The most famous insignia in sports is actually the interlocking NY which actually made its first appearance on the New York Yankees’ (known then as the Highlanders) sleeves and caps way back in the year 1909. As the interlocking NY insignia gained more and more popularity, the New York Yankees decided to incorporate it at the front part of their uniforms while having matching navy blue baseball caps. The immensely popular interlocking NY insignia was actually designed way back in 1877 by a fellow named Louis B. Tiffany who originally designed the popular insignia for a NYPD officer named John McDowell who was highly regarded at that time for his bravery and dedication to his work. Mr. McDowell was actually the first New York police officer who was shot during the time of duty. Bill Devery, who was a former police chief as well as one of the New York Yankees original owners chose the popular insignia for the New York Yankees’ uniforms, he made the insignia a permanent fixture on the baseball players’ uniforms.

The official team colors of the New York Yankees are Navy Blue, Red and White. While the New York Yankees team motto is courage, tradition and heart. While there are actually two New York Yankees songs, the official song being “Here Comes the Yankees” while the unofficial song is “New York, New York”. From 1903 up to the present, the New York Yankees had several managers, 41 all in all, starting with Clark Griffith to Joe Torre (the current New York Yankees manager from the year 1996 up to the present). The New York Yankees has a total of 26 world champions to date while a World Series appearance totalling to 39 all in all. The New York Yankees also boasts of 40 Hall of Fame awardees, including the ever popular Joe DiMaggio (1936-1942, 1946-1951) and Mickey Mantle (1951-1969) – he was even able to acquire three Most Valuable Awards during his career with the New York Yankees, while Joe DiMaggio had three as well and everyone’s favorite, Babe Ruth received just one.

Since the establishment of their baseball team, the Highlanders (better known as the New York Yankees) had their worst season way back in 1908 wherein the New York Yankees, for he very first time in franchise history, actually dropped to last place with a horrible record of 51-103.

Looking back at the New York Yankees is a post from: Tours & Travel - Mariaestevez.com

Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the U. S. and is open 365 days a year. Those that have city passes can enjoy free admission to this zoo. Once you’ve had your fill of the award winning exhibits the Bronx Zoo has to offer you should check out the New York Botanical Garden, which is located nearby and offers great fun and many activities for children to avoid (this experience is another that can be enjoyed for no additional charge with the New York pass). Also nearby are Wave Hill, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and Van Cortlandt House Museum. All of these activities are free with the New York pass and are all very much suited for family members of all ages.

Central Park Zoo

The Central Park Zoo offers a view of animals in their natural habitat rather than in cages. While this is becoming more and more of the norm as far as American zoos are concerned the Central Park Zoo was a relative pioneer in this particular process. Today the Central Park Zoo boasts an indoor rain forest; a chilled penguin house along with a pool for the polar bears while also being home to breeding programs for certain endangered species. While you’re there be sure to have lunch in the Leaping Frog Caf, which offers kid friendly fare that is surprisingly health oriented (such as trans-fat-free French fries). If your walk through this 6.5-acre zoo wasn’t enough exercise for your day be sure to stop by the bike rental area of Central Park, which is located nearby.

New York Aquarium

The New York Aquarium while not exactly a zoo is another great place for the family to experience animal life. This happens to be one of the highlights of many trips to New York. Young and old alike will enjoy watching the marine animals play and frolic while learning important lessons about our marine friends. The aquarium is located at Coney Island and is near Astroland Amusement park if you want to make a day of it. The New York Aquarium offers free admission to holders of the New York Pass and Astroland offers discounts for these holders as well.

Prospect Park Zoo

Prospect Park Zoo offers a unique experience for children to have interactive contact with more animals. This increased interaction makes the trip much more enjoyable for youngsters than many larger zoos which allow little interaction with animals or a very limited number of animals to interact with. The Prospect Park Zoo hosts more than 400 animals representing over 80 species. This zoo is located near the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art-all of which allow free admission for The New York Pass holders.

Queens Zoo

The Queens Zoo offers a unique experience for visitors in that it is less lake a zoo and more like a prairie home for the animals it houses. This 12-acre park is home to 70 animals that live in very authentic habitats. If you choose to visit this particular zoo, be sure that you take the time to visit the barnyard area so that your little ones can feed some of the friendlier creatures. This zoo is located fairly near the Queens Museum of Art, the New York Hall of Science, and the American Museum of the Moving Image. These attractions are all free with the New York Pass.

If you are a true animal lover, then New York City has you covered for opportunities to get your fill. Who would have thought that a city this full of skyscrapers and commerce was also the home to some of the most beautiful and exotic wildlife in the world?

