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New York City is one of the most unique places in the world, filled to the brim with many things that are iconically “New York”–some of those things being its businesses. And whether we’re talking cultural landmarks or culinary hotspots there’s no denying that NYC has certainly made a name for itself in the broader scheme of things, and Yelp is taking notice.

Yelp recently released their 20th iteration of the 20 Most Popular Businesses of All Time, identifying businesses in the U.S. and ranking them based on a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews and photos, and two of them are here in NYC!

First up on the list is the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Us New Yorkers love the Met’s roof garden and Met Date Nights (among many other things), but beyond those two the ranking writes:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is a favorite among Yelp users for its stunning exhibits and breathtaking architecture. Reviewers rave about the beautifully curated galleries and often highlight the friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Ironically, however, on Yelp’s separate ranking of the 20 Most Photographed Businesses of All Time, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is not first on the list but seventh…something we have to say we disagree with. On the flip side, the Met is the only NYC business on this list.

Ranking fourth, New York City’s next business on Yelp’s most popular business list is the Central Park Conservancy. The ranking writes:

Central Park Conservancy is a favorite for its lush landscapes, iconic landmarks, and serene atmosphere. Yelp users love the well-maintained trails and picturesque spots for picnics.

If you ask us, we also love Central Park for its Loeb Boathouse, zoo, Bow Bridge, spring cherry blossoms, and fall foliage–plus, did you know there’s a hidden part of the park that’s full of enchanting waterfalls?!

Rounding out the top ten in the ranking are as follows:

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York, NY

2. Balboa Park – San Diego, CA

3. The Getty Center – Los Angeles, CA

4. Central Park Conservancy – New York, NY

5. The Huntington – San Marino, CA

6. Chihuly Garden and Glass – Seattle, WA

7. Gangnam Asian BBQ Dining – Las Vegas, NV

8. Howlin’ Ray’s – Los Angeles, CA

9. Kualoa Ranch – Kaneohe, HI

10. Marugame Udon – Honolulu, HI

Looks like we’ll have to pay our friends over in Los Angeles and Las Vegas a visit!

The post The Top 20 Most Popular Businesses Of All Time Have Been Revealed & Two Are In NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

You might have seen her on her sold-out Eras tour, but being a die-hard Swiftie is a full-time obsession. If you’re looking for a fun-filled foodie tribute to T-Swizzle, there is an adults-only Swiftie Brunch coming to NYC this fall (21 and over). And don’t worry if you’re still a newbie fan; you’ll enjoy this experience just as much because a brunch guided by Miss Americana’s catchy tunes is always in vogue.

Inspired by her most iconic eras, this brunch tribute will feature popular brunch items with a Taylor twist, as well as delicious cocktails (and mocktails) to get the party started. So save the date and head to the popular Arlo Williamsburg for a unique dining event, where you can meet fellow Swifties, make friendship bracelets and capture the magic at the venue’s photo booth!

Swifties, this is A Musical Brunch Tribute

Swiftie Brunch is the ultimate, adults-only Taylor-themed feast, where every bite is a “Love Story” in itself. At the start of the event, you’ll take a fun quiz to determine which era fits you best. Because Taylor eras are kind of like the Harry Potter houses; they can tell a lot about your personality and about where you’re at in life at the moment. Then, you can groove to Tay Tay’s most iconic hits from “Lover” to “Fortnight”, sing along and meet fellow fans between each food course. Obviously, you can’t leave the brunch without your friendship bracelets that can only strengthen your bonds within the Swiftie community.

Your Eras-themed Feast

Now, we’re not giving away any surprises, but what we can say is that each course is inspired by and named after some of Taylor’s songs. It is a Taylor Swift tribute brunch, after all! Although the menu is subject to change depending on the seasonal produce, you can expect to savor delicious bites like the Lavender Haze Açai Bowl, Enchanted Eggs Benedict, or the Folkl-Oreo Cheesecake (if you have a sweet tooth), as you wash them down with refreshing cocktails or mocktails.

Why Taylor Swift?

