My Urban Sherpa

A Day at the Piers

Interested in a Manhattan Island getaway as relaxing as a weekend in the Hamptons or a week in Lunenburg?

We have two words for you: Chelsea Piers.

Pamper yourself, sun yourself, spoil yourself, but spare yourself the traffic. The Chelsea Piers Sun Deck overlooks the mighty Hudson and serves sushi and fruit smoothies poolside. The Sports Center offers a world class gym, air conditioned track, indoor junior Olympic lap pool, and myriad yoga classes.

Admission to the Sports Center is complimentary with a first class spa service from The Spa at Chelsea Piers, so engage and reward yourself with a Beach Bronzed & Polish (Brazilian Marine Algae scrub and a slimming caffeine cream, topped with a facial bronzer to leave you sun-kissed) Tropical Retreat Massage (Citrus Ginger Body and Scalp Aromassage) or a Pampering Paradise Mani & Pedi (sweet citrus sugar scrub, seaweed hand and foot mask, and luxurious cocoa butter massage.)

Continue your spa-riffic afternoon with a champagne cruise aboard the classic 1920’s style yacht Manhattan to view Olafur Eliasson’s majestic waterfalls

Contact:

The Spa at Chelsea Piers

212.336.6780

Jeff Koons on the Roof of the Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents an installation of sculptures by American artist Jeff Koons on the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, which offers a spectacular view of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.

Beverage and sandwich service is available from 10:00 a.m. until closing, including Friday and Saturday evenings.

Bike During Wartime

David Byrne, according to the New York Times, is “an installation artist, author, blogger, recording executive, photographer, film director and PowerPoint enthusiast. He’s even been known to dabble in music.” New Yorkers can now happily add: “bike rack designer.”

Byrne’s blog describes his collaboration with the New York City Department of Transportation and New York art gallery PaceWildenstein here.

You may ask yourself: “Well, how did I get here?”

The White House meets the Great White Way

With all political eyes focused on Denver and the Democratic National Convention, we thought you might wanna know that New York City was America’s first capital city…that is, until the US Congress reached the “Compromise of 1790.” Under this agreement, the federal government appeased the North by assuming the war debt of all 13 states and in return, agreed to move the capital to Philadelphia for 10 years and then on to a permanent location on the Potomac River (an arrangement that pleased the South).

New York is Tennis Country

Wimbledon may have the pomp and circumstance but no one does a Grand Slam event like the Big Apple.

The U.S. Open—kicking off on August 25 and running until September 7—is where tennis gets a little rowdy.

Will Roger Federer reclaim his throne? Are the Williams sisters ready to rock? Is NYC about to embrace Rafa? You’ll have to ride the 7 Train to Flushing to find out.

Suggestion for a sunny Saturday

If you’re in town and torn between a day of culture or a day of adventure – satisfy both on the Circle Line’s Shark Speedboat cruise of Olafur Eliasson’s Waterfalls.

Your Weekend Respite

Stick and Stones Farm in Newtown, Connecticut is, well…let them tell you a little about it: “Sleep in a houseboat and listen to the water lap against its walls. Walk to another waterway and have a picnic in one of the screened woodland structures or in our gazebo overlooking the foothills of the Berkshires. Whether Tim or Annie are demonstrating stone building techniques, making salsa, pesto or a green smoothie from their garden bounty, the projects related to life and the land are plentiful and ongoing.”

Hike the property, enjoy a delicious—and nutritious—meal, experience a drum circle or a sweat lodge or a yoga class…or simply revel in uninterrupted solitude.

To reserve your piece of mind, contact Sticks and Stones now.

Crawfish in Central Park?

New Yorkers are used to the wide array of wildlife living in Central Park, e.g. raccoons. But did you know there are an abundance of crawfish not only in Central Park, but Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, too? (The hooded mergansers certainly know.)

Green Drinks NYC networking events

In the spirit of green, we’ve recycled today’s post from and for GreenDrinks NYC. “Green Drinks NYC hosts lively networking events - it’s a chance to mix with other like-minded people, share info, and make friends. The events are made simple and unstructured but many people have found employment, made friends developed new ideas and had moments of serendipity! It’s a force for the good spreading to over 390 cities around the world.”

Green Drinks NYC meets tonight, Wednesday August 20th, from 7 to 9:00 PM at Habana Outpost in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY.