Must-do experiences for your next trip to New York!
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The Big Apple
Ever wonder why NYC is referred to as the Big Apple? It turns out it has to do with horse racing! Big Apple was used to describe the prize money for horse races that were held around the city in the 1920s.
Culture & Entertainment in New York
Dazzling theater stages, one-of-a-kind murals, and world-famous museums are all part of what makes New York City so exciting. Whether you prefer the classics or something more modern, you are sure to find inspiration on every corner!
New York City has provided the backdrop for countless movies and TV shows since the early days of Hollywood. From Breakfast at Tiffany’s to the Avengers, New York was practically made for the movies. Walk around the Upper West Side and feel like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City or have a Gossip Girl moment at Upper East Side hot spots. An average of 153 movies and TV shows are filmed in New York each year, and it’s easy to visit some of your favorite film locations while you’re there!
The Guggenheim in New York City is one of the leading art museums in the world. Renowned for its stunning architecture featuring a sleek silhouette, the shape of the museum is just as famous as the works of art displayed inside. One of the museum's key elements is a large rotunda topped by a beautiful skylight. A spiral ramp leads visitors through the museum, allowing people to view the art without congestion.
New York City Landmarks
It's hard to talk about New York landmarks without mentioning the Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty has welcomed people to New York and the United States of America for over 100 years. Given to the US as a gift from France, she was officially presented on October 29, 1886. When she arrived, she was a shiny copper color, and it took almost 20 years for the metal to patina. The seven spikes on her crown represent the seven continents and seven oceans, signifying the universal concept of liberty.
Just across the river is the 9/11 Memorial, paying tribute to all who lost their lives as part of that tragedy. A newer monument, also downtown, is the statue of the Fearless Girl staring up at the figure of the Charging Bull, right on Wall St.
Home of the famous Radio City Rockettes, the Radio City Music Hall has been a legendary theater and concert venue since it opened in 1932. This venue has hosted the premiere of hundreds of movies, including King King and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
In the middle of Manhattan, dividing Broadway and 5th avenue is a peculiar building known as the Flatiron building. Constructed in 1902, it was a major architectural feat. At 22 stories high, it was never the tallest building in New York, but it certainly had the most dramatic design. Its narrowest point only measures 6 feet wide! The building has served as various office spaces for over a century, in addition to being the perfect backdrop for a New York City picture.
Walking into Grand Central Terminal is like stepping back into the glamorous golden age of travel. Opened in 1871, Grand Central was and still is the largest train station in the world. Spread across 49 acres, the station has 44 platforms and 67 tracks, a food court, and even a tennis court! Did you know that all the clocks in the station are one minute fast? This gives passengers an extra 60 seconds to make their train.
New York's Central Park
Central Park is a popular destination for native New Yorkers and tourists. A peaceful escape from the bustling city, Central Park is a lush urban oasis. When it was constructed in the mid-19th century, the park was the country's first major landscaped public park. Despite Central Park's well-manicured fields and paths, it was not always as grand as it is today. In the 1970s, the park fell into despair and was neglected for over a decade. Luckily it has since been restored and well preserved!
Street Food in New York City
Hot dog stands, soft pretzels, bagels, and roasted nuts are all synonymous with NYC street food. If you're in the mood for ice cream, chase down Mr. Softee, one of the most beloved ice cream trucks in the city. When you're in New York, be sure to save at least one meal, or snack, for a delicious street food experience.
Getting around New York
Yellow cabs in Manhattan are part of the city’s urban esthetic. Not only are they quintessentially New York, but they are also a great way to get around the city. However, if you’re trying to move quickly from uptown to downtown, your best bet is to hop on the subway. The NYC subway system will quickly move you around the city without having to deal with the inevitable traffic. But I think the best way to get around New York is on foot. Walking around the city puts you at the center of city life and allows you to explore and discover all that the Big Apple has to offer.
Bridges in NYC
Before becoming the most important and well-known city in the world, New York City and the surrounding area was swampland. As the city began to grow and develop, so did the need to travel in and out of the island. Once the automotive industry took off, bridges began popping up all over the city. Today 11 bridges lead onto the island of Manhattan. Of those bridges, the Brooklyn Bridge is probably the most famous. Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the world's first steel-wire suspension bridge and the longest bridge in the world for almost 20 years. In a stunt to prove how sturdy the bridge was, 21 elephants crossed the bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn!
Is New York City a wellness destination?
You know I’m all about wellness travel. You might be hearing all this and wondering, what does New York City have to do with improving your connection and wellness? I can think of several ways. First of all: connection with your destination. New York has SO many options to experience, I can’t imagine NOT feeling connected to this place. The Statue of Liberty brings me a huge sense of connectedness, as does the 9/11 Memorial. I feel connected to those who have gone before me and made my life as blessed as it is, and connected to those in my country who were changed by the events of 9/11, as we surely all were. I love feeling connected to the actors on a Broadway stage. I love Grand Central Station: its size and history, and knowing that this place connects me to so many destinations. I love Central Park. If you haven’t experienced this huge park-within-a-city, you just can’t imagine the calm and green that it brings to the busyness of the traffic and skyscrapers. Renting bikes in Central Park is great fun and brings a wonderful sense of wellbeing. And, of course, I have some great ideas for “spa days” you could do, to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city. Wellness is about connecting with yourself, others, and places. You can feel such a sense of connection with whoever you’re sharing this adventure with. New York can be a wellness destination for sure!
All this talk about New York City makes me want to go back! If you’ve never been, put it on your bucket list for sure, and let me know when you’re ready to visit! I’d love to help you get there.
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