Hone In On Four of Your Five Senses to Have a "Dialog in the Dark."

If you have 20/20 vision or better, consider yourself lucky.  If you have less than perfect vision, but your eyesight can be corrected with lenses or even minor surgery, consider yourself lucky.  Have you ever wondered what you are taking for granted?...The ability to read this post, for example.

"Dialog in the Dark," a unique new exhibition at South Street Seaport, leads visitors on a journey through mock ups of famed New York City locations in total darkness, giving patrons the opportunity to experience blindness firsthand. With the loss of the ability to see, it is amazing how quickly the other senses take over - smell, sound, taste and touch.

While waiting for the tour to begin, overhead video monitors go in and out of focus, demonstrating various forms of visual impairment.  Before entering the exhibition, visitors sign a waiver, and each individual participant is then given a walking cane that becomes a lifeline as a blind or otherwise visually impaired tour guide leads the way with only his or her voice.

In the first room of the tour, the aroma of fresh flora permeates the senses, birds can be heard chirping, and there is a flowing fountain of cold water that visitors can reach out and touch.  Can you guess what location this is supposed to be?  If I haven't already given it away, ponder on this...

The sensory tour next continues to mock ups of other NYC locations.  Step into a Fairway Market and learn how difficult a routine task like food shopping becomes when you cannot see.  How do you know what food you are selecting?  How do you know how much money you are taking out of your wallet when, to the touch, there are no distinctive qualities differentiating most U.S. currency?  How do you board the proper subway to get to and from the market?

"Dialog in the Dark" is a rare, ironically eye-opening experience.  The tour lasts approximately an hour to an hour and a half, and ends in a room designed to look and, more importantly, feel like, a diner.  Visitors sit around a booth with their tour guide and engage in a discussion about how they felt traveling around in total darkness, and how persons with various visual impairments conquer such challenges daily.  Many of the guides are happy to answer personal questions about how their visual impairment has impacted their lives.

As the lights slowly come on in the "diner," participants see the tour guide for the first time.  I took the tour myself recently, and was shocked to find that the images I had formed in my head of everything from what our guide looked like to the color and shape of the booth we were sitting in, were completely erroneous.  What a different perspective on life this exhibition offers.

Check hours and prices here or, if you are ready to purchase tickets, click here.

And be sure to visit some of the exhibition's partners:

Lighthouse International 
Dialogue Social Enterprise
Bodies: The Exhibition 
Fairway

Calling All Amateur Astronomers!

Jupiter, the Moon, and Venus, lining up in March 2012

Have you been following the dance of Jupiter and Venus across the night sky over the past few months?  If you have a wanderlust that extends beyond our globe, then you should pay a visit to the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York.  Where can you find them, you ask?  On a clear night, try checking out their free observation sessions across the five boroughs.  The "AAA" boasts several hundred members that participate in and help host frequent observation sessions, as well as exciting astronomy lectures and classes.

At last week's observing session at the High Line in Manhattan (which occurs every Tuesday night from April to October, weather permitting), WGINY was able to glimpse the rings of Saturn, the crescent phase of Venus, and the binary properties of the star, Castor, among other celestial objects, through the surprisingly high-powered telescopes set up by the "amateur" astronomers. Although membership is encouraged to support the organization, any visitor or passerby is warmly invited by AAA members to partake in observing sessions.  If you thought you couldn't see stars in New York City due to ambient light, you'll be shocked by what the AAA can show you, and tell you.  I have attended observing sessions in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and have learned so much (including how to best position my own travel scope...) just from a few moments of discussion with the interesting, knowledgeable astronomy-buffs who host these events.

And, if you want even more ways to seek out stars:
Columbia University Astronomy Outreach: lecture and stargazing sessions every other Friday.
College of Staten Island Observatory: public schedule varies.

Dana Parish Shines at "The Living Room."

