Subway Nostalgia New York
Vintage subway train excursions
My first ride on an MTA subway train coincided with the beginnings of the NYC graffiti and Hip Hop movements. The 1974 film Style Wars exposes the artists who painted those trains—inside and outside.
Then, the 4 Train was made up of old cars from as early as the 1930s, and 1940s. The seats were covered in rattan, there were ceiling fans in every car and in summer all the windows were open. Passengers moved freely or stood (illegally) between cars—the clatter was deafening.
The New York Transit Museum—a decommissioned Subway Station in Brooklyn—has stationary exhibits of rolling stock from the 1910s through to the 1950s and plenty of busses, too.
A bigger deal is their Nostalgia Train: everyone’s opportunity to ride on a vintage train. This is a little-known adventure and a fun way to experience the largest subway system in the world. Its 457 stations is 150 more than the second-largest, Paris.
Further, The Transit Museum has broadened its offerings with a series of walks and talks, like their Transit Walk: Gowanus and Carroll Gardens, Old City Hall Station — Jewel in the Crown and Women Artists in the Subway. Among the woman artists is Yoko Ono who decorated the 72nd Street Station (IND) adjacent to her home at The Dakota.
The nearest station to the museum is Borough Hall, on the 4 or 5 Train.
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Johannes Vermeer
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35 Times, Toby Buonagurio
Subway art 10
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The Pythian Temple
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A Gathering, 2001 - Muñoz & Martin
Subway art 13
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Saiguette
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I first returned to the Vietnamese restaurant "Saiguette" in NYC for its light, rich, rejuvenating soups, but I also recommend the pork shoulder sandwich.
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Rucker Park
NBA caliber street basketball
"Rucker Park" in New York City is where big men and children come to play basketball, strut, defy, dominate make a name for themselves. You have to see it.
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Whirls and Twirls (MTA), Sol LeWitt
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Subway Portraits, Chuck Close
Subway art 1
I took the Q train in New York and reached the 86th Street station, where twelve Chuck Close mosaic mesmerizing portraits adorn the walls...
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Music Inn
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"Music Inn" in New York City is run by musician, instrument designer & inventor Jeff Slatnick. There are musical instruments just everywhere in the shop...
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The Return of Spring, Jack Beal
Subway art 7
"The Return of Spring - Jack Beal" in New York is a mosaic mural in the Times Square station in the IRT West Side Lin mezzanine. Is it really Wayne Gretzky?
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Di Fara, Brooklyn
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"Di Fara" in New York is the best pizza pilgrimage one can go on. This local favorite makes a time-capsulized pizza restaurant. Its crust sets it apart...
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New York in Transit, Jacob Lawrence
Subway art 8
"New York in Transit - Jacob Lawrence", I've been passing this piece a lot lately. Nearby is a spot where musicians hang out, so it's nice to pause here...
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