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If you’re looking to spice up your Instagram feed you need only take a stroll around NYC! That’s according to Student travel company Rustic Pathways who set out to find the most Instagrammable landmarks in the U.S., and New York City is home to five of the top ten!

Rustic Pathways found the top 100 U.S. landmarks according to TripAdvisor and searched them on Instagram to find the number of posts using each landmark’s most popular hangtag. The number of posts were then ranked from highest to lowest to determine which are the most Instagrammable.

And the number one most Instagrammable spot won’t surprise you: it’s the city’s beloved Central Park.

According to their data, Central Park has 8,329,774 Instagram posts with the hashtag #centralpark. And who knows how many people have Instagrammed photos of the park without the hashtag! The site writes:

Located in the heart of Manhattan, Central Park is an iconic landmark spanning 843 acres. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, it opened in 1858 and is renowned for its picturesque landscapes. The park contains many attractions, including the Central Park Zoo, Belvedere Castle, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, making it a beloved retreat for both locals and tourists looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

In second place is Times Square, with 5,196,085 Instagram posts under #timessquare (and we can guarantee you none of those posts were made by a New Yorker), followed by Brooklyn Bridge, which has 3,942,484 Instagram posts under #brooklynbridge.

The top 10 most Instagrammable landmarks in the U.S. are as follows:

1. Central Park

2. Times Square

3. Brooklyn Bridge

4. Niagara Falls

5. Las Vegas Strip

6. Golden Gate Bridge

7. Empire State Building

8. Statue of Liberty

9. Route 66

10. The White House

The post This Beloved NYC Park Is The Most Instagrammable Landmark In The U.S. appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Everyone loves a lazy river at the waterpark, but what about one in actual nature? Think: floating through breathtaking rock formations in ‘the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks’ (different than the Grand Canyon of the East). Well, you can do it all at Ausable Chasm in Upstate New York.

Located just under a five hour drive from New York City, visitors can kick back and experience the beauty of this natural wonder by tube or on a guided raft tour.

For the guided raft tour, the adventure kicks off at the Grand Flume’s towering cliffs before floating through Ausable Chasm’s narrowest and deepest area. We must warn that this isn’t the laziest of rivers. In fact, for one portion of the journey you’ll pass through exhilarating rapids and the Whirlpool Basin—but it adds to the fun!

Moreover, rafters will be privy to unforgettable sights including two stunning rock formations: Sentry Box and Broken Needle. Not only will you take in the astonishing views, but you’ll get to learn all about the Chasm’s unique history.

Not into guided tours? With tubing, guests will get to kick back and relax as the water carries them through the lower chasm along a one-mile walk through the upper chasm. Note: river tubing takes a little longer than rafting.

Tubing and rafting tours are daily. Since no reservations are accepted, it’s encouraged you arrive as early as you can upon opening. Possible wait times could be 60 minutes or more between peak hours which are a little before and after 12pm.

Ausable Chasm also offers lantern tours, rock climbing, rappelling and more so be sure to check out another activity to make the most of your visit. Find even more details on the Ausable Chasm website here.

The post Float Under The Adirondack Mountains Along This Lazy River appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

The tale of Manhattan’s lost beach all begins with an over ambitious plan from former Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller. With high hopes to revitalize southern Manhattan, Governor Rockefeller’s ideas for a new “coordinated community” flopped. As a result, the area was left with a “sandy no man’s land west of the World Trade Center,” according to The New York Times.

This eventually became known at ersatz beach. Though it was technically a landfill and the sand wasn’t meant for public use, artists and other rule-breaking New Yorkers took their opportunity to sun bathe steps away from the shoreline.

The most iconic photo from this era is the first one in this article, featuring graphic designers David Vanden-Eynden and Chris Calori, who frequented the beach. “There was nothing there yet and there were spectacular views of the towers and across the river,” says Vanden-Eynden, in a story from The New York Times.

Another artist, Nancy Rubins, used the accumulated waste to create a 15-foot sculpture. Additional historical photos that now make you hold your breath knowing the tragedy to come, share images of beach volley ball, leisure reading and even more art installations on ersatz beach.

Among the most notable installations includes Agnes Denes’ “Wheatfield — A Confrontation.” The landfill/beach was transformed into two-acres of wheat field as a representation of “misplaced priorities.”

So let’s just be clear that this was not intended to be a beach. However, it only speaks to New Yorkers’ gusto to not only see the beauty in the ugly, but to interpret the world with their own flare.

By the 2000s, ersatz beach and the landfill became a blip in history for the land as it once again transformed throughout the years to the park we now know it as today.

The post Remembering Manhattan’s Long Lost Beach At Battery Park appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

We recently reported that Hudson Yards has the highest median sale price in the city at the moment, around $7.5 million. With prices like that, living in the new-ish neighborhood is largely off-limits to a wide swath of New Yorkers.

But a new affordable housing lottery in the neighborhood is opening up the chance to live in or near the tony neighborhood very soon. 

RECOMMENDED: NYC homeowners can now build backyard cottages and basement apartments

Where is it?

The Maybury at 550 10th Avenue at West 41st Street.

How many units are available?

114 units out of 453 residences in the 46-story building.

What units are available?

Forty-two studios; 44 one-bedrooms; 28 two-bedrooms. Five percent of units are set aside for residents with mobility issues while 2% is set aside for those with vision and hearing disability. Community Board residents get 20% of the units while NYC employees will get 5%.

Overall, the affordable housing units make up over 20,000 square feet of “best in class” indoor and outdoor amenity spaces, including a 45th-floor rooftop sky lounge and fitness club with resident lounges and co-working spaces. (Additional fees apply for storage and access to the terrace, lounge, recreation rooms including co-working spaces and fitness center.) 

How much do they cost?

