Enjoying the view of New York City from Governor Island
Enjoy unique and delicious shaved ice dessert called “Kakigori” at Bonsai Kakigori in Canal Market, Chinatown. Plus it’s an instagram worthy picture.
Enjoy unique drinks in New York City at Boba Guys, Chinatown. The drink that I ordered is called “Matcha Strawberry Latte”.
Enjoy a sunset/night view from the waterfront at the West side of New York City.
I went to the Metropolitan when I was first in New York in 2012. I remember after entering the heavy entrance doors the feeling of being overwhelmed. There were so many people and school groups. After my family and I got our tickets, going to see the actually exhibit was another overwhelming experience. There was just so much to see and different period rooms to explore. When I heard we going to go as a group, I was excited to go back to see the other exhibits I did not see last time. But so many things have changed since my last visit.
Ensemble autumn/ winter for 1984-1985 by Mugler, French
Evening Dress by Thierry Mugler
As we lead by Robert, the manager of food and beverage in the MET, he walked us through the Heavenly Bodies exhibit. There was the soft tones of organ playing in the background. I felt so peaceful even as the there crowds of people to weave through. It was organized chaos as people would just stop to take pictures or just stop to observe the exhibit.
Heavenly Bodies Exhibit
The Heavenly Bodies Fashion exhibit was probably one of favorites during this visit to the MET. I liked how they utilized the whole space to feel like we were in church.
Wood carving
Last week our class visited the former Domino Sugar Refinery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Once the largest and most productive sugar refinery in the world, this site has a rich history of significant growth and development of Williamsburg and the industrialization of the Brooklyn Waterfront. It contributed to the rise of New York City as a global economic powerhouse. Operating between 1856 and 2004, Brooklyn’s Domino Sugar Refinery was the last major active industrial operation on Brooklyn’s once bustling East River waterfront.
Domino Park was built as a tribute to the history of the site and dedicated to the diversity and resiliency of generations of Domino workers, their families and their neighborhood. There are many subtle and not-so-subtle nods to the locations past, including the actual refinery building and the syrup tanks.
On our way to Domino Park, we saw a mural being painted to advertise a movie. While we were there, we saw people of all ages having picnics and enjoying the sun with their children, their dogs, and their friends, while others were out for an afternoon jog. It seemed to be a place where everyone can feel welcome and accepted. Groundskeepers and other park-goers were eager to take a group photo for our class. I really enjoyed the friendly, easygoing atmosphere.
Before our class concluded, we had a bite to eat at Tacocina, a Union Square Hospitality taco stand that will be open year-round in the park. After spending a few hours walking in the sun, it was a perfect refreshment.
I enjoyed our trip to Williamsburg, and I enjoyed learning about the history of the location on the park’s website. I’m eager to tell my friends and family about it, and hopefully get to visit again soon.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
I really enjoyed my visit to the Met Museum on Tuesday with my Urban Tourism class. I was surprise that I enjoyed it so much because I always hate the idea of going to a museum. The Met is the largest art museum in the United State. Apart from its exhibition, the Met also host traveling shows throughout the year such as the famous Met Gala. According to Wikipedia.com, in 2016, the Met was the third most visited museum in the world with 7.06 million visitors.
Getting to the museum was easy for me. I took the number 4 train to 86th street and walk three blocks west to fifth Ave. The walk took approximately 10 minutes to the museum.
The museum was really busy but I did notice that they have staff all over the floor that is always ready to assist if you need assistance. They have an information desk with maps and brochures with information on special exhibits. I did also notice that they have a lot of gift shops especially in areas with special exhibits. I also notice that on the day of our visit there were a lot of school groups there as well.
I also did notice that the line to purchases admission tickets wasn’t really crowed. I did see people using the new kiosk the Met recently installed to get their tickets as well so maybe that’s the reason the admission lines wasn’t long.
Susan Jordan our tour guide was amazing. She was very knowledgeable about her job and she brings life to the exhibits in the way she passionately talks about each piece of artwork. The way she even explain the brush strokes on each art piece shows her passion for the arts. I was very intrigued by the story she shared with us about the Velazquez painting of his slave. It was very heart felt and have me looking at the artwork in a different light. I enjoyed the guided tour and I would only do guided tours at museums from now on.
The roof top garden was breathtaking. The view of the city was something to experience. I will have to go back on my day off with my family.
“Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” was my favorite area. I love fashion and the items that are on display are something to marvel at. Especially the piece by Yves Saint Laurent which is called “ Statuary Vestment For The Virgin Of El Rocio, ca 1985”. I believe this piece was the inspiration for many celebrities who attend the 2018 Met Gala such as Rihanna whose outfit was similar in design.
Overall this was a really good museum experience for me and I will definitely visit again.
Our visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art was amazing. We were welcome by Robert, who is a student of our college “The New York City College of Technology”. He helped us to get complimentary tickets. Because he is the Manager of the Dining Restaurant, he was able to show us the restaurant as well as the Roof bar and give us a little overview explaining how now they are adapting their service to serve not only members, but any guest.
The Dinning Room and the Rooftop
After that, we joined the highlight tour for over one hour and was really interesting. The guide Susan Jordan, indicated us how the Museum had over 5,000 years of art which was also mentioned on their website. She gave us an overview of the Greek and Roman Art, the art of Oceania as well as the room filled with a mural painting by Thomas Hart Benton showing America’s life. On the second floor, we saw the European Paining section were we saw some art from Van Gogh and finalized with a painting of Diego Velazquez. The guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and I made us feel very welcome and asked questions to make us feel part of the tour. I believe she was a very good guide.
 Some pictures of what we saw during out Highlights tour
The museum itself is quite big and I believe even an entire day might not be enough to see it all. For tourists that planned only 1 day to visit the museum, I would emphasize to have an idea of which section they want to go as it might be impossible to see it all in one day, In this way, by planning ahead, depending on people’s interesting it might be helpful to check their website as well. On their website, they have tips, maps and regular information about the museum and the collections they have.
Like the New York City Official guide states on their website, this museum has over 5 million visitors, for which is not a surprise because their collection it’s extensive and anyone can find something they might like. If is not sculptures, maybe paints, objects, or seasonal collections they always have. For example, when we were visiting the museum they had the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and Catholic Imagination” which is about fashion in relation with religion. Moreover, this museum is visited for people from all over the world as we could hear people talking in different languages and observe people from different nationalities. Even though the museum offer maps in different languages and have signs all over the museum, due to the size people find themselves lost and need guidance from what I could perceive. For this reason, the museum have information desks not only in the entrance, but throughout the museum and I found interesting the security people was also assisting the tourists to find their way.
Information desks
Transportation to the museum was not bad at all. I wish there was a train closer rather than taking the train and then the bus, which might be more difficult during the winter. However, as the museum is located by the Central Park it make it very convenient for tourists to visit this museum. The museum also has accessibility for people with disabilities which I found out very important to note. Overall, I felt really confortable and enjoyed our visit to the museum and fter the tour I actually had to go back again to the rooftop because the view was stunning. I believe this is one of the best museums I even being. I can easily spend days on it and will look forward to come back.
 Pictures I took when I went back to the Rooftop
References:
NYCgo.com Staff. (2015, August 23). These are the 5 Most-Visited Museums in NYC. Retrieved June 20, 2018 from https://www.nycgo.com/articles/the-big-5-most-visited-museums-in-nyc
The Met Fifth Avenue. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2018 from https://www.metmuseum.org/visit/met-fifth-avenue
I have been to DUMBO many times but did not notice this particular building . I noticed how most of the tourist in the area walked by the building like it was just an ordinary building. If you did not know the history of the building then anyone would walk by. When I used to be a tour guide it was hard to point out buildings at night since it was so dark. I wish I could have mentioned this building so it would be appreciated by tourist as well as locals who come by the area during the summer time. I like how the building was converted into livable space.
Eagle Warehouse & Storage Company- Arch
We as the class, took the ferry to North Williamsburg. I have always wanted to try the ferry to experience it. When I first read about it in the AM paper, I thought it was a great for locals to be exposed to more of our changing city. It will also allow tourist to experience more of New York City. As the summer is finally arriving, I believe that with the accessibility the ferry brings to areas that would be too far from the subway stations or long wait for MTA buses, it will allow more growth for those communities.
North Williamsburg
When we walked through north Williamsburg, it was contrast of old and new. I like how some of the community is still the brick and hollowed out factories, while others are the new transparent luxury apartments. I think it brings the neighborhood some character and sets its roots of how it used to be. I believe in a few more years the pictures we took during our trip and future trips will look completely different.
