Tourism Tuesday Featuring Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

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If you have a penchant for architecture, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum should be right up your alley. Although the regular admission might seem a little steep at twenty-two dollars, it is well worth it. The Guggenheim Museum is an art powerhouse. It is nestled on the Upper Eastside of New York City and has a prize winning collection of modern and contemporary art.

The Guggenheim got its start because of Mr. Solomon R. Guggenheim and Hilla Rebay. Mr. Guggenheim had a collection of nonobjective artwork that continued to grow and Hilla Rebay nurtured his love for artwork. Eventually this collection grew so large; Mr. Guggenheim decided to start a museum. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum was completed in the year 1959, but it underwent several renovations in the 1990’s and in the early 2000’s. The Guggenheim was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, a famous and celebrated architect and is considered an architectural masterpiece. This museum was commissioned by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and serves as a beacon for contemporary and non-objective art. Within its walls, you can see all sorts of mediums and techniques. From paintings to sculptures to drawings, the Guggenheim showcases it all.

The Guggenheim remains current partly because of its contribution to society. It is regarded as the most impressive modern day art collection on the planet. The art housed within it is timeless. The Guggenheim is internationally renowned and held in high esteem by all artistic communities. Works that are housed within the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum are of a very high caliber. Today artists are thrilled to be included, but in the beginning there were doubts. Some artists did not want their pieces showcased within the Guggenheim because of the odd architecture. They were afraid that their works would be diminished by Mr. Lloyd Wright’s unique and interesting design. Although the weird layout of the Guggenheim put off some, others were intrigued. Eventually artists overcame the Guggenheim’s off kilter design, and today admittance is highly competitive. Only the best are considered.

Although the Guggenheim is decades old, it remains culturally relevant today. No matter where you go or what you choose to watch, you can’t escape the Guggenheim. It has a profound effect on the art world. This is especially true in New York. It is immersed New York’s art culture and it has also invaded our mainstream media. There have been several references to the illustrious Guggenheim for years in our pop culture. The most famous example of this is Men in Black. This movie was extremely popular and was seen by hundreds of millions of viewers. The Guggenheim was also used in Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Bye Bye Birdie and Ugly Betty.

For all you modern art fanatics, the Guggenheim is the place to be. Come check it out. You’ll be glad you did.

By Melissa Cooke

Tourism Tuesday Featuring Yankee Stadium

alg-yankee-stadium-jpgFor all you baseball fans out there, Yankee Stadium has a lot to offer. Don’t let the curse of Great Bambino scare you off. The Yankee baseball dynasty is here to stay. The Yankees have always had a competitive and dominant team and this epic empire is housed in a jewel of a building. Yankee Stadium is lush and exciting. It can house over fifty thousand people and is located in the southern section of the Bronx in New York City. Whether you go there for a great time or great game or both, you won’t leave disappointed. Even if by some chance you aren’t a baseball fan, Yankee Stadium hosts other events like concerts and even graduation services.

Yankee Stadium is a place of legend. It is one of the meccas of baseball,  housing one of the most prestigious baseball teams of all time. Although the Yankees have been around for quite awhile, the current Yankee stadium is relatively new. The new Yankee Stadium which is built next door to the older one was completed in 2009. It took a lot of time and effort to complete and cost over four hundred million dollars. This was in addition to the expense of the rebuilding of the New York Mets Stadium as well. Although the new layout is fairly similar to the older version, Yankee Stadium has been updated with some fantastic perks.

In the new stadium, the seats for everyone are roomier and now there is a cup holder at every seat. There are also more bathrooms. All of these are big improvements, but the biggest and most lucrative one is the inclusion of a lot more suites. These suites and skyboxes can be rented out at any time during the year. It does not have to be baseball season. For all you tried and true baseball fans out there, the Yankee’s franchise has a lot of history. You can witness it all first hand at their museum which is located on the lower level near gate six.

When you come to Yankee Stadium there is a lot to do. Of course if it is in season, you can watch a spectacular game. But, even if it isn’t baseball season, there is a lot of action to be had at Yankee Stadium. For all you food lovers, there is a lot to choose from.  You can get baseball staples like hot dogs and cracker jacks or more eclectic selections like candy apples and even sushi. At Yankee Stadium, there are over 25 fixed food stands and over a hundred mobile ones. You are not limited to just stale hot dogs or greasy burgers, there is a lot of food to choose from.  Yankee Stadium even houses an upscale steakhouse and Hard Rock Café.