Wait, you don’t know what Miss Americana’s cultural impact and musical legacy is? As if! She’s redefined the art of subtly shading exes and mastered the skill of making lemonade when life gives you lemons. All you need to do is shake it off! Whatever challenge she’s faced in her personal life, she’s proven that if you sing it right, your ex will be begging to be part of your next album. And if that wasn’t enough, at 34, her wide-ranging talent has won her 12 Grammys and earned her over 200 million album sales worldwide.

Whether you’re feeling “22” or just want to experience something “Enchanted”, have some Taylor-inspired delights at Swiftie Brunch in NYC. It’s the ultimate Taylor-inspired food extravaganza and you won’t want to miss out.

On October 19, there are two brunch sessions that will take place at Arlo Williamsburg, formerly known as The Williamsburg Hotel, at 11:00 am or 1:30 pm, so you can choose the one that best suits your schedule.

The post This Unique Swiftie Brunch Is Coming To NYC And It’s “The 1” To Remember appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

If you’re a loyal JetBlue traveler, you’re about to get majorly rewarded: the airline just announced that it is opening its first ever airport lounge at JFK’s Terminal 5 and Boston Logan International Airport’s Terminal C in 2025.

The lounges will be accessible by TrueBlue Mosaic members, Transatlantic Mint customers and holders of a new premium JetBlue credit card, which the airline will announce details about soon. 

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The JFK lounge will span 8,000 square feet and it will feature artwork by local and regional artists, plus a bar area where passengers will get to snag complimentary cocktails, including some non-alcoholic beverage options.

The lounge will also boast a work area offering free WiFi and private work stations. There will be plenty of places to get coffee and a designated “comfy” area where guests will get to snack on free fare. 

Anyone with access to the lounge will also be able to bring a guest with them free of charge. 

The installation of the JetBlue lounges is part of a larger initiative by the airline to increase its premium offerings, particularly across its core cities: New York and Boston. The project also caters to the growing popularity of lounges, as passengers seek airport experiences that are recharging and stress-free. 

Earlier this year, Capital One announced that it was opening a 13,000 square-foot lounge complete with a bakery and restaurant that will source fresh food from the Hudson Valley. Delta also just opened its biggest lounge ever at JFK, which occupies a whopping 39,000 feet of space and features a premium bar, bakery, showers, a terrace and spa-like wellness treatments. 

Considering how much JetBlue has grown in recent months, including the debut of several new routes, we’re sure this is only the beginning of the company’s expansion into airport lounges. 

* This article was originally published here

Being a first-time home buyer can be intimidating—especially in NYC. That’s why Visual Capitalist has calculated the exact salary needed to buy a home in major U.S. cities. Spoiler alert: the results don’t do much to alleviate our stresses. In order to buy a home in NYC, you need to have a salary of $186.1k.

With the average New Yorker making $89,000 in 2023, the $186.1k goal seems daunting. Not to mention, less than 5% of NYC rent is affordable for those making the average salary. And even for those making above the average at $100k a year, their take home is just $35,791.

In order to determine the necessary salaries for home buying in 50 of America’s largest metropolitan cities, the study examined principal, interest, taxes, and insurance payments on a median-priced home from recent HSH data in each city. The results are considering a 30-year-fixed-rate-mortgage with a 20% downpayment.

Before 2020, the average salary Americans needed to afford a home was $59,000. Now the average necessary salary is $104,000. On the bright side, at least NYC isn’t the most expensive city in the U.S. That title is take by San Jose, California.

Purchasing a home there requires quadruple the national average monthly payment of $2,434.6, at a steep $10,824. The median price for a home in the U.S. is $389,400; but for San Jose, it’s a whopping $1,840,000. Therefore, those buying a home in San Jose must make a yearly salary of $463,886.5—nearly half a million.

Inversely, Cleveland, Ohio requires the lowest salary of the 50 analyzed cities. Interested home buyers only need to make $58.4k. For context, New Yorker’s salaries need to be three times greater than the people in Cleveland to afford a home in their city. When taking a broader look at NYC, the median price for a home is $659,200 with a monthly payment of $4,342.9.

So if you’re planning on buying a home, be sure to understand what city makes the most sense for your finances. Or, you can try testing your luck with winning an NYC housing lottery!

You can find the remaining figures for other U.S. cities in the study.

The post This Whopping Salary Is What You Need To Buy A Home In NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here