Things to Do in NYC

Film Forum

What better way to truly appreciate New York’s reputation for being a cinematic epicenter than by attending one of its iconic nonprofit theater gems. Located at 209 West Houston Street in Hudson Square, Manhattan, Film Forum began in 1970 as an alternative screening space for indie films.  Today, it has grown to a 3-screen cinema with nearly 500 seats.  It is open 365 days a year, and offers the public a variety of indie films, foreign art films, American classics, and other somewhat high-brow theatrical releases.  The films are always well-selected, and the community are generally in sync in their appreciation of fine movies.

This may not be the right place to bring along kids, but the small and intimate theatres are a great place for film buffs to settle down and enjoy some amazing, rare, or just simply new and refreshing footage

Coney Island

Looking for something a bit more afield than the Manhattan culture of New York? Why not travel a bit more afield to the peninsula of Coney Island with its amusement parks and seaside resorts?

Lying on a peninsula in the southwestern borough of Brooklyn, some of the first amusement and entertainment structures were built on Coney Island in the 1840s.  In 1829, after the construction of Coney Island Hotel, this peninsula started to grow into a popular resort area.  It was near enough, and yet some distance from, both Brooklyn and Manhattan that it wasn’t difficult to conceive of a stay at Coney Island as a vacation.  More hotels and resorts were built, businesses were established in the area, and the tourists began to arrive.

There are at least two amusement parks remaining on Coney Island – Luna Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park – with several other attractions and events.  Three of these rides have, in fact, been listed in the National Register of Historic Places: the Wonder Wheel which dates back to 1918-1920, the Cyclone dating back to 1927 and one of the world’s oldest wooden rollercoasters, and the Parachute Jump from the 1939 New York World’s Fair.  Of course, there are other rides and attractions such as the Thunderbolt, the B&B Carousel, Bumper Cars, and Haunted Houses.

On the other hand, the beaches of Coney Island are open to all without restrictions, and are served more than adequately by the Riegelmann Boardwalk.   There are plenty of places to eat on Coney Island – served by the various ethnicities that make up its population.  The richness and diversity of the place only serve to add to neighborhood’s appeal and charm.

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