The Whispering Gallery is a New York moment that reminds you why the city is so special. Tucked…read moreinside Grand Central, it's charming and very New York. Stand at opposite corners, whisper into the wall, and somehow your voice travels perfectly across. You can stop by on a random weekday and end up smiling like a tourist. It's free, takes five minutes, and is perfect for a quick stop or showing out-of-town friends.

Yeah, it's kind of a goofy audio science phenomenon due to the architecture in Grand Central…read more Located in the lower level near the Oyster Bar you'll locate the whispering gallery, and in fact you might find other people doing the same thing smiling into a corner, whispering, and the other person on the opposite side of the arch can clearly hear you as if you're next to them. That's pretty much it. I tried it with a friend and it works.

After the renovation, the bridge in one way is easier to navigate, in another way it's not…read more Going into Queens, there are 5 lanes. One lane coming from WillyB (assuming drivers merge properly and not cross the painted median), three lanes from BQE and one lane to exit Metropolitan Ave. If you don't pay attention and change to the correct lane, you will miss the LIE exit though you can still get to the BQE exits since there is a concrete divider. Going into Manhattan, there are 5 lanes with the 2 right lanes required merging. Either way, there is still congestion or slow downs during the merging in rush hour and depending on the sun location. At night, the steel cables are lit up with colors. Each night the colors are different. In the beginning, there is too be a light show. Now, it's 1 solid color. Pedestrian walkway is great. It's an easy hike from Sunnyside, Queens to Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It's about a mile walk. Brooklyn puts you in the residential area. Queens puts you by the cemetery or the industrial area. Enjoy.

SO connecting Queens to Brooklyn the Kosciuszko Bridge is also one of the newer bridges in NYC with…read moreboth directions complete in 2019 It replaces many crossing over the years. It was a bit crowded and the lanes pretty narrow for the moving van i was in but the crossing was without incident. It was also still light out so I was not able to get a glimpse of the changing color scheme that lights the bridge at night

Visited back in April -- the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House Museum is a true hidden gem. Nestled right…read moreon the Queens-Brooklyn county line, in the far northwest corner of Ridgewood and well off the typical tourist path, this historic house museum offers a quiet, intimate escape with a fascinating story to tell. The collection inside is thoughtfully curated, showcasing artifacts that illuminate both the house's past and the surrounding neighborhood's rich history. The staff is warm and welcoming, and one guide in full period attire was not only gracious but impressively knowledgeable a wonderful touch that really brings the space to life. This is a must-visit for history buffs, preservation professionals, Ridgewood locals, or anyone exploring NYC who's craving an "out-of-the-way" spot to slow down, reflect, and soak in some Queens-centric history. Don't miss the "Arbitration Rock" on the grounds tucked inside a picket-fenced enclosure, it's an intriguing remnant of the historic boundary dispute that once defined the Ridgewood (Queens)-Bushwick (Brooklyn) border. A peaceful, educational, and surprisingly charming experience.

We were so happy to have our daughter's wedding at the Onderdonk house and gardens at the end of…read moreMay. The staff there could not have been better stewards for the space or kinder shepherds to us as we worked out way through the planning, execution, and enjoyment of a wonderful event with friends and family. We are big DIYers and the gracious guidance of Virginia and others at Vander Ende-Onderdonk took exceptional care of us. A joyous event (and huge success for us) and cannot sing my praises enough for this gem of a location.

The Williamsburg Bridge is a suspension bridge across the East River. It connects the Lower East…read moreSide of Manhattan with the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. Originally known as the East River Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge was completed in 1903. It's 7,308 feet long and was the longest suspension bridge span in the world until 1924. My love of bridges involves the view of the structure alone and the surrounding area. The water, and the buildings in the background are impressive. Plus I'm amazed at the workmanship and difficulty of building bridges. Regardless of the thoughts and emotions I feel when I see a bridge I definitely like to add bridge photos to my collection. I had the opportunity to collect more photos when I saw the Williamsburg Bridge. I'm recommending you enjoy this bridge in your own way.