A few years ago, I was listening to a "Yahoo! Music" station (well, at that time it was "Yahoo! Radio") while working, when suddenly I became captivated by a song from a powerful female vocalist I had never heard of before, Dana Parish.  After doing some research, I found that the song I had heard, "Not My Problem," was part of a debut album Parish had released in 2007, "Uncrushed."  Of course I immediately purchased the album, and it has become one I frequently listen to on replay and suggest to friends.

Whether I'm doing some soul-searching, having an introspective day, initiating a break-up, or finding myself on the receiving end of one, Parish's music is always easy to relate to.  For awhile, I was even quoting from the chorus of one of her songs, "Outta Time," on my personal facebook profile. (I can't seem to find an audio or video copy, but you can listen to a sample on amazon.com).

Parish has since played any number of shows in and around NYC, and WGINY was in attendance at her most recent show, on March 30 at "The Living Room." This was a special show for Parish, as not only was it her birthday that evening, but the show was being recorded for Sirus Radio (air date/time/station not available yet).  Striding in fashionably, and perhaps ironically, late, Parish took the stage and immediately began her show with my favorite facebook-quotable song, "Outta Time."  Standing on stage in a blue sequin shirt and jean skirt, she shone just as brightly as on her debut record.

Dana Parish Shines at "The Living Room"

In March, Parish released a new EP, "Nothin' But a Heartbreak."  Confident and sassy, with a voice that commands attention, and the stage presence to match, this unconventionally beautiful brunette (clearly, I have a thing for brunette singer-songwriters...) must surely know a thing or two about breaking hearts.

At the March 30 show, backed by band members on lead guitar, bass, drums and piano (an actual baby grand piano, not a keyboard!.. played by Andrew Hollander, who co-writes many of Parish's songs), Parish performed the first song off of her EP, "Superman," among others.  "Superman," which recalls a woman taking charge of her love life, is inspiring, and mayhaps hit-worthy.    

There they are! Even got the baby grand in this one.

Large stage... hard to photograph the whole band...

It is hard to describe Parish's varied genre.  She has a rich, full voice, and although the vocal range of her songs seems to stay squarely within her belt-y alto range (which I believe she definitely has the ability to step outside of...),  her songs seem to blend together rock, soul, and even country.  Parish displays a mellow style, with a hint of edginess thrown in at times, and this works well for her.

I don't have many criticisms for Parish, except to say that some of the harmonies that her band members joined in on, not present on her albums, did not seem to do much to improve the live show.  I would love to hear more of these harmonic efforts in the future, as long as they really fit the songs and are not forced.  Parish's voice is so powerful on its own, I'm not sure she even needs the backup...

I hope "Heartbreak" finally propels Parish, who has composed songs for Celine Dion and recent Asian sensation, G.E.M., into mainstream audiences.  She certainly deserves the recognition.  See for yourself at her next NYC live show, an intimate set at Rockwood Music Hall on Wednesday, May 9, at 9pm.

Check out Dana Parish online:
http://www.danaparish.com/
http://www.myspace.com/danaparish
http://noisetrade.com/danaparish
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dana-Parish/183958908292957

Spring Is In Full Bloom at the New York Botanical Garden's 10th Annual Orchid Show.

The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory Houses The 10th Annual Orchid Show.
Photo by WGINY.

Situated on 250 acres of prime property, and operating since 1891, the landmarked New York Botanical Garden is a serene escape from a city known for its towering skyscrapers and urban overcrowding, to a kaleidoscope of color and the brilliant face of Mother Nature.  Through April 22, the main exhibit at the Garden is the The Orchid Show: Patrick Blanc's Vertical Gardens.  The Orchid Show, now in its 10th year, is housed in the Garden's "Enid A. Haupt Conservatory," an immense greenhouse modeled on a similar structure at the British Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.  The show features a rotating annual theme-- last year's theme focused on Broadway, while this year's show highlights "Vertical Gardens" designed by artist and botanist Patrick Blanc. 

"The Waterfall Wall"
Photo by Talisman Brolin. Used with permission.

Entering the Conservatory, visitors are immediately transported into a lush, tropical rainforest, where a flowering "Waterfall Wall," designed by Blanc, greets guests.  Continuing through the various halls of the Conservatory, look up, through trees and all around, as Spring is blooming everywhere.

