MANHATTAN

The island where magic happens at every single corner. The options are infinite with the unstoppable tourism offer as well as the continuous evolution and development of attractions, things to do and to see.

 

WHERE TO EAT IN MANHATTAN

Cheap & Good:

• The Halal Guys (53rd street with 6th avenue, in the corner at street) – its like rice with salad and sauce around 8 dollars with drink One dish is enough for 2 people!
• Joint Burger – (119 W 56th St) – a burger hidden in a luxury hotel, behind a curtain, one of the best burger i have ever tried, around 14 dollars menu with fries and drink
• Five Guys – there some of them in Manhattan, very very good burger, around 12 dollars with a drink, free peanuts to take. Similar place is Shake Shack, where all newyorkers use to go.
• Grays Papaya (2090 Broadway with 72nd street) – iconic hot dog place, for 5 dollars you have 2 hot dogs and a drink, stand up place
• Katzs Delicatessen – (205 E Houston St) – best pastrami sandwich and worthy to go once just bit expensive like 20 dollar de menu but very good
• Kenka – (25 St Marks Pl) – half chinese and corean restaurant with eclectic decoration.
• Sylvias – (328 Malcolm X Blvd, in Harlem) – this place is pure history of Harlem. If you are in the area don’t miss it and try the fried chicken.
• St Marks Place – this street located in East Village is full of great and different places to eat! One of my favorites areas.
• Chinatown – (south Manhattan). Here you will find real Chinese cuisine with great prices. A personal recommendation: 100 Mott Street.
• Koreatown – (from Broadway to 5^th Ave, from 33^rd St to 31^st St). This are next to Empire State Building is full of Korean Restaurants.
• Pizza cheap places around the city with slides for 99 cents!  Also slices of pizza for 2.50 dollars and menu for 5 dollars. There are many places of 99c pizza throughout the city.
• Supermarkets daily food – there are many supermarkets offering daily food where you can pay depending the weight of what you take. Then you get a cheap drink in the supermarket and you can eat outside like a newyorker in any of the parks like Central Park, Byant Park, etc…

 

Different nationalities:

• Esanation, Type: Thai, Location: Hells kitchen
• 5 napkins, Type: Burger, Location: Hells kitchen
• Black iron burger, Type: Burger, Location: East Village
• Dumont burger, Type: Burger, Location: Williamsburg (Bedford ave)
• Café Habana, Type: Cuban, Location: Nolita, What to eat: Fish tacos, corn pulp fish and pork
• Saigon Shack, Type: Vietnamese, Location: GreenwichWhat to eat: soup noodles and giozas
• Momofuku, Type: Japanese, Place, What to eat: Rammen
• Ippudo, Type: Japanese, Location: Astor Pl
• Totto Ramen, Type: Japanese, Location: Astor Pl
• Pio pio, Type: Peruvian, Location: Hells Kitchen, What to eat: chicken Plate combined ceviche
• Taverna Kyclades, Type: Greek, Location: East Village, What to eat: Salsiki musaka

 

FREE ACTIVITIES IN MANHATTAN

 

Always Free Admission:

The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, and Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden in Staten Island.

Free Specific Days:

9/11 Memorial & Museum (free on Tuesdays, 5–8pm); New York Botanical Garden (free on Wednesdays); Museum of Modern Art (free on Fridays, 4–8pm); and Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum (pay-what-you-wish on Saturdays, 6–9pm).

 

TOP TO SEE AND DO IN MANHATTAN

 

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN

Times Square

Times Square is a major commercial intersection and a neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan, located at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Brightly adorned with billboards and advertisements, Times Square is sometimes referred to as «The Crossroads of the World» or «The Center of the Universe».

40.000 million visitors annually. 330.000 people daily. Around 40 Broadway theaters. Around 60 ad billboards in the area. 7th Avenue and Broadway junction. From 42nd to 47th streets. Since 1904 renamed as Times Square thanks to The New York Times newspaper building headquarters, the Times Building (now called One Times Square). That building is the site of the annual ball drop on New Year’s Eve, which began on December 31, 1907, and continues today, attracting over a million visitors to Times Square every New Year’s Eve. Times Square, the place most loved by Marketing Lovers, where people take pictures to the advertising. 

Here you can find people from everywhere around the world, as well as people of every kind.

