Saturday, December 19, 2009

Weekend Trivia

This popular location in Manhattan is the nexus of the New York and Connecticut lines.

What is it?
a)Rockefeller Center
b)Grand Central -- 42nd Street
c)Times Square
d)City Hall

Friday, December 11, 2009

Fun Fact Friday

The Dead Rabbits and other gangs mentioned in the film "Gangs of New York" were real gangs of New York during the 19th century. The character Bill "The Butcher" Cutting, played by actor Daniel Day-Lewis, is based on infamous New York gang leader Bill "The Butcher" Poole.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Fun Fact!

Calvary Cemetery, established in the borough of Queens in 1848, is the burial site of nearly 3 million people, more than any other cemetery in the United States.

Answer to Trivia: The Forgotten Borough

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Trivia!

What nickname is often used to describe Staten Island?

a) The Small Borough
b) The Borough of Churches
c) The Borough of Parks
d) The Forgotten Borough

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Fun Fact!

When the Dutch still controlled the region, Wall Street was the city limit and there was actually a wall there.

Answer to Trivia: An outbreak of cholera occurred.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Trivia Time

The 1840s was a prosperous period in Buffalo's early history, remembered fondly as the 'Fabulous Forties'. What tragic event in 1849 brought the decade to a somber close?

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Fun Fact!

The New York State flag depicts the figures of liberty and justice standing on either side of a shield.

Answer to Trivia Tuesday: True

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Trivia Tuesday!

The Bronx is the only borough of New York City which is believed to be part of the United States mainland...

A)True
B False

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Did You Know...

New York state's motto is Excelsior, which is Latin for "ever upwards".

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Fun Fact!

The first daily Yiddish newspaper appeared in 1885 in New York City.

Answer to Trivia: 1857

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Trivia Time!

Joseph Gayetty of NYC invented toilet paper in...

a)1900
b)1780
c)1857

Answer to previous trivia= 110 Million

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Trivia Time!

Since the Empire State Buildings opening in 1931, how many people have visited the famous Observatory?

A. 20 Million
B. 75 Million
C. 110 Million

Friday, October 16, 2009

Fun Fact Friday

New York City's Chinatown is the largest Chinese enclave in the Western Hemisphere!

Answer to Trivia Tuesday: C) 1904

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Trivia Tuesday!

The NYC subway opened in...

a)1950
b)1888
c)1904
d)1850

Friday, October 9, 2009

Fun Fact Friday

Annual location shoots on the streets of New York number 40,000 — including commercials, feature films, television shows and series, music videos and documentaries.

Answer to Trivia: 75,000

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Trivia!

It takes ________ trees to print a Sunday edition of the New York Times.

a) 5,000
b)20,000
c)50,000
d)75,000

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Fun Fact...

The first known name for Manhattan was New Amsterdam, which referred to the southern tip of Manhattan, a Dutch trading port.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Did You Know...

Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village was originally used as a graveyard for yellow fever victims and later as a site for public executions.

Answer to Trivia Tuesday:

New York Post

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Trivia Tuesday!

Established in 1803, what is the oldest running newspaper in the United States?

a) New York Times
b) New York Daily News
c) New York Post
d) New York Observer

Friday, September 18, 2009

Fun Fact Friday

Happy Friday everyone! Did you know that the island of Manhattan was purchased from Native Americans for about $24?
Answer to Trivia Tuesday: Brooklyn Bridge

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Trivia Tuesday

What bridge opened to the public May 24, 1883 with a total of 150,300 people crossing that day?

A. Manhattan Bridge
B. Verrazano Bridge
C. Brooklyn Bridge
D. Williamsburg Bridge

Friday, September 11, 2009

Fun Fact Friday

Did you know there are 6,374.6 miles of streets in New York City!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Did You Know??

DID YOU KNOW…

In the 1660s New York City's “skyline” was dominated by a two-story-high windmill.

ANSWER: (Three!)

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Trivia Tuesday

Here is a fun trivia question to keep in mind next time you are out dancing!

The 79-year old Cabaret laws have been used by New York City mayors to shut down unlicensed dancing in bars and restaurants. These laws have been the focus of civil liberties groups. The law requires you to get a license for dancing if more than how many people are dancing at the same time?

Friday, August 28, 2009

Fun Fact Friday!

