shellyrogersrennYour First Encounter
A first encounter with New York can be an assault on the senses.
Stepping outside, your nostrils flare. Breathing in, the sweet scent of caramelized nuts mixes with the pungent odor of manure, car exhaust, and a distinct reek of pee. Passing under windows stoops and businesses you catch a whiff of fabric softener, pizza, and fish. There’s a delightful spicy aroma of cloves and freshly cut grass as you approach the park. Those in the know say it’s an organic herbicide. And everywhere these days you get a dank nose-full of skunk scented cannabis.
There are so many people trying to get from one place to the other on every means possible: cars, busses, subways, on foot and, near the park, even on horseback. At first glance it appears that the pedestrians walk in unison, zigging this way, then that, as though swarming to the same place. It is effortless. Many are texting away as though their feet already know the route, only stopping when they’ve reached their destination or when some tourist stops in the middle of the walk. You can tell a lot about the people who are used to walking the long city blocks…many have sensible shoes, the kind that allows you to move without restrictions.
Traffic moves by, at times rushing, at times in a crawl. Blowing car horns (illegal by the way) startle you, the screech of brakes signal that a bus stop is near, somewhere dogs bark and the air is filled with every imaginable language all speaking at once.
At night the city sky lights up with bold and colorful billboards on buildings so tall you imagine what it would feel like to be in that birds eye view.
It’s true, the sights, the sounds, the smells can easily put you in overload, but as soon as you get your equilibrium in order and the euphoria sets in, there is no denying…The City That Never Sleeps has something for everyone.
The American Melting Pot
Located at the mouth of the Hudson River, the metropolis of New York City flourishes. Known for its diversity, its commerce, arts, fashion and shear number of inhabitants, New York City is an iconic collective like no other.
When visiting New York, its best to have an itinerary of the things you want to see and do. New York is so large and so densely populate that even in a lifetime you may not see it all. Many people, when visiting New York never see more than one or two parts, but New York is actually made up of five distinct boroughs:
- The Bronx
- Queens
- Manhattan
- Staten Island
- Brooklyn
Within each of these boroughs lives and breathes a rainbow of colors, backgrounds, cultures, and languages. In fact, there are more that 8.1 million people, speaking 200-600 different languages, who originated from more than 150 different countries, that call New York City their home. It is the American Melting Pot.
Traveling Around New York
If you are wondering if you should bring your car or rent one while visiting New York, the answer is no. Parking is very expensive and the stand-still traffic in The Big Apple is exactly as you’ve seen on television. Public transportation or grabbing an Uber, Lyft or taxi are your best bets if you have some distance to travel, however don’t believe the television shows where you call a cab and it is there to pick you up in just a few minutes. Isn’t going to happen. Just to put things into perspective, there are typically 4 million people in Manhattan alone on any given weekday…so, getting around by motor vehicle can take quite some time. Usually, unless you are going quite far, you’ll get there much quicker by foot or by subway.
Public Transportation Etiquette
There is some public transportation etiquette you should be aware of. Although you may like people watching, do not do it on a subway. Look around and enjoy the ride, but staring and extended eye contact is just weird. Don’t be that person. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) prices are listed below and if you are visiting for 5 or more days, the extended pass will save you money.
- Fare for most riders on subways and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses: $2.75.
- Express buses cost $6.75.
- Extended Pass $33.00
- Kids up to 3 years and 44″ tall or less ride free with paying adult.
There is also a correct way to hail a cab. Use the advice only if you really want them to stop for you.
- Be on the same side of the street of the direction you wish to go.
- Do not stand near or under the bus sign.
- Try to be at the beginning of the block, just past the corner.
- If you don’t wish to be run over, its best to not stand in the street.
- Once you see a cab with its number light on, meaning they do not already have a passenger, raise one hand confidently in the air. Do not flail you r arm around or wave hysterically. You’ll just look like silly. Once you have made eye-contact, the taxi will begin to move toward you and you can put down your arm.
Be advised, cabs in New York are, like so many other things, very expensive. You will already spend your first two-fifty just getting into the cab and since traffic is quite slow and the meter continues to move up, well…you get the idea.
Once you are in the cab, however, be advised that cabbies go by location names. If you want to see the Empire State building, tell the driver that. It’s best not to give direct addresses as most do not use them and may not have a clue as to how to get you there.
