36 Hours in Astoria
by Patricia Green

In this diverse neighborhood, it is known for its restaurants, bars and nightclubs. You’ll find an energetic food, cocktail and bar scene.

Astoria, is a middle class neighborhood filled with different cultures and ethnic groups. These races and groups include Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics, Greeks and Italians. These differences bring a mixture to stores, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Astoria is always busy from the booming nightclubs to the rumbling train stations. There’s never a dull night in this neighborhood.

Friday
1. Go to the Market, 2 P.M.
Are you looking for fresh and tasty fruits? Visit United Brothers Fruit Market. There’s no point in going somewhere else in the area. You’ll pay for fruit and vegetables that aren’t really fresh. Come here! You’ll only pay .89 cents a pound for real apples and $1.29 a pound for real bananas. You’re truly getting your money’s worth. Next door you can even try a sample of the fresh apple juiced.
2. Check out the Pizza Shop, 5 P.M.
You’re in New York City you have to try out a pizza spot. Go to Antika, where they serve warm thin-crust pizza from a brick oven and family-sized portions of Italian slices. Their popular dishes are their Classic New York Round Cheese Pizza ($16) and Old Fashioned Grandma Style Square Cheese Pizza ($21). Another well-known dish is the Penne alla Vodka which is a Creamy tomato vodka sauce and crispy pancetta ($16).

3. Dining, 7 P.M.
Astoria is known for their restaurants, one being Don Conqui. Don Conqui is a higher-end Hispanic restaurant served at this upscale eatery featured with a lounge. For starters you can have Empanadas stuffed with Shrimp, Beef, Chicken, Vegetables or Caribbean White Cheese ($6), for the main course you can have Chicken and Rice ($20) and for desert Hot Fudge Lava Cake served with two cups of Ice Cream ($6). On Friday’s their bar is open from 3pm to 4am and kitchen from 3pm to 2am. This a great spot if you want to eat and then dance later on.

Saturday
4. Grab a bagel, 10 A.M.
Bagels on the Ave is a small and cozy shop that opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. everyday. This bagel shop will have your order done in no time. Their menu consist of bagels with a variety of spreads, burgers, quesadillas and salads. One egg and bacon on a bagel with a side of apple juice cost $7.25. They’re a bit pricey, but it’s definitely worth it.

5. Let’s see some art, 11:30 A.M.
Do you want to see some cool artwork? Visit the Museum of Moving Image. This museum showcases art, history, technique and technology of film, television, and digital media
through exhibits. On Saturday’s it is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The museum admission for adults (18+) $15, senior citizens (65+) $11, students with valid I.D. $11 and youth (3-17) $7.
In the video screening Amphitheater section it shows Computer Films of the 1960’s. The 1960’s was a time for the artistic use of the computer in the creation of moving images.

6. Burger time, 3 P.M.
Are you craving some fast food? Check out Petey’s Burger! They’re open on Saturday’s from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. This is a locally owned fast-food restaurant made with freshly made burgers, fries and shakes. It can be a bit pricey though. Cheese burgers are $5.25 with a side of cajun fries are $3.75 and drinks are $1.75.

7. Drinks and Games, 7 P.M.
Break and Bar Billiards is a great spot for drinks. They’re open on Saturday’s from 12p.m. to 4a.m. It’s a large sports bar with TVs for watching the game plus numerous billiards and ping-pong tables. If you want a relaxed night and still want to have fun, this is the perfect spot for you. Break offers several activities such as Billiards, Ping-Pong, Darts, Vintage Arcades, Foosball, and Hoops. Their cocktail menu consist of fresh break which is Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey, Triple sec and Sparkling Craft beer ($9, The Jacob Astor which is woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon, Maple Syrup and Peychauds Aromatic Bitters ($9).
Sunday
8. Let’s go shopping, 11 A.M.
Further down in Astoria there’s a store called Belief, which is a skateshop and clothing boutique, as well as a lifestyle apparel brand. They’re open on Sundays from 12p.m. to 6p.m. It’s a small store, so it helps you connect with the associate more and they can easily help you with want you want. They sell all different kinds of things such as, clothes, sneakers, furnitures and skateboards.
9. Relaxation, 1 P.M.
After such a long weekend it wouldn’t be right if you didn’t visit Astoria Park. This park has bocce courts, tennis courts, playgrounds, skateparks and tracks. This park even has New York City’s oldest and largest pool, which is 54,450 square feet. During the summer time they have events like movie night where they showcase different indie movies.

Lodging

Fairfield Inn by Marriott New York LaGuardia Airport/Astoria is a quiet and casual hotel. It’s has fitness facility, free WiFi, hot breakfast and airport shuttle. It’s know for its conveniency of limited free on-site parking and accommodations include budget-friendly amenities to help keep travel simple and productive. It also has easy access to all boroughs from Queens to Manhattan. It’s not too expensive, one night would be $124.

