Author Archives: Ayako

36 Hours on Brooklyn Water Front

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by Ayako Hiratsuka

New York is the most popular city for tourists to visit in the world in 2012. Brooklyn, which is a borough of New York, is developing recently. Especially, Brooklyn water front has been renovated by the government and local people. However, the area of Brooklyn water front still has many historical backgrounds and places. Historical tourism refers to a kind of tourism, where the tourist or tour groups focuses on the history; history of some place, people, thing, or events. Tourists can visit those historical important places to know about the culture, tradition, and past happening and get to know about the evolution and development in culture around Brooklyn water front. Recommend to go here during spring or fall.

Friday        
     1. Drink Up Brooklyn | 6 p.m.
Always, Brooklyn has been a haven for immigrants and businessmen. Thanks to immigration from Germany in 19th Century, Brooklyn, along with cities like St. Louis and Milwaukee with large German populations, became one of America’s foremost brewing centers in the 1800s. There were about 48 breweries in Brooklyn one hundred years ago. However, the number of breweries decreased due to change of laws and other issues. In 1984, Steve Hindy and Tom Potter founded The Brooklyn Brewery with their limited sources. Their first goal was to bring good beer back to New York City. Now it is one of the famous fantastic beer company in New York. Before you go there, you would take some food from neighbor restaurants or food trucks in Williamsburg. Upon arrival, taste about ten varieties of Brooklyn beer with your food. ($5/drink or $20/5drinks) Brooklyn Lager that was the first beer is a must.
     2. Jewelry on the East River | 7 p.m.
After sunset, cities are lightened; otherwise, last ferry in the day leaves the harbor in Williamsburg around 8 p.m. (Depend on the season.) Ride on the ferry to go to Dumbo.($4) After the ferry left, enjoy the night scene on both the East river sides. This is New York. In the past, there was no transportation to go over the east river. When the river was frozen in the winter season, some people might walk on the river. Due to Industry and Technology developments, we can enjoy bright cities on the ferry.
     3. Feel Music | 8 p.m.
Prefer to listen to real music, go to Bargemusic. (Usually $35) Bargemusic was founded in 1976 by Mark Peskanov and was built in 1899 serving as a working vessel for the Erie Lackawanna Railroad in the New York Harbor, delivering hand-loaded sacks of coffee before being brought by Olga Bloom. Usually every Thursday to Sunday, music events are held. It looks a ferry outside but inside of the hall is very classic and old-fashioned. Now is time to feel fantastic music with a night view in Downtown Manhattan; it is romantic.

Google Map Ayako

Saturday
     4. Real Chocolate | 9 a.m.
Jacques Torres, known as Mr. Chocolate, is an excellent pastry chef. In 1986, he became the youngest pastry chef in history to earn the Best Craftsman of France medal in pastry arts. His dream came true through establishing his chocolate factories and several retail shops in New York in 2000. Here is a main retail boutique in New York. His hot chocolate that won an award named chocolate bon bons. All ingredients are high quality and natural. Mr. Chocolate‘s passion and dream are all in his chocolate arts. Pick some assorted chocolate boxes as souvenirs for your friends and take some food; for cold season, hot chocolate ($3.54), and for summer, one scoop of homemade ice cream ($3.30) are the best choices.
     5. Walking Tour | 9:30 a.m.
Brooklyn Bridge is the oldest cable stayed bridge in New York. This bridge was symbolized a connection between Manhattan and Brooklyn; due to this bridge, Brooklyn became a part of New York. Before that, Brooklyn was an independent city. The bridge was designed by German immigrant John Augustus Roebling and completed by his son, Washington Roebling, in 1883. It was the first steel-wire suspension bridge and was dubbed “Eighth Wonder of the World”. Walking or cycling on the Brooklyn Bridge will be an effective activity to know more about its history and also enjoy the view. Watch the side of Manhattan Bridge. There is a carousel on the Brooklyn water front; Jane’s Carousel was made by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1922. It has classic 3 row machines and 48 horses in a pavilion designed by Jean Nouvel. Jane Walentas, who are residents of Brooklyn, bought it at an auction in 1984 and fixed it in Dumbo for about 27 years. Finally, it is located on between Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge. If you ride on the horse and touch it, you may feel this historical background more. ($2)

