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World’s Most Spectacular Tennis Courts

Tennis as one of the world’s most popular sports boasts a large number of well-known historic venues such as Wimbledon that play host to the sport’s major events. Here are some tennis courts from across the planet that you may not be familiar with, but are spectacular in their own right.

The Astor Estate in Rhinebeck, NY: John Jacob Astor IV, one of the richest men in the world at the time, solicited the services of McKim, Mead & White in 1902 to build the sporting section of their estate. In addition to this stunning indoor tennis court, the Rhinebeck, New York estate is equipped with one of the world’s first indoor swimming pools, squash courts, and a full-length bowling alley.

Astor

Bunabhainneadar Tennis Court, Scotland: Certainly the most remote tennis court on the list, if not the planet, this court is located in the Outer Hebrides, isles that sit just to the north off Scotland’s coast. What makes this court so special is the spectacular and seemingly pristine landscape that surrounds the structure.

Tennis Court Hushinish Road (OS ref NB 121044)

Burj Al Arab: Although this space is not entirely designated to serve as the a tennis court, it certainly belongs on this list. The court that sits more than 650 feet off the ground in Dubai, offers its players incredible 360 degree view of this desert metropolis.

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Sur l’Herbe: Located in Newport, Rhode Island, this court is the paragon of New England’s style. Building surround the venue, which hosted America’s first National Lawn Tennis Championship all the way back in the 1880’s. Seemingly nothing has changed since on this picture-perfect court.

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Il San Pietro di Positano: This court which belongs to an Italian resort is absolutely stunning. Nestled in between a cliff, and the mediterranean sea, players may have trouble watching their opponents in favor of the stunning views that surround them.

 

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Best Fishing Destinations around New York City

New York City isn’t exactly synonymous with fishing. However, there are abundant options for fishing in and around the city if you know where to look.
adirondacksAdirondacks

Upstate New York is home to some of the best fly-fishing streams in the country. If you are looking to catch some trout, please take some time to visit this area that is just a two-hour drive to the northwest of the city. The winters are quite harsh, and generally are not great for fishing, unless you are a fan of ice fishing. However, late spring through fall provide great weather and the ability to fish this stunning wilderness. One of the best parts of the Adirondacks is the opportunity to go to the remote lakes, rivers, and ponds. It’s a great backcountry experience, and it is likely that you will not be disturbed by another fisherman.

In NYC

Perhaps you desperately want to go fishing, but your busy life prevents you from travelling to outside the city. Have no worries. There is a myriad of places at which you can fish right here in New York City. The majority of people are shocked that you can catch fish in and around New York given its urban nature. According to the State Department of Environmental Conversation, more than 300 different species of fish can be found in the city’s waterways. Fishermen in the city swear that the fishing is just as good in NYC as it is all around the planet. The season usually lasts from March to December. If you’re wondering exactly where to fish in the city, please visit the Parks Department Website. Some of the highlights include Prospect Park Lake in Brooklyn and East 96th Street in Manhattan.

Long Island

Long Water is generally considered to be a premier spot for saltwater fishing. In the surrounding waters, you can fish for striped bass, tuna, marlins, sharks, bluefish, blackfish, and more. But, it is also home to great fly-fishing opportunities as it boasts more than 400 lakes and 50 kilometers of streams.

The Best Ski Mountains in New York

New York is known for a lot of things, many of them having to do with the massive city that just barely clings to the states south-eastern tip. The rest of the state has plenty to offer anyone willing to look, including tons of great places to ski and snowboard. Here are the top five best places to go downhill in NY.

 

Plattekill Mountain

Amanda Starbuck Plattekill mountain

The friendliest mountain in New York, if not the entire world, Plattekill mountain has a small mountain feel with big mountain terrain. It is a family oriented mountain that is itself family owned and operated. They offer slopes that will delight skiiers of all skill levels, from beginner to expert. Their hallmark slope is the famous “Powder Puff,” a 2 mile long cruiser with a gentle decline that will give beginners plenty of time to practice their moves. For the expert level skiers, they have one of the steepest trails in all of the Catskills. This trail, a double black diamond called “Blockbuster” has over 1,100 feet of continuous vertical drop! The mountain is a hidden gem and so the slopes are usually pretty clear of other skiers, just one more in a long line of great things about Plattekill Mountain!

 

Windham Mountain Resort

Amanda Starbuck Windham Mountain

Windham Mountain Resort is perhaps the largest mountain on this list. Its 53 trails span over 282 acres of skiable terrain and 97% of that is covered by the snowmaking team so you are guaranteed to have some good fresh powder on at least a few of the runs every day! There are slopes for beginners and experts and everyone in between. The main draw for intermediate skiers might be the Wanderer, a nice, smooth descent that seems to go on forever with a cool curve about a quarter of the way down. And, as it’s only 2.5 hours away from NYC, it is easily accessible without having to take a long weekend!

 

Hunter Mountain

Amanda Starbuck Hunter Mountain

There are slopes for beginners and experts alike on this mountain. It’s a great day trip spot with plenty of trails to keep you occupied. And, if you’d like to stay a little longer, Hunter Mountain offers a full complement of fantastic accommodations at almost every price point. They have a large selection of restaurants and bars on the mountain and have packages that will supply some of your meals for free if you stay! The lift tickets are reasonably priced and there is, as usual, a steep discount for younger riders. If you fall in love with the mountain, buy a Big Lift Card and ski for the whole season!

 

Belleayre Mountain

Amanda Starbuck Belleayre Mountain
The only state-run mountain on this list, Belleayre Mountain is a perfect stop for intermediate skiers. With 47 trails to choose from, skiers and boarders will both be pleased with the selection. Besides their basic downhill slopes, they have two more extreme parks packed with jumps and rails, and as an added bonus, they have over five miles of backwoods trails just begging to be explored on snowshoes or cross-country skis!