Travel-NYC

I've traveled to New York City about 4 or 5 times now and feel I have a fairly good idea of must-sees when in The Big Apple.  My first visit was April 2002, just months after 9/11.  The trip was with my high school dance company, so it was very dance focused.  This most recent trip was in April of this year...15 years later.

The main purpose of our most recent trip was to join my friend Tara at the Pancreatic Cancer Walk in Rye, NY.  I helped Tara with the inaugural walk in 2010 and this was the first time I was able to get back, so it was special.  The first walk Tara created in memory of her Mom and had maybe 200 people in attendance.  This year, there were over 2,000 people and growing.  Incredible!

Of course, we made a trip out of it, so I'll combine our experiences this year with past trips to give you the list of NYC highlights!


Top Hot Spots
#1 Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island: When you think about New York City, there are some quintessential/iconic landmarks you picture.  For me, that's the Statue of Liberty.  Lady Liberty stands proudly in New York Harbor beckoning travelers, immigrants, visitors into the city.

If you've never taken the ferry over from Battery Park, this is a MUST do!

I recommend touring the Statue of Liberty and then continuing on to Ellis Island to see what it was like to come to the US as an immigrant from the late 1800s to early 1900s.

#2 Central Park: New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of...unless you're standing in beautiful Central Park and then there is solitude and peace and nature!  Central Park is HUGE!  I've not seen the whole thing, but I recommend dipping in for a taste!  You can always visit the Central Park Zoo or walk the many paths.  Highlights for me are Tavern on the Green (which closed for many years, but seems to be open again), Strawberry Fields-Central Park West between 71st and 74th streets (a tribute to the Beatles, specifically John Lennon, who lived across the street from this section of the park and was murdered walking into his home)

and Bethesda Terrace overlooking the Lake with the Boathouse (which includes the beautiful tunnel that is iconic Central Park).

You could spend hours here.  I've never done it, but a carriage ride through Central Park might offer you the perfect taste of this oasis in the city.

#3 Empire State Building/Top of the Rock: The best way to see New York City, from the top!  I've done the Empire State Building and it is a must-do, but I recently did Top of the Rock and enjoyed it so much more!  The Empire State Building is smaller, so you have less space to walk around up top.  And, of course, there are bars all the way around to keep you enclosed. 

Same with Top of the Rock, but it seemed more spacious and I was able to get some really great pictures!  Any time of day is good, but we went to Top of the Rock at sunset and it was beautiful!

#4 Broadway Shows/Times Square: When in NYC, see a Broadway show!  Yes, you can catch a show in almost any major city, but nothing is as Broadway as Broadway!  My first visit to the city, we saw Cabaret at Studio 54, Chicago at the Shubert Theatre and 42nd Street at Ford Center for Performing Arts.  Since then I've seen Newsical the Musical off Broadway, Cirque Du Soleil-Zarkana at Radio City Music Hall, and Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.  The intimacy of these theatres makes the whole experience.  We were in the last row for Kinky Boots and it was still right up in the action! 

Regardless if you can catch a show, you must walk around Times Square.  Yes, we watch it every New Years Eve on TV, but nothing compares to the electricity in the air when you're standing there!  Welcome to New York!

#5 9/11 Memorial and Museum/Financial District: Unfortunately, I never saw the twin towers.  My first visit to NYC was right after 9/11.  We did take time during that trip to go down and pay our respects at the site.

This last trip to New York City, I finally got the chance to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.  It was so emotional!  I highly recommend a Memorial Tour if you go.  Yes, the Memorial part is free and you can walk around and look at all the names, but it was really meaningful to have a guided tour to explain why the Memorial is designed the way it is...why the names are placed the way they are...what the roses mean...and hear stories about the victims.  Even the trees have meaning!

The Museum was overwhelming.  To see it all would take hours, but we gave it our best shot and I'm really glad this was part of our last visit!

After visiting the World Trade Center area, head on down to the Financial District to see the home of the New York Stock Exchange and Charging Bull.

#6 The Metropolitan Museum of Art: For all of you art lovers, this is a gem!  It reminded me a lot of the Louvre and sits on the edge of Central Park, so if you're wanting to hit two birds with one stone, trek on over.  For all of you Gossip Girl lovers...they frequently filmed Blair and Serena on the steps of the Met.  XOXO

Other highlights:
Catch a sporting event.  Of course the Yankees and Mets, but pick up an NBA or NHL game.  I'd love to go to Madison Square Garden one day!

Radio City Music Hall: Home of the Rockettes!  A classic!

Grand Central Terminal: Because it's beautiful and free!

Rockerfeller Center: To shop, ice skate, people watch, attempt to get on tv...

What to eat:
In a city where there are restaurants on literally every corner, it's really hard to comment on this.  I can't say I've had a bad meal in NYC.  You MUST get pizza (with slices as big as your face) because why not?  During our last trip we had a great lunch at George's in the financial district. 

And a fantastic dinner at Wu Liang Ye near Rockerfeller Center.

Again, I loved Tavern on the Green...hopefully the reopening is just a good! 

We ate at the Russian Tea Room, which for a "child" wasn't a cool meal.  They too closed, but I hear they're open again.

Serendipity 3 on E 60th street is the perfect spot for a frozen hot chocolate.

Where to stay:
I've stayed at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square...FANTASTIC location and you're in the middle of the hustle and bustle.

Chelsea is a great place to stay!  We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton and that was awesome!

Our most recent stay was at the Hilton New York Grand Central, which was a good location this time because we needed an early morning train up to Rye, NY for the walk and we were just a few blocks away from Grand Central Station.
And I've stayed with friends.  A hotel in the city is expensive, as is AirBnB, so if you have a friend around, hit them up for sure!

There are so many more things to do in NYC.  You could go 100 times and find something new every time.  It's a city so nice, they named it twice and it never sleeps, so you've got that going for you!  Do yourself a favor and get there if you've never been!