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     6. New York bite| Noon
While you go inside of the city from Brooklyn Bridge Park, you may see a long line in front of a white building. This place is very famous for the coal brick-oven pizza. This restaurant was opened in 1991. It changed the location at least once. Regular pizza that recipe is originally from 1941 is reasonable and also tasty. ($14) American-Italian food with a local bottle of beer makes you satisfied. After you bite, you would feel their quality and history. Sometimes need to wait for an hour. If you need to wait an hour to eat there, change your mind and try to look for the Carl’s steaks food truck. Cheesy steaks roll is available to get and bite in Dumbo accidentally. This original restaurant opened in 2003 and it provides food in the Yankees stadium. Either pizza or cheese steaks roll is a New York style bite.
     7. Reach Out to History | 2:30 p.m.
Go back to the past, Brooklyn was a city named Kings County until the 18th century but now the area is one borough of New York: why the name changed, what happened in Brooklyn and what industries were developed. See how Brooklyn water front is different from today. If you were there, you would know the differences of Brooklyn Bridge Park between now and then. This place shows exactly history background of Brooklyn. (Admission fee: $10 suggested)
     8. Supreme Culinary Art | 7 p.m.
This is not exactly a part of Brooklyn water front, but it is not far from there and near Brooklyn Historical Society and also NU hotel. Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare is the best place to spend wonderful dinner time in Brooklyn. This restaurant only won three-stars awards in the Michelin guide 2014 and 2015 in Brooklyn. Famous Chefs in Brooklyn have created new cuisines and historical records with local food. Many fresh ingredients create harmony with skills of great chefs and serve them by excellent servers. There are only eighteen seats available at the same time. Reserve available seats when you plan to go. The current prix-fixe price is $255 per person plus NY tax and service fee with some drinks. The price is expensive, but the guests rarely disappoint and would have an excellent experience.
Sunday
      9. Perfect Aloma| 7 a.m.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen; coffee aroma makes people awake. Brooklyn roasting company serves a cup of excellent roasted and brewed coffee and also a variety pack of fare trade roasted coffee beans. In the past, about thirty percentage of coffee beans were roasted in the company and shipped everywhere in the U.S. Now the company has a few coffee shops in Brooklyn through its skills and opportunities. Take a doughnut ($3) with a cup of brewed coffee ($1.50/8oz) and walk toward your next destination from the cafe.
      10. Playing time | 9 a.m.
The Brooklyn Navy Yard covers over 200 acres and is located between Williamsburg and Dumbo. Following the American Revolution, the waterfront site was used to build merchant vessels and eventually became an active military installation in 1801. Today the yard has become an area of private manufacturing and commercial activity. There are a museum, a 65,000 square feet roof top garden and farm, a bicycle and some event. Visitors allow to go there and have fun with Brooklyn products and atmospheres. Some event are free; check the web site before going.
      11. New American Cusine | Noon
If you would like to have a historical new American cuisine, go to the river café in Dumbo. This café opened in 1977. At the age, surrounding was different from today. It is near Bargemusic and faces on the east river and also downtown Manhattan as well as Bargemusic. Many famous businessmen and governors visit here secretary. On only Sunday, the restaurant provides brunch fixed menu which is include appetizer and main course during winter term. ($55) The sommelier may help you choose the best match wine for you. For the Dessert, Chocolate Brooklyn Bridge is a cute pinky sweet ($20) with a cup of coffee. ($4.95)

LODGING
Bossert Hotel, 98 Montague Street: http://ny.curbed.com/tags/bossert-hotel, http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/activities/bethel/bossert-hotel/
The hotel is closed now. The building was built in 1909 and renovated several times. Before the new owner bought the hotel, design of inside of the hotel was classic. After new owner had this hotel, construction was begun. It is not sure when it will open again, but according to the article, it won’t open until 2015. However, you can see the building and feel building ages.
NU hotel, 85 Smith Street: http://nuhotelbrooklyn.com/
This hotel is not located in the Brooklyn water front but you can still walk there from the hotel. The hotel opened around 2008. This is not historical hotel but the hotel concept is mixed Brooklyn culture and stuff supports to find many historical places to go during tourists’ stay. You can use rental bikes from the hotel as well. Each room has different arts. You can book the hotel from $159/ one room. Not expensive.

 

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1. Brooklyn Brewery, 79 North 11th Street; http://brooklynbrewery.com/
2. East River Ferry, North 6th Street; http://eastriverferry.com/
3. Bargemusic, 2 Old Fulton Street; http://bargemusic.org/
4. Jacques Torres Chocolate, 66 Water Street; http://www.mrchocolate.com/
5. Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman Street; http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/
6. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, 1 Front Street; http://www.grimaldis-pizza.com/home
   Carl’s steaks Food Truck information, https://twitter.com/carlssteaks
7. Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont Street;  http://www.brooklynhistory.org/
8. Chef’s table at Brooklyn Fare, 200 Schermerhorn Street; http://www.brooklynfare.com/pages/chefs-table
9. Brooklyn Roasting Company, 25 Jay Street; http://www.brooklynroasting.com/
10. The navy yard, 63 Flushing Avenue #300; http://brooklynnavyyard.org/, http://bldg92.org/
11. The River Café, 1 Water Street; http://therivercafe.com/