On display are vanilla orchids (a building block of vanilla extract), butterfly orchids, rainbow orchids, reed orchids, and more, from every corner of the globe.  Make sure to read the placards situated around the exhibit so as to be able to discern the "butterfly" from the "rainbow" orchids and pinpoint which orchids originate from the Americas, or from as far off as China and Vietnam.

Orchid Close-up.
Photo by WGINY.

Rainbow Orchid Close-up.
Photo by WGINY.

Reflecting Pool.
Photo by WGINY.

Let the fragrant aromas of these flowers guide you from the forest to the desert, as you move through the Conservatory.  Although exhibits at the Conservatory change frequently, some of the surrounding flora remains perennially.  There's more to this exhibit than just orchids. Don't neglect the other well-preserved beauties, such as the deserts of the Americas and Africa, or the reflecting pool in the "Palms of the World Gallery."
Nevertheless, if it is orchids you came to see, you can rest assured that approaching what can only be described as the grand finale rooms of the show (aka "The Seasonal Exhibition Galleries") will make visitors squeal, "Oh my, oh my, oh my!" (Yes, that is a direct quote from an anonymous guest...).

"Visitors Enjoy a Cube of Orchids"
Photo by Talisman Brolin. Used with permission.

Patrick Blanc has arranged thousands of vibrant orchids, creating stunning "walls of living foliage" that mesmerize the eyes.  Blanc's method allows flowers and vines to grow along walls without any soil.

In the first room of these Seasonal Exhibition Galleries stands a 13' x 13' cube, both aesthetically and architecturally pleasing, made of walls lined with vertical foliage, and housing some of Blanc's personal reflections on his works, as well as images and drawings of how vertical walls have been practically applied, such as on buildings in Paris, from where the designer hails.

Bursting with brilliant arrays of orchids, this year's show, "Patrick Blanc's Vertical Gardens" is truly a visual treat. Click here to purchase tickets to the Garden, which includes admission to the entire grounds, as well as the Orchid Show.  Ticket and membership purchases help Garden conservation.

"Orchids at the New York Botanical Garden"
Photo by Robert Benson. Used with permission.

Reed Orchids.
Photo by WGINY.

More Tips For Attending the Orchid Show: 

Take a personalized audio tour using your cell phone, by dialing (718) 362-9561 in the Conservatory, and keeping an eye out for placards with tour codes. 

The Orchid Show is an extremely family-friendly environment.  Children of all ages are welcome and will be especially happy if they have their own camera or can at least borrow Mom's camera-phone. 

Don't miss the display of miniature orchids at the show, encased in glass for the plants' protection, these small wonders can contain hundreds to thousands of tiny blooms. 

Wear appropriate shoes.  Remember, you are walking through a rainforest and a desert...  

If you'd like to see the orchids at night, while sipping on a complimentary cocktail and jiving to a DJ, you may enjoy "Orchid Evenings," which takes place every Saturday night throughout the Orchid Show, as well as Friday, April 20.

For the true orchid enthusiast, there are orchid-themed films, classes and lectures available almost daily throughout the show. 

Finally, when you do head out to explore the remainder of the garden (which could take half a day), make sure to grab a map.  You'll avoid getting lost, and you'll know the locations of all tram stops should you tire early.  

Snapshots of Other Suggested Areas to Explore at the Garden: 

(All remaining photos are by WGINY)

Magnolia Trees are Getting Ready to Bloom... 

Cherry Blossom Trees are ... Blossoming!

The Children's Garden features activities for young folks. 

Picturesque, Historic Stone Mill.

Daffodils on Display: Don't Stare Too Long at This "Narcissus"... 

Laugh Yourself Silly at These NYC Comedy Clubs.

Do you like to laugh? Of course you do! Want to know where to go to see your favorite stand-up comedians and improv acts, heckle some amateurs, or try out your own jokes at a comedy open mic?

