Back in the days of Shea Stadium, this apple would rise out of the hat (then located just beyond the center-field wall) every time a Mets player hit a home run. While a new, larger apple has now taken its place inside Citi Field, the original still maintains a fairly high profile here in the plaza outside the ballpark.
Originally built as a heliport for the 1964-65 World's Fair, the Terrace now serves as a banquet hall for weddings, bar mitzvahs, proms, and the like.
According to those two stone pillars, this was the Henry Hudson Entrance for the 1939-40 and 1964-65 World's Fairs held here at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. You can see two observation towers from the New York State Pavilion in the background.
Here's a map from 1965, with the Henry Hudson Gate (as it's called on the map) located near the bottom left corner.
I remember seeing the mini Eiffel Tower on the roof from the highway before and wondering what it was. It turns out it's just one of several little towers decorating this hotel. The place doesn't look too exciting from the outside, but take a peek inside the lobby...
I kept hearing a woman's voice, and then I finally realized that what I had thought was just a fish tank was actually the front desk!
A year or so after the opening of this firehouse, Mr. Mustard became New York's shortest-serving Fire Commissioner in history, with a mere four days on the job. I knew nothing about that at the time I took this picture, however, so when the older woman with the thick Eastern European accent asked me why I was photographing this plaque, I had to explain to her that I thought Elmer Mustard had a funny name. After a moment's contemplation, her hearty chuckle seemed to indicate that she concurred with my analysis.
Close! It's a shawarma beacon, complete with spotlight to aid in nighttime navigation.
These rails are remnants of an old LIRR line to my metaphorical birthplace, Rockaway Beach. The rotting wooden plank in the center of the photo is a cover guard for the (formerly) electrified third rail.
A weatherproofed and driveway-friendly version of the famous painting
It's so wordy and awkwardly phrased, but people seem to love it anyway.
These ones are still in operation, though, as part of the Port Washington Branch.
Satchmo lived in a house nearby for the last three decades of his life.
These old trolley tracks have preserved the route of an original colonial highway!
First levantapompis, now levantacolas — Colombians certainly seem to enjoy a perky behind!
Lady Liberty looks a little different than I remember...
