Whether you’re interning in Charlotte or New York, I’ve got the guide to planning your summer away from home. Last year I had an unforgettable summer in L.A. working for Nickelodeon. It wouldn’t be complete without my housing and transportation troubles, of course. Besides the infamous L.A. traffic (not to mention gas prices), my housing situation was awry. Unlike all of you who will hear back about internship opportunities in mid-March, I was not given my offer until the end of May. Scrambling for a place to live I settled on staying with family.
I was lucky to have family in California, but unlucky with an hour and a half to three hour commute each day. This year I am more than prepared and plan to prepare all of you for your upcoming summer adventures. Staying with family is the easiest go-to option, but if this does not apply or work for you here are some things that might. Below is a breakdown of everything you need to know about the city you’ll be spending your summer with and how to keep it as cheap as possible.
CHICAGO:
WHERE TO LIVE
• The Buckingham: This independent apartment-style student housing is perfect for summer interns and affordable too. For under $3,000 you can stay here from May to August fully furnished, with all utilities and amenities included.
• SAIC (The School of the Art Institute of Chicago): You can stay in these “Chicago Style” loft apartments for as low as $285 a month with all amenities included. Not to mention they are walking distance from Millennium Park (concert central) and Michigan Avenue, which is THE shopping destination while staying in the city.
WHAT TO DO
• Millennium Park: Spend time taking the famous photo at the Bean and free concerts in the park all summer long!
• Museums: Chicago is known for its museums and being a native I can firsthand say they are not your average museum. Each has something cool to offer and is a great way to cool off on a hot summer afternoon.
• Cubs Game: Nothing better than scoring cheap tickets for $15 and grabbing a Chicago dog and beer (if you’re legal, of course). Even though they will probably lose, it’s an experience you don’t want to miss out on.
WHAT TO EAT
• Weiner Circle: Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood this hot dog stand is known for its late-night service and outstanding variations of the infamous Chicago dog. Like cheese fries? They’ve got those too.
• Giordano’s: If you’re looking for somewhere to have your first deep dish experience look no further than Gio’s. It exudes the cities atmosphere and the pizza will forever change your life.
• Donut Vault: Famous for its crazy delicious donuts, Donut Vault opens at 8am during the week and closes when it runs out. Hope in line by 7 to secure your chance at eating quite possibly the best donut you will ever have.
TRANSPORTATION
• Walking/Biking: Walking is encouraged in this city as well as biking. It is a bike-friendly city and bikes are available for rent all over the city.
• Uber App: Download this app to grab anything from a cab to a limo
• The “L”: Short for elevated, this above ground train system will take you all over the city. As a student you ride for 75 cents, doesn’t get better then that.
• City buses: With equal rates to the “L” this is also a great alternative if you aren’t a train person.
NEW YORK
WHERE TO LIVE
• NYC Interns: This company places interns in apartments all over the city with full amenities and utilities included with 24 hour security. For prices comparable to The Buckingham in Chicago, this is one of the most affordable options you’ll find in the city.
• NYU: As one of the most popular options in the city, it houses several student interns every summer and you can buy a meal plan too! This is just one of several popular NYC universities that offer summer intern housing.
WHAT TO DO
• Central Park: Need I say more? Shown in almost every movie shot in New York, you can spend your lunch break in the best people watching area known to man.
• Musicals: Spend your Friday night out on the town with dinner and a show! Student rates are easy to find and make it super accessible to see a last minute show.
• Brooklyn Flea Market: Take the subway down to Brooklyn to check out this well-known flea market. Between Clermont and Vanderbilt avenues you’ll find a slew of different finds from vintage clothes to art and jewelry.
WHAT TO EAT
• Pizza and/or falafels from any food cart
• Parm: Located in Little Italy this affordable Italian restaurant serves ice-cream cake for dessert. That is all you need to know.
• Pok Pok Phat Thai: Located near the Williamsburg bridge this hot spot has the best Pad Thai in town.
TRANSPORTATION
• Walking/Biking: This is most definitely the biggest walking city and bikers are every as well. Beware: some bikers think they are vehicles.
• Uber App: Download this app to grab anything from a cab to a limo.
• Subway: The most prevalent mode of transportation in the city is the subway. Infamous for its crazy rush-hour traffic and commuters this is usually the easiest way to go.
• City buses: Buses are popular too and for $10 you can purchase an express bus pass.
LOS ANGELES
WHERE TO LIVE
• ZUMA Housing: This site offers furnished apartments in the Westwood area and UCLA off campus housing as well! With options ranging from a private room to a two-bedroom apartment this site is the place to look for your summer apartment.
WHAT TO DO
• Hike to the Hollywood sign: Los Angeles is known best for the Hollywood sign that sits above Hollywood Hills. Wake up early Saturday morning to hike and get the best views in town.
• Hollywood Cemetery: With movies that change by week, this is one of the best ways to catch an old Hollywood flick. Bring a picnic basket, wine and friends to enjoy this one-of-a-kind L.A. experience.
