“Un jour j’irai à New-York avec toi, toutes les nuits déconner“… Like me, I’m sure you’ve already sung this song by the group Téléphone at the top of your lungs while watching your sweetie! Well, when he offered me a trip to New York for my birthday and Valentine’s Day, I have to admit I was hallucinating! It was a dream come true! As someone who adores the States, the Big Apple was a must-see for me, and I obviously wanted to visit it with him 🙂
Although I’m sure it would have been great with my sons-in-law, taking this trip as a couple was particularly magical. After all, you don’t do the same thing as a couple as you do with teenagers! And then you’ll understand why it was so special… 🙂
New York travel tip: plan ahead!
8 days is ideal for me, because you have time to do a lot of sightseeing without having to rush. However, New York is a big place! And if you don’t plan which neighborhoods or monuments you want to visit, you’ll quickly lose time!
- For example, here’s the schedule I drew up for our week:
| DATES | WHAT |
ACTIVITIES MORNING |
RESTO MIDI | ACTIVITIES AFTERNOON | ACTIVITIES EVENING |
| May 21 – Tuesday | Departure Nantes 10:20 am – arrival New York 4:25 pm | Airport – Apartment in Brooklyn
Breakfast shopping and stroll in Brooklyn |
|||
| May 22 – Wednesday | WEST VILLAGE AND CHELSEA | Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village Chelsea Market | Lunch at Chelsea Market or Whole Foods Market | Stroll along the High Line
Union Square and Flatiron Building Visit the VESSEL |
Top of the rock sunset and dinner at Shake Shack |
| May 23 – Thursday | LOWER MANHATTAN | Discover the SoHo / Chinatown neighborhoods and its little neighbor Little Italy /Nolita
Stop by Converse to have your shoes customized! |
CONEY ISLAND and dinner at NATHAN’S | ||
| May 24 – Friday | ANNIVERSARY DAY | Financial District
Helicopter flight |
Lunch at Manhatta restaurant (60th floor – 28 Liberty Street) | 9/11 Memorial and Oculus
Shopping at the Century 21 outlet near the World Trade Center |
Times Square nightlife and dinner at LOS TACOS
|
| May 25 – Saturday | BROOKLYN | Bushwick district for graffiti-covered streets | Smorgasburg in Brooklyn (90 kent av) for lunch | Walk to Domino Park and DUMBO
|
Brooklyn Bridge at sunset and Brooklyn Heights |
| May 26 – Sunday | HARLEM | Discovery of the neighborhood and gospel mass if possible | Brunch at Jacob Soul Food and Salad Bar (373 Malcom X Bvd) | Central Park and Guggenheim Museum to admire at least the iconic façade | |
| May 27 – Monday (CLOSED) | MID TOWN DISTRICT | Bryant Park and its various architectural styles
Grand Central Station – its Great Hall, its market New York Public library. Location: Fifth Avenue, 42nd Street |
ISADORA’S CAFE | A look at the Chrysler Building before heading north up 5th Avenue, via Rockefeller Center
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
|
Free ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and do the outlets 🙂
|
| May 28 – Tuesday | Metropolitan Museum and MOMA | Shopping and
Collect bags and head for the airport |
Departure New York 9:55 p.m. – arrival Nantes May 29, 1:25 p.m. |
- For accommodation, my sweetie had booked a room in Brooklyn on Airbnb.
I really enjoyed this accommodation and would recommend it as it is ideally located in a quiet area between JFK airport and Manhattan (subway line J – Halsey Street stop) which made our commute much easier.
We were pleasantly surprised to discover a clean, warm and tastefully decorated apartment with all the comforts we needed for our stay. During these few days, our flatmate and our host were very discreet while remaining perfectly available and accommodating. The fact that Carles is French came in very handy 🙂
- For the paperwork required for your trip, you’ll need a valid biometric or electronic passport, round-trip or onward tickets and an ESTA travel authorization, which you can fill in online (cost $14) and is valid for 2 years. It was easy for us, as we’d already done it for our stay in California.
- Budget: it’s always difficult to give an order of magnitude 🙂 It all depends on how you travel. For our part, we based our budget on the following amounts (for two people):
- Food: $50 breakfast + $600 for lunch and dinner (we had some money left over at the end of our stay). We ate for about 15 dollars at lunchtime and 25 dollars in the evening per person.
- Getting around: an unlimited subway pass costs $33 per person. To get around New York quickly, there’s nothing like public transport – buses and, above all, the subway! To use them freely, without having to buy single tickets all the time, I recommend you buy the Unlimited Ride MetroCard . This card is valid for 7 days. For this price, you can take the buses and subways of New York City without limit + $5 for the airport subway (take two separate cards).
- Shopping: here again, it’s very personal! For myself, I spent about 250 dollars (converse shoes and Nike, a few jumpsuits and shorts…!).
