This has the potential to be the most poorly designed theater I've seen in my entire life. The bar…read more(and merch tables) in the lobby create an unusable passage with people trying to come in the front doors, trying to get drinks/merch and you can never tell which line is for what. They have like 3 toilets for the entire venue and you'll spend a chunk of your time waiting in line. I think the restrooms are original to the building (1920s) The sound system looks to be Meyer Leopard arrays with 900-LFCs and Rivage PM5 for the house console - so that's ripping! Only redeeming quality

I've been to this venue a few times for different events, (comedy or a concert) and all times have…read morebeen very pleasant. The seats are comfortable and the view from the seats on the ground level are all decent. I've been where we sat at the last row on the ground level and I've visited where we had seats closer to the stage. The lines aren't crazy long, and the security works pretty quickly to move things right along. They do sell cocktails and snacks. I love that this venue is right in the middle of the city with plenty of public tranportation options. The fees have always been reasonable and cheaper if you pay at their box office. This is definitely a venue I would attend future events at based on my prior experiences.

Town Hall Deli has some really good food, especially the sloppy joes and the steak sandwich. The…read morequality of the food is definitely the reason people keep coming back, and those sandwiches are some of my favorites there. However, my experiences with customer service have been mixed. The woman with the gray hair working at the register, I'm not sure if she is the owner or manager has come across as rude toward me on multiple occasions and has given me uncomfortable looks while I'm paying. I've also personally noticed what felt like different treatment toward some Jespy clients compared to other customers coming in, which made me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome at times she treats the Jespy clients differently. The setup for ordering subs can also be a little confusing, especially if it's your first time there or if the deli is busy. The line and ordering process could definitely be organized a bit better. The service overall could be friendlier and more welcoming. It's also a little pricey, so I don't go there very often. That being said, the food itself is still very good and worth trying if you're in the area.

I have been eating at the Town Hall Deli since I was little. They were in a few different locations…read morebefore their current location. Their sloppy Joe sandwiches are phenomenal. If you're not familiar, I'm not talking about ground meat sloppy joes. This refers to meat, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing on layers of rye bread. They have many different options. Their rye bread is superb and the quality of the food is excellent. My favorite is the Maplewood Joe. The people who work there are friendly and helpful. I don't care what anyone says, this is far better than Millburn Deli.

One Bryant Park is the large office building that overlooks Bryant Park. People who do not work in…read morethis building will be most interested in the large public atrium on the ground floor. Anyone can come and go as they please. This means I have seen a couple homeless people there but not often. When it is too cold outside or raining, this atrium is perfect for hanging out , reading or wasting time if you have to meet someone later. You can also bring food in here and eat here too. That's why during lunchtime, it can be hard to find a seat.

I prefer Kobe Bryant Park but this will do…read more Pretty cool shared office space as part of the massive building which towers over Bryant Park in Manhattan and it's pretty impressive. Coming in here was definitely one of the highlights of my day and I'll definitely come back again in future.

I mean is it even Times Square if you don't see the Naked Cowboy (and characters like Mickey and…read moreMinnie)? I typically would go to NYC 3-4 times a year and tend to avoid touristy areas like Times Square. However, there have been times I needed to be there for some event or other. With that said, it's a landmark for anyone going to the Big Apple for the first time. It's jam packed with stores (let's be honest, the M&Ms shop rules), restaurants, and more. Live entertainment is often in the center of the Square (planned celebrity endorsements/interviews/events, dance troupes, singers, deejays, you name it). There's ample amphitheater-style seating to people-watch, have a bite to eat, watch an event, and so on. Who knows? Maybe you too will see Naked Cowboy!

