New York State of Mind
Planning a vacation or a stopover at one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations? GLOSS writer, Hibba Amin will guide you through the “Big Apple” for a memorable stay.
Remember that adorable white top you bought, now nestled in a heap of clothing begging to see the light of day. Well, it’s time to take it out for a spin, and what better way than to frolic around in it on the streets of New York City (NYC), the city vivid in everyone’s imagination. Being a colossal architectural treat and a fashion hub, NYC should definitely be on the top of your travel list. With exhaustive information available, it can get slightly daunting on where to start and the compelling urge to complete it all. Fortunately, I got a chance to explore this immensely populated and extravagant city. Since my sister was moving, I only had a few days to accomplish all my goals, from visiting all the basics to trying out local quirky delectables. Here is my personal take on how I unraveled this city and might give you a tip or two for your future visit!
Since I was going to New York via Canada, I chose to take the bus, the end destination being the bustling Port Authority station in NY. After being greeted enthusiastically by my sister, we headed for her apartment in vast NYC subway station. Reaching home, I immediately started making a schedule and the list of places I wanted to see. The yearning to see Times Square, located in Midtown Manhattan, topped the list and the next morning we did exactly that. Before delving further, a small detail, NYC is divided in five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and The Bronx, each containing prominent landmarks.
Day 1
True to its nature, Times Square was full of people walking in all directions. Locals going about their business and tourists commencing their site seeing, the two being distinguishable by the latter’s bulky camera and stopping constantly to capture the exuberance. Large flashy signs everywhere beckoned walkers to visit their store, souvenir shops on every corner reminding you to grab different ornaments with the phrase “I love NY” on them, and enormous screens planted sweetly in the middle of buildings and towers, playing snippets of different TV or fashion shows. The M&M store is a definite visit and if you’re lucky you might get a sweet treat on your way out!
Walking throughout Manhattan was a pleasure itself. The architecture unique to New York is mesmerizing in its own way. The red brick and iron clad buildings combined with newly renovated ones, piercing high into the sky and standing with close proximity to each other comprise almost all of NYC. After roaming around the streets for a while, it was time for lunch. Just like street fashion, street food holds its own place. You will see food carts at the end of every street. Emerging from this phenomenon were “The Halal Guys”, two brothers who opened a food cart selling halal gyro and chicken, reigning massive fame allowed them to expand their business. They are located on the south-east corner of 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue. Naturally, I opted for that and needless to say, it was delicious. A must try. A side note, their serving is quite big and can easily feed two people, another plus if I may say so! For a quick caffeine fix, I tried this extremely cute and eccentric coffee place called Bibble & Sip. They had the best assortment of cookies and interesting coffee combinations, definitely a place to go if you want a break from the usual Starbucks.
The rest of the day was dedicated to the infamous Manhattan skyline. The perfect view of that beautiful cluster of buildings can be seen from the Dumbo area, short for Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass, in Brooklyn. Amidst it are the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges crisscrossed in the sky, connecting both boroughs together across the river. The Dumbo area is a huge one, with its cobbled streets, converted warehouses, high-end restaurants, and trendy cafes. I chose to spend more time on the north side, breathing in the picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline. Watching the sun descending and the change in colors was breathtaking, magnifying the grandeur of New York. If stamina allows, you can even take a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge, witnessing the actuality of the metal closer. Might I add, Dumbo exudes another beauty at night when the florescent bulbs everywhere are turned on, adding a whimsical touch. Next food stop was a renowned local specialty in the same area called Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. After hearing my sister rave about the taste and witnessing the long line of people waiting to be seated, I was not disappointed. The taste and texture was scrumptious.
