St. Patrick’s Cathedral Worth a Visit

St. Patrick's Cathedral

There are many magnificent landmarks in New York City, but one with special significance for visitors and residents more spiritually and religiously inclined is certainly the world famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

This magnificent structure, located at 460 Madison Avenue between East 50th and 51st Streets, began construction with the laying of the cornerstone in 1858. It took over 20 years before the doors to the cathedral opened, in 1879. But the seeds for the great cathedrals construction had already been planted back in 1853 when then Archbishop Hughes announced plans

“to erect a Cathedral in the City of New York that may be worthy of our increasing numbers, intelligence and wealth as a religious community, and at all events, worthy, as a public architectural monument, of the present and prospective crowns of this metropolis of the American continent.”

Plan a visit to this most special of New York landmarks, a wonderful example of traditional Gothic architecture designed to inspire the spiritual side of its visitors.

 

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Central Park in the Spring is Full of Magic

Lilacs in Central Park

Spring is here, and what better way to celebrate your New York visit during this great time of year in New York, then a trip to Central Park.

There is no shortage of what to do in Central Park: here is a short list of some of the best places to go in the Spring in Central Park:

1.    Lilac Walk- Not the most famous of Park attractions, this path, which runs along Sheep Meadow on the north ending at the Mineral Springs refreshment stand, makes up in fragrant sensations what it lacks in fame.

2.    Conservatory Garden- Located at Fifth Avenue and 105th Street; you won’t believe you are just a few seconds from one of New York’s busiest streets when you are within the secluded confines of this hidden wonder of Central Park.

3.    Wisteria Pergola- Not far from Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Belleclaire is a long latticed patio near 72nd Street and the Terrace Bridge where wonderful wisteria vines bloom in the spring, releasing their most intoxicating fragrance and delighting the eye with their incredible pale lavender hues.
This is just the tip of a very big iceberg as far as amazing attractions in Central Park go. So step out and discover the magic of New York in the Spring.

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Cheap Jack’s Vintage Clothing a Uniquely New York Shopping Event

Cheap Jack's Vintage Clothing

Of course there are great restaurants, museums, theater and so much more in New York, but what would a trip to the Big Apple be without some fantastic shopping? Here is a suggestion for something a bit off the beaten track, and worth a visit, especially if you are staying at Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Chandler at 12 East 31st Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues.

Almost exactly across the street from the Chandler is Cheap Jack’s Vintage Clothing. Jack’s has been selling high-end, vintage clothing since 1975, when it opened in a tiny storefront on First Avenue.

After eight years and great success Jack moved to a larger space on Broadway, where it remained for 25 years, becoming a hip destination for celebrities, designers, costumers for theater, television and film, and anyone else a few steps ahead of the fashion curve.

Today CJ’s makes its home on Fifth Avenue and the corner of 31st Street. The shop is roomy and bright, with plush sofas, wonderful fitting rooms, and a helpful, friendly staff. They will even do alterations on your special picks while you wait, so whatever you choose from the vast and varied collection will fit you to a tee.

You won’t regret the uniquely fun shopping experience you will have at Cheap Jack’s.

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The International Center of Photography: Intimate Life Through the Lens

Staying in Midtown Manhattan? Perhaps at Shimmie Horn’s Iroquois Hotel at 49 West 44th Street? Then treat yourself to a visit to one of New York’s most special, but least talked about attractions, the International Center of Photography.

The ICP was launched in 1974 and makes its home today at 1133 Avenue of the Americas. Within its walls are housed a museum which organizes a large number and variety of exhibitions, a photography school, and research center. The ICP is also the place where the Infinity Awards take place- begun in 1985 “to bring public attention to outstanding achievements in photography by honoring individuals with distinguished careers in the field and by identifying future luminaries.”

Mildred and Richard Loving- Photo by Grey Villet

There are currently four exhibitions on view, two of which are: “Wegee: Murder is My Business” which looks at the photography of Weegee (pseudonym for Arthur Fellig) who many believe set the standard for what later became known as tabloid journalism from the decade between 1935 to 1946; and “The Loving Story: Photographs by Grey Villet” which documents the landmark Supreme Court decision made in 1967 finding Virginia’s anti-miscegenation law (outlawing mixed race marriage) unconstitutional. The photos on display were taken by LIFE magazine photographer Grey Villet, and were discovered while director Nancy Buirski was creating her HBO documentary “The Loving Story.”

Only a few-minute walk from the Iroquois Hotel, the ICP should be on your list of things to do while visiting the Big Apple.

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Japanese Taste Treats at Kyotofu

Kyotofu is just a few minutes from Shimmie Horn's Washington Jefferson Hotel

Award-Winning Cupcakes from Kyotofu

Are you in the mood for something yummy but a bit different? How about some authentic Japanese dessert, at an authentic Japanese dessert bar? Walk on over to Kyotofu: from Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel it is only a few minutes’ walk. And when you arrive at 705 9th Avenue between 48th and 49th Streets, you will be glad you did.

At Kyotofu the lowly soy bean is brought to new heights of artful culinary whimsy. Since 2006 this one-of-a-kind Japanese dessert bar has been filling its tasty treats with tofu, making such extraordinary tidbits as ‘matcha tofu cheesecake’ possible. You can also try a pomegranate mojito or Kyotofu’s special Miso Valrhona Chocolate Cake. Also on hand for your eating pleasure is “NYC’s Best Cupcake,” so voted by New York Magazine.

