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You are here: Home / *Special* / *uncategorized* / The California Girl’s Guide to Having Fun (and not dying) in New York City

The California Girl’s Guide to Having Fun (and not dying) in New York City

June 30, 2013 | Christelyn Karazin |

Visit a museum or your friends will think you’re stupid.

New York is a hub of culture, and if you spend your whole visit just shopping and drinking in bars everyone back home might just think you’re too dumb to breathe. Okay, maybe that’s just my projection, but still…

If you stay at The Benjamin you’ll be really close to the museum district and all that gawking at ancient history is virtually free. Plus you can walk…no taxis, buses, planes, trains and subways needed.

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If you miss nature, Central Park is a must.

I am always amazed how big urban centers that have TONS of weather have like, no gardens, greens, and scant amounts of trees. In NYC every bit of square footage is monetized, so there’ no room for nature. The only living spaces available are relegated to humans, unless you go to Central Park. Walking across the street from a the busy bustle into Central Park is like opening that closet in “Chronicles of Narnia.” In every season except the dead of winter, the park is breath-taking. You can imagine what it must have been like 120 years ago, when women walked in petticoats and those little matching umbrellas, being paddled around in boats on the pond, the open-air artists painting, and sidewalk performers.

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This is a real person. He/she comes alive to do a ballet dance when you put a dollar (or five) in her/his tip box.

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Filed Under: *uncategorized*, Hot Vacation Spots, Travel, Travel Deals, Traveling Tips

Comments

  1. TotallyNotGangster says

    June 30, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    I have always said that I would never leave L.A. but, I don’t know.. New York seems (IS) interesting. Both cities are crazy though.. I think small town or suburban areas would annoy me because everyone would know each other, everyone AND their kids.. which makes it worse. lol

  2. Buttery2000 says

    June 30, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    I would love to see a BWE like a 3 day conference in Cali. Different workshops, self improvement and networking. That would be totally awesome. One year in Cali, another year in NYC, another year in Seattle. It is what black women need. Just a thought…. I have a girlfriend who is really struggling with the whole black man, black woman thing and she needs to be surrounded by a BWE environment.

  3. TotallyNotGangster says

    June 30, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    “People lay out in half-naked in lawn chairs on the sidewalk to tan. I’m not kidding.”
     
    You have GOT to be kidding.. that is so ratchet. lmao

  4. TotallyNotGangster says

    June 30, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    @Buttery2000 This is amazing idea!

  5. TotallyNotGangster says

    June 30, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    @Buttery2000 an*

  6. Buttery2000 says

    June 30, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    @heyimPearlilikefries
    Thanks! Just tell me where and when and I am there….Something annual….

  7. TotallyNotGangster says

    June 30, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    @Buttery2000  You know I’m not even 18 yet, but.. I think Evia has something like that going on already. I think it was on Zabeth’s blog.

  8. TotallyNotGangster says

    June 30, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    I just got done reading the whole slide show.. your writing makes me excited about New York! LOL
     
    Tracy is so hawt!
     
    That man.. is real?
     
    Have you ever made a mistake of actually getting into a black car?
     
    Are there any books you recommend on NYC?

  9. Christelyn says

    June 30, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    @heyimPearlilikefries Hmmm….I don’t know of any books specifically, but check out the travel section at your library…there’s tons.

  10. Christelyn says

    June 30, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    @TotallyNotGangster I should have taken a picture. I’m not even kidding. Middle-aged man, pot belly, swim shorts, all lathered with suntan oil in a parking lot.

  11. SirLoinDeBeef says

    June 30, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    Having lived there for a year or so, I can confidently state that NYC is not a healthy place for animals, children, adults or other  living things.
     
    Thanks for the tip about the Benjamin, I’ll let Brenda know.

  12. Brenda55 says

    June 30, 2013 at 5:50 pm

    @Christelyn   @TotallyNotGangster EWWWWWWWWWWW.

  13. DWB says

    June 30, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    Christelyn looks like such a NATURAL on 5th Avenue — NICE!!!!!
     
