Where the action is

I've been searching for things to do in New York City. The usual tourist haunts abound, but one can really only 'see the sights' so many times before they will want to take a more active role. I've scoured webpages; I've taken surveys; I've searched books. In the city that never sleeps, there must be things for a guy like me: a history, culture loving traveler who is trying to save a buck.

Initially I was perpetually disappointed, thwarted by the same old haunts appearing again and again - Time Square, Radio City, Broadway (which are great, but which I'm also fortunate enough to pass every day on my way to the office).

The museums are world class, but the costs prohibit dropping in casually. Then again, many have 'pay what you want' hours or days. These specials allow the viewing public to choose their fare, be it $1 to $1000. Of course any visitor who pays less than full fare must deal with the blank stares of confusment from the ticket sellers, who play dumb until you confess that you 'only want to pay $5, even though the museum suggests $20."

What I was looking for was things like I know about in Boston. Things like the Scooperbowl, a charity event where there are dozens of ice cream brands competing to give you the most ice cream they can! Or the Walk for Hunger. Or even visiting Wilson Farm in the fall for a fresh Apple Cider Doughnut. Nobody I spoke with in New York could tell me about events like this. A few said Christmas time was special, but that seems to go without saying. Of course Christmas is special. I've been searching for special events throughout the year.

Today after work I walked down 6th Ave, which led me to Bryant Park and a free jazz concert, when it hit me - New York must have so many special things going on it's hard to keep track. There isn't any one or two big events each weekend everyone goes to, there are hundreds of smaller ones I just need to find. Signs in Bryant Park alone advertised Movies in the Park, jazz concerts, morning Tai Chi lessons and fencing. And just last week I stumbled across a street food festival in Times Square. Advertised events might be harder to find here, but all I'll need to do is walk around and I'm bound to find something. Besides, I should be out walking around, not poking about the internet looking up where to go... in fact, why are we both still here? I'm going out, you should too!