New York is a city that has captured the hearts of visitors from around the world. Once you’ve visited, you’ll never want to leave. Whether you’re living in the Big Apple for a few months as an international intern, or simply passing through, it’ll take no more than a few hours to figure out why New York is the best. The “City That Never Sleeps” is truly magical, and holds something special for everyone.
From food trucks on the streets of Brooklyn to a Michelin-rated restaurant, New York City is home to some of the best food in the world, from all over the world. For an NYC classic, try either the classic New York cheesecake, a pastrami and corned beef sandwich or a coal-oven pizza.
New York is truly a shopaholic’s dream. Manhattan is home to some of the best department stores in the world. Whether scouting out Bloomingdales, the boutiques lining Fifth Avenue or the Green Flea Market, there’s always something to buy and something to sell in New York City.
Some 800 languages are spoken in New York City, making it one of the most linguistically diverse places on the planet. Around 36% of the city’s population is foreign-born, coming from the likes of the Dominican Republic, China, Jamaica, Guyana, Mexico, Ecuador, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, among hundreds of other countries.
The list of New York’s literary heroes is extensive, and includes Jonathan Franzen, Walt Whitman and Nora Ephron. A long-time literary scene and a publishing hub, it’s no wonder some of the best words ever written were written in New York.
New York City is home to some of the best museums in the world. In terms of visual arts, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum and Brooklyn Museum hold world-famous works that will melt art-lovers’ hearts.
One of the most famous parks in the world, complete with a zoo, beloved restaurant, ponds, lakes, sculptures and more, Central Park has everything a park could possibly offer. Stretching 843 acres, Central Park remains a favorite escape from Manhattan’s urban jungle.
“There’s nothing that can match Broadway for stature and dignity,” said Sammy Davis Jr. about New York’s famous theatre district, which features plays put on by the best performers and directors in the world. New York City is truly the mecca of live theater, with amazing plays and musicals not just on Broadway.
Though L.A. is the big city for the silver screen, there are plenty of television shows and movies being shot in New York City. Live shows like The Daily Show, The Late Show, and The Tonight Show are all taped in studios based in New York. Meanwhile, thousands of both major feature films and independent flicks, along with hundreds of television series have been filmed in NYC.
With the largest concentration of fashion designers and retailers in the world, it’s no surprise New York City is a hub for the international fashion industry. Some 6% of the city’s workforce work for the fashion industry. You can see it reflected on Manhattan streets, stomping grounds of the world’s best-dressed.
New York City is a comedian’s mecca. Jon Stewart, Tina Fey, Amy Schumer… all belly-bustingly funny and based in New York City. Alongside these famous, established comedians are the thousands of up-and-coming comic artists trying to make their dreams come true on stand-up stages across the city. There’s always a comedy show somewhere waiting for your chuckles in NYC.
A prominent global city and the heart of capitalism, New York is a vital city for industry. The city’s financial sector is especially powerful, Wall Street being recognized as the financial center of the globe. Two of the world’s top stock exchanges are based in New York City; the Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange.
Sources:
Photos:
2. Courtesy of The Intern Group
3. Courtesy of The Intern Group