Just That - New York, New York

Welcome to the CITY!
After quite a long time - I finally have another guest writer on the blog today!
I love featuring guests posts that are raw, frank and have different perspectives of places or travel. Last time my guest writer told us about a trek that finally made him confident about about solo travels. This time I have a writer who saw New York beyond the obvious by actually visiting the obvious 'New Yorker' Places! Something funny, something amazing, something not cool - here is a raw take on New York by a new guy in the town intending to give a lot of first timer tips and links to people visiting the city!

Guess where in New York?
Guest Post By - Kafkaesque

If ever there was a better time or an ironic time to write about New York (Trump’s home state where he lives in golden luxury in the middle of 5th Avenue), I couldn’t find it. I was in the Red Apple for about 3 months for an internship and I wasted no time in exploring the city. 

City of Skyscrapers right?
It was as close to a homecoming as possible with New York’s fabled subways, the breakneck pace at which people go nowhere to; reminding me of Mumbai every alternating second. I got to do a lot of things which a “proper New Yorker” gets to do. The day immediately after I landed, I visited the Frick’s Museum for a book signing by one of my favourite authors: Julian Barnes. 

Frick's Museum
Cue *high-pitched fan-girl shriek* The museum, among one of the better ones among museums, houses rare art collections of the late industrialist Henry Frick and other educational events. The tranquility of this place is beyond compare; and I saw artists trying to recreate what Rembrandt, Bellini, Goya, Vermeer, etc. had created decades back. (If anyone is truly interested in painting forms, you should check out this movie reliving Vermeer’s unique way of painting)

Statue of Liberty! Not really that exciting.
The following day, I went to the Statue of Liberty (you should buy tickets in advance here) and the Ellis Island. With the amount of history seeped into these two places, it’d be a dream for a history buff and a soporific slumbering trip for one who is not. (I fall in the latter category) This trip takes about an entire day.

Bits from MET

Not London Bridge
Among the free and cheap things you can do in the following days; there is the Brooklyn Bridge (best visited at night; better yet during 4th of July fireworks), Bryant Park, Central Park, Central Park Zoo, George Washington Bridge (only if you’re driving through it), the NY Public Library (skip this one if you don’t get time; it is on the opposite end of the city), the NY skyline from the Hudson Waterfront (Riverside Drive) at New Jersey; and *drum-roll* The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

One of the best views of the city for free!
Don’t miss the Met, at any cost, even if it is the only thing you do. It’s quantifiably the best kept museums from around the world and entrance fees are paltry (you can pay a minimum token amount of 1$ to get in) There are a few things you shouldn’t miss at the Met. 

The ever busy Times Square
Times Square is a passing phase; the same way non-Mumbaiites get bent out of shape about the Victoria Terminus. See it once, you have seen it all; but you’ll still love the electric energy when you walk through the place. Among the other free things; you can catch Stephen Colbert and John Oliver; both of whom host their Tonight Shows from the middle of NYC. (Free tickets here and here respectively) 

That is just a small not very expensive Broadway Show Set - Phantom of the Opera
John Oliver’s tickets are notoriously difficult to procure (a friend of mine reportedly tried every week for 6 months and she still couldn’t get it) Among the more expensive and artsy things to do in NYC; there are Broadway plays (I have seen 3 : “Wicked” – Amazing, “An American In Paris” – so-so, and “The Phantom of the Opera” – a well-its-the-longest-running-Broadway-show-so-you-have-to-watch-it kind of show) Front row tickets are crazy expensive (goes from 200$ to a long running show to a reported sum of 30,000$ for Hamilton’s last show) but oh well, where would we be without online lotteries. If you have to catch at least one show, make it “The Book of Mormon” or “Wicked”. Thank me later. 

Heights and Lights
Among the other expensive things that fall in the you-have-to-do-if-you-are-visiting-NYC-for-the-first-time feeling  are the Rockefeller Center “Top of the Rock” view (32$ here)

I loved MET more than anything!

Phew. That was a lot of information in a single breath. I hope you enjoy your stay in NYC as much as I did.

You know where now.


PS: If you have more time to explore the east coast, I suggest visiting Washington DC and Pennsylvania for its history; Atlantic City for its casinos and other things (*ahem*) and Boston for the suburban hip life. (all places are within driving distance) 

No New York trip can be complete without the New York Cheesecake! 
Do not miss Junior’s cheesecake (their traditional NY Cheesecake is yum) and their Red Velvet is second only to Cheesecake Factory’s. Also, keep your eyes open when you walk through Broadway and Times Square. There are a lot of art demos and live shows happening. See this.            



Comments

  1. Wow what an amazing Post highlighting the Iconic Wonders of New York ! Although I have not been there, practically but been there Virtually through KJo Movies :) Stunning Pics to complete the Post.

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    1. So many Bollywood movies have made us fall in love with NY but there is so much that they dont even show! Glad you liked the post Pooja :)

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  2. Beautiful coverage of the city. This reminds me of my trip.

