Out and About in New York City

New York City is the most populous city in the United States. Home to the headquarters of the United Nations, New York is an important center for  international diplomacy and has been described as the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are also headquartered in the city.

In this article, I will be taking you to the famous landmarks the city has to offer. New York City is quite big, and it boasts quite a large number of attractions. So let's go on an adventure together!

Like I shared in the previous article, I was in the city for two weeks. During the first couple of days that I was there, my sister-in-law took me to places I have not been to before during my first trips. Then she went home for a vacation and I was alone exploring the rest of my stay.

New York City consists of five districts called boroughs, and they are the boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan (where I stayed), the Bronx, and Staten Island. And the first place she took me to was Brooklyn, to see the Brooklyn Bridge of course!


Brooklyn Bridge footpath Manhattan side.

The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-styled suspension bridge and is one of the oldest bridges in the United States. Started in 1869 and completed 14 years later in 1883, it connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River. The cool thing about this bridge is that cars, trains, bikes and pedestrians can go through, all on different levels of course! We took the Downtown subway line, got off at 86th St and changed to either subway lines 4, 5, 6 and got off Brooklyn Bridge stop.

East River with the Brooklyn Bridge

The bridge has a total length of 5,989 feet, and we crossed on foot along with other tourists, as well as locals on bikes and on foot just to exercise and breathe in the fresh air. Since fall was just starting, it was nice walking around.

The Brooklyn Bridge on Brooklyn side.

This picture is already on the Brooklyn side. It took us more or less 20 minutes to cross, which was not difficult at all, and along the way we shopped for souvenirs from the street vendors.

East River 
East River with the Manhattan skyline at the background.


Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory


Also a place of interest when you go to Brooklyn is the Brooklyn Ice Cream factory. This place was opened shortly after the 9-11 attacks at the World Trade Center. The New York City for Dummies book called its ice cream the best ice cream in New York. It is located just below the bridge on the Fulton Ferry Landing Pier. The ice cream shop is a converted fireboat house.

New York City Courthouse.


When you get off the Brooklyn Station, nearby is also the New York City Hall and courthouses. Many television shows are shot here. Beside it is the New York City Courthouse.


Souvenir stands such as these are scattered all throughout the city. They are a lot cheaper than what you find in shops, cos of course, they don't have to pay exorbitant rentals.

Bikes for rent


Along major thoroughfares, or nearby tourist attractions are bike rentals. You can just rent a bike, swipe your credit card, and return it to the nearest bike stand like this and you can explore the city in a bike. Quite efficient and green as well. Not to mention the calories burnt!

Street performers


And of course, New York City won't be New York City without its street performers. It is always a joy to behold because they perform without inhibitions, and they also try to ask for volunteers from the audience to make it more fun, and it is up to you to give them some tip if you enjoy it. It is absolutely free to watch, so whenever you come across one, feel free to watch!

After Brooklyn, we went to the Grand Central Terminal. I have been here years before but it was worth visiting it again just to take pictures. :-)

Grand Central Terminal Main Concourse

The Grand Central Terminal, also referred to simply as Grand Central, or incorrectly as Grand Central Station, is a commuter, rapid transit, and inter-city railroad terminal located at 42nd St. and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It covers 48 acres and has 44 train platforms, more than any other railroad station in the world.

Train Schedules Display


Grand Central Terminal has intricate designs both on its inside and outside. The terminal is one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, with 21.3 million visitors in 2013.

Outside of Grand Central


This is the outside Grand Central. I can only take a picture of one side as it is massive, and of course, there were so many people walking around, tourists trying to take a picture like me, and locals moving about, doing their daily routines.

Grand Central Market


Inside Grand Central is a market place, and they sell lots and lots of goodies! I could easily spend half a day just browsing the different kinds of foods and merchandise they are selling. It's a feast for the eyes!

Spices

These are different kinds of spices, and for someone who loves to cook just like me, this is heaven on earth, ha ha ha!

Varieties of tea


This is for tea lovers! Just name your brew, and they have it. From rose petals to fruit flavored tea, traditional ones and whatever you can think of under the sun.

Chocolates galore


Chocolate lovers, this is for you! From chocolate shavings, to bars, to candies. By the pound, by the gram, by the bag, just ask for it, and they will happily indulge your cravings! 

Different cheesecakes


I am not a fan of chocolates or sweets in general, but cheesecake is one thing I love. And New York is known for delicious cheesecakes! So, take your pick and dig in!


Coffee beans

And it wouldn't be complete without the coffee beans, would it? Coffee beans from all over the world, with their varying degrees of potency, or however the strength of coffee is measured. Just let them know your preference and they'll grind it for you in no time at all. 

Cheese

And the cheeses! Oh my goodness. From provolone, to cheddar, to mozzarella to parmiggiano, blue cheese and whatnot, you say it, they have it.And of course I cannot possibly show all pictures, and all I would say is that they have absolutely everything in this place. Meats, fish, poultry products, flowers, veggies. It's a one stop shop, literally.

Also in Grand Terminal is a food court that sells cuisines from all over the world! I was just looking around, sniffing all the aromas floating around that I must have forgotten to take pictures. Olives, pita bread, hummus, Middle Eastern food, western, Asian, Chinese, they all abounded here! 

And since I  already started talking about markets, I will also add the Union Square open market here. If you want to go there, just take the lines 4,5, or 6 and get off Union Square station. The market is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays year round, from 8am-6pm.

Union Square Park


First off, Union Square is an important and historic intersection and surrounding neighborhood in Manhattan, located where Broadway and 4th Avenue come together. Its name denotes that 'here was the union of the two principal thoroughfares of the island' rather than celebrating the federal union of the United States.

Union Square Market Tents

Sorry I couldn't take a better picture of the tents. But for some info on the open market: The world-famous Union Square market began with just a few farmers in 1976, it has grown exponentially. In peak season 140 regional farmers, fishers, bakers sell their products to a dedicated legion of city dwellers.


Chiles

It was very colorful, to say the least. I browsed for hours, just going from tent to tent, looking at vegetables, fruits, breads, and other goodies not usually found in the Philippines. The above picture are different varieties of chilis (also chiles) with varying degree of hotness. Apparently, the smaller it is, the more fire it has!



The smallest one is the spiciest of them all. I was dared to try one but I wasn't gonna burn my tongue, ha ha!



It seems every thing in the US is big! Look at that gigantic cauliflower head I am holding!
Different kinds of veggies in different sizes, you just choose and hand in your money!

Pumpkins/Squash

Squash galore! Some are edible, some are just for display. They sure were a joy to behold!

Cacti

Cactus, anyone? They had different kinds and different colors as well. Flowers, wildflowers, cookies, pizzas, anything under the sun, this is your place to be.

Well, I couldn't possibly put all of my pictures in this blog, so I'll have to end it here. The rest of my adventures will be on the next article. Til the next one!


You may also want to read about more travels here.







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