Friday is here! We have just finished our last full week in August. Enjoy the weekend and this fun fact…

Did you know…
J.P. Morgan's former apartment on the 31st floor in 14 Wall Street is now home to a popular French restaurant.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

coffee coffee coffee

Sometimes you just need that cup of coffee in the morning to get you going. Luckily, here in NYC we have coffee shops just about on every corner. Of course there is always Starbucks as an option but what about all those cute original coffee shops that lie hidden around the city? These shops can be a great location to sit, read, get work done, meet people, and most importantly enjoy great coffee. Here is a list of 10 great coffee shops to check out to get a little more out of that morning cup.

1. Abraco
2. McNulty’s (West Village)
3. Porto Rico Importing Company (Greenwich Village)
4. Housing Works (Soho)
5. Zibetto Espresso Bar
6. Think Coffee (Greenwich Village)
7. Le Colombe Torrefaction (Tribeca)
8. Empire Coffee and Tea Company (Hell’s Kitchen)
9. Ost Café (East Village)
10. 88 Orchard (Lower East Side)

ANSWER TO TRIVIA TUESDAY: (Busta Rhymes is from Brooklyn)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Trivia Tuesday!

Happy Tuesday! This week our trivia Tuesday has to do with music once again. For all you hip hop lovers out there…let’s see if you know this one:

Which of the following rappers is NOT from Queens?
A. Mobb Deep
B. Nas
C. Ja Rule
D. Busta Rhymes

ANSWER TO PICTURE TRIVIA: (The top of the Bethesda Fountain, The Angel Of The Waters. Central Park, NYC)

Monday, August 24, 2009

Picture Trivia


It is the start of a great week here in NYC. Today we are going to do something new for our blog. This is a new type of trivia, including pictures! Take a look at the picture above and see if you can name the object, and place it within the city. Today our trivia has to do with statues. Statues are all over this city, each having their own meanings and beginnings. It is impossible to know what every statue means or why they are there, but they all have a purpose. See if you can guess the name and location of this beautiful statue…

Friday, August 21, 2009

Fun Fact Friday

Did you know that…

An average of 4.9 million people ride the New York City subway each weekday!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Greatest Hits of the City

NYC is one of the most highly populated cities when it comes to tourists. Especially in the summer, everyone wants to come check out the sites to be a part of it all. This top 10 list features what people come here to see the most. It also highlights some of the greatest parts about this city. I am sure you could guess most of these on your own…

1. The Empire State Building
2. Statue of Liberty
3. Grand Central Terminal
4. Rockefeller Center
5. Ellis Island Immigration Museum
6. Staten Island Ferry
7. American Museum of Natural History
8. Central Park
9. Metropolitan Museum of Art
10. Museum of Modern Art (MoMa)

ANSWER TO TRIVIA TUESDAY: (Requiem for a Dream. Great guess copeynyc!!)

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Trivia Tuesday

NYC has been featured in many different films. People all over the world can recognize the sites on the big screen and automatically relate them to this lovely city. This trivia question has to do with one of the many movies shot here. Post your guesses and check back tomorrow for more!

Which movie starring Jared Leto is the community of Brighton Beach featured in?

Monday, August 17, 2009

Fun Fact!

Happy Monday and happy week! Here is a fun fact about our beloved city and how it came to be our “Big Apple”.

Why is NYC Called the Big Apple?
In the 1920s, a sportswriter for the Morning Telegraph named John Fitzgerald overheard stable hands in New Orleans refer to NYC's racetracks as "the Big Apple." He named his column "Around the Big Apple." A decade later, jazz musicians adopted the term to refer to New York City, and especially Harlem, as the jazz capital of the world. There are many apples on the trees of success, they were saying, but when you pick New York City, you pick the big apple.

ANSWER TO RIDDLE: (Smith)

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Riddle Me This...

It is a cloudy, yet cool day in NYC. We have made it to Thursday, just inches away from the weekend. In hopes to make it go by a little faster, here is a riddle that is sure to challenge! Take a shot and wrap your head around it. Post here with your guesses!

A train goes between Chicago and New York. The brakeman, the fireman and the engineer are named Smith, Jones and Brown. (The names are not necessarily in order). There are also three passengers named Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones and Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown lives in New York. The brakeman lives halfway between New York and Chicago. Mr. Jones earns exactly $20,000 per year. Smith beat the fireman at their last game of golf. The passenger who lives in Chicago has the same name as the brakeman. The brakeman's next-door neighbor is a passenger on this train and earns exactly three times as much as the brakeman. What is the name of the engineer?

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Did You Know??

Did you know…
New York City was the U.S. capital from 1789 to 1790?


ANSWER TO TRIVIA TUESDAY: (Harlem)

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Trivia Tuesday!