New York Wildlife is a post from: Tours & Travel - Mariaestevez.com

The National Hockey League that almost wasn’t is back and going strong. New York is represented well by the Ranger’s who have made a wonderful deal this year to woo Shanahan away from the Red Wings. They play their home games at Madison Square Garden and have some of the most loyal fans. Even if you’re say from Detroit and visiting, and if the Rangers are playing at home then it’s the perfect opportunity (assuming you can get a ticket) to drop in and see how Shanahan is adjusting to life in the Big Apple and if he misses life back at the Joe.

Putting hockey aside for now, there are many other professional sports you can enjoy watching while you’re visiting New York City. I think there are a few baseball fans in this city somewhere. I say a few because it seems that they had to create two baseball teams in order to contain all the fans. I will say though that these fans are loyal to a fault to the teams they support. The New York Mets and the New York Yankees represent this great city in Major League Baseball and both teams draw loyal support from all their fans.

The amazing thing to me is that the double-teaming didn’t end with baseball. It seems that New York City also has two National Football League teams as well. The New York Giants and the New York Jets both represent this fair city to football fans across the country. While I have no favorite or even preference for all these teams and really have no idea how a city can survive with this sort of heated division. Obviously they aren’t as rabid as some hockey fans can tend to be or there would be civil war within the streets.

All joking aside, it seems that so far there is only one NBA team and they are the New York Knicks. I won’t go into how unfair it is to so improperly represent hockey and basketball because these guys might actually be getting the better end of the bargain-the entire city roots for them, not just half. With so many major sporting opportunities it’s amazing that men in this city get anything at all accomplished without carrying a portable pocket television with them at all times.

I don’t know about your house, but in my house it’s difficult enough to schedule important events in our family lives around one local team for each sport (and we don’t even have a baseball team). I can’t imagine how women in New York do it. But to all of you women and the men you love, I have to say kudos for supporting your great teams and giving your many visitors such wonderful opportunities to watch our sports when we’re away from home too. It’s hard to identify one thing about this city that is the greatest but that just may be it.

New York Sports is a post from: Tours & Travel - Mariaestevez.com

Whether you find yourself downtown or in one of the small unknown streets of New York City, theres no doubt that youll be able to find whatever it is that youre looking for, may it be Japanese sashimi, Italian risotto, English pudding, Spanish paella, genuine larger than life American burgersyou name it, at least one restaurant in New York would definitely have it. The only worry youd problem yourself with is which restaurant you think would best cater to your taste buds and of course, which restaurant can your pockets afford.

But fortunately for you, New York truly has just about everything under the sun. From the amazingly cheap value meals to the downright expensive gourmet dishes, New York restaurants certainly can boast to have it all.

But enough with the claims; this article aims to back up everything with proof. Weve recently read reviews about the New York restaurant scene and came across with several delightful restaurant finds. So read on and we hope that you encounter a restaurant to your liking!

Harlem Grill : this restaurant consistently grabs a spot in any Top 10 New York Restaurants survey. And certainly thered be no doubts in your minds why the moment you a) catch a glimpse of the place and b) take a bite of any of the sumptuous feasts they offer. Owned by Tony Nominee and actor Keith David, Harlem Grill is making great waves in the restaurant scene and would no doubt continue to do so. The Harlem Grill is located at 2247 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, incidentally also where another famous restaurant, Wells, once stood.

Michael Jordans The Steakhouse NYC : If youre a great fan of the basketball legend then you surely must have heard of this place. And if you had but you still havent taken time to check it out then you are certainly no fan of Michael Jordan. With an interior that practically has Michael Jordans sense of style stamped all over it and a menu that could please even the snobbiest of food critics, a visit to New York wouldnt be complete without grabbing a bite in this restaurant. The Steakhouse NYC can be found on the North and West balconies of the Grand Central Terminal.

Teodora : If youre out to impress your date with a beautiful romantic dinner in New York then you must be looking for a place exactly like Teodora. After all, Italians are renowned for their passion, ardor and pasta so its no surprise that when it comes to building restaurants with heartbreakingly romantic ambience, its also Italian restaurants that set the bar. Teodora is located at 141 East 57th Street, New York City.

The Restaurant World of New York is a post from: Tours & Travel - Mariaestevez.com

The New York Evening Post or the New York Post, was actually founded by Alexander Hamilton, who then chose William Coleman to be its first editor-in-chief way back in the New York Post’s humble beginnings. After William Coleman’s short reign as the New York Post’s editor-in-chief, he was then replaced by another William, a William Cullen Bryant, way back in 1829. A fruitful 50 year reign as the New York Post’s editor-in chief, William Cullent Bryant was a staunch believer of defending the rights of those who are being enslaved, William Cullent Bryant also showed strong support for the emerging trade union back then. He even went as far as defending the strike of the Society of Journeyman Tailors by trying to link their strike with slavery back in June 1836.

