Somehow, it was much smaller than I expected, but it's fun that it exists. I would not go out of my…read moreway to see it, but it is a pleasant sight inside a shopping center.

When I found out there was a one-ton statue of Captain America in Brooklyn (in front of a…read moreBedBath&Beyond, no less) I was so intrigued that I went out of my way to see it. The statue is simply fabulous. And well worth the trip out. Brooklyn-based sculptor Dave Cortes was approached by Marvel to make the statue in honor of Captain America's 75th anniversary in 2016. For such a heavy object, it's been around quite a bit: San Diego Comic-Con, then to various locations in Brooklyn, like Barclays Center and Prospect Park. Cortes did a phenomenal job!

So much can be said and written about the beloved gem that is Harlem. It is my favorite borough in…read moreNYC (it's a part of Manhattan, i know). I truly love all of nyc, but Harlem is special. The history, the sites, the food, the energy/vibe...it reminds me very much of where I was born and bred. The best part is its location right across the bridge from NJ. It has been interesting to see the "rebirth" and ever-changing landscape. The love is still there, though. And always will be!

Oh Harlem, who can touch your incredible culture and your iconic history? The history of my people…read more Black people. Amazing people. The birth of our culture, our music, our dance, our literature. But also, once a story of struggle, poverty, and crime. Every person and every place has a past and a story. The story of Harlem encompasses the great history of black culture. From the Harlem globetrotters, to the Apollo Theatre, to the Harlem Renaissance; this district is a one of a kind. I only wished that I could have spent more time here. Harlem still seems to get a bad rap, but I have to admit that it's not that bad at all. It kind of reminds me of how outsiders think of Oakland. You have to experience it for yourself to see its' true beauty. And, that there Harlem is pretty damn beautiful. The architecture, the restaurants, the wonderful parks, its' lively character, and its' people. All of it is worthy of a visit. Yes, there are some rough parts like there are in many other cities around the world. But, don't let that detour you from experiencing the Harlem culture. There's just so much history in this town, and it has truly evolved over the years. I'm grateful to have experienced the charm of lil' ol' Harlem.

East Village Walls are equally my favorite with East Harlem Walls! If you like graffiti and public…read moreart projects like I do, I recommend you follow my friend Tom G. Tom has a real passion for Public Art. I agree with his statement about the art being time limited. I try to get around to photograph as many as I can before they are gone. I'm posting some of my favorites taken in the Lower East Side. I'm hoping to add more soon. I'm recommending you cruise the streets of the Lower East Side and find more classic NYC street art. PS I have the wall locations in my photos if I want to return to check if they are still there.

East Village Walls, @eastvillagewalls is a community organization, that enriches the East Village…read morewith art murals and other projects. They have many art installations, murals in the area and this is just the latest one by artist Ben Keller, @benkellerct I like waking around the downtown just to spots, these, I cry when a favorite is replaced and smile when a new one touches my heart. I think this is one of the best paintings I have seen in a long time, you can just stand in from of the image of an old man and get mentally lost just looking at it.

probably better in the summer or spring there's no water in it and there's only two statuesread more

It's on my way to work and when I have the time I like to just chill and look at it. Gives off an…read moreuber tranquil vibe that takes the edge off. In nicer weather it's a great place to hang out and enjoy an outdoor coffee.

FDR Hope Memorial - This memorial feels very calm and dignified. I liked its artistic design and…read morethe symbolism expressing hope and strength. The surroundings are well maintained and suitable for a short stop and reflection. It's a place that makes you slow down and think.

After visiting the Four Freedoms Park, we came across another memorial for Franklin D. Roosevelt,…read morethe FDR Hope Memorial. Commemorating FDR's battle with polio, the FDR Hope Memorial is comprised of two bronze figures -- FDR in a wheelchair reaching out to a young girl with crutches. Leading up to the memorial are markers with key dates and milestones in FDR's life and the polio epidemic. I found the memorial visually appealing, interesting, and educational. [Yelp collections: East Coast 2022; NY Summer 2022; Monuments, Memorials, and Historical Markers]