Here are my suggestions for comedy clubs in NYC:

#1 Pick: Comedy Cellar.  Located in Greenwich Village, on MacDougal Street, between W. 3rd Street and Minetta Lane (just a few doors down from Mamoun's famous falafel restaurant...), Comedy Cellar is by far my favorite comedy club in NYC. Colin Quinn, Dave Attell, and "Godfrey" are just some of the regular comics on the lineup here, and on one occasion, while I was enjoying a Comedy Cellar show, Jerry Seinfeld even stopped by unannounced. Apparently famous celebrity comics tend to drop by quite often.  From Sundays through Thursdays at Comedy Cellar, if you make your reservation early enough, you can get a free "no cover" pass for up to four people (although a 2 item minimum still applies).

I also highly recommend Dangerfied's, a legacy of the late Rodney Dangerfield himself ("I don't get no respect!"), located on 1st Avenue, off of 61st Street.  Dangerfield's, which has been in operation since 1969, claims to be New York City's longest-running comedy club.  There are special discounts available nightly, such as free cover tickets Mondays through Thursdays (with a two drink minimum), and 2 for 1 tickets Fridays through Sundays (with NO drink minimum).  Dangerfield's does not announce a daily lineup on it's website like Comedy Cellar, but you can call for more information (917-210-2541).  Jerry Seinfeld and many others have been known to appear here as well.

If you prefer the improv scene, make some time to stand in line at the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre, founded by comedian Amy Poehler ("Parks and Recreation," "Saturday Night Live," "Baby Mama"), among others, and operating in New York City since 2003.  Although the main location is on W. 26th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, there is also a second NYC location in the East Village, on E. 3rd Street, between Avenues A and B.  "UCBT," as it is often referred to, was the first theater to bring "longform improvisation" to NYC, which the company describes as "an entire show consisting of interconnected scenes, characters, and ideas completely made-up on the spot with no pre-planning or pre-writing." UCBT's shows are a riot, and they are, quite literally, a different experience every single time.  Check out the schedules for UCBT and UCBT East to find the show(s) that suit you.  Note: Although you can make reservations for most shows online, at well worth-it prices, typically $5-10 per ticket with no drink minimum, plan on arriving 30 minutes or even an hour before your showtime, as lines form down the block for nearly every ticketed show.

For a more low-key improv experience, I have a soft spot for Big Apple Playback Theatre, an improvisational group that brings audience members' stories to life through theater, musical performance and sometimes even interpretive dance.  Attending a "BAPT" show can be quite a cathartic experience.  Don't be shy... When the performers ask for audience members to tell a personal story, raise your hand and pour your heart out.  Speak your mind and then watch your own story unfold on the stage in front of you. You may even be called up to participate in the re-enactment.  BAPT holds public shows, runs anti-bullying programs for school-aged children and teenagers, and other community programs.

If you don't have cash to burn on comedy shows, there are also many bars and clubs throughout the city that have free comedy nights.  My suggestion is "Gandhi, Is That You?", a free weekly show on Wednesday evenings, downstairs at Lucky Jack's Bar and Lounge. Other free and low-cost comedy shows are frequently advertised/announced on NYC event and nightlife sites such as theskint and murphguide.

If you're looking to be the one on stage, this calendar provides a pretty comprehensive listing of comedy open mics nightly.

Finally, unless there's a specific comedian you are heading there to see, avoid over-hyped, midtown tourist haunts like Broadway Comedy Club and Caroline's.  They're overpriced and they lack the friendlier, cozy atmosphere of the smaller clubs.  Nevertheless, Caroline's does have a long-running "New Talent" night weekly, where you just might see some amateur comic get his or her start.

"French Roast" Serves Up More Than Just a Good Cup of Coffee.

Brunch has always been my favorite meal of the day, but learning how to "brunch" in New York City can sometimes be a challenge. There is no such thing as "french toast," only "brioche french toast," or "challah french toast."  A short stack of pancakes doesn't exist, but "cinnamon apple pancakes" and "pumpkin pecan pancakes" are all the rage. And those scrambled eggs you love? They're probably available somewhere, but you'll need to get more creative than that if you're looking to fit in at a trendy brunch spot on a Saturday or Sunday mid-morning or afternoon.

