New York City: the big apple, the city that never sleeps, the melting pot.  No matter what you call it, we all know what everyone’s referring to: New York City.  Meghan’s photo essay includes the entertainment hot spots, local cuisine, and Times Square - the multiple factors that make up why NYC is considered the best city in the world.  This city is populated with the most influential people and places in the world.  It has a lot to offer and is definitely a place everybody needs to visit before they die.

It is impossible to be bored in New York City.  The endless opportunities for entertainment are flooding the streets as seen through signs and billboards.  As depicted in photos 3/4 in Meghan’s photo essay, the most magnificent form of entertainment in NYC is Broadway.  Everybody has heard of Broadway, but until they actually go to a Broadway show, they may never understand what all the hype is about.  Broadway shows make headlines because they hold the best actors, dancers, and singers in the world.  In addition, these shows are the most technically advanced shows in the world.  The live music and details produced make the viewers feel as if they are actually there.  It adds to the viewer’s experiences by making it something they will never forget.  The most popular Broadway shows of 2016 are Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Wicked, and the Lion King.  These shows appeal to this generation because they have been around for so long and are known for having the best music and special effects.  Another form of entertainment in NYC takes place in, photo 5 of the photo essay, Madison Square Garden.  This arena completely transforms to host different sporting events and concerts.  For an artist, to get to perform at Madison Square Garden is an honor.  The best and most influential artists perform there and make the experience spectacular.  Even the viewers in the nose-bleed seats have an amazing time.  Some people that have performed at Madison Square Garden are grammy award winners such as Madonna, Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, and Taylor Swift.

People refer to New York City as the “melting pot” of the world.  As a result of all the different cultures that came to NYC due to the immigration through Ellis Island in the 1890s, different ethnicities that make up the population of the city.  Along with that, NYC represents the “melting pot” by the variety of food places to eat when people visit.  Photo 6 from Meghan’s photo essay shows the restaurants and areas devoted to different cultures.  For example, Little Italy is an area that has highly rated Italian restaurants and authentic gelato.  In addition, there are always people playing traditional music outdoors.  Seasoned decorations are also featured to make it feel like the visitor took a trip to Florence.  Furthermore, China town resembles China in that there fish markets, the language, and highly packed population.

Times Square is the biggest tourist attraction New York City has to offer.  Times Square is what everyone envisions when thinking of New York.  The lights, tall buildings, colors, and crowded pathways are the best part about Time Square.  The solo-standing staircase in the center is also a landmark and the perfect spot to relax with a New York style hot dog or pretzel.  It is a new design that serves as a roof for the TKTS booth while also overlooking the entirety of Times Square.  So while at the bottom of the staircase, a person might feel overwhelmed by the big city atmosphere around them, on top of the staircase they can feel on top of the world.

Lastly, photos 8 through 10 in Meghan’s photo essay show the numerous places to visit and activities to do.  For example, people can walk across certain bridges that have walking paths, such as the Brooklyn Bridge.  Or people can visit perhaps the most famous landmarks in New York City - The Statue of Liberty and the Empire State building.  Both have so much history behind them which makes visitors connect and appreciate NYC so much more.  Lastly, Central Park is a park in New York City that can remove you from the city-like atmosphere and allow you to enjoy nature.  Walking around Central Park, you can also observe the artists and musicians that are there daily.  Furthermore, there are also numerous museums to explore even more art.  The Museum of Modern Art (the MOMA) contains paintings by the best artists to ever live including Van Gough, Dali, and Picasso and is somewhere to visit if you are interested in art and art history. All of these landmarks are great places to visit if one is looking to learn more about New York City.

Overall, clearly there are many things to do in New York City which is why it is known as the city that never sleeps.  New York City is filled with the most successful people in the world for a reason.  Between entertainment hot spots, local cuisine, and Times Square, NYC is definitely a place everybody needs to visit for the experience of a lifetime.
