Thursday, October 2, 2008

Live from New York

Live from New York!! Welcome to all my BATW family. Take a seat on the Swanofdreamers express train. I have a fun pass for you that will take you all over the city. I’m a native New Yorker. Born in Manhattan and raised in The Bronx. I’m living my dream as an actress. Am I famous yet? No, but I’m working on it. I kept thinking about how can I cover New York? It’s a big city and state. So I decided on picking two must see places and a hidden gem.


Must sees: Broadway and Chinatown.


It’s Broadway, baby!! The lights, the music, the stage: there is nothing like it in the world. As an actor it is one of my favorite places in the city. I went to my first play when I was six to see The Wiz. I have seen I guess up to fifty productions. My next must see is to see Daniel Radcliffe in Equus. (of course, you know him as Harry Potter.) So if you come to New York, you must see a show!! There are no excuses here. Musical or Drama, it doesn’t matter. Nothing is as electrifying as a Broadway show. You can go to TKTS right in Times Square to get tickets half-off for all shows on the day off.


Chinatown.

Whenever I go there, I’m stepping in another world. Small streets packed with vendors selling seafood, fruits, bags, scarves, t-shirts, jewelry. It also the place where you can find knockoffs on all your favorite designer things!! When you go, walk away from the crowds and venture deep into Chinatown. You’ll find all kinds of delights on every corner. You’ll be able to find something for yourself and your whole family.


Hidden Gem: Conservatory Garden on 105 and 5th ave.



I stumbled on to this beautiful garden many years ago. It is a nod to European gardens of the past. When you walk in there is a beautiful wide vista of green with a lovely water fountain. You can go to the left for the French Garden or the right to The English Garden. My favorite part of the garden is the French Garden with it beautiful fountain of dancing maidens in the middle. It is a wonderful destination for weddings and pictures. It is an oasis from the bustling of the big city. Few people know about it which makes it even better.


Now, we are going to hop on the 6 train to go to my neck of the woods: The Bronx. Now why is The Bronx called The Bronx and not Bronx. Well the story goes the first European Settler was named Jonas Bronck, a Swedish sea captain. So when people went to visit, they said I’m goings to see The Broncks. Over the time the land he brought became known as The Bronx.


I live in Co-op City. (The brown building is where I live right off The Hutchinson River.)

It is called the world’s largest housing development in the world. The picture above only shows a small part of Co-op City. It was specifically designed for middle class families. I grew up here and eventually moved into my own apartment. It is literally a small city. You don’t really have to leave Co-op if you don’t want to. We have schools, a mall, movie theatre, parks. It is small town living in a big city. Actually a lot of my childhood friends and family still live here. My mom is about a stone’s throw away from me.

Must sees: The New York Botanical Garden and City Island.


The New York Botanical Garden. It is my haven from the world. Our Gardens are world renowned. It is a place of wondrous place filled with beauty for your all senses. From the lovely rose garden to the native forest to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory to the rock gardens. The Botanical gardens is for anyone who loves nature in all her glory. It is free on Wednesdays and Saturdays before noon!!

City Island. It is called the waterway of The Bronx. It is right next to my Co-op City. It is like a nautical sea village. Seafood restaurants, antique shops, clothing and coffeshops all sit on the main street. My favorite place it all the end of City Island called Sammy’s. You can get all kind of seafood on the cheap and take a seat outside to look at the beautiful river outside and nearby Long island.

Hidden Gem: Bartow-Pell Mansion.



Yes, we have a mansion in The Bronx! Actually is a Greek revival building that was built in the 19th century. It is preserved to the way the last family of the Bartow family when they left in the 1840’s. It is a historical landmark. I’ve gone there to take the tour and to go to various events given at the Mansion. You walk in and you step into another time. The tour guide is dressed in the authentic time of the period. The Bartow-Pell Mansion is always having lovely education events that show the hidden history of The Bronx.

I hope I was able to give all a bit of flava of my city. So if you’re ever coming to New York and need some places to go to or any info, just give me a holla. I would be happy to share with you any info. Thank you for all stopping by and sharing your time with me. Hope you all come back soon.

68 comments:

Shannon said...

Great tour! I have been to NYC three times, but it has been over 10 years since I was last there!

Enjoy your BATW day :)

Heathahlee said...

That was such a great tour! I've been to NYC only once and didn't have enough time to see everything, BUT I did make time for Les Miserables on Broadway! It was a dream come true to see an actual Broadway show.

I would love to go back and visit the places you showed us that I had no idea existed! Thank you!