 

The Naked Cowboy is already an icon of this area, such a fun guy we were singing together the FlyWithFlow Song. I read some news in 2019 he was making 150K dollars per year.

 

One of my best friends Sergio and me, having fun in the Center of the World.

Outfit ready for business when I was working forNYC & Company (www.nycgo.com) the official tourism organization in New York City.

Very lucky to have the chance of enjoying Times Square while snowing, magic feelings!

This is my first picture in Times Square in March 2015, the first time that I was hallucinating with this unique place.

 

Empire State Building

Empire State Building from 1931 it was built only on 410 days it’s a 102 story skyscraper, 443 meters high, 6.500 windows, 1.860 steps, world tallest building during 40 years. You can see it almost from every corner of NYC.

It has a deck observatory with views on 86th floor for 32$ and for a total of 52$ allows going on the102th floor. Depending of the occasion, the lights on top brights with different colors. King Kong used to hang out here atop to also enjoy the magnificent views.

 

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 buildings covering 89.000m2 between 48th and 51st streets. The Rockefeller family is an American industrial, political, and banking family that made one of the world’s largest fortunes in the oil business during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The «Top of the Rock» is the observation deck atop the skyscraper, offers a bird’s eye view of the city, the best one in my opintion. 260 meters tall and 70 floors where enjoy 360º views of the city for 32$.

 

Top of The Rock

Top of the Rock at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Best moment to go is undoubtedly when sun goes down. Then you can admire 360º views of this amazing piece of city art by day, at sunset and at night.

Tickets allowed you to go up in specific time range you can choose if available, depends of the season make sure you get your tickets with hours/days in advance, 32$.

I can´t stop looking at this city from here.

Here with one of my best bros from New York City, my dear Ariot is always so much fun!

 

Wait until sunset and then to the night, to see the city in very diferent ways. When all the buildings are lighting up is amazing.

 

Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building is an art deco style skyscraper in New York City, located on the east side of Manhattan in the Turtle Bay area at the intersection of 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. With 319 meters tall, the structure was the world’s tallest building for 11 months before it was surpassed by the Empire State Building in 1931.

 

Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is the heart which moves New York City and it has a wonderful arquitecture. Located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue, Grand Central Terminal (GCT) is a commuter railroad terminal which covers 19 hectares and has 44 platforms, more than any other railroad station in the world. The total number of tracks along platforms and in rail yards exceeds 100.

Outside, the giant clock of 4 meters from Grand Central Terminal is surrounded by sculptures of Minerva, Hercules and Mercury. The high trio statue is around 15 meters was built in 1914 and then considered the largest sculptural group in the world.

 

Bryant Park

Bryant Park, surrounded by trees and high buildings is a green breath in the middle of Manhattan, beside the New York Public Library and few steps to Chrysler Building and Grand Central Terminal.

 

The Flatiron Building

The Flatiron Building, located next to Madison Square Park in Flatiron District, was completed in 1902 when was one of the tallest buildings in the city at 21 floors high.

 

Madison Square Park

As varied as the city, New York has significant buildings in a wide range of styles from different historical and cultural periods. Here, two of my favorites. The NewYork Life Building (on the left) with the golden peak, 187m high and Gothic Revival style. The MetLife Building (in the middle) with the clock, Italian Renaissance Revival style, and 214m high it was the tallest building in world from 1909 to 1913.

 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

By walking 5th Avenue you will find many buildings but this is definitely a special one. This neo gothic cathedral is one of the symbols of the city, built in 1879.

 

Central Park

Probably the most iconic park in the world, famous for films and history. Central park is 1km wide and 4km long it has more than 35 million visitors per year. Inside the park you have the feeling of getting lost between the lakes and trees and at some moments you will not see any building around. Here you will find the Imagine Mosaic, as a memory of John Lennon.

 

Look at this interesting place full of mosaics inside Central Park, in this occasion I will not tell you where it is, go and find it yourself!

One of the most interesting activities is to do Bike Tour in Central Park 🚲 It is perfect to be discovered by a bike tour, to explore all the hidden gems and typical places of Central Park.

