Mesmerizing Photos of New York City at Night

By Go City Expert

New York City is beautiful from every angle, in any season and during all times of the day. There is something special, however, about the Big Apple at night. The sparkling lights and glowing streets organized in a perfect grid make the city look like a stunning neon peg board. A group of photographers set out to take the most stunning pictures of New York City at night from the cockpit of a Liberty Helicopter. The photographs originally appeared in Storehouse. [caption id="attachment_713" align="aligncenter" width="1316"]

Aerial View of Downtown Manhattan[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_714" align="aligncenter" width="1316"]

Times Square Glowing in the Dark[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_715" align="aligncenter" width="1316"]

Times Square and Madison Square Garden[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_716" align="aligncenter" width="585"]

One World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_717" align="aligncenter" width="1316"]

Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge from Above[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_718" align="aligncenter" width="1316"]

Midtown and Times Square[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_719" align="aligncenter" width="1316"]

Close-up of Times Square Glowing at Night[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_720" align="aligncenter" width="1316"]

Downtown View[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] [caption id="attachment_721" align="aligncenter" width="1316"]

Aerial New York City at Night[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] If you want to experience New York City from above and take in the most magnificent views of its iconic buildings and landmarks, you can take a tour with Liberty Helicopter and receive 15% off with your New York Pass. If you have taken a helicopter tour in New York City, please share your impressions in comments and post your photos on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with hashtag #newyorkpass or #nypassmoments.

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The Best Things To Do In NYC On Father’s Day

Picture the scene: it’s Sunday morning. You wake up and take a shower. Midway through your breakfast you get a calendar notification. Your heart sinks. It’s Father’s Day. And you forgot. Images of your dad sitting at home, staring blankly at the TV as a single tear rolls down his face fill your mind. You are a terrible child. How could you? The only day dedicated to dads in the whole year and you forgot. Never fear, we’re here to make sure you save Father’s Day, and become the hero your dad knows you are. Here are the best things to do in NYC. The Father’s Day Experience Guide COPY CODE Deno’s Wonder Wheel The Crown Jewel of Coney Island’s famous boardwalk, Deno’s Wonder Wheel has been around nearly as long as your dad has, and when you go, definitely make that observation. He will love it. At the very top, you can savor a view of the city, as well as the Atlantic Ocean. And when you’re done, there are plenty more amusements to amuse him with, and places to eat and drink too. The Empire State Building Why not take Dad to one of New York’s most famous landmarks, and head up to the observation deck of the Empire State Building? It’s one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, so it’s the perfect place to show your dad that he’s the wonder of your world. The most breath-taking views of New York, and on a clear day, you can even see as far out as