A Day in New York City

A day in New York City is always a good idea. There is no place in the world quite like it – filled with inherent energy of excitement, hope, and inspiration that reverberates throughout every street. The day spent in the city, much to my delight, was prominently focused on visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among other notorious sites throughout Manhattan. With less than ten hours in the city, here’s a more in-depth look at some of the other places that were explored:

 

First Stop: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

After quite an early start and a train ride into the city, the morning and early afternoon were spent at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Located on Fifth Avenue at the east edge of Central Park (between 80 & 84th Street), lies the entrance to the museum. Whether you are an art aficionado or someone who appreciates all the different periods and mediums of art, this is the museum for you. The Met offers an array of collections, special exhibitions, and events (for more information check out the Met’s website: www.metmuseum.org). From Medieval to Modern Art, there are countless areas of the museum to explore. Tickets for the museum can be purchased online or in person at the entrance to The Great Hall. Each ticket is valid for three consecutive days upon purchase. So, if you were not able to explore all of the areas you wished in one day, you can visit again within that time frame.  

 

Included with each ticket is not only the Met Fifth Avenue, but also the Met Breuer, and the Met Cloisters:

• The Met Fifth Avenue: the largest museum in the United States. Presents over 5,000 years of art spanning all cultures and time periods.
• The Met Breuer: a museum of modern and contemporary art, located at 945 Madison Avenue and East 75th Street in the Upper East Side.
• The Met Cloisters: a museum in Fort Tryon Park in Washington Heights, Upper Manhattan, specializing in European medieval architecture, sculpture, and decorative arts, with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods.

 

Favorite collections at The Met Fifth Avenue: The Temple of Dendur in the Sackler Wing, The Charles Engelhard Court in the American Wing, The Robert Lehman Collection, and the 19th- And Early 20th -Century European Paintings And Sculpture.

 

Pro Tip: When visiting the Met Fifth Avenue, check out the map of the museum online before your visit or pick up a map at the entrance. If you only have one day, or a few hours, to visit the museum take a look at the exhibitions you would like to view ahead of time, while still leaving some time to explore the museum. 

 

 

 

2nd Stop: Central Park

Naturally, a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is not complete without a walk through Central Park. Upon stepping into Central Park, one can go from a chaotic city to a peaceful terrain free from the traffic of the city streets. Walking south from the Museum, you can stumble upon countless paths that lead throughout the park, as well as stunning architectural areas, like the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. A simple walk through the area can turn into a morning or afternoon of people watching and listening to live street music, assuring that there is never a dull moment even in Central Park. 

 

Fun Fact: If you have not visited the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain in person, you may recognize this location from a range of film and television sets. To any Gossip Girl fans out there, you may recall this location from the series finale.

 

 

3rd Stop: Midtown & Times Square

Once reaching the south end of Central Park, a visit to Rockefeller Center was next on the list. During the holidays, Rock Center is home to an iconic Christmas tree and ice skating rink in the heart of Midtown, however, throughout the remainder of the year, it is also a multi-level complex consisting of retailers, a variety of restaurants, and an observation deck. After wandering through Rockefeller Center, the last stop of the day trip to the city was a visit through the heart of Midtown – Theatre District and Times Square.  

 

Where to Eat: You really cannot go wrong with any restaurant in New York City. If you happen to be in the Theatre District area around lunch or dinner, look into Azeala, an urban ristorante inspired by the Italian luxe with outdoor seating is available during the warmer months. If you are with a larger group of people, consider Carmine’s, a restaurant that explores Southern Italian cuisine served family style with generous portions made for sharing.

 

The day came to a close with our return to Grand Central Station to board the homeward-bound train. After a day filled with the various sites of the city, settling into the train seat was a welcome luxury. As I leaned my head against the window to view the scenes outside, I reflected on the day filled with memories of all that was seen and done, knowing that the day in the city was well spent. 

 

Until next time, New York City.