- Culture, leisure and outings: many cards are available offering discounts on visits. We took the time to check out what we wanted to do, and in the end it was more interesting to go straight for the few visits or museums we were interested in, as I could get free entry to some of them (MET or MOMA, for example). So we booked TOP of the ROCK in advance (nearly $50 to see the sunset), which we chose to do rather than the Empire State Building. We also paid for the 9/11 Museum (around $25 per person).
My budget plan for two My nephew and I tried out the Revolut card that he gave us during our stay in Brighton. This bank card is very practical for managing a joint account abroad. We put down the 800 euros we wanted to use during our stay for joint purchases and then paid for everything with this card. No need to have many dollars in our pockets! The Revolut mobile application works like a “connected virtual wallet”. This means you have your money at your fingertips wherever you are, and can carry out transactions quickly and easily by bank transfer or via your Revolut card, which is accepted worldwide wherever Mastercard® cards are supported. So you don’t have to worry about conversion – the multi-currency card does it for you, free of charge. This is Revolut’s real distinguishing feature, which sets it apart from other existing neo-banks(N26, for example). It acts like a local card, automatically converting into one of the 120 available currencies at interbank rates. In simple terms, these are the best possible exchange rates on the interbank market, the world’s largest foreign exchange market for banks and other financial institutions. No commission is added, with the exception of weekends, when a surcharge of 0.5% to 1.5% is applied, depending on the currency, to protect against risk. Very convenient for frequent travelers.
- Flights: we flew via Air France. It was the cheapest and most convenient flight from Nantes. We flew Nantes/Paris then Paris/New York. The advantage of doing the whole trip with the same airline is that if you have any problems, they can find you a new flight and make sure your luggage follows :). This is what happened to us on our return trip. Our flight took off 1h30 late, so we missed our connection in Paris. The airline was able to offer us an alternative, and luckily we managed to get back to Nantes with our suitcases.
To conclude on the preparations, a word of advice: bring good shoes! We walked between 10 and 25 km a day, totalling almost 130 km in a week.
My 10 New York favorites of the week
It’s always hard to make choices, especially in a city as gigantic and crazy as New York, but if, like me, you’re arriving for the first time in the “city of all possibilities” or “the city that never sleeps”, here are my favorites. It’s up to you to take inspiration from them or not!
1. Take time to stroll along the High-Line and in the surrounding districts
When you arrive in New York, jet lag is in your head and legs. So I don’t recommend scheduling museum visits or planning a busy day. That’s why a visit to the WEST VILLAGE and CHELSEA neighborhoods is the perfect way to discover the city for the first time.
Start the morning with a stroll through Washington Square Park: refreshing and very pleasant to look at, the park is full of funny people: from those looking for every possible way to get a tan to chess players who spend their days waiting for customers/adversaries, not forgetting those who work out with the help of a personal trainer. The park boasts a beautiful triumphal arch dedicated to President George Washington, as well as a fountain that is often crowded. Many groups of young people from New York University can be seen all around. It’s one of the few colleges in the United States that doesn’t actually have a campus, as it’s located right in the middle of the city.
Head uptown to Chelsea. I loved the calm and peacefulness of West Village and Greenwich Village. The word “village” really suits the atmosphere here. It’s a neighborhood that’s both residential and family-friendly: no modern buildings or crowded avenues, just red-brick townhouses and chic, trendy boutiques on a human scale.
Take the time to look up and admire the facades and store signs, so different from our own!
Have fun driving past the famous apartments from our cult TV series! 🙂
If you’re a Friends fan: the Friends building is still a gathering point for die-hard fans. The exact address is Grove Street and Bedford Street.
If you’re a Sex in the City fan: walk past Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment! Yes, it’s only a few blocks from the Friends building that you’ll find the Sex in the City apartment! This time, you’ll have to go to 66 Perry Street. Here too, you can expect to meet a few nostalgic fans?
If your tummy is starting to tell you it’s time for lunch, head to Chelsea Market, the perfect place to grab a bite to eat. It has an air of London’s Camden Market about it. It’s great fun to wander around the area and indulge in the tempting smells 🙂 And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can always grab a salad from the buffet at Whole Foods Market, which is never far away!
After this tasty break, it’s time to join the famous High Line for a digestive stroll. This is a suspended urban park over 2 km long, built on the disused southern section of the West Side Line running to the Lower West Side. It passes through Gansevoort Street, three blocks below 14th Street in the Meatpacking District, through Chelsea to the northern edge of West Side Yard on 34th Street near the Javits Convention Center.
I really love this style of route through the city, which offers a different point of view and, above all, lets you pause once again to take time to enjoy life. There are plenty of wooden seats where you can take a siesta or admire the architectural and street art on the city’s buildings. You can also meet an ice-cream vendor selling delicious ice-cream sandwiches made in the USA 🙂
Before heading up the High Line, take a detour to admire the Empire Diner: an iconic restaurant that started a trend for high-end retro dining, and whose Art Moderne exterior has become a famous image in many films and TV programs. As we passed by, we discovered one of the magnificent works by Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra.
He also created this work, which can be admired from the High Line. If you appreciate his art, you should know that he has scattered them all over New York 🙂
To round off the day on a high, there’s one last cool, free spot: The Vessel (remember to book your visit on the website).
