NYC 2 WAY Recommends the DUMBO Art Festival

New York City is one of the art capitols of the world. Not only is the Big Apple home to many notable museums such as the MET and the MOMA, the city also hosts numerous renowned art festivals. NYC 2 WAY recommends art enthusiasts to experience the DUMBO art festival. The DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Underpass) art festival showcases  hundreds of pieces from well known and budding artists. Perhaps the most anticipated art piece of the DUMBO art festival is the ship of tolerance, which features the art work of local children. 

Shopping in New York City Via NYC 2WAY

The New York Shopping Experience

New York City is known worldwide as the place to be for a great shopping experience and finding great bargains. Some of the best shopping destinations include the Adidas Originals Store, Bloomingdale’s, FAO Schwarz, Grand Central Station, the Greenmarket at Union Square, and Macy’s, among much, much more. There are so many shopping attractions and options that you could literally spend an entire vacation shopping. But, don’t stress over how to get from one destination point to another. Hire NYC 2WAY Limo Rental and shop in comfort and style.

The Adidas Originals Store offers so much more than sneakers. Here, you will find keychains, track suits and tees, all the way to limited edition shoes. For those with an alternative computing style, visit the Apple Store SoHo, where you can test-drive everything in sight, from iPods, digital cameras, and software. With NYC Limo Rental, you can experience shopping with little stress and in total ease. Whether you are looking for designer shoes, a new computer, or something totally different, you are sure to find it in NYC.

At Bloomingdale’s you can plow through “B-Way,” the crowded main floor arcade, or hit the second floor for trendy, well-priced American brands. If you’re looking for cutting-edge fashion, you should head to Macy’s for big brands like Guess, Esprit, Donna, Ralph, and Calvin. Find amazing deals at Century 21, the home of department stores designer leftovers that are 40% or more off. And, for bargain hunters, H&M has ridiculously low prices on must-haves of the moment like club clothes, ethnic-inspired tops, and cargo pants.

In 1862, German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz began supplying New York society with Europe’s finest toys. Today, you will find an array of ultra high-end goods and a variety of stuffed animals, dolls, train sets, board games, and even candy. And while on the topic of toys, how about a visit to American Girl Place to view a full line of eighteen-inch historical dolls, dressed in period clothes?

Head over to Grand Central Station for authentic New York cheesecake, plus a slew of shops, including Godiva Chocolatier, Kenneth Cole, L’Occitane, Banana Republic, and Papyrus. The Greenmarket at Union Square has the freshest produce and an ample selection of flowers. For more fresh food, try the Chelsea Market for pastries, produce, and unusual blooms.

Madison Square is a haute strip boasting fifteen blocks of celebrity designer shops like Calvin, Jean-Paul, Giorgio, plus flagship fashion house boutiques, such as Prada, Hermes, and Chanel. Saks Fifth Avenue is a top-end department store filled with major American designers and plenty of Europeans, plus a complete collection of diffusion lines. And don’t forget SoHo, a one-time artists’ mecca, which has since morphed into the city’s poshest outdoor mall.  

Shop at Barneys New York or Bergdorf Goodman and look fabulous in a Prada suit, a Miu Miu dress, or Michael Kors for the younger crowd. Henri Bendel is another great place for stylish brands like Earl Jeans and Shoshanna dresses. Plus, there is so much more to choose from: NBA Store, Niketown, Ricky’s, Sony Style, Tiffany and Co., and Zara, to name a few. With a NYC Limo Rental, you can go from place to place in luxury and comfort, while shopping to your heart’s content. If you enjoyed this article you can also take a look at Tour of New York City Landmarks for more places to visit while in the big apple.

The Apollo Theater Experience Via NYC 2 WAY Transportation

Apollo Theater New York History

There may not be another theater in America that has more history than the Apollo Theater in New York City, especially to the African American community.  This theater can be found in Harlem, a location which contains historically rich African American communities.  Tell your NYC 2 Way Transportation driver to take you to 253 W. 125th Street to see this important historical part of the big apple.  The theater has seating for just over fifteen hundred individuals.  

