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Except museums, I also visited exciting famous spots in New York City!
1) Times Square & Broadway
Website http://www.timessquarenyc.org/index.aspx
Everyone knows Times Square, a symbol of New York City. When my friend and I walked to Times Square, two young people talked to me if they can film us with their statue of Liberty for their college (?) project. We didn’t expect this, but it was really fun! Many tourists took our pictures too. Hahaha. I really hope I could see the finalized version of their work somehow… 🙂
After Times Square, we went to watch a broadway musical, “Les Misérables”. We bought tickets online in advance, but couldn’t select wheelchair accessible seats. So, we just purchased available ones and negotiated with the manager of the theater on the spot.
Fortunately, the manager arranged the seats for us (an aisle seat for me) with no additional charge. I think this arrangement is depending on availability of seats of the day, so it would be better contact the theatre before you purchase a ticket to secure an accessible seat.
2) Central Park
Address 14 East 60th St, New York, NY
Website http://www.centralparknyc.org/
I have walked in Central Park. It is just feeling great and relaxing to see green and water. The park is wheelchair accessible. However, it is difficult to find a clean wheelchair accessible restroom. You’ may want to use a restroom in a museum nearby before you come here.
3) Grand Central Terminal
Address 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY
Website http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/
You may have seen this terminal in many movies. It is a very famous and busy place. You will be simply impressed when you actually see it. My friend and I had dinner in a lovely restaurant inside of the terminal. I will introduce restaurant information in the next article.
4) National September 11 Memorial
Address 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY
Website http://www.911memorial.org/
Last time I visited here 8 years ago, it was still under construction after September 11 attacks. I was amazed by the big change. Now there are two pools, North Pool and South Pool, sitting within the footprints where the Twin Towers once stood. I wanted to go to the memorial museum, but there was a very long line to get in. So I gave up this time.
5) United Nations
Address 405 East 42nd Street, New York, NY
Website http://visit.un.org/
This time I visited United Nations to attend the conference, but it is actually open to visitors during its open hours. If you join a tour, you can see the main conference room too. You can get a stamp of United Nations on your passport and mail a postcard with United Nations’ stamp on the basement!
Other honorable mentions and also one of my favorites:
- Union Square Greenmarket
Address E 17th St & Union Square W, New York, NY
Website http://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/manhattan-union-square-m
If you are looking for something local, you should definitely visit here. You can find bread, pies, cheese, organic vegetable, flowers and many more local goods. I visited here to buy just a sourdough bread, but I ended up getting the bread, a pack of cheese, a flower wreath, and pastas! So much fun to look around. 🙂
- Times Square Church
Address 237 W 51st St, New York, NY
Website http://www.tscnyc.org/
I have been to some churches in the US, but I haven’t been to ones when people are singing gospel. This historic church is located in Times Square. If you are interested, I recommend to go for the church service on Sunday starting at 10am, 3pm and 6pm. It is better be there at least 30 minutes before. Many people come here and seats won’t be available if you come in the last minute. Most of people wear formal clothes, so make sure you don’t wear anything too casual. You can take photos during the service (But no flush and video recording are allowed). Please pay respect and watch your manner because the service for the local people who come to pray. The church has wheelchair accessible seats and restroom on the 1st floor.
To be continued…