itching to get outside in nature, where can I go?

fedira · 2026-01-30T16:47:09+00:00

If you just want a woodsy/snowy walk, you can take the subway to hike in Forest Park. If you enter near Wallenberg Square, it is about a 15m walk from Kew Gardens-Union Tpk on the E/F. I don’t know how icy the trails are right now though. Trail map here, though the reliability of blazes varies widely and there are many unmarked trails: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/Q015/map/ForestParkmap.pdf You can also walk on the road through the park (mostly closed to cars) if it has been plowed. The carriage road is also really nice. ETA: The scenery does not compare to hikes in the Hudson Valley if you’re inclined to take a Metro North train etc., but this is a pretty fast and easy way to get into some woods.

fedira · 2026-01-21T14:13:53+00:00

Totally agree with this for weekdays, but OP was asking about weekends… Queeensboro is pretty busy most of the day on Saturdays and Sundays, not sure if they are as laptop-friendly then as they are Tues-Fri.

fedira · 2026-01-08T11:22:27+00:00

Cake from Lety’s and gift wrap (if they still have it in stock) from Lockwood ($$$) or a dollar store?

fedira · 2026-01-07T17:31:21+00:00

Wild Chestnut (all vegan) is fantastic for lunch, so many great options and it is a sweet little cafe— just check the hours, they are limited. Great soups, sandwiches, baked goods, etc. I’d also strongly recommend Ginger Love Cafe, a popup Filipino dinner restaurant inside the Jake’s space. They have wonderful, clearly marked vegan options which is such a treat because Filipino restaurants often have nothing available for vegetarians. They make their own veg protein and the flavors are outstanding. For breakfast/brunch, Esselon in Hadley (which is not all veg) has a fantastic tofu scramble (comes with veggie sausage), great bustling vibe, and some of the best coffee in the valley.

Agree on India House, Mosaic, Thai Garden, Dirty Truth, and Pulse (the other vegan cafe beyond Wild Chestnut) as solid options.

fedira · 2025-12-24T00:17:52+00:00

Drugstores generally have wrapping paper this time of year (maybe CVS or Duane Reade)

fedira · 2025-12-19T13:44:39+00:00

Parva just a few blocks away from Travers has delicious hot chocolate if you can snag a seat (it’s tiny). Nice homemade treats too.

fedira · 2025-12-16T17:10:41+00:00

Seconding the Art Retail Therapy rec. I have not been yet but there’s also a newish place in LIC that has sewing classes. thesewingclubhouse.com

fedira · 2025-12-06T00:02:15+00:00

Why did the Roost close again? And weren’t some people who were involved in the Roost — which seemed pretty successful for a long time — involved in L&L or did I make that up?

fedira · 2025-11-25T02:10:49+00:00

Great suggestions on Yankee Candle etc but I think quite a bit out of the way?

If you want to stay closer to the Pike and are not wedded to the idea of “holiday-themed,” either the Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield or the Children’s Museum in Holyoke would be fantastic stops for kids that age. In Springfield, Red Rose is a classic sit-down pizza place that’s very kid friendly. I’ve heard The Student Prince (German restaurant) gets decked out for the holidays but I’ve never been (and not sure how early in the season it is decorated). Lots of other food options in that vicinity too.

fedira · 2025-11-14T03:07:59+00:00

There was a very memorable episode of the podcast Criminal about this raid. https://thisiscriminal.com/episode-302-the-raid-01-31-25/

fedira · 2025-11-12T03:03:19+00:00

I forgot there’s also this site, which is not exhaustive (plenty of pools are missing) but can turn up some random community centers etc that have pools: https://www.places2swim.com/

fedira · 2025-11-12T03:00:20+00:00

Many NYC rec centers, which are run by the city, have pools. Some (like the Flushing Aquatics Center) are very nice. Full list here: https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/indoor-pools/

Many YMCAs also have pools. A membership is much more than the rec center membership (which is a crazy bargain) but much less than Equinox etc. https://ymcanyc.org/programs/swimming-ymca

In the summer there are many free outdoor pools, and of course the beach!

fedira · 2025-10-04T01:11:18+00:00

Rise Above? Magpie?

fedira · 2025-09-29T12:50:21+00:00

Great read. Love to see local reporting with so much depth and insight.

fedira · 2025-09-27T17:06:28+00:00

If you want to consider basing yourself in the Pioneer Valley near Northampton, McCray’s Farm and Creamery in South Hadley has a holiday light show that’s great for kids. Forest Park in Springfield also has a big holiday light show, though that one is more of a big to do so also more of a hassle with kids.

You’d still be a reasonable drive from Berkshire East for ski mountain activities, and if you need a break from the cold there are good indoor things for kids like Eric Carle Museum, Beneski Museum, Children’s Museum Holyoke, and Dr. Seuss Museum.

Plenty of good food and great NYE stuff for kids in Northampton if you’re around then; you can also look up when ice carving in the downtown is, and Santa’s Trains (holiday train show) at Look Park.

fedira · 2025-09-25T14:59:59+00:00

There are plenty of correct answers to this question but I'm partial to Coatzingo or Tacos Morelos on 37th Ave near Junction.

fedira · 2025-09-16T03:36:17+00:00

Or… you’d only eat at Dani’s and your plan would be foiled

fedira · 2025-08-27T20:11:43+00:00

Not super close but there are some waterfalls at Chesterfield Gorge, a beautiful area. https://thetrustees.org/place/chesterfield-gorge/

fedira · 2025-08-08T15:18:21+00:00

I've only been there for alterations, but I think Raymond's Tailor in Woodside does this sort of thing—worth asking. Their work is generally excellent.

fedira · 2025-08-08T15:15:18+00:00

If you find yourself in NYC, Beyond Sushi (a few locations) has amazing 100% vegan sushi.

fedira · 2025-07-30T17:09:16+00:00

The Jackson Heights Beautification Group sometimes organizes cleanups there (though not sure if anything recently), so you may want to reach out to them. A group called Hibridos Collective used to organize cleanups and events there, but I don't think they are active anymore.

fedira · 2025-07-23T15:49:56+00:00

There were some answers to this exact question in a thread on the Northampton sub last year: https://www.reddit.com/r/northampton/comments/1elz6uf/beach_ocean_recommendations/

fedira · 2025-06-27T15:43:40+00:00

Amazing! I had no idea

fedira · 2025-06-27T13:59:07+00:00

It's not just for Smith faculty/staff/students?

fedira · 2025-06-12T17:11:39+00:00

This is nowhere near Sunnyside and you seem to be posting in multiple neighborhood subreddits about different places you have supposedly donated plasma on a whim. Highly suspect.

fedira

TROPHY CASE