The history of the Apollo Theater is a slice of American History.   The Apollo Hall was originally founded by Edward Ferrero, a Civil War general, as a ballroom and dance hall.  His lease expired in 1872 and the building was turned into a theater but closed in the late 1800s.  In 1914 George Keister designed a new building for the location and it opened as Hurtig and Seamon’s New Burlesque theater.  The leaseholders, Jules Hurtig and Harry Seamon, had a strict whites only policy. The theater eventually folded and closed again.  

With the Harlem Renaissance is full bloom, times were changing in the area.  The Harlem Renaissance highlighted the artistic talents and cultural presence of African Americans in an America that still had strong racial divides.  But the music, art, and culture of African Americans were a force to be reckoned with.  

In this spirit, Frank Schulman bought the run down theater.  He already owned Harlem’s Lafayette and Lincoln theaters. After completely renovating the interior, he opened Apollo in 1934 with the intention to feature only black entertainment.  Audition Night, or Amateur Night, was held each Monday evening.  Ella Fitzgerald, a singing legend, got her start on the Apollo’s Amateur Night stage.  She actually intended to go on stage and dance, but at the last minute decided to sing instead.  The rest is history! The theater adopted the slogan, “Where stars are born and legends are made.”  And it delivered.  The theater was responsible for launching and supporting the careers of Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and The Jackson 5 among others.  Jimi Hendrix won first place in a 1964 Amateur contest. The Executioner was a staple of the Apollo Amateur Night  too.  If the crowd voiced their disgust for an act, the executioner would come out with a broom and sweep performers off stage.

Although the theater has hit some rough patches, it was bought by the state of New York in 1991.  In 2005 the 65 million dollar refurbishment of the theater began.  Renovations included revamping the facade and marquee.   The theater is now maintained and run by the Apollo Theater Foundation Inc., a non profit organization.  Over a million visitors come to the Apollo each year to view a variety of performances.  The Jazz Foundation of America holds their benefit concert “A Great Night in Harlem” in the theater each year.  President Obama has even performed at the Apollo Theater, singing the first line of “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green.  Whether you want to catch a comedy show or a famous musical act, there is something for everyone at the Apollo.  You may also want to take a peek at Nyc 2way guide to top restaurants for romance in New York City in this awesome slide presentation.

Chinatown and Little Italy

Chinatown and Little Italy food walking tour

Chinatown and Little Italy are ethnic New York City neighborhoods in lower Manhattan. The sights, smells, and sounds of Chinatown will make you feel as if you've stepped into a different country. The neighborhood has swelled to pretty much swallow Little Italy. By contrast, the neighborhood of Little Italy has shrunk to just the immediate vicinity of Mulberry Street, as Italian immigrants have moved away to other boroughs or to New Jersey. While visiting New York City, these are places that should be on anyone’s itinerary. Hire a NYC 2Way Transportation and ride in comfort and convenience while sightseeing, shopping, or eating at Chinatown or Little Italy.

Chinatown. Chinatown is a chaotic and messy - yet interesting and fascinating - jumble of restaurants, small stores, and Asian groceries. This is the place to be for good bargains on trinkets and souvenirs - including those must-have “I Love NY” t-shirts - exotic foods, and dodgy electronic goods. Many of the souvenirs are identical to what you would find elsewhere in the big apple but for a lot less. Let NYC Two Way do the driving and relax while enjoying all there is to see and do in this colorful place.

There is a plethora of restaurants to choose from - somewhere between those serving the usual beef and broccoli and General Tso’s Chicken you can find at a stripmall near home, and authentic dishes identical to those you would find in Shanghai, you are sure to find the perfect dish in Chinatown.

it’s hard to resist the exotic aromas wafting from the many eateries that line the streets of Chinatown, or the sight of juicy Peking ducks hanging in the windows. Choose a place that’s crowded - this is a sure sign that the restaurant is a good one. Whether you are shopping or eating in Chinatown, let someone else navigate the crowded streets - hire NYC 2Way for a hassle-free experience.

