New York City Travel Tips
Make your trip exceptional! Get inside the city with expert guides.
HBO’s Gilded Age: The Astor Family (B3:1)
It’s impossible to discuss The Gilded Age (both the show and the era) without mentioning the Astor Family. Founded in the 1780’s by John Jacob Astor, he made his fortune in fur and Manhattan real estate. The Mrs. Astor we keep hearing about in The Gilded Age was the wife of John Jacob’s grandson. Broadway […]
HBO’s The Gilded Age: The Van Rhijn Household (B:1-2)
Just like the Russell Family, I discussed in my previous blog (check out the link here), both the Brook and Van Rhijn Families are fictional. The Brook family is most likely of English descent and the name Van Rhijn is clearly a nod to the early Dutch arrivals to New York. I haven’t been able […]
HBO’s The Gilded Age: Who Are the Russells? (B:1-1)
When I first heard Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey, was writing a show about The Gilded Age in New York City, I was excited — extremely excited. Then I found out it would be full of some of Broadway’s brightest stars and I felt, Fellowes, had created a show for me personally. Like he […]
10 Instagram Worthy Spots This Holiday Season
NYC during the holidays presents an overwhelming amount of places that make for amazing picture backdrops. With so much to do and so little time, we’ve compiled our 10 favorite holiday picture spots (5 of which can be seen on our Holiday Tour)! 1. Pulitzer Fountain Donated to the city by Joseph Pulitzer’s estate and […]
Broadway is Back! After a hiatus of 18 months, Broadway shows are reopening on the Great White Way.
There were quite a few shows that closed during previews that are now getting the chance for a real run, and a few that we are excited to see open next year. As a Musical Theatre major, I’m a little biased and am very excited about the 5 musicals I’ve listed below. Mrs. Doubtfire I […]
TopDog Tours Holiday Tour is Featured by Travel + Leasure
Join our guide, Sam, from Top Dog Tours NYC as she takes you on a personal walking tour of all the iconic, must-see sites that put Manhattan on the Christmas map. From Radio City Music Hall to Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral to Macy’s flagship store, learn the fascinating history of each location, with traditions going back to the early 20th century and beyond.
The Other Booth Brother: Exploring America’s Strangest Theatrical Family
To understand why John Wilkes Booth decided to gather a group of conspirators together on Good Friday 1865 to undermine the nation – killing the president alongside the failed assassinations of other members of his cabinet – one must look towards his life on the stage. John Wilkes Booth was beloved by all, especially women, […]
A Look Inside the Exclusive Players Club and Gramercy Park
New York’s wealthy elite took to the charming area just North-East of Union Square in the 1880s. During what is now known as the Gilded Age, the wealthy top tier of NYC society lived in lavish mansions and brownstones while a large percentage of the population lived in abject poverty. Constantly trying to carve a […]
Five Broadway Shows we are Excited for this Winter
The weather outside may be cold, but what could be a better way to spend a winter evening than at the theater? Broadway has some amazing shows entering previews in the next two months and we could not be more thrilled! What is especially neat about this round of shows is that most are original […]
Making the Most of Your Winter Visit to NYC
Many tourists avoid NYC in the winter months because they think it won’t be any fun in the cold. But NYC is always a good time and there are a lot of benefits to visiting in February and March. Even if the temperatures are frigid, there is still plenty to do. Here are some ideas […]