10% Off on Tickets To NYC One World Observatory

The much-anticipated One World Observatory is now open to the public and for many of the people who made the trek to the top, it was a deeply moving experience. Be the first to visit the One World Observatory™ at One World Trade Center in the Northwest corner of the World Trade Center site and is bordered by West Street to the West, Vesey Street to the North and Liberty Street to the South.

Skypod” elevators shoot visitors up 1,250 feet in 60 seconds to reach the observatory housed in the nation's tallest skyscraper. The observatory is located on floors 100, 101 and 102 of One World Trade Center features panoramic views of the city and beyond, along with some fine places to nosh.

Get a sneak peek of One World Observatory and explore three levels filled with innovation and inspiration. Use coupon code C21OWO to get 10% off on selected tickets. Promo ends November 25th 2015. To buy tickets, visit their website https://oneworldobservatory.com.

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Travel Like A Speedy Newyorkers. How to Make Quick Trips Through Airport Security?

As a busy New Yorker, you don’t have time to waste in long lines at the airport. Even when you’re traveling for pleasure, detours at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints can bottleneck your itinerary. But by following a few simple tips your trips through airport security will be as fast and smooth as possible.

Dress to impress the metal detectors. Leave your loose change and heavy jewelry at home, and slip your keys into your carry-on bag before approaching security. Adults must remove their shoes; wear a pair that’s easy to slip off—and don’t forget your socks.

Travel-size your toiletries. If you need to carry on shampoo, aerosols, lotions or other personal items, pay attention to TSA guidelines: All such liquids must be in a 3.4-ounce container (or smaller), and all your containers must fit into one sealed, 1-quart clear zip-top bag.

Keep your carry-on organized. Your laptop will be screened separately, so make sure you can quickly slip it out. And try to tame your collection of phone chargers by neatly wrapping cords so they aren’t loose in your bag.  

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Seven Best Places to Spot Pope Francis in New York City

Watch Pope Francis in the USA - Meeting with the American Bishops

For many Filipinos living in New York or in the east coast, your best chances of seeing the Bishop of Rome Pope Francis is from September 24th to 25th, Pope Francis will be making his first visit to the United States — traveling to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and NYC — as the 266th pope and the first elected non-European pope since 741 AD. Here are seven best locations in NYC where you may be able to spot Pope Francis.

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2015 Apostolic Journey Of Pope Francis To The United States

The U.S. flag flies as painters work on a mural of Pope Francis on the side of a building in midtown Manhattan in New York August 28, 2015. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Washington D.C., New York and Philadelphia September 22-27. Below is the schedule of Pope Francis apostolic visit to the US this September 2015.

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Seen a bald eagle in the street of New York.

After my weekly routine run in Central Park I spotted an American bald eagle in the tree along 5th Ave just about 10 ft high above the ground. The bald eagle is the only eagle unique to North America. Its distinctive brown body and white head and tail make it easy to identify even from a distance. 

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Comparing Different Asian Countries Cultural Festival in NY/NJ

Nothing could be more Filipino than a festival that showcases a wide variety of cultural activities like ethnic dances, costume outfit, food, dialects, jokes and many more. This Fiestahan in America is a gathering of all Filipinos living in the east coast who came from different provinces in the Philippines to get together in one community spirit and discovery of each culture. The Fiestahan embodies the region’s unity in diversity and celebrates the rich and diverse cultures, bringing together time-honored traditions and modern creativity

The Fiestahan offers snapshots of a community’s identity and of the region as a whole, providing an opportunity to revitalize cultural practices, and serving as a creative platform to showcase their favorite cultural expressions to the Filipino-American community. The Fiestahan promotes inter-provinces dialogue, enhancing understanding through shared experience

The Fiestahan will help to promote the conservation and preservation of Philippine cultural heritage to ensure its continuity in enhancing awareness and understanding of the people about the unique history of the region and the cultural similarities and differences between and amongst Filipinos living in America. This will also protect the distinctiveness of Philippine cultural heritage as a whole, and to held branding Filipinos through its appealing to young Fil-am generations.

