Jessica W.'s Profile

I came here for the second time ever this past summer, when my friend from New Jersey came to visit me.  It's a cool place, but natural history isn't really my thing, so I actually would give this 3.5 stars, but I do think it deserves a four- if only I were more interested in the subject.  My friend is really into natural history though, so she really enjoyed it.

With a student I.D., we got in for $7.  This place is full of taxadermied animals, which seriously gives me the shivers.  It makes me feel very uncomfortable looking at not-alive animals staring back at you.  Some rooms just have rows and rows of stuffed animals on display and it creeps me out to the point where I cannot wait to move on.  Half the time though, I was wondering whether they were actually real or not.

Overall, it is interesting and I always learn something new going through the exhibits.  I'm just a more art museum type of gal.

I came here once this past summer, while I was working in Central Square and I forgot to bring my lunch to the office.  I really enjoyed my beef burger.  It was juicy and tasty, with a yummy side of crispy fries.  I remember the service took some time.  I found it interesting that they offered little bottles of wine there.  Who says a burger can't be casual, yet classy?

The fact that they offer 4 basic burgers went completely over my head until I got back to the office and was looking at the little menu that you can pick up from the counter.

Overall, I would recommend this place if you were craving a burger for lunch and were in the area, but it's definitely not a place you go out of the way for.

This is a great used bookstore!

I decided to check this place out, since it is near my work.  I was in search of some classic plays and books on theater theories/techniques, since I feel like there's a lot of popular plays and concepts in theater that I haven't been exposed to yet.  Although I didn't find Augusto Boal's Theater of The Oppressed, which I am still in search of, I did find some plays by Chekhov, Oscar Wilde, John Guare and Tennessee Williams that were cheap and in good condition!

This place is pretty large, but organized and not too overwhelming.  I see myself coming back here again if I'm ever in search for more books- new books are so expensive; used is the way to go!

*** 3.5 ***

I have to say, I think this Museum is a bit overrated.  

It is a beautiful place and not your average museum, but my experience wasn't amazing in any way.

I had been really interested in coming here, because the pictures of the indoor garden/courtyard had looked beautiful.  And sure, the actual thing was nice to look at, but I was a bit disappointed that you couldn't actually go in it.  Also, the taking of pictures is completely forbidden here.

There weren't any pieces that especially wowed me.  I'm also not a fan of the organization and not knowing exactly what everything is, since they don't label every piece.  However,  I think it is the history of the place that really makes it unique and interesting.  It is pretty amazing that this woman designed this mansion herself, and walking through it just made me wonder about her life.

Overall, I definitely think it's worth one visit, but no more than that.  I'm glad I got to pay the $5 student admission, because I definitely don't think it's worth 10 bucks.

** Also, I had to wonder about the Chinese Loggia on the 1st floor: what's with the cheesy stereotypical paper lanterns that look like they came from the dollar shop?  Did Gardner really put them there, or did the workers, because it really takes away from the authentic feel... **

Possibly some of the best bubble tea I have ever had.

On another visit to NYC, I wanted to try the food here, since I didn't get a chance to last time.  I came here for a late lunch with my boyfriend, who had never came here before.

He got a lychee shake, which he liked so much that he got a second one to go when we were done with our meal.  I ordered a warm almond bubble tea- so good.

For food, we each ordered an appetizer and a main dish, since the food is so affordable here.  I got deep fried cuttle fish balls, as well as the minced pork and vegetable dumplings with green tea noodles, while he got deep fried chicken chunks with salted spices and the Taiwanese Succulent Chicken Chop with rice.  

The food was pretty good, but nothing too impressive.  The portions are very reasonable, especially given what you're paying.  I would want to come back and try their other dishes to see if there's anything that may be more tasty.  It's definitely the bubble tea and the cheap prices that has me wanting to come back for more!

I've only been here once, but there are apparently two sides to the beach.  One side is the first place you get to when you drive down the street, the other side is farther down, and more for the residents.  There are rocks splitting these two sides, so I don't know how the residential area is, but I hear it has been eroding away with storms and such.

