New York
State Pride|Need to Know

Outdoor Dining In New York City Will Look Different This Winter. Here’s Why.

Published Oct 24, 2023

Written by 

John Williams

Those who dine outdoors in New York should be aware that there are some major changes happening to the rules and regulations that pertain to eating out in the city. Mayor Adams has a new campaign called Dining Out NYC, which breaks down guidelines for permeant outdoor dining in all five boroughs. This is a major change for post-pandemic outdoor dining in New York. To learn more, keep reading below.

The new regulations make it OK for outdoor dining to exist year-round for sidewalk cafes, and additionally adds guidance for restaurants creating street cafes that are allowed from April to November.

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The new proposed rules for creating outdoor dining require clear design standards, specifics surrounding the materials that can be used for outdoor dining, and confirmation of a layout as it relates to subway entrances and fire hydrants.

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Andrew Rigie, the executive director of New York City’s Hospitality Alliance, had this to say: "It’s going to be standardized. It’s going to be much more sustainable than much of what you see on the roadways right now.”

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Rigie also said that diners are “going to see more umbrellas, canopies and maybe a light structural, things that are less permanent physical structures like buildings in the roadway.”

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The rules will be suspect to a 30-day public comment period before the DOT makes the program official by the end of the year.

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Some restaurant owners welcome the new permanent guidelines, while other local residents think that the outdoor seating areas can still harbor rats and other vermin.

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It's important that both visitors and residents to New York understand these new outdoor dining rules, which will likely become official before the end of the year, and might just effect a favorite eating spot or two. Even though the winter is a slow time for outdoor dining, it will be spring soon enough. When it comes to great food in New York City, we recommend this amazing Italian cafe. And for those looking for a hotel in Manhattan, we additionally recommend Holiday Inn Express, Times Square.

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State Pride|Need to Know

The Northern Lights Might Be Visible From New York This Year

Published Jan 23, 2024

Written by 

John Williams

Witnessing the splendor of the Northern Lights is one of the most majestic things a human can do on this earth. There is something otherworldly and completely engulfing about this strange display of light formations. Sadly, they are often hard to see—unless, of course, one happens to live in a country within the Arctic Circle. This year, though, they are going to to be visible from many parts of the United States. New Yorkers are in luck: From certain parts of the state, the Northern Lights have the potential to be seen in 2024! Trust us, it’s worth making the time to check out this rare, beautiful natural occurrence. For more information on the Northern Lights in 2024 in New York, keep reading, below.

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The Northern Lights auroras happen when "electrons from space flow down Earth's magnetic field and collide with atoms and molecules of the upper atmosphere in a ring or oval centered on the magnetic pole of Earth. The collisions produce light much like how electrons flowing through gas in a neon light collide with neon and other gasses to produce different colored light bulbs."

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The above is according to the according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. That’s a lot of science, but it’s safe to say that the result transcends everything.

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This year, the sun will reach the peak of a decade plus cycle that has seen the North and South poles swapping places, which causes solar activity to be at its highest point and the aural oval to expand. All of this means that with this increased energy, the auroral zone will extend further south.

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Depending on a few factors—among them cloud cover and timing—the Northern Lights could make it to New York this year.

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In the past, the Northern Lights have been seen in areas as southern as the Hudson Valley and the Catskills.

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To stay updated on the Northern Lights in New York State, we recommend monitoring the NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

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We think it’s really worth taking advantage of the fact that we might see the Northern Lights in 2024 in New York this year. So, keep a watch on the NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center website. And, for those looking to stock up on some cold weather gear to stay warm during a possible viewing, we recommend checking out all REI has to offer.

Planning to visit the Catskills to look for the Northern Lights? Check out this scenic drive.

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State Pride|Need to Know

A Total Solar Eclipse Will Be Visible Above New York This Spring

Published Jan 16, 2024

Written by 

John Williams

This coming spring, on April 8, 2024, there will be a total solar eclipse looming over North America, and Upstate New York will be one of the best places on the continent to watch this rare, momentous occurrence. To put it simply, it is a can’t miss event! To learn more, keep reading, below.

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A total solar eclipse happens when the moon wedges in the middle of the sun and the Earth. The last time there was a total solar eclipse in Upstate New York was 1925.

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According to the state’s tourism website, totality is set to commence at 3:17 p.m. in Western New York’s Chautauqua County, and will end in Plattsburgh in the Adirondacks at 3:25 p.m., with each location sequestered in complete darkness for around four minutes.

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Roughly half of Upstate New York, which includes Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, will be able to check out the total eclipse. Within that area, there are plenty of amazing places to take full advantage of the natural event.

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One great destination for eclipse viewing is the Martz-Kohl Observatory in Frewburg, New York, where the eclipse comes around at roughly 3:18 p.m.

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Then there is the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center in Vestal, New York. They are even putting together an “Eclipse Science Team,” in which local students participate in citizen science around he eclipse.

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Kopernik Observatory & Science Center/Google Reviews

Quite possibly the most majestic place to view the eclipse is in Niagara Falls, where the Niagara Falls State Park will hold events in celebration of the eclipse.

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There are also plenty of great state park campground accommodations designated by the state of New York for the 2024 Solar Eclipse. Among them, we love the nautical atmosphere of Fair Haven Beach State Park.

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Allegany State Park in Salamanca is also on the state’s list of parks from which to view the eclipse. We should mention here that eye protection is necessary when viewing it, and sunglasses won't cut it—the eclipse can only be observed with special solar viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer.

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For an exotic eclipse experience, we recommend Wellesley Island State Park, but there are only 21 cabins available.

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We think it's worth making the trip to Upstate New York to view this rare event, and it might even be better to hit Niagara Falls, where there is perhaps the most majestic view in the state. For those looking for a hotel in Niagara Falls, we recommend Niagara Falls Marriott on the Falls. And if you're heading to Niagara, check out the Aquarium of Niagara for some adorable adventures!

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