Wake up and head to the harbor…

The quarter known as Landungsbrücken is a great spot to sit and watch the city wake up. Stop at one of the many small cafés overlooking the Elbe River for Brötchen (small rolls) with a slice of cheese or meat (a typical German breakfast) and a hot cup of coffee.

If you’re there on a Sunday morning, be sure to check out the famous Hamburg Fishmarkt, located just a short walk from the Landungbrücken Ubahn station. As it is still a relatively active port, there is always some sort of commotion going on.

Next up: HafenCity

As the caffeine from your coffee starts to kick in, you may want to stretch your legs a bit. Head southwest along the line of the harbor towards to HafenCity. Thirty years ago, this area was desolate, abandoned after the once vital port was deemed to small for the new, larger container ships. In recent years, however, it has been revitalized.

With sustainability in mind, the neighborhood has been designed to be a walkable, livable, destination for residents, just a little over a kilometer from the city center. New architectural concepts and innovative urban designs are the things to see here. Points of interest include the Marco Polo House (some of Hamburg’s most expensive real estate), the Unilever building, the Chilehaus and of course, the still-in-construction Elbphilharmonie.

Then, Head North to the City Center

Walk north up Osakaallee following signs to the Rathaus (Town Hall) and city center. At the corner of Osakaallee and Brooktorkai you’ll find a small little café called Fleetschlösschen. In case you need to warm up this is the perfect little cozy spot! Or, if your hungry for lunch, continue up Bei St. Annen, which turns into Brandstwiete, turn left onto Willy-Brandt-Straße and you’ll find the Gröninger Privatbrauerei, a delicious spot to try some authentic German dishes traditional to northern Germany and Hamburg.

As you transition from the HafenCity to the city center, be sure to check out the Speicherstadt, a string of large ware-house like buildings that have survived World War II (where most of the buildings in the Hamburg city center have been destroyed) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Once you find yourself at Rathaus Markt, take some photos of the historic Town Hall (you can’t miss it). During the Christmas season there is also a really nice Christmas Market there. Other events are held there throughout the year as well.

Relax By The Alster

Cross the main square in front of the Rathaus and head towards Jungfernsteig, walk along the Alster Lake, relax by the water if the weather permits.

If the weather is nice, also consider taking a stroll in the Planten un Blomen park, which has a botanical garden with tropical greenhouses, an authentic Japanese garden and a rose garden with over 300 types of roses (in the warm weather).

From There, Head Towards Sternchanze

Sternchanze is Hamburg’s alternative area, which has lots of cool little shops, cafes and bars. It is also the location of my favorite brewery Ratsherrn. In the Altes Mädchen building you can find the Rathaus Brewery and shop. Sample a few of the craft beers!

Hang out there for a while or hop back on the U3 getting off at Landungsbrücken again. Instead of going towards the harbor, head towards to the Portuguese Viertal (Portuguese neighborhood) to my favorite dinner place, Luigi’s. With a background of Latin salsa beats, energetic waiters shouting “escuzi, bella!” and super delicious pizza, this place is not to be missed! At the end of the meal they also bring a bottle of digestive to the table at the end of the meal, to liven things up a little bit more.

Either call it a night or…

Head to One of Hamburg’s Most Famous Districts: Reeperbahn

Full of clubs, bars, strip clubs, cheap take away food places, casinos and some excellent people watching, the Reeperbahn is a truly unique aspect to the city. There’s always a party somewhere on the strip and on Friday and Saturday you’ll find people partying all night.

A Busy Tranport Hub

The famous terminal is located in Midtown Manhattan on 42^nd St and Park Avenue. It is one of the busiest train stations in the world, with 750,000 people and passengers passing through the station each day. There are 44 platforms inside, more than any other railroad station in the world, with 41 tracks on the upper level and 26 on the lower.

The Terminal serves both long distance and regional trains, with 220,000 commuters each day from outside the city daily. Growing up just a few hours outside the city, Grand Central Terminal was always my first stop upon arrival. Each time, the “wow-factor” never gets old.

Features of Grand Central Terminal

Built in 1871, the Terminal features intricate designs both inside and out, with the highlight being the main concourse. You can spend forever staring up at the celestial ceiling mural that covers the entire ceiling of the vast main concourse.

Conceived in 1912, the ceiling has been restored a few times, first in the 1930s to repair falling plaster and again in the 1980s to clean off the nearly 60 years of tar and nicotine from tobacco smoke. A single patch was left in the corner to remind visitors of what the ceiling once looked like.

In the center of the main concourse is the information booth, with a four-faced clock on top. This is perhaps one of the most recognizable features of Grand Central Terminal and a common meeting point.

Holiday Season

Personally, I think the Terminal has an extra sparkle during the holiday season with wreaths and lights reflecting off the shiny granite, a predominate building material in construction. You can see carolers singing holiday songs, people whizzing past on their way to an important meeting and the greeting of loved ones who haven’t seen each other in a long time. There is also the holiday market inside the Terminal, though it is very expensive.

What Else Can You Do At Grand Central Terminal?

Along with serving its primary purpose as a transport hub, Grand Central Terminal also has many great shops and restaurants. Some of the most famous include the Oyster Bar, or the Gourmet Culinary Market.

As well there are over 68 shops, with anything from clothing to accessories to make up to olive oil. For passengers on the go, the bottom floor of the concourse also has lots of delicious fast food options such as the New York City legend Zaro’s Bakery.

Grand Central Terminal also holds many secrets within its walls (which go to a staggering 13 floors below ground!). At either end of the Oyster Bar ramp is the Whispering Gallery, where you stand on the opposite corner of the gallery as your partner and you’ll be heard on the other side. Also, there is an abandoned railroad cart and track which used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

When you’re done exploring all that Grand Central Terminal has to offer (and believe me, it’s a lot!) take the Subway (located within the Terminal) to your destination or simpy head out the main doors onto 42^nd Street. Times Square is close by (with a shuttle from the Terminal) as well as the iconic Empire State Building.

[Wikipedia], [NYC Tourist]