laurelfriedman-blog

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About Me

My parents, Donna and George Friedman, and I (20) in front of the Central Park Reservoir on one of our city outings last May. 

From left to right: Me (20), Danielle Adiletta (20), Lauren Kleiman (20), and Remi Klein (20) shopping in downtown Manhattan.

Hi! My name is Laurel Friedman and I am a junior advertising major at the University of Florida. I have created this blog for my Writing for Mass Communication class. 

I put a lot of thought into this assignment, as I knew that I wanted to blog about something that I not only know a lot about, but that I also love. New York immediately came to mind, as I have come to appreciate all reminders of home ever since moving to Gainesville for school. As a native New Yorker, I have nothing but love for my city. I have lived in New York my entire life and have made many amazing memories in the city. 

Although I moved from the city when I was young, I live close enough that I travel there often. I venture into the city to try new restaurants, to spend leisure time outdoors, to shop, and to sometimes get a change of scenery when I am in need of it. The city has always been accessible to me, whether I traveled by train or by car.  For the first time in my life, I am not a quick car or train ride away from New York, as I am attending UF. However, I visit as much as possible and have many great recommendations to give. When I am home, I try to make as many trips into the city as I can. Not being able to visit New York has been the hardest part of moving away to college for me. 

I have spent extensive time in all different areas of NYC and feel that I have accumulated enough knowledge of the city that I could help a tourist construct a trip to New York that encompasses the best features of the city. New York has so much to offer so it is important to plan your days strategically if you’re only visiting for a short period of time. By incorporating a few of my recommendations into your itinerary, I hope that you are able to have a taste of each of New York’s many aspects.

I want to be able to share my favorite spots of the city with my peers and other viewers so that hopefully they can benefit from my suggestions if they ever have the chance to visit New York. I intentionally tried to highlight some of the less-known places that Manhattan has to offer so that my blog would be different from other New York blogs. I really wanted to deliver fresh information to my viewers in order to help them plan the best trip possible.

For more information on New York, you can check this blog for other helpful recommendations! I hope you enjoy!

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog 

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Spending time in the great outdoors of the “Concrete Jungle”

New York is quite a sight with its skyscrapers on every block, making you feel more immersed in a city than ever before. However, New York also has some token spots that are great for spending time outdoors. Besides your commutes, many of your activities will be spent inside. However, some of the nicest areas that the city has to offer are outside and you will not want to miss them. 

One of the great things about New York is that you can be outside year-round and still enjoy your trip. It does get hot in the summers and cold in the winters, but with the proper clothing, you should be able to comfortably enjoy the city without having to hide indoors. I guarantee that spending some of your trip outdoors will add to your experience. 

When you are asked to think of New York’s version of nature, I’m sure Central Park comes to mind. This is definitely going to be on your list of places to see if you are a tourist (or even if you aren’t) when visiting New York. Besides its grass fields, Central Park contains a zoo, boating, beautiful lakes, “The Mall,” Strawberry Fields, an amphitheater, Bethesda Terrace and many other spots you should be sure to check out. You should definitely allot Central Park a decent amount of time so that you get to visit its different attractions.

A simplistic map of Central Park including some of the park’s attractions.

Photo from marvelheroicrp.wikia.com

However, one of New York’s gems that is less-known is Bryant Park, which is just a few blocks away from Grand Central Terminal and Times Square. Bryant Park operates on a seasonal schedule. You will find different things to do there depending on the time of year. In the winter, Bryant Park is known for its Winter Village. The Winter Village contains holiday shops, food carts, an ice skating rink and festive winter decorations. The light-hearted festival is enjoyable for everyone and is a great outdoor activity for visiting around Christmas. 

In the summer, Bryant Park is great for catching up with friends, either at one of the restaurants in the park, or by lounging in the grassy center. The park is great for relaxing and enjoying a warm city day. Winter or summer, you can never go wrong with Bryant Park. 

People relaxing in Bryant Park on a summer afternoon.

Photo from bryantpark.org

One of my favorite spots in all of New York City is the Highline. The Highline passes through the Meatpacking District, Chelsea and other areas of the West Side, so you can enter in multiple locations. The Highline utilizes Manhattan’s vertical space to add nature to the congested city. It is an elevated linear park that was built on a historic train line above the streets of the West Side. The Highline is a great way to see gardens, art, musical performances and other great views of the city all from a platform above New York. I love taking my visitors to the Highline because it is an area of the city that is so different from the rest. 

Visitors of the Highline sightseeing and taking in the views of New York.

Photo from timeout.com

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/free-activities-nyc

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Where to go to find New York’s best eats

It is your first time in New York and you’re looking to eat well. Of course, you will want to try the best of what the city has to offer. I’ll break it to you now: you are not even going to come close to experiencing all of the city’s amazing food selection. The restaurants in the city are always coming up with interesting ideas to spice up the ordinary meal. These restaurants incorporate different ways of preparing a dish by adding new ingredients and offering creative food items that you would never have imagined could exist. 

