New York City is a hotbed of diverse cultures, and though it’s notorious for its non-stop hustle and bustle, it’s hard not to fall in love with its urban charm. Because of its sheer size, one might think that navigating its five boroughs is a nightmare. But with a world-class public transportation system and lots of options for getting around New York City, exploring the Big Apple isn’t as hard as may seem.
Previously here on We Blog Travel, we discussed how travelling around the city independently is a good way to absorb its unique culture. Well, what better way to do so than by foot? New York happens to be a pedestrian-friendly city, with most of its neighbourhoods being very walkable. What’s more, its streets are rife with art, history, and architecture — which means you’ll never have a dull moment.
What a view
For the food trippers
Diets are pretty much non-existent here. After all, what do you expect from the city that birthed the New York cheesecake? It’s impossible to visit every single restaurant, so it’s best to pick one area and start your food crawl there. In this regard, the Culture Trip suggests Soho, which boasts some of the best food New York has to offer. You’ll find everything from the cult favourite cronuts at Dominique Ansel Bakery to the tucked away and almost criminally underrated Lahore Deli. At least you don’t have to feel so guilty since you’ll be walking off the extra pounds anyway, right?
Cronuts & Coffee
For the photography lovers
Are you the type who can never put down your camera? Good news: you’ll never have to worry about people staring as you try to get the perfect shot in this city. Whether you’re trying to capture Times Square in all its neon glory, or posing with the famed city skyline as your backdrop, New York is an incredibly picturesque city, so go ahead and snap to your heart’s desire.
Times Square
For the art enthusiasts
New York is peppered with a diverse array of museums and galleries, but why not trying something less conventional and go for a street art tour instead? Brooklyn has long been recognised for its rich street art scene. Here, you’ll find the works of many graffiti artists both old and new. Go ahead and make your way to Bushwick, a thriving creative community with a wide range of artistic mediums — from stylised tags on abandoned buildings, to poster-work plastered on billboards.
Bushwick
For the architecture buffs
No visit to New York is complete without marvelling at its fascinating architecture. The city is home to some of the most iconic buildings in the world, like the Art Deco masterpiece that is the Chrysler Building and the intricately designed Guggenheim Museum. On foot, you’ll also get a chance to take in the understated yet elegant residential buildings. Yoreevo’s James McGrath points out that apartments throughout the city cost an average of $1 million (or nearly £800,000). You only need to take one look at its prime locations to see why homes are valued so much here — most especially when it comes to the city’s quintessential brownstones. Not only are buildings like these among the hottest properties on the market, but they also stand as historic landmarks of New York’s unique architectural heritage.
Brooklyn brownstones
For the culture geeks
New York is always romanticised in pop culture. More often than not, it’s shows like F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Seinfeld, and Sex and The City that gave many people their first introduction to this beautiful city. Numerous locations where your favourite films were shot are scattered around New York and are free for you to gawk at. Travel blog On The Luce highlights locations such as the New York Public Library, which you might recognise as the place where the Ghostbusters hunted down the ghost of librarian Eleanor Twitty. If you’re looking to get your rom-com fix, Katz’s Deli is a bit of a stretch away, but the trip is worth it to see where Harry met Sally.
The New York Public Library
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