Day 2
Continuing our adventure in Brooklyn the next day, we ventured into the neighborhood of Williamsburg. The terms “hip” or “hipster” are often used to describe this area and you are very likely to see residents roaming around with a green latte or juice in hand and a yoga mat neatly tucked behind. Both sides of the street are covered with trendy cafes, repurposed factories turned into art studios, and chic boutiques here and there. Moreover, majority of the walls are branded with striking crafted graffiti, adding to the liveliness. Feel free to hop into any of the restaurants or cafés. Wanting to grab a bite and after some browsing, I got introduced to Rainbow Bagels, reflecting the nature of its residence well. These visually brilliant bagels are served at The Bagel Store with cream cheese flavors ranging from sweet to savory! A big thumbs up to check it out. Coincidentally, the seasonal food festival, Smorgasburg, was happening right down the street, further making my taste buds tingle. In that area, I also came upon a capsized version of the Manhattan skyline from the East River Park, allowing for a great panoramic click.
With half of the day still ahead, I decided to visit two more prominent landmarks in Manhattan: the New York Public Library (NYPL) and Grand Central Station. While walking to NYPL, my sister pointed out the buildings and view used in one of the Spider-Man movies, exactly opposite the library. So, if you are a superhero movie fan be sure to check that out and imagine a red and blue figure flying around. The first greetings by NYPL are from the two lion statues, named Patience and Fortitude, leading to the entrance. The library was packed with people of all ages, with some, like me, interested in site seeing, some taking advantage of the vast collection of books and research resources available, and majority studying or clicking away to reach that deadline. As the exterior, the interior is breathtaking, from the smallest details inscribed onto the tiles and walls, the arches and domes, the beautiful chandeliers and accessories to every wall covered in historical images, with the ceilings taking the lead visually.
As already established above, New Yorkers prefer to travel on foot and the Grand Central Station was a further proof of that. Like NYPL, I was immediately mesmerized by the inside. Built in the 1990s, the interior is a reflection of just that and the layout is expansive. The main concourse is where travelers buy their tickets and commence their journey or exchange routes, also serving as a meeting place, creating a constant flow of bustling crowds. The striking features inside include the enormous arched glass windows, the four-faced brass clock on top of the information booth, and the elaborately decorated astronomical ceiling, which is said to be quite inaccurate. Having been featured in so many movies over the years, seeing it in person was splendid. The lower level constitutes of a huge dining hall which is almost always filled with occupants not leaving any seat empty. The station exudes royalty due to its marble and detailing, with the commuters and masses adding modernity, creating a perfect blend.
Almost getting there! Next destination, Central Park. If only I had more time, I would have spent the entire day sitting there reading. Situated in between blocks of buildings, the park is extremely big with corners touching all directions and will take you a good day to see it all. Hot dog, churro and ice-cream stands are littered throughout the park, people are snoozing, walking or running, dogs with their owners taking their walk of the day, policemen doing a tour of the park on their gorgeous enormous horses, and last but not the least, the Angels Fountain! Being a Friends TV show fanatic, I was ecstatic to see the original one. Also, somewhere in the middle is a specific vertical stretch covered with trees and benches on the side, a very popular capture amongst street artists and painters. Moreover, inside that block of buildings and within walking distance from the park is the famous Trump Tower, now acknowledged more due to its namesake’s political influence and movements. So if your interest sparks, the 66 stories gold embossed skyscraper can be added to your list.
Day 3
It was finally time for the ferry ride to Staten Island! The ferry, free to all, takes visitors and commuters from lower Manhattan to Staten Island. Due to shortage of time, I decided to not spend time on the island and instead took the next ferry back. The main reason for this ride was to view the Statue of Liberty, albeit from afar. In my sister’s opinion, to which I agreed, the solo trip to Liberty Island to see the sculpture wasn’t worth it as there isn’t much else to do otherwise, and the view from Staten Island Ferry sufficed. The crisp blue sky with the water reflecting the sun and light bouncing off the buildings was breathtaking. I also got to witness the sun set on the statue, the phrase sun-kissed taking a literal meaning, another memorable moment. Taking advantage of the location I headed towards the financial district of Manhattan to see the Charging Bull and Fearless Girl in person, a mere 5 minute walking distance. They say touching the bull brings you good luck, yet another reason to visit! Roaming around Wall Street was intense, not going to lie. You could almost feel the flow of money running through all the buildings and the urgency to top that stock market.
