Fun in NYC, from a Parisian's perspective

Biba has amazing perspective on everything business!  Check her out on American Woman in France (for some fun) or The Connection Queen (for business).  She is actually known as the Networking Queen.  Originally from France, she arrived in the US in 2003 and began her successful career in networking.  You really should check her out if are an entrepreneur, or just looking for some networking tips.

However, everyone has to have a little fun.  So after Eyenie gave us her amazing post regarding fun things to do in Paris, from the perspective of an American; we asked Biba for the other side.






Check it out!  Biba has some great suggestions for things to do in NYC for Americans and French, and I'm feeling a little Sunday Funday with the hubby this weekend!

When Megan asked me to write an article about 10 fun things to do and see in New York, I tried to think of what I used to do when I was living over there…

So of course, if you visit New York for the 1st time, you need to go to the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park and some of the famous museums like the Museum of Modern Art (better known as MoMA), the Frick Collection and other world-famous attractions. But don't stop there! There is so much more on the “unbeaten” path!! Here are my 10 favorites things to do/see in New York:
1.) One of my favorite things to do was go to Central Park and watch people dance on rollerblades. I love the ambiance, the music and you can see very funny, unique and eccentric people getting their groove on! Believe me, you will really enjoy it. While you are there also stop by the sailboats at the Conservatory Water, the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, the Belvedere Castle atop Vista Rock, or the Bow Bridge.

2.) In the summertime there are loads of outdoor film festivals, and I really loved these! What a great way to end a day with an evening picnic with friends, watching a great selection of films. You can find them all around the boroughs:
Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park Bandshell, enter at Prospect Park West and 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn
Central Park Conservancy Film Festival. 
HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Films on the Green Festival at the Washington Square Park, Tompkins Square Park
Hudson Park RiverFlicks Series
Intrepid Museum
River to River: Movie Nights on the Elevated Acre
Summer on the Hudson: Movies Under the Stars
Syfy Movies with a View at Brooklyn Bridge Park

3.) Take a Stroll in the West Village. This is an interesting neighborhood filled with lovely brownstone homes and cobblestone, tree-lined streets that haven’t changed since the 19^th century. It is not easy to navigate, but check West 4th Street intersect with West 10th Street--this area happens to stray from the easy-to-follow grid of the rest of the city. While in the neighborhood, go to the Jefferson Market Courthouse, an old detention center where Mae West did a sting, and shop on Bleeker Street and Commerce Street. Enjoy the yummy cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery , be ready to stay online for a little while, due to their stellar reputation.

4.) Go and admire the celestial ceiling mural above the vast main concourse in Grand Central Terminal. Stop for a drink at the Oyster Bar downstairs. Have fun in the Whispering Gallery, at the end of the Oyster Bar ramps, where you can whisper into the wall and be heard across the other side! It’s pretty cool!

5.) Another thing I used to LOVE to do is go on Thursday evening to meet friends for a drink on the rooftop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You pay only $1 and go straight to the top and have a fabulous view of the park and 5th avenue. Be ready for a long line, but know that the view is really worth it

6.) If you need to find some peace and quiet in the middle of this city that never sleep, check out the Mahayana Buddhist Temple (133 Canal St.) It is free to visit, and so calming. If you've got a one-dollar, rumor has it the monks will give you a pre-printed fortune rolled up in of a rubber-band for free.

7.) For another breathtaking view, take the Roosevelt Tram (59th St. & Second Ave.). Just hope it won't get stuck in the middle. I remember a few years ago, people got stuck for 6 hours before they were able to get down. But I don't want to scare you. I did it and it was so much fun!

8.) Another one of my favorite things to do is have lunch or dinner at "Le Pain Quotidien" ((French pronunciation: luh paN koh-ti-dyaN). Besides the fact that they serves simple, elegant boulangerie fare made with organic ingredients, you also get to share a big table with complete strangers, which is a lot of fun. It’s a great opportunity to meet people and make new friends; this reminds me a lot of Paris. And I love their hot chocolate with tartines and their savory Smoked Salmon Tartines. That sounds soooo good!

9.) Once a month, you can visit most museums for $1. (Or at least it was like that when I was living there; you may want to do a little research to see if it’s still the case.) I visited so many of them without spending a fortune. My favorite was the Whitney Museum of American Art at 945 Madison Ave. at 75th St.

10.) Last but not least, one of my very favorites for a very New York Saturday afternoon was going to gallery openings. It is another way to meet people, you always see a colorful and mixed crowd: Les Piques Assiettes those who don't really care about art but come only to eat and drink for free; people who want to be seen, and definitely come overdressed, but have the feeling that they are very fashion & branche; the jet setters, and finally, people who really enjoy art and there here to buy. The mix is very interesting to watch.

I hope this list gives you another view of this magnificent city!! Enjoy everything New York has to offer…there are treasures around every corner! Have a ball!

Want to move to France but don't know where to start? Check http://AmericanWomanInFrance.com

to learn everything you need to thrive in France, including social and lifestule tips and how to start a business.

Salut!!!! Ok, on a un nouveau poste pour vous, mais cette fois-ci c'est d'une française par rapport à NYC. Biba nous a donné beaucoup d'infos pour des supers choses à faire a NYC. Elle vient de France, et elle est arrivée en 2003 à NYC. C'est là où elle a commencé sa carrière de Networking Queen.

Si vous voulez savoir comment déménager en France (intéressant leur site!!) vous pouvez aller sur American Woman in France. Pour savoir beaucoup plus sur 'networking' il faut voir le site de Biba! The Connection Queen

J'espère que vous allez profiter des suggestions de Biba!

Until Next Time/A bientôt

Poulpy

Posted in: City-NYC, friends, New-York City, Poulpy