Exploring a New City as an Intern in New York

Bold and brash, the inimitable city of New York offers something for everyone. Jump in and discover how to explore New York as an intern.

New York needs no introduction. It’s a world city of instantly recognizable iconography: Broadway, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Empire State Building, and so much more. 

Below the surface, it’s also a place of endless culture. Here, you’ll find a history drawn from all corners of the globe, blended together in a melting pot like no other. Chinatown, Soho, Little Italy, the Lower East Side; all unique, and all totally New York.

In short, there’s plenty to do here. You could get lost for months in the heart of the city and never even scratch the surface. That’s great if you want lots to do, but it can be a daunting prospect if you’re here for a few short weeks on an internship.

So we’ve put together this definitive guide on how to get the most out of New York as an intern. While there’s so much more to see, these are the highlights; the things you definitely need to see and do when you first explore the city.

Depending on your flight, you’ll land in one of three airports: John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark, or LaGuardia. As the biggest and busiest, you’ll most likely be landing at JFK, but we’ll cover what to do in the other two airports too. 

If you’re a Beyond Academy intern, we’ll have arranged to pick you up from the airport and take you straight to your new accommodation. If not, you’ll need to navigate yourself.

But fear not, to help you explore New York as an intern and get around, we’ve put together some routes. You’ll be an honorary New Yorker in no time!

Via the A and E trains (the blue line), as well as AirTrain, JFK is connected to the subway. This makes it an easy choice to get into the city. It’ll take less than ten dollars to hop on the subway. However, the journey time to Manhattan and Brooklyn is about 50 minutes. Conversely, the train is double the price but half the time; the choice is yours. At peak times, taxis have a flat rate of $56.50 to get to Manhattan.

Arriving at Newark will see you landing in New Jersey. While it’s a similar distance as JFK to Manhattan, it’s difficult to travel into the city via subway. Your best bet is the Newark Airport Express shuttle bus, which costs $18 for a one-way trip. It’s quick, but it only stops at Port Authority, Grand Central, and Bryant Park. 

Finally, LaGuardia is about half the distance to Manhattan than JFK or Newark, but doesn’t feel it. If you land here, you’ll need to hail a taxi; the closest Subway stop is about a mile away from the airport. This is a result of the NYC Taxi Union lobbying hard to halt an airport Subway connection in the 1970s. 

Perhaps one of the best things to explore in New York as an intern; the food!

A top culinary destination, just about every neighbourhood in New York has something special to offer. As a tribute to the city’s diverse populace, New York offers old favorites and new experiences drawn from all over the world. From its 75 Michelin-starred restaurants to its network of trendy cafes, you’ll have plenty to try. 

But while there’s certainly plenty of international food here, what about the New York classics?

It wouldn’t be New York without pizza. New York-style pizza is derived from Italian Neapolitan-style pizza. The distinctive thin crust is produced from a high-gluten bread flour; the typical toppings are tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. As well as extras like pepperoni, olives, mushrooms or bell pepper.

You’ll find a pizza place on every block, each advertising themselves as the best in the city! Like anything, the best way to discover what you like is to try it. But if you’re looking to sample the highlights, check out reviews online.

While you’re here, you might also learn about the New York Pizza Principle. 

According to George Fasel, the principle is that the price of a slice of pizza will always equal the price of the subway; which means that a rise in the price of pizza can accurately predict the rise in the price of a subway fare. While there’s some evidence to suggest that the link may have been broken in recent years, see for yourself whether it’s accurate.

The other big New York delicacy is pastrami. Originating from Romania, this is meat – usually beef brisket, but sometimes lamb or turkey – brined, dried, seasoned, then smoked and steamed. The result is highly flavorsome and absolutely delicious. 

It was made famous in the Jewish kosher delicatessens of the 1880s. But it soon became eponymous with the New York culinary experience. In fact, Sussman Volk, the creator of the sandwich, found it so popular that he converted his deli into a restaurant that exclusively served pastrami!

You can generally find pastrami on sandwiches and bagels, and it’s a popular pizza topping too. It’s served in delis across the entire city; after a decline in the 1990s, pastrami is back in full force, with both old and new delis serving up delicious sandwiches everywhere you go.

There’s also a whole host of delicious international food spread across the city. And with a populace drawn from all over the world, you can be sure that you’re about to sample something authentic. 