Soft Polenta With Brie (and a slice of "Breakfast Pizza" on the side...)

Well, look no further than hip, Upper West Side café,  "French Roast."  While it may be named after the superb cup of coffee it serves, the palatable brunch options more than compliment the java, as I discovered during a recent brunch at French Roast. 

Despite a packed house at around 1:30pm on a Sunday afternoon, we were seated within minutes, and the food was served quickly, yet was fresh and hot. 

My dining companion went for an inventive "breakfast pizza," made with eggs, tomato sauce, parmesan and spinach, while I opted for a "soft polenta with brie" dish, which was a concoction of eggs fried perfectly over easy, situated on a stockpile of fluffy, buttery, brie-ful polenta, garnished with sprigs of asparagus and drizzled with tantalizing white truffle oil. The taste remained on my tongue, and in my mind, for hours after the meal. Although we of course could not try them all, some of the other scrumptious-sounding menu items included a "potato, leek & goat cheese frittata," a "tomato & avocado salsa omelette," "brioche french toast with mixed berries," and, quite classically, "buttermilk pancakes with fresh strawberries and Vermont maple syrup," along with other interesting egg, croque, salad, soup, burger and sandwich options, to name a few... 

"Breakfast Pizza"

French Roast is located at 2340 Broadway, and is open 24 hours a day, but brunch is served only from 10am until 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. French Roast also has a downtown location, in the West Village, with varied menus. Leave a comment if you have any information on the downtown café. 

If You Don't Know JACK (as in, JACK Bistro & Bar), You Should Learn!

Perfectly steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels at Jack

If you're strolling around the Union Square area, overwhelmed by the chain restaurants and trendy cafes, and you just want a simple, hearty meal at a reasonable price, grab a table at JACK Bistro & Bar on the corner of University Place and 11th Street. Self-described as a "warm, vibrant bistro," Jack serves up a variety of savory dishes, from traditional mac and cheese or ravioli, to fresh seafood such as scallops, trout, and mussels, to fuller, more "meaty" meals -- chicken scarpiello, roast turkey, schnitzel, steak frites --- Mmmm is for Meat!! Of course, as with any decent bistro, you will also find an array of various salads and sandwiches.

Truffled Mushroom Flatbread Pizza (offered as a special one evening)

Notwithstanding the plethora of options available for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch (as well as on the extensive, affordable wine list), the best perks of Jack are the many specials available daily. Every night of the week holds a different deal -- Monday is "All You Can Eat Mussels" night; wine specials are offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; Thursday features all desserts half-off (with entree purchase); etc. As if these bargains weren't enough of a draw, Jack is currently offering a "Beat the Winter Blues" dinner special-- a $20 three course prix-fixe option for not only dine-in, but also take-out and delivery patrons. (Bonus: if you order delivery, your meal comes with a complimentary box of Jack's homemade Cajun-style potato chips!).  If you happen to pass by the area at lunchtime, you can also purchase a complete lunch meal for only $10, which comes with soup, salad, entree, a side of frites, and a soft drink! This is really a steal.

Jack is open late for dinner every night, until 11pm, Mondays through Thursdays, 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10pm on Sundays.

Beat the Winter Blues and Get Some Exercise Too!!

When you've come down off the high of the Giants' Superbowl XLVI win, you may look around and find your Sundays impossibly boring and cold. Why not explore one of the city's most beloved winter pastimes -- ice skating! Did you know that there is at least one outdoor skating rink in every borough, except The Bronx, for some reason... and that's just counting the "NYC Parks and Recreation" rinks?

Find the rink closest to you here, and make sure to follow the links for "more information" to see individual rinks' hours, pricing and exact locations. Many rinks also offer both beginner and figure skating lessons for children and adults.

A figure skater performs at Rockefeller Center

Some tips:
If you own your own ice skates, you can skate for FREE at Citi Pond at Bryant Park.

