Union Square is one of my favorite places in New York City. It’s often the starting point for many interesting nights out. Union Square is also a great place to just sit down and relax — some nights, it’s the only destination.
A typical night in Union Square.
In the warmer weather you’ll find young people playing hacky sack or soccer. You’ll see skateboarders practicing kickflips and ollies, while street performers dance for dollars. There’s even a freestyle rap group that meets up there on Friday nights. And let’s not forget the chess players. Drop in a for a friendly game.
It’s all very friendly. Maybe.
In practical terms, Union Square is a major transportation hub. You can catch many subway trains here (4, 5, 6, L, Q, N, W and R). The L train can connect you to the 8th Avenue Line, so you’ll be able to catch the A, C, E after a quick ride.
Enter the subway. Or just hang around it.
Union Square Park stretches from Broadway to 4 Ave and from East 14th street to East 17th street. You can access the subway from many entrances in the park.
The photos in this story were taken with an Olympus EM-10 and various lenses.
The World Trade Center Station is a transportation hub that connects New Jersey trains to New York trains. The centerpiece, called the Oculus, can be thought of as the main station house.
The Oculus — surrounded by other, less-dramatic buildings.
Inside the Oculus is what’s technically the Westfield Mall. There are said to be over 100 retail stores and restaurants in the Mall, including an Apple Store, Banana Republic and an Eataly.
High-tech and futuristic all the way.
Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the whole structure is supposed to resemble “a bird being released from a child’s hand.” I found it to feel more like being inside of some kind of futuristic dinosaur, since the curved beams reminded me of bones or ribs. It did have a very organic feel to it, and I did like the overall look of the place. It’s a bright, open space and if you enjoy shopping and dining out you can surely spend a lot of time inside of it.
It’s a… hub… of activity.
From a commuting standpoint, the Station lets you access the PATH system to get to New Jersey, as well as many (the 2, 3, A, C, E, N, R, W) New York City Subway trains.
I hope you didn’t lose your Metrocard.
If you’re vacationing in New York City, you might as well check the Oculus out while you’re here. You’ll probably stumble into it after you’ve visited the One World Trade Center Observatory anyway. If you’re a New Yorker you can skip this place until you, for some reason, have to take a PATH train to New Jersey and can’t do it from Penn Station.
The photos in this story were all taken with an Olympus OMD EM-10 and the Olympus 14-42 RII kit lens.
This image is also featured in my article Why You Should Shoot RAW. You can see the original version in that blog entry and get some information about the benefits of RAW. Taken with a Nikon D5100 and 35mm f1.8DX lens from the backseat of a taxi.
Standard Admission for adults to the Empire State Building’s 86th Floor Observation Deck is $34. Remember, don’t buy the tickets from the street vendors outside the building — it’s likely a scam. Buy them inside the Empire State Building on the second floor.
Much like at One World Trade Center, there will be very long lines and you’ll be subject to a security screening. Once that’s done, you’ll walk through winding Art Deco corridors until you reach the elevators.
Hanging out on the 80th floor of the Empire State Building.
The first elevator will take you to the 80th floor. During the ride, you’ll see that the ceiling of the elevator is a screen depicting the construction of the Empire State Building, with steel beams flying overhead and the sounds of hammers and drills. Wisecracking construction workers with overdone “New Yawk” accents make jokes and comments as the beams come together.
Downtown views.
Once on the 80th floor, you’ll be able to see downtown Manhattan through the windows. You can see such landmarks as the Statue of Liberty, the Flatiron Building, and most notably One World Trade Center. You can spend as much time as you like looking out of the windows on the 80th floor and taking pictures. Just be sure to take care while photographing since you’re shooting through thick glass.
Gaze into your future… the gift shop!
Next you’ll line up to get on to a second elevator. The line stretches past the gift shop, which you’ll later exit through on the way out of the building.
Photographers on deck!
The second elevator will take you to the 86th floor and the Observation Deck. Here you’ll be outside and have the full experience, with quite a few amazing views. Even better, your photographs will look great since you’re outside and there are no windows, just the iron bars which you can shoot through.
Shoot through the iron bars, or use them for effect.
You can spend as much time as you want on the Observation Deck as well, but it’s usually rather crowded. Expect to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with others, and brace yourself for the inevitable bumps and jostles. Be careful if you’re toting a big camera and long lens.
The Conde Naste Building and Bank of America Tower.
Once you’re done taking in the sights, you’ll exit through the gift shop I mentioned before, which has all sorts of Empire State Building-related souvenirs.
