Good pizza and movement: a getaway to the heart of New York

New York is synonymous with movement, fun, history, and dreams; it's the feeling that the impossible becomes achievable. In short, it's everything every visitor can imagine. That's why it has inspired artists from all over the world.

Plus, contrary to what many might think, you don't need extensive logistics to enjoy this destination. In just three days—a perfect getaway for a spontaneous trip or a short vacation—you can experience plans that will remain etched in your memory.

The first thing you need to know is that this metropolis—nicknamed "The City That Never Sleeps"—is bustling, and convenience becomes a necessity. For this reason, and also to satisfy your guilty pleasures, the Big Apple offers a wide variety of fast food, the perfect way to make the most of your time. In this regard, pizza is one of its flagship products.

EL TIEMPO delved into the heart of this dish's preparation through one of its most iconic chains: Sbarro. The brand, founded in New York in 1956, is present in 30 countries, including Iceland, where it is the number 1 pizza brand, and has around 800 locations. In Colombia, in fact, it has opened 40 locations in partnership with Terpel, making it the country with the fourth most locations worldwide.

One of its most famous locations is in New York City, located in Manhattan, on the corner of Seventh Avenue and West 33rd Street, near Madison Square Garden and Penn Station. The New York-style pizza prepared there retains its original touch: a thin and flexible dough, giant 40 to 45 centimeter slices to satisfy anyone, and, above all, fresh ingredients. An experience that is also replicated in Colombia. Its texture also allows each slice to be folded in half, the ideal way to enjoy it while walking the streets of midtown .

According to CJ, Sbarro's chief marketing officer (CMO), it all starts with the preparation. "We do everything by hand and in the morning, so it's fresh; that's how we see the difference in the quality of the ingredients. And the recipes are global," says the executive, who points out that in both the US and Colombia, the brand culture goes hand in hand with familiarity and warmth.

This is confirmed by Marisol Sabogal and Carlos Novoa, who were able to experience firsthand the process behind each slice thanks to the "Sbarro Takes You to New York: Travel to the Origin of Pizza" contest, sponsored by Terpel in Colombia (see end of article). "The flavor is very rich and the ingredients are very fresh; the recipe is perfectly balanced. I also like the good replication in their different locations, just like the original, and the dough has a very soft texture. In Colombia, as I saw in New York, the recipe is the same in flavor and freshness," they say.

We do everything by hand and in the morning, so it's really fresh; that's how we see the difference in the quality of the ingredients.

With the most practical (and economical) dish already defined, which will serve as an ally in the three-day city marathon, it's also key to plan well. You won't be able to know everything—ideally, you should save something for a future vacation—so you need to know how to distinguish the must-see stops.

For the first day, it's essential to explore the area you're staying in, as there's always something to admire, and then finish with a delicious dinner. Ideally, find a rooftop with a privileged view, for example, of the imposing Empire State Building. The postcard views of the buildings, accompanied by a glass of champagne, will make this one of the highlights of your trip.

Times Square is a unique experience, ideal for extending the night. The iconic site of screens—one of the great stages of the VE Day celebrations (the end of World War II) in 1945—activates all the senses, keeps visitors alert, and is full of eccentricities. Located in the heart of Manhattan, from Broadway to Seventh Avenue, it epitomizes what New York is all about. It hosts superheroes, human statues, street dancers, photographers, travelers, magic shows, and even hosts chess games with fluorescent pieces.

The Midnight Moment, a moment that occurs between 11:57 p.m. and midnight, when the lights dim and all the screens synchronize to display a single video, is a special touch worth witnessing. According to Times Square's official website, it is the largest and longest-running digital public art program in the world. Since 2012, it has been projected on more than 90 screens between 41st and 49th Streets, showcasing the work of contemporary artists.

The following afternoon is perfect for exploring other Manhattan sites, such as the famous Fifth Avenue, which passes through must-see landmarks, including Central Park, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, and the Empire State Building. Penn Station is also worth a stop, served by 33 train lines and home to the city's daily hustle and bustle. The best part? They're free and offer memorable postcards.

If you want to go a little further, head to Greenpoint, a Brooklyn neighborhood from which you can admire midtown Manhattan, but in a surprisingly peaceful setting. The contrast between its calm and the frenetic pace beyond is almost cinematic, perfect for appreciating the nuances New York has to offer. It's an ideal place for lovers of a vintage atmosphere with touches of modernism.

Back in the city center, the evening is ideal for a Broadway show, another must-see even for non-theater buffs. Classics like Aladdin at the New Amsterdam Theatre immerse audiences in the world of a genie's jokes and charm, the antics of a young street urchin, and the character of Jasmine, who refuses to settle for a kingdom without love. The blend of humor with the artists' masterful performances makes this musical a perfect way to close out the day. The show will end like a flying carpet. A few blocks away is the famous Ellen's Stardust Diner, where dinner is accompanied by a musical show.

For the third day, you can take a marathon tour of various sites, starting with Liberty Island, home to the imposing Statue of Liberty. This sculpture stands 46 meters tall, rising to 93 meters with its pedestal, and weighs approximately 225 tons. It was a gift from France in 1886. You can get there by ferry from Battery Park, tickets for which must be purchased in advance, and the journey offers unique views. A free alternative to view it, albeit from a distance, is to take the public ferry to Staten Island, which departs from the Whitehall terminal.

Returning to Manhattan, another must-see stop is the 911 Memorial at Ground Zero, a space for silence and reflection. There, the victims of the tragic September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers are honored with two imposing symbolic pools that raise goosebumps even to the toughest skin. There's also the Oculus, one of the city's largest transportation hubs, which features shops and restaurants.

Its design, by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, depicts the hands of a child releasing a dove. The slot in the center of the roof is formed by windows arranged at precise angles so that, every September 11th, sunlight floods in at 10:28 a.m., the time the second tower collapsed 24 years ago.

Afterwards, it's worth stopping by the financial district's main thoroughfare: Wall Street. This eight-block symbol of the American economy is home to the Stock Exchange, the Charging Bull and Fearless Girl statues, as well as the Old Capitol—where George Washington was sworn in as the first U.S. president—the Federal Reserve, former churches, and more.

To round off the afternoon, Brooklyn is once again the perfect spot. A must-visit is the cobblestone Dumbo neighborhood, where you can take the iconic photo of Washington Street with the Manhattan Bridge—the last of the bridges it forms with the Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges—in the background. About three blocks further on is the pedestrian entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. The nearly 2-kilometer walk across this structure spanning the East River will leave incredible views and will take between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on your pace. Upon reaching the other end, Manhattan greets you once again, this time from City Hall Park.

While time passes quickly, like the pedestrians in this city, the memories created there linger... because every street and every corner in New York will always have a story to tell.

Terpel and Sbarro launched the contest "Sbarro Takes You to New York: Travel to the Origin of Pizza" in Colombia. Those who made the most Sbarro products worth at least $50,000 during a month had the chance to win a three-day trip to the Big Apple with a companion. The winners were Marisol Sabogal and Carlos Novoa, two Bogotá natives based in La Mesa (Cundinamarca).

“I was incredibly excited about the contest. I started going more frequently to eat Sbarro products, accompanied by my family and friends. I held gatherings at my house, delivered pizzas to inmates at the prison, the La Mesa nursing home, and also to children with special needs at a Down syndrome foundation,” Marisol says. She also emphasizes that learning about the New York pizza process was one of the best experiences.

“This meant believing in and making dreams possible, filling ourselves with good memories and endless reasons to smile,” she concludes.

* With invitation from Terpel and Sbarro.