Category Archives: New York City

Getting a ‘Peek’ at New Mobile Travel App

As there is an app for just about any need or interest, the travel sector surely is getting its fair share. The latest one to travelers as well as the general public comes from Peek.com, a one-stop web resource for booking activities in 17 U.S. cities, London and Paris.

Called Peek Mobile, this free app brings Peek.com’s services from the web to your smartphone, with some additional functions. It’s said to have geo-location technology, which in plain speak means users can book their activities on the go. Options extend to family, food and wine, arts and culture, adventurous and walking and sightseeing tours and day trips.

For example, if you wanted to book a guided walking tour of the Lower East Side while visiting New York City, you can do so through Peek Mobile app. Or while staying in Paris, explore the city’s different arrondissements (city districts) or go ahead and jaunt out to Champagne, the vineyard region where this bubbly beverage is produced.

Booking through your phone is designed with ease in mind. It’s designed to provide information about your potential activity in real time, with essentials like pricing and available slots. And feedback from others who did what you want to do – or just to help you confirm your decision – is also at your fingertips.

Plus, the fact that the Peek Mobile app is free is also a good reason for giving it a try. It is available for iPhone and iPod Touch and can be downloaded through Apple’s App Store.

So what travel apps do you like to use? Let me know in the comments section!

Holiday Window Displays in New York City: Where to Stop By

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It’s fun to do some window shopping at high-end New York City department stores. During the holiday season, it’s cool to see how creative store personnel can get with their takes on celebrating all things festive.

As the crowds start to come more to the Big Apple, try to get an early jump on getting a viewing. From traditional to whimsical, here is a selection of window displays worth making a trek to. All of them are based in Midtown, with each having a reasonable walking or bus/subway distance.

Macy’sIn Herald Square on 34th Street, Macy’s windows follow a young boy whose dream takes him on a journey along a winter landscape. The boy goes through an enchanted forest and encounters elaborate creatures, with his adventure ending back in his room.

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Lord & Taylor

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In going back to a more traditional period, Lord & Taylor sets the scene for a formal holiday gathering in years past. Guests are dressed in their finest for tea and an evening meal.

Look closely in the lower right corner of one window to find a rotating silent film set in New York City from a bygone era. Get to Lord & Taylor by walking west along Fifth Avenue. The store is at 39th Street.

Saxs Fifth Avenue

As one of the season’s most visually appealing windows, the display at Saxs Fifth Avenue is based on a tale called Yeti Story. A young and under-appreciated Yeti leaves his family and his “job” in Siberia to see the world.

Like, um, other newcomers, he eventually makes his way to New York City – even exploring the subway – and develops a career in innovating the science of snowflake making.

Saxs Fifth Avenue is easy to find. It’s on Fifth Avenue across from Rockefeller Center.

Henri Bendel

Even if the name of Al Hirschfeld might not sound familiar at first, there’s a good chance you’ve seen his black and white caricatures of celebrities and Broadway stars.

Also on Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel pays tribute to the late artist’s work with a display of well-known New Yorkers seated at a dining table. Guests include Sarah Jessica Parker, her hubby Matthew Broderick, Woody Allen, Liza Minelli and Joan Rivers. There’s also a portrait of Hirschfeld.

Another Fifth Avenue find, Henri Bendel is near West 56th Street.

Bergdorf Goodman

Just up the street from Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman has a “Holiday on Ice” theme this year. Icicles are the main attraction, providing extra glimmer to period set windows.

Barneys NY

Heading over to Madison Avenue, at East 61st Street, Barneys NY has been getting much hype with its holiday collaboration with rap mogul Jay Z. This holiday season, the store has gone high tech with interactive windows sporting light shows. One entrance has visitors going into a darkened space where a display of a brief, 3D demonstration adds different colors to Manhattan’s sky line.

The key component of Barneys display is a friendlier feature. “Experience the BNYNYC sleigh ride” lets visitors meet his Santa and his wife and go on a virtual ride above the city streets. Performers from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater portray Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, with a modern day look, and lets visitors pose for a photo. A web link to your pictures can be emailed to you or pick up a hard copy inside the store. Plus, it’s free!

Bloomingdale’s

On 3rd Avenue and East 59th Street, Bloomingdale’s takes viewers on a round the world trip with holiday greetings from France, Italy, Great Britain, and, of course, New York City.

