New York City

The City That Never Sleeps. The Capital of the World. The Big Apple. The City of Dreams.

Whatever nickname you like best, there’s no denying that NYC is one of the most fascinating and culturally diverse places on earth. Anything you desire to have or do, you can find a place within the 5 boroughs that has it.

General Information:

I’ve been to NYC 4 times and have still not seen even half of what the city has to offer. I can say my first and foremost tip is about accommodation. New York is an expensive city to stay in, and I find a lot of people get ‘cheap’ when it comes to that. Just bite the bullet and stay somewhere central like Times Square or Midtown. The first two times I visited, I cheaped out and spent my whole vacation regretting it. You’ll be spending more time and money on transportation getting to the areas of interest, than if you stayed in that area and walked to those places instead. There’s more details below on the specific hotels I’ve stayed in!

I’ve flown into 2 of the 3 major airports that service the city. I’ve found Newark in Jersey to be the most convenient. This trip into Newark, Danica and I were travelling together and from Newark airport, you can hop on the AirTrain that goes direct to Pennsylvania Station (or as the locals call it, Penn Station). Penn Station is really close to Times Square, where you can walk to so many attractions. This trip, we stayed at the Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan, which was only a few blocks walking from the train station. I loved this hotel as it was so close to everything, very clean and modern, and actually surprisingly quiet for being very close to Times Square. It also has a cute little restaurant on the main level, which opens as a patio right onto the street in the warmer months.

When most people think of NYC, they think of Times Square. I guess it’s the heart of the city, being right in the middle and pumping with excitement 24/7. And if you’re a tourist visiting here for the first time, I would say this is the best place to stay as you’ll experience most and many of the popular tourist attractions in the city. But to be honest, my opinion is that it’s so cliche, busy, and ‘touristy’ that I really encourage you to explore other areas to stay in.

While visiting Times Square, you’ll probably want to take in a show of some kind. There’s so much choice in material, you won’t be left wanting. I’ve seen Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, which is amazing! I’ve seen Chicago on Broadway, which was fantastic. And I’ve seen the play Network with Bryan Cranston, which was my favourite. And top tip for seeing plays with ‘famous’ people…if you stand outside after the play, sometimes they come out and sign autographs and let you take photos! Also in Times Squares you can shop ‘til you drop. There’s tons of unique and not so unique shopping venues. And of course, the bright lights which really are quite a spectacle at night time. If you’re lucky, you might get to witness a flash mob scene.

On another visit, I stayed at the Hotel Edison, which is right in Times Square. Although there weren’t any included amenities, this hotel was clean, comfortable, and affordable. I did find the room to be a little loud at night and on the smaller side, but for those on a budget and in a small party (1 or 2 people) I would recommend this hotel.

The Financial District (home to Wall Street, The Battery, and close to the Statue of Liberty) has some really nice accommodation choices and they typically are less expensive than most other areas in the Manhattan borough. As the island gets smaller in size near the Battery, the streets are interesting to walk. Lots of little one-ways and side streets to get lost in. In this area, you can visit the Charging Bull of Wall Street, known for providing luck and prosperity to those who touch it. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is also found here and is worth a visit for those interested in the topic. They’ve done a beautiful job honouring those who suffered during that time. From the Battery, you can embark on the ferry to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty. She’s quite the spectacle up close. Or you can pop over to Ellis Island to visit the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. If you’re a history buff, this museum is great. It’s the first place so many people came to when immigrating to the US.

Lower Manhattan boasts some interesting contrasts such as Little Italy, Chinatown, and Greenwich Village (pronounced GRENich). Midtown Manhattan has many areas to explore, like the Meatpacking District and Hells Kitchen. And if you’re feeling a little on the swanky side, there’s always the Upper East or Upper West Side, which runs along both sides of Central Park. My suggestion for first time visitors, the first thing you should do is take the HOHO bus! That’s the Hop-on Hop-off tourist bus. It passes all the major attractions in Manhattan, all while allowing you to stop and get off to explore on your own and get back on at your own leisure. You can purchase single day or multi day tickets, which make it a very practical way to get around the city while staying on ground level. It’s also guided, so you can hear some interesting facts along the way! You can purchase tickets here Big Bus Tours. I think the bottom line is, there’s lots of intriguing and interesting neighbourhoods to explore in Manhattan alone and no matter where you stay, everything is very easily accessible.

Speaking of accessible, the subway system in NYC, although not the cleanest or safest, is very broad. You can get just about anywhere in the 5 boroughs on the subway. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the map first, and make sure you enter on the right side of the street for the direction you want to go in (first mistake I ever made!). You can ride for as little as $2.75 USD, or get a a MetroCard, which you can load or purchase for a specified period (like a 7 day pass for example).

I have to make a special section for Brooklyn. Lately, the borough has been making its own print and is just as exciting as Manhattan…in my opinion. If I visited NYC again and only went to Brooklyn, I would be content. There’s so much to see and do here, it’s easy to make a trip just for Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Bridge - Iconic and beautiful equally at night and during the day

The Brooklyn Museum - some of the most interesting exhibits I’ve seen (even after visiting the Guggenheim, MOMA, and the Natural History Museum)

Brooklyn Botanical Garden - beautiful, large, and easy to get lost in

A highlight in Brooklyn that Danica and I had on our trip, was a food walking tour. We had the opportunity to experience some diverse and delicious food samples that the city could offer, from pizza to tacos to bagels all in one day. It’s also a great way to see some of the local sights, including amazing graffiti and art painted all throughout the borough. We also visited the Sunshine Laundromat. I know you’re thinking, why would we go to a laundromat? In the back, through a secret door (that’s disguised as a washing machine), is a bar! It’s full of pinball machines and a fully operating bar. It’s little cozy, secret places like these that make the trips for me.

Another place I have to mention, if you have the time to visit and in the right season, is Coney Island. It’s wise to make a day of it here, and make sure you plan ahead to see if and when things are open. We visited in May and some things were still closed for the season. It’s easily accessible by subway, and takes about an hour to get there. The boardwalk and the beach is lovely (a nice break from the city), Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs are a must, and the Wonder Wheel is a blast!

Notable attractions:

Even if you don’t like baseball, catching a Yankees’ game is an attraction in itself.

The iconic Empire State Building is a great way to see the city all at once. But is it better during the day or at night? Why not try both!

As I said at the start, there’s so many places I need to see. Harlem, Staten Island, Long Island, the Bronx. Slowly, I will see more than just Manhattan, and will add to this blog as I do!

If you have any questions or want to know more, please reach out in the contact page!