Ho! Ho! Ho! Finding Christmas Spirit in NYC!

The holidays are a magical time of year in the city that never sleeps. From decorated storefronts to massive art installations, there are plenty of visuals to help spread the holiday cheer in New York City. Whether your thing is to watch a Christmas show or grab the best hot chocolate in the city, there is literally something for everyone. I have some routine sites that I make it a point to visit every year to help me find my holiday cheer and I’d love it if you all tagged along this year! 

5. Gingerbread House Boulevard in Madison Square Park: I love going to see these life size edible treats. A newer installation in the city but fun for the whole family! 

4. Bryant Park skating rink: I love this rink because it’s centrally located in midtown Manhattan and despite being closer to Time Square, it’s usually a bit less crowded than it’s Rockefeller Center counterpart. Go to skate, or just sit at the café and enjoy a winter cocktail! 

3. A stroll up Avenue of the Americas: I always enjoy the walk up 6th between 47th and 50th street because they put up giant Christmas installations at this time of year. It’s the same art every year, but that just makes it a bit more nostalgic to me. My walk ends at Radio City Music Hall where you can feel the energy from the Christmas Spectacular show radiating from the building all season long!

2. Rockefeller Center: I always end my Christmas walk at Rockefeller Center. It’s not Christmas until you stop to see the famous Christmas tree at the Rock! Beautifully decorated every year, this tree serves as the community tree for those who may or may not have one at home. A big piece of Christmas cheer for everyone to enjoy and a prime photo opt for anyone looking to add some Xmas spirit to their Instagram feed! 

1. A little cup of heaven from Mr Chocolate himself! My last stop is not an attraction but a treat! I always end my Christmas tour with one of the best cups of hot chocolate I’ve had to date from Jacques Torres! If you haven’t had it before, do yourself and your taste buds a favor and get there, stat! The hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies are to die for here and I guarantee by the time you finish them you’ll feel the full potential of your Christmas cheer! 

Harlem Shake: No, Not The Dance... The Diner!

After years of passing by Harlem Shake in central Harlem, a good friend of mine finally got me in there. It was time to see if the afro-centric 50’s style diner on the corner of 124th and Lenox was as cool as I heard it was... 

I could already tell by the 90’s throw back hip hop playing as we walked up that I was going to like this spot. The walls inside the shop were covered with portraits of celebrity supporters. The bathroom walls wrapped in vintage covers of Jet Magazine’s past. A giant portrait of the reigning Miss Harlem Shake, glistening from afro to platforms stood in life size over the indoor dining area. Apparently it’s a pageant they hold in the community every year. This place was getting cooler by the second!

I got the “hot mess” turkey burger with truffle fries as a suggestion from our cashier. My friend got his usual favorite, the jerk chicken burger with fries. After hearing it was my first time they ended up giving us an extra combo order just for me to try! This place just kept racking up the points! 

The staff was super friendly, the crowd was diverse, the music was jam worthy and most importantly, the EAT was delish! Harlem locals to Euro tourists, this is a chill spot that everyone can visit to soak up some good vibes. Kudos to Harlem Shake for being more than just a burger joint. For preserving a piece of Harlem and giving it back to the community. This 50’s style diner got it right; they’re integrated and cool! 

Attention Fellow Weirdos! It's Comic-Con Time!

Calling all geeks, creatives, loners and fanboys! It’s that time of year where people from all different walks of life are united by a single quest of belonging. A family reunion of sorts for those who may not have always fit in or chose to beat to the rhythm of their own drum. A homecoming for awesome, but sometimes awkward individuals. What is it I’m talking about you say? I’m talking about that wonderfully colorful, super-creative, nerd oasis of a sanctum we call, Comic-Con! 

I just had my first experience with this world wide phenom and it made me question why it took me so long to explore! This four day long festival that takes over the Javitz Center in New York City literally has something for everyone! Whether you’re a comic nerd, a movie buff, a gamer or a cosplayer, there was an overwhelming feeling of unity that brought everyone together as Comic-Con goers. It was a zero judgment zone of acceptance and respect for anyone’s unique point of view. You had strangers bonding over common interests and families bonding through shared experience. Nothing but positive vibes in the venue for this one. Also, the photos! The photos were my favorite part! So much creativity to capture! I can’t wait to apply my new found knowledge to next year when I’ll no longer be a novice. Thank you for existing, Comic-Con! My new home away from home!

"I always say a pig on the grill is worth two in the mud!" My Big Apple BBQ Experience

I’m pretty sure I was the pig in mud as I entered Madison Square Park and got my first whiff of all that slow roasting BBQ! Looking around and seeing my fellow brothers and sisters in meat made me feel right at home! Sorry in advance to all my veggie and vegan friends but we all know I’m not about that life! Cook it up and cover it in BBQ sauce and chances are I’ll eat it. Well this actually ended up being so much more than that!

Now, to all my meat lovers! Welcome to block party paradise in the heart of NYC! The Big Apple BBQ has 16 of the best pit masters from across the country come show off their skills to earn bragging rights as the best in the biz; all while raising money for charity! They basically turn Madison Square Park into a giant playground for music loving, beer drinking meatheads like me! 

So entering the park is free, but the not so small samples are priced at $12 a pop. Ergo it pays to do your homework and go in with a plan, which I didn’t do. I sold my sights on the ribs from 17TH Street BBQ in Murphysboro, Illinois and the award winning pulled pork sandwich from Big Bob Gibson in Decatur, Alabama. Both were delicious, but didn’t really stand out compared to some I’ve had in the past. The pulled pork was pretty up there though. I decided I didn’t have the stomach space for more, especially being my first stop of the day. So I called it and got a beer to sip while listening to the featured band which was pretty good. 

Overall I would say I’m definitely a fan of this festival as I’m a true carnivore at heart; but next time I may do a little more research on the lineup then go with a plan of action. The best part for me was talking to the pit masters and watching their different techniques. I’ll also say that if you’re not big on meat, there were still a ton of options for vegetarians and those with a sweet tooth. It’s even great to just go for a drink, enjoy a free concert and play some games. I vote YES to The Big Apple BBQ block party!

Monticello, NY: A Weekend Retreat to Remember!

Looking for a quick winter weekend getaway from New York City? Gather a handful of friends and head upstate to Monticello, NY! This cute little town in the Catskill region is an oasis for anyone that doesn't mind a little snow tagging along their trip. Book your stay with Red Cottage Inc. to make the experience that much more unforgettable! 

Photo: Amanda Edell

I recently made the weekend trip with a few friends and it was a bonding experience like none other. From snowy hikes through the woods to cooking all of our meals and everything in between! We played games, soaked in the hot tub and got to know each other that much better!

I'd suggest this as a weekend run for anyone looking to strengthen the bonds amongst friends or lovers. It was a quiet weekend with a great group of people that I would gladly do again before the season ends; and Red Cottage Inc. gets two thumbs up for providing a great atmosphere for that magical weekend!  

Photo: Amanda Edell