Given that the most famous elephant in popular culture is named Dumbo, it’s only fair for one of the year’s most magical pachyderm-related events to take place across the eponymous Brooklyn neighborhood.

On May 31 at both 5pm and 7pm, the annual Dumbo Drop, when thousands of tiny toy elephants quite literally parachute down from the sky onto Washington Street, is set to delight all attendees.

Super entertaining and visually striking, the event also benefits a good cause: ticket sales support Dumbo’s Title 1 public schools—PS307 Elementary School and the Dock Street Middle School.

Folks can snag the $15-$25 passes to each drop right here (remember that anyone who is two years old and up needs a ticket to see the flying elephants).

Each ticket guarantees you a spot on the block of Washington Street between Front and Water Streets, where the event takes place, plus a souvenir elephant to take home and an automatic entry into that drop’s prize drawing. Speaking of prizes, they include: a two-night stay at 1Hotel Brooklyn Bridge with dinner at the Osprey, a $500 area shopping spree, tabs at Joe Coffee and Gair, and much more. 

If you don’t mind skipping the main event but still want to somehow participate in the festivities, just show up by the Dumbo Archway between 3:30pm and 6:30pm for a fun block party where a ton of free activities for kids will take place next to a beer garden run by the Brooklyn Flea and, of course, a delicious-looking restaurant row.

It’s sure to be a wonderful, fun day—despite (or because of?) the falling elephants.

* This article was originally published here

All aboard!

Brilliant Lady, the fourth and final ship in Virgin Voyages‘ current fleet, will officially set sail from NYC in September of 2025, embarking on a cross-country sea trip that will stop in Boston, Charleston, Eastport, Bermuda and Quebec City, among other destinations. 

In addition to the exciting travel plans, passengers will get to revel in the cruise line’s signature luxury: think red balcony hammocks, high-end wellness spaces overlooking the ocean and over twenty award-winning eateries that cover all sorts of cuisines, from Mexican to Italian, Korean and more.

“Virgin fans have been asking for years if we’d consider sailing from places like New York, Los Angeles or Alaska, so it’s wonderful to give our Sailors and First Mates what they wanted: fresh itineraries spanning North America from 5-14 nights in length with new experiences that they will remember forever,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO at Virgin Voyages, in an official statement. “As the fourth and final ship in our fleet for now, Brilliant Lady will not disappoint.”

Just like the other ships that are part of the fleet, Brilliant Lady will feature the image of a mermaid on its facade, this one an entirely novel design by Toronto-based illustrator Janice Sung that was inspired by, according to an official press release, “historic Renaissance paintings as well as traditional Japanese and Chinese art, fashion and beauty.”

In addition to the inaugural trip kicking off in New York, the ship will embark on a wide range of other voyages, as the above-mentioned statement makes clear. These include a 7-12 night route from Miami, a longer one across the Panama Canal Crossing, another option from Los Angeles, plus Seattle, Alaska and more. 

We’re always itching for a long vacation but, suddenly, the ocean is calling out our name.

* This article was originally published here

We’ll take any rooftop bar in NYC when the weather starts turning in our favor, but we’re especially partial to the ones that are basically secret gardens in the middle of the concrete jungle. Scenic case in point: Gallow Green, the verdant sanctuary set atop The McKittrick Hotel in Chelsea (530 West 27th Street), which will be returning for the summer season on Thursday, May 9. 

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Alas, spring did see the end of The McKittrick’s iconic, long-running Sleep No More series, but the relaunch of the hotel’s rooftop garden bar and restaurant is enough to put a smile back on our faces. The indoor-outdoor venue is filled with fresh flowers, hanging vines and other greenery designed especially for the space by Jen Stone of Stonekelly Events & Florals.

And the cocktail menu has also been given a springtime spruce-up with drinks like the “Sleep No More” (pea flower-infused vodka, elderflower, and rosé cider), the “Gallow Green” (tequila, cucumber, fennel and kale agua fresca, and fresh lemon), and the “Summer Coven” (mezcal, mango puree, ancho reyes and lime). A selection of wine by the glass or bottle, local beers, and seasonal ciders are also available.

To complement the drinks, executive chef Pascal Le Seac’h (an alum of New York’s Balthazar, Pastis and Daniel) will lead the food menu and will be whipping up globally inspired and shareable bites, like raw oysters, grilled salmon, a classic cheeseburger and more.

And along with being one of the lushest rooftop bars in the city, Gallow Green will also host special events throughout the season, including family-friendly Potions & Planting tea parties on select weekends. Reservations are now open, with hours of operation set at Sunday through Thursday from 5:30pm until midnight, and Fridays and Saturdays from 5:3pm until 1am. 

Check out photos of some of Gallow Green’s food-and-drink offerings, and those garden-fresh digs, below: 

* This article was originally published here