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  3. I spent so much time in NYC...loved working next to Times Square for Morgan Stanley!

    Lovely coverage.

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    1. Glad you liked the post! :D
      I am yet to go to NY but hopefully would be doing it next year march if Canada doesn't happen :)

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  4. I haven't been to New York in many of years! I was only 16 and didn't get to enjoy it in its full extent. Will have to go back and check all this out!

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    1. Hope this article turns out to be a good resource when you plan to visit New York next :)

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  5. This is a completely different approach to New York and really helpful.

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  6. MET will certainly top my list, since I am a museum and history lover. The other thing I look forward to is some down-time at Central Park.

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    1. MET Tops my list too! And when in NY one has to go to Central park! :D

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  7. Of course you can go to not so common places when you are on the city for three months! But try to get it when you are barely there for a week! Despite that, the information about the lotery for the tickets is extremely interesting!

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    1. For a week I guess you would have to pick up places you love from the list. :)

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  8. I think this post is helpful both for people coming to NY for the first time, as well as for people that are pretty familiar with the city. Thanks for sharing your experience!

    Elena | www.inspiredtoexplore.com

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  9. Great guide of New York! This certainly covers the must-sees. :)

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  10. This is a lovely guest post, I am drooling on the cheesecake!

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  11. Interesting perspective and fun photos. NYC really is a busy city that can be overwhelming, yet exciting at the same time. Practical and inspiring :D

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  12. Most of my favorite TV shows, movies and drama are shoot in New York City, and maybe the reason why I also love to visit it someday. I want to feel the Carrie Bradshaw in me.

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    1. Same here Blair. So many shows! They are one of the prime reasons why I am so fascinated with NY. :D

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  13. New York is one city in the world which no matter how much you explore there is always something more.. Perfect guide filled interesting pictures..

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    1. So true. There is just so much to do in New York!

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  14. Loved this post! It makes me miss NYC so much! I loved my stay there, even if it was short, and we did go to see a Broadway show. Yup, it was The Phantom of the Opera because I love it and I needed to see it! tickets were crazy expensive, well over 100 USD about 8 years ago, but we were just glad to find some last minute :D

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    1. Glad you liked the post Alina. I am so going for Phantom of the Opera even if I got to New York for a week or two.

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  15. It's been about 10 years since I last visited NYC...I need to go back at some point. This guest post highlighted some of the places I want to go to next time!

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  16. New York is still a distant dream for me. The night view is really stunning! Thanks for all these info. need to plan out properly if I ever visit.

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  17. I really miss NYC, and actually your post doesn't help me because it makes me want to go back so muuuuch! Can't wait for visiting this city again.

    Miriam Ernst - http://www.be-sparkling.com

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  18. I was just in NYC in September and am planning to go back in 2017! I was super bummed to miss a board way show so hopefully I'll be able to attend one next year! You're making me miss NYC! I need to go back ASAP :)

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    1. Hope you get around to that broadway show this time and hope the lottery details help too! :D

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  19. Love the insider's recount of where to go and what to see. I have not been to NY yet but it has been a place I have wanted to visit for a while - It definitely highlighted and reaffirmed places to visit and add to the list.

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  20. I love the little tips that you have shared within the post. Given that this is a busy and expensive city, these are bound to be useful. I have not yet been here but I know that I will someday. Cheers

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    1. I hope this post helps you when you do plan to visit the city :)

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  21. We are history buffs and surely will love visiting Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island and exploring the history. The pictures of Brooklyn Bridge are gorgeous and something we wouldnt miss. And ofcourse the cheesecakes that looks delicious.

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    1. I know right Brooklyn bridge and the view from that area are just stunning!

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  22. I will be back to NYC next summer and I picked some suggestions on things I have never tried before: MET will be on my list as well as a Broadway show!!

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  23. I've been to NYC couple of times but never got bored with its buzzing energy, touristy attractions and the world's largest melting pot! No doubt, it the the greatest city in the world!

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    1. I am yet to get to NY and I just cant wait for that trip :)

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  24. Oh man New York is like literately my second home. I'd go anytime I can, the drive of 7 hours from Montreal is so chill and so easy to speed :P

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    1. Lucky you! Wish I could do that over weekends.

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  25. Wonderful post. This is one of the most comprehensive yet simple guide to NYC. Such an informative piece about this bustling city.

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    1. Thank you so much. Glad you liked the post :)

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  26. Wow! Such beautiful pictures, especially the sky scrappers at night "Heights and Lights" one is just fabulous!Also, the cheesecake looks scrumptious! :)

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    1. Thanks Saumy. Glad you liked the post. And NY Cheesecakes in general are yum!!

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  27. Wow, my favourite photo is the one with the skyscrapers! Great post, helps me to plan my trip to NY some day. I can foresee just a couple of days in NY won't do justice to the top things to do and see in the Big Apple, I probably need a week or two? :)

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