Little Italy. One of the top reasons to visit Little Italy is the food. So, hop on your NYC 2 WAY and follow your nose while cruising around the area. Most of the traditional places in Little Italy have something to do with food. Mangia, mangia to your heart’s content in this unique and lively place, keeping your eyes peeled for a gelato stand, which can be found practically in every street corner.

Step inside one of the Italian groceries and give your nose, and your palate, and incredible experience. You can find musky cheeses hanging from the ceiling, salty Italian ham being sliced, and olives in brine. Make your selections from a long list of interesting and exotic foods from abroad, including chocolates and desserts, a large selection of pasta, and more types of olive oil than you ever thought existed. it’s hard to resist buying a snack and even harder not to buy a few goodies to take home.

For a sit-down experience, choose from one of the restaurants lining the street. Enjoy an authentic, homey Italian meal inside or al fresco during the warmer weather. Leave some room for a to-die-for Italian dessert! And, if visiting during the month of September, the Feast of San Gennaro - an eleven-day festival - is a must. Originally, the festival was a religious event celebrated in honor of the patron saint of Naples, but today visitors flock to Little Italy for the festive atmosphere - there are traditional Italian street food, rides and games for kids, and musical entertainment. The festival’s main event takes place on September 19th, the official saint’s day. You may want to check out Nyc 2way guide to top restaurants for romance in New York City for the top ten restaurants in the big apple.

Visit Coney Island with NYC 2 Way Transportation

Coney Island Amusement Park

Coney Island is located on the peninsula reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean on the south west side of Brooklyn.  You can easily take your whole group there with NYC2Way limo.  Coney Island used to be an island but was connected to the mainland by way of a landfill.  It is home to 60,000 plus people and exciting resorts and amusement parks.  This is a must see tourist destination when you are taking in the New York experience.

In the 1840s, when the first buildings were being constructed, there was a lot of public pushback.  Many people wanted to preserve the area as a natural park.  After some debate between the amusement community and the city in the 1900s, they settled on where things could be located.  

Historic Amusement Parks

Between 1880 and the second World War, Coney Island was America’s largest amusement area.  In its heyday there were three competing parks: Luna Park, Steeplechase Park, and Dreamland.  The area has been reinvented many times, with new amusement parks and reincarnations of old parks.  There are three Coney Island rides that have been listed as National Historic Places and protected as New York City landmarks.  Even if you don’t want to ride the thrill rides, take a relaxing ride with NYC two way to see them all.  

The first is the Wonder Wheel.  This 1920 steel Ferris wheel is 150 feet tall and contains both rocking and stationary cars.  At night, you can see the spectacular light show from the neon tubes.  The second is The Cyclone roller coaster.  This is one of America’s oldest wooden roller coasters.  It was built in 1920's in Astroland.  Although it cannot compare to the loops of modern day steel coasters, it has an 85 foot, 60 degree drop.  The last is the Parachute Jump, part of the 1939 New York World’s Fair.   Riders were hoisted up a 190 feet before dropping them with wired parachutes.  The ride closed in 1968, was restored in 2004, but is still inactive.  

Nathans

This is a Coney Island staple.  Nathan Handwerker, a Polish immigrant, opened Nathan’s with his wife Ida in 1916.  It was located on the corner of Surf and Stillwell, and still is to this day.  Almost as famous as the restaurant itself is the hot dog eating contest it hosts each year.  Contestants have ten short minutes to eat as many hot dogs as they can.  