What is The Vessel?
Imagined by English artist and designer Thomas Heatherwick, The Vessel is halfway between a sculpture and an observatory. But for me it’s a real work of art, where you can also get inside and take some really cool photos!
2. Watch the sun set over the city at Top of the Rock
My second favorite is to spend some time on the top floor of the Rockfeller Center, the Top of the Rock. This spectacular observatory offers one of the finest views of New York. In my opinion, an absolute must! (Expect to pay around fifty dollars for admission at sunset). We chose this spot over the Empire State Building because my boyfriend hadn’t done it yet, and it seemed to offer a better view… After all, it’s all subjective 🙂 I really enjoyed waiting for the sun to set and watching the city gradually light up. However, expect not to be the only ones to have this idea…. 🙂 As a result, it’s very crowded and you have to elbow your way to get a photo… (you’ll be warned!!)
After all that excitement, you can dine at one of our favorite fast-food joints: the Shake Shack. Let’s face it, it’s high in calories…. But it’s so good! For my part, I’ve tried the vegan, the hot dog and their iced tea and each time, nothing to say, an incomparable taste and a crazy desire to taste again 🙂
My only downside is the one in Madison Square Park. It’s an outdoor kiosk, and while we enjoyed our burger, we didn’t at all enjoy the company of the rats… quite present nearby. So used to people and food, they don’t hesitate to crawl under your legs ;(
3. Enjoy the beach and Coney Island Park
As a self-respecting Beyoncé fan, I thought her “XO” video, shot in this beachside amusement park in New York, was brilliant. So when my sweetie offered me the trip, I thought of it straight away and couldn’t wait to pay it a visit.
Coney Island bears a striking resemblance to Santa Monica Pier, an amusement park located on a pier in Los Angeles. We were lucky enough to visit it during our stay in California. I’m such a fan of this type of park. A bit old school and vintage, but so much fun! Plus I think the atmosphere is always great and comes out really well for a photo shoot. Located just an hour from Manhattan by subway, Coney Island is for me the ideal place for a stealthy, festive getaway.
We chose to go in the late afternoon, after exploring Chinatown and its little neighbor Little Italy, Nolita and Soho .
The timing was perfect, as half a day was more than enough for me to visit these 4 districts. For me, the first two are overrated and attract only tourists… nothing really interesting. Except for the undisputed fans of Luc Besson’s film “Léon “. Léon, played by Jean Reno, is a hitman who lives in Little Italy. If you can catch a glimpse of the neighborhood in the film, you should also know that several scenes were shot on the Roosevelt Island Tramway (which we didn’t have time to take :().
As for Nolita and Soho, these are very cute neighborhoods, where the big names in French fashion have set up store. The atmosphere is great and the facades are beautiful and pleasant. Here, you can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the scenery.
In Soho, for example, you’ll find lots of designer stores like the Broadway Market Co (located at 427 Broadway St.). Really cool if you like original clothes that no one else has… or would dare to wear 🙂
After all that and a short lunch break, it’s time to head for Coney Island. The weather at the start is unbelievable, as a huge storm descends on the town with torrential rain. Desperate, we took refuge in Dunkin Donuts for a coffee, and as if by magic, the storm finally gave way to sunshine, and the puddles that had formed on the embankment made for great photos 🙂
Coney Island amusement park
Built 40 years ago, Luna Park was Coney Island’s first amusement park. After many transformations and the addition of numerous attractions, the park now attracts tourists and locals alike. Among the park’s 30 or so attractions, some are veritable institutions, such as the Cyclone, built in 1927. This roller coaster is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark.
You’ll also have seen Wonder Wheel, a 46-metre eccentric wheel built in 1920. It was recently brought to light by Woody Allen, who made a film about it!
The filmmaker has always had a great fondness for this peninsula on the southern tip of Brooklyn. He has happy childhood memories of it: “When I was born, Coney Island’s heyday was long gone, but it was still a magical place for me,” he confides. It always impressed me. There were a lot of amazing people there, and amazing things were happening. You could feel a crazy energy coming out of it. I thought it was an unusual – and exciting – environment in which to set a film.”
When we arrived, the attractions were closed, as Luna Park only opens from June to early September on weekdays, and only at weekends from March to May, and from September to October. Be sure to check the schedule if you want to take advantage of the attractions, and look carefully at the prices, as it’s not easy to know which attractions are included in the price and which are not….
Despite this, we were able to enjoy the lovely Riegelmann promenade. It’s 5 km long and very pleasant, allowing you to walk along the sea with your hair blowing in the wind. You’ll pass by the Coney Island Aquarium. It features over 8,000 species from around the world, including sharks, octopuses and penguins. On the other side of the promenade, you’ll pass MCU Park, which hosts baseball games and organizes events and concerts every year.
Lunch at Nathan’s famous
This restaurant has become such an institution that you won’t want to miss it. The delicious hot dogs at Nathan’s famous will fill your hunger.
