For our trip to downtown Manhattan, we started at the Staten Island Ferry Station. This station is used for many tourists because it gives them the opportunity to have an awesome view, including the Statue of Liberty without having to pay higher rates of a regular tour. This area is easily accessible by public transportation. Of professor reminded us that this area was the first settled by the Dutch when New York was founded due to the strategic location and today is the Financial District. For this reason, we experienced walking on the streets that were designed not in straight lanes, but waves because the purpose was to connect the land that was in the past. For this reason, downtown Manhattan has so much history that can be still observed nowadays.

For instance, we were able to see many historical buildings in this area and all within walking distance. First, we saw were used to be the settlement of the house of Elizabeth Ann Seton, now displayed as a shrine. We saw the sign outside mentioning she was the first born saint in America. We were also able to visit Fraunces Tavern, which had a plate outside indicating that after the American Revolution in 1783, George Washington had a farewell to his officers on the second floor of this building. Because of the it’s history, the building is a New York City Landmark as well as a National Historical Place. This is also now a restaurant/bar and a small museum on the second floor. We were also able to observed what it was the Canyon of Heroes, which is where parades and celebrations used to take place and ticker-tape used to be thrown from the buildings as there was no confetti back then.

 1- Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton
2- FravncessTavern
3-Sign on the Tavern
4-Area of the Canyon of Heroes

While we kept walking we reached the Bowling Green Park and Fence. Here our professor pointed out was where the statue of King George III used to be, but was removed by the Patriots pm 1779 as states on the sign on the fence. We also saw on the fence how the crowns on the fence were not anymore on the fence, because they were removed together with the statue.The Bowling Green Fence is a Landmark of New York.  In this same area we saw what is today the National Museum of the American Indian and National Archives New York City, where we could see the sculptures outside. As we saw these represents the different continents such as America, Asia, Europe and Africa. Furthermore, we saw the famous Charging bull statue where there were many tourists making a line for pictures. Very close to it, we also saw the new status of the Fearless girl which also called the attention of tourists.

 1 and 2- Bowling Green Park and Fence
3-sculptures outside the National Museum of the American Indian
4-Charging bull statue

We also passed by the The New York Stock Exchange, which is New York’s economical heart. Then, we visited the Federal Hall National Memorial. The building itself was stunning and had a Greek influence. George Washington took oath as the First President of the United States. There was no entrance fee and we were able to see the Bible used by George Washington. After that, we proceed to Trinity Church, but could only see it from outside because it was closed due to renovations. However, we visited the cemetery where Alexander Hamilton’s funeral was held and where his grave is located, but they were doing some maintenance on his grave .

 Trinity church

 1-The New York Stock Exchange
2-Federal Hall
3-Bible used by George Washington

Of course we couldn’t finish our tour in a better area than in the World Trade Center and Brookfield place. We had mixed feelings with sadness and joy. The Oculus looks beautiful from outside and inside. Of course the white represents peace and that is exactly the feeling I had. However, I’m not sure the shopping stores are appropriate in this place. In any case, we saw a lot of local and tourists in the area as it was a pretty sunny day. Nevertheless The Brookfield place was also beautiful with more shopping stores of well known brands such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry and others. However, this is also a nice place just to hang up and eat because their food court is quite big and have several options. The good part about it was the view and the outside seating area. You could easily go there just to enjoy the view. I did observe more locals and I was glad we finished there the tour with such a view in a sunny day.

 
1- The Oculus and One World Trade Center
2,3 and 4-The Brookfield place

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

When we left school for our field trip on June 12, I was really excited about the experience and to see in person what we discussed on class and read on articles. When we started walking down to Dumbo towards the ferry,  where we were able to see some historical buildings that remain there such as the The Eagle Warehouse which was part of the industrial area. As I read on the sign outside the building, it states that Frank Freeman was the commissioned to design this warehouse and the editor on this newspaper was Walt Whitman in the forties.

Outside The Eagle Warehouse in Brooklyn

We also observed how the Dumbo area was transformed from an industrial area and how manufacture buildings are now use for commercial and residential area. Once we got in the ferry station and took the boat to go to south Williamsburg, The view from the ferry was stunning and were were able to see the new Domino park from the boat.  Then, when we arrived in Williamsburg we saw how this waterfront area also changed with new residential buildings replaced industrial buildings. For instance, we observed the 184 Kent Avenue building that was also a warehouse build in 1914 and 1915 as stated on a signage they had outside the building. Now, this is a residential building, giving us again an example of the reuse they gave it to this building which is a similar concept of what they are doing with the refinery sugar.

184 Kent Avenue building

Another good example of the change in this waterfront area it is the new Domino Park build and their new plan for residential space. Once we arrive in the park, I was happy to see how they reuse the materials from the refinery sugar for the park which reminds me of the highline. However, when walking further in the new Domino park, we notice there were no signs providing further information of the importance of the material reused from the sugar refinery. For example, we knew the syrup tanks were salvaged from the sugar refinery only because we read it on the article from Susan Xu. Otherwise, there was no information on site that would tell us the history of it.

Moreover, as it was time for lunch, we had a chance to try some tacos from the new place open in the Domino park called “Taco Cina” which I like it. Of course, the line was quite big, but the overall experience was satisfying. I found out this place was very convenient for people who happened to be in the area and want something to eat like we did.

Taco Cino inside the park

Domino Park in Williamsburg

Furthermore, I have to say the park have a lot of seating area as well. Not only in the Taco Cino place, but also through out the parl. For instance, they have a Four-tiered steps that act as a seating option that reminds me of times square where people also use the steps as a seating option. Overall, I can definitely see the contrast in today’s waterfront areas and how the industrial and manufacture buildings were replace with new offices and residential buildings which is positive because we are reusing it the area and materials. However, I can see the downside of it on the increase of real estate in the area.