New York is arguably the premier city for American art; its variety of eclectic galleries always provides something for the art lover, whether you’re a fan of impressionism or post-modern sculpture. Some of New York’s most famous galleries are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art and, perhaps most famously, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA).

MOMA first opened its doors in 1929 and has been the toast of the modern art world ever since. The first New York gallery to dedicate itself solely to modern art - though it was closely followed by the opening of the Guggenheim in 1936 - MOMA’s first director, Alfred H. Barr Jr. soon realised the gallery’s potential as an outlet for new forms of modernist art. Barr commented:

“This museum is a torpedo moving through time, its head the ever-advancing present, its tail the ever-receding past of 50 to 100 years ago.”

Nearly 80 years on this still seems to be a very accurate summary of MOMA’s ambitions and aims. Its current collection houses some of the art world’s most infamous pieces, including works by iconic American painters Edward Hopper, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol, as well as those by celebrated international artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dali and Frida Kahlo. Furthermore, its photography collection is one of the most important in the world hosting works by important photographers like Cindy Sherman and Andreas Gursky.

While the stature of its art collection is staggering, one of the main reasons that MOMA has remained so important today is its intriguing architectural landscape. Since 1929, the museum has shifted its location four times - three of those in its first year - before moving to its present permanent home between 5th and 6th Avenue. Between 2002 and 2004, MOMA was closed for renovation, while its building was designed and re-imagined by Yoshio Taniguchi. Taniguchi is the celebrated Japanese architect, also responsible for Tokyo’s Nagano Prefectural Museum and the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures at the Tokyo National Museum.

When MOMA re-opened in November 2004, Taniguchi’s redesign was initially very controversial; however, it has since been lauded as one of New York’s most interesting landmarks and upheld as a bold example of contemporary architecture, making MOMA in itself a piece of art that visitors can enjoy. MOMA is certainly an essential point to visit when you’re on a trip to New York; its optimum location means that visitors will find plenty of great hotels near the gallery, such as the luxury Waldorf Astoria, through to other slightly less lavish accomodation options for the budget conscious. So make sure you visit MOMA on your next trip to New York - your understanding of the American and international modern art world will never be the same again.

Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at his local rugby club.

You think of New York City, many of its wonderful attributes come to mind - upscale shopping, Broadway Theater, and, of course, exotic and delicious cuisine. Tourists and residents alike enjoy daily the fare offered at world-renowned restaurants, from the upscale celebrity-studded Sardi’s to even the unassuming Hello Deli, right around the corner from Dave Letterman and the Ed Sullivan Theater. New York is famous for hot dogs sold by corner vendors, paper-thin crust pizzas, and cheesecake at the Carnegie Deli, but did you know the city is also the unofficial home of that sourest of marinated vegetables, the pickle?

Did you know, for that matter, that New York City has its own Pickle District?

A friend once told me about the time he and his wife were shopping on Orchard St. when all of sudden people came from nowhere, walking zombie-like toward one shop that has just opened its garage door. Guss’ Pickles was ready for business, and the business was more than ready for Guss! Sour pickles, half-sours, hot and sweet, garlic pickles and pickle relish…Guss has it all. Our friend mentioned that he hadn’t realized how big pickles go over in the City. True, a hundred words might come to mind when one thinks of New York City, and “pickle” might now always make the list…maybe it should.

So, if you’re ever in New York City and feeling hungry, no need to be in a pickle. Aside from ol’ Guss, you can visit The Pickle Guys and Sunshine Pickles, where you’ll definitely get the chance to sample a variety of flavors and learn the difference between a kosher dill and a half-sour. If you happen to be in town during the fall, stick around for the annual Pickle Festival. With all this talk of pickles, one must wonder why the city is called The Big Apple!

Suggested Pickle Stops

The Pickle Guys
49 Essex Street

Guss’ Pickles
85 Orchard St.

Just Pickles
569 9th Ave

L Hollander and Son
35 Essex St

Kathryn Lively writes for the NYC Limousine Blog and other websites that offer tourists unique ideas for vacations.

Toronto, my city of birth, is the largest city in Canada with a population of about 3 million (5 million in the greater area) and it keeps growing every year as it seems to be the first city of choice for immigrants from around the world. With over 100 languages spoken here, Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world according to the United Nations. This is actually a good thing since Toronto can be a model for the rest of the world in regards to showing how it is possible for different people of many different cultures and faiths to get along peacefully. Friends of different racial backgrounds and religions can be found here where they would probably be enemies in other parts of the world.

Having lived in Toronto for most of my life so far, I’m always amazed on how the city has grown as a tourist destination. Torontonians seem to take world class attractions like the CN Tower and the Skydome for granted since many see it every day during their commute. Of course, the CN Tower is a very worthwhile visit as a ride to the top is a must for every visitor.

