New York’s amusing holiday light displays and other tourist attractions have the public eager to travel to the Big Apple. Visiting the city has always been a consistent trend on many families’ itineraries; however, this season, Floridian teenagers have embraced the concrete jungle of NYC.
Florida is popular for its scorching hot weather and sandy beaches, drawing tourists from all over the globe to soak in the sun. However, the Sunshine State is also notorious for its lack of seasonal changes. The occasional cold front during Winter is the only taste of sweater weather that Floridians get to experience. Strutting in fashionable winter coats and stylish jeans is only an occasional occurrence for the majority of teenagers in Florida. With the lack of snow and cold, teenagers are desperate to experience the true magic of a white Christmas.
New York’s beauty shines through its stunning attractions and varied food options. During December, the city transforms into a winter wonderland, giving many teens a feeling of missing out.
The explanation has been clear over the years: Generation Z’s obsession with fitting into the aesthetic ideologies of today’s society. Typically, aesthetics are associated with exploring a variety of personalities and identities; however, it also relates to artful visual displays. In Florida, the only area similar to the big city is Miami.
Junior Sanya Gidwani comments, “I feel like everyone wants to live a city girl life… being in NYC feels freeing and individuality is celebrated there.” New York’s typical city life is promoted by hit TV entertainment such as Gossip Girl, F.R.I.E.N.D.S, and Spider-Man, leaving teens desperate to see NYC for themselves.
Despite NYC’s aesthetics, there are also flaws. Some may become deterred from taking the trip due to large crowds. Although heavy traffic is the norm at all times of the year, during winter, pedestrians fill every inch of the city. This may affect one’s experience while seeing special sights such as the Rockefeller Tree or Ice Skating rinks. The 24/7 street noise and the subway rumbling underground are yet another disturbance. The garbage lying on the sidewalks on every avenue may also be a cause for concern when booking the flight. However, to embrace city life, some must learn to accept a few imperfections.
Gidwani shares, “I definitely had to adjust to the cooler weather, but the scenery in New York was so beautiful, especially spending time in Washington Park.”
Other activities in Manhattan include taking a stroll down Fifth Avenue to catch a view of the enlarged Louis Vuitton Suitcase store. Tourists can also check out the Empire State Building from the top floor and get an overview of the entire city.
Many can also become immersed in the Home Alone world through the FAO Schwarz store: a place full of imagination and creativity. Not only do they have the Jellycat Diner experience, but as people wait in line to enter the store, they get an up-close view of the Rockefeller Tree.
In Downtown Manhattan, visit the 9/11 memorial and commemorate all of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Just a few steps away is the World Trade Center, beholding jaw-dropping architecture meant to mimic the shape of an airplane.
For shopping, take a taxi over to SoHo: an aesthetically pleasing neighborhood, with stores that are exclusively online in Florida, such as Edikted, Brandy Melville, and Princess Polly. After a few minutes of walking, someone may fall into Little Italy, a small town with Italian restaurants. Posing for a photo with a New York-style slice of pizza is a priority for many teenagers.
The city that never sleeps holds much sentimental value. This year more than ever, teens are eager to catch one-of-a-kind sights, and experience a true “white Christmas.” So, book that trip and catch the next flight to the Big Apple!
