the couple of bucks I have left. A great diner right in midtown!
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Coffee and New York seem to go hand in hand. It is so widely available that you can even buy it on the street corners! Despite the many delis, carts and Starbucks that dot Manhattan, where does...
Coffee and New York seem to go hand in hand. It is so widely available that you can even buy it on the street corners! Despite the many delis, carts and Starbucks that dot Manhattan, where does one go for a good old coffee house? One with chairs and maybe a couple of homemade cupcakes to savor while resting one's bones? The answer is on Waverly Place and it is Joe. Take a break from your walk in Washington Square Park and pop in for an iced latte served in a GLASS cup and sit at one of the 5 or so café tables or on one of the two outdoor benches. Grab a cup to go with a scrumptious treat of the muffin, cupcake or cookie variety. Don't expect chipper service from the lady behind the counter - you might not get it - but do expect a good cup of coffee.
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THE FAMILY JEWELS should not be mistaken for a jewelry store, but rather a real "gem" in the world of vintage stores. The spot on West 23rd Street has both clothing and accessories (including a...
THE FAMILY JEWELS should not be mistaken for a jewelry store, but rather a real "gem" in the world of vintage stores. The spot on West 23rd Street has both clothing and accessories (including a small amount of hats) from the entire 20th century. Please note that there are not a huge amount of items from the 10s or 20s and that many of the beautiful items behind the register (including some fabulous top hats) are not for sale. You will have to spend some time digging through the racks if you are looking for something from a particular era as they are arranged by type and color instead of decade. This is a wonderful shop to explore - just check your bag at the front door and dig in.
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