    😉

  14. somethingdifferent22 says

    June 30, 2013 at 6:56 pm

    You know what’s funny. I’ve always thought about writing about this subject myself but from my long term experience since it’s something I tell my friends at home about often! All of this is good advice, some black cabs that are cars actually cost less though, the gypsy cabs, but they often only take cash. That is another huge thing to tip people off about NYC most places only take cash!!! I always have to ask before I go eat anywhere because 7/10 they won’t accept card. Also it’s good to note to take is I would argue that Sunday brunch is ever better than happy hour! Many places will give unlimited drinks and delicious food at a cheaper price and savvier crowd. I agree the flirting and eye contact is a must in NYC you can flirt without ever opening your mouth and secure a date that way (I can attest to that happening actually) and don’t get to down about people being rude or snobbish. Especially with BW coming to NYC, there is plenty of racist people here or deadbeat black men who want to trash talk to you if your with a non black men or hit on you crassly but never let it slow you down or stop you. Also lot’s of the great museums are free depending on which days your here. The Guggenheim and MomA are free on certain nights and the MET and Museum of Natural History are always free! (Suggested donation actually we usually pay a dollar) It’s definitely worth bringing an umbrella in the summer and I would pass on seeing a movie while your here and instead try to get to the box office early for discount tickets to Broadwayshows (usually only 35-50 depending on the show). I would also suggest going to Brooklyn Heights to get away from it all for at least a moment and take in the view of Manhattan from the Promenade 🙂

  15. Christelyn says

    June 30, 2013 at 7:00 pm

    @somethingdifferent22 YES! I got MAJORLY street harassed by the black dudes…they bothered Maxi Me too…I had to get ugly. When I wasn’t gonna take their mess they called me an Eryka Badu wanna-be…cuz of my hair and dress I guess…dumb asses…

  16. somethingdifferent22 says

    June 30, 2013 at 7:04 pm

    @Christelyn  I feel you, I had one grab my arm one time on the subway step and I almost smacked him in the face! Haha I’ll never forget that! he couldn’t understand why I was so upset but a lot of guys in NYC do NOT understand what a personal bubble is. And then yes as soon as you show your not interested all their so called “game” they were throwing turns into harassment. Anger as a way to cover up embarrassment is so childish, it’s really one of those things that separates the children (or boys in this case) from the adults (the REAL men) to me.

  17. TotallyNotGangster says

    June 30, 2013 at 7:09 pm

    @Christelyn Oh my goodness! Imagining that…. oooh noh. horrible noh. lol

  18. TotallyNotGangster says

    June 30, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    @Christelyn   @somethingdifferent22 They need to get more clever than that. Every natural hair black woman in a dress does not want to be Erykah Badu.

  19. Brenda55 says

    June 30, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    @TotallyNotGangster  @Christelyn  
    Yeah.  Its THAT bad..
    http://tinyurl.com/ps9s4f3

  20. AshleyFisher says

    June 30, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    There are plenty of parks in the city. The Natives know where they are you tourist just stumble into them.

  21. AshleyFisher says

    June 30, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    About Handsome/Beautiful people. There are a ton of them. And most of them aren’t even models. This is what aggravates me about Manhattan. Waaaaayyyyyyy too many beautiful people. But it’s fun none the less. Question. If you were in Central Park how did you not run into topless tanners? In New York State women are allowed to show their chesticles without any kind of trouble and they ALL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

  22. Christelyn says

    June 30, 2013 at 10:32 pm

    @AshleyFisher Topless tanners? Full on boobs? Nope…didn’t see a nary one…do they have some assigned spot?

  23. Seenyc says

    June 30, 2013 at 11:30 pm

    I’ve lived in NYC for close to 20 years now and I love it! When I decided to go into fashion I knew I was coming to New York. It’s not for everybody and lord knows I have my moments about the city; the noise, all the trash, the mayor…but I can’t get this city out of my system. It’s too dang convenient! And so many things to do. My mother loved the fact that the subway took her straight to the bus station(Port Authority) without having to come above ground, lol!  The one major problem  have with Manhattan…,the rent is too damn high! Although, some part of Brooklyn has just recently out priced Manhattan.

