A few things worth noting in New York City and within a day’s drive and yes New Jersey counts. My company’s department took a trip to Six Flags in New Jersey earlier this month for a day away from the office. The trip was optional of course, and I actually decided to go at about 11 pm the night before. I think all of my travels over the years have made it tougher for me to plan anything in advance.
I’m still relatively new at this gig (just over two months) so I’m still getting used to working from an office, meshing with new personalities and all those fun things that come with a new job opportunity. The trip turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. I was able to get to know my co-workers better and I was able to ride most of the roller coasters.
Exploring my Neighborhood
I’m always amazed at tourists who come to New York for a weekend and think they’ve seen it all. I’ve been living here for years now and I discover something new every week. This art exhibition, for example, I stumbled upon during one of my weekend river walks. It’s called the NADA art fair and it was only in town for a few days.
It was sort of set up like a trade show except that where you might expect booths to appear, there was innovative art instead. Many of the artists represented were based right here in New York while others had traveled from the West Coast and other parts of the US to showcase their work. We stopped by before the crowds, which gave us ample time to view all of the installations.
Brunching on Stone Street
Up until moving back to the Lower East Side, my trips downtown to the Financial District were far and few. There’s nothing wrong with this area but for whatever reason, it just never feels like New York to me. The architecture and vibe are different and despite living in the city for four years, I still get lost every time I come here.
However, South Street Seaport turns into a bit of a party as the weather begins warming up.There are a ton of outdoor restaurants, amazing views of the water and of course, a faux beach. Just a bit further along is Stone Street, an adorably colorful street lined with outdoor restaurants ranging from Irish to Italian and everything in between.
The best part of Spring is when the rainy clouds disappear and the sunshine peeps through the clouds. That’s exactly what was going on in this very moment. In New York, its easy to take a lot of walks and I’ve been going on many recently. There’s something so soothing about escaping from the grimy New York Streets and swapping busy city life for the quiet nature. It’s always a great feeling when I can hear the loud honks of morning traffic fade into the distance as I make my way to the East River running path.
Megan Eileen McDonough is writer, blogger and social media specialist based in New York City. She also runs Bohemian Trails, a lifestyle blog designed for the savvy and stylish traveler. Bohemian Trails aims to feature must-see places around the world, covering everything from revamped neighborhoods and vibrant street art to innovative tech hubs and everything in between. Her cultural escapades have taken her to Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Megan is also a freelance writer and social media specialist based in New York City. She contributes to various online and print publications in the travel and fashion industries and is an international correspondent for both Jetsetter and Northstar Travel Media.
