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VoyageNew York, capital of the world and dream machine
The number one tourist destination in the United States attracts more than 60 million visitors each year. Guided tour.
What soul has never dreamed of New York? Times Square, Central Park, Broadway, Wall Street, Harlem, Brooklyn… So many names that evoke images that have rocked or continue to rock our imagination. And what about the skyscrapers as far as the eye can see, the legendary Empire State Building, the silhouette of the Statue of Liberty?
So many symbols which are the links between this marvelous city and the rest of the world. History, art, music, cinema, literature, fashion, sport… Everything, or almost everything, brings us back to New York, a disproportionate and exhilarating world city, which when we visit it, seems to tell us that it is here that everything happens, and nowhere else. Here businessmen, artists, intellectuals, students, and immigrants from all over the world come to live the American dream.
Central Park, a green setting
The tourist will be won over by its frenzy, its multiculturalism, its open-mindedness, and the legendary kindness of New Yorkers. And everyone will satisfy their desires. Art, at the Metropolitan Museum or the Museum of Modern Art. Broadway theater and its musicals. Sports, with a stopover at Madison Square Garden or Yankee Stadium. Shopping without taxes, at the Jersey Gardens Outlet.
Climbing to the top of the many buildings open to the public, you are dazzled by the ever more spectacular views offered by this forest of skyscrapers. After long days of walking in this sprawling city, we enjoy a few hours of disconnection in the peaceful alleys of Central Park. A green setting resting like an oasis in the concrete jungle. New York is not a city that can be visited. She dreams and lives herself.
Brooklyn, the other side of New York
The most populous borough of the city with more than 2.6 million inhabitants, the “borough” of Brooklyn escapes the frenetic hustle and bustle of its neighbor Manhattan. It is no coincidence that more and more New Yorkers are coming to settle there to find a little peace and quiet. After crossing the legendary Brooklyn Bridge on foot, a stroll on the heights of Brooklyn Heights allows you to admire the impressive silhouette of the Financial District. We stroll through the trendy neighborhood of Williamsburg, popular with hipsters, and marvel at the streets of Bushwick, whose buildings are enhanced by street art.
Collection at the September 11, 2001 memorial
The Ground Zero site which hosted the two twin towers of the World Trade Center has become a true place of pilgrimage. At the exact location of the two towers, which once dominated the Financial District, two large pools with interior waterfalls, on the edges of which are engraved the names of all the victims of the deadly attacks of September 11, 2001. The perpetual movement of the water, which falls into the pool and rises again, represents both the collapse of the two buildings, and resilience.
It is below this highly symbolic work inaugurated in 2011 that the September 11 museum is located, which brings together thousands of visitors every day, who often come away overwhelmed. As you enter the bowels of the foundations of the two twin towers, you are overcome by a strange feeling.
Plane debris, crumpled metal structures of the building, partially destroyed fire trucks and all kinds of personal objects that belonged to the victims, take us back throughout the visit to one of the most significant tragedies of the 21st century. If it is intended above all to be a place of contemplation and homage, we can question the relevance of a souvenir shop. A business that shocks some victims’ relatives.
Located north of Manhattan, the Harlem neighborhood is the cradle of African-American culture. Tourists flock there especially on Sunday mornings, to attend one of the many gospel masses in the area. Having become real tourist attractions, without losing their authenticity and charm, gospel masses are memorable experiences. In summer, the queues are impressive and there is not room for everyone. Visitors are always warmly welcomed. During the service, the atmosphere is transcendent. Abyssinian Church, First Corinthian Baptist Church, Convent Avenue Baptist Church for the best known, but the choice is wide. There are around 400 churches in the district. To be sure of getting a spot, go early in the morning.
Chess games in Washington Square Park
Chess fans should definitely make a stop at Washington Square Park. Located in the middle of Greenwich Village, it offers around ten freely accessible chess tables, where you can challenge formidable players every day. Some games take place under the gaze of several curious people. For some chess hustlers, it’s a real source of income. Bet 5 dollars before the game, you can get it back if you win. Let’s be honest, against them, your chances of victory are very slim…
Gourmet break in a cookie institution
Leaving New York without having tasted a cookie from Levain Bakery would be a very regrettable mistake. The small brand founded in 1995 by two friends who had nothing to do with the sector is now known worldwide for its exceptional cookies. Thick, golden cakes, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, with huge chocolate chips. You have to taste to understand. Six stores exist in New York and the queue is sometimes long. One thing is certain. You’ll never look at cookies the same way again…
New York has the particularity of being easily accessible from several major European airports. From Brussels or Frankfurt, several companies offer direct flights at very affordable prices. It is not uncommon to be able to reach the Big Apple for less than 400 euros, provided you book well in advance. Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons to visit New York, but Christmas time also offers its share of magic.