Toronto has one of the best redeveloped harbourfronts anywhere. This area has boutiques at Queen’s Quay, restaurants, cafes and galleries. Nearby Ontario Place and the Canadian National Exhibition are annual favorites among locals. This is also where one takes the ferries across to the Toronto Islands. The islands are all connected via bike paths and offer a unique view of the Toronto cityscape as well as a nice break from the busy downtown. Located on the main island, Centreville is a petting zoo and small amusement park for kids.

The action is downtown and probably where most tourists should stay. Although the hotels prices are higher in downtown than the suburbs, Toronto traffic is unfortunately not getting any better so it is best to stay where commuting is kept at a minimum. There is a very efficient transit system for those who want to stay outside of the downtown area though. A walk along Yonge Street near the Eaton Centre mall will reveal the wilder parts of Toronto life. For the latest trends, Queen Street West is where the funky boutiques and bars are. For upscale shopping, go to Bloor Street between Yonge and Avenue Road as well as the Yorkville area.

Toronto is a live theatre town, second to perhaps only New York or London. The theatre district on King Street has a lively after theatre scene including restaurants and clubs. During the day, the world renowned Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario and the Planetarium showcase treasures from around the world (as well as out of the world). Many also come to see the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Toronto has Canada’s largest Chinatown. Actually, the growth of the Asian population has resulted in four different Chinatowns in the greater area. The main one is centered around Spadina and Dundas. The dim sum in Toronto is one of the best outside of Hong Kong since most Chinese immigrants here were originally from Hong Kong. Other ethnicities are also represented by such districts as Little Italy, the Greek Danforth area and many others. For outdoor markets, the Kensington and St. Lawrence Markets are great. Since Toronto is so multicultural, it is an excellent place to try out different cuisines.

For animal lovers, the Metro Toronto Zoo northeast of the city is world famous and will take an entire day to see. During the summers, Canada’s Wonderland is a family oriented theme park just north of the city. Niagara Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, is just ninety minutes away and worth a day trip or even an overnight stay. There are just too many things to see and do in the Toronto area to mention in one article. Vancouver has the ocean and mountains while Quebec City has that old European touch. But to see world class live theatre and Canadian multiculturalism at its best, Toronto is where it’s at.

Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca, an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.

I was born on the lower East side of Manhattan a few decades back. I moved out west in my twenties and have returned a few times. This past summer I got to spend some leisurely time showing my new bride the sights. As a first timer, she was obviously impressed by the shear grandeur and scope of this vital and bustling city. The height of buildings that block the sky is one of the first things she noticed. It was about then that I decided to look at the Big Apple through her fledgling eyes and revisit an old friend.

We stayed at a hotel not far from Macy’s and Herald Square at 35th street. We could easily walk to the Empire State Building, which still retains it’s magic and allure made famous in many a movie. At the observation deck, I could have sworn I saw Tom Hanks retrieve a lost teddy bear. The views are awesome and the whole art-deco lobby is clean and wonderfully unique. We made our way to Rockefeller Center and enjoyed a taping of the “Today Show” in progress. The walk along Fifth avenue is decadent and a window-shoppers dream. Reaching Schwartz’s Toy Store, once again I visualized TH dancing on the keyboard on the second floor amid life-sized stuffed jungle animals.

We had already ducked into the Trump Tower and was taken by the opulent entryway. We then peered at the diamonds in the displays of Harry Winston and the renovation of the old Plaza Hotel into a condo project. Across the way was Central Park, boarded by an endless line of horse-drawn carriages waiting for lovers and tourists. Just inside the grassy knoll, they were filming a movie and we had to make a detour. Of course, it’s NY and they are always filming something.

The next day, the excitement continued at the Guggenheim Museum, a wonder of architectural ingenuity and the big dog: The Museum of Art, with it’s jaw-dropping Van Gogh originals and too many others to mention. We got to see the “Imagine” tribute to Lennon and Nero Wolf’s plaque outside his building, which was fictitious but fun. We ended with a trip through Macy’s and hung around Times Square to absorb the ambiance and picture Dick Clark counting down the New Year. We left via Penn Station and caught our breath. It was only 3 days in town, but we had eaten NY pizza, deli pastrami sandwiches and mastered the subway system. Quite an accomplishment.

As we took our train out of town, we vowed to return to have a dog at Coney Island, visit the Statue of Liberty, The Museum of Natural History, explore more of Central Park and probably take a full week to capture all we missed. I was content that I could act as tour guide and point out the sights, but realized the wondrous diversity and culture that the City affords the tourist. Having been around the world, I can still honestly say that New York has something for everyone and should not be missed. Plan a trip in the spring or fall, if possible. We hit a cool spell for June, but the off-seasons are quite special. You won’t regret a moment, I promise.