The creators, Nathan and Ida Handwerker, opened this Frankfurter sausage stand in 1916 with no idea that their hot dogs would become a true American tradition. Bread, sausage and a dollop of mustard, for just $3.
Nathan’s Famous is also the organizer of the world-famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Every year on July 4, make a date to attend this event like no other, where the world’s best competitive eaters come together for ten minutes of glory. This year, 2019, it was Joey Chestnut who once again claimed victory with 71 hot dogs swallowed. On the women’s side, Miki Sudo remains unbeatable! She wins the mustard belt for the sixth time, devouring 31 hot dogs!
And if you’re ever in Coney Island on the last weekend of June…
You can’t miss the Mermaid Parade, traditionally held on the last or penultimate weekend of June since 1983. The aim is to celebrate mythology by electing the most beautiful mermaid after parades in floats or cars. It’s a funny, burlesque show that brings local residents and visitors together.
- How do I get to Coney Island?
Getting to Coney Island is easy, as the D, F, N and Q subway lines run directly from Manhattan. Simply take one of these lines to the “Coney Island – Stillwell Av” stop. Once there, you’re just a few steps from the beach.
4. A shopping spree worthy of Pretty Woman 🙂
As I mentioned earlier, Soho, and New York in general, is a temple to shopping! It’s very hard for a fashionista not to enter all the pretty boutiques and temples of internationally renowned brands such as Levi’s, Nike and Converse. That’s why I encourage you to set yourself a shopping budget before you leave and stick to it. That way, you’ll be less tempted to break the bank. At least, that’s what I tried to do.
While the city has the same brands as France, it’s clear that American brands are far more interesting. Even more so if you go to the outlets of these brands! To do this, head to Staten Island, where the“Empire Outlets” shopping mall has recently opened, featuring the biggest brands at unbeatable prices. Personally, I found a pair of Nike shoes for 48 dollars (around 45 euros). 🙂
It was also at the famous Converse Soho store (560 Broadway St) that I realized a little dream by personalizing a pair of shoes in the blog’s colors! The store, which has two floors, is the temple of the brand. Personalization takes place in the basement. All you have to do is say what you want or bring in your own logo (count a few dollars more for your own image), choose your shoe model and in just one day, and for around a hundred dollars, you’ll leave with a model that only exists in one copy!!!! Isn’t that nice? I went for a classic white model, but it’s a platform because of my small size 🙂
As you can see, I’m a sneaker fan! Already two pairs of sneakers… and no expandable suitcase! So I had to curb my ardor and only admire the incredible and very rare pairs of sneakers in specialized boutiques like“Flight Club“, where the sneakers are in blister packs and you can admire some collector’s pairs in the middle of the store at crazy prices, like Pharrel’s Chanel pair for over 9000 dollars for example 🙂
If you’re looking for cheap pairs, I recommend you head for the Harlem district! On 125th Street, near the Apollo Theater, you’ll find a dozen sneaker boutiques.
The last good plan I’d recommend is also an outlet located near the 9/11 Museum. It’s Century 21. It’s a real clothing discount. You’ll find well-known brands like Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren, Guess, Levi’s, etc. at rock-bottom prices (sometimes up to 70% off). It really is New York’s cheapest shopping destination!
In particular, I found two jumpsuits from a small American brand that I totally fell for, for want of a dress. Below is a photo of the black version, worn with my personalized converse! The other jumpsuit is the same, but in white!
5. Be moved by the 9/11 Memorial and the 9/11 Museum
Like you, I’m sure, I still remember as if it were yesterday when and where I was when I saw this tragedy unfold on TV. Seeing two airplanes crash into buildings with the intention of killing… I couldn’t turn off the TV, as if transfixed by the unthinkable.
So it was a feeling of deep sadness that came over me as we pulled up to the National Memorial. The memorial’s two reflecting pools are located in the footprints of the Twin Towers. They pay tribute to the 2,977 people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, as well as to the six people killed in the World Trade Center bombing in February 1993. The names of all these people are inscribed on bronze panels lining the Memorial’s pools, a powerful reminder of the greatest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack on American soil, and the greatest loss of rescue personnel in America.
For the 9/11 Memorial, we hadn’t previously reserved our seats, but it is possible to do so (around $25 per person).
Once again, this is a truly emotional place. The tour begins with a video shown in an auditorium, in which leading politicians reflect on the impact of this event on the rest of the world. Then it’s time for the tour.
The striking thing about these walls is the contemplation, the silence, the sadness on the faces. To visit the 9/11 Museum is to receive an intense emotional shock. The objects are there to remind you of the long battle and the heavy toll paid by New York’s rescuers, police and firefighters.
The 9/11 Museum was built on the ruins of the former Twin Towers, whose foundations, concrete blocks and steel structures were uncovered.