This was part of a whirlwind afternoon guided tour that started and end in Time Square…read more My husband worked in New York for quite awhile as a consultant, and for years he kept telling me stories about the city. Finally, he decided it was time to take me there myself for my first -- and perhaps only -- visit to New York City. What an overwhelming afternoon. We tried to cram as many of the major sights into one day as we possibly could, which was honestly the best way for me to experience the city. New York is HUGE. The traffic, the crowds, the endless noise and movement of people made me feel both exhilarated and exhausted at the same time. Thank goodness we had a tour bus and guide to help us navigate everything because I would have been completely lost trying to tackle the city on our own. We started and ended in Times Square, which felt like standing inside a living billboard. The lights, giant screens, restaurants, street performers, and the endless river of people moving in every direction was honestly sensory overload in the best and worst ways possible. My husband had talked about Times Square for years, and while no picture can truly prepare you for it, seeing it in person really does make you understand why New York has the reputation it does. One stop I truly loved was Grand Central Terminal. It felt elegant in a way that modern buildings often don't anymore. The ornate ceiling with its painted constellations, the old-world architecture, the massive staircases, and the famous clock in the center of the terminal made it feel like stepping back into another era of travel. Central Park was another surprise for me. Somehow, in the middle of all that steel, glass, concrete, taxis, and people, there exists this enormous green sanctuary. The winding paths, stone bridges, lakes, and giant rocky outcroppings almost make you forget you're standing in one of the busiest cities in the world. It definitely is not your average park. The most emotional stop for me was One World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial. The tower itself is beautiful, but there is something haunting about the entire area when you think about how many lives were lost there. Standing near the memorial pools and hearing the water flowing downward left me very quiet and reflective for awhile. We also took the Staten Island Ferry and finally got to see the Statue of Liberty in person. By that point in the day, after all the walking, I honestly just wanted to sit quietly and stare at Lady Liberty while the river moved around us. It was strangely peaceful compared to the intensity of the rest of the city. In the end, I am very glad I experienced New York at least once. It is loud, energetic, historic, beautiful, chaotic, emotional, and unlike anywhere else I've ever been. But I will admit this: By the end of the day, I was more than ready to go home to the peace, quiet, and far gentler pace of South Dakota.

After reading The Personal Librarian, I've wanted to visit the museum. I was finally able to go on…read moreone of the free Friday nights It is open from 5-8 pm. From outside you can see the Morgan home building- one of the remaining Gilded Age mansions. The atrium entrance is beautiful with lots of natural light and soaring ceilings. A coat check and cafe are located in the atrium entrance. Bathrooms are on the lower level. The cafe has wine, charcuterie and other snacks. Musicians play in the atrium. It is a very fun atmosphere. The library in comparison is small. Two levels of books line the walls. JP Morgan's desk and chairs are on display. Several books including the Gutenberg Bible are displayed in glass cases. The room also has a huge fireplace. The museum also has changing exhibits. We saw a cool exhibit on the Book of Psalms and another on Renoir's drawings. Both were interesting! Walking to the gift shop, you can see the foyer entrance to the Morgan house. The house is not open to the public. The gift shop had some unique items as well as typical gift shop items. I'm so happy I went to see the library!

This is a must-see spot if you've heard of Belle da Costa Greene, the Black woman who became JP…read moreMorgan's personal librarian, helping him build his incredible collection of precious and rare books, including three Guttenberg Bibles and several illuminated manuscripts. She also became, for a time, the highest paid woman in America. The Library and Museum entry fee is a bit expensive for those less familiar with this story, or frankly, those hoping for either a full and circulating library like the nearby NY Public Library (with its iconic lions) or a massive museum like several throughout NYC. That said, this place is a delight for folks like me who are interested in the history and lives of the Gilded Age robber barons in the City. The Library is housed in JP's mansion, with only the gorgeous rotunda at the original entrance, and the rooms that house the Library open to the public. While much of the library collection is in inaccessible to visitors and stored in stunning shelves and cases behind glass, many of the jewels Morgan acquired are on view for a closer look. Also on view on the main level are several sculptures, important musical scores (some acquired after Morgan's death - the Museum trustees use that high entry fee for acquisitions and preservation), small but important items from the ancient world, and a gorgeously decorated massive fireplace. The building expansion houses traveling and temporary art installations, many of which are consistent with Morgan's tastes in collecting. There's a lovely café behind the current first floor entry space, and a room with (generally) more contemporary artists being exhibited. Special exhibits are mostly upstairs and often include works with a religious theme (Bibles and psalters from many religious traditions and in many languages; a Caravaggio, Bellini and Perugino show; and other kinds of things like Renoir's drawings; music-themed exhibits; and one on story-telling through the centuries. The wonderful gift shop is also on the upper floor. We loved touring the Library and Museum, but for those who aren't sure yet, stop by on Friday for 5-8pm, when admission is free. You may even find yourself willing to visit a second time!