Try Little Italy for world-class pizza and pasta. From fried rice to sweet and sour chicken, Chinatown will offer a sensational portal to a world of flavor. Or branch out and try something new as Korean BBQ, Ethiopian curries, and much more await you.

Plus, there’s a whole host of food markets and grocery stores throughout New York. Here you’ll find a global selection of olives, coffee beans, herbs, spices, artisan bread, and much more. If you like experimenting, pick up some new ingredients and whip up a new dish in your shared kitchen for your friends!

As you begin to explore New York as an intern, you’re senses will be overwhelmed. After all, this truly is the city that never sleeps.

Simply walking through the city streets and taking in that unique network of traffic, noise and people will help you feel like you’ve really arrived in New York. But you’ll probably want to experience more of the city than that, so here are some highlights to see on your first trip.

New York is known all over the world for its landmarks and architecture. So you’ll want to take advantage of your time here to visit them. 

Central Park is an expansive green space in the middle of Manhattan, perfect for unwinding and reading a book; or for snacking on a hot dog or fresh slice of pizza al fresco. It’s deceptively big, so if you want to explore it fully then make sure you allot enough time. There’s even a zoo in the southeast corner of the park.

You can also take a trip up the Empire State Building, or the newer Freedom Tower. Both are known for their fantastic panoramic views over the city. Freedom Tower is host to One World Observatory, which also offers the One World Explorer; an interactive guide that shows you virtual tours of popular buildings and attractions around the city. Take a SkyPod Elevator straight to the top; they can climb 102 stories in 47 seconds!

Lastly, you’ll want to take the ferry out to New York Harbor as you head to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Here you’ll find the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Both offer fascinating glimpses into the past. 

Ellis Island is the proud home of one of the biggest immigration centers in American history; the center processed over 12 million immigrants in its time, and is now held up as a symbol of endurance and the American Dream.

As well as the stand-out sites and landmarks, New York is also a hotbed of culture. Deciding on what to do will be a challenge as you seek to explore New York as an intern. There’s just so much to see, do and experience. All of which will help you grow as you progress on your internship.

But exploring the city by night is just as rewarding as exploring it by day; so what exactly will you find here?

While you’re in New York, you’ll want to take the opportunity to see a Broadway show. 

Shows with open-ended runs tend to have evening performances from Tuesday to Saturday, with a 7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m start time.

Otherwise, you can usually take in a matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as well as 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. This gives you the chance to take in a show exactly when you want to; combine it with lunch, dinner, or drinks for an unforgettable occasion. 

Beyond Academy interns will get the chance to experience a Broadway show as part of their program. 

There’s a wide range of shows to choose from too; whether it’s Waitress, Wicked, The Lion King or Hamilton, you’re in for a fantastic time. Try an old favorite and sing your heart out, or see something new!

Jazz music and New York are practically synonymous. The city has been home to such legends as Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis. 

Today, fledgling artists flock from all over the country, and the world, to make their name here. So make an evening of it, take in the music across multiple jazz bars, and sip on some delicious cocktails. 

You’ll want to check out Birdland, a legendary jazz club first opened in 1949; a second iteration opened in 1986 before relocating to Midtown, which is where you’ll find it today. Or try Dizzy’s, described by Tony Bennett as the best jazz room in the city; from emerging artists to old hands, it’s sure to be an intimate evening.

From the grand opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1870, New York has been an international destination for art lovers everywhere. The city offers an art history lesson like no other. 

Begin with an exploration of the aforementioned Metropolitan Museum of Art; here, you’ll find over two million works of art, representing over 5,000 years of human expression. 

Next, try the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa); this is New York’s home for the modern masters. Search for Monet’s Water Lilies and Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, two classics on permanent display. 

Then discover the Bronx Museum of the Arts, a museum with a focus on local artists. Check out some contemporary art and photography with origins right here in New York.

With a population of over eight million, New York is one of the most diverse cities in the world. 

There’s countless stories to be told and people to meet here, and every city block offers a new experience. You’ll never tire of New York, and that’s what makes it so enticing.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t see the highlights. This guide just scratches the surface; if you want to explore New York as an intern, our local community team is here to help you make the most of it.

So if New York sounds like your kind of place, why not read a bit more about our New York-based internships? Otherwise, contact us and together, we can start to plan your New York adventure!