 

 

Extra credit:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SiIXFhY6fLOsBnYKNsN2fUjLiRo&usp=sharing

You can view my 36 hours submission here !

-Ginaira Sanabria

 

Time to dwell on new adventures and seek the greatest deals.Bringing you a taste of the globe, all found one train ride away- The city that never sleeps welcomes you.

Ever stayed a night in a fast pace city? If not, you should try it and New York City is that perfect city to experiment with . There is nothing compared to it. Diversity is at every corner, making this average-sized city into a huge melting pot. All five of the boroughs in this city, have a lot to offer. Want to grab some authentic Colombian food? Head to Queens. Want to feel closer to a rural area? Take the ferry to Staten Island. But if you fly over to New York City, Manhattan is the hot spot for visitors. It’s always been the one borough which intrigues travelers from all over the globe to visit. Offering visitors a feeling of the fast pace city while incorporating more cultures and subtlety educating travelers about our history is what makes New York City iconic.

Tuesday-

 

• Worms to Catch- 6:00AM ($20)

 

After having a good night’s rest from your flight the previous day, waking up early will be your main priority. In the Big Apple, the saying “ The early bird catches the worm” is true. A morning in Manhattan isn’t as unpleasant as the cinematic dramas make it seem. On the corner of Spring St and Sullivan Avenue a bakery called Dominique Ansel Bakery is located. This small shop , is home to the world famous Cronut.  The Bakery is owned by French Pastry Chef Dominique Ansel who serves creative & beautiful French treats (Treats and the cronut start at $6 each ). The line for cronuts from the Bakery starts around 7AM, but the shop does not open until 8 A.M. Weekdays don’t get as hectic as a weekend would, so even by 9 A.M. you’ll still be able to find cronut if you miss your alarm clock. Around the corner of the Bakery, the Vesuvio Playground is located. Making it a great place to sit and enjoy your breakfast from the bakery and play a game of tag with your loved one while you’re at it.

2. SoHo Art – 10AM

There are many areas where young and old artist express themselves. Fortunately, without having to travel all the way to Brooklyn to see that type of art, you are located near the start of SoHo. Art is not only encouraged but expressed in every form possible. Go window shopping around the area and you might see a designer or two walking around. Birchbox, a cosmetic store, is a pocket-friendly store. Offering a promotional deal, for you to build your own cosmetic box for only $15. This is great for all those who are into quality cosmetics but don’t want to pay the quality cosmetic price. Don’t be scared to walk into a store, just don’t use up all your money there because after an hour you’ll have to jump on the A/C/E train and head over to 42nd st.

3. Flashing Lights – 11:30AM

What is a visit to New York without stopping on the number one travel spot where the infamous Red stairs are located. Take a moment and sit on them, they are located on 48th st and Broadway. With the beautiful view of the morning sun shining through, you’ll be able to see the famous New Year’s Ball, that is patiently waiting for December 31st to come around. Lucky, Times Square still is not as full as it usually is around this time. Foot traffic in this area gets heavy around 1 P.M but you won’t stick around that long because it’s almost lunch time and you can feel that tummy rumbling.

4. Where to go, What to lunch?- 12:30 PM ($8-$20)

Move along the crowded but don’t follow them. Make your way onto 9th Avenue, otherwise known as the food avenue. Starting from 43rd st and 9th ave up until 56th st and 9th ave you will find all different types of foods. Cuisines such as American, Italian, Korean, Ecuadorian, Peruvian, and Thai foods are laid out in front of you but you’re in NYC and how can you go without having a slice of pizza. Two Boots in Hell’s Kitchen, although a franchise can satisfy that craving. This cheesy spot is not only creative with its aura but with its pizza too. Starting at $8 per slice, this pizza shop is totally worth the money and the scenery for those funky Instagram pictures. Not feeling like 9th Avenue is the place for you, head down to Gotham West Market located on 44th st and 11th avenue. This market is home to artisan vendors such as Corner Slice, UMA taqueria, Choza, Indie Fresh, Genuine, Ivan Ramen, The Cannibal, El Colmado, and Ample Hills Creamery. Each one of these pop-ups contain interesting options for those foodies out there to try. Prices here range from $10- $20 per meal.

5. Catch the Train – 2pm

A way to see the real new york is not by taking a yellow cab from site to site. Rather it is to grab a ride with their very interesting MTA Subway system. Head on over to the Grand Central station and grab the 6 train. Many stations have hidden unique areas of interest, you can catch almost any train and find something interesting on it, like our famous show time people. Seeing interesting New Yorker fashion and hidden art between stations like on the cross between Dekalb ave and Canal St is the norm here. The art you’ll see was created by Billy Brand, whom took a closed train station and made an exhibit called “Masstransiscope”. Or if you catch the 6 train and take it all the way downtown to the last stop, Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the most artistic abandon City Hall train station in NYC. This station holds a lot of cultural tourism in the sense that it provides a flashback to NYC advance train system. Not only that but this station holds a past many others can’t compare to. This station has tarred skylights, in order to have been protected from the outrage of World War II. The architecture of this station is truthfully amazing and breathtaking. There is huge amounts of attention to detail that craft this station into the most artistic one of all time. And you’ll get to see it all while sitting on the 6 train as it re-routes to go uptown.