With every step you take on this tour, the emotion doesn’t leave you. It becomes even more intense as you descend the Survivors Stairs, the staircase used by those trying to escape the trap. The Survivors Stairs take you right to the heart of 9/11, as do remaining elements such as a segment of the radio and TV antenna in the North Tower of the World Trade Center and the wreckage of the New York Fire Department’s LADDER 3. You’d think it was a movie set, but unfortunately it’s the real thing…
A large map tracing the itinerary of the hijacked planes is accompanied by powerful testimonies from the “Historical Exhibition”: photos (including those of tower employees jumping from the air), films and sound elements such as sirens, screams and radio transmissions between firefighters.
There’s the history, of course, but always in this museum, the desire not to forget the disappeared. In the “Memorial Exhibition”, our throats tighten a little more, the tears of the public are not hidden, the suffering is sharp in front of the photos of all the victims of this terrorist act, to which are associated the images of the first attack on the WorldTrade center in 1993, which killed 6 people.
“No day shall erase you from the memory of time”.
Before or after your visit, take the opportunity to take a look around the Oculus, New York’s most futuristic train station. Located at the foot of the One World Trade Center tower, the new World Trade Center station is also well worth a visit!
6. Celebrate a birthday in an unforgettable way: offer a helicopter flight and/or a restaurant on the 60th floor: Manhatta
When my darling offered me this holiday, I noticed that the dates coincided with his birthday. So I put a lot of pressure on myself to find him an original birthday present, as big as his own.
Initially, I really wanted to offer him an NBA basketball game. But at the end of May, apart from the play-offs, there aren’t any more games, unfortunately, and you can forget it, because tickets for these types of games are worth their weight in gold. Then I looked at the artists playing at Madison Square Garden. Apart from Pink (but he’s not a big fan) I couldn’t find anything special… Then I looked for tickets to Broadway musicals: but there are so many !!!!!!! And then in English… so I gave up on the idea too…
Are you with me?! This is getting complicated! Then I remember that he always dreamed of taking a helicopter ride! And what better way to do it than in New York! So off I went, checking out the various companies offering helicopter flights.
At the very beginning, I had seen that one company was offering a flight with the doors open and the feet in the air. It was FlyNYON. I was rather tempted by the idea, but I was quickly put off by three things: firstly, the reviews, where you learn that you have to negotiate to death; secondly, the company is located much further away than the other companies, so if you don’t take the longest formula, you don’t see what’s promised; and last but not least, this is the company that crashed in 2018… in short, not possible.
In the end, I decided to go with HeliNY. Quite simply because, after reading all the reviews on tripadvisor, I found them to be the most reliable and located close to the Financial District. And even though I wasn’t the person on board, as I preferred to use the money to treat my darling to an after-flight restaurant, I was able to pay, explaining that it was a gift for someone. I chose the ultimate 17-20 minute tour (count $270). For schedules, you have to offer several. A word of advice: don’t choose too early in the morning, because when the sun rises, it’s obviously difficult to take photos. Personally, I had chosen three times between 12:00 and 17:00, and I’m delighted that the 12:00 time was chosen.
It’s also important to specify the weight of the person who will be taking the flight. This is very important, as it will determine how much space the person will have in the helicopter.
Because you’ll soon realize that, unfortunately, it’s impossible to know where you’re going to be positioned in the helicopter. In every helicopter, there are middle seats, which must be occupied, and which cost exactly the same as the other seats behind the pilot and/or near the windows…
So I prayed 🙂 that on his birthday, the weather would be nice and that he would be well situated for the photos. I must admit that I was very lucky because I was granted my wish! On D-day, we arrived as agreed 30 min before the flight. It was not possible to accompany him to the departure lounge. So I watched from outside. We reminded them of the safety instructions, gave them their life jackets and then headed for the chopper! In his, there were 12 people! 4×3 people. He climbed in last, and luckily was positioned behind the co-pilot, right next to a window.
I can tell you that when he returned 20 minutes later, he had tears in his eyes! So delighted with the experience 🙂 We won the bet!
My second surprise of the morning was to introduce her to a restaurant with such a beautiful view. Again, I looked at a number of restaurants, but none appealed to me more than this. Then, as luck would have it, I stumbled across the Manhatta restaurant. It’s not very well known yet, having only recently opened, but the view is just as I’d imagined it, and above all, the reviews are unanimous. Last but not least, it’s just a few minutes’ walk from the heliport! I make a reservation for lunch (about $60 per person excluding drinks).
When we arrived at the restaurant, I could see from my darling’s eyes that I’d won my bet again! As I had specified in my e-mail that it was my man’s birthday and that we wanted a table close to the window to enjoy the view, we only have to wait about ten minutes for the table to become available.
There we enjoy our lunch and my surprise! Frankly, I can’t recommend this restaurant highly enough. It’s ideally romantic. The food is fresh and of high quality. A treat for the palate, but not TOO gourmet either. The atmosphere is really nice and not too stuffy.
To end on this favorite note, before your flight you can visit the Financial District to see Wall Street etc…
As for the afternoon, you’re within walking distance of the 9/11 Museum and Memorial. That’s why we did it that day.
In the evening, to end the birthday day on a slightly crazy note, I decided to take a walk around Times Square and Broadway, as I knew it was his favorite place in New York.