Pennsylvania! Central Park Bike Tour If your dad’s getting a bit thick around the waist, why not help getting him into shape with an exhilarating bike tour around Central Park? You can book a 2 hour guided bike tour to discover the park’s highlights, or simply challenge him to a race to prove the student has become the master. And don’t worry, if he tries to weasel out of it because he doesn’t have a bike, there are lots of places to rent them. Let nothing get between you and a victory you’ll never forget. The Guggenheim Museum One of the world’s most revered modern art galleries, and an architectural masterpiece, the Guggenheim is a great place to take dads who appreciate a bit of culture. Make your way up the grand spiral designed by Frank Lloyd Wright back in the 50’s, and ponder some of the most interesting paintings and collections our species has ever created. Don’t forget to check out their new ‘Artistic Licence’ exhibit. Museum Of Modern Art Dads who pretend to understand art will also love the Museum of Modern Art, a huge collection of over 200,000 works spanning painting, architecture, film and photography. Once you’re through agreeing with your dad’s preposterous interpretations of the exhibits, you can take a moment to reflect in the peaceful Museum gardens. Film Forum Does your dad fancy himself a bit of a cinephile? Why not take him to New York’s premier independent movie theater – Film Forum. See some of the best films doing the rounds on the award circuit, as well as older foreign pictures and classic cinematic favorites. See if he knows the difference between his Kubricks and his Kurosawas. Food On Foot Tours Give Dad a guilt-free trip through New York’s cultural cuisine with a Food On Foot tour. Sample authentic favorites from some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, and since you’ll be walking everywhere, you needn’t worry about his beer belly getting any bigger. Peter Luger Steakhouse Vegans can skip right past this one. But nothing says “I love you Dad now be quiet and eat that steak” quite like the Peter Luger Steakhouse. A New York institution since 1887, prepare to loosen your belts and gorge on some of the best beef around. There’s burgers, steaks, and every combination in-between. Or if you’re both feeling brave, try and overcome their 44 ounce ‘Porterhouse for Two’. Good luck! City Winery Tour If music, food, and wine are up your dad’s alley, you can’t do much better than City Winery. Indulge your senses with top-end culinary and cultural experiences, while tasting some of the finest wines around, courtesy of your very own wine expert. Definitely one of the best things to do in NYC on Father’s Day. Yankee Stadium Tour Experience some of baseball’s best history with a tour of Yankee Stadium. The 27-time World Series Champions have a huge amount of history to discover. One of their experienced tour guides will show you around, and tell you about the various events that have taken place throughout the stadium. This isn’t just for Yankees fans, but for all baseball enthusiast dads. The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club If you’re looking for a bit of activity, why not challenge your dad to a game of shuffleboard at Brooklyn’s Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club? Good for experienced players and newbies alike. It’s a great place to sink a few drinks and play a few rounds. There are just some of the best things to do in NYC on Father’s Day. Are there any we missed? Let us know on our Facebook page.
Dom Bewley
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Mountain Bike Trails & Bike Trails Near You

