City Living

Inside the world of NYC birding: City wildlife is more than ‘just pigeons and cockroaches’

Photo credit: NYC Bird Alliance

August 15, 2024

Inside the world of NYC birding: City wildlife is more than ‘just pigeons and cockroaches’

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Angie Co’s favorite spots for birding in New York City are Prospect Park, Greenwood Cemetery, and Jamaica Bay, a wildlife refuge and National Park that’s host to over 325 species of birds, mostly migratory waterfowl. But it was in a community garden a few blocks from her Brooklyn home that her husband, also an avid birder (and one gifted in recognizing bird songs), spotted a bright yellow Kentucky warbler. Within minutes, birders descended on the park with cameras; they had gotten a rare bird alert on eBird. Co prefers not to sign up for alerts. "I like to be surprised and find birds myself," she said. "I don’t like to chase birds."
details here
8 iconic NYC venues still hosting live music

Cafe Wha? Photo by Meredith Ryncarz

August 13, 2024

8 iconic NYC venues still hosting live music

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Live music has always been an integral part of New York City's identity, with many of the last century's cultural movements taking root in the basements and stages of iconic music venues. While many of these historic spots have disappeared, a few continue to host live performances today. Ahead, we dive into the best music venues in NYC that are still rocking, from the recently restored Brooklyn Paramount to iconic places like Cafe Wha? and the Bitter End in Greenwich Village, where legendary performers like Bob Dylan made their start.
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Grand Central Terminal joins ‘Summer Streets’ for the first time

All photos courtesy of Grand Central Terminal/MTA

August 8, 2024

Grand Central Terminal joins ‘Summer Streets’ for the first time

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Grand Central Terminal is participating in New York City's "Summer Streets" program for the first time ever. The annual event closes several miles of streets to cars to make space for outdoor recreation and activities. On August 10 and 17, the iconic train hall will host "The Grand Lawn," at 40th Street and Park Avenue, offering free outdoor lawn games and food and drink provided by Grand Central eateries.
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Brooklyn’s greenest block is in Crown Heights

Lincoln Place. Photo by Artchan Nadura

August 6, 2024

Brooklyn’s greenest block is in Crown Heights

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The greenest block in Brooklyn is in Crown Heights. And so is the second-greenest block. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden on Tuesday crowned Lincoln Place between New York and Nostrand Avenues as the winner of its Greenest Block competition, an annual contest open to all blocks and community gardens in the borough. Another win for the neighborhood, the garden awarded Eastern Parkway between Bedford and Franklin Avenues second place.
and the winners are
Buying an apartment in NYC: Condo or co-op?

Photo by Garrett Lawrence on Unsplash

August 2, 2024

Buying an apartment in NYC: Condo or co-op?

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Choosing between a co-op and a condo is a significant decision for potential homebuyers in New York City, with each option offering unique benefits and challenges. Co-ops, where buyers purchase shares in a corporation that owns the building, often provide a more affordable and community-focused living experience but come with strict board approval processes and resale restrictions. Condos offer full property ownership with greater flexibility in renting and selling, although they typically come at a higher cost and with increased closing expenses. And condops, which provide features of both property types, allow for more flexibility but possibly higher closing costs. Ahead, learn about the key differences among these property types in New York City to find which one best aligns with your lifestyle and financial goals.
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Where to find–or learn–your favorite Olympic sport in NYC

Photo courtesy of USA Fencing

July 25, 2024

Where to find–or learn–your favorite Olympic sport in NYC

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Tuning in to the Olympics can inspire us to run, sail, leap, or roll back into our favorite athletic pastimes–or discover new ones. The 2024 Summer Olympics, hosted in Paris from Friday, July 26 through Sunday, August 11, will feature 329 events in 32 sports, from traditional sports like tennis and track to newcomers like skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing (breaking will make its Olympic debut this year). If you'd like to get into archery, find a soccer team, or learn to surf, New York City can help you get moving. From programs run by the city's parks to private clubs and organizations, the list below will get you started–or ready for the 2028 games!
join the fun
13 places to go hiking in New York City

Photo of Marine Park via Wikimedia

July 24, 2024

13 places to go hiking in New York City

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Forget the rental car or Metro-North trip, all you need to go hiking is subway or bus fare. Home to over 30,000 acres of parkland, New York City offers hundreds of nature trails to explore in parks across the five boroughs. New Yorkers do not have to travel very far to connect with the great outdoors, from the Staten Island Greenbelt, which is three times the size of Central Park, to ecologically diverse forests in Van Cortlandt Park, to the salt marshes of Marine Park Preserve. Ahead, discover some of the best trails to hike in every borough.
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NYC ‘Summer Streets’ to return with longer hours for more car-free fun

Summer Streets 2022. Photo courtesy of the NYC Department of Transportation on Flickr

June 25, 2024

NYC ‘Summer Streets’ to return with longer hours for more car-free fun

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New York City's "Summer Streets" program is returning next month with more time to enjoy car-free streets. The annual event closes several miles of street, allowing for fun outdoor recreation and activities on certain Saturdays. Previously only hosted in Manhattan, in 2023, the program was expanded to every borough. Not only will Summer Streets once again hit all five boroughs, but this year's event will also last longer, with streets closed for an extra two hours, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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How to apply for NYC’s Section 8 voucher waitlist