A good idea if you want to dine for cheap and nearby is the taco restaurant LOS TACOS No. 1: very good and cheap!
7 Spend a day in Brooklyn: from Bushwick to Brooklyn Heights
If, like me, you’re a fan of street art, then this day should appeal to you 🙂 As you can see from my article on Barcelona, I’ve always been a great admirer of graffiti artists. So when a friend told me about the Bushwick neighborhood and, by sheer coincidence, I discovered that our apartment was located there, I knew we were in for a really fun day exploring the whole of Brooklyn.
Because New York isn’t just Manhattan! Just cross the East River to discover Brooklyn. It’s a completely different New York: quieter, with more green spaces and a rich social and cultural life – the temple of hipsters!
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Start with a Street Art stroll in Bushwick
Bushwick is a Brooklyn neighborhood that has changed enormously. While it was still one of New York’s less desirable areas a decade ago, it has been totally transformed since the 2000s, with New York City’s investment in a rehabilitation program called “The Bushwick Initiative”, to become today “the place to be”.
Street art mecca thanks to “The Bushwick Collective” project
Created in 2011 by Joseph Ficalora, the Bushwick Collective project aims to persuade local building owners to let artists express themselves on their immense brick walls. Creation is totally free, with only 2 rules: no offensive drawings or political messages. As a result, Bushwick is THE reference point for New York underground culture and Brooklyn’s most arty neighborhood.
Good to know: every 1st Saturday in June, The Bushwick Collective Block Party takes place. It’s the annual gathering of the world’s best graffiti artists. In a festive atmosphere with DJs and food trucks, the public witness the creation of new murals. Yes, the photos you’re about to see on the blog are from the 2018 edition, which have been completely erased for the 2019 edition 🙂 This event gives you the chance to meet over 50 artists from all over the world for an incredible day of graffiti.
What I also found crazy is that even the ads on the walls are painted 🙂
For your convenience, I’ve posted above a small map of the area with the main streets where the murals to be admired are located. We came across a few groups taking guided tours, but personally we preferred to do it on our own to take the time to shoot in front of some of them 🙂
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Lunch in Williamsburg at Smorgasburg
After a morning rich in street-art, it’s time to get back on the L metro, heading for the Bedford Avenue stop.
You’ve arrived in the Williamsburg district: a hotspot of New York hipness, whose chic boutiques, trendy cafés and lively restaurants attract a young, trendy crowd. Start by strolling along Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg’s main shopping street. You’ll find small cafés, bars, pubs and stores selling vintage and creative clothing, accessories, bookstores and more, including the “Mini Mall” at 218 Bedford Ave.
The atmosphere is very relaxed, as if the stores were open whenever they want, and you get the impression that passers-by are taking their time to stroll around, a real contrast with the hectic life of Manhattan.
Then head back up towards Smorgasburg. Passing through streets like Wythe Ave. you’ll come across some really cool street art.
The Smorgasburg is a 100-strong international gastronomy stall, offering specialties from all over the world in a festival atmosphere. When the weather’s nice, a Smorgasburg will be set up in Williamsburg in early April for every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in East River State Park – 90 Kent Ave. (at N. 7 St.), and another in Prospect Park from April 7 for the following Sundays.
The best thing about this food market is that it offers a breathtaking view of Manhattan! We really enjoyed spending a long time having lunch, admiring the view and taking a nap before heading back out for a stroll. As for the stall, as we were in love, we treated ourselves to a lobster sandwich 🙂 (Not cheap, but delicious!)
After this perfect taste break, it’s time to head back to DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights.
Walk along the banks of the East River and admire the scenery. You’ll arrive at Domino Park, where you can use the restroom (cleaner and with fewer lines than in Smorgasburg!).
Domino Park is a public park located near the Williamsburg Bridge, on the site of the historic former Domino Sugar refinery. The park was designed by James Corner Field Operations, who also built the High Line, over the past six years. It opened to the public in 2018.
The pleasant park features a children’s playground, dog run, volleyball court, petanque court and playground. The volleyball court is partly a tribute to Williamsburg’s historic Latin American population, for whom the sport is popular. A small restaurant serves tacos made with locally raised beef, as well as cocktails.
An elevated walkway runs along much of the length of the park, resembling the interior of the old refinery. The crane tracks used in the original refinery now house gardens with around a hundred different plant species. All the park’s wooden structures and chairs were built using wood salvaged from the refinery.
The playground was created by artist Mark Reigelman. It is designed to resemble the sugar refining process, and was also partially built using materials salvaged from the old refinery.
Then take the bus to the DUMBO district.
Dumbo’s cobblestone streets and Brooklyn’s converted warehouses provide the backdrop for this trendy neighborhood’s independent boutiques, upscale restaurants and trendy cafés. It’s over here, at the corner of Washington St. and Water St., that you can take this famous photo, which offers an incredible view of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Then climb onto the bridge to admire the sunset! Here again, the walk is very pleasant, even if many tourists take this route.
