Urban Adventure Racing blog | CitySolve Urban Race » Things to do…

Social Media Rob Takes On The Big Apple

Jason — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:30:25 +0000

Social Media Rob here, CitySolvers, doing my best to tackle a few fun things to do in a city you may have heard of. New York. Yes, this is a big one, people. But I’m not here to use the word ‘apple’ while describing it, or tell you that Times Square is underrated. I’ve been to New York, let New York natives tell me what to do, and more specifically, what is off-limits. This is my post on some awesome places to hang out and munch in NYC that won’t leave you with that not-so-fresh tourist feeling.

Speaking of underrated, Prospect Park in Brooklyn is an expansive, beautiful spot to chill, play Frisbee, or do some good old fashioned people-watching of New York natives. It’s in Brooklyn, but worth the trek. While you’re there, check out the Brooklyn Public Library. It has local photography exhibits in the lobby and is right near the Prospect Park entrance, a seriously impressive Arch.

Willing to wait 30 minutes on the street for the most amazing Chicken or Lamb plate in the entire world? We are. Go to the Halal cart at 56^th and 6^th streets, and get the lamb, yellow rice, and tahini sauce. You’ll send me a muffin basket directly afterward.

I can’t help but drool over the food that NYC has to offer. Head over to Momofuku ssäm bar on 207 2^nd avenue and try the sticky pork buns. I’d return to the city just for another round of those.

The Museum of Modern Art houses some of the most amazing art in the world, and is a donation-based museum, meaning you only pay what you think you can that day. That’s reason to celebrate. Check it out: www.moma.org

This may be a well-known establishment, but Magnolia bakery in Greenwich village has earned the right to be famous. Try the freezer cake with a big glass of milk. Any season, it’ll hit the spot.

Ride the subway. This is obvious, but an unlimited subway card for 30 days is pretty cheap, and nothing is more authentically New York than taking this famous, efficient, and occasionally disgusting train.

Directly under the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side is Grimaldi’s. For a city so infamous for pizza, this is a great starting point for a newbie, or a long time New Yorker. Brick walls and Italian tablecloths, yummy pizza and eclectic music. We’re sold.

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s historic, it’s beautiful, you see all sides of the city, ocean, and many couples have met in the middle in romantic movies. What more convincing does one need?

Yoga to the People began in New York, and offers donation-based classes in Manhattan many times a day. Pay a few dollars, or pay nothing at all. I recommend candle-lit yoga on Sunday nights. http://yogatothepeople.com/

Brooklyn Bowl is a free concert venue featuring local bands. Past acts have included Crystal Castles, and they also have things like salsa and orchestra nights. Plus, you can always sound cool saying, “Meet me at the Bowl”.
www.brooklynbowl.com

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My Kind of Town

Jason — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:29:06 +0000

Social Junkie Jason here! We’re about to take over Chicago. By takeover, of course I mean eating and playing my way through CitySolve Urban Race cities. This time around, I’m doing the top 5 OUTDOOR activities that Chicago has to offer. Rain or shine (or wind), these are the ventures we love in Chi-town.

1. Get a whiff of this: The Chicago Botanical Garden spans 385 acres, including a whopping 23 specialty gardens. Did we mention it’s free? It also stays in bloom year-round. Now THAT’LL make you stop and smell the roses.
http://www.chicagobotanic.org

2. Is your stomach rumbling yet? I know mine is. Di Pescara in Northbrook offers contemporary, exquisite Italian food in family-style portions. Break the belt, not the bank.

3. You don’t need to be Abe Froman to dine here. If you’re feeling more in the mood for something in the street food department, look no further than Hot Doug’s. With a slogan that includes the phrase “Sausage Superstore and Meat Cased Emporium!” it’s hard to go wrong. Get ready to wag your tongue at some of these puppies, and take a stroll through the city while you grub.
http://hotdougs.com/menu.htm

4. All these activities require a serious coffee break. Asado coffee is a must in the Windy City, serving up superior coffee roasted in-house. If you won’t take our word for it, they were voted the best coffee in Chicago last year.

5. Invigorate your senses and conquer your fears, all in the span of 30 minutes! Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but Seadog cruises does a 30 minute speedboat ride departing from Navy Pier with stellar views of Chicago from the lake. You can pick up your FourSquare “I’m on a boat” badge too!
http://bit.ly/okzJaH

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That’s funny!

Jason — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 23:23:46 +0000

Extra! Extra! Read all about it, CitySolvers. Social Media Rob here, letting you know that we have a late addition to our “Top Ten LA” blog post. This one isn’t free, but it pays off in laughter. How awesome does that sound? We just couldn’t resist. You may have noticed that at CitySolve Urban Race LA there was a checkpoint involving improv. That (hilarious) checkpoint was led by Gerry Katzman, who just happens to run StandUpComedyClass.com. This man has trained some amazing comedians and comedy writers who have written for shows like The Ellen Show and Friends, as well as being on nationals TV shows like JAG and Angel. We’re star-struck already, and recommend you check out one of his improv comedy classes to really tickle your funny bone (and, with his help, other peoples’ as well!). Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/o2cpT0. Keep solving, Los Angeles!

