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There is something fascinating about navigating the East River while dancing your heart away to good music, sipping on refreshing drinks, and admiring the breathtaking skyline of Manhattan. And for that, all you need to do is head to Skyport Marina.

Hop on one of the multiple luxury party yachts here and let your hair down with friends as popular music artists and DJs perform trending sets. There is no better way to cruise past New York’s top landmarks and countless lights while soaking in an electrifying ambience and photographing unforgettable moments.

Background on Skyport Marina

Easy to access and offering panoramic views of the ever-bustling Manhattan, Skyport Marina was first opened in 1962 and it provides docking to multiple party cruises for a good time around the year. Harbor Lights, Harmony, Cosmo, Jacana, Lucille, and Unity are among the top cruise companies, where a tempting spread of tasty nibbles, drinks, and awesome music often accompanies fun events.

Some of the top party music artists have been featured at these cruises, including Andy Cardona, Jeff Veliz, Christian Bruna, Cristian Arango, and Francis Mercier.

All the yachts are secure, climate-controlled, and come with modern facilities. They also feature state-of-the-art lighting and audio systems that take the parties to another level. These yachts are also perfect for hosting and celebrating engagements, graduations, birthdays, professional milestones, and much more.

Where is Skyport Marina And How Do You Get There?

Situated on 2430 FDR Drive, the Marina is easily accessible via subway. Take the number 6 train headed towards 23^rd Street. You will find yourself at 23rd and Park Avenue when you get off. From there, you can walk for 5 blocks to the Marina on East 23rd Street if you are in the mood. Or, get a M23 cross-town cab or bus.

You can reach Skyport Marina from FDR Drive, West Side, New Jersey Turnpike, George Washington Bridge, Westchester and Connecticut, Lincoln Tunnel, or Long Island by road. You will find parking space at Waterside Plaza Garage (The Waterside Tower), or you can try your luck on East 23^rd between 1^st Avenue and FDR Service Road. Onsite parking is available if you are attending boat events and require reservations.

What to Expect When You Visit the Marina?

The Marina offers stunning views of the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty, among other iconic gems. You can stroll, snap amazing photos, or enjoy a gentle breeze from the East River. Or go sailing on a luxury yacht and dance to the hottest hip-hop, reggae, or Latin music.

Share a hookah with other partiers or sip on delicious cocktails when you take a break from the dance floor. Sail around and soak in Manhattan’s unique vibes. If luck is on your side, you might catch a gorgeous sunset, too.

What Else Can You Do When You Visit?

Once you are done exploring the Marina and photographing the Manhattan skyline, you can visit the Empire State Building for a close look at the historical construction. Aside from that, you can also head to the Gramercy neighborhood for an interactive experience at the famous spot where much of the Friends sitcom was shot.

Skyport Marina is also close to many stylish restaurants where you can sample everything from fresh seafood, juicy steaks, and noodles to sushi, pizza, and sandwiches. You can also catch Broadway shows and musical performances.

Skyport Marina is a must-visit for both lifelong Manhattanites and tourists. Its attractive location on the East River and proximity to important landmarks make the Marina ideal for photography sessions, relaxed strolls, and fun events. Moreover, the lavish party cruises here are like nightclubs on water that draw those who love making the most of every moment with fashionable crowds. You can dance till you drop to trending songs. Remember to bring your ID, as yacht parties usually serve liquor.

Event details

#1 Latin & Reggaeton Boat Party NYC

August 2, 2024 23:00

(+15 more dates)

Skyport Marina (2430 FDR Drive, New York, 10010-4046)

From $34.95

Buy tickets

The post Skyport Marina: Visit for Amazing Views and Party Cruises on the East River appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

If you like fried chicken we have something that may, well, ruffle your feathers a bit, because we have a feeling this fried chicken sandwich is probably like nothing you’ve ever seen before. The reason: it’s served with the claw still attached.

The sandwich is being fried up by two Michelin star chef Chris Bleidorn over at Birdbox in Times Square–a fried chicken iteration of San Francisco’s popular restaurant Birdsong.

According to Eater, couple Chris Bleidorn and Aarti Shetty first popularized their chicken sandwich a la claw at Birdsong during the pandemic. Aptly named Claude the Claw, the sandwich, of course, is served on the bun claw and all. It’s certainly photo-worthy, though can be a bit intimidating when thinking about biting into it.

Bleidorn told Eater SF last year, “Everyone sees the claw and takes photos … But this is the thing — you shouldn’t be scared of a sandwich with a claw. You should be scared of a sandwich without a claw.” What Bleidorn means is that, basically, serving the sandwich with the claw still attached proves to eaters that the chickens aren’t cheap and have been humanely raised.

Claude the Claw is a whole fried chicken leg (thigh and drum) served on a potato bun with slaw and pickles. It also comes with their Yeayo sauce, which is made by adding nutritional yeast to mayo. The sandwich costs $19.

