Archive for June, 2009

Destinations: New York City’s Chinatown

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

If you want a taste of the exotic without leaving the country, Reston Limousine can take you straight to China – as in New York City’s historic Chinatown.

chinatown
It’s the perfect mini-vacation: Catch our bus in McLean and ride in air-conditioned comfort all the way to the Big Apple. You’ll arrive just in time for lunch at one of the best foodie areas in the city, where more than 200 restaurants offer an array of dining experiences.

Not sure where to start? If you’re already there, the best place to begin would be the information kiosk on Canal at the intersection of Walker and Baxter. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Daily, the kiosk provides free maps, guides and brochures to help you explore Chinatown.

Of course, it’s always best to do your research in advance; following are some helpful online articles and Web sites to get you started:

New Year in NYC Chinatown: Culture, Shopping, Food
ABC News’ Travel section offers a wonderful overview of the sights, sounds and tastes of Chinatown, with specific recommendations.

A Journey Through Chinatown
Photographer Robert K. Chin provides invaluable insider advice, particularly when it comes to Canal Street shopping.

Chinatown-online
The ultimate insider site, Chinatown online features a business directory, historical background and a great Q&A on sightseeing and shopping.

Explore Chinatown
Another insider site, Explore Chinatown is more visually appealing in its presentation of historical and cultural information.

Special Deals in Chinatown
Download free coupons for discounts at Red Egg restaurant, featuring Chinese and Peruvian cuisine; Chinatown Ice Cream Factory; and Pearl River, “a must for serious shoppers,” according to ABC News Travel’s story.

Reston Limousine offers New York City Day trips, with stops at Chinatown and Times Square, on a monthly basis.

The next New York City Day Trip takes place Sunday, June 28.

To reserve a seat on this trip or for more information, contact Kacy Norris at 703-478-0500 ext. 508. For more information on the trip, visit our page on New York City Day Trips.

Transportation Outlook Grim

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

The ailing economy has been affecting industries throughout the country for some time now, and the transportation prognosis for Northern Virginia appears poor, according to the state’s transportation chief.

pierce-homer2Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer provided business leaders and local officials a grim assessment of the future of transportation in Virginia at a June 3 meeting sponsored by the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance.

“We are approaching a cliff,” Secretary Homer said, according to the NVTA Web site. “If we don’t act quickly (to address the transportation funding crisis), Virginia’s prosperity will go elsewhere.”

Local media reports indicate that even as his agency has implemented layoffs and severe cuts in the operations budget and state’s six-year transportation improvement fund, it faces further financial shortfalls as federal and state revenues continue to decline.

In his speech, Secretary Homer noted that the lack of state funds means the state will:

  • lose jobs because it can’t attract majory employers with transportation improvements
  • continue to suffer congestion woes
    lose federal transportation dollars because it can’t match federal funds
  • lose private transportaion money because it can’t attract public private transportation partnerships

To view Secretary Homer’s presentation, visit the NVTA Web site at www.nvta.org.