Tourism in New York City
Heading to New York for a few days, but not sure where to start? The great news is, there’s something for everyone to enjoy – whether you like shows, food, culture, New York City has it. The less great news is – there’s so much to do that it can be hard to decide what’s worth your time and money and what’s not.
On Tourist Traps
Midtown Manhattan has a ton of tourist attractions, it’s true, but it’s almost teeming with other people that getting around can be nearly impossible. The lines are longer, everything is more expensive, and there’s very likely an alternative a few blocks down the street that offers the exact same thing, but with a better atmosphere and more authentic experience. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t make a point to see Time Square or Rockefeller Center if you’ve never been! Just be aware that there’s going to be a lot of tourists, and getting in that picture-perfect photo op might take a few tries.
On Where to Eat
You can practically eat your way across the globe all while never leaving the city limits. Skip the chain restaurants, too – you’ll be grateful you did. A good rule of thumb is not to ask someone where’s good to eat, but where they go to eat. New Yorkers have the advantage of knowing their neighborhood like no one else, so if they say somewhere serves good food, trust them. And, yes, even if that place turns out to be a street vendor. They just might have the best chicken shawarma you’ve never tasted.
On What to Do
In the mood for something artsy? You’ve definitely heard of the Metropolitan, the Museum of Modern Art, maybe the Guggenheim, but there are so many more museums to check out. Go see the New Museum, the Cloisters, or the Frick, or the Tenement Museum or Ellis Island Museum if you like history. You can’t beat Central Park as far as New York icons go, but take a walk through the High Line or Prospect Park in Brooklyn for something a little different.
On How to Get Around
Cabs are not only more expensive, but a lot more inconvenient. The subway, while it may seem intimidating, is a lot easier. Just make sure to plan your route out ahead of time, which you can do with the convenience of their website. While you’re there, make sure to be a considerate passenger: don’t take up too much space by leaning against a pole. Let people get off the train car before you try to make your way on.
The city is safer than ever (just keep an eye on your belongings, as you would anywhere else). Between modern technology and a friendly native eager to show off their vast knowledge of New York, you’ll find your way around with very few problems.
Another good rule to remember? Keep up a brisk pace when you’re walking, and don’t crowd the sidewalks with a large group of people. No one will thank you for it.
New York has so much to offer; it’s only fair that visitors get as much out of their time there as possible.
Must-See NYC Public Art
New York City is home to many world-renowned artists, specifically Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. The city is also home to many of the most respected museums in the world. New York City also has a wide array of public art that makes it quite unique. Whether it is a bold statue in a high traffic area or a massive, brightly colored mural in Bushwick, art in New York is always evolving. The following are some of the most stunning and iconic pieces of art found in the Big Apple.
Crack is Wack by Keith Haring
Originally painted in 1986 during Reagan’s War on Drugs era, this mural is the heart of public art. It a piece that has also defined New York’s graffiti culture throughout the 1980s. The mural has been public for decades and was restored in the mid-2000s. It is an iconic piece of Harlem and was definitely a piece of culture that shaped the 80’s drug epidemic.
Alamo by Bernard (Tony) Rosenthal
This sculpture was placed in the East Village during the 1960s. It is a massive, distorted cube sitting on one corner. This steel sculpture was put in place due to an initiative called “Sculpture the Environment” by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. It was only intended to be on display for a six month period, along with a few other sculptures, but citizens petitioned to keep the statue in its place. The cube also rotates on its access to the combined efforts of a few people.
Alice in Wonderland by Jose de Creeft
This is one of the most recognizable pieces of central park. It has been used in television shows to movies, making it a staple of central park. It has been in the same location since 1959. Based off of Lewis Carroll’s story of Through the Looking Glass, the is a rather large bronze piece surrounded by the mad hatter, the white rabbit, and mushrooms with Alice right on the center. It is a sculpture that kids love to climb on.
Balloon Flower by Jeff Koons
Koons’ brightly polished and oversized balloon sculptures are what he is known for. His red flower sculpture resides right near the 9/11 memorial. It is a jarring piece to see just sitting in a fountain. The post-pop piece is a must see if you are looking for something to talk about!
The Best Museums in NYC
New York is a hub of American and global culture that is upheld by various institutions. Museums preserve history and showcase art, specifically art that is pushing boundaries or have had a cultural impact. NYC has a wide array of museums and galleries but some stand above the rest. Here are the most popular and best museums to see while in New York City.
