New York City is an easy weekend getaway from Bryn Mawr’s campus, as there’s a Megabus that runs from right outside 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Fall is the perfect time to visit, especially before the craziness of finals season and the winter holidays. Here are a few fun spots for visiting when in the Big Apple.
Image courtesy of Unsplash
Coppelia
Coppelia is a fun Cuban and Pan-Latin diner in Chelsea that is open 24/7, perfect for a late-night snack or mid-morning brunch. They serve breakfast food along with other diner fare like sandwiches, burgers and milkshakes. I recommend the guacamole and chips, the huevos rancheros and the margarita Cubana. However, the best dish I’ve tried is the pancakes, which are perfectly fluffy with just enough sweetness.
S’MAC
This specialty restaurant serves only macaroni and cheese in different varieties. They serve the mac and cheese in cast-iron pans and can accommodate gluten-free and vegan diets, along with reduced lactose versions of their Macs.
High Line
Want a leisurely walk to enjoy the city from slightly higher heights? The High Line is the best place for a late afternoon walk. You can look over the streets of the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, view artwork displays and gardens, and even see a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty in the distance. There’s even some food spots and benches for prolonged moments of rest during your walk.
Museum of Modern Art
The MoMA is the home to famous works such as Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Dali’s The Persistence of Time and Andrew Wyeth’s Christina’s World. Walking through the museum’s main five floors, you’ll enjoy looking at other well-known pieces along with interesting and innovative exhibitions. Along with the art, the fourth floor’s glass wall offers a great view of the surrounding buildings and the MoMA’s sculpture garden, a peaceful green space with a couple of fountains.
Strand Bookstore
Boasting “18 miles of books”, there’s little you won’t find at the Strand in Greenwich Village. With several floors, many tables of curated titles following a variety of themes, and many events with popular authors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at NYC’s largest independent bookstore. Browsing for a couple hours in the Strand is a great way to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
It’s actually pretty difficult to see the Statue of Liberty clearly from Manhattan or Brooklyn Bridge Park, so the best option is to take Statue Cruises’ boat tour. Leaving from The Battery at the tip of Manhattan, you’ll take a quick ride to the Statue of Liberty island where you can then walk around, visit the museum, and take photos. The Statue Cruises’ boats arrive and depart frequently, so catch the next one to head toward Ellis Island, where you’ll visit the Immigration Museum’s Great Hall, where 12 million immigrants stood for processing and various exhibits about immigration experiences. Make sure to book your tickets in advance to skip lines and have more options for visiting.