The Governor's Island Explorer's Guide

A thought occurred to me the other day: New York is such a large, complex and amazing city that events that would be earth-shaking elsewhere can go relatively unnoticed here. Case in point: over the past decade or so, New York has seen the creation of a public park/ tourist destination every bit as eye opening, rewarding and enjoyable as Central Park, Prospect Park, or Ellis Island. I try to get over to Governor's Island at least once a summer because it offers several things I really love all in one fell swoop: history education, natural beauty, arts and New York craziness (there's always something going on there), recreation (hiking and biking mostly), a fun boat ride, and above all, it's a CHEAP day trip.

And now my buddy Kevin Fitzpatrick has come out with THE tourist guide for Governor's Island. Honestly, I wouldn't go out there again without this tome in my grubby paw. You may have noticed that I listed "history" first in my litany of things that make me enjoy Governor's Island. Fitzpatrick's book is especially good at giving you the run-down on the island's many incarnations over the centuries (defensive forts, military bases, hospital complexes and the like). He even gives you a breakdown on the history of the fascinating but mysterious-looking buildings that grace the island. When I'm out there, I always go, ""I wonder what that was?" This book tells it. And Kev is a former Marine. He knows whereof he speaks. We don't usually think of NYC as a military town (apart from Fleet Week), but it certainly has a military past, and Governor's Island played a major part in it.

The timing of this post isn't accidental. We're entering Memorial Day Weekend. To observe the occasion, Kevin Fitzpatrick is having a signing of his great new book at Governor's Island on Saturday and Sunday. Get all the details here. 

R.I.P. Musee Conti Wax Museum

Just got the sad news that the Musee Conti Wax Museum in New Orleans folded a couple of months ago! It seems like kismet that we got to see it. I'd wanted to check it out for years and it was one of the first places we visited when we made our trip there last fall. In an all too familiar story, the museum was sold and is to be replaced by condominiums.

SO. I was actually planning to do this post in October for the Halloween season, but now that they're defunct there's little point in waiting. The museum had an entire section of displays inspired by horror characters, especially ones from Universal pictures.

Phantom of the Opera!

Dracula!

Frankenstein!

Quasimodo, I think?

The Vampire Meets the Wolf Man!

Creature from the Black Lagoon!

The Pit and the Pendulum!

The Murders in the Rue Morgue!

Cyclops!

The rest of the museum was devoted to New Orleans history and lore -- I have dozens more photos, which I'm liable to share in future, just cuz I'm bummed it's gone. Someone please start a new wax museum in New Orleans right away. And while you're at it, start one in Coney Island!