Happy browsing!

A Fall Walking Tour through Central Park

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I think walking tours are one of the best methods for exploring a major city’s districts. And New York City has its share of historic ones. On Sunday morning, I grabbed a last-minute spot on a Meetup event for a history walking tour around Central Park.

Officially opened in 1873, this 843-acre public park stretches from 59th Street to 110th Street, from East Side with Fifth Avenue all the way to Central Park West. Each year, 38 million visitors are said to come to this National Historic Landmark. As great to explore the park on your own, I also recommend signing up for a guided walk if you want to get more insights about the park’s various sections.

Starting from Sheep Meadow, heading west and eventually making our way to The Great Lawn, here is a pictorial view of sites on our walking route worth your time to stop at.

Sheep Meadow

Lower level of Bethesda Terrace, adjacent to Bethesda Fountain

Bow Bridge

Waterview, with The Dakota second from left

Belvedere Castle

Delacorte Theater

The Great Lawn

Hotel Week NYC Offers Room Rates Starting at $100

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It can be cold outside in January. Here’s another good reason for staying indoors that month — and saving a great deal of money. Book a room at a stylish New York City hotel, starting at a rate of $100.

From January 3 through 12, the third annual Hotel Week NYC will offer specialty savings for stays at nearly 30 different Manhattan properties. This selection ranges from budget accommodations to posh lodging, with the latter charging normally up to $500 a night.

Source: nyma, the new york manhattan hotel

Source: Pod 39

Source: Cosmopolitan Hotel–TriBeCa

Rates of $100, $200 and $300 will be offered. Along with Midtown, locations will include SoHo, Chelsea, Flatiron, Murray Hill, Fashion District, Greenwich Village, and Tribeca.

Although January is a quiet time for visiting the Big Apple — particularly in the wake of the heavily visited holiday season — Hotel Week NYC provides an affordable option for staying in the city’s different neighborhoods. And why not start off the New Year right by do some exploring.

Plus, guests who choose to book a room during the earlier part of Hotel Week NYC can still catch some festive remnants of 2013. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree will remain up and lit for viewing until January 7. Ice skating still will be ongoing at the Rink at Rockefeller Center as well as at Bryant Park and Central Park.

If the temperatures get to be too much, step inside a museum like the Metropolitan Museum of Art or Museum of Natural History or inside a restaurant or café for a warm and filling meal. Even plan ahead for some time for theatrics by buying advanced tickets to a Broadway show.

Whether you’re a visitor looking to take advantage of vacation days carried over from 2013 or a resident seeking a staycation, Hotel Week NYC has a place for everyone and every interest.

2014 participants include these properties shown below. For a full list, visit this link.

Ace Hotel, Flatiron, Chelsea
Rate: $200 – Book Online or call 1 (212) 679-2222 and mention “Hotel Week”

Affinia Manhattan, Midtown
Rate: $100 – Go to www.affinia.com and enter code HTWEEK or call 1 (866) 246-2203 and mention “Hotel Week”

Hotel Americano, Chelsea
Rate: $200 – Go to hotel-americano.com and enter code Hotel Week

nyma, the new york manhattan hotel, Herald Square
Rate: $100 – Call 1 (800) 567-7720 or 1 (212) 790-2710 and mention “Hotel Week”

Ramada New York/Eastside, Murray Hill
Rate: $100 – Call 1 (800) 567-7720 or 1 (212) 790-2710 and mention “Hotel Week”

The Hotel @ Times Square, Times Square
Rate: $100 – Call 1 (800) 567-7720 or 1 (212) 790-2710 and mention “Hotel Week”

Hotel Chandler, Flatiron
Rate: $200 – Go to www.hotelchandler.com or call 1 (866) 627 7847 or 1 (212) 889 6363 and mention “Hotel Week”

Cosmopolitan Hotel – TriBeCa, Tribeca
Rate: $100 – Go to cosmohotel.com and enter code HOTELWEEK or call 1 (212) 566-1900

The Jade Hotel Greenwich Village, Greenwich Village
Rate: $100 – Book Online or call 1 (212) 375-1300 and mention “Hotel Week”

The James New York, SoHo
Rate: $300 – Go to jameshotels.com/hotelweek or call 1 (888) 526-3778 and mention “Hotel Week”

Pod 39, Midtown East, Murray Hill and Times Square
Rate: $100 – Call 1 (212) 865-5700 and mention “Hotel Week”

An Evening at The Explorers Club with Kensington Tours

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On Tuesday night, I had the opportunity to visit The Explorers Club, an elite yet eye-opening venue in New York City that has been the headquarters for this organization of world explorers since 1904. Here, I got to meet and learn more about a different group of explorers, so to speak, that Kensington Tours has brought together to kick off its latest venture.

