The jetties along Rockaway Beach are one of my regular destinations when I can get out there. I grew up in a Coast Guard family and spent a fair amount of time around the ocean and surfing. I still like to get in the water and this is the first Atlantic-exposed beach on Long Island as you start to get out of the city. When it comes to the environment, constructions like these can be contentious things but they also make for a series of interesting surf spots. Its got a lot of New York metro qualities you might expect including the Subway making its stops a couple of blocks back from the water.

This is a very delicious Sandwich place in my neighborhood. I normally order the #5 - Bell' americano. It's a great sandwich. Also try the wonderful cookies.

Empty, but not abandoned, this cavernous Brooklyn loading dock was once considered the largest individual building in the world.

Strand is a castle of books. It claims 2.5 million new and used books, across 18 miles of shelves, cared for by 200 employees—so set aside a couple of hours. Plenty of art books and good prices. Get your healthy huff of that old book smell.

Favorite brunch in Greenpoint. Get the caesar salad, the salmon gravlax, tortilla and pancakes. You can do no wrong.