Wollman Rink at the Southern end of Central Park may remind you of a fair number of movies, with its picture perfect setting among the city's skyscrapers, but for a less crowded (and cheaper!) skating experience, head up to 110st Street & Lenox, to the Park's lesser-known rink, Lasker Ice Skating Rink.

The Meatpacking District's famed Standard Hotel is now operating an ice skating rink, for the second winter in a row. Like Bryant Park, you can skate free if you bring your own. I really like the atmosphere around this rink. It's not very touristy, and there is a cute little (outdoor) lounge area where you can enjoy "Aprés Skate" drinks such as real hot chocolate made with melted chocolate before your very eyes (expensive, but worth a try), as well as hot cider and select adult beverages.

If you happen to live in the Stuyvesant Town or Peter Cooper Village rental communities, new for the 2011-2012 season, you and your guests now have access to your own private outdoor rink located at Stuyvesant Oval.

Guess Who Eats Together at the Carnegie Deli?

According to Adam Sandler's, "The Chanukah Song," that would be "Bowser from Sha Na Na and Arthur Fonzerelli." But take a few steps into this tourist haunt, and you'll see that the walls are littered with photos of famous actors and actresses, athletes, politicians, musicians and other celebrities who have dined there. At Carnegie Deli, New York City's largest kosher-style deli, the portions are hearty and huge, with wildly inflated prices to match.

Inside of the "Ah, There's the Reuben" Sandwich

Despite the high prices, the food does certainly please the palate, and, you're guaranteed to have leftovers. My dining companion ordered a quintessential Reuben sandwich. For $23.95, this gargantuan sandwich came "piled high" with corned beef (one could also order pastrami or turkey), sauerkraut, and melted Swiss cheese. Curious just how high the meat on this sandwich was layered, we counted after the first bite -- and it appeared to have TEN layers of sliced corned beef. Looking at my friend's plate, there was clearly enough for two or even three people to share. Carnegie Deli is wise to this, and charges a $3.00 fee for sharing, which I believe can go toward the minimum $12.50 per person table charge when dining in.

I went with a bowl of $10.50 matzah ball soup (which I could have gotten for $9.50 if I wanted it sans noodles...), which was surprisingly and satisfying. Two large, fluffy matzah balls appeared to be perfectly packed together as I poured homemade chicken broth over them (Carnegie serves the broth and the balls separately). While filling, what would have really made this soup top the charts is some fresh vegetables or real chicken in the broth, neither of which are included.

I also ordered a potato pancake, or what many Jews know more recognizably as a "latke," a fried pancake made of potato and onion that is a staple when it comes to traditional kosher cuisine. At $5.50, my hand-sized potato pancake, served with applesauce or sour cream, was actually worth the price, and may be the best latke I have had in the tri-state area (although, it has been quite some time since I have dined at what is arguably NYC's oldest delicatessen, Katz's...).

Conclusion? Carnegie Deli is fun to try once or twice, especially if you have never been to NYC before.  Carnegie Deli is located in midtown, at 7th Avenue and 55th. Carnegie Deli does not accept credit cards; although it does accept travelers' checks. The Deli also delivers.

Go "On Location" to Famous NYC TV and Movie Sites -- Whether You Have Lived Here Your Whole Life or Are Just Visiting for a Day!

Recognize this firehouse?

How about now?

"When was the last time you went "on location"? That's the motto of the only television and movie tour company in New York City, "On Location Tours."

Private "On Location Tours" Bus

WGINY recently had the opportunity to go behind the scenes with "On Location Tours" to visit NYC sites featured in popular movies and TV shows. Although I have lived in the New York metropolitan area nearly my entire life, I was quite impressed by the unique vantage point offered by the "On Location" tour, as I was whimsically guided through a city I thought I already knew.

