The latest travel information plus insider event and sightseeing tips for New York City, Boston, Hawaii, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Bermuda.
Friday, September 28, 2007
New NYC Baseball Stadiums
Both New York City major-league baseball teams are in the process of building new stadiums. Now that the Yankees' place in October baseball is assured (and we're sill optimistic about the Mets, despite their recent fall from a lofty first-place standing), it's a good time for a visit to the old stadiums, before they disappear. Citi Field is expected to be ready as the Mets' new home for opening day 2009; the new Yankee Stadium is also expected to open for the 2009 season. Both new stadiums being built side-by-side with the existing fields (so take public transportation if you can -- parking is a nightmare!) and both will offer fewer cheap seats (but more for the corporate fans in sky boxes). So where will we non-corporate fans go? Well, we expect to take in more games for the Brooklyn Cyclones, Staten Island Yankees, and Scranton Yankees in 2009.
"Vest-pocket" parks -- those little bits of greenery tucked here and there throughout New York City -- are like a moment of cloud-cover on a searingly hot, sunny day; they provide welcome relief in the otherwise unrelenting urban environment. One place we especially like is Greenacre Park on East 51st Street (between Second and Third Avenues). Commissioned by Abby Rockefeller's Greenacre Foundation "to provide some moments of serenity in this busy world," the park's main feature is a 25-foot tall waterfall. Plenty of trees provide shade for folks settled on the wire chairs that surround little round tables. Designed by Hideo Sasaki (former chairman of Harvard's landscape architecture department) and Harmon Goldstone (a NY preservationist), the park first opened in 1971 and has retained a groovy 70's vibe. Want to find more places to escape from your daily grind? Check out our list of other urban oases.
From October 20-21, Boston will play host to the 43rd annual Head of the Charles regatta. More than 7,500 athletes from colleges, universities, and boatclubs around the world compete in 55 different race events, with up to 300,000 spectators on hand to cheer them on. All told, it has become the largest 2-day rowing event in the world (and a spectacular party, to boot!).
Inspired to paddle a bit yourself? Try renting a kayak from Charles River Canoe & Kayak and head out onto the picturesque Charles River, along with crew teams from Harvard and other nearby schools.
Every year, the editors at Travel + Leisure Golf survey their readers about their favorite courses and resorts. This year's survey results are in. Not surprisingly, some of our favorite places to play in Hawaii and Bermuda made their lists. Check out their top picks; then click over to our Hawaiian and Bermudian golf choices.
The Reefs in Southampton, Bermuda has long been celebrated as one of the "world's very best hotels and resorts," one of the "world's best top hotels for service," and one of the "world's best family resorts." Now, families wishing to own a second home in Bermuda (a notoriously difficult and expensive undertaking, given the government's restrictions on property owned by non-Bermudians) are being offered fractional ownership at The Reefs Club, which promises the same level of service with a host of special amenities, including a spectacular beachfront location, rooftop putting green, and pre-arrival grocery service. The new vacation homes are just steps away from award-winning restaurants, a private pink sand beach, and world class diving and snorkeling. A quick phone call to the concierge and dinner reservations, golf tee times, and on-site spa appointments are made. Owners can also take advantage of personal storage for golf clubs, diving gear and of course, the essential "Bermuda shorts!"
We've reported before on the growing movement to create a Bill of Rights for airline passengers, that would, among other things, protect them from the discomfort and hazards that come from sitting on the tarmac for more than three hours. Today's article in the New York Times about activist Kate Hanni seems to indicate all of her efforts, including her blog and yesterday's Washington D.C. "strand-in" are having an effect. And it is about time! There were 1199 flights stranded in excess of three hours between January and July of this year alone (not counting the untold flights that eventually turned back to the gate) and airline industry spokespeople seem to indicate that a half-hearted apology for each incident rather than real action to correct the situation is sufficient. We at TheInsiderTravelGuides.com urge you to take action by contacting your Congressional representative to complain or by signing the Bill of Rights petition.