My brother stacks stones. It's a thing he does when we travel and he did it when we traveled to a…read morefew of Maine's beaches this year. So I was a little prepared for this interesting art spot that is maybe a quarter or half mile south of the Little Red Lighthouse along the Hudson River in Fort Washington Park. These stacks are made from local rock, a type called Manhattan Schist. They seem to be ideal for stacking as they have square edges and flat sides. This phenomenon apparently started in July 2017 and were initially the work of Uliks Gryka, who was inspired to create them after noticing the medley of rough, jagged rocks strewn about the shore. With the Midtown skyline way off in the distance on a clear day, you could almost imagine that these stacks - some five or six rocks tall! - could be skyscrapers themselves. I wouldn't recommend starting stacking stones - it's quite habit forming to see how many you can stack successfully before they tumble like a heavier version of Jenga. And be warned - the existing stacks are not glued or cemented in place. They can fall (on you!) at any time. Best to observe from a few feet away. They're about level with 171st Street if it continued west to meet the Hudson (which it obviously doesn't). [Review 15649 overall - 246 in New York - 1153 of 2021.]

This is one of the coolest little secret spots in NYC! Stacking stones exists all over the world,…read morefrom Ireland to Sint Maarten, but this spot is just north of all the main attractions of Manhattan. There are about two dozen of these stacks and they look great with the panorama of the GW bridge behind them.

"It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day…read morefor a neighbor. Would you be mine? Could you be mine?" I have taken to dubbing Windsor Terrace, bordered by Prospect Park and Greenwood Cemetery and split in two by the Prospect Expressway, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" for two reasons: 1. I've repeatedly been involved in conversations that go something like this: Q: Where do you live? A: Brooklyn Q: Which neighborhood? A: Windsor Terrace Q: No, which neighborhood? A: (with frustration) Windsor Terrace These dialogues tend to remind me of "Who's on First?," and it doesn't surprise me in the least that Windsor Terrace was not (until now) on the Yelp map. 2. Park Slope should not be taking all the flak for containing the most Maclarens / Baby Bjorns per square foot of sidewalk. After all, it was the Double Windsor on Prospect Park West that lead the pack in instituting a stroller ban after 5 p.m. (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/babies_bounced_after_at_windsor_NV2B1Yw7GlvFXy1wdY6rVO). The incidents leading to the stroller ban illustrate that, for the most part, the childless and those with child (or broods) who call this neighborhood home "blend but do not mix." Perhaps the most famous resident of Windsor Terrace was Isaac Asimov, who is believed to have written "Nightfall" in his family home here in 1941. In addition to its human denizens, Windsor Terrace boasts a large population of canine counterparts and perhaps the largest feral cat population in the borough. In addition to dozens of schools and rowhouses, Windsor Terrace also contains a strip of restaurants and local businesses on Prospect Park West that resembles a collegetown, the best of which are Terrace Bagels, Windsor Wines, DUB Pies, Krupa Grocery, and Le P'tit Paris. "It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood, A neighborly day for a beauty. Would you be mine? Could you be mine?..."

Every year we come to Brooklyn for the Park Slope historic brownstone tour. I'm in awe of these…read morebeautiful homes and short of owning one, touring these multi-million dollar homes is the next best thing. We prefer to stay in Brooklyn (my favorite city in the world) and live like a local for a few days, choosing a rental apartment over staying in a hotel. I like to explore different neighborhoods and the culture each one offers, as every one is distinct in their own right. This year we choose Windsor Terrace, a more residential and somewhat suburban neighborhood compared to ones in the past. We drove to Brooklyn instead of taking the train so the ample street parking was a key factor in our decision. Like mentioned before this neighborhood felt a little more suburban and featured a variety of home styles. While I didn't see any genuine brownstowns there were some with the same styling. Many of the homes had driveways and/or garages. The neighborhood was flanked by a highway on one side and the historic Greenwood cemetery on the other. The subway accessibility was not as saturated as in other neighborhoods so we opted to walk and drive. There were several small parks within walking distance that featured nice playgrounds for smaller children but limited green space. Overall it was much quieter and you almost forgot the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn was only a few blocks away. For me personally as much as I appreciated the safety and ease of parking I prefer someplace more upbeat and lively. We had to drive or walk a good 20-30 minutes to get to an area that had multiple retail and dining choices. In our immediate 5 block radius there was only a café, a pizza joint, and an ice cream place. The residents were all very nice and Sat and Sunday had "stoop sales" where everything was free. It was relaxing to walk around and check out everyone's items that were up for grabs. We enjoyed ice cream from Kathy's and sat in the park. Overall a nice visit, one that I would consider again if I was driving.