New York City’s Roosevelt Island

New York City’s Roosevelt Island is a gem, with bucolic landscaping and scenic waterfront views. It’s a great place to stroll, jog or picnic. Accessible by a four-minute tram from Manhattan’s Midtown East, Roosevelt Island isn’t on most anyone’s list — many native New Yorkers have never visited — but it should be. These are some images from the holiday season. 

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A Cozy New York City Wine Bar

 I love finding a cozy, atmospheric, informal wine bar with a variety of selections by the glass. That’s what I found at Kurant, a Midtown east wine bar in NYC  that also has some wonderful food options, including the cheese platter, the guacamole with chips, and the sweet potato fries that are accompanied by a delightfully smoky (and spicy) huancaina sauce. And now they’re all decked out for the holidays.

The art hanging on the exposed brick walls depicting old world New York City contributes to the cozy vibe at Kurant that’s noted for its warm and welcoming vibe.

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Scenic Photos In My Backyard

 As a photographer, I’m all about presenting even tried-and-true destinations from a completely different perspective. I’m captivated by color and form. But, I don’t need to travel to locales that are far-afield. I find treasures right in my backyard — sometimes literally — as these images reveal. Of course, all my photos are available for purchase, whether as any occasion note cards or photo prints.

There are abundant botanicals to be found on New York City’s Roosevelt Island that’s a short tram ride from Midtown east.

These were the dramatically-hued leaves on my neighbor’s tree. 

After 15 mph winds, blowing most of those leaves off my neighbor’s tree, this is the picturesque scene nature left for me on my lawn.

I found this scene when I set foot on a wooden deck in the backyard of a tiny coffee shop in New York City.

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The Scenic Cornell Tech Campus on Roosevelt Island

The campus of Cornell Tech on New York’s Roosevelt Island couldn’t be more scenic, rain or shine.

It has a dreamy side — such as my view of the 59th Street Bridge when walking from the tram on Roosevelt Island. Or the reflections of sky, clouds and bridge in the windows.

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New York City’s Governors Island - A Bucolic Getaway

Sitting in New York Harbor, Governors Island is just a short ferry ride from the Manhattan shoreline yet it feels worlds apart. 

And, of course, it’s blanketed with foliage to keep me entranced.

Strolling on the network of flower-laden paths that wend through the Hammock Grove on Governors Island is sheer delight.

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A Green Space Atop A New York City Library

 On Fifth Avenue stands a gem of a library. No, not the “one with the lions” that’s diagonally across from this other one, formerly known simply the Mid Manhattan Library, which had been going downhill in terms of its architecture, design and functionality for quite some time. Then it closed for renovations and I pretty much forgot about it. Until a week or so ago when it reopened. The completely resurrected and renovated Mid-Manhattan Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library is dramatic, bold and sun-filled. And, the rooftop terrace and soon-to-open cafe/coffee shop are the icing on the cake.

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New York City’s New Green Space

Derelict Pier 54 in Manhattan has been reimagined as Little Island, a new Hudson River installation that adds an almost three-acre green space to the city.

On my recent visit, I found an abundance of stellar flora, though it seemed everyone else seemed to be captivated by selfies.

Spending just an hour climbing the undulating landscape of Little Island and concentrating my attention on the many-hued blooms is a rejuvenating experience.

I noticed dazzling blooms and creative hardscape structures everywhere, even along the stairs and beside the railings.

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Springtime in New York City - Astoria

Riding the East River Ferry is the scenic way of escaping my New York City neighborhood that’s mostly devoid of nature. The other day I took the relatively new route to Astoria, Queens where I found an abundance of showy blooms (and coffee shops, such as the adorable and yummy Chateau Le Woof that appeals to pets and their humans). 

The ferry is a delight: It’s scenic, inexpensive and efficient. Myriad routes criss-cross the East River, and every week or so I’ll be exploring green spaces and coffee shops in a different neighborhood.

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A New Green Space on Roosevelt Island

It's certainly curious that so many New Yorkers have never visited Roosevelt Island, which is just a five-minute tram ride from Manhattan. (It's also a stop on the subway.) The two-mile-long island is serene, scenic and safe. But, now there's more reason than ever to visit. In fall 2017, the Cornell Tech campus opened as a sustainable university campus, and the newest campus in the city. The best thing for the public is the expansive green spaces, pedestrian paths, and numerous seating options on this 12-acre campus that features the Bloomberg Center. This contemporary, energy efficient structure was named for the daughters of Michael Bloomberg, the City's former mayor who spearheaded the initiative to develop the campus. This building is decked out with a rooftop of solar panels. And it also has the ability to capture rainwater that's used for irrigation, cooling and the plumbing system. Grassy lawns, ornamental grasses, and numerous small trees pepper the landscape where there are numerous seating options. And, no matter what time you visit, you'll notice that the facade of the Bloomberg Center takes on a different sheen depending on the time of the day. (It's because of the way the metal disk cladding reflecting the light.) A hotel is planned to open in 2020.

