36 Hours in New York

By: Melaya Vaz-Paddyfoote

5/12/2020

New York the concrete jungle where dreams are made is definitely a one of a kind city filled with enchanting lights and the most diverse set of people. NYC has a lot of things to do, something free and something that requires money but all is a wonderful experience to have while enjoying your stay at any number of hotels from wonderful and extravagant five-star hotels to affordable and comfortable three stars or lower. There are plenty of adventures to be had around the city from taking a big red bus tour around downtown NYC, to an enchanted horse-drawn carriage around the beautiful foliage of central park or head down to Brooklyn for that boardwalk carnival experience.

Friday

Photo by: Coney Island Subway Station Buckles Up for a New Ride Jose Martinez /THE CITY

The Trip on the Subway Line – 8 am

Waking up early is not everyone’s ideal way to spend their vacation but getting early to Coney Island Beach is for the best to get the perfect beach spot. The best way to get to Coney Island is to take the New York City Subway either the D, F, N, or Q trains all go to the stop Stillwell Avenue, the last stop for all four of these train lines. If you can’t find these lines don’t worry all the trains are connected, one train can always transfer to the next one you need. Riding the subway is a must to get the full New York experience seeing New York’s own underground highway filled with all sorts of travelers and sometimes you can get a rare glimpse of subway entertainers from dancers to singers or even people who play beautiful instruments. Of course, trains that come into Manhattan are always crowded but going into Brooklyn as the trains free up in space the view is wonderful being on the surface looking out as the train goes along its path.

Photo by: What you need to know about New York’s public pool and beach schedule  lazyllama/Shutterstock

Beach Bummed – 9:30 am

Coney Island Beach is New York City’s most iconic beach, a long boardwalk fitted with changing rooms and bathrooms as well as many food stalls outside the amusement park for easy access when you are in your swimsuit because you are not allowed to go into the park or aquarium in your bathing suit. Going on the hot sandy shores lay your beach blanket to soak in the rays and feel a nice heat on your body and when you get too hot the salty cool Atlantic waters are right there. The view on this beach is always a colorful sighting of many different people and their beach blankets, umbrellas, chairs, and other play items for the beach. And one can never forget about the seabirds and occasional sea life, such as dolphins, seals, sharks (Even though an evacuation is a must), or even whales is proof of the improvement of how New York waterways are cleaner than before so no littering!

Photo by: All About Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog: The Coney Island Legend Flickr: Ajay Suresh

Lunch Rush! – 12 pm 

There are so many places to eat along the boardwalk and even outside the boardwalk, however, some places won’t be along for a sit-in lunch if you are in your bathing suit. The best place to get lunch is to try the best and most famous hot dog Coney Island has to offer Nathan’s Hot Dog home of the National hot dog eating contest every year on July 4th (might not happen this year because of the current situation). If hot dogs are not your thing no problem there are other foods to eat such as hot wings, burgers, loaded cheese fries, fried clams, and even more finger food to enjoy. 

Photo by: Exhibits Aquatheater Julie Larsen Maher 

Brooklyn Aquarium – 2 pm

After enjoying a wonderful time at the beach with a fresh change of clothes after a trip to the stalls there are two places to go for even more fun Luna Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel or Brooklyn Aquarium well because the aquarium closes earlier than the amusement park. The aquarium is not what it used to be before Hurricane Sandy with many exhibits with many species of animals including a Beluga whale. Now there is a new building filled with sharks, rays, fish, and many invertebrate species. It is a wonderful experience with dim lights that highlight what is in the tank and the mini habitat for the animals in the tank. Once you are done with the Ocean wonders you can catch the sea lion show where the sea lion specialist teaches you about Sea lions, their habitat, their importance as well as the importance of recycling. The last thing to do is to be able to touch some live animals with a small but humble touch tank featuring sea urchins (The non-poisonous kind), sea snails, hermit crabs, and sometimes a grouch clam.

A walk on the Boardwalk and Avenue – 5 pm 

Exiting the aquarium leads back to the boardwalk an eventful hub with different food stalls offering delicious snacks and meals to people not just food stalls but as well as minibars that serve colada cocktails and carnie stalls where you can win a loved one a plushie or toy. This boardwalk is home to many activities, parties, and even America’s largest art parade, the Mermaid Parade which appears every June 20th. Maybe after buying a drink and snack, playing a game or two, marveling at the big red tower or watching people riding the coasters and other rides you want to go on the rides with the many different parks to choose from the most Iconic one being Luna Park.

Photo by: About 

Luna Park – 6 pm

As the sun sets and lights begin to shine it is time to take a ride on a number of coasters to get your adrenaline pumping. The first one to ride should be the Cyclone as it is Coney Island’s oldest roller coaster and one of the big three iconic rides there. This wooden coaster may be old but will still give you a great ride no loops just up and down with the steep slopes. Next will be a long walk back on the boardwalk, with maybe an arcade pitstop to do some bumper cars or play dance dance revolution, is the Thunderbolt a revamp of Luna Park’s old Thunderbolt new and bright orange to appeal to younger audiences filled a 90-degree rise and drop with loops and corkscrews as well. Going back inside Luna Park you can find some other lesser rides to enjoy most meant for kids but still fun!