Manhattan skyline
As we reached Domino park, the scenery was amazing. I could see how the neighborhood would utilize this public space for the growing families that can afford the neighborhood or the walk to the park.
Walking in Domino Park
From the article provided in class, Domino park was designed to preserve the Domino factory pieces to enhance the park. It was designed by the same person who designed the High Line park. James Corner Field is a true artist to blend the industrial history with a modern twist. While exploring the park there was a water fountain for the visitors and even our furry friends. As we hydrate or drinking at Taco Chino, restrooms were either closed or not available until after a certain time. I did notice the outhouse trailers, but they were closed upon our visit. In the park there weren’t any actual restrooms built on the premises and with summer finally here, I wonder how that will work out with the young children.
Domino Sugar Factory
The Domino Sugar Factory building was probably my favorite building we discovered today. Even though it look haunted or truly abandoned, I can see the potential of what it could become. If the walls could talk there would be stories of tough times in the building and of its workers who endured the long hours. I really hope they stay true to their word and keep the building structure. I think it would a really cool office space one day. It would have the amazing views of Manhattan and glimmering East River below.
      On June 19th, 2018 our Urban Tourism class visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I had a wonderful experience, as we were lucky to have two of the MET’s employees gave us a guide: Robert from Citytech and Susan Jordan. Firstly, with Robert informing and guiding us through his job experience as a manager of the MET food and beverage department, gave me a lot of insight of how overwhelming his job might seem. However, he mentions that time management is something that will help him through his job and being quick with decisions was a plus. It was very interesting and eye opening after he informed us about his career experiences and how he attained his position in the MET. Susan Jordan our tour guide, was very informative and professional in explaining about different piece of art, such as: history, artists story, and what is was for. I feel like it was better to have a guide to give us information rather than looking it and interpreting about art ourselves because we may not be an expert in this field. And I noticed that Susan took a route that was following the map, the red line giving us the best way to walk through the museum.
Since the MET is a very huge tourist attract, as we all know, I learned about this museum by word of mouth. Word of mouth as such from our industry and from my sibling. I have been to this museum about four times, the last time I went was for a class where I had to pick an art piece from the Asian Art section to write a paper about. While we were in the museum, I saw many different groups of visitors, such as: group of families, school groups, kids, a wide diversity of people (I think most were tourists). I felt very welcomed as we were in a group setting and the two employees were very engaging and informing us and asking us questions. The annual visitors for the MET in 2017 was seven million people, according to https://www.metmuseum.org. As for the admission, it was free because the Professor paid for our trip? There is a suggested fee is up to you, if you are a student in New York City, Connecticut, and New Jersey. However, the general admission is $12 if the visitor is from outside of New York.
As for the travel to the MET, it was not too bad I took the 4 or 5 train route to 86th Street and walked 3-4 blocks toward Central Park. The museum was not hard to fine, due to its visibility from two blocks away and from the change in atmosphere. In the front of the stairs there are a bunch of steps, but for visitors with disabilities there are wheel chair accessibility in the entrances on 81st Street and 80th Street where the parking garage is. Within the museums there are also elevators, a lot of walking though (they might need a guide). The MET’s museums is user friendly and mobile friendly because it is easy to use. There is a lot of information on the art piece, if you would like to do an art paper. The website offers visitors many different types of activities happening in the museum and even future events. I think it would have been nice if we could change it to different languages, it will be easier for tourists outside of United States of America.
      I learned many new insights while I was in the MET. I learned that there were more than one food and beverage options in the MET, especially the Dining Room overlooking the Central Park(on the fourth floor). The members of the museum get to eat next to the windows. There are actually seven food and beverage options within the museum. Another thing I learned is that I never knew there was more that three floors because I haven’t had time to explore the whole MET museum. I never acknowledged about the rooftop outdoor scenery either (the Roof Garden Bar on the fifth floor). Third thing I learned is that the MET has a booklet of the upcoming events through certain seasons. This summer 2018, they featured The Roof Garden Commission: Huma Bhabha, We Come in Peace, which our class were able to witness. This sculpture is scheduled to be there from April 17- October 28, 2018. The art up there rotates throughout seasons and events. Lastly, I learned that the MET held show casings, as we were able to witness the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.”
The view at dumbo park is so beautiful.
sunset near the playground.
Lets take a ride on Jane’s carousel.
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