6. Pit Stop- 3:40 P.M

Walk into your hotel suite, and throw yourself onto the bed. Take a moment and relax indoors. Being out all day can be heavy and you want to have enough energy for the nightlife that’s for sure. Catch a movie indoors or look through all your pictures and upload them onto social media. Start to get ready because the nightlife will start as soon as the sun begins to set. Make dinner reservations to TAO- Downtown, near Chelsea market and get ready to hit the night.

7. TAO & Games – 7PM

TAO: Downtown is a very modern hip restaurant with a great night-life scenery. Dishes here are perfectly executed and the restaurant can get filled rather quickly for its dinner service. It is mostly popular for its thematic buddha which is portrayed throughout the restaurant. It’s art on the walls, unlike the sculptures found in the front of the restaurant were created by Graffiti artist HUSH who collaborated with TAO to design the art in the Ink room along with the art in the Hush room. The food does not lag behind its upscale scenery, dishes such as Dim Sum, Sushi, Noodles and rice, and tempuras are the most mouth watering foods you can find in chelsea. After treating yourself to a great diner experience at a this Pan-Asian restaurant, get back on the train and head to St. Mark’s Place. Getting off at Astor Place and walking just two blocks to the Barcade for a night of American Craft Beer and vintage video games. Yes, I said vintage video games. This barcade is a spin off to the original bar located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The clientele for this bar is mostly young college students, considering the fact that NYU is nearby, so the night will definitely feel young.

Wednesday

8. New Museum – 11:30 A.M ($18pp)

After a fun night out, there is still much more to enjoy. A home is for free expressions not for first impressions, and being able to express yourself is what NYC encourages. NYC would not be as expressive and talented if they did not accept those with new ideas. The possibilities are endless, and that is exactly what the New Museum is based off on. Giving the opportunity to up-coming artist to display their art professionally. Take your camera because the exhibits here are at times photo-capturing worthy. Currently, the exhibition “Pipilotti Rist: Pixel Forest” is most popular and you can take an artsy picture in that room. This museum was categorized as one of the seven architectural wonders by the Conde Nast Traveler back in 2008, and still pulls both young and old crowded into its four floors filled with exhibits from artists of all over the world.

9. Lunch -2 P.M. ($20-$30)

The New Museum offers a good menu at their cafe found indoors, however Little Italy is just a block away.  Walk around in Little Italy, and find your way onto II Piccolo Bufalo. This Modern home like restaurant is a hidden secret in Little Italy. The food options are large but the food itself takes you back home to Italy, even if you’ve never been there! The Restaurant does offer brick oven pizza, and great service for sure. Sometimes groups of Italian people just go in to celebrate an event and you can hear their classic accent, setting the mood. New York City embraces every ethnicity because it is the backbone of who they are. Little Italy is an escape from your regular burger and fries, and gives you options that you would find in italy such as cannolis which are sold on almost every block.  Caffe Palermo, right across the street from Piccolo, provides you with your traditional Italian desserts along with American styled cheesecakes. After you’ve stuffed your face, there no time to waste you have to visit shops to take souvenirs back home.

10. StarStruck- 5 PM

The hipster wave hit New York City hard in 2014 and to this day it is still trending, making thrift stores very popular. Many small shops have taken advantage and became too expensive for the average shopper. Stores around popular areas tend to not have a huge variety for local fashionistas, but this one thrift store located on 47th Greenwich ave is a small shop with more than 1,000 options of clothing, shoes, scarves, jackets, and dresses. Zagat rated as a place to visit, I say it’s the one place you can go off and blow all your money.  However finding original prints and vintage stuff isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea. Another great place you can go to shop till you drop, is 14th st Union Square. Old standing bookstores like The Strand is what brings youngsters and old timers to Union Square. Like comic books? Forbidden Planet is right next to The Strand, take a walk around the shop. Not only will you find comic books but you’ll find collectibles and toys for anyone.

Lodging:

For those of you that are looking for a more economically friendly and satisfying stay The Marriott East Side Hotel provides you with great quality for a low price. Offering beautiful panoramic views of the city, this hotel is found on 525 Lexington Ave, 49th St. Luxury furnished atmosphere along with being just a walking distance away from shopping outlets and Times Square, this hotel starts at $165 per night. (https://goo.gl/KPHp6B)

Copy short URL

References:

Wells, P. (2014, February 11). Go West to Sample the World. Retrieved December 1, 2016, from

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/dining/restaurant-review-gotham-west-mark et-in-hells-kitchen.html

Weller, Chris. “The 25 Most High-tech Cities in the World.” Business Insider. Business Insider, 12 July 2016. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-high-tech-cities-in-the-world-2016-6/#25-washington-dc-1

