Put Your Phone Down and Experience NYC!
As a New Yorker who is a homebody and an introvert, it can be hard to separate yourself from the comfy bed that waits for you when you get home. Being home can be nice and all, but experiencing NYC is so much better, and no, not from your phone—actually walking outside and living life outside of classes, internships, and responsibilities.
One thing that I heard, and it stuck with me, was that sometimes we live our lives through others just by chronically being online. That’s okay because we’ve all been there, even if it’s hard to admit. So let’s change that, let’s start going on our Google Maps and following that blue line that can take you to a place you’ve never been before.
New York can be expensive at times, but there are options where you can have fun on a budget. Between music blasting out of cars and people laughing obnoxiously loud, we can’t help but love the city vibes. Here are all the places I went in NYC while being a girl who hates the crowded sidewalks but loves the city noise.
The Museum of Modern Art, located at 11 W 53rd St, New York, is where I go when I want to look at beautiful art. If you are a person who loves everything about art, including the strange, questionable, and breathtaking, this is the place for you. For just $30 a ticket, you can see galleries, exhibitions, film series, and more. As you walk in, all your worries vanish, art brings peace, steadiness, and all emotions, making you go to different places the longer you look at it.
2. Conservatory Garden (central park)
A 3-dollar train ride on the uptown 6 train will take you to the Conservatory Garden right on 5th Avenue. Get off at 103rd Lexington, for your first view of the fountain and garden. You can walk around, take photos, or even have a picnic—either way, you will get a piece of happiness once you visit. On a nice spring day, you will see all the flowers blossom, turning into something beautiful. You can go solo, with a group of friends, or with family because this is the perfect place to enjoy your day in New York City.
3. Kyuramen park slope
If you love ramen, Kyuramen in Park Slope, Brooklyn, is the place to go to receive a full portion of whatever your taste buds crave—whether it’s their Korean Kimchi Ramen, Vegetable Miso Ramen, or Kyushu Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen. Now for the beverage, they have the best boba teas you can want, such as their brown sugar bubble milk tea, and if you are looking for something fruity, they have fresh passion fruit tea, grapefruit, and dragon fruit. The prices are reasonable, a ramen bowl costing between $15.99 to 18.99, and a drink around $6.50. All you need to do is set up reservations before the day. Whether you are going solo, on a date, or with a friend, you will be seated in a nice section, enjoying a hot bowl of delicious ramen and a cold, tasty drink of your choice. Trust, this place is worth it.
4. The painted pot park slope (pottery)
Nothing is better than getting your hands dirty while you create something new. If you love anything artsy, then this is a must. The paint pot park slope is affordable, fun, and a space where you can get the most creative. Reserving a spot is only $10, and you can go with a friend, a date one, or even solo—yes, I say solo because why not enjoy your own company.
As you walk in and grab your seat, they guide you on what tools you can get, how to shape the bowl or mug, and then boom, you are crafting by yourself. Once you are done, you leave your piece to dry and go back within seven business days to paint it whatever color you wish. Remember, once you get to the painting part, you must layer—always layer so the color can pop. An additional seven days for them to glaze your object, and you are ready for pick up.
Here is my finished product:
There are many places you can go around the city; you can always scroll on TikTok to find them, because trust, they will be there for you. Once you find these gem places, put your phone down and soak in the moment, have fun, and just live life, no matter how small or big things are.
Remember, you don’t always have to go with someone to enjoy the city—get to know yourself and enjoy your own company. If you do have amazing friends, definitely bring them to enjoy the little things with you.
Will you be experiencing the city this summer? Leave a comment down below!