Great diverse city filled with historical backgrounds, multiple cultures, and variety of delicious foods, New York City is a great place to be around. One reason tourists visit New York City is for its culture such as art galleries, museums, Broadway shows, theaters, music, concert hall, zoos. Many different cultures from around the world have collided, diffused, and settled in New York City, especially in Manhattan below 59th Street. In here, cultures from China, Italy, to Korea provide tons of attractions, shops, and restaurants to make us feel we are living there, even though we aren’t.

MAP

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?ll=40.75871500553193%2C-73.98491518610308&hl=en&hl=en&z=16&authuser=0&authuser=0&mid=1eSSk2pZ70L2SxVS9QWzu9HSMqZo

FRIDAY

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), 3 P.M.

Gaze and contemplate through the amazing collections of art from the 18th century to today contemporary arts. Renown artists like Frida Kahlo with “Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair”, Roy Lichtenstein: “Drowning Girl”, Andy Warhol: “Gold Marilyn Monroe”, Salvador Dali: “The Persistence of Memory”, Van Gogh: “Starry Night” and many more artists have their famous works posted inside the museum. There’s also special exhibit that showcases the works of surrealist René Magritte, and “large installations like the blockbuster Rain Room, have enough draw that some people will wait for hours just for the one exhibit” (Wright, 2016). Tickets are free on Friday from 4 – 8 P.M., for regular weekday visit is $25 from online to skip the long lines and go straight inside the museum

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Photo credit: MoMA

Broadway show: Hamilton, 8 P.M.

Visiting New York City is not complete without attending to one of its many outstanding Broadway show like Hamilton. Directed by Thomas Kail, performed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and crews have revolutionized Broadway shows, “A hip-hop retelling of the life and career of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, this jaw-droppingly original work by Lin-Manuel Miranda has broken through to the mainstream, inspiring us to wonder if the piece is riding a wave that could be called a new Golden Age on Broadway” (Cote, 2016). It tells a rich and unique story about redcoats and Federal policy by rapping that consist of emotional values, ambition, pride, love, and family theme. This became a huge success to viewers like New Yorkers and tourists which later was awarded with tons of awards such as: Best New Musical, Best Musical Theater Album, 2015 Lucille Lortel Awards, 2015 Drama Desk Awards, 2016 Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, and many more. Hamilton plays at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theater at 226 West 46th Street, plays eight times a week starts on Tuesdays at 7pm; Wednesdays at 2pm and 8pm; Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are sold online by Ticketmaster and it cost from $67-$177, and $199- thousands of dollars for premium tickets.

SATURDAY

Brunch, 10 A.M.

Exploring Chinatown is not complete without having dim-sum. Dim-sum is a Chinese cuisine that is served in a small portion usually in a steam basket with your personal choice of tea. In Joy Luck Palace located at 98 Mott Street, servers go tables to tables with varieties of dim-sums in a cart, such as har gow; siu mai; cheong fun; sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves; pearl shrimp balls; turnip cakes; pineapple pork buns; bean-curd-skin rolls; fish balls; baked pork buns; salted-duck-yolk custard buns; golden cakes; taro buns; sponge rolls; sesame balls ($2.25 to $5.75 per dish) can fill your stomach until dinner. This restaurant is brightly lighted and has colorful neon lights that surround the ceiling. Provide fast service, sometimes you have to chase the server to get the dish. It’s usually jammed, crowded, and can also be chaotic, “Small parties share tables with strangers, and a dirty tablecloth may be half rolled up and a clean one-half rolled out — yin and yang — to accommodate lingerers and new arrivals” (Mishan, 2016).

Chinatown, 1 P.M.

The largest Chinatown in the United States is located in New York City. Home to Chinese immigrants in New York, it becomes an important destination for tourists from all over the world. Populated with Chinese cultures, markets, stores and restaurants, the streets are always packed and crowded. The buildings in Chinatown are squeezed together to provide accommodation to the growing population in Chinatown and were built in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (“Chinatown history,” n.d). The best time to go to Chinatown is during Chinese New Year. Celebration includes colorful lion and dragon dancers, martial arts demonstrations, food, games, merchandise, musicians, acrobats and Chinese cultural activities all day long that can be enjoyed by all New Yorkers including tourists.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Little Italy, 3 P.M.

North to Chinatown lies Little Italy. This neighborhood consists of Italian cultures among the stores, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Every year in Little Italy, there’s eleven days of festivals called the Feast of San Gennaro that celebrate the martyred 3rd-century and patron saint of Naples. “Watch the professionals in action at the cannoli-eating competition, and you won’t feel so bad about indulging in calorific treats from the food vendors. Make sure to return daily for live musical performances” (Picht, 2016).

Shop and Eat, 4 P.M.

One shop that hold a bunch of authentic Italian products in Little Italy is Di Palo Fine Foods. In there you can buy a range of delicious products from Fresh Homemade Mozzarella from Di Palo generations of family’s recipe, assortment of cheese, Robiola Bosina, “A Perfect, creamy blend of cow’s and sheep’s milk. Bosina’s rind is resilient enough to protect its interior while it ripens to a deliciously runny consistency” (“DiPalo’s featured products,” n.d), Olive Oil, Pasta, and Sausage to fully experience Italian cultures and its cuisine. You can also buy recipes of Italian cuisine from appetizers, pasta, soup, meat entrees, vegetable dish, to desserts like tiramisu.