• Santa Monica Third Street Promenade: For all you shoppers out there, this is the place to go. This outdoor promenade has the best eats and buys around. Plus, there is always some kind of event going on and chances are there will be a celeb siting!
WHERE TO EAT
• Tender Greens: A personal favorite, this restaurant has the best salads and sweet treats. If you’re looking to go the healthy route, but try something outside of a typical Caesar salad this is the place to go.
• Urth Caffé: This famous caffé has four different locations in L.A. and is known for bringing in celebrities. The food is outstanding and their Mexican iced coffee is delicious.
• Pink Taco: Located at the Century City outdoor mall you can choose to sit inside or on their rooftop lounge. Known for their pickled onion “pink taco” this is the perfect spot for margaritas and great Mexican cuisine with reasonable prices.
TRANSPORTATION
• Car: Having a car or renting a car is the most reliable option in L.A. Though the traffic may be unbearable at times, you’ll be happy you have a car for those spur of the moment weekend trips to the beach cities.
• City bus: This is the main mode of public transit in the city. The cities offers trains as well, but for timeliness, go with a city bus.
DALLAS
WHERE TO LIVE
• UMoveFree: Use this website to find the perfect apartment for reasonable rates!
WHAT TO DO
• Public ArtWalk Dallas: Explore the Dallas art district with a 3.3 – mile self-guided art walk through downtown Dallas.
• Dallas Farmer’s Market: Hit up the farmer’s market for fresh produce from local farmers and enjoy free samples!
• House of Blues: Have a night on the town and see your favorite artist at the House of Blues while enjoying true southern cuisine.
WHERE TO EAT
• Sol Irlandés: This true Tex-Mex restaurant offers live music on their patio every Thursday and Sunday. Dig into their famous fajitas to experience one of Dallas’s best restaurants.
• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: With multiple locations in Dallas this barbecue restaurant has everything from cornbread buns to pecan pie.
• Bowl & Barrel: Offering American-style cuisine and boutique bowling this restaurant has it all for a fun night with friends.
TRANSPORTATION
• Car: This seems to be the most used form of transportation to get from point A to point B in Dallas.
• DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit): This transit system offers buses and trains, with reasonable rates, but is not the preferred mode of traveling.
CHARLOTTE
WHERE TO LIVE
• Queens University: Offering two different resident hall options this university also offers summer parking passes. Centrally located, Queens University is a perfect place to live during your summer in Charlotte.
WHAT TO DO
• Carowinds: Like amusement parks? This is the place to go for a weekend of rollercoasters and junk food.
• Mint Museum Uptown: For a unique take on museums spend a day exploring this ultra-contemporary museum. With a menu that changes daily, be sure to check out the restaurant located inside the museum.
• EpiCentre: Filled with some of the most popular nightlife and restaurant spots in the city, the EpiCentre is something you can’t miss out on.
WHERE TO EAT
ª Amelie’s in NoDa: This French bakery has several locations, but the NoDa (North Davidson) Art district is open 24/7/365. Known for its fresh pastries and delicious locally roasted coffee, this is the place to go if you dig the art scene and enjoy late night eats.
• Heist Brewery: Also located in NoDa, this microbrewery offers “Twisted American-style” food and tapas with a wide variety of handcrafted beers.
TRANSPORTATION
• Train: LNYX Blue Line Light Rail is best for rapid transit and operates 7 days a week.
• City Bus: CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) operates over 40 bus routes and is one of the best modes of transportation.
D.C.
WHERE TO LIVE
• American University: This campus offers summer intern housing from May to August and free parking and gym access. The shuttle service travels to different areas on campus as well as the Tenleytown-AU Metro stop.
• George Washington University: GW allows students working on the Hill or interning in D.C. to stay on campus. It is located near the Foggy Bottom Metro stop (Red Line) and the housing center will also help you look for housing in the D.C./Maryland area.
WHAT TO DO
• National Portrait Gallery: The Smithsonian American Art Gallery is known for having some of our Nation’s most famous historical art works. For an educational trip in our Nation’s capital head to the Smithsonian!
• Jazz in the garden: Enjoy your Friday evening in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture garden listening to great jazz music. Though BYOB isn’t allowed, they serve within the garden.
• Segway Tour: The inner tourist in you wants a formal tour of our Nation’s capitol, so hop on a Segway and see the city!
WHERE TO EAT
• Daikaya: Who doesn’t like ramen? Try Daikaya for authentic Japanese ramen or explore their separate non-ramen menu, which offers other equally enticing options.
• DGS Delicatessen: If you’re a sandwich lover this Jewish-owned eatery is the place to try. Known for their pastrami sandwiches, which they smoke and cure in-house, this delicatessen is perfect for a lunch date.
• Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken: Combining two delicious foods, this restaurant offers fried chicken and doughnuts. Grab the ultimate combo with a 2-piece fried chicken basket and choose from a variety of doughnuts offered monthly such as a maple bacon doughnut. Everything is right with this restaurant.
TRANSPORTATION
• Metrorail & Metrobus: Washington has one of the safest and most efficient transportation systems in the world according to washington.org. Learning your way around town on the Metrorail and/or Metrobus will become second nature.