Ferragosto is one of the most celebrated holidays in Italy. It goes back to the Roman Empire in 18…read moreBC when Emperor Augustus declared the whole month of August, named after himself, would be a month long food & wine festival Our favorite NYC festival. The streets are closed, there are many performers & restaurants are preparing specialties outdoors. Music is wonderful, food, desserts & drinks. An afternoon of fun! In previous years, they were more street performers, politicians and vendors. This year there wasn't wine tasting, pigs on spits, lottery, politicians...

It may have crowds, but Ferragosto is THE NYC Italian festival to go to. Why? It's simply that this…read morefestival, unlike San Gennaro, still has heart. You feel like family there. There's no Times Square characters busking for money, instead, the streets are lined with restaurant extensions, roasting pigs, wine samples, and the crooning sounds of wonderful opera and folk Italian singers. It feels like how I grew up. Loud, but not obnoxious, crowded but not suffocating, and most importantly, authentic. The food is to die for and many of the local business do samples. You'll drool over Teitel's prosciutto, what La Cantina has to offer in their wine selection,and gelato will also be passed around the street. It may be tough to find parking, but just go!

Wow! DJ, Pizza from New York, Italy, Texas, and more. We had 15 slices total and a couple bowls of…read morepasta. We found the event and got tickets same day. Every single slice of pizza is delicious!! Of course I have some favorites but it's all about the exploration. All the Pizza's were made fresh then and there in Brick Ovens. I was wondering how this was going to work out and it was just a massive production with all these Brick Ovens. So great! Can't wait to come back next year.

Just concluded a personal injury case with Mr. Genis as the attorney for my family. After years of…read moreopposition from the defense insurance company, Mr. Genis won the case. His preparation for the case was intense. He went over every aspect of the case with my family. His staff at Sonin & Genis are very professional in every way. They made up visual posters, books with all the documentation of the case for the jury. Mr. Genis can be very intense and exacting in preparing you for trial. He leaves no stone unturned, and prepares you for the other attorney's cross examination. He makes sure you are not surprised by questions meant to trick you into giving a wrong answer. Mr. Genis knowledge of personal injury, and medical injuries is without a doubt unmatched by most attorneys. He picks the jury based on years of experience. He wants to connect with the jury not only on facts but also with empathy for his clients. Mr Genis delivers a skillful and passionate presentation to the jury. In my family's case the jury returned a verdict of 6 -0 on all counts. I would never hesitate to use this law firm again if the need should arise. And I would recommend Sonin & Genis to any of my friends without the slightest reservation.

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As a slightly needy engineer who loves trains, the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical…read moreGarden makes my brain very happy. But for me it's also personal. My mom discovered this event years ago and turned it into a yearly tradition for us. She passed away a few years ago, but every time I visit it still feels like a small way of keeping that tradition alive. If you've never been, the craftsmanship here is honestly incredible. The miniature NYC landmarks aren't just tiny models -- they're built entirely from natural materials like bark, twigs, leaves, and pinecones. As someone with an engineering brain, I find myself staring at these things way longer than I probably should, trying to figure out how they engineered some of these structures. My favorite pieces are always the bridge replicas, especially the George Washington Bridge towering above the trains as they roll across it. Toward the end there's also a miniature NYC skyline with iconic buildings like the Empire State Building that makes for a pretty great finale. This year I went on Black Friday since my sister and 10-year-old nephew were visiting for Thanksgiving. It was his third time seeing the show and he still loved it. He kept spotting things I missed -- a Thomas the Tank Engine train, a ladybug-themed train, and buildings like St. Patrick's Cathedral. He was especially fascinated by the massive bridges towering over the trains. A few honest notes if you're planning a visit: * It's pricey. Tickets have peak and off-peak pricing, and you can pay about $10 extra for a flex ticket. Going on a holiday definitely pushes the price up. I'd love to make this an every-year tradition again, but the cost makes that a little tough. * Timed entry is strict. Double check your date and time. I've seen people show up at the wrong slot and get turned away. * Even with timed entry it can get very crowded. This year honestly felt a bit like a cattle call. At certain points staff were telling people to keep moving, which made it hard to stop, take photos, and really appreciate the details. For the price you're paying, that part felt a little rushed. * The exhibit itself is smaller than you might expect. The train show is contained within one dedicated section of the conservatory. You can explore other areas of the gardens inside and outside, but since this runs in winter those outdoor walks can be pretty cold. One thing I always wish for: more trains. For a train show, the focus definitely leans more toward the architectural replicas than the trains themselves. The structures are beautiful, but the train nerd in me wouldn't complain about a few more locomotives running. They did expand things slightly this year with a few trains running outside, which was a nice addition and something I hope they continue. A few practical tips: * Parking can be a pain. It's crowded and usually runs around $22-$30. This year they allowed overflow parking across the street at Fordham University, which helped -- though you still have to pay. * Strollers aren't allowed inside the train exhibit, but there is a designated stroller parking area if you're walking around the gardens. * Parents: please keep an eye on your kids. I've unfortunately seen children grab at or damage some of the trains or displays. * Bathrooms and a cafeteria are available onsite. Prices are typical NYC levels, but it came in clutch when my nephew needed a snack and a surprisingly good personal pizza saved the day. Despite the crowds and the price tag, I still find myself smiling every time I visit. Between the incredible craftsmanship, the nostalgia, and watching my nephew get excited pointing out trains and tiny NYC landmarks, it's still a really special experience. If you go in with the right expectations -- and maybe pick a less crowded time slot -- it's definitely worth seeing at least once, especially if you're even a little bit of a train nerd like me.

NYBG Holiday Train Show runs every year during Nov through January and very popular. For 2025…read moreseason, started in Nov and ending Jan 2026 - great if one had a chance to see it. Adult prices $39 peak and $35 off peak per person. This was my 3rd time visiting the show. If driving and parking, parking cost $25-30. Can commute here via MTA and walking or by MetroNorth (make sure to check the train schedules - runs hourly...when we came). Taking the MetroNorth is very convenient - 22 min train ride from Grand Central Station $10 /pp round trip ticket...so worth it and the station takes you to the back entrance (Mosholu Entrance) of the NYBG... from that entrance.. there's a pathway to the right to the restrooms then to the right of that the path will take you straight to the Holiday Train Show entrance. Be sure to get your tickets early as tickets are timed entry - one can enter the NYBG grounds up to 1 hour before the Holiday Train Show but make sure to get there at least 15 mins early to use the restroom. There are no restrooms within the train show exhibit. It will take about 45 mins to 1 hour to go through the entire exhibit. You will need your ticket (either paper) or via your phone to be scanned at the NYBG entrance and at the Holiday Train show entrance. Note: They will not allow you to enter more than 5 mins (unless not too crowded and the staff is really nice) before your timed entry slot. Timed tickets are in 15 min increments. What is new 2025? 1) There is no video this year after you enter. 2) There are deer in the exhibit... 3) Most of the train exhibits were the same but some moved around... (Macy's moved to another room, Whitney Museum has been added in the final room, rainforest area finally opened (the only minus is getting eaten alive by the bugs)...tunnel reminds me of the movie Eternity, NYBG with the big bow.. Very nice replicas of the NY architecture and landmarks... look for the details... see if you can spot Thomas the Train. Didn't see Diesel though... Can you name all the bridges in the exhibit without looking? If going later in the evening (after 5pm), the lights will turn on the bridges, it looks nice. For those who paid for the holiday train and sip too, adult beverages served with the paid ticket. Take plenty of pictures for memories and share with others. Come back to see what gets added.