Experience Pure Americana at the Montclair Art Museum

It can sometimes be hard to separate American art from the global traditions that influenced it—our melting-pot nature has given us a unique perspective, but sometimes at the cost of individual identity. One of the few museums in the world to concentrate exclusively on American and Native American works, the Montclair Art Museum boasts a spectacular collection of pieces from all over our nation. Consisting of more than 12,000 works, the permanent collection is incredibly impressive. Of particular note are the American Indian collections of textiles, pottery, and other crafts from seven distinct regions. The museum also has a permanent gallery devoted to noted local painter George Inness, who lived in and painted the Montclair area in the 19th century. Visiting exhibitions are well-attended and thorough, covering a wide spectrum of topic within the museum’s parvenu. The staff is friendly and informative and admission prices are incredibly reasonable—visit for free on Fridays.

Montclair Art Museum
3 South Mountain Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 746-5555
www.montclairartmuseum.org

Wicked: The Broadway Story Behind The Wizard of Oz

It’s foolish to visit New York without taking in a show, and one of the hottest tickets in town is Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre. Based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire, the show tells the tale of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz and her relationship with her sister Glinda, the future Good Witch Of The North. The clever updating of the classic fantasy has won raves wherever it played, and the stage production, which opened in 2003, has proved to be a staggering success, having played to over 5 million audience members in its run on Brodway. Theatergoers rave about the amazing set and production effects, which perfectly complement the excellent performances. The Gershwin Theatre is one of Broadway’s best venues, so you’re guaranteed a good seat with an excellent sightline. If you’re looking for an audience-tested musical that’s guaranteed to give you a good time, pick up tickets to Wicked.

Wicked
222 West 51st Street
NY 10019
(212) 586-6510
www.wickedthemusical.com

Metropolitan Museum of Art: A Legendary Temple Of Culture

When you talk museums in New York City, your options are broader than almost any other place on earth. But one museum stands above the rest as a true must-visit. Nestled into the east side of Central Park on the famous “Museum Mile,” the Metropolitan Museum of Art—or the Met, as the natives call it—is one of the most expansive and successful museums in the world. With a permanent collection boasting a staggering two million works of art, the Met can take days to explore. The museum stretches a quarter mile in length, with over two million square feet of floor space. The collection is divided between permanent exhibits organized by seventeen curatorial departments, and a number of popular thematic exhibits that rotate through every year. A visit to the Met is guaranteed to open your eyes to art you’ve never considered before. It’s a shame for any visitor to live in the vicinity of Manhattan and not see the Metropolitan.

Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10028
(212) 535-7710
www.metmuseum.org

Mountain Creek Resort: A Ski Getaway Nearby

A snowy mountain getaway right in New Jersey, Mountain Creek Resort has a thriving nightlife, quaint shopping, and, of course, great skiing all winter long. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains on over 170 skiable acres, there is terrain for all ability levels, whether you are a skier or snowboarder. With 8 lifts and 43 trails trails, Mountain Creek provides an enticing snowbound weekend for a competitive price. If you’re not into skiing or snowboarding, snow tubing is a fun activity for the whole family. And when the slopes close at 10 p.m. the nightlife heats up with an array of dining options and Kink, Mountain Creek’s dance party club complete with DJ’s piped in from NYC. Check out the website for season and day passes (you can purchase on the mountain) as well as great weekend lodging deals.    

Mountain Creek Resort
200 Route 94
Vernon, NJ 07462
(973) 827-2000
www.mountaincreek.com

Visit the USGA Museum For a True Appreciation of Golf

The USGA Museum is dedicated to the history, education, and appreciation of golf. The beloved sport is commemorated and studied throughout the museum's various exhibits (from Diamond Heroes on the Links to The Father of American Golf: Charles Blair Macdonald) and artifacts (from historical equipment to clothing, trophies, documentation, and other odd ephemera), while the hall of Champions features the complete history of America's National Championships (U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open, etc).

USGA Museum
77 Liberty Corner Road
Far Hills, NJ 07931
(908) 234-2300
www.usgamuseum.com

Take an Adventurous Weekend Getaway with Urban Escapes

Looking for a little adventure? Urban Escapes offers social adventures for young professionals, and features several exciting and inexpensive getaways from hiking and yoga to brewery tours and ski trips. Each unique itinerary embraces a fun and active lifestyle, and a tour experience that has been praised by CNN, Forbes, and Self.

