Working Vacation: New York

July 2022

Things to Do When You're Traveling Through - Restaurants, Sites in New York

New York City

The largest city in the United States is made up of five boroughs. There are museums, attractions, and lots of entertainment options in NYC. Howard Rose is vice president of Rose Squared Productions, Inc., which has art shows in New Jersey. Spring Brookdale Park is June 18-19, in Bloomfield. Anderson Park is Sept. 17-18, in Montclair. Fall Brookdale Park is Oct. 15-16, in Bloomfield. There was also a Rose Squared show in Verona in May. 

Rose recommends these restaurants: 

  • Rosa Mexicano
    61 Columbus Ave. at 62nd St., New York, NY 10023 
    rosamexicano.com
    “Consistently good food at tolerable prices,” Rose said. 
  • Sushi Damo 
    330 W. 58th St., New York, NY 10019 
    sushidamo58.com
    “Near Lincoln Center,” Rose said. 
  • Magnolia Bakery 
    200 Columbus Ave. (at 69th St.) New York, NY 10023 (and other locations) 
    magnoliabakery.com
    “Perfect for desserts,” Rose said. 

Sites Rose recommends: 

  • Museum of Arts and Design
    2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019 
    madmusem.org
    “If you love crafts, this is a perfect museum. Not too big, on Columbus Circle,” Rose said. 
  • American Folk Art Museum 
    2 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023 
    folkartmuseum.org
    Always free, small but unique,” Rose said. 
  • Little Island 
    Pier 55 in Hudson River, Park West 13th St., New York, NY 10014  
    littleisland.org
    Visit it for something different, Rose said. 

Jacqueline Johnson lives in New York state and is the owner of JJ Attic.  

Johnson recommends these sites: 

  • New York Botanical Garden 
    2900 Southern Blvd., (Bronx) New York, NY 10458 
    nybg.org
    “Fabulous,” Johnson said. 
  • Arthur Avenue 
    Center of the Bronx’s Little Italy, New York, NY 
    arthuravenuebronx.com
    “Great Italian food and groceries,” Johnson said. 

Croton-on-Hudson 

This village is north of New York City. Stacy Wilder is co-chair of the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, which is Oct. 1-2. She shared places to visit in the Hudson Valley. “There is much to do here, including a multitude of hiking and biking trails, plus outdoor art, museums, historic buildings, and properties,” she said. “There are many fabulous places to eat, from homemade ice creams to Michelin Star restaurants. It’s hard to narrow down so many great choices!” 

Sites Wilder recommends: 

  • Hudson River Recreation 
    3 Veterans Plaza, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 (and other launch sites throughout the Hudson Valley) 
    kayakhudson.com
    “Explore the historic waterways of New York from the Hudson River,” Wilder said. 
  • Croton Gorge Park 
    35 Yorktown Road, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 
    parks.westchestergov.com/croton-gorge-park
    “Park has impressive views of the dam and spillway. Also, fishing, picnicking, and hiking,” Wilder said. 
Pictured above are works of art on view at the American Folk Art Museum through Sept. 5. MULTITUDES was organized to mark the museum’s 60th anniversary. Photo courtesy of Olya Vysotskaya 
An aerial view of the Perennial Garden and the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at The New York Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden 

Norwich

Peggy Finnegan is the visual arts coordinator and treasurer of Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, Inc. This year’s event is Sept. 10-11, in downtown Norwich. “Central New York is a very scenic and beautiful part of the country, with amazing architecture, great food, and friendly people,” Finnegan said. “Our fall foliage rivals anywhere else in the Northeast, and winter sports are everywhere. Summers are ideal with many opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, hiking, camping, and much more.” 

Finnegan recommends these restaurants: 

  • Blarney Stone Pub 
    26 S. Broad St., #1, Norwich, NY 13815 
    facebook.com/BlarneyStoneNorwich 
    “Casual atmosphere with good pub food and a variety of beers on tap, including popular seasonal brews,” Finnegan said. 
  • The Wild Owl 
    28 S. Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815 
    wildowlbistro.com
    “Good, locally sourced food, varied menu,” Finnegan said. 

Site Finnegan recommends: 

  • Northeast Classic Car Museum 
    24 Rexford St., Norwich, NY 13815 
    classiccarmuseum.org
    “Fantastic collection of antique cars, trucks, etc.,” Finnegan said. 

Rochester

This city is on Lake Ontario. Bonni Oliver has a craft business and does shows in New York. She said there is much to do in Rochester. “Just 20 minutes north to the lake and all it has to offer. The Strong Museum is great with kids, the scavenger hunts (adults and kids) with Crazy Dash are awesome,” Oliver said. “Highland Park is stunning, especially in the spring when the lilacs are blooming and great for walking or biking. Seneca Park Zoo is a wonderful experience for all ages. Crush beer and wine tours are well worth the money.” 

Restaurants Oliver recommends: 

  • Basha Mediterranean Eatery 
    2900 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14618 
    bashamed.com
    “Authentic food, excellent service. It was outstanding,” Oliver said. 
  • Zemeta Ethiopian Restaurant 
    1015-1009 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620 
    zemeta-ethiopian-restaurant.business.site
    “Authentic food, excellent service, buffet style so you can try everything. Outstanding,” Oliver said. 