- American Museum of Natural History
Not only are the pieces within the museum beautiful, the building itself is mesmerizing. It is home to many prehistoric pieces and many artifacts dating back hundreds of years. The museum itself has also been around for over 150 years. The museum has a piece of history for everyone. Whether you are interested in dinosaur skeletons or how cultures lived years ago. The admission to the museum is a suggested donation but has exclusive exhibitions that cost special tickets.
- Museum of Modern Art
The MoMA is known for showcasing some of the most popular pieces of art in the world as well as edgy, thought-provoking works of art, as well. It has one of the world’s finest collections of work that range through the 18th century to today. It is home to Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Picasso’s Les Demoiselles. This museum will give anyone something to talk about.
- Guggenheim Museum
Located on the Upper East Side, this museum is home to many impressionist, post-impressionist, modern, and contemporary art. The building itself is quite recognizable on 5th Avenue. The Guggenheim’s collection has grown over the decades and was founded originally with Solomon R. Guggenheim’s first collection. The overall collection is shared with a sister museum located in Spain.
- The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum
One of the United States’ national travesties, the 9/11 Museum gives incredible insight to the event in 2001. Located in Manhattan, this center provides a strong Memorial and significant information about the events that happened to the World Trade Center. The museum has many pieces of the building, multimedia displays, and exhibits of the history leading up to the events.
- Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Considered the “heart of American history”, the Ellis Island Museum shares the story of the largest migration of humans in history. The exhibits inside include the Hearing Room to the Treasures from Home. The museum has many multimedia rooms that exhibit video footage from the period. It is an incredible story to learn about how the statue of liberty was a symbol of freedom for so many immigrants.
About Avraham Glattman
Avraham Glattman is the owner of First American Properties Group, a real estate business based in New York City, New York.
Avraham brings over 26 years of experience working as a real estate agent in the city, where he continues to work today. He graduated from Newport University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management and remained at the university to attain his Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.). After graduation, he jumped straight into the real estate field in 1992 in the greater New York City area. Throughout his career, Avraham has explored listings across the New York area, keeping a detailed account of the locations, pricing and comparable properties in the housing market.
After gaining a wealth of knowledge about the real estate marketing in New York, Avraham Glattman decided to take it a step further by creating First American Properties Group with his longtime business partner, Pete Jacov in 2008. First American Properties is a real estate and development company that services the five boroughs of New York. The company currently owns residential and commercial properties in Queens, Downtown Brooklyn, Harlem, and Manhattan. The company focuses on monitoring the growth and development in different areas of the city, so they can work to establish more patterns of growth and help revitalize the area.
While monitoring the different areas of New York City, Avraham Glattman consistently keeps an eye out on up-and-coming neighborhoods that he could potentially invest in. For example, after seeing Harlem, Avraham was immediately impressed by the neighborhood’s charm, leading him to invest in properties in the area. With a convenient location next to the subway and charming business like music venues in the area, it was not hard to see what attracted Avraham to the area.
Today, Avraham Glattman continues to find new investments with First American Properties Group, alongside his business partner, Pete Jacov. Together, they are working towards the goals that they set for First American Properties Group. The goals include acquiring property in the Harlem area to renovate and sell, as well as acquiring properties in all five boroughs.
Avraham Glattman is also the proud owner of 1927 Café Bar Popularr. Located in Harlem, the café serves a variety of open-faced Mediterranean sandwiches, called ‘Toastics’, and many types of coffee. Café Bar Popularr is proud of the rich artistic traditions of Harlem, and invites local musicians, authors, and comedians to visit and share their talents with friends.
Avraham was born and raised in Israel, where he went graduated high school. Not long after, he served in the Israeli army for three years, before he was sent to the United States to work with an Israeli newspaper in Brooklyn, NY. Not long after making the move to New York, Avraham met the woman that would become his wife in 1991. Together, they have three children.
In his spare time, Avraham Glattman enjoys spending his time with his wife and three children and loves to explore new parts of New York City. Avraham’s incredible dedication to both his work and family brings him immense happiness and purpose each day.
To learn more about who Avraham Glattman is, visit AvrahamGlattmanNewYork.com.
