Michael Chodroff

This is a small museum that highlights the beautiful artwork and design of the students who attend FIT. It’s a wonderful space and the fact that it is free is a rarity in NYC! It’s a wonderful spot to admire the work that is going on, especially the designs that reflect social justice and environmental issues. It was wonderful to see those ideas built into fashion and artwork. Give yourself an hour (or less) to see these creations and exhale a bit from the bustle of the city.

My only other experience here was a few years ago - 4th of July with James Taylor. It was an absolutely riveting experience but the place was absolutely mobbed (as you could imagine on a holiday that includes fireworks after the concert). So to be able to come here on a Saturday morning to see the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s rehearsal gave a whole different perspective to how beautiful the property and grounds are and to really appreciate the magic of the location during the day. The acoustics were fantastic and the facilities and grounds were super family friendly. Being able to walk around while beautiful music is playing in the background and enjoying the vistas made me appreciate this venue even more than I did the last time I was here. Should be on everyone’s list who appreciates live performances in a serene setting.

In an effort to support a company that is infusing sustainability into its mission, I stopped in the Allbirds store on 5th Avenue. The service there was off the charts and the sales associates really listened to what I was looking for. I actually wore my (now) old pair of Allbirds into the store and they helped me find something new that was equally as comfortable and eco friendly. The store itself is beautifully designed - lots of space and the displays make it easy to scope out all of the different styles and colors. And the color palettes for choices are great. Ultimately, I purchased a new pair of shoes and gave them my old ones so they could donate or upcycle. Didn’t need to leave the store with an empty box either. They took good care of me and this is a company worth supporting.

Really beautiful park if you want to go on a nice walk or stroll and enjoy beautiful scenery. The trails are clearly marked, including the really wide, dirt 2-mile loop. Very dog friendly and there are all sorts of exercise challenges around the loop. There was ample parking.

This is not an easy hike. Be prepared for a lot of bouldering! In the end, it's a really rewarding experience. I'd recommend getting there early. It's a popular place and parking is limited. Also, the trail gets busy, so the earlier you are up and down, the better the experience is without having to try and navigate rocks and people. The view is spectacular. Bring lots of water and some snacks!