Growing up in the north, going to New York City was something I always considered a rite of passage. I’ve been to NYC more times than I can count, but it wasn’t until I came to school in Florida that I realized how many people have never been. To compile a guide for my Floridian friends who have never been, I asked my good friend and NYC resident, Heather Lunt, all about her can’t miss attractions and favorite spots around the city.
Her Campus (HC): Are there any fun activities you recommend?
Heather Lunt (HL): New York in the summer is virtually a giant playground. There is so much to do on warm, sunny days. The activities are endless, but here are some summer musts. While looked upon by locals as a tourist activity, renting a boat in Central Park is so fun you won’t even care. The views are stunning, and you never know what you may see (When I went, I saw an owl in a tree and had a person in an adjacent boat serenade me and my friend).
Another must-do of summer is taking a visit to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Located on the edge of Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens are truly something beautiful to behold. Bring your friends and your camera and enjoy this slice of nature within the city.
My favorite summer activity, though it may sound a bit strange, is taking the Ikea ferry to Red Hook Brooklyn and back. The Ikea Ferry is 100 percent free and gives you arguably the most beautiful view of the Manhattan Skyline that there is. If you would like you can hop off in Red Hook and explore the neighborhood (and Ikea), or strictly use it as a free boat tour.
An honorable mention would be taking the subway up to flushing queens to enjoy a night of Mets baseball!
HC: What is your can’t miss place to eat in NYC?
HL: New York offers you access to any kind of food possible. In the few years that I’ve lived here, I’ve had the pleasure of discovering foods from all around the world. So, if you are in New York, skip the Italian restaurants and burger joints and try something new! Whenever people visit NYC and ask me for food recommendations, my go-to suggestion is always Veselka. Veselka is a Ukrainian restaurant located in the heart of the East Village. They’ve been serving New Yorkers for nearly 68 years and are best known for their food that soothes the soul. My favorite items off the menu are the arugula and goat cheese pierogies (boiled not fried), the classic borscht, the stuffed cabbage and a raspberry blintz for dessert. They do not take reservations and can get pretty busy so I would recommend visiting on a weekday if you can, or late afternoon on the weekend. However, even if you do have to wait it is 100 percent worth it.
HC: What are some of the best art museums?
HL: One of the things that drew me to New York was the art scene. As someone who has a deep and sincere love for art history, New York is my own personal heaven. When people tend to think of art museums in New York they immediately think of The Met and the MoMa (and for good reason), but there is so much more to explore. My favorite art museum is The Whitney. The Whitney has an impressive collection of modern art that is on display year-round, but they are constantly bringing in new exhibits that never fail to move me. Every time you visit you are destined to see something new. Not to mention it’s located on the cusp of Chelsea and the West Village which are two of my favorite neighborhoods to explore. Honorable mentions would be The Frick Collection and the Neue Gallery on the Upper East Side, and the Met Cloisters in Washington Heights.
HC: Where are the best places to shop?
HL: When most people think about shopping in NYC, they tend to think about Fifth Avenue or SoHo, but my favorite neighborhood to shop in is Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Williamsburg is only a 15-minute subway ride from Greenwich Village and has so many stores to uncover. It’s best known for its thrift stores and curated vintage boutiques. It’s the best place to go for that one-of-a-kind item that you’ll never get tired of.
Definitely check out L Train Vintage and Awoke Vintage for great fashion finds and Mother of Junk for virtually any household object you can imagine.
HC: What’s your favorite thing about the city?
HL: My favorite thing about the city is the sense of community. New York has a rich history of being home to people from all walks of life. And, while New Yorkers may have the reputation of being off-putting or hostile, it couldn’t be more wrong. People are kind here and will show up for their neighbors when needed, they just may show their affection in funny ways. Above all things I’ve recommended, it’s important that while here you shop in small businesses and eat in local restaurants. Of course, you can shop and eat wherever you like, but if you can, take some time to show support for the people who call NYC home.
Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest!