Whenever I go through a longish stretch of not traveling, I console myself with the fact because I live in the ultimate vacation destination: New York City. Living here is like one long staycation… Ok, maybe not. But my husband and I did get to experience a true staycation when I was hosted by The […]

It’s been more than a year and a half since, Gossip Girl went off the air and I still miss it. So I certainly wasn’t going to pass up my chance to take a tour of The New York Palace, which has just completed a $140 million renovation. This luxury hotel, famous for its large courtyard that faces Madison Avenue, played a starring role in Gossip Girl, as almost half of the main characters have lived there (or even own it) at some point in the show. The Palace always looked good on TV, but this new facelift makes it absolutely spectacular. As Mayor Bloomberg said in his speech at last night’s grand opening party, “Serena van der Woodsen would definitely approve.”

When I arrived in Lake Placid, New York, after a five-plus-hour drive in August, I was very excited to see Lake Placid itself. I was so excited that I erroneously assumed that the lovely lake in the town of Lake Placid (of which I had a great view from the High Peaks Resort) was Lake Placid. But no, it was Mirror Lake. I didn’t see Lake Placid until I went to the famous ski resort of Whiteface and rode the Cloudsplitter Gondola.

Nature and art lovers, unite! No need to make the difficult choice between spending time outside or looking at art when it comes to Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, NY, a sprawling sculpture park in the beautiful Hudson Valley. There actually is an indoor museum here, but I was too busy trying to cover as much of the 80 acres of rolling hills as I can, seeing works from Alexander Calder, Sol LeWitt, Maya Lin and more.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a wonderful place to visit any time, but attending a party there afterhours on World Malbec Day was truly special. On April 17, Wines of Argentina celebrated World Malbec Day with a walk-around tasting at the Charles Engelhard Court in the American Wing of the Museum. Not only was the setting spectacular, but there were tango dancers and live music. The Argentines know how to throw a party!

At $2795 per night, most people can’t stay too long at this Great Gatsby—themed fantasy room. But you can bring it home with you! Yes, you can outfit your home just like The Fitzgerald Suite, as the identical chandeliers, lamps, desk chairs, sofa, bookends and more are available at RH, Restoration Hardware. Quite the souvenir!

When I heard about The Fitzgerald Suite at The Plaza Hotel, I couldn’t get there fast enough. The Great Gatsby movie and The Plaza Hotel are natural partners; not only did Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald frequent the Plaza but a scene from the book and movie takes place there. I was very excited to be invited to take a tour of the suite with Catherine Martin, who designed both The Great Gatsby and the suite.

On Friday, February 1, I found myself at Times Square as the clock inched toward midnight, excitedly waiting for something big to happen: a #MidnightMoment. Was I one month and one day late in celebrating the New Year? Nope! I was there for the debut of Tracey Emin’s first public-art project in the US. For […]

The New York Times Travel Show, an annual consumer and trade show at the Javits Center in New York City, has become a must-attend event for travel media, tourism organizations, tour operators and travel enthusiasts. And indeed, they were all there this weekend, along with a samurai (Japan) and a sloth (SeaWorld) and about one […]

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, is one place where you can have a very bright Christmas! Keeping up with the proverbial Joneses never required more electricity than it does in this Christmas lights wonderland. Subtlety is not rewarded here. Many of the houses go far beyond lights, with giant Nutcrackers, inflatable Santa Clauses and Nativity Scenes. Most […]