My kind of souvenir. Is there Empire State Building brand whiskey?
I didn’t like the experience at the Empire State Building as much as I did at One World Trade Center Observatory. However, at least from a photography standpoint, the views are much better from the Empire State Building because you’re not behind glass.
Everybody’s on Twitter.
Because of the spectacular views, I recommend giving the Empire State Building a visit. Try to time your visit so that you’re on the 80th floor around sunset for the most spectacular sights, and hang around to get some good night shots.
Photos in this story taken with an Olympus EM-10, Panasonic 25mm f1.7 and the Olympus 14-42RII kit lens.
Standard Admission to the One World Observatory is $37 dollars per adult if you buy the tickets inside at the window. Keep in mind that the lines are always long and you’ll have to go through a security screening process. You’ll be required to remove any jackets, bags, belts, phones, and electronics and place them in a bin to be scanned while you step through a metal detector.
Once that’s done, you’ll walk along a tunnel-like corridor lined with presentation screens that display short movies about One WTC and Ground Zero. This corridor eventually leads to the elevators.
Once inside an elevator, you’ll find that the elevator walls are actually screens that show an animation of how New York City has changed over the decades. This is done in a way that gives you the sensation of rising above the city while it builds up below you. The elevator ride ends with a depiction of the construction of One WTC itself as you see steel beams assemble overhead.
Interactive elevator ride. Be sure to hit ‘record’ on your phone!
You’re then brought into a theater-like area and treated to a movie projected onto a large wall showing all sorts of scenes from around NYC.
Movie time! Great scenes of everyday life from around New York City.
When the presentation ends, the wall itself lifts up revealing huge windows and a taste of the amazing views that One WTC offers.
The big reveal! The movie wall lifts up, showing the actual city.
After a brief orientation from one of the staff members, you’re given the chance to take in the views of the city via One WTC’s two-level observatory.
Two floors, lots of photographers!
Through the large windows you can see many landmarks including the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building.
The Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge are among many of the landmarks you can see.
You have as much time as you want in the Observatory. There’s even a cafe that serves coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches, and so on. So relax, hang out, enjoy the views – and take lots of pictures.
What a view!
Whether you’re visiting New York City or are a long-time New Yorker, I highly recommend visiting. All of the presentations were excellent, the staff was very friendly, and the overall experience was inspiring and uplifting with a very positive statement about New York and the city’s resiliency.
Photos in this story taken with an Olympus EM-10, Panasonic 25mm f1.7 and the Olympus 14-42RII kit lens.
This view is from the Press Lounge, at the top of the Ink Hotel. Very nice spot, and I feel it has some of the better views of the city. The staff is also extremely nice and professional, which is always a plus. Expect to pay around $17 for a glass of whiskey, however.
Taken with a Lumix GX1 and Panasonic 20mm f1.7 lens.
Pier I (West 70th street) is one of my favorite places to hang out at in the summer. You’re treated to a very nice view of part of the skyline. Facing the other way, you can see the New Jersey skyline, which is actually very beautiful as the sun sets over it. It’s also relaxing to just sit or stand there and watch the sailboats and jet skis go by.
In addition, there’s an outdoor cafe there that sells booze. Great place to take a date on a nice summer night.
It’s next to the West Side Path, so watch out for bikers when you’re heading home after a few drinks.
Photo was taken with an Olympus OMD-EM10 and the Panasonic 14mm f2.5 lens.
This is a shot of the Empire State Building as seen from the pier in Long Island City. The building is lit up in the colors of the New York Mets baseball team. Taken with a Nikon D5100 and the 35mm f1.8 DX lens.
I took this photo years ago, in 2010 I believe. I used a little Canon point & shoot camera, pressed against the window of the hotel room. Recently I found this photo in my archive and used Photoshop to bring out the colors and sharpness, as well as reduce the noise.
I am not one of those photographers who will tell you “the camera doesn’t matter!” because it certainly does. However, once in a while, you can get a great shot even with a lowly point and shoot (and some Photoshop skills).
In this photo the main point of interest is the Chrysler Building, one of my favorite buildings to take pictures of.
The Manhattan skyline is beautiful at night with all of the lights shining. In this photo you can see many major corporate buildings, such as the Conde Naste Building (the one that says H&M on it) and the Bank of America Tower behind it.
Towards the right side of the image, you can see the Empire State Building hiding behind the New York Times Building.
Taken with a Lumix GX1 and Panasonic 20mm f1.7 lens.
