Category: NY Environment

Entertainment, Featured, NY Environment, NY News, Restaurants, Shimmie Horn, Tourism, Transportation, Triumph Hotels

How to Help NYC’s Tourism Rebound This Holiday Season

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2020 presented many paths to virtue and kindness; simple acts, once considered frivolous, took on added aspects of virtue. Staying home was how we helped ease the burden for healthcare workers and frontline responders. Social distancing kept our family and loved ones safe. Ordering dinner was a way to support a struggling local eatery.  And as the year winds down, New York City’s tourism industry is encouraging residents to plan a “staycation,” including overnight accommodations at hotels, and safe visits to museums and venues.

Places like the Empire State Building, the September 11 Memorial Museum, and the Met are open with modified visitation regulations. In the past, New Yorkers tended to avoid these places, particularly during the holiday season, because of the long lines and overload of tourists. But now, city dwellers have the chance to explore the best of New York, learn about local attractions, and support city-run businesses.

Another good way to take in the Big Apple this season is on Big Bus Tour New York’s double-decker buses. The open-top transportation is both COVID-safe and an effective way to see over 40 famous locations.

The buses have been equipped with plexiglass dividers to protect employees and passengers; capacity is limited to 30 passengers. All riders are required to wear face masks and seating is designed to adhere to social-distancing regulations.

Environment, Featured, NY Environment, NY News, Tourism

New Greens and Grounds at Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

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The Brooklyn Botanic Garden reopened to visitors in August 2020. In September, Adrian Benepe, the former commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, came in as the Garden’s new president and chief executive.

The newly refurbished Brooklyn Botanic Garden still includes all the taxonomic detail and vibrant floral displays. The 52 acres of plant life are randomly categorized, with insects, birds, and a constantly-changing floral setup scattered throughout. The new Robert W. Wilson Overlook is constructed on a 1.25-acre slope of land that was left unkempt and deserted for too long. The slope was discovered in the 20th century when digging began on the adjacent Brooklyn Museum. The path also doubles as a ramp for disabled visitors.

While the Garden is open to visitors, the robust scholastic activities for children and adults are only available virtually. Children can register to have plants sent to their homes and gardening enthusiasts can consult with Botanical staff online.

Environment, Featured, Fitness, NY Environment, NY News, Technology, Tourism, Transportation

Another Way to Traverse New York City: Electric Scooter

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New York City’s Department of Transportation published a tender for “expressions of interest” for a pilot initiative which would bring electric scooters to the Big Apple. The initial plan is to introduce the scooters in all the boroughs except Manhattan in May 2021.

So far, big names in urban transportation have shown interest in the program. Bird, Lime, Voi, and Lyft have all taken steps to participate in the bidding process.

“We applaud the City and Commissioner Trottenberg for taking this crucial next step in making New York a global leader in environmental travel, micromobility, equitable transportation, and street safety.”

Maurice Henderson, Bird’s director of government partnerships
Environment, Fitness, NY Environment, Tourism, Transportation

Regenerative Travel Is The Next Step for Sustainability

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All around the world, for nearly a decade tourism, has expanded consistently and grown faster than the global gross domestic product. It only took one microscopic virus to destroy the entire travel industry: 121 million people in tourism jobs are unemployed, $3.4 trillion have been lost. With the reopening of schools in September 2020, and a general movement to begin planning a post-corona reality, many in the industry are looking for ways to make travel smarter, greener, and better.

Sustainable tourism, which seeks to offset the social and environmental impacts of travel used to be the goal. Now the focus is on regenerative travel—a visitor’s aim to leave a place better than it was before.

Six nonprofit organizations, including the Center for Responsible Travel and Sustainable Travel International, have formed an umbrella coalition, the Future of Tourism, offering benchmark suggestions for regenerative travelers. The recommendations include favoring local businesses over international chains, staying at resorts that source foods from local farmers, and participating in immersive community-based programs like beach clean-ups, school volunteering, etc. Neither sustainable nor regenerative travel solve the carbon emission problem; people will still need to get to these destinations, presumably by air. But the newly formed coalition encourages tourists to opt for boat, train, bike or foot excursions when exploring a new venue.

Picnic during a Pandemic
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It is Possible to Picnic During a Pandemic

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The temperature in New York is slowly rising and the sun is shining more as the days are getting longer. Despite all the corona-chaos, which has slowed the dizzying pace of New York City, Spring is most definitely in the air. The grasses are green, the flowers are blooming, and now we have the opportunity to enjoy it. Here are a few tips for having a safe New York City picnic this spring.

Location, Location, Location

Pick a spot that is not heavily visited and far from foot trafficked paths. Central Park has a lot of different areas and spaces. A full list of picnic parks is available here, but make sure to check each website to determine opening hours. Also consider putting your blanket down in a neighborhood park. If you are still not ready to venture outside, you can have a virtual picnic with friends by pulling up some an outdoor environment, like an aquarium webcam or a video tour of a national park and playing some nature sounds.

Time it Right

Everyone is looking to get outdoors after weeks of being cloistered at home. To avoid crowds, schedule an early morning breakfast picnic, or an after-dinner picnic party for dessert.

Be Selfish

Like all good potluck meals, picnics are fun because of the sharing. But now, more than ever, double-dipping and communal bowls should be avoided. Build a menu that focuses on individual servings. Pre-pack finger foods for each picnicker; slice and wrap any baked goods before heading out.

Plan to Play

Nobody should be touching public park equipment during this time; balls and frisbees pass through too many hands to be safe. That is why it is important to plan some entertainment for the kids. Apps like Heads Up!, a guessing game, and Midpoint, a word-association game offer fun activities for all ages. You can also go with classics like charades or I Spy.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The corona lockdown has been very good for the environment, reducing pollution and hazardous toxins. Do your part to keep that momentum going. If at all possible, consider using real dishes and cutlery. If you must go with disposable, opt for biodegradable products instead of plastics.  Obviously, clear all waste to a garbage can and make sure you leave your picnic site clean for future visitors.

Fitness, NY Environment, NY News, Tourism, Transportation

Building a Better Bridge

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New York City has invited visionaries and strategists from around the world to help solve a truly NY problem: the notoriously overcrowded Brooklyn Bridge foot and bike path. The competition was officially launched in early February and is designed to raise ideas for alleviating the chronically clogged areas.

The Brooklyn Bridge and its pedestrians

The Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic tourist attraction with longstanding New York history and phenomenal views of Manhattan. The 137-year-old bridge sees an average of 16,500 pedestrians and 3,000 cyclists each day.

On several occasions (the most recent being New Year’s Eve 2018), the bridge became so crowded, forming a “human traffic jam,” and the bridge was temporarily closed. Clearly designated areas for pedestrians and cyclists are regularly ignored. Bikers have to maneuver around selfie-taking tourists and walkers have to be wary of distracted cyclists.

If you are an architectural, design, or engineering professional ages 22 and older or a young adults ages 21 and under with some good ideas for the walkway, submit them. And if you are a tourist visiting NYC in the near future, put the Brooklyn Bridge on your itinerary and see a part of New York’s glory.

Environment, Fundraising, NY Environment, NY News, Tourism, Transportation, Tribeca

Koalas Invade NYC

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Koalas are not just in New York’s zoos anymore. More than a few plush koalas have been affixed to landmarks across the borough as part of a cute campaign encouraging locals and tourists to donate to WIRES, the Australian wildlife rescue effort.

stuffed koalas across NYC and London

These fuzzy, flat-nosed creatures were placed by the New York office of Melbourne media outfit Cummins & Partners (as KoalasofNYC) in places like the Brooklyn Bridge, Tribeca, Central Park fences and benches, Soho, subway platforms, light poles, and fire stations. Each koala has a QR code printed on a tag that directs people to the fundraising page and reminds curious bypassers about the environmental and wildlife crisis in the wake of the 2019-20 brushfires. Koalas were also placed around London for the same purpose.

Environment, NY Environment, NY News, Tourism

See New York for all its Colors

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New York is bursting with gorgeous fall colors. The trees are alight with deep reds, bright oranges, warm yellows, and strong greens.

New York City’s Department of Parks and Recreation has launched “Fall for NYC,” a festival of Fall with events throughout October across the five boroughs. You can enjoy hiking trails, foliage tours, and exciting activities for the whole family.

Fall 2019, in particular, is slated to be one of the most spectacular fall seasons ever. The wet summer days soaked the city’s trees, setting them up for fantastic foliage displays in October and November. The forecast for cool, clear nights throughout these months also means that the trees will continue to display their spectacular rainbow of beauty straight up to winter.

NY Environment

Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan

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If you’re looking for an outdoor activity that will give you the flavor of New York, consider a visit to Bryant Park.

Bryant Park is an award-winning park, and the only large-scale public park in midtown Manhattan.

During the holiday season, Bryant Park offers many activities, including New York City’s only free admission skating rink. Winter crafts and live music are available most days. The Holiday Shops are open during the holiday season, and a variety of festive food is available for purchase.

In addition to these activities, exercise classes, a reading room and workshops are offered throughout the year. Children’s programs and games provide entertainment for all age groups.

Whether you live in New York or are just visiting, we hope you enjoy this outdoor activity.

NY Environment, Sports

Winter in NYC

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If you’re staying in New York this winter you might enjoy these winter-themed activities.

  • Consider watching a “Disney on Ice” show. This amazing presentation features ice skating, music and special effects that will transport you into a magical winter wonderland. “Disney on Ice” is presenting “Frozen” in the NYC area between January 3rd and 19th, 2019.
  • Enjoy ice skating: Outdoor rinks offer the opportunity to enjoy NY sights. Skating at Rockfeller Center and Central Park are traditional outdoor skating spots.
  • Indoor skating rinks are perfect for skaters who prefer not to brave the cold weather. Chelsea Piers and Riverbank State Park are good indoor options.