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I’m sure we’ve all heard people say even if you spend a lifetime in a city, you still won’t see all it’s sites. In New York, this is the truth. As a student in Brooklyn, I’m lucky enough to have more than just a weekend here. But even after three years of school in the city, I’ve barely experienced a fraction of what New York has to offer. New York is the great melting pot of the United States – an international community that somehow manages to be all-American. This diversity can be experienced in a simple walk from Wall Street to Chinatown, through Little Italy and SOHO, up to the NYU campus at Washington Square Park. No matter what you plan on seeing in the city, bring a good pair of walking shoes – there’s so much to see and it’s all nearby!
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Strangely enough, one of my favorite spots in the city is Central Park – the green oasis plunked down in the middle of the grid. If you’re visiting for the first time, you may want to spend more time elsewhere, but be sure to cut through a corner of the park. Some of my favorite spots in the park are Strawberry Fields (at West 72nd), the Bethesda Terrace, and the Belvedere Castle. SOHO, though completely commercialized nowadays, is still good fun with it’s cobblestone streets and quirky stores. Some of my favorites are Kate’s Papery (where you can find beautiful, if expensive, diaries, photo albums and all types of paper imaginable), the Scholastic Store (Harry Potter, Clifford, and many other literary favorites for the kids and the young at heart) and The Enchanted Forest (a tiny toy store packed full with trinkets, puppets and a life-sized tree).
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At Christmas time, be sure to check out the store windows on 5th Avenue (hop over to Macy’s as well!), the tree and ice-skating rink at Rockefeller Center, and any of the many Christmas shows – Radio City Music Hall, The Nutcracker at the Met, or A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Gardens. While it may be cold and crowded, late December is the most magical time of year to visit New York.
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If I were to plan a three day trip...
Friday: Fifth Ave, Empire State Building, Stage Deli, Times Square, Broadway Show
Saturday: Chinatown (Dim Sum), Financial District (Wall Street, City Hall), South Street Seaport (lunch), Battery Park-Ellis Island-Statue of Liberty, Little Italy (dinner)
Sunday: Washington Square Park, SOHO, Central Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Natural History
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If you love seafood, the Oyster Bar at Grand Central Station is a must. If there’s room, sit at the bar, and you’ll get to watch them make the chowders and stews. Out of the Delis we’ve been to, Stage is our favorite for their enormous sandwiches. Katz’s on the lower east side is an experience as well. Between West 4th and 23rd, Spice is an excellent Thai place, and Zen Palate is great for vegetarians and vegans – try their sweet potato fries.
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For a day trip to New York, buy a subway Fun Card. Even if the price has gone from $4.00 to $7.00, you’ll save money if you’re planning on seeing lots of sites. Then again, if you have a group of three or four, a cab may be your cheapest option.
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Published on Tuesday May 6th, 2003 by anna_moon
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