Image courtesy of edwardhblake on Flickr

June 4, 2024

How to apply for NYC’s Section 8 voucher waitlist

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The New York City Housing Authority's Section 8 housing voucher waitlist reopened on Monday for the first time in 15 years, allowing low-income families to apply for rental subsidies. The waitlist's reopening comes as New Yorkers struggle to afford the cost of living amid skyrocketing rent prices due to the city's housing crisis. Once the application period closes on June 9, NYCHA will randomly place 200,000 applications on the waitlist. As of Tuesday morning, nearly 313,000 applications were already submitted. Ahead, find out what you should know about applying for the Section 8 housing voucher waitlist, including eligibility requirements, deadlines, and waitlist preferences.
how to apply
NYC Pride 2024: The best ways to celebrate

Image courtesy of Steven Pisano on Flickr

May 31, 2024

NYC Pride 2024: The best ways to celebrate

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Pride Month has arrived in New York City, and with it, an endless number of ways to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community. As the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, kickstarted by the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, the five boroughs can be counted on to advocate for a future without discrimination and celebrate our diverse communities. Heritage of Pride, the nonprofit organization that plans and produces NYC's official Pride celebrations every year, offers a calendar to help you find different events. Ahead, 6sqft put together a guide to Pride in New York City, with parades, parties, performances, and more, happening throughout June.
happy pride, nyc
Manhattanhenge 2024: NYC’s stunning sunset returns

Photo by John Gillespie on Flickr cc

May 23, 2024

Manhattanhenge 2024: NYC’s stunning sunset returns

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New York City's most photographed sunset is back. Manhattanhenge, the cosmic phenomenon when the sun aligns perfectly with the Manhattan street grid and creates a magical, glowing spectacle among skyscrapers, takes place twice every year. This year, a full sun will be visible on the grid on May 29 and July 12, and a half sun seen on May 28 and July 13.
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The best real estate websites for New York City homebuyers

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels

May 17, 2024

The best real estate websites for New York City homebuyers

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In a city as large, diverse, and fast-paced as New York City, buying an apartment here can be an overwhelming experience. These days, the process often starts online, with several websites offering an extensive list of the latest available apartments on the market, sales history, and neighborhood details. Some websites are better to use than others, though, whether it's the amount of property information provided, a user-friendly interface, or up-to-date figures. Ahead, we've rounded up the five best real estate websites for New York City homebuyers.
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NYC to install ‘bee hotels’ in 7 public plazas to protect at-risk pollinators

Photos courtesy of NYC Department of Transportation.

April 26, 2024

NYC to install ‘bee hotels’ in 7 public plazas to protect at-risk pollinators

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"Bee hotels" are coming soon to a public plaza near you. The city's Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Thursday announced the Pollinator Port Project, which will install habitats for at-risk native bee populations at seven public plazas and open streets, giving them a place for nourishment and allowing researchers from Rutgers University to analyze their use of the "bee bunkers" and how they travel across the city.
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East Village Mexican-American cocktail bar Superbueno crowned best in the U.S.

Photo by John Shyloski

April 24, 2024

East Village Mexican-American cocktail bar Superbueno crowned best in the U.S.

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After just a year in business, an East Village cocktail bar has been named the best bar in the country. The annual list of the 50 best bars in North America was released on Wednesday, crowning Superbueno as the top establishment in the United States and second on the continent. Located at 13 1st Avenue, the Mexican-American cocktail bar serves drinks inspired by Mexican cuisine with a New York twist.
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The best spots for free outdoor music in NYC this summer

American Symphony Orchestra at Bryant Park on 9/7/2023. Photo by Chris Lee.

April 24, 2024

The best spots for free outdoor music in NYC this summer

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While there is an endless variety of ticketed shows throughout the five boroughs, it's nice not to empty your bank account to enjoy a live performance. We've put together a list of the best spots in NYC to catch outdoor music this summer for free, from stoops and schoolyards in Park Slope during the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music's Open Stages festival to Bryant Park's lawn to watch the New York City Opera.
find out where the music's playing
Open Streets 2024 season kicks off across NYC

Photo courtesy of NYC DOT on Flickr

April 23, 2024

Open Streets 2024 season kicks off across NYC

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New York City's open streets season is in full swing. The car-free Earth Day celebration on Saturday marked the start of 2024's Open Streets program in the five boroughs, closing over 100 streets to vehicles and transforming them into safe public spaces for educational programs, recreation, and more. A list of participating locations can be found here, with additional ones to be announced throughout the summer.
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Petite but posh: Interior designers share their favorite small-space makeovers 
April 22, 2024

Petite but posh: Interior designers share their favorite small-space makeovers 

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New York City apartments are small. It’s just a fact of life that in a city that crams over 8 million people into 300 square miles, there will be some space challenges. From using the oven for storage a la Carrie Bradshaw to turning hallways and closets into bedrooms, most New Yorkers know how to get creative in their living spaces. But as New Yorkers graduate to more “grown up” apartments, the space-saving hacks should get more sophisticated too. Interior designers based in New York, San Francisco (our cramped sister city to the west), and nationwide share how they made tight spaces shine in elegant homes.
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Kick off the Knicks and Rangers postseason runs at ‘Playoff Palooza’

