New York Archives • Page 12 of 16 • Jessie on a Journey

Discover New York: Cocoa & Caffeine At The Chocolate Room

By Jessie Festa | Updated on December 6, 2019

I’ve decided that I spend too much time in the same New York City neighborhoods — Bushwick, Williamsburg and the Lower East Side — and that 2-3 times per month I am going to venture to uncharted territories (aka neighborhoods I don’t know well) and just get lost. This past weekend I explored Carroll Gardens/Cobble…Read more...

That Time I Rode The NYC Subway…Without Pants [Photo Essay]

By Jessie Festa | Updated on October 7, 2022

Last Sunday, I did something I can honestly say I’ve never done — and never thought I’d do — before: rode the subway in New York City…pants-less. That’s right. On a crowded subway car heading from Brooklyn to Manhattan, in the dead of winter, I wore a sweater, jacket, hat, gloves, scarf and underwear, sans…Read more...

Shaken Or Stirred: NYC’s Best Spicy Cocktails

By Jessie Festa | Updated on October 29, 2025

Some like it hot (like me!), and if there’s one thing I can’t resist, it’s a spicy craft cocktail. Hot food and drink really is like a drug for me: insanely addictive, and once I stop, I just keep craving more. And as someone who puts hot sauce on their toast, and who’s also dedicated…Read more...

Discover New York: Simit + Smith Delivers A Healthy Dose Of Turkish Culture

By Jessie Festa | Updated on December 21, 2022

Bagels. Pizza. Sandwiches. There’s no denying New Yorkers love their bread; however, it can be difficult to find a satisfying food for those craving carbs who want something different (and to watch their waistline). That’s where Simit + Smith, a quickly growing artisanal cafe chain, comes in, bringing the healthy and traditional Turkish staple to…Read more...

Travel On A Shoestring: NYC’s Best Budget Stays

By Jessie Festa | Updated on May 28, 2020

It’s notoriously pricey to stay in New York City; however, there are a few hotels and hostels to suit shallower pockets. Whether you’re looking to make new friends or an accessible location to map your travel routes, these spots will fulfill your needs. Bonus: Free Wi-Fi is available at all the NYC budget hotels and…Read more...

Discover New York: A Day Trip Escape To Bear Mountain [Photo Essay]

By Jessie Festa | Updated on April 24, 2024

Despite living in New York City I do own a car. Actually, let me rephrase that. I pay for a car; however, because in the one month I kept it here I racked up $400 in red light camera and parking tickets I decided to store it at my parent’s house on nearby Long Island.…Read more...