Photo by: Coney Island Businesses Brace For A Devastating Summer Of Coronavirus ERIK PENDZICH/SHUTTERSTOCK

Deno’s Wonder Wheel – 8 pm 

Here is Coney Island’s oldest ride being 100 years old as of this year Deno’s Wonder Wheel there are other rides available at Deno’s but the Wonder Wheel is the most iconic one to ride. Gather a carnival snack, maybe a corn dog or funnel cake and wait on line to eat that wonderful snack and ride the wheel. There are two cars to be on the wheel, one that moves and one that is stationary depending on what you want an adrenaline rush or a calm view over the sunset and lit up boardwalk.

Old Style Italian – 9:30 pm

Hope you made a reservation in advance to the restaurant to go to after a long day of play and leisure is Gargiulo’s a 4-star old-fashion Italian restaurant that has been around for over 100 years. This place is high end with the most expensive entree being $65 however if you want to have some fun with your dinner by playing “La Tombola” where you guess a number from 1-90 and your dinner is on the house excluding drinks and tax of course. Eating wonderful traditional Italian will be the perfect way to end the night with a long warm train ride back to the hotel or home even.

Saturday

New York Style Deli – 10 am 

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and you gotta serve it up New York way and almost every deli has this breakfast, a Bacon Egg and Cheese on a Roll. It does not have to be on a roll and it does not have to be bacon and it can be whatever cheese the deli has to offer! Each deli is different with their prices but it is a great filling breakfast that can be eaten on the go with a coffee or juice or even a soda.

Photo by: Central Park Bike Tours – Rental & Tours 

A walk in a Park – 12 pm

You can take any train to get to Central Park it is just a matter of which side you want to be on the east or west side whichever side you choose has multiple paths to take whether you want to be apart of dense foliage or look at the large pond the park has to offer or lie in a great plain of grassy hills there are so many areas in Central Park to end up at. Can’t forget about Central Park’s biodiversity from waterfowl such as ducks and geese to hummingbirds and some mammals such as raccoons and squirrels. The park starts at 110th street and ends at 59th street so you can walk the length of Central Park or you can take a bus the rest of the way down to explore both ends.

Photo by: Turnstyle Underground Market, NYC • Banana Bloom 

Lunch Time! – 2 pm

At the end of 59th street you can enter the underground market home to small markets combined with a food hall home to 18 different vendors selling different foods and drinks such as Russian dumplings, pizza, coffee, doughnuts, smoothies, and boba tea. Most of which are handheld or finger food perfect for being on the go which most people are when they go through this market.

A Trip Downtown – 3:30 pm 

Already being an underground hop on the A or C train to travel downtown to 42nd street there is the heart of Manhattan filled with many tourist attractions perhaps catching a broadway show at the New Amsterdam Theater or maybe going to Madame Tussauds to see realistic wax replicas of celebrities and other famous people. Perhaps just traveling around 42nd would swell because of how grand and mesmerizing Times Square really is.

Photo by: 12 Top Restaurants in Times Square Times Square | Shutterstock

Exploring Times Square – 5 pm 

On 42nd hold some diverse and beautiful 5 Star hotels all that are boutique hotels but each with their own style to appease the modern eye. These hotels include The W, The Renaissance, and The Edition Times Square. Near these hotels of course are many shopping areas as well as the M&M world and Hersey’s Chocolate store each dedicated to selling their respected theme products and delicious chocolates. Maybe take a seat in the midst of it all at the red seats looking at the flashing ads and digital billboards just enticing you to buy. 

Photo by: Korea town New York

K-Town – 6 pm

A little walk down 34th street is home to Korea town, a small avenue dedicated to Korean shops, restaurants, bars, and Karaoke spots. There are many places to go and eat, some being high end while others being affordable and filling, one of which is a food hall with different stalls dedicated to different Asian foods. There is an expensive udon place that sells hot and cold bowls of udon noodles with exotic ingredients and flavors. Lastly try out a cafe or bakery to try some Korean sweets such as Patbingsu a shaved ice dessert or Korean-French infusion baking with some really soft breads and cakes to try.  

Karaoke Time – 8 pm 

 As said earlier there are different Karaoke spots in the area each unique with its own bar and snack system. Be with a group of friends because after a certain time no one under 21 is allowed, so drink and sing your heart out all night long if you can pay for an all-nighter but don’t worry the prices are within a reasonable range some being as low as $6 per hour for each person!

Lodging

If you want something affordable to live to try, Holiday Inn Expresses specifically the Holiday Inn Express Times Square South where prices can be $77 a night or if you want to be somewhere quiet with a nice view try out the Holiday Inn Express Bronx NYC Stadium Area, it is nowhere near Yankee stadium and it is a quiet area with a nice view of a bridge and river $141 per night. 

Wanting something high end? Well if you want city life try out The Edition Times Square small rooms but a wonderful style that makes you feel you are not in the city but you are in the center of it all, $263 per night.

Go to Aruba for clear skies sunny days and hot weather ready to bask on beaches or to just tour around. Aruba has plenty of options from learning to do various water sports to snorkeling and if beaches aren’t your thing there are shopping centers, restaurants and beautiful landmarks to explore. The food is various and not just traditional Aruban food there are barbecues and sea food boils as well as dutch bakery for your breakfast moods. All the prices are perfect for anyone and it should be even cheaper due to what is going on but most likely travel isn’t the most safe thing to do right now.