“America is a nation with no truly national city, no Paris, no Rome, no London, no city which is at once the social center, the political capital, and the financial hub.”  – C. Wright Mills

The above quote is a lie.

True, we do not have a purely cultural city, but we come pretty close. New York City, though it is not our capital, is our gateway to the world. That is why I chose New York for my first city profile.

First of all, the atmosphere in the entire city is purely exciting. Even in the hustle and bustle there is still time to admire everything, and everything is on a grand scale. Consider this: there are 2,027 bridges in New York City, over 175 zip codes, and the population is 8,008,278, which results in over 400 people per square mile.

Second, there is something for everyone in the city that never sleeps. Whether you want food, culture, drama, music, recreation, art or sports, this city has it all. Even better is that it literally doesn’t sleep. This fall I took a confirmation trip to The Big Apple, and during my 1 a.m. walk to Times Square (conveniently in my pajamas), I noticed that it was more crowded then than it was at 9 p.m. earlier that night. Night owl or early riser, there is always something to keep you out.

Finally, the history of the city is so deep that the foundations of our entire country can be traced back here. First visited in 1524, the Dutch settled in 1624 and ruled over their colony of New Netherland. It was then conquered in 1664 by the English and renamed New York. The city also played a big role in the revolution, and the city became the first capital of the new nation, where President George Washington was inaugurated on April 30, 1789.

New York is an easy place to travel to and the city itself is even easier to navigate. Whether you want a relaxing trip or an adventure, New York City is the place for you.

Bon Voyage,

Ryan

City:

New York City

Must Do’s:

1. Central Park – “When you pay a visit to Central Park you will discover that there is something for everyone. From guided tours and sports to sightseeing or just plain relaxing, Central Park is New York’s backyard.”

2. Rockefeller Center – “From the soaring views of Top of the Rock to a backstage pass at NBC Studios, every Tour at Rockefeller Center brings you inside and behind-the-scenes of some of the city’s most beloved treasures. Feel like discovering the sights on your own? Explore more and visit the seasonal highlights, outdoor gardens and historic buildings that give Rockefeller Center its diverse, dynamic flavor.”

3. Ellis Island – “Millions of American citizens can now trace at least one ancestor through Ellis Island. Opened on January 1, 1892, Ellis Island became the nation’s premier federal immigration station. In operation until 1954, the station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers.”

4. Broadway – What else?

Cultural Tips:

1. Take the Subway.  Not only is it easy, but everyone does it. It is worth just the experience.

2. Jaywalking. Everyone does it, but save yourself and pay attention to where you are going.

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