For Kensington’s “Explorers-in-Residence” series, each explorer will serve as the main guides for specialty, small group tours whose itineraries mix in their expertise with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

This team includes celebrated Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society and Explorers Club, television hosts and well-renowned researchers, among others. Here are some of them:

– Jeff Fuchs, an expert in indigenous mountain culture, will lead “China & The Tea Horse Road,” which follows the legendary Silk Road. Fuchs spent the last decade living in China. He will apply his expertise in having trekked this route, along with his research on oral histories and his fondness for tea.

– Storm chaser and Discovery Channel host George Kourounis will direct “Iceland: Land of Ice, Fire, & Northern Lights,” an eight-day tour of country’s natural wonders. Nicknamed the “Modern Day Indiana Jones,” Kourounis will take guests along the Golden Circle and will top off his tour with a viewing of the Northern Lights.

– Lee Abbamonte, who is the youngest American to visit every country on Earth, will be focusing on his other pursuit: sports. He will be leading a pilgrimage to Augusta for an up-close view at The Masters Golf Tournament. Other plans for him include jaunts to Brazil for the World Cup and to Monaco for the Grand Prix.

In between chatting with these explorers, I walked around different floors — and, in a sense, the footsteps of past and present members — inside The Explorers Club. Being transported back to an era of high status and opulence, this Upper East Side townhouse is graced with fireplaces and other Victorian era furnishings. Objects used and artifacts found in once hard-to-reach destinations are all around, hung up on mantles and walls or stored in glass cases.

Feeling a bit adventurous myself, I headed up to the fifth floor to peak inside the Trophy Room, a members’ only area. Inside this room, other unique finds are stored. The floor’s hallway is a showplace of black and white photographs of explorer members, past and present. I recognized a few faces: astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter, who recently passed away, and film director James Cameron.

Downstairs, guests were able to have a taste of adventure. In what could be referred to as “edible exploration,” certain hors d’oeuvres featured a specific item that is eaten in certain parts of the world – insects! Choices were scorpions, mealworms and crickets served on crackers or endives. And a lovely second-level open patio offered a quiet space to sip on my drink and relax after what I had just tried.

In all, the evening gave me a peek into an elite group of explorers, and the opportunity to meet those who still continue on today.

Along for the Ride: A Tour of Citi Bike Warehouse

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Since its launch in May, Citi Bike has been getting a lot of hype and use on New York City streets. This past weekend, the bicycle sharing program participated in the openhouseny series through holding tours of its headquarters in Brooklyn next to the Gowanus Expressway.

On Saturday, Citi Bike’s Office Manager Justin Salsberg led my group around this warehouse on 3^rd Avenue and 52^nd Street. Taking us up and down levels and through the entire facility, Salsberg showed us every aspect of Citi Bike’s operations. Pretty much, it’s a round-the-clock command center.

The upper level houses customer service representatives and dispatch operators, who both are busy 24/7. Citi Bike staffers receive about 1,500 calls daily, according to Salsberg, with inquiries often involving “how-to” questions on even, yes, how to ride a bike. Emails are another story, as Salsberg mentioned that about 350 email responses are sent per day.

With dispatch, a logistics team monitors station needs, such as when to refill stations and tracking the rental status of 6,000 bicycles currently on the street. Staff members also interact with their colleagues at Alta Planning + Design, Citi Bike’s parent company in Portland, Oregon.

Also up in the office level, the program’s first three bicycles are on display. Aside from marking the program’s official launch, these initial bikes signify some of the challenges faced in starting off its ride.