More riders are hitting the mountain bike trails, bike trails and cycle paths than ever. Fact. Which is why World Bicycle Day is the perfect day to get on your bike and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you. But where should you go if you're looking for mountain bike trails and bike trails that stray from the beaten path? If you live in a major city like London, New York, or Paris, you may want to head out of the urban sprawl to one of these top tier bike trails. Get on your bike - bike trails Sunrise Ride at Grand Army Plaza - US Yes, you can take this ride at any time of the day, but it truly becomes something spectacular if you're there at sunrise. The trail begins in Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, right at the northern tip of Prospect Park, passing Fort Tilden. You'll take this to Bedford Avenue and will ride through some of the most beautiful and often under-experienced neighborhoods in all of Brooklyn. Along the way you'll pass Brooklyn College and arrive at Sheepshead Bay. If you time it right, you'll be able to see the morning boats departing the dock. Riding over Jamaican Bay in the morning is beautiful and there's a cooling breeze. This ride is longer at 27 miles, but it's not hilly and always a pretty comfortable ride. Plus, it isn't as busy as some of the other trails and parks throughout New York, which gives you the sunrise almost all to yourself. Ocean Parkway Ocean Parkway makes the list of top bike tours in New York City because it was the first actual bike path in the entire United States. Created in 1894, it is seven miles long and travels down Ocean Parkway, beginning (again) at Prospect Park and heading out to Coney Island Beach. This path is away from pedestrians and a shorter route. Plus, it ends at Coney Island, so make sure to stop off for a hot dog or a ride. Either way, it's a great way of taking in some American history while getting fit. Tamsin Trail When you're in London and want a leisurely ride, The Tamsin Trail is perfect as it is 12km that has plenty of built-in stops. There are also a ton of ice cream shops, making it perfect for a summer cycle. The Tamsin Trail is London's largest royal park, so you'll be riding through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in London. Of course, if this path is too easy you can always hop off and take the National Cycle Route 4's hill climb. This will really work your legs and is one of the most recognized bike paths in all of London. Westminster Bridge to Box Hill This is a longer path of 42km. It's also more of a challenge, so only tackle this bike path if you've been riding road bikes for a while now. In fact, the "Zig Zag Road" portion of the path was part of the 2012 Olympic road cycling route. Taking this longer trail also brings some incredible views with it. The trail heads out of London along Richmond Park. Now, you can take the hill, but with this path there's no need to. You'll hit plenty of hills during the path and it's best to not blow your energy all at the beginning. Beyond Richmond Park you'll pass Hampton Court Palace and ride into Surrey. When you hit Box Hill you'll climb 120 meters over about the next 2 kilometers. You may want to stop at the base of Box Hill and grab some refreshments at National Trust Cafe. Plus it's just a nice little spot to relax a bit. Stalingrad to Bois de Vincennes There's plenty of fantastic bicycle paths in and around Paris, so you'll have your pick. However, one of the best is Stalingrad to Bois de Vincennes. You'll start off at Canal Saint-Martin and head past Bastille as you take a left just after Opera Bastille. You'll take this until you hit Viaduc de Arts. You will need to carry your bike up the Promenade Plantee stairs, which gives you a fantastic view from the overpass. You'll then take your bike and finish at Bois de Vincennes. Thankfully, there will be plenty of chocolate shops along the way if you're feeling like rewarding yourself for this bike ride. More and more people are taking to the saddle every year.Ride every mountain - mountain bike trails Jura Mountains - France The Jura Mountains, with its cool green pine forests, secret landscapes and immutable topography. It's the perfect place to get your adrenaline and your Zen, all in one go. The well-marked and maintained routes feature challenging and varied terrain to suit all levels. Find flatter terrain further south if you're a fledgling rider. Follow the trail out of the trees, to the Grande Traversée du Jura to enjoy stunning meadow-scapes, or if technical difficulty is your thing, the northern section skirts the Doubs gorge. Epping Forest - UK Just outside of London, Epping Forest is known for its varied and, let's be honest, muddy, mountain bike trails. The route is 95 per cent off-road and 90 per cent singletrack. The highest point is located at Pole Hill, at 91 metres. But be wary: navigation can be difficult due to the trail being largely unmapped. But you’ll never be far from a road or a landmark. The trail is never more than 4km wide and 19km long. Epping Forest is near several car parks located at the edge of the woods. Look out for the free weekend parking on the residential streets. Lippman Park - US A proud community asset to the Town of Wawarsing with a name that means "where the stream bends". Lippman Park is a well-maintained mountain bike trail for intermediate to advanced riders, with a singletrack of 14 miles and 301 ft elevation. This beautiful area features a park that plays host to both open and woodland areas, so be sure to stop off to relax once you're done. And look out for the brewery near the park's entrance. These are just some of the few bike tours to consider for World Bicycle Day if you live in London, New York or Paris. Don't fancy leaving the city? No problem. Celebrate World Bicycle Day by taking a Central Park Sightseeing Bike Tour! That and a number of other top London attractions are free with The New York Pass.
Suz Pathmanathan
rain nyc
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Things to do in New York When it Rains

