Barry Melek Electric Train Sets

Downtown Deco

A New York City Walking Tour of the Neighborhoods Around Grand Central Terminal

Visitors to New York check out the main attractions, like Times Square, the Statute of Liberty, Rockefeller Plaza and Broadway, but there's so much more to experience in Manhattan! Manhattan is made up of neighborhoods, each with its own identity and culture and excitement. Explore Manhattan by walking -- you can take the subway or a cab to the area, but be sure to walk once you're there, so pack your comfortable walking shoes!

The Grand Central Station area is a perfect example. To begin with everyone must experience the cavernous Grand Central train station with its 2-story windows on each side and gigantic domed ceiling, complete with drawings of star maps. Don't hesitate to look up, but be prepared to dodge the scurrying workers busy on their errands -- time is of the essence for them -- and they'll walk right over you! If you have the time, check out the lower level which has a number of restaurants and oh, so cool, deep leather chairs in the center, and, of course, the famous Oyster Bar. The Oyster Bar has the best seafood in the area, but the attraction is the ambiance: tiled walls and a high ceiling, and the feeling of eating in a restaurant eons ago in an old-fashioned train station.

Grand Central Station, which is found at 42nd Street and Park Avenue, is home to both subways and the commuter railroad, MetroNorth, which goes "upstate" to Westchester County and Connecticut. But did you know that Grand Central sits right in the middle of Park Avenue? Park Avenue has a narrow, go-around elevated street that circumvents the Station, but the wide Avenue itself stops at 46th Street and begins again at 42nd Street. Can't tell you how many times a bewildered tourist stopped me and asked what happened to Park Avenue and how do I get to Park and 50th Street?

Ok, here's your exploring-Manhattan exercise: Go up the escalators from the Station. Here you're in the walkway through the 200 Park Avenue building and continue walking uptown. (There's no north, nor any directions in Manhattan; there's only uptown and downtown and toward the Hudson River or the East River.) From 200 Park Avenue go across the street to 230 Park Avenue and continue through the building in the Art Deco tunnels and walking out again into the wide and bright main thoroughfare of Park Avenue. This is a busy business section of Manhattan -- watch out for the taxis and the black Town Car radio cars! They move to turn no matter if people are in the crosswalk; but it's just a game to them, and act like a New Yorker and continue walking, and they always give way to you. (I've not been hit once in 30 years!)

Then double back into Grand Central. Find the downtown entrance from Grand Central (from the open area go to your left and follow the corridor downtown). Here you'll face Park Avenue South which goes toward Greenwich Village. Across 42nd Street is a restaurant, and Park Avenue is on either side. A couple of blocks downtown from Grand Central is the Murray Hill area, a quaint and elegant neighborhood -- reminiscent of areas of London. There are stately townhouses (brownstones in Manhattan parlance) alongside apartment buildings. You might be a block or two from the commercial areas of Manhattan but you feel far removed!

East of Grand Central, "toward the East River" for natives, brings you to the UN area, with many newly-constructed apartment buildings, and a consulate here and there. But, on your walking tour, be sure to check out Tudor City which is downtown from 42nd Street between First and Second (that's First Avenue, but NYers never add the Avenue). Tudor City is a collection of brick apartment buildings built 2 stories above the street. It's an enclave all to its own, with wrought iron fences setting it off from the rest of the busy Manhattan world. Walk around and feel as if you've stepped into a different time era!

Walk up First [Avenue] to 50th Street, and there's a whole new unique neighborhood. Here, you'll find the Sutton Place neighborhood, and you can feel the wealth of times past. There's a lot of building being done here and razing of the older buildings, but the old upper-class, moneyed elite air still remains, with an art deco building here and there. And intermixed here and there are the 5th floor walk-ups -- how do any of these tenants walk up with bags of groceries??

And, if your feet allow, walk down 53rd Street toward Third [Avenue] and enter into the Citicorp Atrium to chill out. There's a number of food choices, both fast food and sit down, and you just might be lucky enough to be there when live piano music echoes from the multi-story open area. Here you are, two blocks from Sutton Place, and you're back into the commercial area and the 21st Century. Leave on the Lexington side, walk a block to Park [Avenue]. Face downtown and walk back to Grand Central toward the 230 Park building at the end of the Avenue, savorying the bustle of NY's commercial area, and just imagine if the people you pass are lawyers, bankers or into real estate. If you're lucky enough to be there in December, enjoy the chill in the air and anticipate the Christmas spirit with the holiday lights brightening Park Avenue.

