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Before NYC turns into a kaleidoscope of red, orange and yellow, Upstate New York offers the earliest views of fall foliage—with some areas even reaching peak right now! Though hiking beautiful trails or booking an autumn getaway is a great way to see the changing of the leaves, have you ever considered what they might look like from the sky?

Scenic SkyRide, Kaatskill Flyer, takes thrill seekers and leaf peepers to the summit of Hunter Mountain more than 3,000 feet in the air. Not only can riders take in the breathtaking fall foliage over the Catskills, but sights can stretch as far as the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts and the Green Mountains in Vermont on a clear day.

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Hunter Mountain skyride fits up to six passengers per chair. Operating like a ski lift, passengers will need to get seated as the chair approaches and a safety bar will be lowered. The entire duration of the Scenic SkyRide comes to approximately 22 minutes round-trip. Sometimes the SkyRide will make stops which gives riders the perfect opportunity to take in the surrounding beauty.

Upon arriving at the summit of Hunter Mountain, visitors have the chance to explore even further with a hike to the highest fire tower in New York State, reaching 4,040 feet in the air.

The Scenic SkyRide is only available on Saturdays & Sundays between September 7 – October 13. Adult tickets start at $27

Plus, while you’re making a trip Upstate, you might as well check out other incredible things to do in the Catskills, like a fall foliage ride across historic railroad tracks or book a stay at this Scandinavian-inspired hygge destination.

Hunter Mountain is only a 2 hour and 30 minute drive from NYC.

64 Klein Ave, Hunter, NY

The post This Gorgeous Gondola Less Than 3 Hours From NYC Floats You Over NY’s Best Fall Foliage appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

We’re officially out of summer and if you’re looking to fully lean into the eerie, spooky vibes of October, then you can’t miss a new family-friendly exhibit that is coming to the Rockefeller Center next week.

From Saturday, October 12, until November 12, “Sleep Hollow: Autumn’s Harvest” is bringing a multi-sensory experience like no other to a trippy, 13,000-square-foot space under one of the most iconic buildings in the city. 

RECOMMENDED: See the Sistine Chapel up close and personal in NYC

The experience is based on the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. If you’re not familiar, the story takes place in a sleepy Dutch town in the 1790s, where a superstitious school master named Ichabod Crane encounters a Headless Horseman. The horseman chases Crane and throws his pumpkin head on him, making him disappear. Although the story is not exactly horrifying by today’s standards, it’s a classic that has been interpreted in countless ways throughout the centuries. 

The experience at Rockefeller Center starts at the Sleepy Hollow Harvest, where you’ll encounter freshly pressed apple cider and characters from the Headless Horseman tale. Then, you’ll make your way through the Hollows and the cornfield before you arrive at Ichabod’s Enchanted Grove. The journey winds through a few more experiences before ending at the Jack O’Lantern Atelier, where you can carve and decorate your own pumpkin to take home. 

The interactive event is meant to be engaging to all ages, so even if you don’t have any children to bring, you’ll still probably have a great time (especially if you go during happy hour). Throughout the exhibit’s duration, there will be plenty of special events: Every Saturday from 11am until 3pm, there will be a Seedling Harvest Party involving costume competitions and face painting. On Wednesdays at 7pm, you’ll be able to watch Halloween classics like Ghostbusters at Sleepy Hollow, and on Fridays from 5pm-8pm, you can sip on spiked potions and brews at The Witch’s Hearth bar. 

The exhibit will be open from 12pm until 8pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; 11am to 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays; and will be closed on Tuesdays. 

Tickets range from $34-$44 per person. You can plan your visit on their website here. 

* This article was originally published here

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is getting a new home on the Upper West Side in 2028, and the creative hub will be nothing short of spectacular for the young and young at heart.

NYC’s ultimate kids museum will soon venture to 361 Central Park West, where it’ll allow for sweeping views of the city’s most iconic attraction. An abandoned 80,000-square-foot church with a barrel-vaulted sanctuary and towering windows will house exhibits, immersive experiences, and plenty of opportunities for learning.

“This historic structure will be transformed into a dynamic seven-story magical castle on the park for all our City’s children, as CMOM invests in setting every child up to thrive,” Chief Exective Officer and Museum Director, Dava Schub, said in a statement.

See inside CMOM’s new home

Now that the $300 million campaign has entered its final stages, New Yorkers are getting a sneak peek into the reimagined space courtesy of colorful renderings of the space. CMOM was already one of the best things to do with kids in NYC, but once this new location is up and running, we can’t imagine how families could possibly refuse a visit.