Gombojav Tribe said...

How nice that you live so close to your mother! I'm (happily) jealous of you! :-)

I enjoyed your tour of NY!

Daja, visiting from BATW

Frizzy said...

Great tour! I loved learning about the building you live in and have your whole life. How cool is that? I would have never known that. This building has been in several movies has it not? THanks for the tour and Break a Leg! Some day I'll make it to NY. SOME DAY!!!

I Love Purple More Than You said...

Congrats on your BATW feature! Loved the New York tour. You know, I've never even been there before! Tempted to go see Equus though. ;)

Julie said...

Loved the tour! I love how green it can be in NYC... and the "european garden" is beautiful...but I bet you can't walk on it, or near it... or at least you cannot in Europe...ha ha. No walking on the grass unless it is stated.

Thanks for sharing, love it.

Heather said...

Yay! I'm the other BATW NY hostess and I'm so glad to meet you and see that you did a fabulous tour of the city, since I skipped it entirely and stayed upstate! :)

I'm off to browse around your blog some more - you are totally living my dream from when I was growing up; I wanted to be a Broadway actress in the worst way! The closest I ever got was one off-off-Broadway show back when I was 17. Oh well, it was something...

Cheers!

Susie said...

Greetings from Wisconsin. Congrats again on your BATW feature. Great job. I have yet to visit your fair city but it is on my bucket list. Especially Broadway!! I love the theatre and it's like visiting the mothership:-)

Unknown said...

Great post; visiting from BATW! I love the history you shared with us, especially how the Bronx got it's name!

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

Hi from Arkansas BUT I was born and raised in New York!!! I lived on the Island until I was 13. I remember taking field trips to the city....then my parents moved to arkansas and we took field trips to the fire department.
I LOVE Chinatown!!
I LOVE NEW YORK!!!
Thanks for the tour!

Dawn said...

Hi from Louisiana!! I enjoyed the tour!! Thanks!

Bramblemoon Farm said...

Oh, what a wonderful tour! I would LOVE to visit Chinatown. I'm guessing their isn't ninjas lurking in every corner like in action movies:) I also would be in heaven at the botanical gardens. Some day, some day...

Becky W said...

What a tour!! NYC is my favorite city and we are getting to go back there next Thanksgiving!! I want to see Mary Poppins!! I am a sucker for Broadway - esp. the musicals!! I never knew about the gardens, so thanks for sharing that info! Have a great BATW day!

Debbie said...

That was wonderful Shell! You gave us such a flavor for what it's like living there. My husband grew up in Staten Island and my Dad's from Newark, so I have been to NYC many times. But, I have never been to the Bronx...and I never knew that was why it was named as such. FAbulous tour! Thanks so much for participating!

Unknown said...

WOW!!! Thanks for the tour! I've only been to New York once, and it wasn't a good experience (because of who I was with, not because of the city itself)

Wow - where you live... that's a lot of people in one place!! How neat!!!

Tiffany said...

Hey Shell! I'm Tiffany & I am visiting from BATW. Thanks for the fabulous tour girl. I love it when we get the hidden gem run down!

BTW - Whoopi is awesome & a truly incredible woman. I've met her a couple times & even gotten to hang with her! (my father's good friends with her boyfriend; however, they are no longer together now.) My brother was very sick at one point & my parents had exhausted all their medical resources here (in TX) & none of the doctors could help. Whoopi flew my mom & brother (3 yr old at the time) to UCLA Med Hosp & the doctor was amazing! My brother quickly improved & eventually was fully recovered. God used Whoopi to do an incredible thing for our family. I just wanted to share that with you after reading your post on her.

YOU GO GIRL! May all your dreams come true.

Rebecca said...

I would love to visit New York, it is on my list of things to do in my lifetime. I will have to add these places on my list of things to see and do. THANKS FOR THE TOUR!

Suzie Ridler said...

Very cool idea Shell, I LOVE it! You know, when my husband did some sea training and stopped in New York he thought he would hate it. He is a total convert! He can't wait to go back. All he talks about is New York.

Loved the tour Shell and way to go on doing the readings! That rocks, I'm sure you will be amazing. A Halloween birthday outing? That is going to be awesome, I just know it. Lots of good Halloween stuff to come.

Indiana Angel said...

Wonderful tour of NYC!! Thank you!

Lauren W said...

I love this! I've never been to New York, but I'm moving to DC soon, so I'll definitely be taking trips to "the city", thanks for the great tour and recommendations!

~Trish~ said...

Love this!!! I've never been but really want to go!!

