Smooching picture alert! Sorry to be all mushy but it’s too dang cute not to share and you can see how beautiful the New York skyline is!
The first time I went to New York I was 13. I’d just finished dancing with the Boston Ballet for the summer, so my awesome travel agent aunt, Patti, (her nick name is AP!) took me to the big apple to celebrate. We spent the next few days seeing Harvey Fierstein in Hairspray, eating gelato in Little Italy, shopping 5th Avenue and watching 13 Going On 30 while I was jumping on the hotel bed after raiding the mini bar.
New York was awesome.
I’ve now been back six times and it’s still awesome.
While I was on tour last year I spent two weeks in New York so I got to feel a little bit more like a local than my previous visits. I was able to slow my step throughout the day, see a different side to the Empire City and not rush to take in all that it has to offer.
Take a tour through some of my favorite NYC Adventures and hopefully it will inspire you to make you own memories in the big apple!
What you need to know
When to visit: I’ve been to New York during Thanksgiving, the dead of winter, spring and the heavy heat of summer and there’s not a bad time to visit. It just depends on what you’re looking for. New York experiences every season so plan accordingly!
Where to stay: I’ve stayed in various areas of the city but my two favorites have been Hells Kitchen near Central Park and Brooklyn Heights. Don’t be afraid to stay in Brooklyn! It’s not Manhattan, so it’s definitely a different vibe, but there are some fun trendy spots in that area. Wherever you stay the most important thing is that you’re close to a metro stop.
Transportation: As you may know, there are taxis everywhere in New York. For traveling short distances it’s not a bad option but the metro (The MTA) is easy to use and everyone in NYC does it! Give it a try. It can get you almost anywhere you need to go. Plus, you have to say you’ve travelled through Grand Central Station!
Metro Passes: If you’re going to be in New York for several days I’d recommend getting an unlimited ride metro card. A 7-day unlimited pass is $32. Although, you can always buy a card for $1, charge the card with as much money as you’d like and pay per ride as you go.
Show Tickets: If show tickets are hard to fit into your budget then visit the link below. It is a link to all of the Broadway lotteries you can enter online. It’s free, easy and if you win the lottery then your tickets will be 10-55 dollars. I saw too many shows to count using this method and paid a fraction of the price. I even had box seats to Kinky Boots!
https://lottery.broadwaydirect.com
Brunch in the City
New York is a foodies paradise! New restaurants are popping up around every corner and critics are flocking to the city to try the latest and greatest. Find a spot that speaks to you (if you’re lost turn to yelp!), don’t be afraid to splurge on a nice meal and live a little bit. Brunch is my favorite meal of the day and being in a city that is known for good coffee it wasn’t hard for me to find a yummy spot. Bon appetite!
Central Park
If I can give you one piece of advise it’s not to rush through Central Park. Have a picnic, shop the artist’s paintings, listen to the tunes of local musicians, ice skate, visit the zoo, ride the carousel, enjoy an ice cream cone, have a fun photo shoot… The possibilities are endless! We even rented bikes and rode through the winding paths of Central Park for a few hours, which is one of my favorite memories. So take your time and enjoy this 3.5 mile urban jungle!
The 911 Memorial & Museum
The World Trade Center attack was a pivotal moment in time that added a new chapter to our world’s history books. A day that started with clear blue skies ended in tears and tragedy with nearly 3000 people losing their lives. Visiting the memorial is one of the most impactful experiences I’ve ever had. It is beautifully done and allows you to interactively experience the events of September 11th, 2011. It is most definitely worth devoting your time to.
See A Broadway Show
This is quintessential to your New York experience! With the lottery link above in the “what you need to know” section there’s no excuse for you not to see a show (or at least try your hardest!) No matter what show you attend, I’m confident you will be seriously impressed. Broadway is equipped with the worlds most premiere talent in theatre. Get dressed up, have a nice dinner and enjoy!
The Big Green Lady & Ellis Island
The Statue of Liberty (or as my mother refers to it “the big green lady”) is, of course, a must-do for those of you visiting New York for the first time. Although seeing this iconic American landmark was fun, taking a tour of Ellis Island was far more interesting for me.
Ellis Island was Americas’ busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 to 1954. It was the gateway for twelve million immigrants looking to make a better home for their families in the land of the free. Learning the islands history gave me a new appreciation for the America many of us are fortunate to live in.
When you buy your ticket for the big green lady your admission to Ellis Island will be included 🙂
The Chelsea Market
Located in the Meatpacking district of New York, the Chelsea Market has become one of the worlds’ largest indoor food halls. With everything from coffee, wine, fruit, sweets, savory goods and beyond, do yourself a favor and arrive hungry! I hadn’t been to the Chelsea Market until my most recent trip to New York but it is now a staple for my future visits. If eating and shopping is your thing (and who’s isn’t?!?!) then this Manhattan market is for you!
The Highline
So get this… The High Line was a Manhattan railway that operated from 1932-1980. Nearly twenty years later, in 2009, the High Line reopened as a public park! So rad right?! It is now a 1.45 mile long linear park with stunning views, walking paths, art displays, gardens and fun events like stargazing evenings! If you’re looking for a scenic adventure in the city then take a stroll on the New York High Line!
Little Italy
This is my favorite area of New York! Little Italy was once populated with over 40,000 Italian immigrants, but as time moves forward, this charming and historic area is diminishing. Take a stroll through the quaint streets, marvel at the architecture, grab a cannoli and enjoy Little Italy while you still have the opportunity to!
The Big Apple, the Empire City, Gotham, the city of dreams: whatever you may call it, New York has something for everyone making it a city of passion for locals and a hot destination for those wanting to visit. Snowing or sunny in summer, there is no bad time to explore this dreamy city. May you be inspired to find what it has in store for you!
