Just a Journal

Hi there! My name is Naomi Cox and I am a student at the College of Central Florida. I am writing this blog for my MMC1101 class. In this blog, I will be discussing four places to visit while staying in New York City. I’d like to share these places for others to focus on when visiting NYC to get the best overall experience and plan their stay effectively. NYC is a very expensive place which is why most people don’t visit for long and deciding which spots to go to can take some time. Here are four places I grew fond of.

[naomicox1985]

Empire State Building

NYC lights behind a girl with dreams. Naomi Cox poses for a picture. (Jasmine Torres 3/10/20).

Standing on top of the Empire State Building at night is one of the most beautiful views in NYC I have ever come across which is why I highly recommend this be one of the four places to visit. It is located in Midtown Manhattan, on Fifth Avenue at 34th Street. 

The Empire State Building was built in 1931 and was the tallest building until 1971. It is a steel-framed skyscraper with 102 stories which feels amazing and scary when looked over. It was mainly constructed by two men named John J. Raskob and Al Smith. 

These men wanted to build this significant building for three reasons, to host corporate business offices, to be the tallest building in the world, and to a competition to beat at the time of its construction. The building comes to a height of 1,250 feet and the 222-foot antenna was added in 1950 increasing to a height of 1,472 feet. 

This building is one of the most recognizable pieces of architecture in America and has also appeared in many films in the past decades. For instance, Sleepless in Seattle, (1993), An Affair to Remember, and King Kong, (1933). It also appears in video games and music. 

If you are not one for heights, the building also has a gift shop filled with many souvenirs which is what my mother did while I was on the Observation deck because she claims the elevators are still as horrible as they were back in the 80s. 

NYC lights shining so bright. (Naomi Cox 3/10/22). 

Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 11 PM and Friday to Sunday from 9 AM to 12 AM. Tickets can vary anywhere from $44 to $110 depending on where you plan to visit. Options include 86th floor observatory, 102nd, and 86th-floor observatories, and a 90-In-90 historical tour.

Sources: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Empire-State-Building 

https://www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets?utm_source=si-google&utm_medium=si-cpc&utm_campaign=si-esb-tickets&utm_content=si-brand-researchers&gclid=CjwKCAjw9e6SBhB2EiwA5myr9m-r4v1hEoVq0IpsPaVod7GoscHmEu8l-n2Nav5qJEwzS9umphWZCxoCMWkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds  

[naomicox1985]

Four Places to Visit in NYC

Julie Cox and Naomi Cox standing in front of NYC building Carnegie Hall. (Cox, 3/9/2020) 

Most buildings in NYC have a lot of rich history and culture including the famous Carnegie Hall. The idea to construct this luxurious music hall was from an American Industrialist Andrew Carnegie who opened the hall in 1891.

Carnegie was inspired to build this venue for his wife Louise because she sang with the Oratorio Society of New York. Afterward, a man named William Burnet Tuthill, architect and cellist was hired to construct this hall; however, he never made such a thing before. But that didn’t stop him from making one of the most luxurious and beautiful halls in America.

Not only should one visit Carnegie Hall for its marvelous performers, but just looking inside will take your breath away. I highly recommend purchasing a ticket to see one of their shows specifically in the Stern Auditorium which fits 2,804 red seats that are divided into the parquet, first tier, and second tier. Tuthill cleverly designed this auditorium to that there is no bad seating.

The Stern Auditorium has the best acoustics and is the only hall I’ve personally played at and seen. A few tips before planning your visit is this location is typically for adults however Carnegie does host a few family-friendly events. Tickets can range from $30 to $150.

Their hours are from Monday through Friday 11 AM to 8 AM and Saturday through Sunday from 12 PM to 8 PM. After seeing a wonderful show one can go to the gift shop. After my school finished their performance and was relaxing in the practice room, my mother happened to find time to get me some souvenirs from the gift shop.

[naomicox1985]

Lady Liberty

Naomi Cox posing with Lady Liberty from the ferry. (Julie Cox 3/10/20).

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable icons around the world and symbolizes America’s freedom. It is located at Liberty Island in the Upper New York Bay off the coast of New York City.  This significant monument was created on October 28, 1886, and designated as a Nation monument in 1924.

The statue was sculpted by a man named Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi who carefully created this masterpiece to represent each value that Americans hold dear to their hearts. Lady Liberty represents five things.

Her crown represents sun rays of light reaching out to the world; the tablet which reads July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals shows America's date of independence, and if one looks closely, there are shackles broken at her foot representing the end of slavery.

When visiting the monument many can keep in mind the significance she carries and here are a few things to consider before planning your stay in NYC. Hours of operation are from Monday through Sunday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. They are open every day of the year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas day.

Weather is usually more severe depending on the times of year one decides to go. For instance, it’s typically colder and windy than anywhere else in the area and is more cold and damp in the winter. The spring and fall can range from chilly to warm and summers are warmer to hot and humid.