Young, M. (2014, August 27) The Top 10 Secrets of the NYC Subway. Web 01 Dec 2016

http://untappedcities.com/2010/09/26/touring-the-old-city-hall-station/

 Young, M. (2014, August 27) The Top 10 Secrets of the NYC Subway. Web 01 Dec 2016 http://untappedcities.com/2014/08/27/top-10-secrets-of-the-nyc-subway/7/

Explore the wonders of New York! (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2016, from

http://www.nyctourist.com/new-museum-of-contemporary-art

Caffe Palermo, New York City – Little Italy – Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews – TripAdvisor. (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2016, from

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60763-d527499-Reviews-Caffe_Palermo-New_York_City_New_York.html

Barcade® | 148 West 24th Street, New York, New York 10011 | 212-390-8455. (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2016, from

http://barcadenewyork.com/

Explore the wonders of New York! (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2016, from

http://www.nyctourist.com/new-museum-of-contemporary-art

TAO Downtown. (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2016, from  

http://ny.eater.com/venue/tao-downtown

36 Hours in Red Hook

By Gabriel Negron December, 7, 2016

Red Hook is located in a southwest corner of Brooklyn, and is riddled with a history that deserves being shared. What could once be described as the scenery of any mob movie one could think of is now a very multicultural and art inspired neighborhood. This area of the brooklyn waterfront is on the rise and with the introduction of many new restaurants , art studios , and trendy apartment complex’s it is still an uncovered diamond in the many attractions the newly discovered Brooklyn has to offer. Different from the rest of Brooklyn Red Hook is a slice of rural and urban life fused together.

Friday

1.  Travel in a small neighborhood 3pm

If choosing to stay in a more populated part of Brooklyn fear not because travel to Red Hook is not as difficult as one would expect. New York is well known for how easy it is to travel without a car. With option such as a free shuttle bus to and from Downtown Brooklyn courtesy of Ikea as well as The B57 and B61 which travel through both the outskirts and the very heart of Red Hook. While looking outside on any one of these travel options one can see spectacular views such as the Manhattan Skyline, the Statue of Liberty, abandoned docks, and functioning docks. A first stop could be located at the end of Van Brunt street directly behind the long standing Fairway Market.  The market offers a cafe seating area only two feet from the Hudson River where many come just to relax and enjoy the full service buffet, grill , and cafe Fairway has to offer. The grill offering Fairways famous Lobster roll($9.99) where customers from all over brooklyn come to enjoy.

2. Dinner in Thailand 7pm

With such a diverse community the food scene had to adapt to the growing palettes of its different potential community. Kao Soy is a must visit Northern Thai style restaurant one of its famous dishes is the Yum Som-O- a pomelo watercress and shrimp salad, garnished with Roasted Chile and baked coconut flakes. Also the crispy Half Duck served with Coconut Milk Green Curry many would feel as though they have traveled to another region with the authenticity of the food as well as the purity of the taste and the ingredients.

3.Adult Chocolate @ 10p

For a sophisticated night outing Cacao Prieto is a single origin Dominican Beans to bar facility. Making the freshest organic Dominican sourced chocolate using Cacao based liqueurs and rum as well as bean to bottle spirits. The founder Daniel Prieto Preston whose family has been farming Cacao for over 100 years.  They offers tours of the facility where they show how they create from the Cacao bean and along with the tours are offered tastings of some their product and all products are available for purchase. With chocolate bars ranging from $8-$17 dollars and a different percentage of Cacao  some even containing complementing fruit infusions and the staff is more than happy to offer pairing suggestions with in house spirits ,rum, and liqueurs.

Saturday

4. Sunrise 7am

Boasting amazing views of the Manhattan Skyline Valentino Pier is a go to destinations for its scenery. With a dock that extends about 200 feet out into the water it’s as if there is nothing but you and the sunrise as you are hit with its rays in the seemingly eternal 10 minute sunrise, the tranquility of the rivers waves along with the quietness of the seemingly nocturnal New York this is truly a part a Red Hook and Brooklyn not many get to see. Right outside of the pier is Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies offering made from scratch Key Lime Pies that people from all over the U.S. come to taste. Not only do they serve regular Key Lime Pie but they offer a Swingle which is a frozen 3 inch pie cover in chocolate and smeared with raspberry jelly on top of the Key Lime creme.

5. Baked In Brooklyn

After an early morning of watching the sunrise coffee is a must and what better place than Baked an American bakery where each product is made on site from scratch. With a modern style decor using warm tones and wood counters and tables there is not a place more cozy to enjoy your mornings. With dishes such as a Sourdough Pullman toast with toppings such as avocado, zucchini chutney, herbed ricotta, and to top it off a sunny side up egg. The floor to ceiling glass door and entrance give customers the chance to check on the arrival of the B61 bus that stops right outside providing an additional service to customers in a rush to work.

