The magical city known for its fast paced lifestyle, high rolling bank accounts, extremely fashion forward population, and melting pot of people has so much to offer! It seems almost overwhelming trying to plan a trip to one of the largest cities in the world, but we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for the most sought after details on the city that never sleeps.
Where to Stay?
Manhattan is the place to see and be seen, but of course, that comes with a certain price tag. You want to be centralized in this massive city, where everything is easily reached with a hail of a cab or just a couple blocks of walking. If you watched Sex and the City, you are familiar with Carrie Bradshaw commuting effortlessly, walking the streets alone, and never a fear in her eye-which is true! The city is so alive at all hours of the day, it is very simple to walk from block to block on the New York grid system. Number 1 on our list of recommendations to stay has to be the famed Plaza Hotel in the heart of all the action that New York has to offer. The hotel opened in 1907 and has hosted some of the worlds most prestigious dignitaries, movie stars, Broadway legends, and even has a whole story about a little girl named Eloise who lived here! If you’ve ever watched Home Alone-Lost in New York, this is where Macaulay Culkin stayed and had the time of his life jumping on their fabulous beds! https://www.theplazany.com
If you are not willing to spend around $1000 per night, I suggest the Park Lane Hotel, which is not even a block away from our #1 and is half the price. The views from the rooms are absolutely breathtaking (check the pic of my pup, Luna, sitting in the window), as it is steps away from Central Park. https://www.parklanenewyork.com Honestly, you can walk anywhere from this location-amazing shopping, Times Square, Empire State, Rockefeller Center, etc, without having to worry about taking cabs and/or Ubers, which can be much more expensive than other cities.
What To Do?
You could spend a month in this monstrosity of a city and not see all of the special neighborhoods, monuments, parks, and “half-to-do” staples of visiting New York, but we’ve cut it down for you!
- The 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Majority of us remember this horrendous day that changed history and the world forever, so this is a MUST-DO. The memorial itself is moving and quite special to see if you are short on time-just to walk around in the silence and reflect on all the lives that were lost. If you have a few hours, the museum is honestly one of the most well thought out and meticulous museums I’ve been to. The tickets are not expensive ($26 for adults) and you can spend as little or as much time as you want wandering through the ruins, pictures, and rooms of recordings from that very day. I promise even the strongest people won’t have a dry eye after this experience. https://www.911memorial.org/visit/visit-museum-1
- A Broadway Show. For those that love live shows or those who haven’t been, it is just a unique place to come and see where Broadway got its’ start and where MANY people have performed on that very stage. There are shows for every interest; whether it be funny, serious, drama, or even the classics! Unlike other theaters, the Broadway theater is relatively intimate-meaning not a bad seat in the house, and it is also quite casual-jeans are not frowned upon! Check out their lineup here: https://www.broadway.com
- Times Square, Rockefeller Center, NBC Studios. This can all be done at once, since they are all right next to each other. It’s great people watching and stimulation overload with all of the advertisements, street performers, and skyscrapers that surround you. https://www.topoftherocknyc.com. Pro-tip: if you happen to go to New York between Thanksgiving and New Years, you can see the infamous tree and skating rink! It is like a dream to see this in real life looking exactly as it does in the movies!
- High Tea at the Plaza Hotel. Even if you don’t stay here, you can still enjoy the ambience of this iconic hotel. People dress up like you were going to a special, conservative event to enjoy the high-class tea and finger sandwiches and maybe a glass or two of champagne! Children are welcome too! They have a tea menu for children that includes a Shirley Temple in a tea pot and PB and J finger sandwiches, including all the sweets they could ever want! Come hungry and ready to relax. https://www.theplazany.com/dining/the-palm-court/
- Empire State Building. This 102-story building is where you can take in 360 degree views of New York City. You can see for miles in all directions, even get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty! https://www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets
- Central Park. Located in the heart of Manhattan, this sprawling park has so much to offer, even if you just want to go for a stroll. There are options for carriage rides through the park, bike rentals, planned picnics, gondola or boat rides on the lake, and there’s even a zoo for those interested! You might even spot a celebrity of two walking their dog or going for a jog! https://www.centralpark.com
- The Highline. This 1.5 mile elevated park was designed on top of a historic freight rail that is located on the Manhattans west side. You walk above the streets and through high rise buildings, while surrounded by greenery. There are several places to stop to relax and enjoy the views or grab a coffee, ice cream, or light snack! Definitely worth the time to check out the neighborhood, as it has a different feel! https://www.thehighline.org/visit/
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The rules are constantly changing whether you can actually go up in the Statue of Liberty, but there is a ferry tour that takes you around the monument to get great photos. You then do a stop at Ellis island and have the opportunity to walk around and see the Immigration Museum. Learning about the history of both while atop a ferry and the city skyline in the background is intensely amazing. https://www.statueofliberty.org/visit/
Where to Eat?
This is probably one of the cities that any restaurant is going to have food unlike any other place. The restaurants that look like a hole in the wall are the ones that surprise you the most! There are 68 Michelin starred eateries in New York City alone, if you are a foodie, looking to go on a dining adventure. Grabbing a hot dog from one of the many street vendors is a must, and completely safe. Make sure to grab a slice of NY style pizza from the famous Ray’s, as seen on Home Alone 2. https://rayspizza.com. Katz’s Delicatessen is also a must try and probably considered New York’s most well-known by all restaurants. They serve a kosher pastrami sandwich that is bigger than one can handle, but so worth it! https://localmenu.katzsdelicatessen.com
New York is such a special place for people of all different backgrounds and foundations-there is something for all ages to enjoy. You learn quickly what a New York minute means and are constantly reminded of different movies while strolling the streets. It is hard to have a bad time when the feeling of endless opportunity surrounds you. “Like any great love, it keeps you guessing. Like any real love, it’s ever changing” which Taylor Swift hit the nail on the head with this lyric. New York is one you will love to hate, and hate to love, but will come back time and time again.