New York’s branch of Urban Escapes includes everything from Trails and Ales (hike the day away and then cool off with a tour and tasting at a local NY brewery); to Snow Tubing (the best in the Northeast) and Beer Tasting; to the ultimate thrill ride: Skydiving. It’s a great way to try something adventurous and new and meet a lot of cool people in the process. Interested? Check it out the details at www.urbanescapesnyc.com!

Head to Bryant Park for Great Events, Seasonal Shopping, and More!

Bryant Park, located directly behind the New York Public Library, is a small park in midtown with A LOT to offer. Year round the park features big time events like Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the biggest fashion event in New York City; and the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, a weekly movie showing on the lawn that starts around 5pm (so get there early to spread out a blanket big enough for your whole crew!). As the holidays roll around, Bryant Park welcomes a variety of seasonal craft vendors to set up around the park—from jewelry to artwork to gloves and mittens, you are sure to find great gifts for everyone on your list! Even when there aren't special events going on, grab a bite at one of the park's great eateries like ‘wichcraft or Bryant Park Grill, settle down with your laptop and a coffee on the Southwest Porch, or challenge a friend to a game of chess, checkers, or backgammon in the Chess Area by the Fountain Terrace on 6th Avenue. No matter what you do, it’s the perfect haven set in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city.

Bryant Park
Between 40th and 42nd Street & Fifth and Sixth Avenues
www.bryantpark.org

A Great Idea for a Quick Weekend Getaway: Frenchtown, NJ

Take a trip back in time to a Victorian Village on the Delaware River, where life is easy, electricity isn’t a necessity and George Washington’s spirit still travels with the current of the river.  Frenchtown, New Jersey isn’t just a historical town, it’s packed with great restaurants, quaint bed and breakfasts, unique shops, and all the antiques you can fit into your horse and buggy. If you’re looking for a break from city life or simply a place to relax, you’ve found the perfect spot. No matter what season you decide to visit, Frenchtown has events and attractions that are sure to pique your interest. Aside from the award winning restaurants, luxurious hotels, art galleries, and beautiful scenery, Frenchtown offers a friendly community atmosphere that will surely make you feel welcome.

Click here to learn more about the restaurants in attractions in Frenchtown NJ.

Tips and Tricks for a Halloween Spooktacular

1. Check out Halloween Express or Costume Supercenter for your last minute Halloween needs. These gigantic superstores have every costume you can possibly dream of, from scareworthy frocks to garments with sex appeal. You'll also find decorating supplies galore to make your pad look festive and freaky for the big night.

2. There are so many ways to scare yourself silly nearby. Scream your heart out on the C. Casola Farms Haunted Hayride of Terror; take an eerie corn maize tour at Von Thun's Farms complete with hayrides and delicious food; and creep yourself out at Trenton's Field of Terror . . . if you dare.

3. Taking your kids trick-or-treating, or enjoying a night out for yourself? Check out the CDC's Halloween Health & Safety Tips to keep you and your little trick-or-treaters safe and sound.

4. Get in the spirit. Halloween may seem like a holiday that's meant for kids, but adults can enjoy it too! Host a costume party at your house, check out local community events, and most imporant of all, have fun!

Rockefeller Center: A Famous One Stop Shop for Shopping, DIning, and Quintessential NYC Fun!

Rockefeller Center is a must see for tourists and New York natives alike. While its best known for the famous Christmas tree it boasts every holiday season, Rockefeller Center offers so much more. Since New York is truly one of the best shopping cities in the world, Rockefeller Center is one of the great places to browse—with retail stores that include Brookstone, The Metropolitan Museum Store, Cole Haan, Banana Republic, Anthropologie, J. Crew, and the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store on Fifth Avenue. If you aren’t in the mood to shop, take a tour of NBC studios or Radio City Music Hall; journey 70 stories above the city and experience the Top of the Rock’s breathtaking 360 degree views that include Central Park and the city skyline; and in the winter, strap on a pair of ice skates for an icy spin around the Ice Skating Rink at Rockefeller Center. A visit to this NYC landmark wouldn’t be complete without a delicious bite, so set your sights on one of the many top-notch restaurants like The Sea Grill, AJ Maxwell's Steakhouse, Morrell Wine Bar & Café, and many more. And when the warm weather rolls around, music fills the air with the Today Show’s Summer Concert Series, and throngs of people can be found strolling around, enjoying city life.  

Rockefeller Center
www.rockefellercenter.com

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