Based at its Gowanus location for half this year, Citi Bike’s HQ originally was in the Brooklyn Navy Yard right up before Hurricane Sandy hit in late October 2012. Due to severe storm damage, with the loss of almost its entire fleet of 2,000 bicycles, Citi Bike staff then relocated and launched from Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood. Only these three bikes escaped with no severe mash-ups.

Speaking of bikes, Citi Bike’s wheels are pre-made in Montreal, with some touch-ups added on. Each Citi Bike weighs about 42 and ½ pounds, with Salsberg describing the model as “street cruiser heavy,” the weight also acts as a theft deterrent and fits in mind with the bike sharing program as being used solely to get a rider “from Point A to Point B.” Additions for the NYC bikes include LED blinking lights on the rear tire and, on the front, a protective rack that consists of a half-open side basket with bungee cords can hold in items such as a bag or a briefcase.

The reason why there’s no full basket is due to safety reasons, such as riders who might think of a basket as an extra seat and try to place their young children in it. It also deters any garbage from being left with the bike.

Heading back downstairs, the lower level of the warehouse is a bike storage and repair station area. A good portion of space is for bike stacking, as Citi Bikes are lined up after being repaired for reuse at various stations through Manhattan and Brooklyn. Parked vans are used for loading and delivering bikes ready to go. When asked station region was the busiest, Salsberg quickly answered Midtown, particularly around Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal.

On one side, there is a repair room called Station Tech, where maintenance on station parts such as docking ports and touchscreen kiosks take place here. Literally, the room is stocked with various pieces of hardware.

Another large space down here is a body shop where close to 20 mechanics work rotating shifts in either the morning, afternoon or evening to repair close to 10 bikes a day. Of course, tires get damaged by parts getting stuck in them, and there’s a container called Big Apple Shrapnel showcasing these bits and piece. Vandalism is the biggest repair issue, with most of it having to do with removing stickers.

Salsberg also shared some tips and side stories. As Citi Bikes can go missing or get stolen, despite a tracking system and a hefty fee, DOT, NYPD and the general public have been helpful in calling in about spotting bikes out of their normal places. One interesting find was of a Citi Bike hanging from a tree in Harlem.

And for those riders who face a dilemma called the “biker bump” – where a CitiBike is locked in but not correctly – Salsberg gave this answer. Lift the bike by both the front handle and back seat, and put it through in a motion that’s like you’re shoveling. It will click in.

Eating Along The Bronx’s Arthur Avenue

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One of New York City’s five boroughs, The Bronx has a number of attractions in its Belmont area that close in proximity to each other: the New York Botanical Gardens, the Bronx Zoo and Arthur Avenue. Particularly, if you enjoy Italian American food, Arthur Avenue is worth stopping by for eating, shopping and just walking around.

Called the Bronx’s “Little Italy,” this main section of Arthur Avenue technically stretches across East 187th Street to Arthur Avenue to Prospect Street. It’s lined with restaurants, eateries, cafes, bakeries, delicatessens and grocery shops. And most of them remain as family-run businesses, as they have been for generations.

You can get a taste for just about any dish and every essential ingredient: pizzas, pastas, fresh mozzarella, sopressa, proscuitto, pastries, and so on. Every September, a festival called Ferragosto takes place to honor an Italian tradition that recognizes the end of the harvest season and celebrates the fruits of hard labor.

On a recent Sunday, I jaunted from place to place along Arthur Avenue’s center strip. In combining my picks with others’ recommendations, here are a few venues worth stopping at:

Madonia Brothers Bakery
Along the main part of Arthur Avenue, Madonia is most noted for its bread, having a good thick crust yet a chewy texture. In fact, one of the restaurants I ate at (and will mention later on) gets bread right from this bakery. The olive bread is quite popular and the spread of pastries is lengthy! This third-generation run bakery is also noted for its cannolis, cookies, biscotti, baguettes and bread sticks. I went home with a hefty box.

Dominick’s Bar and Restaurant
At Dominick’s Bar and Restaurant, get ready for the concept of family style. Diners share tables together, so you will eat alongside people you just met. Plus, the day’s menu is heard not seen. Your waiter lists off your choices of what’s available. Although it may seem a bit off to have to go by ear, the big portion dishes are good and filling. If available, I recommend starting off with the antipasti, followed by perhaps the chicken or eggplant parmesan or cheese ravoli. I went with stuffed peppers, but in hindsight, I probably would have ordered what my friends did.