A nice stroll on a sunny day, the Williamsburg Bridge connects Lower East Side Manhattan to...well,…read moreWilliamsburg in Brooklyn. One of the more biker and pedestrian friendly bridges connecting Manhattan to another landmass, this bridge features an elevated thoroughfare for bikers and pedestrians that's above the car and subway level. From LES it starts as a single lane stretch adjacent to Delancey, separating into a biker side and pedestrian side once you get to the main section of the bridge that sits over the water. Compared to the Brooklyn bridge with its stone arches and open air suspension construction, the Williamsburg Bridge shows a grittier, urban suspension bridge with steel towers and a lot of graffiti adorning every possible canvas. A distinctive feel for sure! It seems the public services commission put in a noticeable effort to keep the bridge cleaner and litter free--they placed trash cans along pretty much every 5 minutes walking along the bridge from the LES side. Most people seem to get the idea and have pretty good aim though a fair amount seem to still miss these targets when tossing their trash. At a leisurely pace it will take about 30 minutes to cross this bridge, though if you stop and check out the views maybe closer to 45 mins. You can see all of the buildings and skyline along the East River in the lower part of Manhattan. The bridge is fairly flat all the way across so suitable for all ages and accessibility. There's plenty of fencing so you never feel unsafe, though no direct overhead covering so you are exposed to the weather and elements.

The statue was initially installed on the roof of a building on Houston that was owned by a former…read moreprofessor of radical sociology, Michael Rosen. It was moved a couple of years ago to here on Norfolk. This particular likeness of Lenin was created by Yuri Gerasimov, who was commissioned to build it by the Soviet Union, but because of the Union's collapse, the statue was never unveiled and remained so until 1994 when Rosen's partner bought it from the artist and had it installed. Yes, it's on the roof. So when you're walking along Norfolk Street you need to stop at number 178 and look up. There he is, arm outstretched and saluting New York City. It's just one of those things that will make you go "Yep, that's New York!" It's not a great view because he's only near the edge of the roof and it's six stories up. There isn't much space to back up and get a better angle. [Review 15691 overall - 283 in New York - 1195 of 2021.]

I conquered the largest country in the world, introduced a new political philosophy to the…read moremainstream, and changed the course of 20th of the 20th Century. And all I got was a lousy statue on a rando roof in some city I've never been to. ‍

Take the cable car across to the island - it's very simple and offers a great view along the way…read more Once you're on the island, you'll get an amazing view of Manhattan. I highly recommend reading the boards about the history of the island; they're really interesting.

Designed by architect James Renwick Jr of Smithsonian fame, Renwick Ruin was a former smallpox…read morehospital that opened in 1856. It was later converted to a nursing school in 1886 which closed in the 1950s, and the building was then abandoned. The interior was stripped and what remains is the shell of the building. While you can't go up to the building as there is a chain-link fence around it, the ivy-covered building is quite stunning. If you like history and architecture, Renwick Ruin is a must see! [Yelp collections: East Coast 2022; NY Summer 2022]

The Newsboys' Lodging House, located at 295 East 8th Street, was constructed in 1886 by the…read moreChildren's Aid Society as a shelter for "the grimy little boot-blacks and their rivals in trade, the newsboys," according to an 1886 Harper's Weekly article. It was designed by Calvert Vaux, partner of Frederick Law Olmstead and architect of notable New York sights, including Belvedere Castle and Central Park. In the early 20th century, this building was a shul, according to the legend on the lintel. ("Talmud Torah Darghei Noam") In the 1970s, this--along with many other neighborhood buildings--was abandoned, decaying and in danger of irrevocable ruin; most people aren't aware that if it weren't for squatters, these would be irrevocably lost to water damage as a result of leaky roofs. (Scrappers, of course, liked to scavenge the copper and sell it for scrap.) It's a mixed blessing they've been preserved for their real-estate value and converted into luxury housing. This building was also restored a few years ago, and the roof entirely replaced with new slates expected to last 100 years or more. It's now received landmark designation.

Visited some friends in North Williamsburg and instead of grabbing a Lyft or Uber back to Dumbo, I…read moredecided to hop on the Waterfront water taxi--and honestly, it was such a great choice! Super quick, easy, and the views are amazing. The North waterfront has gorgeous condos and a killer skyline backdrop, so the ride feels like a mini adventure. Prices are way better than rideshare: $4.50 for a single ride, $29 for a 10-ride pack, or $15 for a 2-day pass. The taxi runs about every 15 minutes and connects North & South Williamsburg, Dumbo (Brooklyn Bridge), and Wall Street. It's not just for visitors--lots of residents use it as a convenient way to commute to and from work. Perfect if you want something affordable, scenic, and stress-free. Quick tip: Try riding around sunset for incredible views of the skyline, and grab a coffee before boarding to make it even better! Highly recommend giving it a try--you'll save money and get a view that Uber just can't offer!

This beautiful esplanade provides a calming oasis. It's a…read moregreat way to calm one's mind and take in the beauty of the surrounding Manhattan skyline. There is plenty of seating to catch up on reading, work or just sitting still. The East River ferry stops here to transport you to Manhattan. The waterfront is close to Bedford Avenue, the Main Street for shopping, dining and drinking. If you are in the mood for further wandering, Domino Park is very close by. All in all a great "getaway" in Brooklyn.