Cultural festivities need not be expensive but rather be open to public for free just like all other Asian countries festivals in the area. Many Filipinos have brought their concern to us with this expensive entrance fee to attend and mingle with fellow Filipinos living in New York and New Jersey.

Japan: FREE
South Korea: FREE
Thailand: FREE
Indonesia: FREE
India: FREE
Malaysia: FREE
Burma: FREE
Vietnam:FREE
Philippines: $25.00

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One Day Sightseeing Tour in New York City

If you only have one day to spend in New York City, what would you do?

I would start 7am breakfast at Murray's Bagels then head to Times Square to get free visitor's pass and discount cards. Then take any sightseeing loop tour (hoop on/hoop off) bus like Grayline, Circle Tour, etc. I will ride all the way to Lower Manhattan. Do the 9/11 World Trade Center site and Wall Street. Don't pay money or wait in line for the 9/11 Museum. Just go to the area to see the pools of water where the buildings once stood.

Then go to the very tip/bottom of Manhattan near Battery Park for the Staten Island ferry which passes by the Statue of Liberty. Don't pay money to wait in a long line to go over to see the statue. As others said, take a ride on the (free) Staten Island Ferry from the bottom of Manhattan near Battery Park. The ferry will pass close enough to the statue that you can take a photo. The ferry ride is 30 minutes each direction, so the ride will take one hour.

After all that, hoop on the loop bus to north and get off at Herald Square/34th Street to see the Empire State building, Macy's and KoreaTown. Empire State bldg is obviously 'iconic' and very famous. However, very long lines/very long wait to see the top. I recommend you go to see the outside of the bldg only, and inside the lobby to take photos. But don't go to the top.

As others said, Top of the Rock, (or the top of Rockefeller Center) has shorter lines and in addition, you can see the Empire State bldg FROM Top of the Rock. You obviously can't see the Empire State bldg if you are inside it. ;-) So in some ways you get a better view (i.e., of the Empire State bldg) from inside Top of the Rock.

Then return to the loop line and travel 'Uptown' or North to Grand Central the oldest terminal in America then to Rockefeller Center 47th St to go to the Top of the Rock observatory inside Rockefeller Center. 

After that, eat some pizza for lunch and walk towards the 5th avenue Philippine Center, St Patrick Cathedral and to the bottom of Central Park, which begins at 59th Street or Apple Glass Cube store and take some pictures. Walk right at the corner entrance of Central Park to the The Pond, The Mall & Literacy walk to the Bethesda Terrace . Here is the link to some sites to see in the park Central Park Attractions.

Around 6pm start walking south along Broadway towards Times Square. You may want to stop by MOMA Museum of Moving Arts.

Times Square...obviously a symbol of NYC. I recommend you go at night to see the lights and take some pictures. There is really nothing much to see in Times Square and it is very crowded with tourists. But I understand if you have never been there, it is good to take a photo so you can say you have been there. Regarding Madam Tussauds, you can see wax figures anywhere in the world, so I do not recommend you waste your time there.

That should be enough to fill your day along with walking and stopping to eat....

For dinner, you can check Yelp for some restaurant recommendations around Times Square district. I would definitely try checking Bubba Gump, Ippudo Ramen, Carmine’s, Shake Shack (#1 burger in NYC), Gallaghers Steakhouse or Mastro’s Steakhouse, Junior’s Restaurant for dessert, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, for happy hour try Sake Bar Hagi, Beer Culture, Beer Authority, The New York Beer Company or The House of Brews.

I think that's about it! You've made your one day stop-over trip in New York. Have a safe trip to your next destination. You can follow me or maybe ask me some questions about your visit to New York or your other travel plans at my Tripadvisor or Twitter/robertbacaycay. Bon voyage kabayan!!!!

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