New York in a Week

Start spreading the news – I’m in NEW YORK. The city of dreams, the city that never sleeps and the biggest cultural melting pot I’ve ever had the pleasure to be immersed in.

I’m here for four weeks studying at New York University; a summer creative writing program. Whilst I am studying journalism back home, my passion has always been the creative written word. I’d heard that NYU was the place to study creative writing and I knew that in my final year of my degree back home, this was something I needed to do. Lo and behold, here I am.

New York city.

I’ve been here for a week now and I wanted to write about what you can do in New York in a week. You could definitely do more, yet I managed to fit all this in whilst studying four days a week.

As the saying goes, ‘It’s up to you, New York, New York.’

Central Park

Central Park is one of Manahttan’s most iconic landmarks, and it’s easy to see why. From street performers to sketchers, buskers to horse-drawn carriage rides, Central Park is the perfect space to do whatever you please. In Central Park you become acutely aware of how many cultures flock to New York to experience its wonder. Every second conversation I heard was in a different language and it made me appreciate how culturally diverse Manhattan is.

5th Avenue

Oh, 5th Avenue. Who I am on the inside but who I cannot afford to be on the outside. It’s just as ritzy and glamorous as you would imagine. High end fashion and jewellery stores dot the streets as you wander and wonder where it all went wrong that you are on the outside of these stores and not the insides. Just a stroll down 5th Avenue is a glimpse into the high-life and a fascinating experience in itself.

Tiffany&Co

The only store I could afford to venture into was Tiffanys. How can one come to New York and not splurge on a Tiffanys product? This massive 4 level store is a gem in and of itself. Even if you can’t afford a slice of Tiffanys, it’s worth a gander at all the shine and sparkles.

The Strand

The now close to 23 miles long worth of bookshelves is a writers dream shop. The viscerally stunning book store is any book lovers haven, especially the third floor. The third floor houses some of the rarest and oldest books in New York city. Just the mere act of running your fingers over the spines of the books, touching the pages and inhaling their ancient smell is inspiring for any writer.

Katz Deli

Arguably the Jewish mecca of New York, if you are Jewish it would be a broken Mitzvah if you didn’t check out Katz Deli. Iconic for being the diner the famous orgasm scene took place in ‘When Harry Met Sally,’ that withstanding, the food at Katz’s gives the store enough merit on its own. The menu is large and mouth-watering, but definitely give the Rueben sandwich a go.

Times Square

Flashy, loud and a little bit overwhelming, Times Square is even more spectacular in real life. From the lights to the massive billboards, the characters walking up and down the streets, Times Square is a serious vision, and that’s just during the day. I’ve yet to see it at night but can only imagine the experience would be dramatically heightened.

Waffles and Dinges

When is a 12am waffles run never a good idea? Delicious and cheap, the waffles and dinges food truck is a drunken must. Or even a sober must. With a variety of waffle bases and plenty of sweet toppings, you’ll come to realise that no night in New York is ever complete without a waffle and dinges.

Broadway

If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. Broadway is a New York essential (although pretty much anything you can do in New York you should do). I was lucky enough to receive tickets to Jersey Boys from my mum and it was just ‘too good to be true.’ Yes you can laugh, I’m very punny. Even if you can grab tickets to an off-Broadway show it will be one of the highlights of your trip.

99c Pizza

Only in my dreams did I ever think that a big fat slice of pizza would be 99c. In New York I suppose all my dreams have come true. And, the pizza is delicious. Who’d have ever thought you could get food so cheap and so good? New York, I love you.

Brooklyn Bridge/Manhattan Bridge

Ah, Brooklyn Bridge. The meeting point for two lovers and the bridge that connects the boroughs. Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is majestical; the sites and surrounds of New York you can see from it is awe-inspiring. Make sure you snap a good pic of the Manhattan Bridge too which is equally as architecturally stunning.

And some additional pretty pictures … 

Please leave me comments of things you loved in New York/things I should do!

Advertisement