For my final project in my on sight class, titled Entertainment and Culture in the City, we shared ways we learned about and experienced the city through a few different areas. I chose high culture (theater), nature/outdoors, free entertainment, architecture, and culinary. I created a presentation for it, and I thought I would share it with y’all as well!
Katelyn’s Semester in New York
Free Entertainment
As mentioned in my Late Night Blog (read here), I attended many shows for free! These shows are so important because not only are they entertaining, but they also help us make light of the craziness that is everyday in this country. New York is the center of so much of the news that pops up on our phones everyday. These shows make that digestible.
Architecture
Moving on to architecture. I love the Empire State Building! I have the Lego set at home (pictured below), and it is the building that constantly draws my eye. It’s featured in so many of my favorite movies and shows, most importantly The Muppets Take Manhattan and Percy Jackson.
The Empire State Building was built in 1930, and at the time it was set to be the world’s first 100 story building! The building is 102 floors, and opened May 1, 1931 as the tallest building in the world. The building became a tourist attraction and business hub alike. In 1950, the spire on the top was installed. I recently got to go to the top of it (read about it here), and let me tell you, I was not disappointed.
Broadway
I attended all of the shows featured on this slide while I was here (those are my playbills)! Each show was absolutely incredible, but Ragtime was my favorite by far. The story is set at the turn of the century (1900s) New York and follows an immigrant family, a wealthy new york family, and a ragtime singer. The themes and message of the show are all too timely, and I cried the whole time. I got to see every show on featured for free or with a rush ticket (shoutout Belmont and my mom for the Chess, Cats, and Ragtime tickets). Read more about affordable Broadway tickets here. 
Outdoors
I love to be outside, and as they say, the city is our backyard! Even on the cold days, I made sure I was going outside and walking around because I will never let the weather dictate my day. I am so grateful that we lived right near the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, and I do my best to watch sunset over there every day that I can. I also really do love Central Park, which is the snowy day picture below!
Culinary
Last is Culinary. While I personally don’t have the budget to go to a bunch of fancy restaurants, I have made my way around the coffee shops of New York. I probably haven’t even touched a fourth of the coffee shops here, I chose a few places to give awards to. I wrote another blog about this – read here.