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Gardens Resembling Works of Art

I’ve always been in awe of the creative works of Brazilian native, Roberto Burle Marx, a conservationist and legendary landscape architect who’s most noted for his wavy patterns on the sidewalk of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. He used plants as anyone else would work with paint pigments to design gardens that are unique in their patterns, forms and color palette. I was delighted to recently visit the New York Botanical Garden that has a tribute to him -- “Brazilian Modern: The Living Art of Roberto Burle Marx: -- that’s open until September 29. It’s a must see whether you know anything about this legendary man or not. The exhibition, which includes tropical plants that are native to Brazil, is divided into four sections. The Modernist Garden has paths that are curvy as are the planting beds. Here you find elephant's ears, bromeliads as well as Caribbean and Brazilian palms. The Explorer’s Garden is lush with tropical rain forest plants such as philodendrons. The Water Garden has a whimsical wall dripping with staghorn ferns, as well as a large pool dotted with water lilies and other aquatic plants, including the Victoria amazonica whose leaves can grow as wide as nine feet. There’s also an indoor exhibition of his boldly-hued abstract textiles, drawings and paintings. As part of that exhibition, the Rotunda is where visitors are given insights into Burle Marx’s estate, referred to as the Sitio that served as his studio and home. The re-creation includes wall graphics that reference the hand painted blue and white tiles that line his studio’s walls.

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A New and Uncreative Development in New York City

In Manhattan, the far West Side has a new addition, a sprawling development, and, after visiting it once, I prefer not to see it again. The almost 30-acre Hudson Yards has finally opened -- or at least part of it has opened -- to much fanfare. But, sadly, it’s a symbol of the disparity of income that’s become worse in the U.S. Visitors wait on long lines for a taste of paella or churros, or to climb the more than 150 flights of what’s referred to as the Vessel, that’s an ostentatious, interactive piece of art. Climbing the network of sometimes narrow stairways in this funnel-shaped installation, you shouldn’t expect to find anything except views of the Hudson River (and the mall and cultural center). Meanwhile, the high-end crowd browses the floor set up for the superluxe retailers, such as Gucci, Dior and Rolex in the multi-story mall. Those with less than stellar bank accounts may prefer to browse the floors housing more ordinary retail outlets. Yes, there’s a cloud-like structure, the Shed, that serves as a cultural center for dance, concerts and art exhibitions. But Hudson Yards feels cold, uncreative, and soulless with public spaces that offer little verdancy. (Maybe that will change with time.). Tens of billions of dollars were poured into Hudson Yards to attract wealthy businesses and condo owners. Let’s see whether the Hudson Yards is able to turn the far West Side into a must-see destination.

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Photos: Whimsy in a New York City Hotel

For me, so many of the hotels in Manhattan fall into two categories: luxury brands and low-end hotels that feel dark and dismal. So, imagine my surprise to discover the new Moxy Hotel in lower Manhattan that's bright, fun, and affordable. I was already in love with Marriott's Moxy brand after visiting their recently-opened property in Chattanooga, Tennessee. What makes the Moxy such a breath of fresh air is that each property has an immense, comfortable public space full of art, quirky design features, and games. Finally, a hotel where you feel like you actually want to hang out in a "lounge" and feel comfortable, even if you're traveling by yourself. Sure, the sunny rooms are minimalist -- but they've got art features as well -- and few places to store whatever you brought with you, including your luggage. But who's going to spend much time in the room when there's so much to enjoy on their third floor? These are some of the images from the Moxy that's on Ann Street just off Fulton Street, near the World Trade Center.

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This Travel Writer Is Also A Screenwriter - Early Peek

Credit: @Jeanine Barone

Many who read my blog may not be aware that I’m also a comedy screenwriter. (I’ve written 17 shorts and 3 feature comedies.) This is an early peek of “Such A Deal,” a comedy short film that we shot a little over a month ago. According to Dionna McMillian @dionnafilm: “The final color will be magical, just like the adventure our heroine goes on... ”

I’m so thrilled to have worked with Dionna McMillian @dionnafilm and the entire awesome cast and crew.

Story by and co-written by me, @jcreaturetravel

Directed by and co-written by Dionna McMillian @dionnafilm

Starring @ebonyobsidian

Co-starring @damianemcee

Co-produced by @kenziemcheather

DP @barbieleungdp

Stedicam operator @eddielebron

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Another New Park for New York City

Domino Park is one of the triad of new New York City parks that opened this summer along the East River. What makes it different from the other two I recently wrote about is that it has a very industrial feel. No surprise, considering it references the 19th century Domino Sugar Factory -- once the largest in the world -- whose edifice stands across the street from the park’s expanse in this Williamsburg, Brooklyn neighborhood. Salvaged sugar syrup collection tanks that stand almost 40-feet tall, crane tracks (as well as gantries now painted a signature turquoise) and almost two dozen steel columns are all part of the park’s design, as is plenty of elements designs for relaxation or physical activity, including a beach volleyball court, waterfront-facing wooden lounge chairs, a playground that also plays homage to the sugar factory (complete with silos). It’s easy to spend the whole day here, sunning, jogging along the esplanade, picnicking or lunching at the Danny Meyer taco kiosk. (The kids will enjoy the nearby water feature.)

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