Eater writes that though the claw was pretty much inedible, it did have some good flesh at the base. As for the sandwich itself, they write it was juicy, crunchy, delicious, and worth ordering again.

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Beyond Claude the Claw, Birdbox also offers several additional fried chicken sandwiches, such as the Spicy Falcon Chicken Sando and the DeClucks. There’s even a vegetarian version made from hen of the woods mushrooms.

So, if you’re looking to spice up your lunch, Birdbox may just be the place to go. The full menu can be found online here.

245 West 46th Street – inside of Backstage Food Hall

The post This Viral Chicken Sandwich Has Clawed Its Way From San Francisco To NYC–Literally appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Step into a world where meeting your favorite celebrities becomes a stunning reality, thanks to Madame Tussauds in Times Square. Explore over 200 lifelike wax models of famous personalities, celebrities, and historical figures. Strike a pose with Hollywood stars or enjoy interactive experiences blending entertainment with education. From jokes with Jimmy Fallon to adventures with the Ghostbusters and immersive Marvel Universe exhibits, it’s all here at one of the world’s most unique museums.

Background On Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds NYC, a part of the global museum chain, owes its existence to Marie Grosholtz, later Marie Tussaud, a French sculptor who honed her skills under Philippe Curtis, a wax sculptor. When Phillipe passed away in 1794, Marie inherited his two wax collections. In 1802, Marie moved to the UK and established the first Madame Tussaud’s museum on Baker Street in 1835.

The popularity of that museum led to a rapid expansion, including opening branches in different parts of the world. In the US, the first was in Las Vegas in 1999, followed by NYC in 2000. Merlin Entertainment, a UK-based company, runs the museum chain.

Where Is Madame Tussauds NYC And How Do You Get There?

Madame Tussauds is in Times Square, 42nd Street, Midtown Manhattan, between 7th and 8th Avenues.

The subway provides a convenient way to get to the museum. From 42nd Street Station:

• To Times Square: Train lines 1,2,3,7, N, Q, R and S
• To Port Authority: Train lines A, C and E Trains
• To Bryant Park: Train lines B, D, F, and M

If you prefer to travel by bus, there are multiple options.

• To Times Square: Local Bus M6, 7, 10, 16,20, 27 and 104

What To Expect When You Visit

Please note that the museum may become crowded during weekends, school holidays, national holidays, and special exhibits. Getting tickets in advance is an excellent idea to beat the queues.

You may take photographs with all wax figures of music icons such as Travis Baker and actors like Christian Bale or other famous personalities. You can use cameras in all public areas of the museum. However, the press and film crew must contact the museum’s press office.

The themed areas are also quite popular. Music, sports, film, and TV zones are worth mentioning. Also, enjoy immersive experiences such as Marvel Super Heroes 4D, Warner Bros Icons of Horror, and Ghostbusters experience.

Madame Tussauds is wheelchair accessible. Infants, small children in prams or strollers, and service animals are welcome.

If you are carrying large bags and luggage, please arrange to store them before visiting the museum. The Madame Tussauds tour usually takes around an hour and a half.

What Else Can You Do When You Visit?

The show’s stars are the 200 wax sculptures of famous personalities. You can take plenty of photos with:

• Music icons like Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Baker, and more
• Actors like Dwayne Rock, Christian Bale, and Robert Pattison
• TV personalities like Kim Kardashian
• Sociopolitical figures in The Gallery like Maya Angelou, Charlie Chaplin, Mahatma Gandhi, and Albert Einstein
• Athletes like Muhammad Ali, Lionel Messi, Serena Williams and Derek Jeter
• Fictional characters like The Incredible Hulk, King Kong, Spider-Man and Iron Man

You can also experience the thrill of interactive 7D adventure at Madame Tussauds! Battle enemies with laser blasters, or enjoy rides like the “Wheel of Misfortune” Ferris wheel and roller coaster. You can also learn about the creation of wax figures with the exclusive Behind the Scenes Tour—a 30-minute guided experience (photography not allowed).

Afterwards, you can check out some of the following nearby events and venues such as:

• Small-Group Broadway Theater
• Water for Elephants
• Lion King on Broadway
• The Museum of Modern Art
• Empire State Building
• The Edge Observatory

FAQs

When is Madame Tussauds open to the public?

Opening hours are 10 am to 8 pm, though times may vary. Please check the museum website for updated information.

Can I touch the wax figures and click photographs?

Yes, you can. Also, you can take as many photos as you wish.

Are guests allowed to eat in the museum?

Visitors are not permitted to eat or drink inside.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the museum is wheelchair-accessible.

Discover Madame Tussauds, a museum where the world’s most famous faces come to life in stunning detail. Nestled in the heart of NYC, this museum will allow you to strike a pose with your favorites. You can share the stage with pop stars like Beyoncé or play your part in a Broadway experience.

There is something for everyone, from thrilling adventures with interactive 7D experiences to themed zones celebrating pop culture phenomena. For exclusive know-how on creating these wax figures, you can enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. Perfect for families and solo explorers, Madame Tussauds offers a blend of education and entertainment that transcends generations.

