New York City is a city of dreams. There is something for everyone. It doesn’t matter what your interests are, just about every person on the planet has at some point or another, seen a movie that was at least partially filmed in New York which they love – or can relate to.
The city can be overwhelming at times though, seeming too big and no idea on what to see first or how to get there. One of the best attributes of the City is that it has one of the best mass transit systems in the world; utilizing boats, busses, subways and trains, all of which can take you to every place that you want to see.
New York can be expensive, very expensive infact, but if you know where to go, you can see a lot for almost nothing! Here’s a list of the ten unique things to do while visiting New York on a budget, and most of them you can do all in one day! Amazingly, you’ll find that even some people local to The City may not even know about some of these locations!
Photo Credit Mashable.com
The Two Story Waterfall
When you start your day, nice and early, head on down to 2nd Ave and 51st, grab a cup of coffee or tea from Starbucks or Morning Star Café and then make your way down 51st to Greenacre Park. It’s on the North Side of 51st, and it’s small, so pay attention or you’ll miss it. Here at the back of this small park you’ll find a two story (25 foot) waterfall endlessly pummeling water down, creating a beautiful mesmerizing sound. Take a seat, pull out your paper or e-reader and catch up on the news. You’ll find many a local here doing the same exact thing. It’s a great people watching spot, but more importantly a beautiful way to relax and gear up for the day ahead. Be warned though, time passes more quickly here than in other places, and before you know it you can find that it’s already noon and you’ve wasted precious hours of sightseeing time.
Photo Credit NycGo.com
The Berlin Wall
If you have any love for history and the crazy things humans have done to each other over the years then you know of the disaster that was The Berlin Wall. While the people of Germany were finally able to bring down a wall separating their country’s citizens, the wall pieces were destroyed or sold off to anyone who wanted them. After the wall fell, the city of New York bough part of the wall, five pieces, and they are on display for everyone to see them in a remembrance to the strife people went through for peace. Together the pieces are 12 feet tall and about 20 feet long, complete with the original spray paint graffiti. You’ll notice the work by German artists of Thierry Noir and Kiddy Citny which cover what was the western-facing side. However, on the eastern side, it remains a blank slab of concrete, a reminder of just how oppressive the political regime in the former East Germany could be. To some, at first it would seem this artifact appears to be just another random public mural; and it will go largely unnoticed daily by the office workers who sit in the park on their lunch break. If you want to see and touch a piece of history, head down to 520 Madison Avenue.
Photo Credit marchouliston.com
The Staten Island Ferry
Everyone wants to see Lady Liberty – the Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by France as a thank you and a sign of friendship between our two peoples. Well, come to 2015, and there is a waiting list to get tickets to go to see her. Once you get tickets though, you’ll need to wait an additional hour or two in line just to catch a boat ride over to Liberty Island. If you want an alternative, then consider the Staten Island Ferry. While it won’t stop at Liberty Island it cruises straight past allowing for some full camera shots, when you get to Staten Island the boat turns back around, and heads straight back to lower Manhattan offering the perfect NYC Selfie Spot with the skyline in the background. Remember, the best shots can be taken morning through mid-afternoon, after that she becomes backlit due to the sun setting behind her. Oh, did we mention that the Staten Island Ferry runs every 30 minutes, or that it is FREE? It sure beats paying $28 per person to wait in for hours to go to Liberty Island!
Photo Credit: The AMAZING Robert Fung! (Thank You!)
Main Street Park in Brooklyn
If you like having the sights of NYC in your selfie then I recommend jumping on an “F” train to Brooklyn and getting off at the York Street Station. From here, walk North along Jay Street 3 blocks till you reach Plymouth and then head West two blocks and you’ll find yourself under The Manhattan Bridge at Main Street Park – often referred to as “Brooklyn Bridge Park.” Here’ you’ll find an amazing view of lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge which is often used in movies and TV shows. It’s also yet another perfect spot for a selfie, one to make all your friends’ uber jealous. The photo above was taken by the amazing professional photographer Robert Fung of San Francisco from this very spot on September 11th, 2015.