Yeah, it's kind of a goofy audio science phenomenon due to the architecture in Grand Central…read more Located in the lower level near the Oyster Bar you'll locate the whispering gallery, and in fact you might find other people doing the same thing smiling into a corner, whispering, and the other person on the opposite side of the arch can clearly hear you as if you're next to them. That's pretty much it. I tried it with a friend and it works.

The Whispering Gallery is a New York moment that reminds you why the city is so special. Tucked…read moreinside Grand Central, it's charming and very New York. Stand at opposite corners, whisper into the wall, and somehow your voice travels perfectly across. You can stop by on a random weekday and end up smiling like a tourist. It's free, takes five minutes, and is perfect for a quick stop or showing out-of-town friends.

It's the small country that we learned about in grade school that is snugly situated between…read moreSwitzerland and Austria. It doesn't appear to be a major tourist destination. I say that because it wasn't all that busy while we there. It's still an interesting place to visit if you happen to be in the area. We crossed over to Vaduz after visiting Appenzell & St. Gallen earlier that day. Make sure that you check out the Alte Rheinbrücke and the Rhine River before continuing on to Vaduz. It's a cool structure to see along the way. It was a beautiful day to explore the city. We sampled some chocolates at the Läderach shop, and then continued on to the Liechtenstein Center. You'll know you're at that visitor center when you see the red & white umbrella decorations in front of the building. It's a great photo opportunity. This is where you can get your passport stamped for a fee. I guess most people do that here. We were more interested in the model of the castle and the historical landmarks along the main street of Städtle. Honestly, the best part of our visit was lunch at Café-Restaurant Engel. We had the Viennese schnitzel. The restaurant primarily serves Asian food, but the local dishes were actually pretty good. There's also a nice city view from their outdoor balcony terrace. It was a nice lunch! As for the castle... well you can't really go inside it since the Prince still lives there. He only allows limited access (by invitation) to the castle on August 15th during the National Day celebrations. You can take a hike up a mountain to see it, or just view it from below. But hey, we did get a partial view of it from the city. Yay! It was worth visiting for a few hours just to take in the culture and view of the castle from Vaduz. It was a nice visit!

When most people hear of Liechtenstein, they probably think of it as a skippable little area…read morebetween Switzerland, Austria, and Germany - but let me tell you, it is NOT skippable! Liechtenstein has the gorgeous Alps, rolling green hills, delicious food options, and even a castle you can explore, so there's definitely enough to make a stop or stay out of it. We even found a beer that was brewed right there in Vaduz, which was very cool as I like to try the local brews anywhere I travel. If you'll be in one of the neighboring European countries, and traveling around, definitely make a stop in Liechtenstein to check it out even if just for a day or two!

Manhattan, the heart and soul of New York City, is a bustling island that has captured the…read moreimaginations of people from all over the world. With its iconic skyline, rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and world-famous attractions, Manhattan stands as a symbol of the American dream and serves as a global cultural and financial hub. Manhattan's history is an intriguing saga that begins long before the arrival of European explorers. The Lenape people originally inhabited the island, which they called "Manahatta," meaning "hilly island." Manhattan's history dates back to the early 17th century when it was inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans. In 1609, Henry Hudson, an English explorer sailing for the Dutch, journeyed to the island, paving the way for Dutch colonization. The Dutch soon established the colony of New Amsterdam, which was later seized by the English and renamed New York in 1664. The 19th century saw significant development in Manhattan. The grid system of streets and avenues was introduced, Central Park was created, and the borough became a major hub for immigration. In the 20th century, Manhattan solidified its status as a global power player with the creation of iconic structures such as the Empire State Building, the United Nations Headquarters, and later the World Trade Center. Manhattan is divided into 7 different areas. soho, Harlem, Financial District, Greenwich village, Upper East side, Midtown and Chelsea. Definitely a place to come and enjoy yourself, that is if you are open to some fast pace fun!!

Manhattan is the envy of cities worldwide. Ambition, culture, and contradictions collide. But while…read moreits dazzle looms large, it's no longer the old classic it once was. Its edge is very polished. Tourists capture Manhattan in a couple of days, racing from Times Square to Central Park to the Statue of Liberty. They go where everyone has already been. Yawn. But to truly experience it, you need more time. A week, at minimum. Enough to watch the city wake up, ride the subway without a plan, and let the neighborhoods reveal themselves at their own pace.