Teitel Brothers
Teitel Brothers Wholesale and Retail Company (as it’s fully known) carries high-volume imported goods such as olive oil, tomatoes, vinegars and the like. One of the store’s top sellers is an extra virgin Sicilian olive oil made by the Don Luigi brand. Also note, when you come here, take a look at the front door step. You’ll see a Star of David in the tiles and recognize that Teitel is not an Italian name. Unfortunately on the Sunday afternoon I was around Arthur Avenue, Teitel Brothers was closed due to observance but I would definitely make a second trip back.

Arthur Avenue Retail Market
A bazaar of sorts, the Arthur Avenue Retail Market contains a deli, gelatto stand, a beer hall, produce stands, and a cigar store where visitors can watch cigars being made and rolled by hand. It’s right next to Madonia, and it’s good for walking through for a quick browse or to pick up something like a sandwich. For some reason, a few vendors were closed that day but I think it’s still worth popping into.

Other suggestions:

Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles
Like pasta? Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles offers different versions of dried fettucine, ravoli, fresh pasta, dry pasta, sauces, vinegars and various imported products from Italy.

Emilia’s
Another Arthur Avenue gem, Emilia’s Restaurant centers on southern Italian cuisine with old family recipes made to order.

Casa Della Mozzarella
On 187th Street, Casa Della Mozzarella is known for serving the freshest mozzarella, such as its highly-rated bocconcini. With cheese choices including from salted or smoked, to small, medium, and large, buying mozzarella and Italian meats from here are worth the cost, and at times wait.

Have you visited Arthur Avenue too? Share your favorites with me.

Flipping through DK Eyewitness Guides’ Revisions

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To tweak an old saying, travel pictures are worth a thousand words. As mobile and digital platforms are providing more visual appeal for travelers, guidebooks must adapt to meet their readers’ evolving needs. The latest DK Eyewitness Travel Guides are doing just that.

On Tuesday night, at City Winery in New York City, DK Publishing marked the series’ 20^th anniversary by unveiling 10 bestselling titles, updated for 2014, and new first-ever edition on Russia. The event also marked the company’s redesign relaunch for all their travel guidebooks. These changes consist of a new look for the jacket and clearer details on the inside pages.

DK Eyewitness Guides stay true to being pictorial, yet new adjustments to these books make certain sections easier to follow. While keeping its photo stance, top revisions in design and copy include the following:

– New itineraries based on length of stay, regional destinations, or theme. City and country guides also have extended itineraries.

– Listings underwent major changes with descriptions for hotels and restaurants, with simplified categories for prices and cuisine.

– Overall, maps become more readable, with new bullets, colors and symbols.

2014 titles currently available include Berlin, New York City, Washington, D.C., Paris, Prague, London, Italy, San Francisco, and Rome.

As another milestone for this publishing house, the first Russia edition comes out in timing with next year’s Winter Olympics in the city of Sochi. At the NYC event, a DK representative explained that the Russian guide helps make a trip to this destination, which can be described as not the easiest place to travel to, more “doable.”

Also coinciding with current events, an updated guide to Ireland is released in timing with The Gathering Ireland 2013, a yearlong festival celebrating all things Irish.

Future release dates for 2014 series will pick up again in January and continue on through the end of next year.

What to Do Before and When Visiting the 9/11 Memorial

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As we commemorate the now 12 years that have passed since 9/11, I wanted to share my tips for visiting the key signature reminder of that day: the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. Or, also known as the 9/11 Memorial.

In reflecting on today, I wanted to share my experience in visiting this significant place two years ago, and what you should expect and do if you want to come here.

Completed a decade after the terrorist attacks impacted countless lives, and changed the physical scope of Lower Manhattan, the 9/11 Memorial can be viewed publicly by time-reserved reservations. I was fortunate enough to obtain a visitor’s pass online about a month after the memorial’s opening in 2011. In early October, I headed downtown with my printed ticket, getting off at the Fulton Street subway stop and making my way to the monument.