The year 1881 had the New York Post welcoming Henry Villard at its helm. Henry Villard was a German immigrant possessing strong political views, had a profound influence on the New York Post. He then tapped Carl Schurz who was another German radical thinker to be the new managing editor of the New York Post. But Carl Schurz career with the New York Post was short-lived, he was actually replaced by the former editor of the Nation (another publication that was owned by Henry Villard), a man named Edwin Godkin stepped up to manage the New York Post.Henry Villard’s death back in the 1900s brought the New York Post to the hands of Villard’s son, Oswald Garrison Villard, who, like his father, also had radical views and opinions concerning politics, women’s suffrage, reform in the trade union and (like his father) fighting for equal rights African Americans.

A true advocate for human rights, Oswald Garrison Villard was one of the founding members of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People or NAACP as well as the American Civil Liberties Union or ACTU. In spite of being headstrong with his advocacies, Oswald Garrison Villard was also a popular pacifist, he highly opposed for the American’s participation in the first World War. But this proved to backfire on him as his readers were strong supporters of patriotism so Oswald Garrison Villard, due to the protests of his readers and the pulling out of his advertisers, was forced to sell the New York Post in the year 1918.1939 saw the New York Post with Dorothy Schiff at its helm. Schiff then asked Ted Thackrey as its new editor-in-chief, who actually turned the daily into a streamlined tabloid. Still its politics driven format was still being incorporated by the New York Post’s new editor-in-chief, it highly supported progressive politics and was actually the only newspaper in New York City who openly supported the campaign of the democratic party’s presidential bet, Adlai Stevenson.

But Schiff’s stay with the New York Post ended with Australian Rupert Murdoch acquiring the newspaper back in 1977.

The History behind the New York Post is a post from: Tours & Travel - Mariaestevez.com

The problem is that there is no one size fits all when it comes to nightclubs, bars, and lounges. Each of these is well represented in almost any New York neighborhood and it really is up to each individual to find the bar or club that works best for them. The best recommendation I can give anyone is to check out the acts that are headlining and find an act that you think will suit your style and tastes.

If you’re in the mood for laughter, then a comedy club might be the best for you. If you’re looking for a nice quiet place where you and your date or mate can converse quietly and contemplate life and love then a piano or jazz lounge might be the best option for you. Trying to suggest a bar in New York is almost as difficult as trying to recommend one on Bourbon Street, they are all somewhat alike and yet they are all very different. The trick is in finding the one that suits you best.

Now, if you want to get terribly sloshed and have a rousing good time, then I will suggest a karaoke bar. What could be better than an off key sing-along to bad eighties music? Not much, but laughing at someone else for doing it is much better than getting up there and doing it yourself. There is so much potential for fun to be had and only you are the one that can decide if you would even consider enjoying certain moments. We all have music we prefer, crowds we prefer, and more importantly music and crowds we’d rather avoid.

The good news is that within New York City there are bars that represent almost any musical tastes in history, and then a few more. Chances are that there’s a bar somewhere that offers the kind of music you prefer or are in the mood for tonight. Some of these bars will have live bands or one man/woman shows and some will have DJs spinning tunes till last call or the sun comes up. There’s Jazz, Hip Hop, The best and worst of the 80’s, the 90’s, alternative, country, techno, pop, smooth jazz, R&B, Manilow and Streisand, the 70’s, Classic Rock, and so many more my head spins trying to think of them all. Somewhere in the mix there has to be something that works for you, or perhaps silence or simple piano ballads are the way to go.

Whatever your music and whatever your mood there is a bar or a club in New York that has something that will speak to you. And if you are in a particularly dark mood, they have clubs for that too. Many of us use our vacation time to explore other aspects of our nature, if you are interested in trying out new music or a new crowd; New York City is a big anonymous city in which to try new things. Just don’t have so much fun that you decide to stay.

New York Nightlife and Changing Directions is a post from: Tours & Travel - Mariaestevez.com

Touring New York would no doubt be something akin to paradise with all of the tourist spots it can boast of but no doubt at first glance, New York prices would make your eyebrows raise and possibly, gulp at the exorbitance of it. But remember, everything comes with a price and rent or living space is usually the hardest to tackle when it comes to New York. When choosing a hotel to stay in New York then, its imperative that you ask yourself the following questions so you can determine what place is ideal.