6. Cultural Education 12p

Pioneer Works is a studio offering a variety of cultural classes from, music, art, and cooking and uses these tools in order to showcase the talent of others and educate and bring  together people of different backgrounds. The Polyrhythm I course is what is being offered at this time and is taught by a Native New York Drummer(Greg Fox) teaching beginners and seasoned drummers alike on how to use the drums and educating them on Polyrhythm. His course is centered on recognition and accepting that everybody lives according to their own rhythm.

7. Brooklyn Waterfront Artist @ 5p

Located in a enormous 19th century brick warehouse The Brooklyn Waterfront Coalition of artists is home to many local artists and holds annual art shows and auctions helping support artists and the community. With art styles such as geometric abstracts, portraits, sculptures, and photographs the Coalition has yet to fail in please guests who have come to show support in their appreciation of art. What better place to showcase the progression of artist than in a remodeled brick warehouse used in the exports and imports of goods no further than 70 years prior.

8. Night Life 10p

If live music, great drinks, and and indy like vibe are what you are looking for , look no further than Sunny’s Bar. New Remodeled after being hit by Hurricane Sandy Sunny’s has remained its same family owned bar offering many local beers and quality hospitality and customer service to locals and newcomers alike. Offering many different types of music such as Jazz,Folk, Country, and Rock though the bar has an old sailor themed decor the crowd at night are filled with people of all ages. Many leave here boasting a night they will never forget.

Sunday

9. Who doesn’t like a diner  9am

When in Red Hook Hope and Anchor is a stop you won’t regret having been open for more than 20 years it is a place for families, friends, and recovering partygoers from the previous night. With an all day menu even at 9am one can order their famous Red Hook Burger topped with Cheddar cheese, crispy bacon , and grilled caramelized onions($8). For the kids they have a separate menu and offer the often sought after Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Powdered sugar and a Hot Chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows.

10. Local Boutiques

Before leaving you must bring back something from the many boutiques  riddled up Van Brunt street. From bike shops, to jewelry stores, to clothing, and even home decor Van Brunt has it all. The Erie Basin is a local jewelry shop containing vintage and antique jewelry and being serviced by Russell Whitmore who is famed in the neighborhood for his knowledge on his antiques the quality of the service is unforgettable . Instead of feeling pressured to purchase something you leave with a sense of knowledge on the antiques.

Lodging

Staying in New York  

In December $348/night ( economy) $622/night (Luxury)

January $138/night ( economy) $333/night (luxury)

February $139/night (economy) $339/night (luxury)

36 Hours in Manhattan,

Upper West Side

By: Eduardo Sierra

                                               

New York City’s, Upper West Side is filled with some of the best restaurants and it gives off a positive unified neighborhood vibe that is hard to come by in such a busy city.

Skyline of the Upper West Side

New York City is known for its busy and hustling pedestrians, as well as the gargantuan skyscrapers that overlook the rest of the world.  The Upper West Side is separate from the rest of New York City it seems.  The Upper West Side has two of the most beautiful parks New York has to offer, Central and Riverside Park.

Friday

1.  Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, 3pm

The Cathedral is a massive building with so many artistic touches on the facade and walls of the Cathedral.  It spans from 110th to 113th street on Amsterdam Avenue.  The architectural design is Romanesque Revival and Gothic Revival.  The material used is stone, granite and limestone.  It has a wonderful interior and holds services 30 times a week.  People of all faiths come to visit in awe and wonder to this magnificent Cathedral.

2.  American Museum of Natural History, 6pm

The Upper West Side is an absolute melting pot of cultures and races and customs.  There are many innovative places that show how time is making New York City more and more futuristic and technologically superior, but few places take you back to where civilization started and how life was like in the past.  The exhibits show extinct animals, African mammals, and a Butterfly conservatory.  The Natural History Museum offers a walk through all different types of cultures and unifies all cultures within the exhibits.

3.  Shun Lee West Chinese Restaurant, 9pm

To end the day on the Upper West Side few restaurants compare to the quality of Shun Lee’s authentic Chinese cuisine.  Shun Lee is famous for its Beijing Duck which is served with pancakes with scallion and hoisin sauce.  Shun Lee offers an elegant dining room with great decor and overall amazing food.

 

Saturday

4. Silver Moon Bakery Breakfast, 7:30am

Quite possibly the most iconic bakery on the Upper West Side, Silver Moon offers a wide variety of traditional breads, cakes, tarts, and pastries.  Silver Moon Bakery is a great way to start the day.

5. Riverside Park Biking, 9:30am

The wondrous views of the Hudson River can be viewed best by bike riding along the bike path next to the river.  The view of New Jersey and the water is absolutely breathtaking. Not many views can compare to this.

6. Nicholas Roerich Museum, 12pm

The Nicholas Roerich museum is a three floor townhouse that has a 200 art collection of Nicholas Roerich’s work.  Roerich is a Russian born artist, whose artwork consists of naturalistic scenes on the Himalayas.

