36 Hours in Manhattan, Below 59th Street.

Manhattan is undoubtedly the heart of the city that never sleeps for a reason. With its diversified options of restaurants, bars, parks, and well known attractions, New York is a cultural state where there are endless options of places to experience. With such a wide array of ground to cover in such little time to enjoy, the world’s greatest public transportation system resides just below your feet – always there to help you get from point A to point B. This non-stop moving dynamic is just one of the many reasons as to why New York’s radiant city life appeals to the entire world, making it one of the most famous cities in the world.

Friday

1. Shop till you drop, 3 P.M.

You can’t come to New York City and not go to the largest department store in America! Macy’s in Herald Square has eleven floors of options for souvenirs that you can bring home to those who weren’t with you to experience the grand sight and all it has to offer. Taking up the entire 34th street block, Macy’s is one of the best – but most crowded – places to visit during the holiday season, but nonetheless the most useful. If not to buy gifts for your loved ones during the holidays, stop by to witness the beautiful scenery that Macy’s has to offer. This Macy’s not only offers just shopping but events all year around: from its most famous, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, to it’s Fourth of July Firework show, to it’s American Icons months where they hold events based on people who have impacted America so well based on heritage and family traditions.http://www.centralparknyc.org/ If Macy’s isn’t enough for your shopping needs, 34th Street also has a number of other stores for you to pop into.

2.  Spiritual or Artistic ?, 5 P.M.

Despite the faith you practice, it’s hard to deny the free admission into Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Whether you are going there to practice your faith and pray, or going to admire the stained glass murals and beautiful instruments they house and light a candle for a loved one, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Over 5 million people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds have stepped foot in this cathedral for their own personal reasonings. This landmark is well known for its gallery organ, as well as it’s over 2,000 stained glass panels.https://saintpatrickscathedral.org/history-heritage The way it brings New Yorkers of all types of religions together is an admirable sight to see.

3.  Bright lights inside and outside, 8 P.M.

Because the best time to see 42nd Street is when the night sky is lit up! What better reason to make a visit to 42nd Street other than to see a Broadway show at the Minskoff Theatre located just a few blocks away from Times Square. Even though $120 may seem a little pricey to see a show, it is worth every moment of making our favorite children stories turn into real life visuals right in front of our eyes.http://www.ticketmaster.com/the-lion-king-new-york-ny-new-york-new-york-12-06-2016/event/03005075B2BA44F0?artistid=1039581&majorcatid=10002&minorcatid=207 Stemming from different cultures, each story is performed in the crowd, personalizing the experience that you get while in the theater and making your ticket worth every penny. Its latest show, the Lion King, is keeping so many viewers to come back to see it more than just once.

Saturday

4. Above it All, 8 A.M.

What better way to start your saturday morning than a beautiful view of the entire Manhattan skyline from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building! $34 for adults and $27 for children isn’t too shabby for the view of a lifetime, wherein seeing so many world famous buildings from that view is too breathtaking to miss.http://www.esbnyc.com/ In 1981, the Empire State Building was declared a landmark, making it a hotspot to hit when stepping foot inside the city. After all, isn’t it cool to know you will be visiting two landmarks in such a short period of time?

5. Bottomless Brunch, 11 A.M.

Unlimited mimosas, margaritas, bloody marys, and sangria what more could you ask for ? $29.95 plus an egg entree. After your tour of the Empire State Building and the view of all of New York City and some of New Jersey you deserve a nice brunch with a drink or a few! Make your next stop Agave in the West Village. Even if you don’t get a chance to make it for brunch make it one of your stops for food they are well known for their great hispanic food from their version of fondue with queso and chorizo to their pineapple and pork taco’s you will not be disappointed with their breakfast or dinner options. The cultures of these foods are infused into each of their dishes and give you a taste of their country.

6.  New York City’s History, 1 P.M.

September 11th, 2001 New Yorkers went through such a devastating tragedy that left most of us speechless. In memory of all of those who lost their lives during the attacks of 9-11 an incredibly beautiful memorial was built. This memorial having the two largest manmade waterfalls in the United States and all of those victims who did not survive names inscribed in bronze around the two pools signifying the loss of the World Trade Center.https://www.wtc.com/memorial Just a few steps away is the 9/11 memorial museum which includes artifacts and multimedia displays telling the story of what happened on that tragic day as well as how it still has impacted NYC. The event has affected many New Yorkers to this day and it is a great memorial and museum that pays great respect to so many. A $24 ticket to access the museum and the memorial gives free admission isn’t so bad to see something that has impacted New York so gravely and is still affecting our history.

7.  Lots of Laughs, 10:30 P.M.

Comedy Cellar, a comedy club that a ton of our favorite comedians started off in such as Ray Romano and Chris Rock. http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/03/comedy-cellar-oral-history This comedy club began in the 80s still managed to keep its seem authentic look with green paint and one bathroom in the entire place no matter the demand of the crowds they have. All of our favorite comedians still make daily visits to their second home, the Comedy Cellar itself and some of them even do standups. It’s the perfect authentic New York night with some good laughs in Greenwich Village. The art of comedy is the art that brings us together through many different mediums.

Sunday

8. Midnight Snack, 12:30 P.M.

In the city that never sleeps, it is very easy to find something to eat at late hours of the night. I mean that is what you are looking for after you worked up an appetite laughing so much from the Comedy Cellar? Even though there are so many options for late night food, it doesn’t mean all of them are good food with so many different options to choose from. Cafeteria restaurant on 7th Ave is the place to go for just about anything your stomach desires. Whether your taste buds want truffle oil mac n cheese($14), a salmon BLT($19), or silver dollar pancakes ($13) they have it here. It’s the perfect place to go to satisfy any different type of food craving you are having at the late hours of the night.  http://cafeteriagroup.com/home/

9. A walk in the Park, 11:30 A.M.

Take a walk before you go in America’s very own first landscaped park, Central Park. After going through many potential states of decay, the park is now more lively than ever offering so many different activities for all New Yorkers to get involved in as well as ways to raise money to keep the park as great as it has been. Whether you are going to go ice skating in the winter at the Woolman Rink or go to the Conservatory water during the spring and summer months and navigate wind powered boats across the water. The Park also has fun activities for the children if any are with you from the Central Park Zoo to the famous Carousel. This park holds great history for all as well as many outdoor activities for anyone. http://www.centralparknyc.org/

Please see my map below:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7472093,-74.0172537,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!6m1!1s1HsGCliOMJ53Yfl_IFWbsY0mpjZ4

 

References

1. Conservancy, C. P. (2015). Central Park. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://www.centralparknyc.org/
2. McGlynn, K., & Pilot, J. (2016, March 14). An Oral History of the Comedy Cellar. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/03/comedy-cellar-oral-history
3. Like all the best ideas, it’s quite simple. (2015). Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://cafeteriagroup.com/home/
4. 9/11 MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM. (2016). Retrieved December 05, 2016, from https://www.wtc.com/memorial
5. Empire State Building. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://www.esbnyc.com/
6. History & Heritage. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05, 2016, from https://saintpatrickscathedral.org/history-heritage