Historic/heritage Tourism on the Brooklyn Warterfront

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by Tiffany Hickman, Ayako Hiratsuka, Yuwei Zhu, Peter Zhang, Welthy Lora

Definition of Historic/heritage Tourism— Historical tourism refers to a kind of tourism, where the tour or tour group focuses on the history; history of some place, people, thing, or events. They go, see, study, discuss and experience places where historical things occurred. The places will be a portrayal of history of that country or the region and tells about the past happenings. Tourists can visit those five places of historical importance to know about the culture, tradition, past happenings etc and get to know about the evolution and development in culture around Brooklyn Waterfront.

The navy yard— The Brooklyn Navy Yard covers over 200 acres and is located on the east river in Wallabout Basin. Following the American Revolution, the waterfront site was used to build merchant vessels and eventually became an active military installation in 1801. At its peak the yard employed up to 70,000 people for 24 hours a day. Today the yard has become an area of private manufacturing and commercial activity. Brooklyn Grange Farms operates a 65,000 square feet commercial farm on top of building 3.

Jane’s Carousel— Jane’s Carousel was made  by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1922. It has classic three-row machines and forty-eight horses in a pavilion designed by Jean Nouvel. Firstly, it was placed in Ohio. David and Jane Walentas, who are residents of Brooklyn, bought it at an auction in 1984. Mrs. Walentas fixed it in Dumbo for about 27 years. Afterwards, Walentas family donated the Carousel, the pavilion and money to improve the landscape in the Park to New York City. Finally, it is located on between Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge from 2011. If you ride on the horse and touch it, you may feel this historical background more.

Brooklyn Bridge— The Brooklyn Bridge is the oldest cable stayed bridge in New York. It spans East River and connect the borough of Manhattan and Brooklyn. It was completed in 1883 and was the first steel-wire suspension bridge and was dubbed “Eighth Wonder of the World”. The Brooklyn Bridge was initially designed by German immigrant John Augustus Roebling but he died from disease before construction started. Therefore his son 32-year-old son Washington Roebling took over his position to complete it. Walking through Brooklyn Bridge will be a effective activity to know more about it.

Barge Music— Going back in time, the Barge Music was founded in 1976 by 57 year old Olga Bloom and supported by Mark Peskanov. The Barge itself was built in 1899 serving as a working vessel for the Erie Lackawanna Railroad in the New York Harbor, delivering hand-loaded sacks of coffee before being brought by Olga Bloom. The Barge is one of the many reason the Park has many tourist as it has been around for over 35 years and continue to create more histories of musician that perform and the audiences that enjoyed the concert. Blogs were created for the Barge because of how popular it was every year and became known as a Cultural Icon of the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Every year the Barge would be open at Thursday to Sunday for 52 weeks and become a historical icon for people to visit.

Ice cream factory— Tourists most of the times visit places and go on tours to get to know a place and enjoy the different types of food they serve. Tourists also visit places to learn about its history. In the Brooklyn Bridge Park and in the Brooklyn Bridge Waterfront there are many places where tourist can go visit and learn about its Historic/heritage. One place is the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. While a person/s is satisfying their Historic/heritage Tourism at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, an activity they would like to participate in while touring there is getting to eat the different types of ice cream they sell.

Ayako Hiratsuka

4 Replies

     I came to NY one year ago and studied English in ESL in LaGuardia CC to go to City Tech. This college is my second college, because I have a bachelor degree of Global Communication in Japan where I am from. The reason why I chose this college is that a lot of people in NY have various races, cultures and back grounds. My first job was mainly an organizer of TV programs at a cable TV company in Tokyo for about three years; I developed my abilities such as such as a creator, a negotiator, and an organizer. Then, I belonged to one of Japanese domestic airlines which is a part of All Nippon Airways as a flight attendant for three years and half; the reason why I chose this career was that I realized that I preferred to serve customers directly. When I was a member of a committee of customer satisfactions in the company, I learned the company policy deeply which is “The much smaller things are, the more we have to take care carefully and politely for passengers”; this hospitality mind aroused my curiosity. Moreover, I learned that safety is one of the most significant factors for hospitality businesses to be success. Due to this reason, I studied Food Protection system and obtained a qualification of Food Protection in NY last year. Although my goal is still unclear, I prefer to serve customers and manage work environment somewhere such as hotels, airlines and restaurants. Through this campus life, I would like to be a person who can show more people hospitality and share happiness as much as I can.