Architects FXCollaborative and exhibit designers THG Creative have outdone themselves with a seven-story play zone. It includes, but is not limited to the immersive technological exhibit, Wide Wild World; 22-foot-high ceiling in the Great Hall, which invites kiddos to play and create; and a multi-level STEAM lab. Is it frowned upon if adults join the party, too?

“This state-of-the-art new home will mark a new chapter for the museum and give them the capacity to engage more young people from across the city with the incredible benefits of the arts,” said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo.

To celebrate this exciting milestone in the project, museum admission is free on October 5th and 6th in its original location: 212 W 83rd St. Visit the CMOM website to learn more about its impending new home.

The post The New Children’s Museum Of Manhattan’s Seven-Story Space Is A ‘Magical Castle’ appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

In addition to publishing their 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards for the best big cities in the world—where NYC received a very inaccurate ranking in our opinion—Conde Nast Traveler also released one for the best hotels in the world.

Yet, after 575,048 votes cast in the 37th annual report, none of the 50 best hotels in the world were in NYC. We’re starting to think these readers have something against our city…

NYC is home to more than 600 hotels across its five boroughs, with iconic establishments ranging from St. Regis to the Waldorf Astoria. Hotels across NYC have served as a backdrop to many fan-favorite shows and movies from Gossip Girl to The Godfather. Yet, not even The Plaza Hotel made it on the world’s best hotels list.

Instead, The Lodge at Bodega Bay in California won first place, claiming the title for the fifth time. Apparently, this hotel features everything from a fireside lounge with views of the Pacific Ocean to in-room jacuzzi accommodations. A night here will cost you around $600, according to Expedia.

The Weston in Vermont however, which hails from the same family behind New York’s Gramercy Park Hotel and The Carlyle, received a spot on the list at number 22. Located a four hour drive from NYC, this hotel was formerly known as the Inn at Weston. It’s highlights remain the property’s spa and “personal atmosphere.”

The report did make mention of one NYC’s hotels, stating “[readers] favorite hotel in the five boroughs is the two-year-old Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad.” Yet, only the Georgetown, Melbourne, Kyoto, and Doha Rtiz-Carlton made the list.

But pay the rankings no mind, we know a hotel stay in NYC is nothing short of magical. However, if you’re a local planning to spend a little escape outside of the city, we recommend you visit any of these unique, nearby Airbnbs.

The post NYC Snubbed In Most Recent ‘World’s Best Hotels’ List appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

You’ve seen her eat, sleep, and bite the occasional knee; Moo Deng is the world’s latest internet icon, creating a handful of hilarious memes with her sassy nature by the day. And though making a trip out to Thailand to see her might be a little difficult to pull off, you can keep up to date on her latest adventures with a 24/7 livestream.

The two-month old pygmy hippo stole the hearts of many with her daily dramatics and slippery self. Moo Deng, roughly translated to “pork patty” or “bouncy pig,” was born at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand‘s Chon Buri province.

Pygmy hippos have a life expectancy around 30-50 years. Sadly, there are only around 2,000-2,500 pygmy hippos left in the world—Moo Deng, and her parents Jona (25 years old) and Tony (24 years old) included. The endangered species joined the IUCN Red List in 2015.

Moo Deng’s stardom continues to rise, as everyone can either laugh or relate to the baby’s behavior. She’s been the face of many memes, SNL skits, and even inspired makeup looks.

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One particular fan went as far to travel 18 hours to see Moo Deng in person, documenting her journey via TikTok. In fact, Khao Kheow Open Zoo has seen its usual visitor traffic double on the weekends, jumping from 3,000 visitors to anywhere from 6,000-7,000 now.

And if you’re curious what we’ll be asking for this holiday season, it’ll be a trip to Thailand so we can visit Moo Deng too! Yes, we want a hippopotamus for Christmas, and only a hippopotamus will do—plus, we heard the weather’s supposed to be lovely in December.

But if you don’t have the ability to jump on a plane and get over to Khao Kheow Open Zoo, you can keep up on her latest antics around the clock with a 24/7 livestream on Zoodio. Though the last time we checked the webcam of our pudgy princess was fast asleep, we know she’ll soon awaken and return to her usual affairs.

Speaking of animals, have you ever wondered what the New York State animal is? Trust us, you’ll never guess!

The post You Can Watch All Of Moo Deng’s Sassy Adventures With A 24/7 Livestream appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here