 

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park

It is one of the most well known fountains in the world and one of the largest fountains in New York, measuring 8 meters high by 30 meters wide. Created by artist Emma Stebbins in 1868 and unveiled in 1873, this iconic fountain features the Angel of the Waters, who holds a lily, signifying the fresh water system that was brought to New York in 1842. Both the terrace and fountain have been featured in several movies, including Home Alone 2, Elf, Stuart Little 2, Bee Movie, Mr. Deeds and more.

 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Art Museum of NYC, built in 1874, is the largest museum in U.S and it features 2 million artworks divided among 17 sections. Special mention to all the things related to Egypt, it is simply amazing. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, is the largest art museum in the US and one of the ten largest in the world. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided among seventeen curatorial departments. 

Represented in the permanent collection are works of art from classical antiquity and Ancient Egypt, paintings and sculptures from nearly all the European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art. The Met also maintains extensive holdings of African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine, and Islamic art. The museum is also home to encyclopedic collections of musical instruments, costumes and accessories, and antique weapons and armor from around the world.

 

The American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History was founded in 1869 and is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The museum complex comprises 27 interconnected buildings housing 45 permanent exhibition halls, in addition to a planetarium and a library. The museum collections contain over 32 million specimens of plants, humans, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human cultural artifacts. It has a full-time scientific staff of 225 people and averages about five million visits annually.

Tyrannosaurus Rex, the star of the American Museum of Natural History. Indeed, yes they were big, I would love to ride one of them!

 

Guggenheim Museum

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, often referred to as The Guggenheim, is an art museum located in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan. It is the permanent home of a renowned and continuously expanding collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern and contemporary art and also features special exhibitions throughout the year. During my visit there was a temporary exhibition from On Kawara, a Japanase artist, which work engages the personal and historical consciousness of place and time. It includes every category of work, much of it produced during his travels across the globe: date paintings (the Today series); postcards (the I Got Up series); telegrams (the I Am Still Alive series); maps (the I Went series); lists of names (the I Met series); newspaper cuttings (the I Read series); the inventory of paintings (Journals); and calendars (One Hundred Years and One Million Years). This temporary exhibition from On Kawara was awesome and must be explained by a tour guide to totally understand it.

 

The Museum of the City of New York

Founded in 1923 to preserve and present the history of New York City and its people. There was an exhibition called «New York At Its Core» which is a three gallery exploration of 400 years of history and also looking at the future of the city.

 

Met Breuer

Located in the Upper East Side, 75th street with Madison Avenue, this museum is an expansion of the worldwide well known Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcasing modern and contemporary art. One of the exhibitions at that moment was called «Unfinished», with works of art which are incomplete. And yes, it’s true, because something doesn’t need to be finished to be wonderful. 

Some works of art here are from Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, Vang Gogh, Rembrandt, Andy Warhol and Cezanne, among others. The Met Breuer Museum is located in the Upper East Side, 75th street with Madison Avenue. This museum is an expansion of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcasing modern and contemporary art.

 

The Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera was founded in 1883, with its first opera house built on Broadway and 39th Street by a group of wealthy businessmen who wanted their own theater. Currently is located at the Metropolitan Opera House at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The Metropolitan Opera is the largest classical music organization in North America. It presents about 27 different operas each year in a season. Each season the Met stages more than 200 opera performances in New York. More than 800,000 people attend the performances in the opera house during the season.

Outfitting good, inside and outside. Art on stage, «La nozze di Figaro» in Italian. Music, tasty through the ears, by Mozart. The place, amazing. The experience, unique.

 

Dakota Building

The Dakota Building, next to Central Park on 72nd street, was built around 1880. Here, John Lennon from The Beatles was living from 1973 to 1980. Here, John Lennon was shot and murdered on 8th December 1980. Yoko Ono is still living here, where an apartment costs between $4 million and $30 million. RIP & Imagine.

 

Columbus Circle

Right next to Central Park, in its south west corner is one of the most famous roundabouts, with the statue of Cristobal Colon in the middle.

National Geographic Encounter

Into the Pacific Ocean!🦑 It is an immersive entertainment experience that harnesses groundbreaking technology to transport guests on an incredible underwater journey. Visitors will walk through with friends and family on a virtual journey across the Pacific Ocean to interact with and encounter the ocean’s greatest wonders and mightiest creatures. You’ll come face-to-face with humpback whales, great white sharks, Humboldt squid, sea lions and animals you’ve never dreamed of. Encounter the «ultimate undersea experience» in Times Square, where every moment is designed to take your breath away.

