Journey to the Big Apple
July 26, 2009
Trip Preview
It seems somewhat disingenuous to write about many urbanism related topics despite my having never spent any time in the granddaddy of urban places, New York City. Fortunately, I will be visiting Big Apple for three days in a few weeks.
(from Flickr user M.Bob)
Of course, three days is only enough time to scratch the surface of things to see and do in the city, so to maximize the utility of the trip I've set a few ground-rules.
For starters, I'll rely primarily on my feet and public transit to get around. I'll probably skip the cabs (despite my burning desire to get on the show Cash Cab). If I can get my hands on a bike, I'd like to take a ride around Central Park and a few neighborhoods, but I'm not quite sure if I'll be able to do that.
For food, I will try all of the following local favorites: a New York bagel, a dirty water dog from a pushcart, a Katz's deli sandwich, and a "slice" of New York thin-crust pizza. If there's time, I may check out a few Seinfeld favorites, including Monk's Cafe (ie. Tom's Restaurant) and Papaya King. I also plan to avoid any restaurant that isn't unique to the city. No McDonalds. No Dennys. No Applebees. No Chipotle.
I would like to try to venture beyond Manhattan. Right now I'm thinking of either Coney Island or the Bronx Zoo. Otherwise, any worthwhile suggestions would be appreciated. Hopefully readers of this blog have some ideas of the things I appreciate about cities. And of course, I will surely have plenty of observations to post about upon my return.
Other posts in the Journey to the Big Apple series:
Part Two: America’s Greatest Urban Place
Part Three: Getting Around Town
Part Four: Taste of New York
Part Five: Closing Observations
It seems somewhat disingenuous to write about many urbanism related topics despite my having never spent any time in the granddaddy of urban places, New York City. Fortunately, I will be visiting Big Apple for three days in a few weeks.
(from Flickr user M.Bob)Of course, three days is only enough time to scratch the surface of things to see and do in the city, so to maximize the utility of the trip I've set a few ground-rules.
For starters, I'll rely primarily on my feet and public transit to get around. I'll probably skip the cabs (despite my burning desire to get on the show Cash Cab). If I can get my hands on a bike, I'd like to take a ride around Central Park and a few neighborhoods, but I'm not quite sure if I'll be able to do that.
For food, I will try all of the following local favorites: a New York bagel, a dirty water dog from a pushcart, a Katz's deli sandwich, and a "slice" of New York thin-crust pizza. If there's time, I may check out a few Seinfeld favorites, including Monk's Cafe (ie. Tom's Restaurant) and Papaya King. I also plan to avoid any restaurant that isn't unique to the city. No McDonalds. No Dennys. No Applebees. No Chipotle.
I would like to try to venture beyond Manhattan. Right now I'm thinking of either Coney Island or the Bronx Zoo. Otherwise, any worthwhile suggestions would be appreciated. Hopefully readers of this blog have some ideas of the things I appreciate about cities. And of course, I will surely have plenty of observations to post about upon my return.
Other posts in the Journey to the Big Apple series:
Part Two: America’s Greatest Urban Place
Part Three: Getting Around Town
Part Four: Taste of New York
Part Five: Closing Observations
I love the public library on Fifth Avenue.
The Bronx Zoo is great if you like being depressed by seeing animals suffering and smashed into areas that are much too small for them
Visit the Strand (for hours), eat at Dojo, and get Ric Burns' series from the library before ya leave.