No matter what your life style or your personal interests are, Yankee Stadium has something to keep you enthralled and entertained.

By Melissa Cooke

Tourism Tuesday Featuring Grand Central Terminal, Main Concourse

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When it comes to traveling, few methods are safer than trains. Traveling by train is elegant and refined.  It says that I can travel at my leisure and nothing or no one will rush me. When it comes to train stations, none can compare to the remarkably glorious Grand Central Terminal. New York’s Grand Central Terminal also called Grand Central Station was first opened in 1913.  2013 is a very special year for the Grand Central Terminal because this year it turns 100.  Happy Centennial Grand Central Station! New York’s Grand Central Terminal is home to the world’s largest train station and the Main Concourse is its epicenter. Who says bigger isn’t better? When it comes to Grand Central Terminal, the Main Concourse is the place to be. The Main Concourse is the center of all the action. Everyday thousands converge, explore and travel throughout its massive corridors.

Historic Tour

In this day and age, knowledge is power and few lessons are free. One shining exception is the historic tours of Grand Central Terminal. Get your geek on and learn all about Grand Central Terminal’s creation and major events. By going on this tour, you will hear about all the effort it took to get it built and sustained. You’ll learn to appreciate a commodity that thousands take advantage of everyday. Go on and learn something new, just be sure to thank your knowledgeable tour guide.

Some Amazing Art

For people who long to witness artistic perfection, they should look no further than Grand Central Terminal, Main Concourse.  There are several different mediums to look at. The two most famous are the giant clock, that is reported to be worth from 10-20 million dollars, and some famous statues. There are three legendary statues including a Minerva, Hercules and Mercy which were created by an eminent French sculptor Jules-Felix Coutan. When this trio was unveiled, it was the largest sculptural group on Earth. This sculptural group is highly acclaimed even to this day. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to see a trio of masterpieces, go visit Grand Central Terminal, Main Concourse.

Food and Fun

For most travelers, a location is not viable without food. Grand Central Station does not disappoint. It has a plethora of kiosks to choose from. Whether you crave a little Italian or a good ole American sub, Grand Central Terminal, Main Concourse has you covered.  There are hundreds of venues to choose from and all of them serve amazing high quality food. If you are looking for food, don’t steer to the west though or you will be sorely disappointed. All the food venues are located on the East side of the Grand Central Terminal, Main Concourse.

Grand Central Terminal is an important and beloved attraction of New York City. Don’t miss out on all the fun. Go see it!

By Melissa Cooke

Tourism Tuesday Featuring Times Square

Although there are many interesting things to see in New York, New York, one attraction stands far above the competition. Whether you want to see the ball drop on New Year’s Eve, catch the latest rendition of the Phantom of the Opera, or are just looking for the perfect pair of jeans, you can find what you are looking for in Times Square. It is at the center of all the action in New York City.  No other New York attraction can compete with its celestial energy.

Times Square is the soul of New York and is a vibrant and life-filled intersection where everything and every culture collide. New York’s Times Square is a sprawling junction, a bustling intersection that is filled with tons of people and a variety of things to experience, but one of the most exciting things to do there, is people watch. One quick glance around tells the exciting nature of what it means to be American. Nothing is bland in Times Square and there is always plenty to see. All sorts of unique cultures merge and mingle in harmony. Times Square is a mecca for tourists because no matter what culture you’re from, you will find something to relate to. You will also find something that will astound you, and the funny thing is, sometimes both things will be side by side. Go figure!

Tourists visit Times Square because it is home to many American icons including Broadway, newspapers, and famous television shows. It is also known world-wide for its plethora of food. When it comes to food, Times Square is really versatile. No matter what your tastes lean towards, there is a restaurant, food truck or food cart that will please your taste buds, as well as accommodate your wallet. Whether you’re a sophisticated critic that only deigns to eat at four star palaces or a blue collar brawler looking for the perfect slice of pizza, Times Square has what you need. Everything is more extravagant in Times Square including an Applebee’s franchise, which has a supersized location.

Times Square is also an excellent location to go shopping. There is no sales tax in New York City and travelers can take full advantage. Many superstores have their foundations in Times Square. Two prime examples are MAC makeup and the famous Department store Macy’s. Since New York is one of the fashion capitals of the world, tourists flock to get their shop on. No matter what you are looking for it can be found in Times Square. Each day millions flock to this world famous section of the Big Apple. Take advantage and look important in front of millions. Travel in style, you can even take a NY prom limo to your Times Square destination.

By Melissa Cooke