It depends on income and household size, but the studios will be listed between $1,655 to $3,015 per month; the one-bedrooms will be listed at $1,769 to $3,225 per month; the two-bedrooms will be listed at $2,114 to $3,861 per month.

Tenants are responsible for electricity. Rent includes gas, heat, and hot water.

What else do we know about this building?

There is a 24-hour attended lobby, personal concierge services, a rooftop sky lounge, an eighth-floor amenity suite with a co-working lounge, conference rooms, work stations and phone booths, an eighth-floor fitness club and yoga studio, outdoor terraces with barbecues and an outdoor movie screen, a fourth-floor “Abode by Gotham” amenity lounge, a package room with cold storage,  resident storage, bike storage, a pet spa, a common laundry room, resident event programming and Gotham Card Perks.

What’s nearby?

Obviously, Hudson Yards is a few blocks south with all of its retail and dining options as well as the performing arts center, The Shed, all of which you can see here. 

But also, the apartment building is near Birdland Jazz, Yotel New York, the Manhattan Plaza Health Club, and near some big transit hubs—the Lincoln Tunnel, Port Authority and the Times Square subway station. Most dining is over one block on Ninth Avenue.

How do I qualify?

Your household income must be between $59,280 and $209,625. Qualified applicants will be required to meet additional selection criteria and those who live in NYC get a preference for apartments.

How do I apply and by what date?

To apply, you have to create an account on NYC Housing Connect, the main portal for the city’s affordable housing lotteries. 

If you’re interested in throwing your hat into the ring to this affordable housing lottery, make sure to act fast—they tend to be pretty competitive and this building’s prime location probably means that the units won’t take long to get snatched up. The lottery ends on October 9, 2024.

* This article was originally published here

The end of summer will be here before you know it and the final days of August marks the end of one of our favorite pop-ups this summer: Balloon Story! There are so many reasons to visit before it closes on Aug. 24th. 

Here are just a few reasons you have to snag tickets to Balloon story before it’s gone for good! Make the rest of the summer a memorable one at this inflatable wonderland!

1. The Photo Ops

Go from the Tropics to the arctic – the cheapest summer trip you’ll find is at Balloon Story! There are colossal versions of international landmarks such as Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower. Or pose in an inflatable cab you can actually sit in. (It was the easiest time we ever had hailing a yellow taxi!).

No matter what room you enter, you will be IG & Tiktok ready! The sheer size of the balloon sculptures and the amount is amazing to see. So step into this oasis that transports you to so many places all in one space.

2. The Balloon Aquarium

One of the most transporting rooms was the Aquarium room! This visual spectacle had balloon jellyfish hanging from the ceiling, which was covered in balloons! The different colorful fish and the creativity of the room was magical to be in!

3. The Location / Venue

Balloon Story is located at the Park Avenue Armory located on the Upper East Side and it’s a historic venue built in the 19th century. The stunning architecture of the Park Avenue armory on the outside is a marvel but the space inside has been a community staple for the arts in NYC. So head over to 643 Park Ave. (accessible by plenty of trains) and enjoy Balloon Story while it’s still here this month!

4. The experience is for everyone

Over 50,000 people have seen the oasis right in NYC that is,  Balloon Story! This majestic experience is for everyone and children under four-years old attend for free! There are also family bundle packages. 

For seniors 65+, students and those who are disabled there is also a discount on tickets. The experience is also wheelchair accessible!

5. The reviews

Don’t believe us? Balloon Story has gotten rave reviews that are out of this world! Below are just a few:

“It was truly amazing how they were able to create all the different themes with all different shape and size balloons. Truly a must see.”

“The experience was worth it. The installations were all unique; my favorite was the sea animal exhibit. I showed the pictures to my mom and now she wants to go too!”

“​​Awesome show the kids loved it. We had a phenomenal time. Everyone old and young were playing with balloons. This show has to go on moving forward. Kudos to the artists you guys rock.”

“Amazing, fun for all ages. A big thank you to the people who conceived this idea and those who brought it to life. We thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Event details

Balloon Story: An immersive experience where Art Meets Air at the Park Ave Armory

August 12, 2024 10:00

(+13 more dates)

Park Avenue Armory (643 Park Avenue, New York, 10065-6122)

From $9.61

Buy tickets

See Also: Best Family Attractions And Things To Do In NYC With Kids Right Now

The post Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Miss Balloon Story In NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Another day, another G train update. 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) just announced that the third and final phase of the G train shutdown is officially in effect now through September 3 at 5am. 

During the period of time, the line will not run between Bedford-Nostrand Avenue and Church Avenue, so that authorities could properly work on upgrading the signal system throughout the entire route.

The good news: service is now officially restored between Court Square and Bedford-Nostrand Avenue, a portion of the route that was worked on during phase two of the upgrading project.

Speaking of phase two: Greenpoint residents who were mostly affected by the work the past month are actually petitioning to turn some of the temporary alterations that were put into effect back then into permanent changes. Specifically, to the get work done safely, the Department of Transportation had closed down traffic on Bedford Avenue so that shuttle buses could more properly navigate the area, basically creating a car-free zone where folks could safely walk around.

Area residents are now asking for that makeshift pedestrian plaza to become a permanent fixture of the neighborhood, despite the fact that it has now officially reopened to traffic. You can read through the full petition right here.

“The petition has already received support from elected officials who say residents have been pushing for a plaza since 2021, long before the G-train shutdown went into place,” reports News 12 Brooklyn. 

Back to the current situation: G train riders affected by the changes will be able to take free B-93 shuttle buses between Bedford-Nostrand Avenue and Hoyt-Schermerhorn stations instead. They will then be able to transfer to the F train at Hoyt-Schermerhorn and continue riding through Church Avenue. A new G train experience is, hopefully, just around the corner.

* This article was originally published here