Author Archives: Kaylah Bilal

36 Hour in Manhattan, 59th Street and Below

https://www.hiusa.org/images/uploads/hero/newyork-night-hero.jpg

View of New York City, https://www.hiusa.org/hostels/new-york/new-york/new-york-city

 

By Kaylah Bilal

The City where dreams and ideas come alive. The City where nothing is impossible. The place to be any time of the year. The City that never sleeps. On every avenue, a creative mind waiting to show you their worth. The place to experience multiple ethnicity at once. New York City is the place to be.

View of New York City, https://www.hiusa.org/hostels/new-york/new-york/new-york-city

Thursday

  1. Let the night begin, 6:30pm

Just getting into town? This late? Not trying to waste a day. Well get your first exclusive look at New York City by visiting Grand Central Station. Grand Central Station became what it is today because of the various railroads that thrived throughout the city. The station started back in 1871, based off the idea that people didn’t want any pollution from the trains to pass 42nd street and into their backyards. Besides it being a terminal, Grand Central comes with retail stores, dining features, and markets to explore. Start at E.A.T Gifts. Get all the souvenirs out the way. Gifts ranging from $10-$30. Gifts that are useful and simple. If you have a  sweet tooth like so then stop by Zaro’s Family Bakery for some late night dessert ranging from bagels to cakes.

Friday

  1. Ready to be a New Yorker, 8am

Hop on that transit and take a ride down to Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop. Where they sell fresh baked pastries. Get a variety of donuts to fill your tummy with. This shop has been a great contribute to the city going on 60 years now. They use their own original recipes and has been keeping that tradition ever since they were founded back around the 1950’s. They were considered one of the greatest donut shops in America by Tastemade. This little shops completes your morning with positive energy and delicious treats. Go for the plain glazed donut, the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich and nice cup of brewed coffee. That will ensure you it’s worth the wait.

  1. Ride of history, 10 am

After breakfast, Take the G train down to Hoyt street to visit the New York Transit Museum. This museum is one of the quickest ways to learn about how New York Transit in a short amount of time. I recommend anyone and everyone to make a trip here. The price ranges from $5-10. The museum brings to light facts that new yorkers have no knowledge about. To understand New York City is to understand our transit system because without it the city wouldn’t have the amount of diversity and creativity it has today.

  1. The infamous library, 3pm

Everyone loves a good book to cuddle up with on a cold day, but what book? Check out the New York Public Library , the one located on 5th avenue and 42nd street. This library ranges from millions of material to enjoy. A great place to read up on history. They have documents dating back to 1939, according to https://www.nypl.org . They have over 90 locations throughout New York City. Books are free of charge to read and free to remove from the library with your very own library card. Let’s all thank James Lenox for this beautiful creations.

  1. The Rinks, 5:30pm

After a good read walk around the corner to the famous Bryant Park. Refuel at Bryant Park Cafe to get the body moving for the next event. In the fall and winter season, Bryant park in very best known for their Bank of America Winter Village, in other words their ice skating rink. prices goes from $20 – free if you bring your own skates. This experience creates a great opportunity for interacting with new yorkers and being apart of the diversity that is here in New York City, where everyone and anyone can skate together. By skating in Bryant Park you will

get a beautiful yet educational experience rather than just having fun.  

Up View of Bryant Park skating rink, http://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.9525961.1479753259!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_1004/image.jpg

  1. Wind Down, 9pm

How does a Diner and a movie sound? Well check out Syndicated for a 9 o’clock unforgettable experience. Part dining and part theatre. A calm way to end the night. This theatre is creating history by putting two fundamentals together. The theatre showings are based around the season and holidays. Ticket prices start as low as $3. The theatre menu ranges from breakfast items like french toast sticks ~ $9 to snacks like popcorn for $6. They also have a bar that comes with select wines $6-12 and cocktails $12. A calm night for everyone.

Syndicated Theatre menu, http://syndicatedbk.com/theater-menu/

Saturday

  1. The night is still young, Midnight, 12am

Last night in town? No problem. Stop by the Fraunces Tavern for a late night exploration. The Fraunces Tavern is a restaurant and museum. Try a 14 oz Prime NY Strip for $37. Not in the mood for a meal? Get the Tavern Cheese Board ~ $15 and pair it with their French Press Coffee ~ $4.50. The Museum closes at 5pm but the restaurant closes at 2am. The visit to the tavern is to experience the variety of crafted beers they have to offer. Their beer prices ranges from $4-48 based on quality. A nice pint to put you to sleep.

  1. You still up, 6:35am

One thing people do enjoy is the sunrise. Take a walk through the Brooklyn Bridge , and watch “the city that never sleeps”, wake up and start their day or watch them end their day. This last journey is free of charge and worth every moment.

  

Brooklyn Bridge sunrise. https://johnbatdorff.com/workshops/new-york-city-photography-workshop/

Lodging

Stay at the Marriott Hotel located at New York Marriott at The Brooklyn Bridge, 333 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. You can book through a third party for a rate of $169 a night for the month of December. A ten minute walk to the brooklyn bridge and a four minute walk to A, C, F, N, R, W, 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains.

Sources

https://johnbatdorff.com/workshops/new-york-city-photography-workshop/

http://syndicatedbk.com/theater-menu/

http://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.9525961.1479753259!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/display_1004/image.jpg

https://www.nypl.org

Bank of America Winter Village

http://www.grandcentralterminal.com

http://www.bryantpark.org

New York Transit Museum

Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop.

Bryant Park (Tuesday)

http://www.bryantpark.org/about-us/history.html

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/bryant-park

This attraction is significant to New York culture because before it became this area filled with cafes, art carts, chess tables, and ice rink. It was apart of the Long Island Battle and soon after became the Croton Reservoir. This attraction brings attention to tourist and New York residence because of the popular shopping area. The park brings people together throughout the different seasons with their change in events. The parks strategy to stay open throughout the year makes is thrive.