offManhattan

NYCdog.org president Robert Marino says there are an estimated 1.4 million canines living within the five boroughs of New York City. With the welfare of New York pooches in mind, we decided to enlist a furry friend to put our dog biscuit picks to the test—yes, we tried them too. The result, after a few pee stops, barks, and butt sniffs? There are five Baxter-approved spots in Brooklyn, from pawtisseries to bars, that will have your dog licking his chops now, and well, licking you thanks later.

The Liberty Science Center, located right across the river from Manhattan, is to science what Charlie’s Chocolate Factory is to candy; a fanciful and imaginative playground where children (and adults too) can explore science through interactive activities and a larger-than-life IMAX theater.

LSC is offering one lucky offManhattan reader a Family Four-Pack good for admission to the center as well as the current traveling exhibition, “A T. Rex Named Sue.” Learn all about “Sue,” the largest, most complete, and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever unearthed in this internationally popular exhibition. In addition to a full-sized cast of Sue’s skeleton, visitors can learn about the science of paleontology through other brain-stimulating stations involving touchable replicas videos, illustrative graphics, and even smell-able activities.

How to get there: To Liberty Science Center, take the PATH train (catch it from Manhattan at Christopher St., Fulton St., 14th St., or 33rd St., check Port Authority web site for more locations) to either Pavonia/Newport, or Exchange Place Station and transfer to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. From there, take the Light Rail to the Liberty State Park Station exit. (Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., 201.200.1000, lsc.org) For more information on the Liberty Science Center, read offManhattan’s review: Liberate Yourself.

1) Follow us on Twitter and tweet this message (if you already follow us, just tweet!):

“Win a Family Four-Pack to Liberty Science Center. Just follow @offManhattan and RT! http://bit.ly/LSCfree”

OR

2) Sign up for our email list. (If you’re already a subscriber, you are automatically entered for a chance to win the giveaway.)

You can do both to be entered twice, and tweet once a day to be entered multiple times and increase your chance of winning. Deadline is Wednesday, February 24th at 11:59pm EST – a winner will be chosen at random and announced the next day. Good luck!

No longer marginalized as an utterly un-cool pastime reserved for children’s birthday parties, bowling has become the “it” going-out activity. These five bowling alleys around the boroughs—yes, there is bowling beyond Bowlmor—combine the nightlife elements you seek on a Friday or Saturday night with the good, old-fashioned fun of everyone’s secret favorite sport.

Whether you’re unintentionally solo, stag and lovin’ it, or happily hitched, the outer boroughs have got you covered this weekend. From historic cemetery strolls and an anti-Valentine’s Day book party, to salty caramel ice cream and a garden tour of blooming South African plants, here are eight offbeat V-Day activities that are sure to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside—or not.

With six weeks of winter left, now might be a good time to remember that there’s an alternative to skiing, snowboarding, and making angels in the snow. Forget the boots, the goggles, the gear, and try your butt at snow tubing—because sitting is really all that’s involved in this, err, sport. Bring some warm clothes and an untiring appetite for some fast-paced fun and you’re good to go at these three cool snow tubing spots near New York City.

Any interest in watching the 2010 Australian Open champion and 2009 US Open Champion hit fast balls at each other at Madison Square Garden this winter? Oh yeah, in addition to Serena Williams (#1) and Kim Clijsters (#17), Venus Williams (#6) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (#3) will be there. We’re thinking it’ll be a showdown.

So, dear fans of the sport who hate the year-long wait until the grand slam championship returns to Flushing Meadows, this could be a big win for you. All on one day, imagine sweet seats to one-set semi-finals and a three-set final with these players.

Check your calendar for Monday, March 1 at 7p.m. Got any plans?

1) Follow us on Twitter and tweet this message (if you already follow us, just tweet!):

“Win two tickets to see Serena at the Billie Jean King Cup at MSG. Just follow @offManhattan and RT! http://bit.ly/TennisTix”

OR

2) Sign up for our email list. (If you’re already a subscriber, you are automatically entered for a chance to win the giveaway.)

You can do both to be entered twice, and tweet once a day to be entered multiple times and increase your chance of winning. Deadline is Monday, February 8 at 11:59pm EST – a winner will be chosen at random and announced the next day. Good luck!

How to get there: Madison Square Garden is located on the corner of 32nd St. and 7th Ave. Subway: Take the A, B, C, D, E, F, 1, 2, 3 or 9 train to 34th St, thegarden.com)

Dear Valentine, Thanks so much for the charming (sappy) poem, the lovely flowers (that have now wilted), and the box of chocolates (after three that tasted a little like silly putty). Sincerely, and much love, your Valentine

Or this year, ditch the expected and celebrate Valentine’s Day by celebrating your valentine, with one of these six titillating, duo adventures.

Hello, my name is Lauren, and I’m a Twitterholic.

In March 2009, I started Tweeting. What began as a harmless online activity that all the cool social media kids were doing has now become an energy-zapping, headache-inducing, and quite frankly, lonely little cyber sport that I can’t seem to tear myself away from.

Just now, in the middle of writing this I had to go on Twitter: check new followers, hotel buzz, travel deals, wedding tips, restaurant openings, iTampons?? Must.make.it.stop.

The short winter days are conducive to indoor activities like reading, but that doesn’t mean that you should live by the seat of your armchair. Books like travel are about inward and outward journeys, and they can inspire you to visit new places. They can also help you rediscover familiar destinations. So instead of dreaming about the summer in South America or Australia, let these books about New York rekindle your passion for the city.