During the approximately three to four hour Signature New York City TV and Movie Sites Tour, visitors and native-New Yorkers alike (I met at least three of the latter on our tour) were whisked away by a private, luxury coach bus, and taken on a movie-magical journey to discover NYC like they've never seen it before. We visited sites from movies such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's," the "Men in Black" franchise, "The Devil Wears Prada," "When Harry Met Sally," "Miss Congeniality," "Ghostbusters," "Serendipity," "August Rush," "Spider-man," "Superman," "Zoolander," "Scent of a Woman," "Kate & Leopold," and countless others. We also encountered sites where episodes of timeless sitcoms such as "Friends," "Seinfeld," "30 Rock," "Will & Grace," and "Sex and the City," have been filmed, as well as beloved dramas such as "Law and Order," and even those guilty pleasure shows you don't want to admit you watch, like "Gossip Girl," or "The Apprentice."

"I'll have what she's having..." became an oft-quoted line from "When Harry Met Sally" after a scene between Billy Crystal ("Harry") and Meg Ryan ("Sally") at Katz's Delicatessen.

The "Friends" apartment at Bedford and Grove

"I am Legend" fans may recognize these apartments...

"The Cosby Show's" Huxtable Residence

Throughout this exciting tour, our guide, Scott Bolohan, who, like the other six rotating guides that lead this tour, is an actor himself, also pointed out where certain celebrities resided around the city. We learned where stars like Bruce Willis, Renee Zellweger, Billy Crystal, Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and others have their NYC digs. Bonus points were offered to anyone who actually spotted a "celeb" from the bus (although none of us did). As I learned on my tour, and as I also know from personal experience, it can sometimes be difficult to walk around neighborhoods like Midtown or TriBeCa without spotting someone famous. No stranger to the spotlight, our guide kept a comedic personality and showed off his expansive knowledge of random NYC movie and television facts (making sure to also point out each and every role he's played here...).

One of the best parts of the tour were the TV and movie clips that the guide played on the bus, to complement each site the tour came upon. It really gave the tour a special flavor to be able to watch, for example, Chris Reeves (as Superman), landing on Margot Kidder's terrace (Lois Lane) in the 1978 original, sensational "Superman," and then look up and see the very building "Ms. Lane" lived in towering above us, or to view clips from more modern movies like "Enchanted," in Central Park, or "I am Legend," in Madison Square Park, just as we passed these spaces. And while an enclosed bus might not be the very best way to see each of these sites (despite large, clear windows), our tour did literally stop to go "on location" five times -- in Greenwich Village, SoHo, TriBeCa, and twice in the West Village. Some of the many highlights of these stops were visiting the famed firehouse from "Ghostbusters," which remains a working firehouse to this day, hanging on the porch of the "Cosby" residence (Surprise!... it's not really in Brooklyn...), and standing outside the "Friends" apartment building.

Overall, the On Location Tour, which began at 11am, was a wonderful way to spend a morning and early afternoon. Even if you've never seen any of the movies or TV shows I've mentioned (which I would find highly unlikely...), at its core this tour provides a relaxed adventure through some of NYC's most historic landmarks. Any guidebook will note the popularity of iconic sites such as the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, the Flatiron Building, St. Patrick's Cathedral, F.A.O. Schwartz, Columbus Circle, as well as the many public parks the city thrives on -- Central Park, Washington Square Park, Bryant Park, and Madison Square Park, to name a few. The tour passed by all of these, and we were treated to the rich histories of each site, both on and off the screen, as well as given some tips for how to come back and visit these sites on our own (e.g. to go to the top of the Empire State Building).

St. Patrick's Cathedral is featured in "Spider-man"

Central Park's southwest entrance is featured in "Enchanted," and the park overall is the most filmed location in the world!

For just $42, this tour is a true steal, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to explore the city, especially, of course, if you do happen to be a TV or movie buff. **Special discount for WGINY readers: use promo code "TakeTwo" when you purchase your tickets online to save 10%**

On Location Tours also has other tours tailored to Brooklyn TV and Movie Sites, Central Park TV and Movie Sites, Sex and the City Hotspots, Sopranos Sites, and Gossip Girl Sites, or combine your "Signature" TV and Movie Sites tour with a visit to Madame Tussaud's or an NBC Studio Tour. After your tour ends, check your tour's "playbill" for tips on how to score free tickets to live tapings in NYC.

Never a dull moment in vibrant Washington Square Park.