STAYCATION

During the 6-week winter break from teaching my wine course at The International School of Tourism & Hospitality Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, I started dreaming of warm climates. Some of my family lives in Puerto Rico, Florida, and Palm Desert. This time I choose to stay in NYC & do a staycation. "A vacation one spends at home and involving day trips to local attractions." This is that story.

Volunteer at Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal's Holiday Party

Christmas with part of my family in The Hampton's

Manhattan Jewish Community Center semi-annual free day

Overnight at Springhill Suites Newark Airport & dinner with the Tripodi's at Fornos of Spain Newark.

Physical Therapy with Jeremy

Columbia basketball game- Harlem Marching Cobras

Sunday night lobster dinner at Cesca

The Prom Musical on Broadway

Knicks-Phili at MSG courtesy of Kevin Clark

Thai Spa Treatment courtesy of Hamza & Chelsea

Big Apple Circus

Columbia Chat With Basketball Coaches

Visit the Intrepid Air & Space Museum- https://www.intrepidmuseum.org

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is dedicated to the exhibition and interpretation of history, science, and service as related to its home aboard the aircraft carrier Intrepid, a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can view original artifacts, historic video footage and explore interactive exhibits. There is a 12-minute film dealing with the Intrepid's service. The museum was founded in 1982 as a non-profit and welcomes over 1 million visitors annually.

The Flight Deck contains the aircraft collection, including the space shuttle. The Gallery Deck shows visitors where crew members slept and worked. On the Hanger Deck, younger visitors can use interactive displays (extra charge) while the other exhibits show the ship's history. The Third Deck is where crew members prepared meals and dined.

Launched in 1943, the former aircraft carrier USS Intrepid fought in World War II, surviving five kamikaze attacks and one torpedo strike. The ship later served in the Cold War and the Vietnam War. Intrepid also served as a NASA recovery vessel in the 1960s. It was decommissioned in 1974, and today is berthed at Pier 86 at 46th Street & the Hudson River. The 42nd St crosstown bus drops you off at the Circle Line on 42nd & the river. Admission is $33 for adults; $31 seniors & $24 children. Groupon has a deal price. A private guide is $15 & $12 for seniors. My guide Ron was fabulous.
The Space Shuttle Pavilion showcases the space shuttle Enterprise, the NASA orbiter that paved the way for America ’s space shuttle program. Seventeen exhibit zones feature original artifacts, photographs, audio, and films that immerse visitors in the science and history of Enterprise and the space shuttle era.

The submarine Growler joined the Intrepid Museum in 1989 and is the only American guided missile submarine open to the public. It offers visitors a firsthand look at life aboard a submarine and a close-up inspection of the missile command center.  

The Concorde plane made the fastest Atlantic Ocean crossing on February 7, 1996- 2 hours, 52 minutes and 59 seconds. The Concorde Alpha Delta G-BOAD is exhibited on the main deck.

Plan on at least 3 hours to see the museum. Hours are- 10AM-5PM with closing at 6 PM weekends & holidays from April 1-October 31st.

Visit Resorts World Casino Queens- http://www.rwnewyork.com

I do not gamble but did want to visit the Resorts World Casino since I listen to their radio commercials every morning. I also wanted to travel there by public transportation.

Michelle Stoddart, director of public relations and community development was my host and sent me directions by subway. At 59th street change to the A Train headed downtown (Brooklyn bound). Make sure it is the A train to Aqueduct-N. Conduit via JFK airport. After exiting the train at Aqueduct go downstairs & take the shuttle 1 minute to the casino entrance. On the way home I walked the covered roadway & entered the train station directly.

I learned only 3% of the customers use the train. The casino is attached to Aqueduct Race Track (season is November-May) and is only a few minutes from JFK airport. Opened in 2011 it is owned by the Genting Group headquartered in Malaysia. They also owns casinos in the Catskills, Bahamas, UK, Philippines & Singapore as well as 3 cruise lines. This is the only casino in NYC and has drawn 10 million guests. There are 6,050 electronic table games and video lottery terminals. The 3 casinos are named- Times Square, Fifth Ave, and Central Park. I was impressed with the 50,000 square foot event space as they were setting up for a trade show. Past shows have included National Supermarket Association and Winter Con Comic Book show.  We had lunch at one of the 8 food and beverage outlets. If I had been there later in the day I could have watched a show from Bar 360. Michelle took me by the construction site of the 400 room hotel being built on the property.

If I was flying in or out of JFK and had a layover or delayed flight and I was a gambler Resorts World Casino would be my first choice.