Travel Tips

I have always had this strange and fascinating love affair with New York City. Ever since I was a kid. It was the old classic movies that influenced me. Everything from "Miracle on 34th St," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," and then even with "Saturday Night Fever." Once I got a taste of the Big Apple......I was hooked!

I knew that I would live there someday and that Lady Liberty would welcome me with open arms. And she certainly did. The following pages show a collection of photos taken within the last decade. I've spent summers in New York.....lived in the heart of Manhattan....and still continue to visit and enjoy every inch of the arts and culture she has to offer.

THEY may have tried to destroy her, but the beat goes on.

That's me.....eating a croissant.....in front of Tiffany's on Fifth Avenue. Get it? Okay, so it's a LAME tribute to Audrey Hepburn and the movie that made her the timeless "Party Girl," ......but I'm a huge fan of the movie and the store! ("Nothing terrible can happen to you at Tiffany's!"-- Holly Golightly)

When Giuliani took over the Mayor's office, all the New Yorkers know how much he cleaned up Gotham City. So many changes happened inside Times Square alone within the past decade! The strip clubs and street walkers have now been overrun by Starbucks and wholesome family fun! Same hood, different flavor!

In my opinion, it's best to experience Times Square at night....when the bright lights of the big city are all fired up!

Greenwich Village and Soho are probably my two favorite sections in the city for finding unique items. I love getting lost in these areas and peeking in at all the colorful shops and restaurants. Whenever in the city, I always make a stop along West 8th St. in the village. There are stores after stores of shoes, shoes.......and more shoes! There's a variety for both men and women styles along this street! You can never get tired of looking at shoes!! Once you work your way down West 8th, you can find yourself back on one of the main boulevards - either Broadway or Avenue of the Americas, where you can do MORE shopping!

Also, while in the village, be sure to take a break in Washington Square Park. A village icon. You can't miss it when walking by.....it's the park with the Arc du Triomphe replica and the numerous tables of chess players challenging each other all day long. There have been various movies which made this location so famous........"Searching for Bobby Fischer," and one of my favorites, "Barefoot in the Park," just to name a few. There always seems to be some type of filming going on here. Whether it's the next Steven Soderbergh blockbuster or an NYU Film School indie......it's always a treat to watch it from the park!

The energy in New York City is like no other city in this country. I realized that more, once I moved away. One of the things I miss the most is the late night dining in the big city. There's ALWAYS a new restaurant to try with the hippest, coolest scene. This scene was taken at "The Park" restaurant in Tribeca. Who needs "EYE CANDY" when you have the whole "Box of Chocolates" for dinner!