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Dyker Heights Christmas Lights: What to Know Before You Go
Every holiday season, an estimated 150,000 people make the journey to the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dyker Heights to admire its houses decked out with lights and holiday decorations. That number may not sound like a lot compared to the 6.5 million people who visit New York City overall during the holidays, but this is quite…
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Are These New York Christmas Traditions Worth Your Time?
Not to sound like a Scrooge, but some things about Christmas in New York are overrated (Looking at you, Union Square Holiday Market). As your friendly but jaded New Yorker, it’s my civic duty to give you an honest evaluation of which New York Christmas traditions are worth your time. So if you’re wondering which…
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The Top Things to Do in Flatbush, Brooklyn: A Neighborhood Guide
The neighborhood of Flatbush is the geographic heart of Brooklyn, and as far as I’m concerned it’s the neighborhood with the most heart as well. Not to mention, it has the most energy, the greatest food, the most aesthetically pleasing homes, and the most vibrant Caribbean community outside the geographic Caribbean. (Before we go further with…
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The Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Each NYC Borough
You don’t have to be a heliologist to see how special sunsets are in New York City. It’s as though nature puts a pair of rose-colored glasses on you, reminding you of the magic of New York, rather than how gross, lonely, and expensive it can be. Whether you want to admire the sunset or…
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Where to Go to Learn About the Forgotten History of New York’s Waterfront
These days, New York City’s waterfront is a maritime playground, but for most of the city’s nearly 400-year existence, the waterfront used to be strictly business. Anyone who wasn’t a dock worker or a passenger on a ship steered clear of the shoreline, as all the action we’ve come to associate with New York City…
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9 Revolutionary War Sites in NYC That Aren’t Boring
NYC was essentially one big battlefield during the Revolutionary War. Here are Revolutionary War sites in NYC where you can learn about or honor Revolutionary War history and have a good time while doing it.
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Walk With Me Down Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NYC!
For New Yorkers of past and present, Eastern Parkway has always been more than a roadway. It’s a street full of history, culture, and believe it or not, relaxation. A few days ago, I walked the length of the parkway to film what makes it so special. You can come along for that walk with…
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Erie Basin Park: IKEA’s Hidden Brooklyn Playground
When you look up Erie Basin Park, Google is going to tell you that it’s “permanently closed.” Google is lying to you. There is nothing barring you from visiting this quirky, semi-educational playground, except, perhaps, your self-consciousness about letting out your inner-child in front of the mile-long line of people waiting to get into IKEA.…
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Badass NYC Women and Where to Honor Them
Right off the bat, let me say that this is NOT a complete list of badass NYC women. If you want to dive deeply into the history of women who have contributed notably to New York City, I recommend cracking the spine of “The Women Who Made New York” by Julie Scelfo. It’s a thick…
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If You Love Beautiful Houses, Visit These NYC Neighborhoods
I love looking at other people’s houses, and if the success of HGTV means anything, I know that I’m not the only one with this voyeuristic pastime. So for the people who like to mentally fawn over the landscaping of someone’s lawn or how their turrets match their shutters, this post is for you. The…
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How to Have a French-Inspired Day in NYC
Whether you’re celebrating Bastille Day or you’re just in a Paris state of mind, here are a few things you can do to have a French-inspired day in NYC. Savor a cronut. Sure, there are countless French bakeries you could start your day from. But no food embodies today’s theme of Franco-New York fusion more…
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Read This Before You Visit Coney Island!
Coney Island has been delighting generations of visitors for almost 200 years. And in those 200 years, it has earned nicknames like “America’s Playground,” “Poor Man’s Paradise,” and “Sodom by the Sea.” Let’s find out why in this quick introduction to the history of Coney Island. Coney Island History, Part 1: What’s a Coney? As…