The 9/11 Memorial was designed to remember the names of those two lost their lives on 9/11 at the World Trade Center site, at the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and also at the first World Trade Center bombing in February 1993. It consists of two reflective pools, with waterfalls in their centers and surrounded by a layout of bronze panels listing the names of the deceased. The North and South Pools, as they’re called, are placed across from where the original center, or also known as the “Twin Towers,” once stood.

Names of these carved panels are in categories ranging from the flight numbers of the hijacked planes, to first responders and to what buildings people were in. I lingered for a while over the name Todd Beamer, a passenger on Flight 93 who is now recognized as one of the people on that plane who attempted to gain entry to the cockpit. Another person’s name I recognized was Mychal Judge, the chaplain for the New York City’s fire department.

Another name to find, at the South Pool, is Welles Remy Crowther. He worked as an equities trader in the South Tower and is credited with helping people get out of the building after it was hit. He used a red bandana, that he carried everywhere with him, to cover his face from the smoke. His bandana is said to be among the artifacts that will be in the upcoming National September 11 Memorial Museum.

There is also a nice pathway where you can walk around the memorial, and when I visited, there were patrolmen who were nice to answer visitors’ questions. One thing to keep in mind here is that this place is for some like a cemetery. It gets very quiet.

Also upon visiting, the security checkpoint area is sort of in comparison like what you might find at the airport. So go in mind with that thinking. It’s best to avoid carrying stuff like large bags with you or leave them at home. Be patient too.

Admission to the 9/11 Memorial is free but you need a visitor’s pass to enter. I recommendation booking your reservations online, so that way you can plan better for when and what day to visit. Although, note you will be charged a $2 nonrefundable service fee per pass. Same-day visit passes are available as on a first-come, first-served basis and don’t carry the service fee, but you have to get them in person at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site at 20 Vesey Street.

Either way, getting the visitor’s pass is definitely worth it. And your time at the memorial will be well spent!

Russian & Turkish Baths: An Old World Approach to Modern Health

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Going to a spa is one thing, but have you ever been inside a banya or booked a platza? You can find out what they are at Russian & Turkish Baths, a traditional bathhouse in New York City’s East Village since 1892.

On East 10th Street and near 1st Avenue, this institution is an old-school health club. Both men and women get basic services such as massages and scrubs or sit in steam rooms or saunas to relax or rejuvenate. If you’re used to upscale venues, here’s an important thing to keep in mind before your visit. There are no frills. It is very simple in appearance and formalities.

Upon entering, the staff at the front desk gives you a locker key (they take your wallet and keys for safe keeping inside a safety deposit box at the desk). You can grab a robe (a plain black one that is short in length) and black shorts to slip on and a pair of sandals. Pick up your towel or two before you walk into either the men or women’s locker room to get ready.

I decided to come to the bathhouse after seeing a daily deals promotion that included admission (a separate fee) plus the cost of a service. During my recent visit, I got a massage that ended up being a shiatsu, and headed to the upper level of the building where the massage rooms are. After the massage, my masseuse pitched some additional treatments such as scrubs I could purchase and have while I was still there. I found I had to be a bit firm but still polite on my decline. Also, keep in mind, there is a tip scale requirement. When I was ready, he took me around the building to show me where other services were.

Also upstairs, there is a sun deck which is an outdoor patio with lounge chairs for relaxing and hanging out. The lower level of the building houses two different saunas, a steam room, a pretty cold dipping pool and showers. A section called the Russian Room gets its heat from hot stones but has a shower head for cooling down quickly (I jumped at that one). This room is also where a treatment called platza happens. You’re scrubbed hard with a broom made of fresh oak leaves, which have a natural astringent, and dripping with olive oil soap. It’s said to be a major skin cleanser.

The lower level can also get quite communal, as you sit alongside both genders and various ages. Just relax and get comfortable. It also makes for some good people watching. Being a newbie, a few guys were kind to point me in the right direction to restrooms and showers and suggested how and when I should cool off. I also chatted with a couple that came here often and other women who were new to the place like me.

The Russian & Turkish Baths are co-ed most of the day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. There are times for women only are on Wednesday mornings through early afternoon and then men only times most of Thursday afternoon and then again Sunday morning until early afternoon. Also note: the place is owned and operated by two different men who have separate schedules. You can only use admission passes you buy during the shift of the manager you bought it from. Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit and a bottle of water with you. Check the website for more information and a full schedule beforehand.