Daniel Chester French was one of the most successful artists of the late 19th and the early 20th centuries, producing more than 100 public sculptures. He is best known for his Minute Man in Concord, Massachusetts and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Wethersfield, Connecticut was settled in 1634 and more than 150 homes predate the Civil War and some predate the Revolutionary War. A walk through the historic district of Old Wethersfield seems like it is in a world of its own, yet it is just minutes from busy I-91.

In 1895, Frederick W. Vanderbilt purchased the Langdon estate, comprised of 153 acres, a structurally unsound house, a farm and 459 acres on the east side of Post Road. Hyde Park was the name of the stately home he commissioned for himself and his wife, Louise and it was built between 1896 and 1899 on approximately 600 acres. The mansion on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River in Hyde Park, N.Y., this was one of several homes owned by the couple.

The Carlton Arms on East 25th Street in the Kips Bay section of Manhattan, has been offering artists lodging in exchange for decorating part of the 54-room hotel.

Montpelier is the smallest capital city in the United States, but is big on character and charm with a casual vibe. The downtown, centered around two main roads, State and Main Streets, are low-key, clean, friendly and very walkable.

Little Island is a unique New York City park designed by Thomas Heatherwick with landscape architect Signe Nielsen. The green space is the first of its kind in Manhattan. The structure of the park is made up of 132 concrete “tulips” at different heights, creating grassy hills and offering views of Manhattan and New Jersey.

Montauk, Long Island. Human experiments? Government conspiracies? The Montauk Monster? Time Travel? Netflix ‘Stranger Things’….

Barcelona was definitely a bucket list destination for me and it did not disappoint. It is the vibrant and historical home of the most stunning architectural styles ranging from Gothic structures to Gaudi wonders. Barcelona is cosmopolitan and has an international feel with plenty of great restaurants, tapas, nightlife, parks and public areas.

Some 600,000 permanent residents call Green-Wood Cemetery home. Inspired in part by the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, Highgate Cemetery in London and Mount Auburn Cemetery in Massachusetts, it was founded in 1838 by Henry Evelyn Pierrepont and designed by David Bates Douglass, and was one of the first rural cemeteries in America.

Sometimes called “the quintessential New England town” or “the prettiest small town in America”, Woodstock is a charming destination with year-round activities. Walking the tree-lined streets of Central and Elm Streets you get a glimpse into the town’s history through its beautiful architecture while enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding countryside and the Green Mountains.

William Gillette was a successful actor and playwright mostly known for his portrayals of Sherlock Holmes on stage. Gillette originated and popularized many common features of the character: the cap and cape, curved pipe, magnifying glass and the phrase “elementary, my dear fellow (which later evolved to “elementary, my dear Watson”. He took his money and ran for the hills overlooking the Connecticut River where he built his 24-room mansion, called the Seventh Sister, on 122 acres.

I thought it would be cool to just do an “East Side” post to show the true diversity of the Big Apple.

A look at the West Side of Manhattan, showing the diversity of the Big Apple’s West Side.

Did you ever notice a castle on an island in the Hudson River between Cold Spring and Beacon, NY? Well, I did, and it piqued my interest, and I wanted to know more.

The event, the largest art parade in the United States, has no ethnic, religious or commercial associations and includes marching bands, antique cars and floats, along with the scantily-clad aquatic oddities.

Frederick Gilbert Bourne was a self-made millionaire who resided at the Dakota Apartments in Manhattan and had a 1,000-acre estate in Oakdale, Long Island, called Indian Hall. Bourne became the fifth president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, which is where the current name “Singer Castle” comes from. While the Bourne’s summered here, they called the castle, “The Towers” and the island, “Dark Island”.

Edith Wharton was part of “Olde New York” society, and is credited with establishing interior design as a profession in the United States. She was the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction for her book, Age of Innocence. She believed that good architectural expression included order, scale, and harmony.

When I took the ferry from the airport via the Grand Canal, which runs through the heart of the city, I started to fall in love with the enchanting city, and knew this bucket list destination was not going to disappoint. Venice is incredibly unique with 117 islands, 150 canals, over 400 bridges and no cars. Venice, Italy is mostly known for its canals, but I will tell you it is an architectural photo walk. The city’s architecture reflects so many influences including Byzantine, Islamic, and Gothic.

Heighten your Happy Hour experience - literally - getting just a little bit closer to the sun or stars with your favorite libation. A rooftop invites you to slow down, relax and enjoy the breathtaking city skyline, or an awesome sunset. Whether it is a lively, dynamic atmosphere, a lounge vibe, or you’re just looking to catch some rays, New York City rooftops have it all. This is just a sample of the many rooftop lounges and bars in the Big Apple.