 

Food Cart Tour

Food Cart Tour in Midtown Manhattan 🌮 A different way to explore the diverse gastronomy of the city, tasting food from Mexico, South Korea, Bangladesh and more! It is also possible to do in Lower Manhattan.

 

LOWER MANHATTAN

Lower Manhattan offers varied attractions as:

• The area of World Trade Center and panoramic views atop the One World Observatory
• The amazing architecture and design of the Oculus, a main transportation hub.
• The shopping of Westfield and Brookfield.
• The varied gastronomy of Le District, Hudson Eats and Eataly
• The area of Battery Park with the Sphere, the SeaGlass Carousel and views to Statue of Liberty.
• The vibe of Financial District with Wall Street, Trinity Church, the Charging Bull, Federal Hall, Stone Street, etc
  And much more!

 

Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards, located in the west side of Manhattan, is the largest private real state development in U.S history, and it brings many new options and fun to the city:

• The Edge: Opened in 2020 at Hudson Yards. The new rooftop observatory in Manhattan, the highest outdoor deck in the Western Hemisphere, located on the 100th floor at 335 meters high.
• The Vessel: A 15 story structure with 154 interconnecting flights of stairs with more than 2.500 steps with 80 landings.
• The Shed: Art center to produce and present all types of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture.
• Shopping: With more than 100 shops and restaurants.
• Mercado Little Spain: The Chef José Andrés and Adriá brothers created a special food court to enjoy Spanish Gastronomy.

 

The Edge

The New Top of New York🗽The new place to wish new dreams💫 New York City, never stops evolving and surprising. The “Edge” opened in 2020 with this amazing panoramic magic. Hudson Yards has the new rooftop observatory in Manhattan, the highest outdoor deck in the Western Hemisphere, located on the 100th floor at 335 meters high.

 

The Vessel

The “Vessel” is the new icon of Manhattan🧡 More than 2.500 steps and 80 landings, inside this creative 15 stories structure with 154 interconnecting flights of labyrinth stairs.🧩

The entrance is FREE! (0$), right now is a very popular attraction, so you need to get your tickets in advance by its official website. It opened on March 2019 at Hudson Yards and it offers a different experience with unique perspectives and unforgettable skyline sunsets.

The “Vessel” from inside looks like magic🔮 Life is about experiences and definitely exploring this new attraction is a different feeling of perspectives and shapes.

 

One World Observatory

More than 100 floors above the ground you will get unique views of Manhattan, from south to north, of Brooklyn with the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, New Jersey and the Statue of Liberty. One World Observatory is located atop the One World Trade Center and it offers amazing views from the 102 floor for 32$.

Advices:
– Get your tickets in advance to be able to choose your preferred time to go up.
– Try to have a clear sky for amazing views, also cloudy could be wonderful, especially during sunset.
– It offers a totally different panoramic view than Empire and Top of the Rock as it is located in Lower Manhattan.
– Explore around Lower Manhattan as there are many varied things to do!

 

One World Trade Center

104 floors, 541 meters tall and 3.9 billion dollars. The One World Trade Center is the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere and the fourth in the world. Built next to Twin Towers area, it’s the new icon and pride of New York City. It’s height in feet is the same number than the signature year of the United States Declaration of Independence, 1.776.

The One World Trade Center with 541m is the fourth tallest skyscraper in the world. The first one is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai with 828m, second one is the Shanghai Tower in Shanghai with 632m, and third one is the Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia with 601m. Anyway, I’m sure that best views are here, New York City. The view is looking northwest, with Empire State Building at north and Hudson River at west.

 

Ground Zero

Twin towers opened 4th April 1973 and were destroyed in 11th September 2001. Around 2.500 civilians, 343 firefighters, 72 policemen and 55 military were killed. The same space of Twin Towers was replaced by two square pools where is written the names of all people deceased. Now here, lies the void, full of pain, controversy and memory.

 

Chinatown

New York City it’s impressively full of wide contrasts, two streets beyond the Lower Manhattan and Financial District you may discover a new world, you are already in China! Just 10 minutes walking from the Financial District of Manhattan you directly arrive to China. The smell, the taste, the noise, the hustle, the billboards, the people, you are in Chinatown. This is a great place to eat and do shopping with great prices. You will find diverse restaurants representing the cuisine of every province of mainland China and Hong Kong, plus Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese eateries and shops.

