36 Hours in Manhattan, Below 59th Street
By Loribeth Alban
Goldfish and Sculpture by Henri Matisse
Friday
- Art and History, 4 P.M.
Upon arrival New York, might seem overwhelming but the MoMa (The Museum of Modern Art) could be a great way to unwind and get lost in the artwork. There are six floors of exhibits that interest people from all backgrounds like the comparison of old and modern architecture, or exhibits with artifacts and pictures from both the 1960-1969 and 1880’s-1950’s collections. Some of these pictures will intrigue you and leave you in awe. Be prepare to sit and admire different styles of art, also have a camera to take picture because you can. Admissions is free Fridays 4pm-8pm and every other day is $25 for adults.
- Herald Square, 7 P.M.
The best place to go in Herald Square is Macy’s, after all it was originally established in 1858 in New York City as a small dry goods store and developed into one of the largest retailers in the world. Enjoy exploring several floors of jewelry, clothes, beauty products, houseware, shoes, accessories and much more. The best time to come visit is during the holiday season for the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. People come from all over the world to just to come and be a part of it.
- K Town, 9:30 P.M.
After traveling all day, a great place to eat and near Macy’s is Korea Town. Stop by Food Gallery32 where you will multiple windows serving different food, desserts, or drinks. As soon as you arrive go to the window to the left and order a pork bun, it is spicy and delicious, for only $3.50 as a snack on the side. There’s other great options to choose from and a whole meal including dessert can be under $20. On your way, out you can pick up bungeoppang, a bread in the shape of a fish stuffed with different fillings such as custard, Nutella, and red bean. If you have a sweet tooth, walk a couple of steps to Tous Les Jours where you choose from an array of sweet breads, cakes, and other desserts. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy!
Saturday
- Farm to Table Brunch, 10 A.M
Foragers Table in Chelsea serves some of the fluffiest pancakes you will ever eat. You must order the Orange Blossom Ricotta Pancakes ($19) served with Valley Farm maple syrup. But as a starter you can also get the scone with fresh cream and blackberry jam ($8) and a cup of coffee ($3.75). It’s a little pricey but it is worth it, the meal is over $30 for one person.
- Highline, 12 P.M.
Originally a railroad for travel and commerce, it was recently renovated and made into a park. Here you will see various artworks, flowers and sometimes a lot of people taking pictures. The scenery is beautiful and viewing the sunset from up there can be breath taking. Walk through, around and take some amazing pictures with Chelsea piers and the Hudson River as your background.
- Union Square, 2:30 P.M.
Annually during the Christmas season there is a Union Square Holiday Market from November 17th – December 24th. It is hard to miss, painted red and white with Christmas decorations around it will get you in the holiday spirit. There are several little shops selling food, hot drinks, accessories and more. If you do want to purchase anything make sure to have cash and maybe you can pick up some souvenirs for family and friends back home.
- Strand, 5 P.M.
Is a book store that originally established in 1927 and currently located on the corner of 12th street and Broadway. Any book lover would enjoy coming here with over 2.5 million books used and new in stock, it is easy to spend hours observing, learning, and reading. They also have a rare book room on the last floor and dollar books for sale outside. Enjoy this book utopia where you can find just about any genre of book you desire. Aside from that there also other supplies and cool items you can buy inside, such as socks, bookmarks, notepads, coloring pencils, etc.
- Marks Place, 7:30 P.M
Known for it night life but also where many can get piercings and tattoos. If that peaks your interest, there are multiple shops ready to assist you. You can also find many bars and food places, here you can decide where you wish to go and what food to try. You should stop by CoCo Fresh Tea and Juice where you can choose from many different teas hot or cold. I would suggest the vanilla milk tea with bubbles (hot) and Bubble Gaga (cold), but there are many other options as well. You can take it on the go or sit in the seating area where they have outlets if you need it. They have one dollar pizza across the street at 2 Bros, Spot Dessert Bar down the block where they serve Chocolate Green Tea Lava Cake that you will love if you enjoy chocolate and green tea, sushi bars, Papaya King, and others. So many options to choose from but St. Mark’s will give you the New Yorker experience.
- Fraunces Tavern, 11 P.M
After eating you can get a drink in one of the oldest bars established as a landmark in 1719. It also has a museum on the second floor which has artifacts from the Colonial Era, Revolutionary War, and the Early Republic. Open arrival there are three different sections: the dining area, the whiskey room, and the bar area. The drinks range between $12-$16, but the scene is very alive with live music and conversation. A must try is the Tavern Punch ($14) but it is strong so sip slowly. If you come early you can go to the museum upstairs, it is free Friday at 2pm and Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 2 pm. Every other day and time admission is $7 for adults and it opens 12pm-5pm Monday through Friday and 11am-5pm Saturday and Sunday.
Lodging
If you can you should look for an Airbnb for the time you can you should look for an Airbnb for the time you are going to stay in New York or you can stay at the Westin Times Square for $491 a night. Make sure to use other booking websites because they can offer lower rates and package deals
https://www.moma.org/visit/index
https://macysinc.com/about-us/macysinc-history/overview/default.aspx
http://www.strandbooks.com/strand-history
http://frauncestavernmuseum.org/about/
So much to see! The points of interest and the food show the diversity of NYC.
The highline seems great for a date.