Monday, November 7, 2022

New York City!

Andrew and I just returned from a week in New York City. This was not my first visit to NYC, I was there in my 20's and did all the proper touristy things. That trip was done on the cheap, my friend and I stayed at the YMCA near Grand Central Station—an experience I've never forgotten! This time around it was all about the gardens, I'm sure you're not surprised. We were blessed with amazing weather, sunny and warm. The only rain that fell was at night. 

I kicked off my first full day on the ground with a trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden...

I was worried that it being so late in the season—October 28th at the BBG—everything would be long past it's prime, but that wasn't the case. Heck even the things that had turned brown and dried were still beautiful.

I also made it to the New York Botanical Garden up in the Bronx.

The NYBG won my heart immediately when I spotted my book in the gift shop...

I couldn't help but move a copy over to hang with Adam and Monte...

I managed to get through the NYBG with time left to hop in a Lyft and make the jaunt up to Wave Hill, and my gosh am I glad I did! It wasn't on my "must do" list simply because I didn't think I would have the time, I had it in my head that it was a lot further north. I was shocked when I saw I could be there in under 20 minutes. I quickly fell in love with this garden...

I remember first seeing the "under construction" structure of Little Islands on a friend's Facebook post several years ago, I had to go see them for myself.

Of course the Highline was a must...

We stayed in Chelsea; the trip started as a business trip for Andrew and he gave me a short list of hotels in the area he wanted to be in (the list supplied by a coworker with NYC connections). As I read reviews and considered the pros and cons one rose to the top of the list. Why? It was in the Flower District! A block filled with retail/wholesale plant and flower vendors.

The view from our window, as we ended up at the back of the hotel (less noise for sleeping I suppose)...

And from the roof deck...

We visited the Chelsea Flea, a weekend pop-up of vintage dealers. I scored an ochre-colored mohair scarf from Saks Fifth Avenue, I'm quite in love with it.

As I mentioned, the weather was perfect!

Ornamental cabbage and kale were common seasonal street plantings around "our" neighborhood, many of them looking worse for the wear.

There were a lot of mums too...

This won for the most exuberant "jungle" sidewalk planting.

Just look at that alocasia!

I didn't see a lot of balconies, thus not a lot of balcony plantings. This one though! Very New Orleans.


There was a lot of sidewalk restaurant seating, as you might expect with COVID. I was surprised by how many places dressed things up with fake flowers and foliage...


Some went the painted route.

This was a happy subway discovery, the work of Nancy Blum.

Speaking of subway, the line that took me north to the Bronx and the NYBG had a great old station. I wonder what it looked like in it's heyday?

Just a few more street photos, like this odd display. 

And this, Billy! Yes I do adore Billy.

Chilling near the Flatiron Building...

And at Madison Square Park on our last afternoon. I have hundreds more photos to share, you'll be hearing about this trip for awhile...

All material © 2009-2022 by Loree L Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

20 comments:

  1. What a wonderful set of "postcards" from your trip, Loree! Somewhat to my own surprise, especially as my mother grew up there, I've never been to New York City (unless you count a very brief layover in the airport on the way back from a trip to Europe). I'm glad the weather was with you. You picked wisely on the hotel. I look forward to your future posts on the gardens.

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    1. Major stereotype warning, but that doesn't surprise me. What use to SoCal folks have for the Big Apple? ;)

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  2. I can't wait for all your posts from New York. They'll provide the template if I ever go myself :-)

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    1. Never been eh? Any desire to?

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    2. Once, in college. I'd go if there was an opportunity. But there are so many other places I want to visit more.

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  3. I can't imagine living in a city that massive ! You shot some amazing photos of life there human, and plant, haha. That shot from Wave Hill is stunning, with the sun in that low position above the gardens .. beautiful !!

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    1. Ya, I don't think I have any desire to live somewhere that massive either.

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  4. It has been almost 30 years since my last visit, way before my gardening days. Even longer since my overnight stay at the YWCA; I'm thankful it was there but glad I can afford to stay elsewhere.
    I can't wait to see NYC through your photos, especially Little Islands and The High Line garden.
    chavli

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    1. Yes, the Y was the only way I could afford NYC then, but it was wonderful stay in a real hotel this time!

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  5. How fun. I was there with for a whirlwind tour with my son's school band in 2018. Would love to go back as, of course, none of the places I wanted to see were on the itinerary. Could spend a whole lot of time (and money) in the NYBG book shop. Your book is in good company. Look forward to seeing more of your trip.

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    1. There were fabulous plants in that gift shop too!

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  6. Ah, NY, NY, what a wonderful town. Our time there was all about museums (pre-garden obsession) so this is just what I want to see now. Thank you!
    rickii

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    1. So good to hear from you rickii! Hope you're doing well.

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  7. The botanical garden looks beautiful. And the city looks fun through your eyes/camera. I've never been to NYC; maybe I'll get there some day. Fun to find your book in the book shop. :)

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    1. The gardens were lovely, and you should go! Being relatively close that is (by my standards).

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  8. Wave Hill is my fave NYC garden. Once visited, never forgotten.

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  9. How fun for you! Looks like it was a fabulous trip. How could it not be--seeing your book there. Looking forward to lots more photos.

    The Nancy Blum mural especially a delight.

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    1. There are other Nancy Blum murals that I missed, but seeing one was definitely a nice trip bonus.

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  10. Next time you're in the City you should definitely jump on the MetroNorth to Untermeyer up in Yonkers.

    Stonecrop and Hollister House are also great, but it's kind of a schlep and you'd need to rent a car.

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