Over spring break, I was lucky enough to travel to New York City. While many attribute sights like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, the city is much more diverse. There are 5 boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Bronx.
I stayed in the Bronx, and while it has a bad reputation, I actually loved it. There are delis on every corner, and great Italian restaurants in Little Italy. There is such culture present, and it is clear that the Bronx strays away from the tourist traps of Manhattan. An iconic part of the Bronx is Yankee Stadium, where baseball games attract thousands of fans every week.
The subway system, an iconic staple of New York City, was one of my favorite parts. Personally, I love public transportation because it is better for the environment. The subway itself is clean, and (for the most part) everyone keeps to themselves. It was wonderful to be able to get places quickly without having to deal with city traffic. The tickets are cheap, and I wish subways existed in every bustling city. Other transportation methods include the train, which has $5 tickets purchased at Grand Central Station, and the local bus system. While using an Uber is an option, the subway is clean and safe.
I also traveled into Manhattan for a day, and loved the views of skyscrapers everywhere. Central Park was by far my favorite part of the borough. The 843-acre park has everything from fields to ponds to playgrounds. Music performances and hot dog vendors made it a wonderful experience, and I can’t wait to go back. I also traveled through Times Square, and did not enjoy it nearly as much. The lit-up billboards were fun for pictures, but it was clearly filled with tourists. I was only slightly traumatized by the sight of a Mickey Mouse costume without the head, but I vowed to never return to Times Square.
Overall, I absolutely fell in love with the city and can’t wait to go back!