Explore Manhattan by foot and experience the excitement of current times and ages past!

About the Author

After having lived in NY for years, Susan now lives in Venice, California. Her hobbies are biking, hiking, dancing, and, of course, web design and PHP web development with her website www.ladyblogger-susan.com blogging ebooks and products.

Boston Avenue Art Deco Church in Downtown $24.99 Richard Cummins Boston Avenue Art Deco Church in Downtown - Photographic Print

Boston Avenue Art Deco Church, Downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA $24.99 Richard Cummins Boston Avenue Art Deco Church, Downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA - Photographic Print

Downtown $27.99 Candice Alford Downtown - Art Print

Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown $194 Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown is located in central Asheville, close to Basilica of Saint Lawrence, Asheville Mall, and Asheville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Nearby points of interest also include Asheville Civic Center and Downtown Market Asheville. Hotel Features. Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown's restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A bar/lounge is open for drinks. Room service is available during limited hours. Recreational amenities include a fitness facility. This 3.5 star property has a business center and offers a meeting/conference room and business services. Complimentary high speed (wired) Internet access is available in public areas. This Asheville property has 426 square feet of event space. Self parking is complimentary. Other property amenities at this Art Deco property include complimentary newspapers in the lobby. This is a smoke free property. Guestrooms. 100 air conditioned guestrooms at Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown feature CD players and coffee/tea makers. Wireless Internet access is available. In addition to desks and complimentary newspapers, guestrooms offer cordless phones with voice mail, as well as free local calls (restrictions may apply). Rooms also include windows that open and hair dryers. Guestrooms are all non smoking. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 50 per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 50 per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

Courtyard by Marriott Keene Downtown $129 Courtyard by Marriott Keene Downtown is located in Keene. Hotel Features. Dining options at Courtyard by Marriott Keene Downtown include a restaurant and a coffee shop/caf?. A bar/lounge is open for drinks. The hotel serves cooked to order breakfasts each morning (surcharges apply). Recreational amenities include an indoor pool and a fitness facility. Complimentary wireless and wired high speed Internet access is available in public areas. Guest parking is complimentary. Other property amenities at this Art Deco property include laundry facilities. This is a smoke free property. Guestrooms. 98 air conditioned guestrooms at Courtyard by Marriott Keene Downtown feature coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Bathrooms feature shower/tub combinations. Wired high speed and wireless Internet access is complimentary. 32 inch LCD televisions have cable channels. Also included are irons/ironing boards and clock radios. Guestrooms are all non smoking. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet deposit: Currency 25.00 per night The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet deposit: Currency 25.00 per night The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

Embassy Suites Houston Downtown $269 Located in central Houston, Embassy Suites Houston Downtown is within walking distance of Discovery Green and Toyota Center. Nearby points of interest also include Minute Maid Park and Downtown Aquarium. Hotel Features. Embassy Suites Houston Downtown's restaurant serves lunch and dinner. A bar/lounge is open for drinks. Room service is available 24 hours a day. A complimentary cooked to order breakfast is served each morning. Guests can enjoy a complimentary manager reception each day, served in the evenings. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool, a spa tub, and a 24 hour fitness facility. This 3.5 star property has a 24 hour business center and offers small meeting rooms, audio visual equipment, and business services. Complimentary wireless and wired high speed Internet access is available in public areas. This Houston property has 6000 square feet of event space consisting of banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, a ballroom, and exhibit space. The property has a complimentary area shuttle which runs to destinations within 2.5 mi. Other property amenities at this Art Deco property include a rooftop terrace, multilingual staff, and gift shops/newsstands. This is a smoke free property. Guestrooms. 262 air conditioned guestrooms at Embassy Suites Houston Downtown feature iPod docking stations and coffee/tea makers. Accommodations offer city views. All rooms include separate living rooms and are furnished with double sofa beds and ergonomic chairs. Kitchens include microwaves and refrigerators. Bathrooms feature makeup/shaving mirrors, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Wired high speed and wireless Internet access is complimentary. In addition to complimentary weekday newspapers and safes, guestrooms offer phones with voice mail, as well as free local calls (restrictions may apply). 37 inch plasma televisions have free movie channels. Also included are complimentary bottled water and blackout drapes/curtains. Guests may request a turndown service, in room massages, and hypo allergenic bedding. Housekeeping is available daily. Guestrooms are all non smoking. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Valet parking fee: USD 28 per night (in/out privileges)Pet deposit: USD 50 per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Valet parking fee: USD 28 per night (in/out privileges)Pet deposit: USD 50 per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

