New York City
New York City
New York City is made up of 5 boroughs including Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Manhattan is the most visited location by travelers. Many people want to experience and see the famous sites and some even, are trying to “make it big” and find a career in show business. According to Census.gov, there are over 8.5 million people living in NYC.
*** Check out our blog on “The 5 Boroughs in New York City“!
New York City is a busy and exciting city! If you’re not used to being in a city, it can be a bit overwhelming at first. But relax, you will learn to love it! We visited the Big Apple during Fall and we absolutely loved the weather and the fall colors throughout the city.
New York City has a lot to offer. From watching a Broadway show, walking through the iconic central park, taking a cruise, savoring a fresh bagel, or getting lost in the concrete buildings, you will find that this city is beyond exciting. We had a blast in New York City and here are a few of our favorite things to do.
Statue of Liberty Cruise
We booked an evening cruise which took us to see the Statue of Liberty up-close and gave us magnificent views of the World Financial Center, Ellis Island, and Manhattan night lights. During the cruise we were able to travel underneath the bridges. It was a bit chilly but we were prepared with our warm jackets, gloves, scarves, and beanies. Don’t forget your camera as you will want to take a souvenir photo of the night views!
Climbing to the Top of The Rock
If you had to choose one touristy activity to do in New York City, choose to climb to the top of the Rockefeller Center. The city views are amazing! The daily hours of 8am to midnight make it attractive for people to choose their preferred time. We went at night and loved this experience. Hopefully you’re not afraid of heights!
Little Italy
New York City can certainly satisfy your food cravings. But if you’re like us and enjoy Italian food, then you’ll want to head to Little Italy. We honestly had a hard time making a selection on where to dine. Everything seemed so tempting from the family-owned-restaurants to the off-the-beaten-path shops. You will not be disappointed. Yelping helps narrow your decision as well. Many restaurants in Little Italy give you the option of eating outside, we highly recommend it as it is not only romantic, but it gives you a nice perspective of the night life. You might also forget you’re in New York City, and that is what makes this city even more exciting! We loved Little Italy so much that we decided to visit twice.
*** Check out our blog on “The Restaurants We Dined At In New York City“!
Times Square
There are lights everywhere. It is never dark in Times Square. Your eyes are constantly stimulated by the many bright colors and lights of the billboards, advertisements and the activity that surrounds this major commercial intersection. With 330,000 people passing through everyday, you will not have time to get bored. “The Naked Cowboy,” an iconic guitarist that has entertained tourists for decades, will make you stop and stare. Plus there are lots of characters that will let you take a picture with them for a small tip. People-watching is also fun and you never know who you’re going to run into!
Central Park
If you need a breather from the concrete buildings and the busy pace of the city, Central Park is the best getaway you can take. During the fall, you can enjoy long walks and wonder through the beauty of the fall foliage. The horse carriages transform the park into a magical storybook. You can take a ride for an affordable price. We enjoyed observing the many talented artists and their artwork. One can get lost and mesmerized by the beauty of the park. One of our favorite landmarks was the Gapstow Bridge. If you’re familiar with the film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, this is where Kevin first meets the pigeon lady. It is one of the most photographed bridges in Central Park and you will always find someone to take your picture.
Time We Visited: Mid-November
Places Visited/Attractions:
- Times Square
- Rockefeller Center
- Empire State Building
- The Flat Iron Building
- 9/11 Memorial Center
- World Trade Center
- Statue of Liberty
- Central Park
- Grand Central Terminal
- Little Italy
- China town
- Radio City
- Brooklyn Bridge
- The Museum of Modern Art
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Chrysler Building
Restaurants We Dined At:
- Gray’s Papaya
- Famous Joe’s Pizza
- Cake Boss Cafe
- Cafe Napoli in Little Italy
- Hard Rock Cafe
Food Suggestions:
- Bagels
- Pizza
- Hot dogs
Our Suggestions:
- No need to rent a vehicle as transportation is widely available combined with walking.
- Be sure you obtain a map of the city from the subway station!
- Purchase a $30 Metrocard from the subway, for unlimited rides for a week (you’ll save money!!!)
- Do not leave any valuables in your room!
- Create a list of famous attractions before visiting NYC, as there are a lot of places to see with such little time!
- Purchase a CityPass booklet online as it is cheaper to visit the sites instead of paying at the entrance!
- Visit the TKTS Discount Booths for cheaper daily Broadway Shows!!!
Total Costs:
- Airfare = $514 round trip for two people with Virgin America (with voucher)
- Hotel = $684 for 5 days
- Metro Card = $30 for a 7-Day Card
- CityPass = $122 adult
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