7. Central Park, 2pm

Central Park is the most visited park in the world and the most filmed park in the world.  This in itself shows how much of a wonderful place it is.  Central Park offers amazing views, different type of nature and animals, and seasonal activities for all kinds of people of all ages.

8. The Mermaid Inn, 4pm

The Mermaid Inn is famous for its lobster rolls and deep fried oysters, making it an amazing place to have a late lunch.  The Mermaid Inn offers the classic New England staple dishes for New Yorkers craving that seafood shore experience.

9. Shops at Columbus Circle, 6pm

Columbus Circle, shopping center is filled with different shop and stores and restaurants.  There are many different things to do inside.  Shop for clothes and enjoy a nice coffee and pastry from Bouchon.  The shops at the Columbus Circle shopping center is definitely worth visiting if fashion and pastry shops are your thing.

10. Smoke Jazz Club and Lounge, 9pm

The Smoke Jazz Club and Lounge is a small place that has Jazz musicians play while offering a drinking and dining experience.  This place is elegant, but can crowded, so a reservation is highly suggested.  Despite the name, smoking is not allowed inside of the club.

Sunday

11. Absolute Bagels, 9am

Absolute Bagels is ABSOLUTELY delicious.  The lines that form in this place are just extremely long, but the wait is worth it.  The bagels are made fresh everyday and toasted to perfection.  Getting here early is crucial so you can get that perfectly crafted bagel and enjoy it inside with the limited seating.  

12. Fireman’s Memorial, 12pm

This monument is sculpted beautifully and was dedicated on September 1913.  The city’s mayor and the fire commissioner, along with thousands of firefighters come to the memorial to honor their fellow comrades.  

36 hours in Brooklyn 

Friday

5pm: Go eat dinner at “La Villa”. 

Best pizza in the hippest place in Brooklyn; Park slope. La Villa has wide variety of Italian food, made freshly and delicious. They have many other locations that are decades old, and although the “La Villa” located at Park Slope was opened in the early 2000s, they are well experienced in what they do, you will feel the comfort and warmth of the family owned business the second you walk in. And theres no need to dress all fancy for a five star dinner, you can go in casual and certainly get that five star experience with a very reasonable price for high quality food, you definitely won’t spend more than $15 for a great meal.  

8pm: FRO-YO for dessert.

Located just 2 block a snack shop dishing up fresh & frozen yogurt, made on-site. This place is called “Culture” an american yogurt company. They are known for their fresh and natural ingredients, and having unlimited toppings, and flavors for a great price. It’s also located in front of a park, so once you grab your fro-yo and go for a calm walk to the park and relax in the turf, the swings, or even, just sit in a bench.

10pm: Bar-Hop! 

Park slope is famous for their pubs, and bars. There is legit a bar in almost every block of park slope. A basic neighborhood bar with a twist: this no-frills spot has a big craft beer offering that are usually hard to find & an appealing patio that are pet friendly! (located on the same block as culture) And its called “The Gate” . There are many places, especially bars that take “no pets allowed” very seriously, but not this place. With a great view and being able to bring your dog while having a drink, that is a great way to end your night right there. This place is also well known for their great vibes as soon as you walk in.

Saturday

10am: Breakfast in the “New Apollos”

If you’re hungry for variety, The new Apollo Diner is the right choice. Their menu is very extensive, so there is something for everyone, even the picky eaters. They offer everything from perfectly made-to-order steaks, to authentic greek dishes and low calorie options for those traveling and still dieting, but if your looking for just plain ol’ breakfast, they offer almost every breakfast meal you can think of without clearing your bank accounts, The new Apollo has great prices for their food.

Noon: Take a walk to Dumbo!

With a free waterfront access that shows a great view, art everywhere and delicious food spots, DUMBO is the place to go. A small, walkable neighborhood that is a bliss to explore on foot, you’ll come across many restaurants and little shops. For  quick bite, there is a delicious famous pizza spot named Juliana’s located across the street from the waterfront. But if your looking for something more traditional to do while at dumbo, right on the corner of Old Fulton and Front streets is the famous Grimaldi’s, the boroughs best coal-oven pie.

 3pm: A small trip to Williamsburg!

Known for the hipster shops, restaurants and bars Williamsburg continue to hold on to that amazing fact. Mostly enjoyable for the younger crowd, there is no doubt that an adult would enjoy visiting there. The first place you wanna do is go thrift shopping at Monk Vintage (located in 496 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211)

6pm: “THE MEATBALL SHOP”

Lots of meatballs plus Italian comfort food in a no-frills setting on Williamsburg’s main drag. Located on 170 Bedford Ave. The meatball shops have many mix and match plates, variety of what kind of meat you want for your meatballs, all for under 12$.  Its small, and usually crowded at night but its worth the wait, its normally no more than 10 minutes.

10pm: BARCADE!

