NYC Trip 2016

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE ART + MUSIC + FOOD + URBANISM Begin @ The Beginning

NYC 16 SPRING

NYC is the center of the human universe and every adventure

Manhattan is an island.

under the sun lies within reach. Plan ahead and you won’t find

correct think of it like this: to the North is Harlem/Bronx, to the

yourself paralyzed by overwhelming choice.

West is the Hudson River and New Jersey; to the East is the East

The city actually consists of 5 boroughs — the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and king of them all: Manhattan. This last borough is our home base and what you most likely think of when you hear “New York City.”

We will live pretty close to the center of this island for the next

And while this is not geographically

River (cool huh?) and Queens/Brooklyn and to the South is the Ocean / Battery Park and more Brooklyn. Manhattan is (mostly) arranged according to grid.

Numbered Streets cross the island East-West.

Lower numbers

begin in the South and climb as you travel North.

several days. This center is called “Times Square.” If you are ever

Numbered Avenues cross the island North-South. Lower numbers

lost — just ask for directions and someone will point the way.

begin in the East and climb as you travel West.

Don’t talk to the Elmos. The Hotel Edison is located at 228 W

All of these rules collapse and invert in strange cool places like the

47th St. and the phone number is (212) 840-5000.

Lower East Side and Greenwich Village.

Getting Around Walking Hit the streets and do some hardcore walking. Some pro-tips for walking in NYC: wear good shoes, don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk, at the top of subway stop, on street corners.

Really avoid stopping. Put away your phones — traffic in the city is dangerous (far more dangerous than crime). Pay attention and use your eyes.

Cabs/Uber Stick your hand up in the air and get a yellow (or green) cab.

Know the code: if the center light is lit, highlighting the medallion number, the cab is available. When the medallion number, as well as the side lamps are lit, the cab is off-duty.

When no lights are lit, the cab already has a fare they are bringing to a destination.

4 people max per cab. Cabs take debit/credit.

Both cabs and uber can be requested via phone apps.

Subway Step one: go to a subway stop and buy a MetroCard. Step two: while you are still at the MetroCard machine decide how often you plan to ride the rails. Each trip is about $3 one way so if you only plan a very few trips just load up your card with cash. Otherwise consider purchasing an unlimited 7-day pass for about $31. This card is endless use — but only every 18 minutes so no sharing.

Find Your People Find Your People NYC is a collection of different overlapping cities and NYC is a collection of different overlapping cities and communities — each neighborhood with its own rhythms and communities — each neighborhood with its own rhythms and cultures. Do a little research and find out what each area has cultures. Do a little research and find out what each area has to offer in terms of unique food, art, books and museums. to offer in terms of unique food, art, books and museums.

Sometimes the best way is to just take a subway and go Sometimes the best way is to just take a subway and go explore on foot. explore on foot.

There’s an App for That Go App Crazy Google Maps can help you chart your path and tell you subway times. Transit App can sync to your Apple Watch or iPhone. Open Table can find and get you dinner reservations.

Time Out can offer updated event ideas. The Scoop from the NYT has lots of current advice on food, art and music. Try Yelp or The Infatuation for locating food options. Most importantly: New York Coffee Guide can geo-locate the best coffee around at any time.

There’s a Neighborhood for That Find Your People NYC is a collection of different overlapping cities and communities — each with its own rhythms and cultures. Do a little research and find out what each area has to offer in terms of unique food, art, books and museums. Sometimes the best way is to just take a subway and go explore on foot. Find out more here: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/neighborhoods.

Museums Old Art + New Art + Everything In-Between Time Out has a great curated collection of museums — from the classics like the Met and the Cloisters to upstarts like the New Museum and the updated Whitney. Check it out at: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/museums.

Sample Day — The More You Plan The More See Meet With Your Chaperone Begin the day with a face to face meeting with your chaperone and quickly locate the nearest highest-rated coffee in the area using your nifty new coffee app.

Head to the High Line Take the subway to the Northern end of the High Line at Hudson Yards and explore the rapidly gentrifying Hell’s Kitchen area. Walk the High Line south and enjoy some crazy vistas of the city. Be sure to grab some food along the way in any of the great neighborhoods you pass through.

Check Out the Whitney The Whitney is the newest museum to open (actually it is just a new building/location) in the city and it happens to be right on the High Line. Buy tickets online to avoid lines — and claim a student discount.

The Newest Train Station + WTC Footprint Hop back on the subway and head to the newest train station in town — the architectural craziness of the Oculus. From here you can exit to see the WTC footprint or consider going to the 9/11 museum. (Buy tickets beforehand) or ….

Bridge or Books?

Still good with walking? Try hiking over the Brooklyn Bridge -but do it from the Brooklyn side to Manhattan for the best views. Use this site to plan your trip: http:// www.freetoursbyfoot.com/walking-the-brooklyn-bridge/ or conversely head to Union Square’s The Strand for the best bookstore in the city. Then head home for Broadway and chaperone meeting.