Visiting from KS via BATW :)

The Nice One said...

Congratulations!
I heart NYC. Husband used to work in the Midtown and for about a year I got to spend every weekend in the City. Oh how I miss the joys of NYC. The Central Park. The food. Ohhh, I could go on and on! Thanks for the memories!

Leslie said...

OK, forgive my being a huge dork. I responded in the previous post. Duh. I meant it here. OK. Just had to say that. Happy BATW day!

taratoons said...

Hey Shell -
I hope you are enjoying the BATW love today! I love NY! Thanks for the great tour. Next time I'm there I HAVE to hit up Broadway!

Leslie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Denyse said...

Ooooo! I'm coming to NYC in about two weeks! City Island sounds like fun. We will definitely add it to our itinerary! Great post on BATW!

Cant Hardly Wait said...

Loved the tour! I was born and raised in upstate New York, and have been to NYC plenty of times! I love the city and state and miss it so much! I love your blog!

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness! this was wonderful!!! i've never been to new york, but i feel like i know so much more. so cool, shell! thank you!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your BATW day! I am a native NYer too - LI in the house! Thanks for the hidden gems I never heard of them. And Coop city is not far from my hometown. I am an Atlantan now but visit NY frequently to see family and friends!

Kimmi said...

I love your pics. of New York! I've not been there yet, but when I do.. I plan on shopping until I drop!!!

Kimberly

Joy said...

I want to go to NYC. Thanks for this great tour. I was amazed at the Co-Op City. I never pictured it like that at all. How cool!
Loved the gardens. I wish you all the best in your career. Love from Texas via BATW,
Joy

New Girl on Post said...

Loved the tour! Especially the hidden gyms. If I ever get back to NYC I need to check them out!

Tamie said...

that was spectacular! i think that i would definitely have to visit chinatown if i ever make it to nyc (keep your fingers crossed!) that sort of thing just fascinates me. and some of those spots you took us too were breathtaking and i would HAVE to have my camera out if ever i made it. what a great tour guide you are!

Sarah said...

Glad I made the journey across the pond. I loved seeing NY through your eyes. Wow! interesting about the housing you live in. Is there a special process to live there? application/waiting lists?
And as a lover of plants I loved seeing the gardens. If I am ever in NY I must stop those two beautiful places.

Jen said...

I loved my trip. Excellent blog! What a cool place to live.

Caution/Lisa said...

Hello from Detroit! Your tour is one of my favorites so far. Now I need to make a trip there. Thanks:)

Jenkins said...

Hello from BATW.
I have never been to NY City. Sad right? I live close to Washington DC and I feel like I am the only person around who has not been to NY City. Hopefully soon.
I love anything and everything Broadway. In my head, I have my own musical going pretty much all day.
NY City has so much to see and do! I would not even know where to begin.
One of these days, I will get there.

Alicia @ Oh2122 said...

Hi from MA!

I haven't been to NYC since high school, not counting a 2 hour layover in LaGuardia last year where i had to listen to my Jersey born husband mock how I said LaGuardia for THE WHOLE 2 HOURS.

Yes, I called it La-gwah-di-ah.

A said...

I have been to New York and enjoyed it immensely, but you showed some new things to check out the next time I visit. Thanks for the tour and enjoy your BATW spotlight.

Lynda said...

You certainly showed us some new and hidden treasures - what a wonderful tour - thank you!

maryanne420 said...

thank you for the wonderful tour! i would love to see new york! that's one of my to-do is to go to new york and see all the plays i've ever wanted to see!

Lady Dorothy said...

A fantastic tour! Oh, I love the gardens! Thank you for showing us some of the lesser known places to go. They actually seem much more interesting than those we usually hear about.

Have a great day with BATW!

Aubrey said...

What a great stop! NYC is one of those places I've always wanted to go.
When my hubby and I talk about planning our next trip, it always pops into my head. But I'm not sure if we could be our own guide...Anywhoo!

Lots of great info here. Co-op City amazed me! Very interesting!

Mandy said...

i love how you described where you live. i always think i would get so lost in the crowd in nyc. very intimidating!

illahee said...

it's beautiful! i've never been to new york but now i really want to go!

Michelle said...

New York is so fun! I think my first play was Peter Pan on Broadway (we lived in CT at the time). And I have my very two favorite purses from some dark and hidden rooms in Chinatown -- totally freaked my husband out!

Next time I'll have to venture further out. The whole concept of the city within the city is so cool! I love how people you grew up with are still there!

Nichole said...

Oh how I would love to visit New York City! I would really like to go to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade too.