Rain; the burden of humanity. For millennia we've built roofs to keep it out, and created devices to keep it from touching our delicate skin. While you may be tempted to stay in when the heavens open, why let an entire weekend go to waste? Get out there and see what things there are to do in New York when it rains. Don't worry about the research; we did all that for you. Simply scroll down and learn all about the best things to do in New York when it rains! Including: American Museum of Natural History Madame Tussauds New York & MARVEL Universe 4D New York's amazing art museums Escape Virtuality Area 53 and more! Image courtesy of Mykolastock/Shutterstock Get historical, naturally What better way to dodge mother nature's shower than dipping into a museum? New York's full of the beauties, but we'd recommend the American Museum of Natural History. Why? Well, because it has freaking dinosaurs. What else do you need? The site of the famous Night at the Museum movies, inside you'll find one of the biggest collections of dinosaur bones on the planet. But of course, there's much more than just that. How does a 94-foot whale model sound? Equal parts awe-inspiring and terrifying? Absolutely. How about a giant, 2000-year-old sequoia tree? Brilliant. Why not top things off with a 563-carat sapphire named the 'Star of India'? Yes. All that and much more awaits you in one of the world's premier museums. So why wait? Easily one of the best things to do in New York when it rains. Image courtesy of Alina Zamogilnykh/Shutterstock Rub waxy shoulders with the stars Hollywood has become somewhat synonymous with plastic surgery. The ever-evolving need to reach perfection has resulted in generations of body augmentation. But if you think Hollywood is plastic, wait till you get a glimpse of the static stars at Madame Tussauds! Everyone's favorite fame celebration is here, letting you snap photos with all the stars. And best of all, there won't be a streak of blur in sight! Throw gang signs with Donald Trump, hop on E.T.'s bike without his permission, and mingle with other people who do acting! And, for you superhero fans out there, you can also attend Marvel Universe 4D, an immersive cinema experience that brings your favorite spandex-wearing heroes to life. And best of all, it's all inside! If it wasn't, would the famous people melt? Who knows? Get some much needed culture in you Speaking of ducking the rain, why not fill your mind while doing it? We're talking art, ladies and gentlemen, and New York's got more art museums than you can shake a brush at. Let's start with the Museum of Modern Art — or 'MoMA', because you've got to love an acronym in this day and age. It's one of the most influential modern art museums in the world, with a fantastic collection of contemporary pieces housed within its delightful walls. See the likes of van Gogh's 'Starry Night', and Warhol's 'Soup Cans' up close. And take photos aplenty, of course. Or, go check out the famous Guggenheim, another brilliant collection of works from artists around the world. With big hitters like Picasso, Manet, Cézanne, Gauguin, and Renoir on show, you're bound to find something inspirational within its beautifully-designed walls. Or, for more modern art from more alive artists, go hide in the Whitney Museum of American Art. Focusing on active artists from the US, it helps ensure the American art scene survives and thrives throughout the years. And who knows, maybe you'll discover the next big thing there, or find your new favorite artist? Whichever you decide to go to, having your mind blown at one of New York's art museums is definitely one of the best things to do when it rains in the city. Reality, but virtually better What better way to avoid the reality of a rainy day in New York than to escape our reality completely? Discover new, exciting realities via a funky headset at Escape Virtuality - NYC's biggest and best virtual reality fun house! Challenge a friend, or a stranger, to a myriad of sports, activities, and other immersive experiences. Glide down a mountain on skis, or run from monsters in a haunted house. Climb a sheer cliff, jump out of a plane, or hop behind the wheel of a souped-up racecar. Let your imagination come to life, thanks to the movement replication of Escape Virtuality's ergonomic setup. Feel every hill, every fall, and every turn. It really has to be seen to be believed, so go and get your mind blown on the next rainy day! Area 51-adjacent Sometimes, the thrill of outdoor adventure is too good to pass up. We all have to get extreme sometimes, right? But if you're averse to a little downpour, you needn't throw cold water over the idea. Instead, head to Area 53 - New York's funner, safer alternative to Nevada's secret UFO base. Whether you're with friends, family, or planning a date, Area 53 has a wealth of fun activities on offer. Take your chances on the ninja course, try and escape the laser maze, bomb it down slides, or go head-to-head in the Battle Beam arena (think laser tag meets foam party). All that and much more awaits you at Area 53. Oh, and if you're looking for some kid-free fun, they also host over 21s nights with no rascals and sight, and a packed bar to boot. Secret drinks Let's round off our list of the best things to do in New York when it rains with a more refreshing downpour. We're talking bars, but not just any bars. Nope, today let's talk about secret speakeasies. Like many big cities these days, New York has seen the recent craze of faux-speakeasy slash cocktail bars hit its shores. So why not duck out of the rain and dive into a drink or three? La Noxe is one such place, and you'll find it tucked inside the 28th street subway station. Along with its rather diverse and affordable cocktail menu, you'll find a delightfully low-key ambiance, tapas bites, and smooth tunes in the background. Or, head to The Little Shop in Lower Manhattan. On first glance, it looks like your average convenience store, with snacks, household items, and other necessities on offer. However, head to the back, and you'll make your way into a secret speakeasy with a brilliant drinks menu. Your discovery will be the talk of the water cooler come Monday. And finally, pop into Attaboy, snuggled secretly into an often-overlooked part of Eldridge Street. This little speakeasy even has merch if you want to represent, and a patio - when the weather clears up. And that's our list of the best things to do in New York when it rains!
Dom Bewley

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