W Atlanta Downtown $259 Located in central Atlanta, W Atlanta Downtown is within walking distance of Museum of Design Atlanta and World of Coca Cola. Nearby points of interest also include Centennial Olympic Park and Georgia Aquarium. Hotel Features. W Atlanta Downtown's restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A bar/lounge is open for drinks. Room service is available. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool, a health club, a sauna, and a fitness facility. The property's full service health spa has body treatments, massage/treatment rooms, and facials. This 4 star property has a business center and offers small meeting rooms, a meeting/conference room, and a technology helpdesk. Complimentary wireless and wired high speed Internet access is available in public areas. This Atlanta property has 10,000 square feet of event space consisting of banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, a ballroom, and exhibit space. Business services, wedding services, limo/town car service, and tour/ticket assistance are available. Guest parking is limited, and available on a limited first come, first served basis (surcharge). Other property amenities at this Art Deco property include a rooftop terrace, a concierge desk, and multilingual staff. This is a smoke free property. Guestrooms. 237 guestrooms at W Atlanta Downtown feature minibars and CD players. Beds come with premium bedding. Bathrooms feature makeup/shaving mirrors, designer toiletries, bathrobes, and hair dryers. Wireless Internet access is available for a surcharge. In addition to desks and complimentary weekday newspapers, guestrooms offer cordless phones with voice mail. Televisions have DVD players and TV Internet access (surcharge). Rooms also include laptop compatible safes and safes. Guests may request a turndown service, refrigerators, and microwaves. Housekeeping is available daily. Guestrooms are all non smoking. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 25 per dayPet deposit: USD 100 per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Pet fee: USD 25 per dayPet deposit: USD 100 per stay The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

Mercure Beijing Downtown $143.7 Connected to the airport, Mercure Beijing Downtown is located in Beijing's South Chaoyang neighborhood and close to Beijing Yansha Outlets, China World Trade Center, and Yintai Centre. Other points of interest near this hotel include Panjiayuan Antique Market and Silk Street Market. Hotel Features. Dining options at Mercure Beijing Downtown include 2 restaurants. A bar/lounge is open for drinks. Room service is available 24 hours a day. The hotel serves buffet breakfasts (surcharges apply). Recreational amenities include an indoor pool, a sauna, a fitness facility, a steam room, and a children's club. Spa amenities include facials, beauty services, and a hair salon. This 4 star property has a 24 hour business center and offers small meeting rooms, secretarial services, and a technology helpdesk. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas. This Beijing property has 1115 square feet of event space consisting of banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, a ballroom, and exhibit space. Complimentary shuttle services include an area shuttle which runs to destinations within 15 mi and a shopping center shuttle. Business services, wedding services, limo/town car service, and tour/ticket assistance are available. Guest parking is complimentary. Other property amenities at this Art Deco property include a concierge desk, multilingual staff, and gift shops/newsstands. Extended parking privileges may be offered to guests after check out (surcharge). This is a smoke free property. A total renovation of this property was completed in March 2010. Guestrooms. 373 air conditioned guestrooms at Mercure Beijing Downtown feature minibars and complimentary bottled water. Rooms are all accessible via exterior corridors. Balconies offer city or garden views. Beds come with Select Comfort mattresses, down comforters, down blankets, and premium bedding. All rooms include separate dining areas along with desks and sofa beds. Bathrooms feature separate bathtubs and showers with handheld showerheads. They also offer double sinks, designer toiletries, and bathrobes. Partially open bathrooms are available in select guestrooms. Wired high speed Internet access is complimentary. In addition to complimentary newspapers and safes, guestrooms offer phones with voice mail, as well as free local calls (restrictions may apply). 32 inch LCD televisions have cable channels, free movie channels, and DVD players. Also included are slippers and blackout drapes/curtains. Guests may request microwaves and irons/ironing boards. A nightly turndown service is offered and housekeeping is available daily. Notifications and Fees:There are no room charges for children 2 years old and younger who occupy the same room as their parents or guardians, using existing bedding. The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Deposit: CNY 500 per nightBuffet breakfast fee: CNY 155 per person (approximate amount) Th

Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo Downtown $259 Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo Downtown is located in Buffalo, close to Fountain Plaza, Coca Cola Field, and Kleinhans Music Hall. Nearby points of interest also include First Niagara Center and Shea's Performing Arts Center. Hotel Features. Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo Downtown features a restaurant. A complimentary hot and cold buffet breakfast is served each morning. Recreational amenities include an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness facility. This 3 star property has a business center and offers small meeting rooms and audio visual equipment. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas. This Buffalo property has 900 square feet of event space consisting of banquet facilities and conference/meeting rooms. The property has a roundtrip airport shuttle, which is complimentary. Wedding services, concierge services, and tour assistance are available. Guest parking is complimentary. Other property amenities at this Art Deco property include multilingual staff, gift shops/newsstands, and laundry facilities. A total renovation of this property was completed in November 2009. Guestrooms. 140 air conditioned guestrooms at Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo Downtown feature MP3 docking stations and coffee/tea makers. Bathrooms feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. In addition to desks and complimentary newspapers, guestrooms offer multi line phones with voice mail, as well as free local calls (restrictions may apply). Flat panel televisions have premium cable channels, video game consoles, and pay movies. Also included are blackout drapes/curtains and irons/ironing boards. Guests may request refrigerators, microwaves, and hypo allergenic bedding. Housekeeping is available daily.

Deco $49.99 Susan Norris Deco - Giclee Print

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Hilton Boston Downtown / Financial District $534.95 Located in central Boston, Hilton Boston Downtown / Financial District is within walking distance of New England Aquarium and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Nearby points of interest also include Massachusetts State House and USS Constitution Museum. Hotel Features. Dining options at Hilton Boston Downtown / Financial District include 2 restaurants. A bar/lounge is open for drinks. Room service is available during limited hours. Recreational amenities include a 24 hour fitness facility. This 4 star property has a 24 hour business center and offers a meeting/conference room, secretarial services, and audio visual equipment. Wireless Internet access (surcharge) is available in public areas. This Boston property has 10000 square feet of event space consisting of banquet facilities and a ballroom. Concierge services, translation services, and tour assistance are available. Other property amenities at this Art Deco property include a library, multilingual staff, and gift shops/newsstands. This is a smoke free property. Guestrooms. 362 air conditioned guestrooms at Hilton Boston Downtown / Financial District feature MP3 docking stations and coffee/tea makers. Beds come with pillowtop mattresses and premium bedding. Bathrooms feature designer toiletries, bathrobes, and hair dryers. Wireless Internet access is available for a surcharge. In addition to desks and complimentary weekday newspapers, guestrooms offer multi line phones with voice mail. 42 inch flat panel televisions have cable channels and pay movies. Rooms also include safes and windows that open. Guests may request refrigerators, microwaves, and hypo allergenic bedding. A nightly turndown service is offered and housekeeping is available daily. Notifications and Fees:There are no room charges for children 18 years old and younger who occupy the same room as their parents or guardians, using existing bedding. The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Valet parking fee: USD 38 per dayPet fee: USD 75 per pet (varies based on length of stay) Fee for wireless Internet in business center: USD 10 (for 10 minutes, rates may vary)Fee for wireless Internet in all public areas: USD 14.95 (for 24 hours, rates may vary)Fee for in room high speed Internet (wired): USD 14.95 (for 24 hours, rates may vary)Fee for in room wireless Internet: USD 14.95 (for 24 hours, rates may vary)Rollaway bed fee: USD 30 per night The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. Notifications and Fees:There are no room charges for children 18 years old and younger who occupy the same room as their parents or guardians, using existing bedding. The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check in, or check out. Valet parking fee: USD 38 per dayPet fee: USD 75 per pet (varies based on length of stay) Fee for wireless Internet in business center: USD 10 (for 10 minutes,

Hampton Inn and Suites Tampa - Ybor City Downtown $169 Located in Tampa, Hampton Inn and Suites Tampa Ybor City Downtown is near the airport and close to Ybor City State Museum, Tampa Convention Center, and Florida Aquarium. Nearby points of interest also include Port of Tampa and Tampa Museum of Art. Hotel Features. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool and a fitness facility. This hotel has a business center and offers small meeting rooms, a meeting/conference room, and business services. Complimentary high speed (wired) Internet access is available in public areas. The hotel serves a complimentary hot and cold buffet breakfast. Guest parking is limited, and available on a limited first come, first served basis (surcharge). Other property amenities at this Art Deco property include multilingual staff and laundry facilities. A total renovation of this property was completed in March 2010. Guestrooms. 138 air conditioned guestrooms at Hampton Inn and Suites Tampa Ybor City Downtown feature coffee/tea makers and safes. Accommodations include refrigerators and microwaves. High speed Internet access is available. In addition to desks and complimentary weekday newspapers, guestrooms offer free local calls (restrictions may apply). Televisions have premium cable channels and pay movies. Rooms also include hair dryers and irons/ironing boards.