Jeffrey Hauser was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years.
He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master’s Degree in teaching. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. He has authored 6 books and a novel, “Pursuit of the
Phoenix.” His latest book is, “Inside the Yellow Pages” which can be seen at his website, http://www.poweradbook.com Currently, he is the Marketing Director for www.thenurseschoice.com, a Health Information and Doctor Referral site.

If there is one word that best captures New York, it is “mesmerizing”. New York is a lively city rich in contrast and excitement, you will find a well-balanced blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture in New York city. To get an “in your face” experience of New York city that is always brimming with unbridled energy is off course to charter a bus. A chartered bus is a true New York City experience and often the quickest way to get around.

A single day’s charter bus ride will take you from the past to the future, from exotic ethnic enclave to efficient business centre. Take a ride in a charter bus from serene gardens to sleek skyscrapers. New York has so many attractive places to visit, where do you start? With a charter bus service, of course!

Even though it’s no longer the world’s tallest building, you should still take the charter bus to New York’s Empire States Building because it is still one of the world’s most prominent feature that’s worth visiting by charter bus when you’re in New York. Its pencil-slim silhouette is an art-deco monument to progress, a symbol for New York City. Wouldn’t you get a charter bus to see New York’s Empire State Building which is also the fastest-rising skyscraper ever built? It’s cinematic r

New York City, officially named the City of New York, is the most populous city in the United States, and the most densely populated major city in North America. The city is at the center of international finance, politics, entertainment, and culture, and is one of the world’s major global cities (along with London, Tokyo and Paris) with a virtually unrivaled collection of museums, galleries, performance venues, media outlets, international corporations, and stock exchanges. The city is also home to the United Nations, along with all of the international missions associated with it.

History

Long before the arrival of European settlers, the New York City area was inhabited by the Lenape people, including such tribes as the Manahattoes, Canarsies and Raritan.

Major events in New York history include

Most visitors to the New York City area are quite acquainted with it already. After all, much has been revealed about the city via media; many of its attractions are well known. Even if a visitor has been to New York before, there is always much more to explore. Intriguing culture can be experienced at one of the city’s museums, on Broadway, at the symphony, at the ballet, or by the history of New York itself.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibits a multicultural expression of paintings, textiles, photography, furniture, and musical instruments from various points in history. The Egyptian collection is especially massive and undoubtedly mesmerizing. The Cloisters is considered a part of the Metropolitan Museum. Its located, however, in Fort Tryon Park and its collection and the building itself reflects art and architecture of Medieval Europe.

Amazingly, the architecture of the Soloman R. Guggenheim Museum is one of its major attractions. Its brightness and its layers jump out as its juxtaposed with the other 19th Century architecture in the neighborhood. Inside the museum offers, among others, modern, impressionistic-from early to post, Surrealist, and abstract art. Interestingly, the private collections exhibited at the Guggenheim are viewed as a whole without distinction as to type of medium.

A plethora of other exceptional museums can be experienced in New York. For example, the Museum of Television and Radio houses credible glimpses of the history of these popular forms of media. Depending upon a visitor’s preference, there’s also the colloquial American Folk Art Museum and the eminent Whitney Museum of American Art.

Even if a Broadway show is not on the agenda, a visit to the area bordered by Sixth Avenue to Eighth Avenue and 41st to 54th Streets is well worth it. Just absorbing the ambiance emits a level of fascination.

There are an exorbitant amount of other cultural adventures in New York. Namely, the New York City Ballet, which is the largest dance organization in the United States. Notably, as well, the New York Philharmonic with an origin dating back to 1842. The busy Philharmonic plays over 180 concerts a year.

How about a concert in Central Park? The richness of nature totally surrounded by urban greatness is an especially appealing venue for plays, readings, and concerts. Two other city parks are also connected to New York’s culture and history. Battery Park is a reminder of an almost-ancient fortified city. Washington Square Park reflects a casual, lazy-afternoon feeling despite its regal arch.

Famous New York architectural feats reflect culture influenced by the time period they originated in. Views from atop the famous Empire State building shed light on the overall layout of New York. Art nouveau is reflected in the architecture of the Chrysler Building. The incredible 19th Century Flat Iron Building was an experimental architectural feat for its time and is still considered a marvel.

Finally, the Statue of Liberty that sits in New York harbor is a beacon, continually making visitors aware of the diversity of cultures that have influenced the city. New York then radiates these cultures within its domain and cultivates through experience all who visit.

Stan Smith writes for Four Corners Hotels http://www.fourcornershotels.com/index.php/US-NY-New which offers hotels in cities around the world including hotels located in New York City.