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Published at 5:14pm
Published on 9/5/08
Own This City
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Some old rock ’n’ roller once sang that the best things in life are free. He obviously wasn’t familiar with New York, where it can seem as though you spend 20 bucks every time you step outside. Expensiv as the city may be, those who call it home will tell you that some of the most magical only-in-New York experiences don’t cost a dime. Miss out on any of them and you’re only cheating yourself.
1. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
Not only is the Brooklyn Bridge one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks,it is one of its most treasured. Start on the Brooklyn side and as you make your way across the expanse, ponder all those who have trod the wood-plank walkway, been awed by the soaring cables and stone archways and followed their dreams in the city on the other side.
2. Ride the Staten Island Ferry
One of the best vantage points in the city is actually from off its coast. Grab a spot on the upper right deck to get a good view of Miss Liberty, which can’t help but instill a sense of pride in even the most jaded Americans. The same spot affords you sweeping views of the harbor on your return trip; head to the front of the ferry as you approach Manhattan and relive the opening sequence from Working Girl.
3. Experience “the old Coney Island”
Astroland amusement park, home to the famous Cyclone roller coaster and Nathan’s Famous hotdogs, will never be the same after the ’07 season, when construction begins on an upgrade to the area. Although developers have promised the return of the beloved roller coaster and various other attractions, the park’s gritty, rundown charm will be a thing of the past.
4. Attend the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center
Yep, it’s a tourist trap and you’ll be squeezed in cheek-to-elbow with the hordes that descend every year to see the big event. But just when you start wondering why you ever thought this was a good idea, the tree lights up and the whole crowd joins in a round of “Silver Bells.” Yes, it’s Christmas time in the city and you feel like a kid again.
5. Nab a prime sidewalk viewing spot for the Village Halloween Parade.
As at the Rockefeller Center tree lighting, you’ll have little room to maneuver once you’re in position here, but the over-the-top costumes and crowd-inspiring antics of those marching before you will inspire fits of laughter for days to come.
6. Stroll through the Feast of San Gennaro
While taking in the scent of savory sausage and peppers and assessing the difficulty of winning a cheap stuffed animal at a game of skill, remind yourself that the idea of such things is often better than the thing itself. Taking in the colorful characters, old-school hucksters and mouth-watering aromas are reward enough at this annual street fair.
7. Ice skate at Bryant Park
Wollman Rink in Central Park may be bigger, and Rock Center’s arena may be more famous, but at Bryant Park, bring your skates and you can twirl around the ice under the city’s glittering lights without spending a nickel.
8. Watch Grover come to life
Garfield, Picachu and America’s favorite puppet don’t just happen into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade—first they’ve got to be pumped up. Each year on the night before Thanksgiving, New Yorkers stroll along West 77th Street watching as Bart Simpson and friends expand from flat as a pancake to bigger than life.
9. Cheer for the elephants at the Midtown Tunnel
When the Ringling Bros. Circus comes to town, it comes via 34th Street. Each spring New Yorkers gather at the entrance to the Midtown Tunnel to greet the pachyderms and their three-ring co-stars as they shuffle through the city en route to Madison Square Garden.
10. Stargaze at Grand Central
This legendary terminal is a part of everyday life for the thousands of commuters who pass through it hourly. Still, few of them exit without first glancing up at the golden astronomy charts set against the cyan-colored ceiling—a stunning site no matter how often you see it.