One of my favorite summer activities in New York is to go to Smorgasburg in Brooklyn. Smorgasburg is a seasonal open-air food market that brings unique food to Brooklyn from over 100 different vendors. There is so much variety at Smorgasburg you will not know where to begin. I recommend first doing a lap around the whole market so you can assess your choices before making a purchase. 

One of the best parts of the market is its variety. The vendors change at Smorgasburg each year, so each of your visits will be different from the last. One of the markets is located in Prospect Park. This location is ideal because after eating more than you can imagine, you can walk off some of your feast. My tip for Smorgasburg is to be bold; you may never get the chance to try some of these foods ever again! 

Flocks of people visiting the different food stands at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn.

Photo from smorgasburg.com

There are other places that you cannot miss when you go to the city, or your trip will feel incomplete. Unlike some of New York’s quirkier restaurants, some of my favorite restaurants that Manhattan has to offer have been serving up some of the best food for quite some time now. I would definitely check the menus of some restaurants before making your reservation.

A view of the outside of Sarabeth’s Upper West Side location at 423 Amsterdam Avenue.

Photo from sarabeth.com

An assortment of breakfast dishes served at Sarabeth’s in Tribeca.

Photo from prettyhungry.me

Sarabeth’s is the destination spot for Sunday brunch in the city. Their menu will have you stirring with indecisiveness, as you will quickly realize this is going to be a tough place to pick only one meal to order. Besides the yummy assortment in breakfast and lunch choices, Sarabeth’s has a great atmosphere as well. You definitely cannot go wrong if you choose to go to a Sarabeth’s (there are several locations) while visiting New York, you can hold me to it! 

http://prettyhungry.me/2015/04/breakfast-at-sarabeth-new-york/

The exterior view of Carmine’s on 200 West 44th St. at Christmas time.

Photo from Pinterest.com

One of the best dishes at Carmine’s is the family style lasagna.

Photo from restaurantbusinessonline.com

Still hungry? Eating at Sarabeth’s should definitely hold you over for a while. With all of the hustling and bustling that you’ll do in New York, you’ll want to reward yourself with a good meal at the end of the day. Carmine’s will offer you some of the best Italian food that you can get in New York. Carmine’s is known for its old-time atmosphere and huge portions. You will not leave hungry. Carmine’s has been cooking up Southern Italian cuisine for years and has developed a reputation as a restaurant meant for celebrating. Keep in mind that Carmine’s is family style, so order with caution. Lastly, make sure to leave room for dessert! 

“The Titanic” is the ultimate dessert sundae, a dish only served at Carmine’s.

Photo from menuism.com 

https://www.walksofnewyork.com/blog/best-restaurants-times-square

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The finest entertainment in the industry

New York City is also regarded as one of the most prominent culture hubs in the world. People visit New York from all over the globe to get a taste of its vibrant culture, for it is truly a diverse city. It is impossible to feel bored in the city that never sleeps. 

A unique aspect of New York is its dazzling Broadway productions that have impressed city-goers for decades. There is simply no better entertainment than a Broadway show. It is perfectly normal for people to get up before the sun rises, to stand in line in frigid weather for hours and to make other hefty compromises to acquire tickets to the hottest Broadway productions. 

Hamilton is one of the most revolutionizing productions that Broadway has seen. The show has become wildly successful, leaving most who have seen it in awe of the performance. Hamilton has inspired the theater industry and has gained a large fan base. Tickets were practically impossible to get when Hamilton made its first debut. The show incorporates extremely well-written raps to tell the story of Alexander Hamilton’s life as a founding father. The passion for this musical is shared by most as tickets to this show have become some of the most sought after tickets in musical history. 

The famous image associated with the Hamilton musical, which includes a silhouetted figure of Alexander Hamilton.

Photo from Broadway.com

Another show that has generated an extremely dedicated following is Wicked, a show about the untold story of The Wizard of Oz. The show combines brilliant music and choreography to tell the backstory of an American classic with a spin on the plot. Wicked, which first came to Broadway in 2003, has yet to go out of style. The witches’ music captured the hearts of many when the play made its debut and the songs are still some of the most popular show tunes heard to this day. Although Broadway has been producing musicals that have withstood the test of time such as The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked is still one of the most popular productions that Broadway has produced.

The image that is associated with the musical Wicked, featuring both the Good and Bad Witches that star in the show.

Photo from Broadway.com

You can purchase your tickets for Broadway shows from a variety of websites, such as broadway.com, seatgeek.com, and broadwaybox.com. Ticket booths are located at the theaters and around the city that you can go to for tickets. There is also an area in Times Square that you can acquire discount tickets from if you join the line early enough! 

You should be wary of the fact that Broadway shows are an expensive affair. Tickets can get pricy, especially for the newest shows. However, I urge you to try to attend a show because you definitely will not regret it. Broadway puts on a unique show that has consistently encapsulated its audience for years. Broadway is a treasure to New York. If you get the chance to catch a show, it will be one of the most memorable parts of your trip!

http://thebroadwayblog.com/

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Check out shopping districts you can only find in New York

New York City is also known for its extensive selection of places to shop, featuring many famous shopping districts and department stores. Some of these department stores even create grand displays as a way of getting as many people to the store as possible. New York shopping is especially distinct because some major shopping icons have their largest stores located in New York. Large stores such as Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s have actually become popular tourist destinations. 

