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February 15, 2011

Getting Happy in New York City

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I have been feeling a bit gloomy lately. When I start feeling a little blue I like to grab my camera, put on my comfy sneakers, and walk the city, especially on sunny days like today. Granted it was cold, but man was it pretty.

I took my time and pacing myself throughout my long walk. In doing so I was able to visit the parts of New York City that make me most happy.

SOHO

The streets are always crowded and thus this is a great place to walk around while window shopping and people watching. Celebrity sightings are frequent and discount shopping, despite the high-end stores found there, can always be found. Stopping to eat at Balthazar is a special treat, and on cold days like these a creamy serving of their macaroni and cheese with bacon is sure to lift my spirits and make you smile.

Goat cheese and grilled vegetable salad

Macaroni & cheese with bacon

CENTRAL PARK

No matter what the weather, walking through the winding paths of this park helps to reflect and de-stress, especially on weekdays when most of the city is in the office. During the cold weather it becomes a Winter Wonderland, providing endless opportunities to take great pictures and have fun in the snow. Stopping for a hot chocolate break while watching skaters at Wollman Rink is also a lot of fun and a great to look out into the beautiful city skyline. If looking for a more solitary walk to gather your thoughts, the path along the Reservoir offers icy views, and somewhat of an icy path, but it’s incredibly peaceful and wonderfully quiet.

MUSEUM MILE

Strolling along Fifth Avenue, between 82nd St. and 105th St., is most encouraged during warmer weather, and especially during The Museum Mile Festival, but the walk is a great one any time of the year and if you take advantage of Free or Discounted Museum Days (NewYorkology.com offers a great list on when those are), it makes for a pleasant day spent doing something really low-key as well as inexpensive.

RIVER PATHS along Hudson River (West Side) and East River (East Side)

Dog walkers, bikers, and joggers all know what I am talking about. For miles and miles, these paths are my immediate go to when I just need to get away from it all. The views of the water never fail to give me that “I’m so lucky to live here” feeling and if I need to just sit down and read a book or reflect on my day or my life, I am always able to find a nice bench with no one to disturb me for hours if needed.

Other wise, if time is a concern, I just make sure to get out and walk. It’s easy to get caught up in all hustle and bustle of the city rush, and though finding a rose to smell may be hard to come by, it is enough to slow down and look around to help remind me there is a lot to smile about.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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12 Comments
  • Michelle
    February 15, 2011

    Those are great pictures! Makes me miss Manhattan-yet again. I loved to walk around City College and Hamilton Heights. Those little winding streets in the West Village are great too.

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    February 15, 2011

    Thanks Michelle! Oh yeah, the Village on an early Fall or Spring AM…divine!

    Reply
  • cassie
    February 17, 2011

    the mac and cheese and goat cheese veggie salad look amazing… walking through nyc is always amazing, you always discover something new…and it reminds you of the beauty of our city

    Reply
  • Kirsten
    February 26, 2011

    I find myself hard pressed to be unhappy in NYC. BUT – I can still understand the motivation and usually find if I am unhappy anywhere that photo walks always help uplift my mood! Sounds like a great way to make a positive outcome from a downer situation 🙂

    Reply
  • Carol Cain
    February 27, 2011

    Thanks Kirsten : ) I'm not typically sad in NYC, but it's been a looooooong winter!! lol!

    Reply
  • adal
    March 7, 2011

    Well, winter has been too long if you ask me but, I think I see the light coming 🙂 Saludos, Adal

    Reply
  • Veronica
    March 11, 2011

    loved seeing your voyage! thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Veronica
      March 11, 2011

      Thank you Veronia!

      Reply
  • Patrick
    March 26, 2011

    Oh I love this post! Isn't it just so amazing to walk cities and discover them by foot with your camera? Thanks! Patrick

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Patrick
      March 26, 2011

      Yes, Patrick! It really is : )

      Reply
  • Neil Nanda
    May 3, 2011

    Finally a restaurant I recognize! Have been to Balthazar twice and both times had goat cheese salad. Very good place to hide out while the wife is shopping down Broadway.

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Neil Nanda
      May 3, 2011

      OMGosh Neil, that goat cheese salad is to die for! Glad you enjoy it : )

      Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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Every time I’m in NYC I feel both a longing for Every time I’m in NYC I feel both a longing for it and a relief to not be living here full time.

I love that there are still communities holding on to remaining close knit, authentic, and supportive of each other. Nowhere anywhere can compete with the diversity - food, people, languages - all of it. 😭

The access to creativity…and if you come in the spring (or in the fall) it’s magic. 

But…there is so much that remains inaccessible to so many. The inequality and economic disparities are glaring and any sense of balance is a dream, with so many living paycheck to paycheck trying to get their heads above water.

Don’t get me wrong. I love it here. I miss it, and feel so damn lucky that I can come and get my fix, see family, visit with friends any time I want without a hassle. It is my city and I’d be mad if someone talked sh*t about it 😂😂 But I get it. It’s tough. But that’s why I love fellow city folks too, because we’re tougher.

Grateful for everything life in the Finger Lakes has gifted us. We remain so happy to have made the move and have built such a dream life there. And also that my city is a short drive away. ♥️

#nyc #lifeinnyc
New York City moment: This poor hawk was just tr New York City moment: 

This poor hawk was just trying to have its breakfast when a large audience not only gathered to watch it, but also proceeded to mislabel it calling it an eagle. The insult. 😂 

One lady to her male partner:
 Her: “Omg. I didn’t know eagles ate other birds!”
Male partner: “Of course eagles do! They are predators!”
Me: 💀💀

#nyclife #nycmoment #nyc
Last night I explored the @tinbuilding located in Last night I explored the @tinbuilding located in the historic South St Seaport of Manhattan on Pier 17. 

This 53,000-square foot, two-story market really is a beautiful culinary destination. Shop for everything from delightful sweets, unique spices and aromatics, olive oils, coffee, and other artisan goods. Eat everything from vegan to seafood, pastas, and meats. Or, like I did, spend time with friends at any one of their eateries.

This marketplace opened in September 28, 2022, by French Chef and restaurant owner Jean-Georges Vongerichten and is helping to bring new life to a beloved NYC neighborhood that has continuously worked to recover after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.

I absolutely indulged in shopping at this market, loved my dining experience at Frenchman’s Dough, and can’t wait to go back.

#nyceats #upscalemarketplace #tinbuilding #iloveny
This photo is 12 years old. Hahaha...can you tell? This photo is 12 years old. Hahaha...can you tell? This memory. I had just started blogging not too long before (2008!!!)...and was already experiencing so many accolades, a surge of opportunities, success, and growth. I honestly could not believe my life then; I had entered this space so blindly. I just wanted to share my insights with my family, not realizing it would reach so many more. And I certainly had NO idea how far it would take my family AND me. My goodness.

I recently sent my CV...yup, my whole resume, to someone who requested it, and in doing so, I seriously thought, "Oh, they're not going to think I've accomplished enough in my professional life." Instead, in the following interview, they expressed being in awe of all I have done and continue to do. "You are BUSY!" Though these hardworking-but-never-hard-enough immigrant genes don't always allow me to appreciate all I have accomplished, photos like these take me back to this moment that truly says, "Damn, girl. YOU DID THAT." Thank you to all the readers and followers who uplifted me and my work over these 10+ years and continue to do so. It's been an incredible adventure!
If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext

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