Playoff Palooza in Herald Square in 2023. Photos courtesy of MSG Sports

April 18, 2024

Kick off the Knicks and Rangers postseason runs at ‘Playoff Palooza’

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Get ready, New York sports fans. The Knicks and Rangers kick off their 2024 playoff runs this weekend. To build hype ahead of the round one games, the teams will host a free "playoff palooza" on Saturday with appearances from alumni from both teams, fun activations, face painting, a t-shirt press, photo ops, and more. The event, sponsored by Dunkin', takes place on April 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place in Battery Park City.
join the hype
These 10 NYC Seders offer a fresh take on Passover tradition

Photo courtesy of Bubby’s

April 17, 2024

These 10 NYC Seders offer a fresh take on Passover tradition

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When celebrating the Jewish holiday of Passover with family and friends, the Seder anchors the festivities. Whether it's a first-night dinner or a second-night repast, a traditional table, or a DIY affair that fits your community, you can find a public, inclusive Pesach party among New York City's restaurants, Jewish organizations, and community gathering places. Below are 10 ways to Seder–without the catering or cleanup.
why is this night different from all other nights?
NYC experiences its strongest earthquake in 140 years

Image courtesy of PunkToad on Flickr

April 5, 2024

NYC experiences its strongest earthquake in 140 years

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No, it wasn't merely the rumbling of a subway train or a nearby construction site. At roughly 10:23 a.m. on Friday, New York City experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake, marking the largest quake felt across the five boroughs in 140 years, since a 5 magnitude quake shook the city in 1884. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) identified the epicenter in northern New Jersey, about 50 miles from the city. No major damage to infrastructure, injuries, or deaths have been reported so far, according to city and state officials.
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50+ streets in NYC to go car-free for Earth Day

Image courtesy of NYC DOT on Flickr

April 3, 2024

50+ streets in NYC to go car-free for Earth Day

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New York City's car-free Earth Day event is back and better than ever. On Saturday, April 20, 53 streets and plazas across the five boroughs will be closed to cars and open for pedestrians and cyclists, nearly doubling the number of locations from last year. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the annual Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day includes seven signature event locations and 46 partner-produced open street locations, featuring public art, community programming, live performances, and more.
find out more
How to make beautiful bouquets for cheap with flowers from Trader Joe’s

All photos courtesy of Joe’s Florist on Instagram

April 1, 2024

How to make beautiful bouquets for cheap with flowers from Trader Joe’s

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Joe’s Florist on Instagram is not actually an official Trader Joe’s florist at all. Rachel, the New York City woman behind the account that has amassed 245,000 followers (plus 37,000 on TikTok), works in the tech industry and makes bouquets as a hobby. "My earlier career was more creative pursuits, but now it's a more tech-heavy space, so I was looking for something creative to fill that hole,” she said. “It had been a while since I flexed that muscle, so I was intimidated to go back to painting or something like that, so I went to flower arranging." Rachel relies on flowers from Trader Joe’s because they are among the most affordable; she shows her followers how to combine the low-cost bundles of flowers into beautiful arrangements that look much more expensive than they are. Rachel also offers tips and tricks and answers floral arrangement questions from her commenters.
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Macy’s annual Flower Show brings sights and scents of spring to Herald Square

Photo credit: Macy’s, Inc.

March 25, 2024

Macy’s annual Flower Show brings sights and scents of spring to Herald Square

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It may still feel like winter in most of New York City, but in Herald Square, spring has sprung. Macy's on Sunday unveiled its 49th annual Flower Show, filling its flagship store in Midtown with thousands of unique living plants and flowers. This year's show features Christian Dior Parfums with an installation and pop-up boutique exploring the history of the iconic Miss Dior fragrance.
get the details
Take a cherry blossom tour in NYC

Green-Wood Cemetery. Photo Credit: Amy Nieporent

March 21, 2024

Take a cherry blossom tour in NYC

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Thousands of cherry blossom trees across the five boroughs have begun to sprout their vibrant petals, marking the arrival of spring in NYC. One of the best ways to experience the breathtaking flora is by embarking on a tour through one of the city's cherry blossom hot spots. Luckily, plenty of locations across the city offer tours of cherry blossoms and spring flowers, including Central Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Green-Wood Cemetery, and more.
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NYC Chinese food festival returns next month with expanded lineup

Photos courtesy of Dragon Fest

March 18, 2024

NYC Chinese food festival returns next month with expanded lineup

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Dragon Fest, New York City’s first-ever outdoor Chinese food and culture festival, is returning next month after a successful debut last year. This year’s festival includes an expanded lineup, featuring 16 unique events hosted in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens from April 6 through October 6. Attendees can enjoy Chinese art, cultural traditions, and more than 100 varieties of Chinese food from esteemed local vendors such as Nan Xiang and MìLa.
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