It is also better to keep in mind that seasons months tend to range from state to state. For instance, it’s warmer in March in Florida than in NYC which I found out real quick when I visited. However, the view from the statue is magnificent and especially fun when looking through the pedestal.

Here’s a view of NYC from Naomi Cox standing in Lady Liberty’s pedestal. (Julie Cox 3/10/20). 

There are no admission fees to enter however the only way to get to the statue is to purchase a ferry ticket through State Cruises. There is also a  gift shop and a Crown Cafe serving burgers, pizza, paninis, and sushi.

Sources: https://www.nps.gov/stli/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm https://www.britannica.com/topic/Statue-of-Liberty 

https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm https://www.statueofliberty.org/statue-of-liberty/overview-history/ 

[naomicox1985]

Four Places to Visit in NYC

Julie Cox and Naomi Cox standing in front of NYC building Carnegie Hall. (Jasmine Torres 3/9/2020).

Most buildings in NYC have a lot of rich history and culture including the famous Carnegie Hall. The idea to construct this luxurious music hall was from an American Industrialist Andrew Carnegie who opened the hall in 1891.

Carnegie was inspired to build this venue for his wife Louise because she sang with the Oratorio Society of New York. Afterward, a man named William Burnet Tuthill, architect and cellist was hired to construct this hall; however, he never made such a thing before. But that didn’t stop him from making one of the most luxurious and beautiful halls in America.

Not only should one visit Carnegie Hall for its marvelous performers, but just looking inside will take your breath away. I highly recommend purchasing a ticket to see one of their shows specifically in the Stern Auditorium which fits 2,804 red seats that are divided into the parquet, first tier, and second tier. Tuthill cleverly designed this auditorium to that there is no bad seating.

The Stern Auditorium has the best acoustics and is the only hall I’ve personally played at and seen. A few tips before planning your visit is this location is typically for adults however Carnegie does host a few family-friendly events. Tickets can range from $30 to $150.

Their hours are from Monday through Friday 11 AM to 8 AM and Saturday through Sunday from 12 PM to 8 PM. After seeing a wonderful show one can go to the gift shop. After my school finished their performance and was relaxing in the practice room, my mother happened to find time to get me some souvenirs from the gift shop.

Sources: https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/new-york/carnegie-hall#:~:text=Carnegie%20Hall%20has%203%2C671%20seats,first%20tier%2C%20and%20second%20tier. https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/History https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/Press/A-Short-History 

[naomicox1985]

Sholom Park

Sholom Park is located at 7110 SW 80th Ave, Ocala, FL 34481. Their hours of operation are from eight am to five pm Monday through Sunday. There is no cost of admission and all ages are welcomed. Canines are not permitted on the premises. (Naomi Cox 3/26/22). 

The first sign that is shown at the park reads, “This park honors the name of my grandfather Sholom which is also the Hebrew word for peace. It is used in greeting and upon departure. ‘Peace Be To You.’ It is possible to experience inspiration & insight here. For a few it will last many will need to return.” (Naomi Cox 3/26/22).

Sholom Park is a 44-acre, nonprofit privately owned botanical garden in Ocala, FL. This park offers the natural beauty of green meadows, woodlands, and colorful gardens. It is also home to numerous native creatures including various birds. There are various different paved pathways to take that may lead you to the formal gardens, the labyrinth, the olive tree promenade, the pond, and more. Sholom Park also offers many events and is available for the public to host their own such as weddings, photography sessions, birthdays, and more. (Naomi Cox 3/26/22).

Throughout the Labyrinth pathway, the park offers numerous podiums with little messages about the park's nature, historical facts, canopies, and encouraging quotes. For instance, Sholom dedicates one of these podiums to a statue of a man named Raymond J. Funk. The little podium reads, “Raymond J. Funk was my associate and an exceptional Friend. In Russia, before I was born, my Grandfather had such a true and valued associate and friend. History does repeat itself.” (Naomi Cox 3/26/22).

Sholom Park has many great qualities and various areas for the public to access. It is a natural habitat for over a hundred species of flora and fauna, including thirty-six olive trees, one bat house, and two ponds. The park also has two miles of trails but there is no need to worry because they provide sixty-four benches across the park. Each bench has a tribute to a person.  (Naomi Cox 3/26/22). 

Sholom Park has sixty-four benches all dedicated to family, friends, and loved ones. This bench is dedicated to a loving father and mother from their daughter. Sholom also allows the public to sponsor a tribute bench if one so chooses to do so. (Naomi Cox 3/26/22). 

Sholom park not only is home to creatures that can fly but to those who swim as well, featured at one of the parks most popular attraction the pond. The pond is the most common area were parents like to bring their children and grandchildren to feed the koi fish with food provided by the park team. (Naomi Cox 3/26/22). 

Here, under the gazebo Sholom park post their monthly events for guest to discover. One of their reoccurring events are yoga every Saturday from 9 am to 10 am. There is no admission and all ages are welcomed. The lesson is offered by certified instructors. (Naomi Cox 3/26/22).