Heather's New York City Travel Blog

From July 4 - October 14, 2008 the Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park is offering a great package for visitors interested in experiencing The New York City Waterfalls. Starting at $630 per night, guests will enjoy a guest room (or suite) with a harbor view, tickets to view "The New York City Waterfalls" on Circle Line Downtown's official tour (and shuttle service to Pier 16 where the tour departs from), and breakfast for two.

Visitor Guide: The New York City Waterfalls
Package Details: The New York City Waterfalls Package at the Ritz-Carlton

It's hard to believe that summer is just around the corner, and it promises to be a season of fantastic concerts in New York City -- many of which are free! We've just updated the 2008 schedules for Central Park SummerStage and the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, both of which take place in Central Park. Central Park's SummerStage lineup is great if you want to check out popular or emerging artists from a variety of musical genres, while the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts feature outstanding classical music performances.

Visitor Guide: Central Park
Event Guide: Central Park SummerStage
Event Guide: Naumburg Orchestral Concerts
Event Guide: New York City Summer Concerts

You've still got a week left to enjoy all that the Tribeca Film Festival has to offer, including film screenings, panel discussions, and the Family Festival Street Fair.

With so many films to choose from, it's easy to be overwhelmed and unsure of what to see. To make that easier, we've gathered some recommendations from Peter Scarlet and the programming team at the Tribeca Film Festival. Here are their suggestions for some films with great stories and timely topics that you might want to consider:

• Terra
• Whatever Lola Wants
• Charly
• Portrait of Diego
• A Story of the Redhills
• Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon
• Fermat's Room
• Zoned In
• Fire Under the Snow
• Marina of the Zabbaleen

Enjoy the Tribeca Film Festival!

Visitor Guide: Tribeca Film Festival Visitor Guide
Tips: Tribeca Film Festival Tips
Official Site: http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/

A reader writes: Do you know when the 2008 Central Park Concert schedule for the NY Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera will be announced? The dates tend to vary wildly from year to year and it's always a hunt trying to track down a web page that is updated for the current year. :) Thanks!

We've just updated our schedules for the 2008 season for the New York Philharmonic in the Parks and Metropolitan Opera in the Park. New this year, the Metropolitan Opera will be performing just once in Prospect Park, but the New York Philharmonic will be offering their usual schedule of events in Manhattan and the outer boroughs (as well as New Jersey and Long Island).

Event Guide: Philharmonic in the Parks
Schedule: 2008 Philharmonic in the Parks Schedule
Event Guide: Metropolitan Opera in the Park
Schedule: 2008 Met in the Park Schedule
More: New York City Summer Concert Schedule

Conventions are frequently held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. We've put together a Jacob Javits Center Guide, complete with directions to the Jacob Javits Center, as well as tips, information on nearby restaurants and a list of services at the Jacob Javits Center to read before you attend a convention at the Jacob Javits Center.
More: NYC For Business Travelers

Since 1964, Shea Stadium has been home to the New York Mets. With our Visitor Guide to Shea Stadium you can find out about how to get to the stadium, tips for attending a game at Shea Stadium and more.
Guide: Shea Stadium Visitor Guide
More: Yankee Stadium Visitor Guide

Earth Day 2008 is on April 22, 2008. From concerts and lectures to games and crafts, many special events are planned to celebrate Earth Day in New York City. Learn more about what you can do to be kind to the Earth at New York City's Earth Day Events taking place April 18-27, 2008 around New York City.

A reader writes: "Heather, I lived in NYC for 20 years, but now live in LA since 1948. While in NYC I loved to eat "herring in red wine sauce." However on the West Coast am unable to find it. Can you tip me to where in NY I can order it from the internet, to be sent out here?"

Herring in red wine sauce is typically called matjes herring. It is available for shipping from Zabar's (order matjes herring online from Zabar's) and from Barney Greengrass (order matjes herring fillets from Barney Greengrass). Both of these stores are great choices if you're looking to get a "taste of New York City" delivered to your home or shipped as a gift.
More: Delicious Food Gifts from New York City
Pictures: Pictures of Zabar's

Cherry-Blossom Season at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden has begun and will last through May 11, 2008. During this time, visitors to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden can enjoy viewing the garden's impressive array of cherry-blossoms. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden boasts the largest and most diverse collection of cherry trees outside Japan.

The highlight of the Cherry-Blossom season is Sakura Matsuri, the Cherry Blossom Festival, which will be held May 3-4, 2008. During the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden offers visitors a variety of performances and activities, as well as the opportunity to view the cherry-blossoms.

Visitor Guide: Cherry Blossom Season at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Pictures: Cherry Blossom Pictures at the BBG

Founded in 1891, the New York Botanical Garden boasts one of the world's greatest collections of plants. Fifty gardens, 50-acres of native forest, and a Victorian-style glasshouse can all be explored when you visit the 250-acre Botanical Garden.
Visitor Guide: New York Botanical Garden
Visitor Guide: Central Park
More: Outdoor Activities in New York City