The New York Experience

KATIE STEVENS|SEPTEMBER 19,2018|PHOTO ESSAY

New York City is considered by some to be the capital of the world. It is one of the greatest financial, cultural, entertainment and culinary hotspots anywhere on the planet.  Having explored the city twice myself, I’ll take you through some of my favorite experiences in the city.

DAY 1

The Manhattan skyline is visible in the distance, just minutes from descent into the JFK airport.

The Manhattan skyline is visible in the distance, just minutes from descent into the JFK airport.

That same evening, we go to see Waitress, a Broadway musical. We wait in line outside of the Brooks Atkinson theatre. Later in the week we’ll go see Wicked, then Come From Away. It’s on my personal bucket list to see a show in each of the 41 Broadwa…

That same evening, we go to see Waitress, a Broadway musical. We wait in line outside of the Brooks Atkinson theatre. Later in the week we’ll go see Wicked, then Come From Away. It’s on my personal bucket list to see a show in each of the 41 Broadway theatres someday.

When the show lets out, it’s almost midnight. It should be pitch black and empty, but the streets are almost as bright and crowded as they are in broad daylight.

When the show lets out, it’s almost midnight. It should be pitch black and empty, but the streets are almost as bright and crowded as they are in broad daylight.

DAY 2

The next morning, we head straight for the Highline. A mile-and-a-half long elevated park that travels over a portion of the city.

The next morning, we head straight for the Highline. A mile-and-a-half long elevated park that travels over a portion of the city.

So close to central Manhattan, you can’t go half a block without encountering something famous.

So close to central Manhattan, you can’t go half a block without encountering something famous.

The Highline was built on old railroad tracks and refurbished into a beautiful, greenery-filled walkway.

The Highline was built on old railroad tracks and refurbished into a beautiful, greenery-filled walkway.

It is also an ideal place to have a picnic with family. Here we can see some kids playing in the water while their parents watch from a few feet away.

It is also an ideal place to have a picnic with family. Here we can see some kids playing in the water while their parents watch from a few feet away.

Some make use of it for transportation. There are stairways at regular intervals to disembark from the Highline and into the city below.

Some make use of it for transportation. There are stairways at regular intervals to disembark from the Highline and into the city below.

Someone has put down a sign, calling us out. We are, in fact, on our way to Chelsea’s Market. Chelsea’s Market is a popular tourist destination that lay at one end of the Highline, not to mention my favorite place to eat gourmet noodles.

Someone has put down a sign, calling us out. We are, in fact, on our way to Chelsea’s Market. Chelsea’s Market is a popular tourist destination that lay at one end of the Highline, not to mention my favorite place to eat gourmet noodles.

We pass some interesting modern art paired with a run-down building just before we reach the Market.

We pass some interesting modern art paired with a run-down building just before we reach the Market.

Our next adventure is a trip to the Guggenheim, a famous art museum.

Our next adventure is a trip to the Guggenheim, a famous art museum.

While the spiral shape of the building is fascinating, it might be the only part worth seeing for casual art observers. The content of the Guggenheim is often limited to just one main exhibit. A ticket to the MET is the same price, while the museum …

While the spiral shape of the building is fascinating, it might be the only part worth seeing for casual art observers. The content of the Guggenheim is often limited to just one main exhibit. A ticket to the MET is the same price, while the museum is almost 40 times as large and contains hundreds more exhibits.

DAY 3

No visit to New York is complete without at least one venture through Central Park. There are very few green spaces remaining in the city due to its high property value. As a result, the park is an important hub for birds and small wildlife.

No visit to New York is complete without at least one venture through Central Park. There are very few green spaces remaining in the city due to its high property value. As a result, the park is an important hub for birds and small wildlife.

An artist sells their work on a sidewalk near the park.

An artist sells their work on a sidewalk near the park.

We pass by three pairs of cops on horseback, and get lost twice, before finally making it to our objective: Wendy’s. Frostys are delicious anywhere in the country.

We pass by three pairs of cops on horseback, and get lost twice, before finally making it to our objective: Wendy’s. Frostys are delicious anywhere in the country.

Afterwards, we take the metro to Columbia, one of the eight Ivy League universities in the United States.

Afterwards, we take the metro to Columbia, one of the eight Ivy League universities in the United States.

The campus is gorgeous, like something out of a movie. We attend an informational lecture for prospective students in Alfred Lerner Hall, but only after strolling right past the building where the world-famous Pulitzer Prizes are awarded each year.

The campus is gorgeous, like something out of a movie. We attend an informational lecture for prospective students in Alfred Lerner Hall, but only after strolling right past the building where the world-famous Pulitzer Prizes are awarded each year.

DAY 4

It’s been said that you haven’t really seen New York unless you’ve left Manhattan. So, we took the metro to Brooklyn. At the base of the Brooklyn Bridge, we are quickly pulled in by some street performers.

It’s been said that you haven’t really seen New York unless you’ve left Manhattan. So, we took the metro to Brooklyn. At the base of the Brooklyn Bridge, we are quickly pulled in by some street performers.

Five men dance and flip for over half an hour all the while skillfully soliciting donations from their audience.

Five men dance and flip for over half an hour all the while skillfully soliciting donations from their audience.

Eventually, we walked the bridge back.

Eventually, we walked the bridge back.

The Brooklyn Bridge itself is an architectural wonder and attraction. It’s also constantly bustling with people: tourists, salesmen and natives alike.

The Brooklyn Bridge itself is an architectural wonder and attraction. It’s also constantly bustling with people: tourists, salesmen and natives alike.

An artist on the bridge “sketches” a building and lays out his wares to catch the eye of souvenir-seekers.

An artist on the bridge “sketches” a building and lays out his wares to catch the eye of souvenir-seekers.

I say “sketches,” because, if you look closely, that drawing is pre-printed and the so-called artist is just laying graphite over it. Not to mention that the building he is drawing is nowhere in our line of sight, nor does he have a reference image …

I say “sketches,” because, if you look closely, that drawing is pre-printed and the so-called artist is just laying graphite over it. Not to mention that the building he is drawing is nowhere in our line of sight, nor does he have a reference image to work off of. You’ve got to be careful in this city. Some of the greatest artists in the world call NYC home. So do the best scammers.

The Brooklyn Bridge is also famous for being the best place to get shots of the Manhattan skyline.

The Brooklyn Bridge is also famous for being the best place to get shots of the Manhattan skyline.

Each borough in New York City has a million things to do and see. Come visit and find your own favorites!

Each borough in New York City has a million things to do and see. Come visit and find your own favorites!


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