All that being said, if you can get there by foot, it is best to just walk. You will really get the best feel for the area when you are on foot. Oh! But please be forewarned. New Yorkers have places to be, so don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk. If you really must stop, step out of the way and let the bustling crowd move along its way.
Must See In The City
There are so many things to see and do in New York. Below I’ve list just a few:
The Statue of Liberty
A symbol of liberty, freedom and hope that is known worldwide as a call to immigrants, originally began as an abolitionist symbol. Given to America as a gift from the French, the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island is a wonder to behold. Given the official name of Liberty Enlightening The World, Lady Liberty was a token of the admiration by the French to the U.S. Constitution and the innate right to freedom.
In 1903, the poem, “The New Colossus” was written by Emma Lazarus, an immigrant. The poem, written to raise money for the statue’s pedestal was a tribute to immigrants and refugees alike. Today, the statue has become synonymous with the famous sonnet mounted on the inside of the pedestal.
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Standing at 155 feet from base to the torch, and if you count the base and pedestal, Miss Liberty stands at 305 feet. Her seven pointed crown represents the seven seas and seven continents, she weighs 450,000 pounds (225 tons) and contains about 100 tons of copper. Prepare to be impressed!
The Brooklyn Bridge
Spanning across the East River between Brooklyn on Long Island and Manhattan, you’ll find the Brooklyn Bridge. When it first opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Although now it is not even in the top 100 longest suspension bridges in the world, it still remains a sight to see. Standing at 277′ high, with neo-gothic towers and both vertical and diagonal suspension cables, the Brooklyn Bridge is a New York icon and a National Historic Landmark that needs to be on your list.
The Empire State Building
One of the easiest recognized landmarks in New York, the Empire State Building is a initiatory rite to any newcomer. This year marks 90 years that the ESB has graced the skies of New York. At 102 stories tall, the view from the observation deck on the 86th floor allows you to see a distance of up to five states away on a clear day. Be sure to check out the three story art deco lobby. There’s even a King Kong display inside the Immersive Museum on the second floor.
Bronx Zoo
Love animals? Open since 1899 in the hardwood forest of the Bronx, the Bronx Zoo is home to over 6000 animals and 700 species. The amazing 265 acre park is full of exhibits, including the Congo Gorilla Forest; experiences, including a Nature Trek that gives a birds eye view of the park; and multiple dining and shopping areas that are sure to fill your day.
Offering a variety of ticket options, the Bronx Zoo is open year-round. Hours do vary depending on the season, so be sure to check out The Bronx Zoo website.
Central Park
Covering more than 843 acres, New York’s Central Park is possibly the most famous park in the world. The park sees more than 25 million guests every year and since first being featured in the 1908 classic Romeo and Juliet, the Park has appeared in more than 300 films including Home Alone 2 – Lost in New York, Ghostbusters, Spiderman 3 and When Harry Met Sally.
Meticulously maintained, Central Park hosts 36 bridges and archways, has many monuments, sculptures and fountains and offers bike and boat rentals within its grounds. Take a quiet break from the hectic non-stop motion of the the big city and stroll along the winding paths, past silvery lakes and its 21 unique playgrounds, while the scent of lilac, clove and nutmeg intoxicate your soul.
9/11 Memorial and Museum
Ask anyone old enough to remember and they can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when the Twin Towers were hit. I, myself, was in Tacoma, Washington, driving my children to school when I first got the news. No other event in our history has brought out the amount of loyalty, patriotism and compassion as that terrible terrorist activity has done.
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum located at the World Trade Center on the foundation of the former twin towers, is something everyone should see. It reminds us to never forget the tragedy of the those people who lost their lives and the heroism of those who fought to rescue the survivors.
Other Places to Explore
As I mentioned, there is so much to experience in New York it is impossible to list them all but a few others to look into are Chinatown, Little Italy, and Greenwich Village. Try biting into a Coney Island Hotdog, or savor a slice cheesy New York style pizza. Catch a Broadway show in Midtown, visit the many restaurants, cafes and bakeries and lively night spots of Greenwich Village, explore the shops on Times Square, or depending when you are visiting, enjoy some of the many festivals that go on.
Enjoy Your Trip
The Big Apple is a bustling, whirlwind of activity, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and book your trip. No matter what time of year there is always something going on in the City That Never Sleeps.
If you have a favorite thing to see, do or eat when you visit, leave a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
