The Big Apple has a mixed reputation for people who have never experienced it. New York City is a complex place, buzzing with activities, innovations, people and flavors. But at the same time, it’s a big town which can be a little daunting if you’ve grown up in a rural region. Big cities are filled with modern and gray structures, traffic jams, and busy people who might not have time to get to know you. They look like nothing you’d be used to if you come from a quiet little place in the countryside. Even if you grew up in a town, it’s fair to say that NYC is like no other town in the world. So, if you’ve got a friend who’s visiting the Big Apple for the first time, you need to prepare them to appreciate the mixture of business and fun of your beloved city. Indeed, New York is 50 shades of metropole, combining old and new in ways that nobody has experienced elsewhere.
#1. Events are bigger in NYC
With over 8 million inhabitants – as estimated in 2016 – the 5 boroughs of NYC have a lot of fun to offer. You can imagine that every national event is so much bigger here, from the 4th of July to New Year’s Eve. In fact, the best time to visit the city is to a date where you can be sure there will be something happening. While it might be a little short-notice to plan Independence Day in NYC, there’s still plenty of time to organize Halloween, Thanksgiving, a Christmas outing, or even the next LGBT pride day. Indeed, the best way to get a feel of what NYC is all about is to hit the streets with thousands of people supporting an honorable cause and partying together. Once word of advice for your friend, though, tell them to pack comfortable shoes! There will be a lot of walking around.
#2. You’ll never be bored
The Big Apple is a place of culture for anyone who likes the arts. There are many entertainment options in New York, starting with the famous shows in the Theater District of Manhattan. Broadway shows continue to run at the area’s most historic theaters, but there are plenty of other options. You’ll even find many modern movie theaters, and exciting museums including the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium and a Madame Tussauds exhibition. Ultimately, it’s impossible to find NYC dull: There is so much to see.
#3. The food scene is AMAZING
If your friend is a foodie, they’ll fall in love with the variety of culinary experiences available in town. You’ll find a simple but delicious traditional French restaurant, Bistro Pierre Lapin, in Greenwich Village, which serves as a casual and proximity place with simple but excellent cuisine. The artichoke with vinaigrette is a favorite! For an Asian feel, suggest the Momofuku Ko in the East Village, an a la carte bar with quick dishes from two-Michelin-starred chef David Chang. A delicious meal that doesn’t break the bank, that’s enough to make a foodie fall in love with NYC.
#4. It’s a creative place
The main reason why the Big Apple is so popular with intellectual audiences is that it has been attracting artists for generations. Form the sculptor Cecile Abish to the extravagant film director, screenwriter and actor Mel Brooks, New York City is a cradle of creativity. For an aspiring artist, it’s also the perfect place to start their career, or at least to get to meet inspiring people and build up their professional networks. Indeed, NYC has a creative soul that runs like a living heart in each street, corner and under every bridge in town. Something as simple as a map takes a different direction here, as shown by Katharine Harmon in her book about map-making. Each map explores how people see the town. It’s not so much the topographical New York City as the lesser explored psychogeographical aspects of the place. The more you dive into its structured landscape, the more you find out about the way cultures come together here. The more you know about New York City, the more you know about people, and the less you know about you. For the creative mind, it’s a place of constant rediscovery.
#5. Beware though: It’s the least friendly city in the US
NYC has a bad rep, for many it’s the unfriendliest city in America. It’s worth warning your friend that people here are busy. But they do know how to have fun and enjoy life too, which is why the town is also one of the friendliest places on earth. Confusing? Yes! That’s why you’re here to showcase its best side.
New York City is a place of culture, fantastic food, great inspiration: It’s the ideal spot for personal growth. So make sure to encourage your friend to enjoy every minute of it.