1.) What part of New York do you plan to stay in?
New York can divided into several districts and these districts usually determine the range of hotel fees youre going to encounter. Do you want your hotel to be situated in Manhattan, where most New York attractions can be found? If you want, however, to stay in a funky upbeat district then the hotels in Soho and Greenwich and the likes are probably what youre looking for.

2.) How much can you afford?
Now that weve got a specific location in mind, the next step to take is to count our available dollars. Hotels in New York range from the exorbitant to the wonderfully cheap. Naturally, the features are somewhat dependent on the price.

3.) Who are you with?
If youre bringing kids, then not all hotels in New York can of course, open their doors to welcome you. With children in tow, we can suggest hotels like the Doubletree Guest Suites and the Hilton Time Square, hotels that are both famous for reliable, warm and efficient service. And then there are the pets. If youre the type to bring around your Dalmatian or Siamese with you wherever you go then the lists of prospective hotels in New York that you can stay on would narrow further. For travelers accompanied by their furry friends, try checking out hotels like 70 Park Avenue Hotel and Carlyle Hotel, which even offers dog-walking services just in case you find yourself busy touring New York City.

4.) What features / services do you need?
If youre on some sort of business trip, then definitely youd prefer a hotel with Internet access. If youre planning to host some sort of gathering then youll also be interested to check out hotel facilities and see what best suits the event you have in mind. Also, not all hotels in New York come with Olympic sized pools, Grade A spas and fitness centers so you must take all these things in consideration as you try hit upon the best place to stay in New York.
If and when you do find a hotel to stay in New York then we will leave you with just one more tip: be wary of pickpockets, have fun and dont forget to take a picture of the Empire State Building!

Tips To Find the Ideal Hotel in New York is a post from: Tours & Travel - Mariaestevez.com

There are many ways the careful planner can enjoy many of this great cities attractions for little or no cost. Most museums offer free admission one night or day each week. Check around and plan your trip to that particular museum on the free days and evenings. Additionally, several of the museums offer a ‘pay what you wish’ policy, which allows you to offer a donation for entrance rather than having a set price that would exclude many from visiting. Visiting museums are a great way for everyone in your family to gain some cultural insight from their New York City visit while the free nights make this experience rather easy on the pocketbook.

In addition to these museums you can also experience the technology of tomorrow at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab at no cost or take a stroll down the boardwalk of Coney Island. In the winter, try ice-skating in Rockefeller Center. If you have the time and inclination Queens County Farm Museum offers free admission (with the exception of special events so be sure to check) and provides the family with a step back in time.

To really take a bite out of the Big Apple try the market at Union Square Green Market. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables you will find all kinds of yummy goodies to eat and drink. There are also many walking tours some guided (these tend to cost money) and many self guided tours you can take through the neighborhoods of New York as well as some historic walking tours.

For a truly historical experience visit Federal Hall National Memorial. Admission is free and you will be able to view American History at its core. This is the place where George Washington took the oath of office and our form of democracy was born. For any American history buff or school aged child this is one of the must see freebies available in New York City. Other national parks in New York City that are of interest historically include Ellis Isle, the Statue of Liberty, Grant’s Tomb, and Fort Wadsworth. Each of these parks offer free admission to the general public and make a great place for the entire family to not only visit and enjoy but also to learn about our history.

Wave Hill is another great place to visit. This tour is free during the week otherwise is it $4 for adults and $2 for children. Regardless of whether you go during the week or on the weekend it is still an excellent value for the price of your visit.

Of course this is only a small sample of the many free and low priced things to do in this great city. You will definitely want to wear comfortable walking shoes for the many miles your feet will take you in this fascinating city. In addition to the many family activities mentioned above, New York City is home to some of the world’s finest parks, which also offer free recreational and cultural experiences to their visitors.
I highly recommend that you pay careful attention to try and plan activities that are free and activities that cost little money with those other can’t miss activities in similar areas. This will save time (a very big commodity when traveling around New York City) and the money you would pay in transportation fees. Planning your trip ahead of time is one of the most economical decisions you can make. This doesn’t mean that you can’t be flexible if you see something when you get there, just that you have a pretty good idea of the things you really want to do balanced with the reality of the budget with which you have to do them all. The most important thing to do is have fun!

New York Fun Freebies for the Family is a post from: Tours & Travel - Mariaestevez.com

In addition you may discover a talent your child has that you’d have never known about otherwise. Some of the most interesting crafting types of opportunities in New York City will be mentioned here. I’m sure there are more that won’t make the list but there are only so many hours in any given day.