Thanks for the tour :o)

Anonymous said...

Great tour. One day I will be able to take the real tour.

Enjoy your BATW day!

Joyfulsister said...

Hie Shell, I'm glad I got a chance to swing by before leaving for the retreat. Thank you for the wonderful tour to NYC..Wow what a place of adventure and dreams. I know you are going to do just fine. Just remember never never never give up!! The best is yet to come for you, Pray, follow your heart, and your passion.
HUgz Lorie

lynn said...

Happy BATW Day!! I had never heard how The Bronx got it's name, very interesting. Thanks for the tour. Lots of great places! I'd love to be able to see Equus.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your tour of New York City. I visited for the first time this summer, and fell in Love with the city! Saw Phantom on Broadway, a life goal of mine.

Brian and Staci said...

So sorry I'm late...Ms. Oklahoma here! AWESOME tour! I want to go back to NY right now :) Good luck with your acting and have a great day in the spotlight :)

Lady Prism said...

FANTASTIC! I enjoyed this a lot! I didn't know about those gardens or about City Island, which I would most certainly love to see if ever I get to go there. The Bronx is lovely!

Tracy P. said...

Hi Shell! Wish you had been our tour guide when my husband and I came to town a few years back. We had fun, but having someone who knows the nooks and crannies like you do would have been wonderful. The place where you live sounds ideal!

Kendra said...

Visiting from BATW...

I've been to New York only once, and it was a good 20 years ago. We spent about a week New York during a family vacation and visited one of my mom's best friends from high school. I wish I remembered more about the city, but in my defense, I was only 12. :-) Maybe one of these days I'll go back for another visit...

My sister currently lives in New York, but she's in Brooklyn. She's working on her PhD at NYU and she loves living out there.

Amy Kay said...

I'm sorry I'm late, I missed my flight, I had a soccer game to attend yesterday. :) I am visiting from Georgia via BATW.

Thanks for the great tour of New York. One day I want to go to Braodway, and maybe New Years in Times Square.
Congratulations on the spotlight from BATW.

Hugs from Georgia,
Amy ;)

EmmaP said...

I've always wanted to come to the Big Apple! Thanks for showing me around! I'd love to hear when you've made it big! (or even small!) Thanks for your visit during your Layover from BATW!!!

Laural Out Loud said...

I'm dying to go to NYC. Especially after reading your post- loved the tour!

"The Queen in Residence" said...

Loved the tour...

Ronnica said...

I'm a late straggler. Don't worry, no one bumped me from the plane, I just got held up in security. Tried to carry on too large a bottle of lotion. Silly me...

Congrats on being a BATW feature! Thanks for the NY tour. I've been in your state for about 3-4 hours, not including the time in the airport. We went down to Times Square for lunch and that was it. I want to go again!

Melissa Lester said...

I am a day late from BATW, but I hope you have enjoyed your day in the spotlight. You deserve it because I know you work hard! My sister-in-law lives in Manhattan and is an actress. She is also now a mom, an event planner and has been a Gymborree teacher. It takes a lot of commitment to keep going to auditions and putting yourself out there in your profession. I hope you find the success you are looking for!

Breanne said...

I am late but it wa sa greta tour. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Better late than never. I'm stopping by from New Zealand on the BATW tour. Hope you enjoyed your day in the spotlight.

I looooove New York. One of my greatest friends lives there. This was an awesome tour.

Unknown said...

Sorry it took so long for me to get here! Hello from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi! I have had a crazy busy week. *whew* But I made it! I've always wanted to visit New York... you gave an awesome tour! I also wanted to tell you that I LOVE the artwork at the top of your blog... all the color and swirls. Did you do that?

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

oh my!!!
lots of new people , wo hooo!!!
I heart NY!!!!
Lucky you!
Muau to you!

Jen said...

Delays delays, oi. Thanks for the fabulous tours of the many hidden gems of the city. Just some reasons to make visit the city again.

Keith said...

Wow. That was really cool. I've never really been to NYC. I was at JFK airport for a connecting flight. That's been it. I would love to be able to really visit and explore the Big Apple.

Rela Pantaleon said...

Hi Shell! I'm catching up with my BATW tours...

Anyway, any tips for TKTS? I'd like to see Lion King - any chance, you think, that 5 tickets are available for this high-demand show???

My husband and I are taking my in-laws (visiting from the Philippines) to NY by the end of the month and we are doing the generic tourist thing - hop on hop off - this time since the olds get tired easily...

Thanks for giving me more ideas to visit though. Perhaps next time!

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