If you want to wait until nightfall to enjoy one of New York’s prettiest views, I recommend a stroll through Brooklyn Heights and Willow Street in particular. This chic residential neighborhood is home to elegant red sandstone terraced houses. It’s famous for its tree-lined promenade along the East River, with a breathtaking view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. It’s not impossible, either, that you’ll come across little girls who, just like in American movies, will offer you a home-made iced tea at the foot of their house, for a few dollars 🙂
After this tour, it’s time for dinner 🙂 There’s a Shake Shack at the foot of the bridge!
After that, it’s time to enjoy a picturesque view of Manhattan from the north end of Brooklyn Bridge Park, also home to the historic Jane’s Carousel. At dusk, the image is poster-worthy! The place is so magical that it lends itself perfectly to a marriage proposal 😉
8. Take a free trip to Staten Island to admire Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
If there’s one thing you can’t miss in New York, it’s a glimpse of the great lady! We didn’t necessarily want to visit the museum on Liberty Island, so we opted for the free version of the Staten Island Ferry, which allows you to admire the statue up close. I mentioned this a little earlier, as it’s the ferry that takes you to the Empire Outlet on the island 🙂
The ferry is used by two types of population: New Yorkers living on Staten Island who commute to Manhattan for work, and the many tourists who take advantage of this great opportunity to discover New York Bay and get up close to the Stature of Liberty, especially at sunset.
As you can see, it gets very crowded at peak times. Arrive a little early if you want to take advantage of the good seats on the side and at the back of the boat for some great photos.
On the other hand, the ferry to Liberty Island and the Immigration Museum is not free.
Before boarding the ferry, we took advantage of this penultimate day to explore Manhattan’s MidTown district, which boasts some beautiful architecture and, once again, allows us to recognize some of the places that have been used to shoot various films 🙂
Our first stop was pretty Bryant Park. Although it’s nestled in the middle of buildings, it’s nonetheless charming. It seems like a breath of nature in the midst of glass towers, including the imposing Bank of America. In this park, you can play table tennis (please note that you need to sign up for a table to be able to play! The tables are very popular with the Chinese, and even with ambulance drivers 🙂
Just behind it is the New York Public Library, New York’s central library. Movie buffs will obviously remember the scenes from the film “The Day After”. If you haven’t seen the film, the library is also worth a visit for its impressive reading room. Don’t hesitate to ask at reception where it’s located, as the NY Public Library is very large and you can get lost. Be aware, too, that it’s not possible to go beyond a certain limit to take photos. This is a public place, and you mustn’t disturb those who come here to read or gather information. More pragmatically, the New York Public Library is also a great place to take a free pee break!
Then leave the New York Public Library and Fifth Avenue and continue along 42nd Street, towards the East River. You’ll pass Grand Central Station: a must-see!
Why, you might ask? Simply because Grand Central Terminal is a true work of art! The Beaux-Arts style is absolutely magnificent, and you’ll love the star-studded vault. Designed by French architect Paul César Helleu. #fieredetrefrancaisepourunefois 🙂 No wonder Apple decided to locate one of its Apple Stores here! It’s even considered one of the most beautiful in the world! If you’re a fan of the film“I Am Legend” starring Will Smith, you’ll see that the scene where mutants chase him was shot near Grand Central Terminal.
But there’s one other thing I recommend you try out in Grand Central Terminal: theWhispering Gallery. Go to level n-1 of the Dining Concourse and stand under the arch opposite the entrance to the Oyster Bar & Restaurant.
This is a vaulted corridor in the station that allows two people to talk across the corridor without anyone else being able to hear the conversation. A sort of wireless telephone 🙂 If you’re in love, what could be more romantic than this strange wall to communicate?! To do so, position yourself under one of the vault’s pillars and whisper your message to the person standing diagonally across the corridor. Tested and approved!
If you’re getting hungry, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the food stalls. Convenient, tasty and inexpensive!
Alternatively, if you prefer to go out, we can also recommend Café Isadora’s, perfect for putting together a fresh, inexpensive made-to-measure salad!
Just a few steps from Grand Central Station, you’ll be facing the Chrysler Building. I’m a big fan of its vintage Art Deco style, which is truly remarkable.
After lunch, continue your tour via Rockefeller Center, a huge business complex designed as a city within a city. The lobby of the building, which houses the Top of the Rock, is well worth a visit for its monumental, typically Art Nouveau frescoes.
Right next door, if you’re geeks or kidults like me, you’ll love going into stores like Nintendo or Lego, where giant models of NY or Stars Wars are represented.
Continue along Fifth Avenue, turning left to see the giant statue of Atlas.
Directly opposite is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, an imposing monument completed in 1878. It’s particularly striking, surrounded by these skyscrapers. It almost looks as if it’s watching over them! In any case, its architecture stands out from the rest of the district, and it doesn’t go unnoticed 🙂 The interior is just as beautiful, and well worth a candle-lighting session.