Anyhow, I enjoyed my time here, but it is not my favorite beach.  Though it is clean, the water isn't clear.  I would actually say it is quite grimey, since it is floating with different stuff from the water- probably like seaweed and such.  You could say that this is normal, which it is, but I have been to clearer beaches, and let me tell you ladies: a dip in the water here and a peek under your bathing suit top- well, it ain't pretty.  The sand is nice, but it's not the softest I have felt.

You can find parking for pretty cheap, but the downside is there are no showers around to rinse off- and you definitely will want to rinse after being here!

Either way, I love the beach, but if I'm going to drive about an hour away, I'm definitely heading to Gloucester!

Yum!  What better way to end a beautiful day at the beach than with some delicious ice cream?

As stated before, they proudly display that they offer 24 different flavors of ice cream- from your typical Vanilla to Coffee Kahlua Brownie.  Their prices are good, especially for their HUGE portions.  Seriously, a kiddie size is like a small, and a small is double that- they pile it up above the cup.  Last I came here, I got a small cake batter and cookies&cream in a cup. So good, but so big! Definitely downsizing to the kiddie next time.

I'm surprised there aren't more reviews for this beach!

Whenever my friends and I come to Gloucester, it is always to this beach.  The water is clean and clear (though it does get a bit seaweedy later in the day) and the sand is super soft.  There are usually really great waves for boogey boarding- in fact, it can be downright ferocious out there!

There are bathrooms and showers to rinse off, which is always a good thing.  Parking is pricey- $25!  But if you come with a group of friends and split the price, it isn't bad for a great day in the sun and the sand.

All the times I've been here in the past, the drive over has been super easy and we've always gotten a parking spot.  This past weekend, however, the beach was absolutely packed.  I don't know what's up with this summer (maybe people are rushing to the beaches, now that's it not raining?), but traffic was ridiculous and we could not get a parking spot.  

While four of us went to the beach to reserve a spot, the other four went to eat (the only place to park for that time would be a restaurant).  The plan was for them to eat for about an hour and check back on the parking after.  After an hour, I don't believe the parking got any better, but luckily for us, a kind resident offered for them to park around the guy's house for $20!  

I've never been to the popular Good Harbor, so I don't know how it compares, but I've always loved Long Beach!  Just beware of the new crowds..

This is a really nice place to take a stroll through.  It was pretty crowded when I went, but maybe because it was right after July 4th.  I imagine it'd be really nice at night.  

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I came here, especially since I'd only just heard about it, but I wasn't expecting anything too interesting.  I was pleasantly surprised by the design of this and the little added spots here and there that make the walk fun and interesting.  When you first walk up the steps at the beginning of the Line, you may think "so here's some stone, plants and old train tracks."  It was nice, but I didn't think it would get much more interesting than that.  
However, as you walk along, you get nice views of the city and there are stopping points along the way, such as the wooden benches/chairs and the wooden pit with the glass overlooking the street.

It really is enjoyable, especially if you're interested in urban planning, seeing some "nature" (or at least some wild plant life) in a city setting.  But maybe it would've been nicer with less crowds.  Definitely worth a visit!

This museum is amazing!!  I wish I had the time and energy to see it all, because there was plenty that I missed, but hopefully I will be back someday.

The exhibits are rooms upon bigger rooms of art pieces and collections, making it very easy to lose yourself.  Of the exhibits, my boyfriend and I were able to cover Egypt, The American Wing, Greek & Roman, European, Medieval, the Robert Lehman Collection, and a bit of African art- which sounds like lot, but it's really only a fraction of it all.  Plus, we inevitably unintentionally missed a lot along the way.

There really is no way to explain the beautiful and awe-inspiring displays.  The recreations of rooms from other buildings and any particularly large pieces are especially amazing.  I also really enjoy the airy spots with extensive windows, such as the entrance to The American Wing through the bank building facade, where it feels like you are practically walking outside.

Plus, entrance fee is recommended, so you can really choose to pay whatever you want! (I paid $5 for the recommended $10 student fee).

This place is a must-see!