NEWS
EVENTS
Visit New York City
Tuesday 2nd July 2013 | Vilma
Whether you have been to New York countless times or are a first-timer, there are non-touristy as well as classic things that everyone should experience at least once in their lives.
Instead of queuing for hours to get a glimpse of what Manhattan looks like from the top of the world-famous Empire State Building, a visit to Top of the Rock offers an astonishing view of the city. The ideal time to visit the observation deck on top of Rockefeller Center is just before sunset when you get the chance to experience the whole of Manhattan during daylight and nighttime. It is fairly cheap and provides stunning views of both Central Park nearby as well as the Empire State Building downtown.
Many wish to pay a visit to the Statue of Liberty, but the problem is you can’t exactly see the massive structure from that close by. Instead, the Staten Island Ferry runs up to every 15 minutes from Lower Manhattan to the neighborhood of Staten Island that is home to numerous artists, filmmakers and musicians. The ferry ride is dirt cheap but manages to offer wonderful views of the Manhattan skyline as well as the Statue of Liberty.
Two popular activities that can never be overrated in New York City are sports and musicals. Broadway shows can be incredibly pricey but those who are willing to queue for discounted tickets at Times Square, won’t regret their experience! New Yorkers are avid sports fans and whether you end up seeing the New York Knicks play basketball at Madison Square Garden, or either the Yankees or Mets play baseball, the atmosphere at sports events is incredible.
No matter what time of the year you visit New York, Bryant Park in central Manhattan is always busy! During the winter, one can visit the pop-up boutiques surrounding the park or have a go at ice-skating while enjoying a cozy hot cider. For film fans, the Bryant Park film festival brings screenings lawn of the park on Monday nights every summer. The park is also next to New York Public Library as well as in close proximity to the impressive Grand Central Terminal. This area, like most places in New York, is full of inspiring things to see and the best way to explore the city is always by foot.
Everyone has heard about the great shopping opportunities that New York has to offer; it’s practically every girls fantasy! For a different shopping experience, head towards Union square. Paragon Sporting Goods is any athlete’s dream come true with unimaginable amounts of sports gear on sale. A treasure trove for book lovers everywhere is Strand Book Store. Strand offers 2.5 million new, used and rare books as well as different literary gifts and hosts events featuring a vast array of interesting entertainers. For any fashionista out there, Century 21 is the place to go for designer clothes on discount!
As far as food and drinks go, New York City offers pretty much any kind of culinary delight available. Lombardi’s Pizza on Spring Street was founded over a century ago and boasts the best pizzas in the city. El Sombrero, on the other hand, is one of the best kept secrets in the city with its frozen margaritas that can quench the thirst of even the busiest customers. They are sold in take away cups so you can enjoy the taste of the delicious cocktail wherever you go!
For music lovers and party people heading to New York City this summer, Electric Zoo festival is returning to Randall’s Island with the biggest names in dance music. The late August festival has a line-up that includes music from David Guetta, Avicii, Martin Solveig and Armin van Buuren, only to name a few. Tickets can be bought at http://www.madeevent.com/ElectricZoo/tickets.php. So journey to New York City for a mixture of great electronic music, tasty food, delicious cocktails and an endless amount of things to see!
Vilma Nurmela