Every week, CheapTickets.com offers special deals for the bargain-hunting traveler. Here are this week's offers:
Cheaptickets Cheap of the Week: Save $25 on trips to Minneapolis - Book by Oct. 14! This week, deal hunting travelers with Football Fever will be delighted to hear that the "Cheap of the Week Featured Destination" is Minneapolis! Book a 2+ night hotel or vacation package to select destinations and save $25 instantly with promotion code COWFOOTBALL. Book by October 14 for travel between September 10 and November 15, 2007.
British Airways Flights to Europe on Sale: Book by Sept. 27 on Cheaptickets! There is also some great news for vacation seekers who want to head overseas. Both American Airlines and British Airways currently have flights to Europe on Sale. Start packing your bags when you hear this: a sample round-trip fare from New York City to London is as low as $365!
But That's Not All! In addition to great prices on airfare, Cheaptickets also has many great deals on hotels, cars, and packages. Right now travelers can book a hotel for under $99 in exciting destinations like Palm Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Phoenix, and Orlando.
We all know that New York City is a shop-aholic's dream. And for choco-holics who are also addicted to shopping, there is no better place in the world. Pick from these palaces of plenty:
Tomorrow, from noon to 5 pm, celebrate New York City's most beloved lighthouse with celebrity readings of the book that made it famous: Hildegarde Swift’s classic story The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge plus live music and tours of the lighthouse. It's all part of the 15th annual Little Red Lighthouse Festival sponsored by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.
Many people associate traveling to Hawaii with lounging on the beach with an umbrella-topped drink, but the islands have plenty to offer the active traveler, too. Here's a quick list of some of the most competitive ways to play in paradise:
The city's official 9/11 memorial service will take place at Zuccotti Park starting at 8:40 am. The names of the victims will be read by workers who responded to the attacks and helped with the clean-up. The ceremony will pause to mark the times the planes hit the towers and the times the towers fell.
The Tribute in Light will return to Ground Zero for one night, beginning at sunset tonight and ending at dawn tomorrow.
Autumn's cooler weather makes a walk through the city of Boston much more pleasant than it was in July or August. So now is a great time to explore Boston's historic Freedom Trail.
If you don't have the time (or the inclination) to explore all sixteen stops of the Freedom Trail, we recommend you start at what is traditionally considered the "end." Unless you plan to climb up the 294 steps of the Bunker Hill Monument to admire the view, it's best of admire the monument from afar. So start at the Charlestown Navy Yard, home to "Old Ironsides" (where, as a bonus, you'll find more plentiful parking than at the Boston Common, the Trail's traditional first stop). Opt for the guided tour, narrated by a sailor in the U.S. Navy -- a reminder that the USSConstitution is still an active ship, serving as the Navy's ambassador to the public.
Stop in at the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center for the audio-visual presentation -- it might not be the latest thing technologically, but it provides a good orientation of the events that took place leading up to the early Revolutionary War battles in Boston.
Make a brief stop at the Old North Church, famous as the tower where the lanterns --- "one if by land; two if by sea" -- hung before Paul Revere's famous midnight ride. Then spend some time at the Paul Revere House. We've found that the "living history" programs offered on Saturdays from May through October are especially interesting.
Then, as you walk through the North End on your way to Faneuil Hall, the next stop on the Trail, consider taking a break at Caffe dello Sport to enjoy a cup of cappuccino, an Italian pastry, and a glimpse of whatever soccer game is playing. Once you are fully refreshed, you can skip all the shops and restaurants at the Fanueil Hall marketplace and head straight upstairs to see a bit of history. It is worth the time to wait for the U.S. Park Ranger presentation, to learn about the role that this space played not only in Revolutionary War times, but as the Civil War approached, too.
Had enough? Then maybe it is time to stop for the day. If not, go ahead to the Old State House and the Boston Massacre site before calling it quits.
Now is the perfect time to plan your fall trip! Travelers looking for a great deal can explore the country from coast to coast and save $50 off hotel or vacation package when staying 3-nights or longer. Whether you want to explore the food and wines of San Francisco or go on a New York City shopping spree, CheapTickets.com can save you money.
And while planning ahead is always wise, sometimes you just need a last minute escape. Cheaptickets.com can save you money on those trips, too. Right now you can bring your good luck and hit Vegas for 3+ nights for as low as $199 for flight + hotel.
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