Looking to drink and have fun? Then go to Williamsburg unique vintage arcade bar. Located at  388 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Cool chill spot. Lots of games to choose from. Wide selection of beers on tap, they also offer bar snacks, but no meals here. They have an atm, you have to exchange your cash for the machine specified coins. 4 for a $1, and most games are 50¢. 4 stars because some of the machines ate my coins. 

Sunday

10am: Breakfast at Lincoln Station

Looking for a simple coffee with a yummy sandwich, well stop by Lincoln Station, where theres a welcoming staff, and great food. Its a cozy little spot located couple of blocks from the Brooklyn Museum.

Noon: Last but not least, lets visit The Brooklyn Museum.

Located just on the west side of Prospect Park, at the Brooklyn Museum you can explore an extensive and comprehensive permanent collection that includes ancient Egyptian masterpieces, African art, European painting, decorative arts, period rooms, and contemporary art. You can take the 2 or the 4 train to Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum.

If you do decide to visit Brooklyn, You can stay at the Marriott New York at the Brooklyn Bridge (333 Adams Street; 718-246-7000; marriott.com) offers comfortable rooms and easy access to bus and subway. A deluxe room is $166 US/per night.

36 hours under 59^th St.

Genesis Herrera

 

Friday

12:00 pm: Bryant park ice rink something that many people don’t know is that this beautiful ice rink is transformed from a grassy landscape into a beautiful land in two weeks every year. Entrance is free and if you bring your own skated you do not have to pay anything at all you can of course rent skates if you don’t have any skates and it costs $20.00 you can also get express skate which means you don’t have to wait on the line at all and you can just go right in. It is a great experience to this especially if you want to try something new for the first time or just for fun you just have to be careful.

3:00pm: if you are in the mood for a light snack that is delicious and full of flavor and don’t want to waste to much money Fried Dumpling Chinese dumpling joint is the place to go they have amazing dumplings and they cost 5 for $1.25

5:00pm a refreshing cup of Vivi bubble tea is always good with all their different flavors and toppings of bubbles, grass jelly, coconut jelly, pudding etc. my personal favorite is Peach Pulp tea with coconut jelly.

7:00pm After a long day when you are getting hungry a great place to eat is Cutting Board the food has great taste and very inexpensive a must try for appetizers are here is the Fried Crispy Calamari and Cheese Fries on Board. After that another good thing to try would be Teriyaki Chicken Udon Soup especially in this cold weather it will be delicious or even Linguine with Seafood and for desert a green tea molten chocolate cake with ice-cream tops the meal off. A dinner for two is about $40.

 

9:00pm: What is the best way to end the night than by going to an arcade and having a good time challenging people to beat your scores in games in Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center. Its great place to go with friends and have fun and to be able to win prizes. It stays open till 2 in the morning so you can stay there for a while especially if you like this kind of stuff.

 

Saturday

8:00am: start off with a breakfast at Denny’s with the Cinnamon Pancake Breakfast with a big glass of orange juice to get energy to have a great day and relax while you are there and enjoy your meal. Breakfast for one is about $10

12:00am: Continue your day with a nice long walk on the Brooklyn Bridge and see the beautiful scenery of NYC. See all of the little stands that are by the bridge and enjoy all the different cultures that you are experiencing in a small place with so many different people. When you get to the end of the Brooklyn bridge you can then go to the Brooklyn Waterfront and explore it and enjoy everything that there is around there like the carousel and take a seat on the grass and have a small picnic its cold but not to cold to enjoy something like that especially if you are with friends.

5:00: A trip to NYC is not complete if you do not go to Time Square and enjoy all the lights especially at night when everything looks like a magical place and the red steps which are always shown.

 

Sunday:

4:00pm: Rockefeller Center go see the beautiful Christmas tree and window shop and just enjoy the December weather since it has not been cold at all. Enjoy a hot dog from a cart or a pretzel with a coffee.

 

9:00pm: For some time, people have talked about the Governors Island Hammock Grove and how it should also be in other parts of the city and it has come to be a reality there are now public hammocks in front of the Flatiron building they are large arches with LED lights that make them sine beautifully at night and make you see the city in a different perspective.

 

 

 

 

By Jessica Balatucan

New York City, the city that never sleeps, is one of the most busiest city in the world. There are so many significant landmarks that tourist from around the world would come to visit. Manhattan is culturally diverse ranging from the different types of food to the high quality fashion. It is a fast paced city full of hustling people of many different backgrounds. With a cluster of cultural integration; including arts, food, etc.

Friday 

1. Time Square 9 p.m.

Time Square is known for its bright advertisement, big billboards and we can’t forget about the lights. So what other time to experience Time Square other than the night. There are so many attractions in Times Square that you can spend the rest of the night exploring. Lets head over to the Hard Rock Cafe NYC and get some grub. It’s a cafe that displays many musical relics from famous musicians where you can learn about the history of some of the greatest artists and eat while you’re surrounded with the original rock music. Getting hungry? Why not try the Original Legendary Burger, for $12.55.