Here with my dear cousin Patricia, exploring around this fascinating area. Located in Lower Manhattan, Chinatown is home of one of the largest enclave of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere. With an estimated population of 90,000 to 100,000 people, Manhattan’s Chinatown is also one of the oldest ethnic Chinese enclaves outside of China. The Manhattan Chinatown is one of nine Chinatown neighborhoods in New York City, enumerating an estimated 800.000 uniracial individuals.

 

West Village

West Village is a lovely neighborhood located in southwest Manhattan and it perfectly shows the wide range of diversity you can find in New York City. This area is full of restaurants of every kind and jazz clubs. I recommend you to go around the following streets and check the ambience of the bars around: MacDougal Street, Bleecker Street and 3rd Street.

• Off the wagon (109 Macdougal St)
• Cafe Wha? (115 MacDougal St)
• 3 Sheets Saloon (134 W 3rd St)

 

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is one of the 1.900 New York City’s public parks. It’s located in Greenwich Village neighborhood and it’s a meeting place as well as a center for cultural activities.

 

Whitney Museum of American Art

This museum is focused on American Art from 20th and 21st century. This is the view from the terrace of the new Whitney Museum of American Art, which is located in Meatpacking District.

 

Tenement Museum

The Tenement Museum tells the stories of 97 Orchard Street. Built on Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 1863, America’s iconic immigrant neighborhood, this tenement apartment building was home to nearly 7000 working class immigrants. The five-story brick tenement building was home of over 20 nations, between 1863 and 1935. You can take take guided tours of apartments that recreate immigrant life in the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of them rooms are totally preserved and give you a real idea about how the people was living during those periods. This is Orchard Street, where is located the Tenement Museum.

 

The New Museum

The views from the top of the New Museum. Founded in 1977, the New Museum is a leading destination for new art and new ideas. It is Manhattan’s only dedicated contemporary art museum and is respected internationally for the adventurousness and global scope of its curatorial program. The New Museum, designed by Tokyo-based architects, is a seven-story, eight-level structure located at 235 Bowery between Stanton and Rivington Streets, at the origin of Prince Street.

 

Ice Rink at Rockefeller

Heart of Midtown, steps from Times Square and the Theater District, The Rink at Rockefeller Center is a New York City tradition and a big fun. Here is where the Christmas tree gives light to the ilusion of New Yok City. You can enjoy the skaters taking a spin on the ice, or go ahead and try it, from October to April. The admission is adults from $25 to $32, and kids under 11 for 15$, depending on time of year. Skate rentals are $12. There are more ice rinks to enjoy in Central Park and Bryant Park, among others.

 

Wall Street

Wall Street. Stock Exchange Building. Millions dollars right here. Up and down. Left and right. The most valuable value. Me and my positivism. By the way, it is by far the world’s largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies at US$19.69 trillion as of May 2015. The average daily trading value was approximately US$169 billion in 2013.

 

Oculus

The World Trade Center Transportation Hub is serving more than 200.000 daily commuters and millions of annual visitors. It connects visitors to 11 different subway lines. This iconic centerpiece of the sprawling transit facility is a Santiago Calatrava-designed. It provides the 100.000 riders that use the PATH facility daily with below-ground, climate-controlled access to an entrance at the corner of Liberty and Church streets, a few blocks from Wall Street.

 

The Charging Bull

3.200 kilogram. 3.4 meters tall. 4.9 meters long. I don’t mean my dear cousin Patricia, I mean the bull sculpture. The oversize sculpture depicts a bull, the symbol of aggressive financial optimism and prosperity, leaning back on its haunches and with its head lowered as if ready to charge. The sculpture is both a popular tourist destination which draws thousands of people a day, as well as one of the most iconic images of New York, symbolizing Wall Street and the Financial District. Di Modica spent some $360,000 to create, cast, and install the sculpture following the 1987 stock market crash as a symbol of the «strength and power of the American people. The sculpture was the artist’s idea, not the city’s. In an act of «guerrilla art», he trucked it to Lower Manhattan and on December 15, 1989, installed it beneath a 60-foot Christmas tree in the middle of Broad Street in front of the New York Stock Exchange as a Christmas gift to the people of New York. That day, crowds came to look at the bull, with hundreds stopping to admire and analyze the gift as Di Modica handed out copies of a flier about his artwork. The police seized the sculpture and placed it into an impound lot. The city install it two blocks south of the Exchange in the plaza at Bowling Green with a ceremony on December 21, 1989.