9. Spend a Sunday between Harlem and Central Park
What better way to spend a Sunday in New York than living like the locals! That’s what we set out to do, with a tour of Harlem and a bike ride in Central Park. However, we were a little disappointed as we woke up too late to attend a Gospel mass. As a result, it was impossible for us to see one. Yes, you should know that if you want to attend one, you have to arrive early and you’re not allowed to leave until the mass is over… It’s very badly perceived… So, what the heck, we just enjoyed the area.
Long known for its intimate jazz clubs, traditional cuisine and African-American heritage, Harlem today attracts an eclectic mix of residents and visitors. Trendy restaurants, elegant nightclubs and hip bars testify to a vibrant nightlife. Nineteenth-century red sandstone houses blend with imposing modern buildings. On the main thoroughfare, 125th Street, you’ll find the famous Apollo Theater, as well as a host of big-name stores and restaurants. As mentioned above, you can also go shopping and treat yourself to a pair of sneakers or a cap at a very reasonable price.
For lunch, I highly recommend Jacob Restaurant if you want to eat well, cheaply and enjoy the typical local atmosphere. On the menu, a buffet of salads and hot dishes, a singer to entertain you and tables to share with the local grannies who come for lunch after mass. Authentic! I love it.
After lunch, all you have to do is ride along the main road to Central Park. We wanted to enjoy it on a tandem bike, but you can rent classic bikes, rollerblades etc… It’s easy to find a rental company, as many vendors leave flyers before you enter the park. Rentals cost around $40 for two people (not cheap, but it’s not every day you get to ride a bike in the middle of New York!) We went through Unlimited Biking. It was the first on our route when we arrived near the park. And we were able to return the bike to another agency located at the end of the park. How convenient!
During our walk, we made a few stops in Central Park, including one to see the Alice in Wonderland statue, big fan that I am! #kidult
10. Culture at one of the world’s greatest museums: the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Finally, before you leave, it’s impossible not to visit a museum. And if there’s at least one to do, I think the Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as the MET, is a must. The MET is not only the city’s main museum… but also the world’s largest art museum!
I advise you to book in advance on the museum website (count $25 per person). Alternatively, it is sometimes included in certain city passes. Allow at least one morning for a (quick) visit. You won’t be able to do or see everything.
For your information, the museum is organized as follows:
- The RDC is divided into five sections: Egypt – America – Greece and Rome – Africa and Oceania – Contemporary Art.
- The 1st floor is dedicated to European Art.
What I liked best about the ground floor and 1st floor:
– The European sculpture and decorative arts department, with its famous statues by Auguste Rodin, the grand gallery with phenomenal works by artists such as Monet, Van Gogh and Gauguin, and finally the collection of Egyptian antiquities, including the magnificent Temple of Dendur, built in homage to Osiris, God of the Nile. I also liked the Japanese art collection and the European painting department, which is without doubt one of the richest in the world.
What I liked lessimed:
– The medieval art collection, the arms and armor department and the African, Oceanian and Amerindian art section.
Lucky for us, during our stay we were able to see two ephemeral exhibitions that I found incredible! It was my favorite part of the visit! (I’ve always had a slight preference for contemporary art :))
The 1st is the Rock’n’Roll exhibition
Until October 1, 2019, the groundbreaking “Play it loud” exhibition brings together instruments that belonged to Rock’n’Roll legends. A total of 130 musical instruments are on display.
We were able to admire instruments from the Beatles and Metallica, the Who, Prince’s guitars, Jimi Hendrix’s, Nirvana’s broken guitar, and much more! Also on display was Lady Gaga’s famous glass piano, used during her concerts 🙂
I’m aware that I was very lucky to have come at the right time, as this exhibition is absolutely unique: the Metropolitan Museum and the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame have indeed succeeded in convincing a number of private collectors to entrust these relics to them for the duration of the exhibition.
The second is the MET Costume Institute exhibition “Camp: Notes on Fashion” (until September 8, 2019).
The exhibition explores this notion of “camp”, from its origins to the present day, trying to understand how it has gone from a marginal position to a vector of influence in mainstream culture. Over 175 works and creations are on view in the New York museum’s fashion department, including men’s and women’s collections as well as sculptures, paintings and drawings dating from the 17th century to the present day. The first section takes us to Versailles, where the expression “se camper” (“to camp out”) indicated the (un)right way to shine at the King’s Court, before exploring the fashions of dandies, one of the camps in vogue in the 19th century, and queer culture, “camps” that give pride of place to humor, pastiche and exaggeration.
Fashion being first and foremost a means of expression, the exhibition brings together fashion pieces that have caused a sensation on the catwalks. All the great fashion icons are represented (much to my delight!).
After the MET, we quickly moved on to the MOMA, but it was under renovation so I was disappointed overall.
That’s it, folks, this article on New York is coming to an end. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and, above all, that it’s complete enough for you to plan your own trip.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments, I’d be delighted to answer them.
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
In the meantime, here’s a short film that retraces a little of what I’ve just told you. Many thanks to my darling for this montage 🙂 If you like it, please share it and tell others about it!