  24. AshleyFisher says

    July 1, 2013 at 1:24 am

    @Christelyn  Any Green space they can find. So just about every park when the sun comes out.

  25. ASwirlGirl says

    July 1, 2013 at 6:47 am

    @Brenda55  @TotallyNotGangster  @Christelyn  Why, why, WHY do I click on @Brenda55  and @Toni_M’s urls? WHY??!!!!!
     
    *Wipes coffee off computer screen – AGAIN*

  26. KendraTaylor says

    July 1, 2013 at 10:51 am

    Thank you for the tips. I’m going to save this particular article. Hopefully I’ll be able to check out the Big Apple with all its highlights. I love Italian things -language, architecture, food, the men ;)- is Little Italy worth seeing or is it like Little Korea in S.F where it’s like a street long.

  27. tracyreneejones says

    July 1, 2013 at 11:53 am

    @TotallyNotGangster Well, thanks, babe!! What man…? Yes, the men are real, and gorgeous, and they come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Black cars will go to exciting places….sometimes. 🙂

  28. Buttery2000 says

    July 1, 2013 at 11:53 am

    I wish that all of the BWE bloggers would get together for a conference. That is a dream and would be enlightening but prob not possible 🙁 I did not see anything on Evia’s blog or Zabeth’s blog but thanks anyway.

  29. Brenda55 says

    July 1, 2013 at 12:10 pm

    @Buttery2000 Well a BWE  conference may or may not ever occur.  I don’t ever see that happening. However I do think in time, and to me quite frankly a better idea, would be a She Thrives conference.
     
    http://www.shethrivesnetwork.com/

  30. TotallyNotGangster says

    July 1, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    @tracyreneejones I was talking about that statue looking man Chris was standing next to. LOL New York sounds really fun if your looking for a man!

  31. AshleyFisher says

    July 1, 2013 at 2:43 pm

    @KendraTaylor The one in Manhattan does run along one street buried in the middle of Chinatown. The one is the Bronx is the most authentic according to everybody thought,

  32. KendraTaylor says

    July 1, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    @AshleyFisher I guess i’m heading to the Bronx then. Thanks so much!

  33. Chic Damsel says

    July 1, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    What most tourist do, if you know how to get a less expensive hotel, especially coming out of JFK, stay at the hotels by the airport and commute by train instead, only 2.50 each way, however they also have all day passes for the Metro cards for the Subway. the hotels by JFK would save you at least $50-200,  and there are many other places to see besides Manhattan. Definitely take the popular tourist attractions, but then after that, with the 50 to 200 dollar savings, head to Brooklyn and Queens. In Brooklyn you have the Barclay Ctr. Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Coney Island and if you are there around Labor Day, you can see the annual Caribbean Day Parade. Queens is the most diverse borough out of all the five boroughs, Armenian, Greek, Chinese, Korean, all Caribbean Islanders, East Indian, Thai. I have eat in Queens alone, almost every type of food, so if you want to get you taste of culture Queens is the place. By the way I am an New Yorker born and raised, 37 years.

  34. Chic Damsel says

    July 1, 2013 at 6:11 pm

    Oh, and another thing,  It cracks me up when I am made fun of my NY accent from other people that just moved to NYC, but I am cool, yes we say New Yawk, Dawg, Straaaw. LOL,

  35. KendraTaylor says

    July 1, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    @Chic Damsel The New York accent is awesome. Own it!

  36. Chic Damsel says

    July 1, 2013 at 6:23 pm

    @KendraTaylor  @Chic Damsel Thanks.

  37. LaFemmeSphinx says

    July 1, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    @tracyreneejones  Can I just come to a bar and watch you work? Please? I just moved and haven’t found my scene yet.

  38. AshleyFisher says

    July 1, 2013 at 9:31 pm

    @KendraTaylor And you wouldn’t be too far from the Bronx Zoo either. The Botanical Gardens is across the street from the Zoo if you want as well.

  39. dtfamu89 says

    July 2, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    That was a gorgeous dress.

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