New York is the home to pretty much everything I have ever loved: Andy Warhol's factory, Blonde on Blonde, Breakfast at Tiffanys, Bright Eyes 2005 and Snapple to name a few. This was my first visit, and I went with my mum to celebrate my 18th and her 50th birthday.
Day one:
We landed on the morning of 4th July 2010, giving us plenty of time to get settled in and enjoy the Independence Day celebrations. The fireworks over the Hudson River were spectacular and although it's really hot there in July I would recommend arranging your trip so you are in New York for 4th July if you are going in the summer.
After we checked into our hotel (we started at the Holiday Inn near Times Square, we got a great deal and it included a hot buffet breakfast which so it was good value too) we headed to the Museum of Modern Art. It was everything I hoped it would be and it has taken its place as my favourite museum in the world. It is so light and bright, with plenty of outside space. The photo below is of an interactive piece by Yoko Ono, you wrote down your wish and added it to the tree. There's also a pretty amazing rooftop bar.
Day two:
We woke up bright and early the next day and caught the subway to Battery Park to catch the ferry to Liberty Island. If you do one thing before you go it should be to prebook your tickets for this! Especially if you want to climb the Statue of Liberty (a fun experience, but not essential!). There are lots of dodgy websites around so make sure you book using the official Statue Cruises website.
On the way back the boat stops off at Ellis Island and I don't know why but so many people didn't bother to get off. It's definitely worth it though! The Immigration Museum is beautiful and really interesting. There are great views of Manhattan from there too.
Next we headed over the 9/11 memorial which was very moving.
After a quick snoop around Century 21 (a bit like an American TK Maxx, full of bargains!) we wandered over to South Seaport. We had dinner here overlooking the East River and my mum quickly learnt that American measures are bigger than British ones when she nearly fell over after one cocktail!
We walked off our dinner by crossing the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge and then it was so pretty to walk back towards Manhattan at 10PM with all the city lights coming on. I think this is a must do for any trip to NY. It was unforgettable.
Day three:
We spent the morning doing the 'Top of the Rock'. I'd recommend this over the Empire State as it's cheaper, you can see Central Park and you get the great view of the ESB!
We then went for a walk to see some of the sights. It's not far to walk to the Chrysler building, New York Public Library, Grand Central and the UN HQ.
After an iced tea break we explored the Guggenheim, which is such an interesting building. After having a wander through Central Park we escaped the midday sun in the lovely air conditioned museums including the Natural History Museum (go and see the blue whale!). All the museums in NY have a suggested donation of about $23, but the minimum donation is one cent. So don't be put off by the price on the sign, just pay what you can afford.
That night we went to see She & Him and Zooey Deschnnel gave me her setlist!
The next day we swapped hotels. We had both really wanted to stay in The Chelsea Hotel after that Leonard Cohen song but it was too expensive to spend the whole holiday there so we went for our last two nights. It was absolutely amazing and worth every penny. The maids even let me snoop around Bob Dylan's old room!
Day four:
We escaped the buzz of downtown Manhattan for a morning at The Cloisters. We emerged from the subway and it was like we were in another world. If you have time I would really recommend spending the day here.
On the way back to Chelsea we bought some fresh fruit from a market and ate it in the cinema. Everything is bigger on this side of the Atlantic, even the cinemas!
Day five:
We spent our final day close to the hotel before heading to the airport. The nearby Chelsea Market is brilliant, and there are lots of amazing independent shops and galleries to explore nearby.
Washington Square Park is wonderful and so full of history. There were brilliant musicians playing there every time we passed through. It was one of my favourite spots in the city.
It was such a brilliant trip. I can't wait to go back! If we had time I would have liked to explored Brooklyn and visited Coney Island.
Top tips:
- Check the menu for vegetarian options before you enter a restaurant, we had to walk out more than once from places that had literally no choices!
- Prebook the boat trip to the Statue of Liberty.
- Visit the Rockerfeller Centre, and try and prebook if you can.
Day one:
We landed on the morning of 4th July 2010, giving us plenty of time to get settled in and enjoy the Independence Day celebrations. The fireworks over the Hudson River were spectacular and although it's really hot there in July I would recommend arranging your trip so you are in New York for 4th July if you are going in the summer.
After we checked into our hotel (we started at the Holiday Inn near Times Square, we got a great deal and it included a hot buffet breakfast which so it was good value too) we headed to the Museum of Modern Art. It was everything I hoped it would be and it has taken its place as my favourite museum in the world. It is so light and bright, with plenty of outside space. The photo below is of an interactive piece by Yoko Ono, you wrote down your wish and added it to the tree. There's also a pretty amazing rooftop bar.
Day two:
We woke up bright and early the next day and caught the subway to Battery Park to catch the ferry to Liberty Island. If you do one thing before you go it should be to prebook your tickets for this! Especially if you want to climb the Statue of Liberty (a fun experience, but not essential!). There are lots of dodgy websites around so make sure you book using the official Statue Cruises website.
On the way back the boat stops off at Ellis Island and I don't know why but so many people didn't bother to get off. It's definitely worth it though! The Immigration Museum is beautiful and really interesting. There are great views of Manhattan from there too.
Next we headed over the 9/11 memorial which was very moving.
After a quick snoop around Century 21 (a bit like an American TK Maxx, full of bargains!) we wandered over to South Seaport. We had dinner here overlooking the East River and my mum quickly learnt that American measures are bigger than British ones when she nearly fell over after one cocktail!
We walked off our dinner by crossing the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge and then it was so pretty to walk back towards Manhattan at 10PM with all the city lights coming on. I think this is a must do for any trip to NY. It was unforgettable.
Day three:
We spent the morning doing the 'Top of the Rock'. I'd recommend this over the Empire State as it's cheaper, you can see Central Park and you get the great view of the ESB!
We then went for a walk to see some of the sights. It's not far to walk to the Chrysler building, New York Public Library, Grand Central and the UN HQ.
After an iced tea break we explored the Guggenheim, which is such an interesting building. After having a wander through Central Park we escaped the midday sun in the lovely air conditioned museums including the Natural History Museum (go and see the blue whale!). All the museums in NY have a suggested donation of about $23, but the minimum donation is one cent. So don't be put off by the price on the sign, just pay what you can afford.
That night we went to see She & Him and Zooey Deschnnel gave me her setlist!
The next day we swapped hotels. We had both really wanted to stay in The Chelsea Hotel after that Leonard Cohen song but it was too expensive to spend the whole holiday there so we went for our last two nights. It was absolutely amazing and worth every penny. The maids even let me snoop around Bob Dylan's old room!
Day four:
We escaped the buzz of downtown Manhattan for a morning at The Cloisters. We emerged from the subway and it was like we were in another world. If you have time I would really recommend spending the day here.
On the way back to Chelsea we bought some fresh fruit from a market and ate it in the cinema. Everything is bigger on this side of the Atlantic, even the cinemas!
Day five:
We spent our final day close to the hotel before heading to the airport. The nearby Chelsea Market is brilliant, and there are lots of amazing independent shops and galleries to explore nearby.
Washington Square Park is wonderful and so full of history. There were brilliant musicians playing there every time we passed through. It was one of my favourite spots in the city.
It was such a brilliant trip. I can't wait to go back! If we had time I would have liked to explored Brooklyn and visited Coney Island.
Top tips:
- Check the menu for vegetarian options before you enter a restaurant, we had to walk out more than once from places that had literally no choices!
- Prebook the boat trip to the Statue of Liberty.
- Visit the Rockerfeller Centre, and try and prebook if you can.