Cooperstown

Located in central New York, Cooperstown is known for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. This village also has other attractions, as well as restaurants, breweries, and outdoor recreation. 

Finnegan recommends these sites: 

  • The Farmers’ Museum 
    5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326 
    farmersmuseum.org
    “Museum of early country life,” Finnegan said. 
  • Fenimore Art Museum 
    5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326 
    fenimoreartmuseum.org
    “Museum of art, Indian artifacts, and antiquities,” Finnegan said. 

Hudson

Enjoy exploring this city in upstate New York. Ola Rubinstein is the director of Quail Hollow Events. Its Woodstock-New Paltz Fall Show is Sept. 3-5, and Handcrafted Octoberfest at Rhinebeck is Oct. 1-2. 

Rubinstein recommends visiting: 

  • Olana State Historic Site 
    5720 State Route 9G, Hudson, NY 12534 
    olana.org
    “Olana was home to 19th century Hudson River School painter Frederic Church, and it wows from the moment visitors arrive at the historic landmark — one of the only intact estate-home-studios in the U.S. Many of Church’s original paintings adorn the walls of the large home, alongside artwork Church collected during his expansive travels and adventures. The home is a hybrid style; non-Western aesthetic traditions permeate the architecture and design. It is a must-see!” Rubinstein said. 

Brewster

This small village on the Croton River is about an hour north of New York City.  

Wilder recommends this restaurant: 

  • Red Rooster Drive-In 
    1566 Route 22, Brewster, NY 10509 
    redroosterdrivein.com
    “Iconic ‘60s style fast food hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, and the best fries. Plus, a mini golf course and other activities for kids. A great family spot, and on the way to everywhere,” Wilder said. 

A site Wilder recommends: 

  • Salinger’s Orchard 
    230 Guinea Road, Brewster, NY 10509 
    salingersorchard.net
    “Apple picking in season with seasonal crops all year. Country shop carries fresh pies, local honey, baked goods, candy, and gluten free items. Café offering baked goods, coffee, and dog treats,” Wilder said. 

More Must-sees in New York

Jackie Hersh is the director of Artrider Productions, Inc. Its Rhinebeck Crafts Festival is June 25-26. Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst is Sept. 16-18, and Craft New York is Oct. 1-2. Artrider Productions also has a Spring Crafts at Lyndhurst show. 

Hersh recommends these places: 

  • Mountain Brauhaus 
    3123 U.S. 44 Gardiner, NY 12525 
    mountainbrauhaus.com
    “Authentic German cuisine, family-owned for decades,” Hersh said. 
  • Le Canard Enchaine 
    276 Fair St., Kingston, NY 12401 
    le-canardenchaine.com
    “Delicious, authentic French cuisine,” Hersh said. 
  • Lyndhurst Mansion 
    635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 
    lyndhurst.org
    “Gothic-style mansion located on a sprawling 67 acres by the Hudson River. Where Crafts at Lyndhurst is held!” Hersh said. 

Finnegan recommends these sites: 

Wilder recommends these places:

  • Fortina 
    17 Maple Ave., Armonk, NY 10504 (with locations also in Rye Brook and Yonkers) 
    fortinapizza.com
    “Consistently a Best of Westchester winner. Great artisanal pizzas and more in a rustic and relaxed setting,” Wilder said. 
  • Storm King Art Center 
    1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY 12553 
    stormking.org
    “Expansive outdoor sculpture park with dynamic exhibitions and programs,” Wilder said. 

Rubinstein recommends these sites: 

  • Art Omi Sculpture & Architecture Park 
    1405 County Route 22, Ghent, NY 12075 
    artomi.org
    “The drive to Ghent itself offers picturesque views of the Hudson Valley, and Art Omi is interactive, site-specific sculpture at its best! Visitors of all ages will have fun traversing nature trails on the park’s 120 acres, while exploring varied large-scale sculptures,” Rubinstein said. 
  • Opus 40 
    356 George Sickle Road, Saugerties, NY 12477 
    opus40.org
    “Opus 40 inspires all who visit — both because of the awe-inspiring, sprawling sculpture series by Harvey Fite, as well as the environment that the sculpture park inhabits,” Rubinstein said. 
The main house at Olana. Photo courtesy of Peter Aaron/OTTO 
The exterior of Lyndhurst Mansion. Photo courtesy of Lyndhurst, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation by Clifford Pickett Photography 
Outdoor seating is an option at New York Pizzeria & Restaurant. Photo courtesy of Meredith Baio 
An example of one of the pizzas available at New York Pizzeria & Restaurant. Photo courtesy of Meredith Baio
A view of the South Fields at Storm King Art Center. Photo by Storm King Art Center, courtesy of Mark di Suvero and Spacetime C.C. 
A sculpture by artist Mark di Suvero at Storm King Art Center. Photo by Storm King Art Center, courtesy of Mark di Suvero and Spacetime C.C. 
Untitled is the name of this sculpture by Bianca Beck, at the Art Omi Sculpture & Architecture Park. Photo by Bryan Zimmerman, courtesy of Art Omi 
Pac-Lab by Will Ryman at the Art Omi Sculpture & Architecture Park. Photo by Alon Koppel, courtesy of Art Omi