Photo credit: DiPalo

Shop, 6 P.M.

There’s a budget-friendly and under-the-radar market called Nolita market North of Little Italy that sells array of women’s accessories such as pendants, graphic tees, purses, bags, totes, earrings, belts, and many more. It is well recommended to revisit the market every month to find new accessories from different vendors.

Dinner at Joe’s Shanghai, 8 P.M.

Soup dumplings or Xiao Long Bao in Chinese was from Nan Xiang, Shanghai and its symmetrical shape symbolize a pagoda. To savor this delicacy, go to Joe’s Shanghai in Chinatown ($6.25 pork only to $8.25 with crab meat served in 8 portions). Not only they served the most popular soup dumplings in New York, other special dishes to try are Spicy Szechuan Style Sliced Beef; Crispy Jumbo Prawns with Lime Sauce; Braised Duck; Braised Pork Shoulders; Wine Chicken; Shanghai Fried Bean Curd; Braised Sliced Beef. The famous Joe’s shanghai “Over the years, we have been named as Best Restaurant and awarded recognition by New York Times Restaurant Guide; Gourmet Magazine; Travel and Leisure; New York Magazine and Zagat Survey. We have been featured in many gourmet magazines in Japan as well as on the Japanese Fuji TV show” (“Joe Shanghai about,” n.d). This restaurant has a dark and dim ambiance with pink neon lights on the wall to brighten the place. The price value is great and adjusted to Chinatown’s price. Moderate to fast service and parties would be placed with other parties at the same table to clear the long line.

Photo credit: Foodographer

Nightview, 10 P.M.

Empire State Building is one of the greatest achievement in New York City, “The Empire State Building was a feat of American engineering, that remains one of the most visited attractions in New York for its spectacular 360-degree views” (Wright, 2016). Come visit The Empire State Building to enjoy the night view of the glamorous New York City at night located at 350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118. You can see the fascinating view of colorful lights in the streets of New York brighten and illuminate the dark sky. This is why New York City is nicknamed the city that never sleeps. The Empire State Building’s observation deck is open at 8 A.M. until 2 A.M. On Thursday through Saturday there’s a live saxophonist playing from 9 P.M. to 1 A.M. Ticket cost from $34 to $175 for the VIP and premium experience.

SUNDAY

Koreatown, 11 A.M.

Neighborhood with Korean’s culture that exists in the middle of Manhattan, on West 32nd Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue and Broadway. The businesses in Koreatown follow the same principle in Seoul, “the businesses in K-Town are all stacked on top of each other, because the Korean mindset is all about location, said Joseph Kim, whose father owns one of K-Town’s original restaurants, NY Komtang House” (Galante, 2011). This concept ensures a steady flow of customers. Businesses like restaurants, bars, karaoke clubs, and spas filled the streets of Koreatown. Tourists come here to enjoy the delicious Korean BBQ in New York, karaoke, and relaxing spas.

LODGING

Plaza Hotel Luxury

Ever want to spend time living in the same luxury hotel Kevin McCallister was in, in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York?” You can in the Plaza Hotel at Fifth Avenue at Central Park South. Every room in the hotel has 24-carat gold plating from the bathroom to the leg of a chair, picture and mirror frames. Kids, especially girls can stay in a pink covered room designed to live the life of Eloise.

Hyatt Centric in Times Square

Located at West 45th in the heart of Times Square, it is a great place to stay and enjoy the view of Times Square from the rooftop on 54th floor. There’s also a bar in 54th floor, a 24-hour gym, meeting rooms, spa inside the hotel to loosen up stress, and restaurant next door to satisfy your hunger. Crowded with nearby attractions in Times Square, this hotel has a great value and perfect to stay the night in.

Citation

Cote, D. (2016, June 10). Guide to Hamilton on Broadway. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/hamilton-on-broadway

Featured Products – Di Palo’s. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://dipalos.com/featured-products/

Galante, M. (2011, November 16). An Insider’s Tour Of Koreatown, A Slice Of Seoul In The Middle Of Manhattan. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://www.businessinsider.com/koreatown-new-york-2011-11

Mishan, L. (2016, September 29). At Joy Luck Palace, Dim Sum Amid the Chaos. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/05/dining/dim-sum-joy-luck-palace-chinatown.html

New York Chinatown History – New York. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://new-york-chinatown.info/chinatown-history/

Picht, J. (2016, July 18) Touristy spots in Little Italy that are actually good. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/touristy-spots-in-little-italy-that-are-actually-good?package_page=35203

Welcome to Joe’s Shanghai Restaurant official web site, home of Soup Dumplings. (n.d.). Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://www.joeshanghairestaurants.com/about_eng.html

Wright, T. (2016, March 23). Empire State Building. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from https://www.timeout.com/newyork/attractions/empire-state-building

Wright, T. (2016, March 24). Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Retrieved December 05, 2016, from https://www.timeout.com/newyork/museums/museum-of-modern-art-moma

Picture Credits

https://www.moma.org/images/moma_placeholder_image.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Dragon_in_Chinatown_NYC_Lunar_New_Year.jpg

http://dipalos.com/website/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/new-store-5.jpg

https://picturefood.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/img_0552.jpg