 

Battery Park

One of the most important areas of Lower Manhattan where is a must to walk around to discover it and also because here is the terminal for the Staten Island Ferry and the ferries to visit the Statue of Liberty.

 

Seaglass Carousel

The SeaGlass Carousel in Battery Park is an aquatic-themed ride aimed to entertain, inspire and educate visitors by imitating an underwater experience on a rotating pavilion within its stainless-steel and glass structure.

 

Statue of Liberty

My favorite Lady. 46 meters of statue. 93 meters of sculpture. 204 tonnes of total weight. The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island. The copper statue was built by Gustave Eiffel and dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was a gift to the United States from the people of France. 

The statue is of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess, who bears a torch and a tabula ansata (a tablet evoking the law) upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. A broken chain lies at her feet. The statue is an icon of freedom and of the United States, and was a welcoming sight to immigrants arriving from abroad.

 

The Color Factory

Feeling deep in bubble dreams 🌀 The Color Factory is an interactive colorful exhibit located in SoHo, Manhattan, which makes you feel like discovering another world of fantasy and magic.🌈🐉

Be your Color for this World 🌈 Sometimes you may feel right there between million of colors exactly like you, but you are the only one who has your unique brightness, contrast and highlights💫

 

There are 16 multisensory rooms showcasing artwork from local writers, poets and musicians. The ticket is around 38$ available online, and advance purchase is suggested.⏳

Bring your phone full of battery as you will need it to take some colorful cool pictures. Otherwise don’t worry, upon entry you get a personal card which can be scanned at some stops, to get a picture by the cameras in the walls and ceiling, and receive the pictures into your email. Also interesting if you are doing the visit just by yourself.📸

 

Helicopter

One of the most incredible experiencies of my entire life! This city is impressive from every angle, just imagine to see the magnificence from the top. You will never forget it.

 

View of Lower Manhattan.

View of Statue of Liberty.

View of Upper West Side.

 

HARLEM

The Apollo Theater

The Apollo Theater, located in Harlem and built in 1913/14, is a music hall which is a noted venue for African-American performers. The mythical and popular «Amateur Nights» have seen the birth of music legends as Stevie Wonder, with a 13 years old debut, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Ella Fitgerald and Lauryn Hill.

 

Amateur Nights at Apollo

Such a big fun! Every Wednesday is happening in Harlem, we got the tickets couple hours in advance for 27$. The Apollo Theater, located in Harlem and built in 1913/14, is a music hall which is a noted venue for African-American performers. The mythical and popular «Amateur Nights» have seen the birth of music legends as Stevie Wonder, with a 13 years old debut, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald and Lauryn Hill, among others.

Every show use to have an intermission, here in Harlem in the «Amateur Nights», things are different. Suddenly, the intermission became a party inside the theater!! And everyone was invited to dance on the stage!! Any of this participants will be a future super star? This is Harlem! This is New York City!

 

Gospel in Harlem

While enjoying a gospel I got invited to be on the stage. Big feelings to be in the middle of the gospel chorus singing and smiling all together. This activity is free and afterwards you may have lunch around Harlem, where find diverse gastronomy with good prices. See below couple of churches to enjoy gospel. Normally is on Sunday mornings and Wednesdays, but check the schedule before visiting.

• St Andrew´s Episcopal Church.
• Bethel Gospel Assembly.
• Abbyssinian Baptist Church.

 

Red Rooster

Harlem is full of things to do, love this area. This restaurant bar is located at 125th Street next to two emblematic places such as Sylvia’s and Apollo Theater. By the way, order one of my favorites beers, Blue Moon ! 🍺

 

East River Ferry

Interesing to get some amazing views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the skyline of Manhattan on a different and affordable way. The price of a ride is only 2.75$ per ticket.

Apart from the East River Ferry, the city is well connected by ferries, see above the map and click here for the official website with schedules and more information.

 

*Some information is taken from Wikipedia as Source.