The first store to make my list is based upon a creative outlet that has shown a rapid rise in popularity over the last few years, painting your own pottery. The name of the store is The Painted Pot and you are allowed to select and paint your own pottery. You can even take pottery wheel classes with your little one if you are brave enough but it is quite likely that you will have a wonderful time and be able to bring your artwork home with you upon your return for vacation. Remember that there is firing time involved so do this early during the week if it’s going to be on your list of things to do. Otherwise you’ll need to arrange shipping to have your child’s creations sent home to you.

For those of you who have promising musicians, how about a day at Triple Z Music Recording Workshops? This is a rather costly excursion but your child will gain actual studio experience and bring home a CD of their music at the end of the day. Kids will learn about life on both sides of the booth and this is a great idea for older children who have indicated a sincere interest in music.

If you’d like to really impress your youngsters take them to the Cloisters, which is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum that centers on the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Your kids will feel as though they’ve stepped into a fairy tale. It is also a good idea to check out the works of art at the Met as well as this is one of the more kid friendly museums that wasn’t designed specifically for children.

You should also be aware of stores like Toys R Us in Times Square and FAO Schwarz, which each have unique offerings designed to enchant and entertain children. You’ll have a ball watching your children have fun in these neat stores and you may find yourself having fun right along with them. Just make sure no one is watching of course. There are many other stores that have something to offer children of all ages, be sure to check it out and see which stores you find appealing and which stores your children might find fascinating.

Keep in mind that New York City has many wonderful parks that present excellent opportunities for your youngsters to get out, about, and run off some pent up energy. I think it’s very important that you schedule some serious park time for your children while you’re visiting New York in order to keep you all sane through the times that they are not fully entertained and prone to wondering minds.

It is also important when traveling with very small children that you schedule some sort of quiet time for them during the day. Children are so prone to sensory overload if they aren’t provided with some sort of quiet place in which to unwind for a bit. Mid afternoon is a great time to go back to your room, freshen up, allow the little kids a bit of a break and the parents and older kids a little break from the noise and the crowds as well. Everyone will be much happier if your remember to schedule this vitally important rest time when planning your day.

New York for Youngsters is a post from: Tours & Travel - Mariaestevez.com

Web2Zone Cyber Center has all of your extreme gaming and computing needs. They offer regular tournaments for the serious games while also offering simple Internet access for those who’d like to socialize while they spend time in cyber space. They are not your typical Internet Caf. Not only do they offer a place to log in, they also offer one of the fastest Internet connections around. They do not offer wireless service but will be glad to loan you an Ethernet card or port for your laptop with proper collateral. For the gamers, events and tournaments are hosted regularly and plenty of opportunities abound to flex your gaming muscles.

For those of you looking for cooler extreme entertainment, how about checking out the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers? This is a great way to keep things cool any time of the year while getting the great kind of workout you won’t find in a traditional gym. This is definitely worth checking out and while you are here you can check out all of the other great things that Chelsea Piers has to offer its visitors. Among those neat things are bowling, the golf club, the field house, and the Spa. This is definitely a great place to spend the day in order to work out any excess energy you may have or to get your blood pumping and your day off to a fabulous start.

If you like the feeling of wind in your hair then perhaps a trip by ferry will fill that need. Really you don’t need a specific destination in order to take a ride on the Ferry and enjoy the scenery. You can also elect to take specific tours on your ferry ride; check to see what’s available during you stay and you might even find that you can combine two great activities with one trip. There are many different cruises available some last ninety minutes and take place during the day and others offer a view of the city at night as your spend two hours enjoying mixed drinks and city lights.

If the ferry ride doesn’t fill your need for the wind in your hair, then perhaps you should stroll on over to Coney Island (strolling might not be the best option but get there somehow) and check out Astroland Amusements Park’s The Cyclone. This ride is super intense and often replicated but never quite duplicated. This ride is famous around the world and should satisfy even the biggest roller coaster geek and/or adrenaline junkie out there. Skeptical? The only way you’ll ever know is to see for yourself. Of course there are other things that this park has to offer those who seek smaller, less intense thrills as well.

It really doesn’t matter what specific thrills you seek, being in New York City, enjoying the smells, the sights, and the sounds are enough for many adrenaline junkies and many find that being in this city is like being nowhere else on earth. Take the time to see what activities you might find interesting and go for it. Seize the moments you have in this city and enjoy every activity you try during your visit. The purpose of a vacation is both to have fun and to relax. Be sure you don’t spend the entire time seeking one adrenaline high after another or you’ll find yourself needing a vacation in order to recover from your vacation. Seriously, with all the fun there is to be had most people forget the importance of scheduling some down time during their vacations, don’t let this happen to you.

New York for the Adrenaline Junkie is a post from: Tours & Travel - Mariaestevez.com