Wanting to make the most of the day, I opted to go and see the 9/11 Memorial and Museum as well. The design, by architect Michael Arad, is a great one to commemorate the tragic incident. The two places where the Twin Towers stood are turned into reflecting pools surrounded by white oak trees and the names of all the victims are written on the edges of the marked pools. The quiet flow of water and the rustle of leaves create a soulful aura, honoring effectively all those involved. The museum, which holds remnants of the previous towers, is right next to the site alongside the very expensive, and in my opinion an architectural masterpiece, The Oculus. The latter is basically the main transportation hub in that area consisting of trains and subways including a fully fledged shopping mall within. This white beautiful structure is designed by a Spanish architect called Santiago Calatrava. According to him, it is supposed to resemble a winged dove but to me it looked more like a Pokemon character! The interior is as unique as it gets, all white with a spine like chord in the middle of the ceiling, as if holding all the sides together.
With majority of the landmarks conquered, it was time for some relaxation and shopping, and what better place than SoHo, standing for South of Houston Street, a treat for all the fashion lovers. Initially known for art galleries and preferred locations of artists, it is now a retail hub containing stores ranging from trendy couture to high-end international chains. Much like the entire of New York, SoHo has its own architectural presence by having the most cast-iron buildings, creating an artistic and urban feel. If you keep walking west towards Mulberry Street from there, you will hit the cutest neighborhood comprising of Italian stores and restaurants called, naturally, Little Italy. Furthermore ahead, you hit Chinatown, bigger in size than the former, showcasing delights from the country.
Day 4
Just a day left now and a few more landmarks to scratch off the list. First and foremost, I absolutely had to see the building used in Friends, located in Greenwich Village. The visit made me reminiscence all my binge watching sessions and wish the apartment existed in real life too. Greenwich Village is a very lively place, swarmped with students, courtesy of New York University, who also occupy most of the Washington Square Park. It is a famous spot for both residents and tourists to sit and relax, and enjoy the two focal points of the park: the fountain in the middle and the Washington Square Arch. It is almost always buzzing with various activities going on and you can be sure to catch a few entertaining street performances whenever there. In addition, Greenwich Village is also occupied by different jazz clubs and Off-Broadway theatres, attracting more crowds.
Second last stop of the day: the Flatiron Building. The name was so intriguing that I just had to put a face on it. Visually nothing can disappoint in this exceptional city and the above mentioned proved just that. This steel clad triangular shaped marvel is located on 175 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, occupying a corner and taking as minimum space as its creator allowed. Nearby was the Empire State building, which I gave regards to from afar. Before calling it a day, another local specialty I ended up trying was a chocolate driven restaurant called Max Brenner, on 841 Broadway Street. Since I had to do a takeaway, I opted to try their infamous hot chocolate and it was heavenly! The richness of the chocolate topped with the softest marshmallows was the perfect end to that day.
One specific place I would like to elaborate on that I didn’t really explore properly but tread upon some of its habitants, which I already mentioned above, is Fifth Avenue. It is basically a thoroughfare in Manhattan, stretching from Harlem to Washington Square Park to put it simply, touching all the way to Central Park. Known as one of the most expensive and elegant streets courtesy of renowned fashion brands like Chanel and many more, this is a fashion lover’s heaven. Apart from SoHo, NYC is known for its shopping at Fifth Avenue. Apart from NYPL, the Flatiron, and the Empire State building, scattered on this stretch are two other historical landmarks that I recommend to see: Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Another interesting tidbit that I will like to give a special mention to and worth visiting is the Apple Store, located on 767 5th Avenue. The design starts with a beautiful 32-foot glass cube entrance leading visitors to a glass elevator within a glass cylinder to a spiral of stairs descending into the store. Apart from the design serenity, it is the only Apple Store to be open 24 hours a day all week, great for those untimely rescues and late night browsing.
All in all, my trip to this city was one that I will never forget. Even though I was short on time, I still managed to experience the core essence of NYC. Being so vast, the list of things to do is endless, and all the locations above can be sought after with more detailing. But I know I can still safely say, I successfully made this beautiful concrete jungle my own.