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We Love LA

Rob Klein — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:41:13 +0000

Social Media Rob’s guide to (free!) activities in Los Angeles

We hear you, SoCal. Los Angeles is an expensive city. Once you’ve woken up, gotten your Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, taken the bus (or paid a small fortune to gas up your car), and given a donation to the grassroots campaign guy outside of your work, the wallet really starts to hurt. This is precisely why, in preparation for our LA race, CitySolve’s own Social Media Rob is here to give you my top ten fun and quirky things to do in Los Angeles FOR FREE. Yes, that’s right. Free. Feast your eyes (without an extra charge for sprouts on your salad) below:

1. Ever wanted to phrase an answer in the form of a question on Jeopardy? Or to correctly guess the price of a foot Jacuzzi without going over on The Price is Right? If yes, then you should be on a gameshow! Open casting calls are held in LA year-round for shows like Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, and many more. Check it out here: http://bit.ly/pyjCya

2. Indulge in your star-obsessed side more than just a casual glance at supermarket tabloids. Follow the paparazzi! Here’s tips on how: http://bit.ly/qv7CCb

3. Go check out the latest in body ink at High Voltage Tattoo, where Kat Von D makes skin her creative playground.

4. Go see what the street art world is up to. Murals are the new black. For a complete list of amazing murals popping up all over the city: http://bit.ly/n7K47S

5. Speaking of art, art walks are also seriously trending right now. Our favorite? The Kinney Art Walk every first Friday in the heart of Venice: http://bit.ly/oYkZfO

6. Feelin’ prehistoric? The La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park have hundreds of Ice-Age era fossils that have been unearthed for your viewing pleasure. We really ‘dig’ it.

7. Sahaja Yoga Meditation Center in Sherman Oaks offers free weekly meditation classes taught in English, Spanish, or Farsi. Get centered: http://bit.ly/pe4at3

8. Take a free, guided night hike through Griffith Park. This brings a whole new meaning to “seeing stars” in LA: http://bit.ly/qSuMQy

9. Sometimes you just want to get some sun, sip on something cold in the breeze, or dip your feet in the Pacific. Call me old fashioned, but here are 8 Los Angeles beaches that won’t disappoint: http://bit.ly/oON7rn

10. ‘Free’ and ‘music’ are always nice words to hear together. Luckily, there are free concerts ALL over LA this summer! Check some out here: http://bit.ly/qlwRgU

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Where to watch fireworks

Jason — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:30:54 +0000

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McFadden’s DC is the place to be!

Jason — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:24:51 +0000

From fist pumpin’ to clue solvin’, McFadden’s DC is a hot spot this week. Ronnie from The Jersey Shore made a celeb-reality appearance last night (9/21/10) at McF’s. Check out all the haps on McFadden’s events page! We’ll see you there this Saturday… get ready fight the beat!

CitySolve Approved Event

Jason — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:10:46 +0000

Hey Portland! Check out this awesome event this Saturday, July 17th. It’s the third annual Stumptown Challenge.

Stumptown Challenge was born out of CitySolve Urban Race (then called High Trek Adventure) in 2008. It’s a similar concept as CitySolve Urban Race: teams of 2 solving clues, facing fun challenges all while navigating Portland via TriMet!

CitySolve Approved Event

Jason — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 06:31:33 +0000

Hey San Franciscans and movie buffs check out this super cool scavenger hunt put on by the San Francisco Film Museum. It’s called Reframe SF.

Here’s the skinny:
When: Saturday, June 5th
Starts and ends at the Ferry Building Traffic Island
Check-in: 11:30 AM
Begins: Noon
End: 3:30 PM
Cost: $25/person; $20/person for students

Teams will be comprised of 2-5 people. Each team will receive a packet containing 20 printed screenshots from San Francisco-based films. The screenshots will show a location, landmark or other visual cue from San Francisco for teams to locate. No knowledge of film locations is required—you just need a sharp mind, a digital camera (one per group) and a good pair of shoes. You may also want to bring a city map, smart phone or GPS device.

Winning team receives a film related prize.

Next Mini Hunt…SF/East Bay

Next urban race…Minneapolis

Ditch Work for a Beer!

Jason — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:08:01 +0000

You won’t get bonus points for this task, but you’ll get a free beer. I’m at Little Woodrow’s writing clues and watching March Madness! The first Houston CitySolve Urban Racer to find me here gets a free beer!

Next event…
Houston urban race on March 20th

Eating My Way Through HOTlanta

Jason — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:11:33 +0000

Even though the ATL is that hot or warm (at this moment) for that matter, it’s still got great food and wonderful charm. CitySolve Urban Race took the red-eye to Atlanta yesterday and woke up charged and ready for some Southern hospitality.

After spending a good portion of the day in ??? and ??? (do you think we’re gonna tell you where the race is going) we were starving, and didn’t want to wait…next thing I know I’m hearing, “what’ll ya have, what’ll ya have.” If you’re from Atlanta or went to Georgia Tech you know where I’m talkin’ about. The Varisty.

This place is a landmark complete with a turn-back-the-clock lighted marquee to drive-up section and quick and friendly service. I was disappointed with the burger itself. The fries were ok. The winner are the onion rings. These rings are so good they’d make Beyonce smile!

After lettering in eating, our team went back to work writing clues for Saturday’s CitySolve Urban Race Atlanta. Glad to get rid of that grumbling, so annoying but useful for survival I guess.

Finally, our day came to a close and needed one last meal before shoving off to REM-land. We decided to hit up one of ATL’s best eateries…The Vortex. If you’ve never been it’s an absolute must when you come to The Peach City. If you’ve vegan/vegetarian stay away! The Vortex has enormous burgers. It’s been a stop off for Adam Richman’s Man vs. Food. Check out the heavyweight’s blog and vlog.

The Vortex has also been ranked in the Travel Channel’s 101 Chow Down Count Down. Landing at #90.

If you have an Atlanta joint that you want to share, please post on our blog. We want to share our experiences with you and would love to hear what makes you happy where you live.

Next event…
Houston urban race on March 20th