NYC is the city of lights. It’s filled with numerous tourist spots such as Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Soho, 5th Avenue; you could go on and on about all of the places. New York City is basically a hotspot for all tourists. With its tall buildings and bright lights, this city serves as one of the biggest vacation spots for people from all over the world. However, the city can become very crowded due to an increase of tourism during this time of year.

Spring break is the time for going to music festivals, staying at resorts, and lying on the beach. for many writers and artists, it’s a time to go on the search for inspiration. With only a week’s worth of holiday time, sometimes it can be hard to leave the city and go on an inspirational adventure, but there is no reason to worry. -Here are some spots that you may enjoy.

Cafe Habana:

Located at 17 Prince St., this cafe is only a few blocks from the NYC iSchool. With its vintage look, Cafe Habana offers a wide variety of foods for each meal of the day. “I love Cafe Habana; it’s probably my favorite place ever. My family loves Cuban and Mexican food, and Cafe Habana is a mix of both! I recommend the Huevos Rancheros, the corn, and Mexican Hot Chocolate. The atmosphere of the place is really inspiring,” said Lucie Bernheim, a freshman at the iSchool. Lucie actually likes to write songs in her free time, so she is ALWAYS looking for inspiration. With its “inspiring” environment, it’s the perfect place for a writer to visit, and the Mexican/Cuban food is a great bonus.

Strand Books:

“Strand is a bookstore that I can get lost in for hours. I am an avid reader, whether it’s an article about politics or a young adult novel I’ll love it. I’ve found such treasures there, from a rare copy of Norma Fox Mazer’s ‘Girlhearts’ to a vintage book on songwriting. They also have tons of new books… anything you can imagine!” continued Lucie.

Bookstores are always a great option for readers and writers. The numerous places in the city can provide you with immense inspiration for your future career. Located aton 828 and Broadway, you are surrounded by books that are decades old that tell a compelling story. Even for those who do not read often, bookstores can be great places to take a break. Reading is always a good resort to traveling in time and escaping from reality. Try checking it out! Who knows, maybe you’ll grow to love it.

Sir D’s Lounge:

Sir D’s Lounge, located at 837 Union St. in Brooklyn, is another one of the cafes that is great for writers and artists who need a place to focus. Freshman at the iSchool, Carmen Simons, says, “Sir D’s Lounge has a super relaxed and quiet atmosphere. It is the perfect place for you to clear your mind.” Many writers tend to face writer’s block at some point or the other during their writing career, so being in a place to clear your mind and think freely can be of great help. As for artists, the quiet environment of Sir D’s Lounge helps fuel your brain to focus on your artwork. For both writers and artists, this cafe/lounge can serve as a place to just let out all of your thoughts.

MoMa:

Located at 11 West 53rd St., the Museum of Modern Art is another one of the places that serves as a great source of inspiration. “I love MoMa because it inspires me to do greater things. I go there quite frequently. Going to their exhibits is almost like escaping from reality. They also show films there. They show romantic-comedies, foreign films, and many more. One of my all time favorite places!” added Lucie. Museums are almost always quiet, which can be very beneficial to both writers and artists. In addition, the numerous exhibits can help you gain inspiration for a future article or work of art!

Central Park:

Finally, one of the most common spots for all New Yorkers: Central Park. Covering 843 acres, this piece of land is home to a zoo, reservoir, and a lot more. Another freshman at the iSchool, Jordan Hank, said, “One of my favorite vacation spots in NYC is Central Park because it is so big and there is a variety of activities to do. You can chill in the park, have a picnic, go to the zoo, or even ride a bike.” No matter what your interests are, whether you’re an artist, writer, or even a musician, Central Park is a place for everyone. There are bike stations all over the park with bikes ready for you to take and go on your own little adventure. The zoo is home to numerous animals to help you relax and calm your mind.

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Overall, NYC is home to multiple exciting spots whether it’s for tourists or New Yorkers. There’s always something to do, no matter what your passion is. Even when the city gets too loud, there’s always a quiet place that you can escape to. We are surrounded by fascinating hangout spots all around, but we may not be aware of all of them. Central Park, the cafe, and the bookstore, are only a few of the multiple inspirational spots NYC has, and spring break is the perfect time to explore them. So, instead of staying home all break struggling to search for inspiration, why not go out and explore?