It’s trivia Tuesday! Hope you are all having a fabulous week so far! This trivia question has to do with education, something that is very important and prominent here in NYC. Post your guesses and check back in tomorrow for some more fun ☺

18 of the 25 charter schools operating in Manhattan are located in which neighborhood?

Monday, August 10, 2009

Yumm

Food, food, food! When it comes to NYC, we’ve got plenty. This city is home to every type of food you can imagine. One food in particular, we just cannot seem to get enough of, is pizza. Whether it’s a slice you are craving or a whole pie, there isn’t a street without pizza close by. Some say NYC has the best pizza in the whole world, and with so many choices it can get very overwhelming. Here is a list put together by the Village Voice to help make it a little easier next time you are craving that mouth-watering slice.

Top 10 Best Pizza Places in NYC:
1. Totonno Pizzeria Napolitano (1524 Neptune Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-372-8606)
2. DiFara's (1424 Avenue J, Brooklyn, 718-258-1367)
3. John's (278 Bleecker Street, 212-243-1680)
4. Denino's (524 Port Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, 718-442-9401)
5. Grimaldi's (19 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn, 718-858-4300)
6. Patsy's (2287 First Avenue, 212-534-9783)
7. Lombardi's (32 Spring Street, 212-941-7994)
8. Roberta's (261 Moore Street, Brooklyn, 718-417-1118)
9. Motorino (319 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-599-8899)
10.LaVilla (261 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-499-9888)

Friday, August 7, 2009

Fun Fact Friday :)

We have made it to Friday of our first week with the new blog. We hope you are all enjoying it and encourage more to play, to show off your knowledge! Now we will leave you with a fun fact to think about. Have a sunny, safe, and relaxing weekend. With these few days off, go out into the city we love and enjoy what you see around you!

The Manhattan grid pattern produces an effect known as “Manhattanhenge” (like Stonehenge), on two days - around May 28th and around July 12th - sunset is directly aligned with the street grid pattern. This means the sun can be seen setting exactly over the centerline of every Manhattan street. A similar effect occurs during sunrise on two winter days, understandably less popular.

ANSWER TO RIDDLE: (The iPhone)

Thursday, August 6, 2009

What Am I??

Any guesses for this little riddle?

I weigh 4.8 ounces, talk and sing. Turn me upside down, and I right myself. You can find me in SoHo and on Fifth Avenue. What am I?

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Did You Know...

Happy hump day! It is the middle of our busy week here in NYC. Here is a quick “did you know” to keep you thinking and keep things moving.

As late as the 1840s, thousands of pigs roamed Wall Street to consume garbage - an early sanitation system.

ANSWER TO TRIVIA TUESDAY: (They Might Be Giants…great guess mshashoua!)

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Trivia Tuesday

Welcome to the first trivia Tuesday! From here on out, Tuesdays such as this, will be set aside for questions regarding every aspect of NYC possible. There is sure to be a question for everyone, so use that expertise to show off your skills! For the music lovers out there, this one may be easy. Make sure to post a comment with your guesses so we can all play together.

Which quirky NYC-based band covered a song that includes the line "Even old New York, was once New Amsterdam"?

ANSWER TO MONDAY’S RIDDLE: (Because he is to short to reach past the 25th button in the elevator, so he has to walk the rest of the way up. But on rainy days he can use his umbrella to press the top buttons!)

Monday, August 3, 2009

First Monday Riddle

It is a beautiful sunny Monday here in New York City. As we start off our week with the new blog, we hope this helps to bring a little fun to each of your days. This first riddle is something light and humorous to kick things off. While you do not have to be a city “pro” to figure this one out, it may take some creative thinking. Check back tomorrow for our first trivia Tuesday and the answer to this downtown New York riddle.

A man works in downtown New York. He works on the 50th floor of a TALL building. Most days he takes the elevator to the 25th floor and then walks up. However on rainy days he takes the elevator all the way up. Why?

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Intro

Let’s face it, New York is AMAZING. It is home to some of the greatest restaurants, museums, parks, shops, and so much more. There is much to learn while in the city, and some of us may think ourselves a "pro" at knowing the ins and outs and little secrets that lie around each corner. This blog is for such people. We want you to show off your knowledge while learning more about New York at the same time. In hopes of your participation, the blog will follow these categories: riddles, quizzes, trivia Tuesdays, top ten lists, fun fact Fridays, and more. Please join us starting next week for interactive fun and love for our beloved New York and all it has to offer!

Here is a little fun fact to leave you with until then...

Yellow is the easiest color for the eye to spot. This was the leading factor in the decision made by John Hertz, the company founder for the New York City Cab Company, in coloring the cars we use each and every day.