Revitalization

At it’s peak, Coney Island was America’s playground.  Although it is not the playground it once was, there has been a concerted effort to revitalize the area and restore it to the tourist attraction it once was.  Whenever you visit the city, you should add to the growing number of tourist who make this stop a priority.  So visit one of the park or all of the parks! And even if hot dogs are not your choice cuisine, make sure you ask your NYC 2 Way driver to stop by Nathan's Famous, just so you can say that you did! Be sure to take a look at Riding in style NYC 2 way limousine & car.

Riding in Style With NYC 2Way Limousine

The Limousine Kings - NYC 2 WAY

We all love limousines; especially luxurious and elegant stretch limos. Whether it is for a prom, wedding or just to make it a memorable night out on the town, riding in a limo is the best way to ride in lavishness and extravagance. The NYC 2WAY Limo Group has been servicing the tri-state area corporate and private community via black limos and car services for years. 

When we think of limos we imagine them in either black or white as these are the traditional colors for most of them. However, there are now many out there that are not only in different colors, but distinctive vehicle types altogether. It used to be that the vast majority of limousines where in the luxury sedan form. These are the ones we see driven by professional chauffeurs all over the city. Still, you can now see stretch Hummer limos, PT Cruisers and several other makes and models which are mostly custom made. A great deal of these types of automobiles can be seen in movies or when people rent them for special events.

Years ago, riding in a limo was something usually reserved for famous celebrities, stars and the rich & famous only. Nonetheless, times have changed since now anyone can easily afford to ride in a limo these days. 

You can see a collection of some of the most luxurious, elegant and extravagant photos of limousines in this collection Riding In Style - NYC2WAY Limo. Just remember that when it comes to riding in style through the streets of New York, the best way to go is using NYC2WAY Limousine Services. 

New York City: A Rich History on the Hudson

 

Brooklyn Bridge - South Street - New York City

Today, New York City is known the world over as the center of…well, almost anything.  While every country has their own large cities, and the metropolises of the world are great and grand, there is no corner of the Earth that does not recognize the bright lights of the Big Apple.  NYC 2WAY Limo takes the time to offer an insight into the rich history on the Hudson with this  analysis of New York City. A colony of the Netherlands for 40 years, the land known as New Amsterdam was conquered by the English in 1664, and renamed New York.  From that point, the settled areas in southern Manhattan and its expanses have grown into the city we know today, including the 5 boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.  A center for immigration, tens of millions of Americans can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island, and through the gates of New York, to parts around the country and across the western frontier.

Much of America’s history is rooted in New York’s own historical events.  NYC was home to the Stamp Act Congress in 1765, the first organized resistance of British colonial rule.  After being lost to British forces during the American Revolution, Manhattan Island became the British command hub in North America for the remainder of the war.  The capital of the United States under the Articles of Confederation, New York City later became the temporary home of the U.S. government in 1789, until it was moved to Philadelphia a year later.

Massive immigration by Europeans, especially Irish, Italians, and Germans in the mid to late 1800’s exploded the city’s population, and the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 cemented New York City as a primary hub for much of American trade, creating jobs for the coming waves of immigrants.  By 1850, a quarter of the city’s population was Irish.  During the Civil War, NYC was a hotbed of conflicting opinions on the war, leading to numerous demonstrations and riots, such as the Draft Riots of 1863.  After the war, the city continued to build and grow.

The 20^th century saw many landmark historical events in New York City, from the artistic revolution of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s, to the birth of the great skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building in the 1930’s.  The 40’s saw World War 2 come and go, and the booming growth of the 50’s.  1972 saw the completion of the world’s largest buildings, the Twin Towers, and on September 11^th, 2001, the world changed forever watching those buildings fall after devastating terrorist attacks.  The 1980’s saw a booming private sector on Wall St., as well as the rise of crack and drug violence, and the cleansing of the city in the 1990’s. You can also take a look at "New York City Landmarks -The NYC 2WAY Tour" for further reading on landmarks. 

NYC 2 Way car service transportation has been in the city for decades, and has seen many of these recent events.  Through it all, they have provided top notch transportation services, and will continue to do so well into the future, through whatever next step will be part of NYC history.