Prepare for a fun-packed day when you tour the museum and other events and venues nearby. A visit to Madame Tussauds will be an unforgettable experience, leaving you starry-eyed, quite literally, and igniting your imagination like never before.

The post Madame Tussauds: A First-Timer’s Guide To The World-Famous Museum appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

City officials announced plans concerning the future of outdoor dining setups across the city back in February and, this weekend, things will start to look different. 

New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez reminded all parties involved that the deadline to apply for the new Dining Out NYC program, which will allow applicants to continue offering outdoor dining albeit in a different manner, is this Saturday, August 3.

Those who choose not to apply will have to remove their current outdoor setups. Failure to comply to the rules will result in a $500 fine for the first offense and a $1,000 penalty for each subsequent one until the shed is removed. But let’s get things straight: outdoor dining is not going anywhere, it’s just about to look slightly different—more uniform and regulated.

“Outdoor dining enriches our communities, and we’re excited to make it a permanent feature of New York City streets,” Rodriguez said in an official statement. “Our new outdoor dining program is the largest and best in America, and I encourage all interested restaurants to apply.”

Basically, the city is trying to universalize the way these outdoor sheds look, following a free-for-all-like period during the pandemic when each restaurant got to set up its own version of open-air seating arrangement.

“The program preserves what New Yorkers have come to enjoy about outdoor dining while addressing important quality of life issues that will make outdoor dining more accessible, safe, and inviting,” reads an official press release. 

The new program includes two options, which eateries can sign up for separately or in conjunction. Roadway dining—those sheds in the middle of the street that have become part and parcel of the city’s urban layout—will be a seasonal endeavor between April 1 and November 29 yearly. Sidewalk cafes, on the other hand, will be permitted all year round.

There are a lot of guidelines governing each option, and this official website breaks it all down for restaurant owners in particular.

Last year, NYC unveiled four new approved designs, showcasing them to both media and industry folk in preparation for this weekend’s official “turnover.” Let’s see how many of our favorite restaurants will start looking slightly different.

* This article was originally published here

Didn’t make it to Paris this year for the Olympics? Don’t worry, we didn’t either. But luckily, we’re documenting all things 2024 Paris Olympics at Time Out, from our thoughts on the opening ceremony and top match-ups of the day to the best spots to watch the games around New York. Joining in on the fun, restaurants are showcasing Parisian-inspired specialties from cocktails that deserve a medal to classic French cuisine straight from the homeland. Here are a few spots around the city to get into the spirit.

RECOMMENDED: The 10 best French restaurants in NYC

La Grande Boucherie

In celebration of the Olympics, the sophisticated brasserie has launched a limited-time prix-fixe menu from now until the end of August. Translating to “summer in France,” the L’été en France menu includes three courses priced at $58. We recommend starting with the tuna tartare with slivers of grapefruit and steamed mussels cooked in a buttery rich white wine sauce. As for the choice of dessert, you can’t go wrong with any of their offerings, including a scoop of ice cream or sorbet or a slice of Basque cheesecake. But to really escape from the city, reserve a spot at the restaurant’s stunning patio, decorated with greenery and hanging lights that will take you straight to the heart of Paris.

L’Avenue at Saks

Tucked away inside the flagship location of Saks, the two-story art deco getaway, L’Avenue at Saks, has whipped up a few specials just for the games. The bar features “Five Rings” cocktails ranging from the savory Bronze cocktail (Worthy Park 109, bourbon and house pickle brine) to the Gold with St George terroir gin, Krug liqueur and olives. To feel like an award winner, take to The Terrace and practice our acceptance speech while overlooking 5th Avenue.

Dante

One of New York’s best bars is serving up two bubbly cocktails sure to raise your spirits. The Hugo Spritz—an Italian cousin to the Aperol spritz—is an herbaceous sipper classically made with St-Germain, lime and mint. Dante’s spin on the classic cocktail stirs in fresh cucumber and lime juice, made effervescent with a splash of prosecco and Perrier. Meanwhile the Rockmelon 75 Citadelle riffs off the French 75 with Citadelle Jardin D’été, Pierre Ferrand yuzu curaçao, melon aperitif, toasted rice, yuzu, cantaloupe and Chandon 18.

Give Back: Chef-Driven Restaurant Group

The Chef Driven Hospitality Group is behind a few of New York’s favorite eateries, from Alsatian restaurant Cafe d’Alsace to the Mediterranean cuisine at Dagon. From now until August 11, the hospitality group will be giving back to the community in honor of the games. All of its 16 restaurants will feature a special cocktail, L’Abeille ’75’, crafted with Ford’s gin, local honey, thyme and bubbly. One dollar from each cocktail sold with will be donated to The Sports Creative, a children’s charity that runs worldwide programs designed to enhance the lives of underprivileged children.

* This article was originally published here