The Christmas displays in New York at many of the major department stores bring people together in the spirit of the season. The famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is also an example of how central the fashion business is in Manhattan. There is all of this and more on 5th Avenue and Herald Square, which is where some of New York’s major shopping is located. 5th Avenue is known as the home to many glamourous brands in New York. 5th Avenue is a great place for leisure walking in New York and will give you a real feel for the city if you decide to stroll there. 

A shot of 5th Avenue, a major shopping district in New York City.

Photo from tripsavvy.com

Besides these large stores, the streets of New York are lined with vendors who sell a wide variety of products that range from accessories to artwork. These vendors set up their carts all over the city. It is virtually impossible not to encounter one of these street stands while visiting. This shopping form embodies the fast-paced nature that New York is known to have, as customers usually tend to make quick purchases at these stands. 

One of my favorite stores to shop in when I’m in New York is Century 21. Century 21 has a few locations in New York, so hopefully while you are there you can make it to at least one of them. Century 21 is known for its selection of designer brands at great prices. The store generates more foot-traffic than any other clothing store in New York on a daily basis! This is a great place to come to for any fashion need you can think of. 

The downtown location of Century 21 Department Stores.

Photo from alamy stock photo. 

For other shopping adventures, Soho is definitely worth checking out. Soho, which refers to the fact that the area is South of Houston Street, is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan. Soho is often regarded as one of New York’s central fashion districts. The main street that runs through Soho is Broadway, but there are many other streets there that contain some of the best shopping, such as Spring St., Canal St., Bleecker St. and Mercer St. The streets are lined with many recognizable brand names, such as Adidas and Bloomingdale’s, as well as boutique stores that are less known. If you have shopping motives, you can easily get lost in Soho for hours by walking in-and-out of dozens of stores. Soho is one of the most compact shopping areas that New York City offers. 

A shot of Broadway, the central street that runs through Soho, featuring many fashion stores and recognizable brand names. 

Photo from 10best.com

It would not be a trip to New York without throwing in some shopping, even if you are not too keen on shopping. I am not recommending shopping from a materialistic point of view. Shopping is central to the New York culture as some of the most iconic brands of our time have originated in New York. Shopping is also a great way to feel more immersed in the city as opposed to only visiting the normal tourist destinations. Taking some time to experience streets such as 5th Avenue is a great way to put yourself in the shoes of a New Yorker. 

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/new-york-department-stores-history/all

https://www.walksofnewyork.com/blog/shopping-in-nyc

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Welcome to Ghouls, Goblins and Greeks! GGG is an annual Halloween event hosted by UF’s very own Junior Panhellenic Council. The Panhellenic Council puts great effort into this event every year and gets the different chapters involved. As a member of the Greek community for the last two years, I have been able to participate in my chapter’s preparation for this event every fall. The safe and fun trick-or-treating event takes place on Sorority Row (W. and E. Panhellenic Drive) at the University of Florida in Gainesville. GGG always has lots of games, decorations and candy of course!

The event took place on Friday, Oct. 27, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Children of all ages, accompanied by their parents, came out to Sorority Row with their best masks, empty pillow cases and hungry bellies. Each house on Sorority Row had games, candy and a theme prepared for their trick-or-treaters’ enjoyment upon their arrival. Admission to the event is free, and families walked up and down Row to participate in the Halloween festivities. There were energetic sorority girls at each house that would greet all of the trick-or-treaters. Overall, the event is a success every year, and everyone involved had a blast!

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My sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi, had a safari theme this year at Ghouls, Goblins and Greeks. Every sorority house had a different theme so that the trick-or-treaters could have a different experience at each house. Girls showed their spirit by dressing up as different safari animals and decorated the outside of the house accordingly. Giraffes were a popular costume choice because that is my sorority’s mascot! 

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Remi Cros (left), a 19-year-old University of Florida student, and Lindsey Zombek (right), an 18-year-old University of Florida student, handed out candy in their costumes to engage with the trick-or-treaters. The turnout at the event was so great that the basket was empty by the end of the night!

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Ghouls, Goblins and Greeks had the typical Halloween set-up, with lots of candy ready for the trick-or-treaters at every house. It’s never too early to start celebrating Halloween!

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Alexa Luboff, an 18-year-old student at the University of Florida majoring in public relations, staffed the activities table at Alpha Epsilon Phi at GGG. The women prepared games such as “egg-races” for the children to participate in while they stopped at each house. The games at each sorority house kept the children engaged so that there were activities for them to participate in other than collecting candy. This was also a great way for the Panhellenic women to interact with the children at the event. 

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GGG is a fun activity that brings the Greek community and the local Gainesville community together. The decorative houses, festive music and creative costumes help the Panhellenic Council bring Halloween cheer to the local children in Gainesville. The enthusiasm displayed by all parties involved in the event led to its great success.