Picture a beautiful city surrounded by tall skyscrapers soaring into the clouds and the beautiful Statue of Liberty standing still on the water. You walk down the street passing hundreds of little shops and restaurants; all the while you are taken aback by the breathtaking beauty of the city that you are gazing upon. Now, picture lying on the beach while listening to the ocean waves. The air is crisp and the smell of saltwater is bitter sweet. The locations being described are New York City and Long Branch Beach. There are many differences between these places, such as the kind of activities, clothing and equipments, and their pace of life.
The first major difference between vacationing on the beach or in a city is the kind of activities you are able to do. While vacationing on the beach, the mind-set is to unwind life’s stresses while enjoying the warm touch from the almighty sun. The average beach vacation includes a wide range of activities, from relaxing on hot sand to catching waves in crisp ocean water to land and sea-based sports. Then there are long evenings of cool, breezy walks and hot nights on the dance floor. However, the most common activities while visiting the beach is mostly water related events such as sailing, swimming, and surfing. But let’s not forget the most sought after activity while visiting the beach, that is sun bathing. The simplicity of lying down on the soft, warm sand while the sun caresses you with its warm touch is wonderful. In the city, even if you are not mesmerized by the city's soaring skyscrapers and monuments, you will be blown away by its flourishing arts, food, fashion, and nightlife scenes. The Big Apple is home to some of the most iconic sights in the country, which are also recognized across the world. You can spend your morning browsing Fifth Avenue's designer racks and your afternoon catching stunning city views from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck. If you are an art lover, you can admire the striking works on display at the Met before feasting on ethnic fare in Chinatown. If you still have some energy left over, you can snag tickets to an award-winning Broadway show or hop over to one of hottest clubs in the country.
Another difference between vacationing on the beach or in a city is the clothing and equipment you take. If you decide to go to the beach, you will most likely be incorporating stylish beach gears, from patterned swimwear to flowy sundresses, to your getaway. Outside of clean underwear, the most important thing you will be wearing on your beach vacation is sun protection. Just about any day on the beach entails sitting out in unrelenting sun so you must also be sure to wear a pair of sunglasses and a brimmed hat or cap to keep the rays off the face. While the specific clothes will vary depending on the location and activity, you should always be comfortable and presentable. However, although many beach-based restaurants and establishments have a flexible, resort-casual dress code, you will want to wear nicer clothes in some restaurants or night clubs or at certain events. On the other hand, what you wear when visiting New York City depends largely on what types of activities and plans you have lined up during your trip. For example, opening nights for Broadway shows are important social functions in Manhattan, and guests are expected to wear formal or semi-formal attire. Also, many of Manhattan's nicer restaurants have specific dress codes that they expect their patrons to abide by. One thing that is always necessary in New York, however, is a comfortable pair of shoes. Although the subway system is relatively simple and there are taxis everywhere, you will likely find yourself doing a hefty amount of walking, so you should plan your outfits accordingly.
The final difference between vacationing on the beach or in a city is the pace of life. A beach is a place where you can temporarily get away from it all---a home of tranquility. I have read that the direct sun on your skin is actually habit-forming, producing endorphins in your brain that give you a "high." The moment you step foot onto the pure white sand, you can feel your heart rate slow down and your mind focusing on the beauty surrounding you. The sound of the beach is also very enjoyable and soothing, which helps your body relax and forget. For a brief moment, you are enraptured by the joy of the sun, and it causes all the stress of your life to melt away. Not only is the beach a great place to relax, but it is also a place of quiet introspection. Even when there is no daily light, you can walk around and look at the waves in the night. It is a place where you can let all your thoughts come together. In contrast, life in New York is fast-paced, busy, and denser. The city operates at an accelerated, sprinting speed -- business people zoom by on their way to work, and people are always on the go. Being in a fast-paced city, you are forced to accelerate your speed so you can be an engaging member of the city. Walking quickly is not only about getting from one place to the next as fast as possible; it’s a point of pride. My friend once told me, “If you can’t keep up with their breakneck pace, kindly let them pass you in peace.” In New York City, it is more obvious exactly what is open late until 4 a.m. then what isn't. Public transportation is very, very cheap and it is fast to get from one side of the city to the other. The city has an energy that stretches the limits of how long you think it is possible for a human being to be awake.
Where to go on vacation is a popular conundrum in many households every year. People enjoy going out of town to relieve stress and get away for a short time. The beach and the city are both great places to vacation because they are both open anytime of the year. It doesn't matter if your ideal vacation is an exotic safari deep across Africa or a backcountry hiking trip in the mountains of Montana. Having fun on a vacation depends on what you want to accomplish, where you should decide to go. Despite the many differences among these two vacation spots, the memorable events you will carry with you during your lifetime will not change.