Not in the mood for dessert? Never mind. Enter the dining room and partake in some of the best Japanese small plates or entrees, such as “Pigs in a Duvet,” Mac and Cheese truffle plate soaked in Sake; or Chicken and Sliders. That is just the beginning. We suggest a visit to Kyotofu if you happen to be staying at Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel at 318 West 51st Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues.

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A Green Space Among Brownstones: Septuagesimo Uno on the Upper West Side

Septuagesimo Uno Park

On the upper West Side of Manhattan space is certainly at a premium, but on 71st Street between Amsterdam and West End Avenues there is a tiny oasis of light and greenery. What is most probably the smallest of New York’s parks, tucked in between a long row of fashionable brownstones, is the .04 acre Septuagesimo Uno Park.

At first you might think that this delightful spot of green space is nothing but a vacant lot. As a matter of fact, the park was created from a vacant lot which was forgotten when the area was built up. In the 1960s, an initiative begun by then-Mayor John Lindsay, called the “Vest Pocket Parks” project, sought to create recreational areas throughout New York in the smaller spaces within the high-density residential neighborhoods of the city. Today this former vacant lot is now a welcome respite of peace, calm and nature in an otherwise concrete jungle.

Septuagesimo Uno, which means “71” in Latin, is one of those special places that only real New Yorkers know about, but is also one of the precious aspects of city living that also makes New York a special place to live. If you happen to be a visitor to New York for a limited time, and if you are staying close by, for instance, at Shimmie Horn’s Belleclaire Hotel on West 77th Street between West End and Broadway, then you might want to consider a walk over to this special little place that means so much to many residents of one of Manhattan’s most highly sought after neighborhoods.
 

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Walking the City of New York

If you happen to be staying at one of Shimmie Horn’s Triumph hotels in New York, you might want to do a bit of touring while you are there.  There are many in the city available – some do not even charge.  For example, should you be around on a Friday, take in one of Justin Ferate’s free walking tours that go through Grand Central and the surrounding neighborhoods.  One can really learn a lot about the city of New York through this tour; indeed, even natives enjoy it.

Mr. Ferate’s enthusiasm and energy are as engaging as his knowledge about New York City. The tour features the Lincoln Building, as well as Grand Central Terminal. (Did you know that the statue of Lincoln inside the Lincoln Building is the original statue upon which the eponymous memorial in Washington, D.C. is based?) Primarily focused on history and architecture, Ferate does an excellent job setting the scene for the creation, evolution and eventual restoration of Grand Central Terminal.

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Hotel Chandler Offers New York on a Platter

Home Cooking School of New York

Now here’s a new idea. Just a few short minutes’ walk from Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Chandler on West 31st Street off of Fifth Avenue, is the Home Cooking School of New York.
This unique institute offers private cooking classes in people’s kitchens, but if you are a visitor to New York, you can join in an ongoing cooking class taught at their 302 Fifth Avenue location.
The teaching staff at the Home Cooking School boasts some of New York’s greatest culinary talent, including Jennifer Clair, the founder of the school. Clair worked as the Food Editor for Martha Stewart Living (MSL), and was the Recipe Editor at the Wall Street Journal.
The choice of classes is a mouth-watering variety to please every need. Upcoming classes in March include: “How to Cook Fish,” “Knife Skills 101” and “Vegetarian Suppers for Everyone.” Classes take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and early sign-up is advised since the classes take a limited number of participants and fill-up quickly.
Take advantage of the location of Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Chandler and learn something new about cooking to take home with you a lasting souvenir of your trip to New York.

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Celebrating February 29th on West 44th Street

If you happened to have been fortunate enough to have spent time in Shimmie Horn’s Iroquois Hotel located on West 44th Street, New York, we hope you would have taken advantage of all the freebies the city had to offer to mark this once-in-four-year occurrence.  For example, on February 29th 2012, “Leap of Faith” the Broadway musical celebrated leap year by offering tickets priced at $29 for its orchestra and mezzanine for the first week of previews April 3 to 7.  In addition, for those unlucky few celebrating their “birthdays” and are over the 5.25 age mark (i.e. 21+) on your special day you could be privy to a free drink from the Village Poorhouse.  Adults were able to enjoy a special kids’ party (after all, a lot of them will only be around 6 years old!) in mark of this special birthday occasion.

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Culture and Art in New York City

 

If you happen to be luxuriating in one of Shimmie Horn’s fabulous upscale Triumph hotels in the New York area any time soon, you might want to check out the Hispanic Society of America’s museum and library which will definitely give you a wonderful injection of both culture and history.  It boasts a top collection of Liberian art, with works from artists such as El Greco, Goya and Velazquez.

It seems that even tourists are reluctant to check out this museum however, and that most locals living in the Washington Heights area have no idea of its existence!  It’s been around for over a century but somehow doesn’t make the list of “must-see” venues. 

Nonetheless, tourists from Spanish-speaking countries do put in on their list and make sure they visit the place.  Americans just don’t seem to care or know about it. The main aim now is to try and establish a greater awareness of it because ultimately those who do see it, are glad they came.

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