By Mikhail Maslov, Visiting Student in Foundations of Pre-Medicine, School of Professional Studies
Spending the summer at Columbia as a Visiting Student gave me the unique opportunity to meet new people from around the world, study at a world renowned institution, and explore everything New York City has to offer.
The NYC bus tour was among these unforgettable experiences.
Living in New York City, I have heard of and visited many places and areas, such as well-known museums, parks, restaurants, and landmarks across Manhattan and other boroughs. Outings with friends and family have taken me from Washington Heights, to Astoria in Queens, to SoHo in Lower Manhattan. However, by only visiting these places, I realized I never had the opportunity to learn about their extensive, rich histories. Out-of-city friends consistently questioned me about go-to places in New York City for their next vacation. Several spots came to mind, but I could not explain why they were interesting or important to the city.
A New York City bus tour I took as part of my Columbia SPS Visiting Student experience provided the perfect opportunity to revisit city landmarks while learning and understanding their histories. The tour was not only educational, but also a lot of fun! The open-top bus allowed for great city views, and our tour guide highlighted many details commonly missed.
One of the first areas we drove by was the Museum Mile, famously home to the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). Although I passed by these two museums almost every day while commuting through the city, I never stopped to learn more about them. For example, the architect of the Guggenheim initially worried that the building would not fit in with the surrounding New York architecture. Yet, to this day, it remains one of the city’s most unique and eye-catching buildings. Further, many museums on Museum Mile are former residences of wealthy individuals from the late 19th century. Their homes overlooking Central Park transformed into museums for the public. I was fascinated by the number of museums I had not even known existed and that they were so conveniently located near each other. Museum Mile is an all-day activity for people visiting the city who want to take in each building and museum's unique art and architecture.
As we reached the south end of Central Park, we passed by the same building Kevin McCallister stayed at in Home Alone 2. Learning this added to the diversity of New York City's fascinating tidbits, making the tour even more enjoyable.
Approaching the island's south end, we passed by a building I was embarrassed to be seeing for the first time: New York City Town Hall. This building, located near the Brooklyn Bridge, is where the city’s government operates, housing the Office of the Mayor and the City Council Chambers (where important decisions shaping New York are made). City Hall is also a venue for public events such as ceremonies and educational tours.
A little more on the Brooklyn Bridge, over 20 workers lost their lives constructing the over one-mile bridge. I had only crossed the bridge a handful of times, but learning about this highlighted how massive of a project the Brooklyn Bridge was over 150 years ago, with immense effort and dedication involved in its creation. This brought more love and appreciation to the city’s architecture and construction.
Finally, rounding out our trip, we passed two landmarks: One World Trade Center (home to the One World Observatory and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum) and Little Island Park. Both of these landmarks represent repair and growth following devastation. The One World Trade Center was constructed following the 9/11 attacks. However, the lesser-known Little Island Park was built after Hurricane Sandy destroyed Pier 55. While driving past, the elevated park represented an impressive message of growth and the ability to repair and rebuild the city after loss and hardship.
If you truly want to appreciate New York City's history and have a fantastic time, hop on a bus tour. It's an experience you won't regret. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the city's rich past while enjoying the convenience and comfort of guided exploration and great views from the open-top bus.
Exploring New York City through immersive events offered by Columbia University allowed me to experience the vibrant culture of the city while getting to develop deeper connections with my fellow peers in the Visiting Students program.
About the Program
Each summer, Columbia University offers hundreds of courses for Columbia students and students from other domestic and international institutions. Whether on campus or online, Summer term offers the opportunity to study with Columbia’s esteemed faculty, pursue academic interests, advance studies, and prepare for graduate school. Focus areas include Arts and Culture in New York City, Foundations in Pre-Medicine, Public Affairs and Sustainable Futures, and Wall Street Prep: Economics, Finance & Analytics. Learn more about Summer Session at Columbia University.
