Boardwalk Empire. Atlantic City

We arrived into Atlantic City around 5pm on Sunday. What I noticed first was that there were many abandoned building lots so close to the shore. You would think that prime real estate would be sought after but it shows how the economic downturn has affected Atlantic City.

We stayed at the Marriot Courtyard Atlantic City which was one block from the boardwalk. The hotel is rated number 4 on Tripadvisor for Atlantic City. The rooms were spacious with modern ammenities. There are no supposedly ocean facing rooms as they all face perpendicular to the ocean. However from our room on the 16th floor we could easily see the beach as well as the rest of AC. The rooms have full cable, which was great for killing time before dinner. From the hotel you can easily walk to Resorts Casino and the Trump Taj Mahal Casino.

For dinner we ventured to Resorts Casino for their all you can eat crab and prawn buffet. For $30 it is great value and you certainly get your money's worth.

Then it was onto the casino floor where we preceded to lose money on roulette. The only plus is that drinks are comped while you are playing so we enjoyed a couple of Malibu Bay Breezes.

The following day we spent our time exploring the boardwalk and laying on the beach. There are lots of discount stores selling souvenirs as well as beach gear. All up it was a great weekend away and a wonderful short trip from New York.

The Lobster Joint

While out in Brooklyn I went to visit the Lobster Joint at 1073 Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint. During happy hour they have $1 oysters, $4 oyster shooters and $4 beers. I ordered half a dozen oysters, an oyster shooter and a pint of Lobster ale. I also ordered the wonderful lobster claw bloody mary. The cocktail was not on special, but at $9 it is still great value. As you can see from the pictures the claw is huge and the drink also comes with a slice of pickle. The Lobster Joint is a must visit if you're in the area.

McCarren Park Pool

As part of my summer adventures I travelled to Greenpoint, Brooklyn to visit the newly renovated McCarren Park public pool. The pool is larger than normal olympic swimming pools at over 50metres long. It can hold a total of 5000 people at a time. There was luckily no line up when I arrived on Tuesday afternoon around 1pm. You must bring a lock which I wasn't aware of so I needed to go to a local deli to pick one up. All of your posessions must be put into a locker including your shirt as only your towel, sunglasses and sunscreen are allowed on the pool deck. Around the pool is concrete, which can be uncomfotable to lay on but I was able to snare one of the limited deck chairs. The pool is extremely clean and at a great temperature. I will most certainly be back next week.

Review of Gansevoort Park Avenue

I stayed at the Gramercy Park Avenue for two nights last weekend. We stayed in a superior king room. The room has a large bedroom with flat screen tv and wonderful mini bar. The bathroom features a oversized bath and wash basin. One of the highlights is the rooftop pool. It is great to relax by and have some cocktails and snacks. My tip is to arrive early so you can get a spot on the 29th St side so you have the sun on you for the longest time.

My Tripadvisor Review Has Been Published: Brooklyn Botanic Garden

A review of mine is now available on Tripadvisor. Feel free to take a look.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60827-d103900-r131322615-Brooklyn_Botanic_Garden-Brooklyn_New_York.html

Deyna's City Inn Grenada Tripadvisor Review

A review of mine is now available on Tripadvisor. Feel free to take a look.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g616291-d1045388-r130464463-Deyna_s_City_Inn-St_George_Grenada.html

My Tripadvisor Review of Jean Georges Has Been Published

A review of mine is now available on Tripadvisor. Feel free to take a look.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d1657868-r130078657-Jean_Georges-New_York_City_New_York.html

Generator Hostel Dublin: My Tripadvisor Review

A review of mine is now available on Tripadvisor. Feel free to take a look.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186605-d2153102-r129895430-Generator_Hostel_Dublin-Dublin_County_Dublin.html

My Tripadvisor Review Has Been Published: Edinburgh Castle

A review of mine is now available on Tripadvisor. Feel free to take a look.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186525-d187653-r129895029-Edinburgh_Castle-Edinburgh_Scotland.html

My Tripadvisor Review Has Been Published: National Gallery London

A review of mine is now available on Tripadvisor. Feel free to take a look.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186338-d188862-r129894777-National_Gallery-London_England.html

My Tripadvisor Review Has Been Published

A review of mine is now available on Tripadvisor. Feel free to take a look.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d632551-r129675985-Hilton_Garden_Inn_New_York_Tribeca-New_York_City_New_York.html

Summer Fun at the Brooklyn Crab

Opening this week is the massive Brooklyn Crab in Red Hook. The new complex has entertainment including bocce courts, real-deal shuffleboard, ping pong tables, cornhole sets, and most excitingly a full-on 18-hole mini golf course.
Their menu is obviously seafood themed with crabs, whole lobsters, fried calamari, oysters and clams available. Patrons can also enjoyed a long list of beers and spirits in either of the two bars.

Brooklyn Crab
24 Reed St, btwn Conover and Van Brunt St; Red Hook; 718.643.2722

Please visit Thrillist for more details.

Another Review of a NYC Attraction: Tenement Museum

Another review of mine is available on Tripadvisor. Feel free to take a look.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d104369-r129495069-Tenement_Museum-New_York_City_New_York.html

The Gramercy Park Hotel's Revamped Rooftop Terrace

The Gothamist has got a great report on the newly revamped rooftop terrace of the Gramercy Park Hotel. I am a big fan of the Rose Bar downstairs so I am sure the rooftop will not disappoint. For more details on the food and cocktail menu visit the Gothamist.

For another report on rooftop bars including one of my favourites in Long Island City, click for the previous Australian Abroad post here.

New Review of a NYC Attraction: The High Line

A new review of mine is up on Tripadvisor. Feel free to take a look.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d519474-r129494970-High_Line-New_York_City_New_York.html

New Review of a NYC Attraction: Top of the Rock Observation Deck

A new review of mine is up on Tripadvisor. Feel free to take a look.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d587661-r129494521-Top_of_the_Rock_Observation_Deck-New_York_City_New_York.html

New review from Negril, Jamaica

In the below link is my Tripadvisor review of the Blue Cave Castle Hotel in Negril, Jamaica. Please check out my other reviews as well.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147313-d148159-r129553035-Blue_Cave_Castle-Negril_Jamaica.html

New Review of a NYC Attraction: Central Park

A new review of mine is up on Tripadvisor. Feel free to take a look.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d105127-r129354454-Central_Park-New_York_City_New_York.html

New Club Alert: Inga NYC

A new club has opened up at 141 Chrystie Street, between Delancey and Broome.  The 3 level club called Inga will also feature a rooftop opening in June. More details can be found below: http://www.thrillist.com/bars/new-york/lower-east-side/inga_bottle-service_champagne_clubs_karaoke_latenight_lounges_private-events-bday-parties

Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York

Gothamist have uploaded some amazing photos from the 1930's and 1940's. One of the great ways to learn more about the Lower East Side is to visit the wonderful Tenement Museum on Orchard St. You can see my review on Tripadvisor here.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60763-d104369-r129495069-Tenement_Museum-New_York_City_New_York.html