Photo Credit Bill Adams/Flickr
The Brooklyn Bridge
If you want a true New York Experience there is nothing better than walking into the city over the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn. The 130 year old bridge has been bringing tourists and locals alike across the East River with an unparalleled view of all of Manhattan. Take the “A” or “C” line Subway routes to High Street (easiest) or the “F” line to York Street (a little further walk to the bridge). The Bridge will drop you off in lower Manhattan at City Hall, with a subway station for the 4,5,6 trains which can take you North to Little Italy for a slice or some filling Italian fare.
Photo Credit atlasobscura.com
The NYC Rainforest
This is one of the best kept secrets of New York. The Ford Foundation on East 43rd is not the first place you think of when you think “nature” and certainly not when you think, “rainforest” – however take a peek in here and you’ll find a vast greenhouse of lush trees with green terraces that slope between water pools, most of which is natural rainfall collected from the rooftop outside!
Photo Credit reddit.com
Times Square
No visit to New York is complete without a visit to the awesomeness that is Times Square. While it can be amazing to see during the day, it’s much more amazing at night. The area is so lit up you would almost assume it was daylight outside at night. You’ll find plenty of shopping in the area and a mob of people, while it can be fun and mesmerizing don’t waste too much time here!
Copyright Phil Rodriguez 2015
Central Park
New York is known as a “the concrete jungle” for obvious reasons, however, in the center of Manhattan there is an oasis of green that stretches on for some 50 blocks. Here you’ll find winding trails, tennis courts, baseball fields, ponds and lakes, museums, statues, outdoor theaters and even a castle! There are always events going on in the park, but it’s also the number one place for locals to lie out and get some sun during the summer. Often while walking through the park you’ll find places used as scenes from your favorite movies and TV series. A simple google search of famous things in central park will take you on an adventure of a lifetime! Make sure to have a map, the area is so big, you really can get lost here.
Photo Credit BoredPanda.com
The Highline
If you’d like to see New York City from a different perspective check out this abandoned rail line turned into a park. Originally, the Meat Packing District was the busiest area for commerce and distribution in the city. However, the rail lines through the area connecting to the piers were so busy that one average at least 1 person died a day – getting hit by slow moving freight train. The city finally decided to move the rail lines above ground which solved the problem. By the early 80s however, the lines were barely in use and finally decommissioned, and then stood abandoned for years before being turned into an urban park. To get here, take a train or subway to Penn Station and walk a few blocks west to 10th and 30th where you’ll find the stairs leading up to The Highline Park on 30th. Walk south along the park in the mid to late afternoon to have the sun on your face and beautiful views of the city surrounding you, and with no worries of cars stopping you along the way. Best of all is you’ll find vendors along the way selling homemade snacks, photos and paintings and oh and some perfect spots for photos, too.
Copyright Phil Rodriguez 2015
The Standard
If there was ever a place to have a cocktail and watch a sunset, this would be the place. This is the number one place you need to make sure you visit while in NYC. The Standard is a hotel that actually straddles the Highline Park; it’s made to look retro and odd by design. There are two spots to have drinks at the Standard, one high end: The Grill at the Standard and the other: The Top of the Standard which has no dress code but it is still New York so drinks can be a but pricey side. The Top of the Standard is an overly opulent penthouse lounge, very frou frou and very fun. If you’re interested in something low key without the dress code, but still upscale head here. After 10pm it becomes more of a club than a lounge and be warned that Fridays and Saturdays, it’s almost impossible to get in. There are two levels; the first has the main bar and also an oversized Jacuzzi, which still causes quite a fuss. The best views can be had from the second level with its glass walls and Astroturf flooring. There is a bar on the upper level as well along with table service, however the only food you’ll find here are crêpes served from a side window – but they’ll also be some of the best you’ve ever had. The entrance is located on the side of the 51st street by the entrance to The Shop at the Standard. If you happen to be walking The Highline, get off at the 14th street stairs exit.
Know an unknown hotspot in NYC that we didn’t mention?
Let me know! Phil@savvystews.com
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