Get your geek on and head on south to hit Midtown Comics Time Square. It’s where comic book lovers and anime lovers come to buy different types of merchandise as well as checking out the different types of comics that are rare. It is a place to relax and pick up a comic or a book from your favorite fictional characters and stories. If you’re a sweet lover, theres also a M&M world and a Hershey world.

 

Saturday

2. Grand Central 7 a.m.

Not a morning person? Lets head to Joe Coffee at Grand Central and get yourself a Ethiopia coffee. Grand Central is one of the most famous landmarks in Manhattan. It displays art, statues, and even has some stores and restaurants inside. Theres a huge amount of commuters that travels in and out of the terminal everyday.

3. Bryant Park 8 a.m.

Start walking west and you’d hit Bryant Park. Bryant Park is one of the many park that manhattan has to offer and holds a lot of events such as food events, game events, and art events. The park also contains a garden, monuments and the New York Public Library – Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. They have a reading room that allows people to freely read books without spending money there. The creation of the library was inspired by the depression era, where people had no money and sought out forms of entertainment.

4. Brooklyn Bridge 10 a.m.

Take the train to the Brooklyn Bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge is symbolic to the world. It is the first complex bridge in the city. There is so much history so why not walk across the bridge and enjoy the view. After all that walking, stop by the Potbelly Sandwich Shop and have yourself a scrumptious sandwich, $9, with a freshly baked cookie, $1.50, and a refreshing beverage of your choice. Our next stop is the Brooklyn Cat Cafe where you can pet cute and furry kittens for just $5 per half hour per person. Your heart will melt by spending time with these adorable fur-balls.

5. Brooklyn Bridge Park 12 p.m.

The Brooklyn Bridge Park isn’t a far walk but if you’re tired of walking, you can also take the train. The park has so much to offer. You can talk a walk, relax at the gardens, play some sports at Pier 2, take a ride at Jane’s Carousel, or even admire the beach at Pier 4.  Try a scoop of ice cream at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory

6. Rockefeller Center 3 p.m.

Rockefeller Center is a big tourist spot because during December, they put up a christmas tree and tourist form around the world would come just to watch the lighting of the tree. There is also so many amazing dishes to try and stores to check out such as Radio City, Nintendo NY, and the LEGO Store. A gamer fan? Check out Nintendo NY and check out the history of the game counsel. Theres also merchandise, plushies, and you can even try out some games that they offer for free. The LEGO Store also offers some extraordinary lego displays as well as being able to build your own lego toy. Rockefeller Center also has an outdoor ice skating rink thats $35 for adults and $12 for children and seniors.

7. M.O.M.A. 5 p.m.

M.O.M.A., the Museum Of Modern Art, displays various types of art pieces that may have been influenced through modern society or technology. Art pieces including photograpghs, illustrations, abstract, statues, paintings, etc. General Admission is $25, $18 for seniors, and free for children.

8. Soho Noho 6 p.m.

Head over to Soho and take a stroll around Broadway. It may be a bit too pricey but a little bit of window shopping won’t hurt anyone. Soho holds some of the highest rent in Manhattan. There are various luxurious apartments, restaurants, and shopping areas. There are a lot of famous people living in Soho and it is known to have a lot of artists living there. Start walking north and you’d hit the Evolution Store. The evolution store is a place with collections of exotic specimens and arts in regarding organisms.

9. Union Square 8 p.m.

Keep heading north, and you’d see Ippudo, where they sell ramen, for $15 per bowl. Not too far is Union Square. Union Square is a park with gardens, monuments, and a dog park. The park is surrounded by organic supermarkets, like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, shopping outlets, and book stores such as the huge Barnes and Noble, the Strand Bookstore, and Forbidden Planet. People can play chess and there is always a street performance to keep you entertained. There is also the holiday market, where they sell many festive items relating to the upcoming holiday. Union Square is a nice place to get yourself a book from any of the book stores it offers and relax at the park during the day, and party at night at Webster Hall. If partying or concerts isn’t your thing, you can also watch a movie at AMC Village 7 or at Regal Union Square Stadium 14.

Sunday 

10. Battery Park 7 a.m.

Relax and enjoy the view at Battery Park. The park has many things to offer. Theres an urban farm where they educate the public about sustainable farming. Theres a SeaGlass Carousel in which people sit in and float around. Theres also a Labyrinth which is a garden with a stone pathway that visitors come to enjoy the scenery. Also the Peter Minuit Plaza is within battery park and hosts weekly green markets, flea markets, and other events.

Lodging

Modern Condo in Midtown

$150 per night

 

Resources:

http://www.hardrock.com/cafes/new-york/menu.aspx

http://www.thebattery.org/things-to-do/food/

http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/park

http://www.joenewyork.com

http://www.hardrock.com/cafes/new-york/

http://www.history.com/topics/brooklyn-bridge

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/205043?s=W6_HaHlD

http://www.bryantpark.org/things-to-do/grounds.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8451853/10-facts-about-Times-Square.html

http://www.nyctourist.com/grandcentral1.htm