A citytrip in New York

There are those cities that you not only see, but feel, taste and breathe. New York is such a city. A place where immediately upon arrival you feel the energy of the city and what never completely leaves you. I got to visit this special city last year together with a friend. It was a succession of impressions and unforgettable moments. In this blog I take you along different places we visited. This may give you some inspiration to plan your own New York adventure.

A wet start

Our arrival began spectacularly. On the plane we were already told that there was a cloudburst going on in New York and that the landing would be bumpy. Fortunately it wasn’t too bad, but once on the train from Newark Airport to New York City the rain came pouring down and the subway system appeared to be flooded. The train went no further than Penn Station. But fortunately, this was also our destination station.

As soon as we deposited the suitcase at the hotel, we headed into the city. First destination? Times Square, of course.

The overwhelming sea of neon lights and sound of the city came right in. Fortunately, we weren’t bothered by the usual crowds thanks to the rain, so we had plenty of room to take it all in. And there he stood: the famous Naked Cowboy. In nothing more than his underwear, cowboy hat and guitar, he stood at the intersection. Of course we had to take a picture with that – a perfect start to our New York experience!

Rainy day? Shop around!

Unfortunately, we were also inconvenienced by rain the day after we arrived. So we opted to go shopping. For starters, we dove into Macy’s – America’s largest department store and an attraction in itself. And we were lucky, because it was late summer sales! We browsed around here for hours I feel like, picking out the cutest outfits and buying a lot at very nice discounts. We didn’t skip Victoria’s Secret either. I have never had such a service-oriented shopping experience as I did there. Truly an outing in itself. We also enjoyed a delicious cocktail in the cocktail bar on the top floor. With bags full of clothes and an empty bank account, we eventually returned to our hotel to get ready for the evening.

Dining in New York

New York is a paradise for foodies. You can really go in any direction in terms of food. From classic New York bagels at a local breakfast café, slices of pizza on the street, and trendy salads for lunch at the various salad bars. We couldn’t resist an evening meal at the Hard Rock Cafe on Broadway near Times Square. But we also discovered a very atmospheric stretch of Broadway off 27th Street. We ushered in the evening there with cocktails on the terrace of 230 Fifth Roof Top Bar, overlooking Manhatten. And afterwards we ate delicious tacos at Mamazul Mexican Grill which can be found down the street from the rooftop bar.

Surprising contrasts

What makes New York so special are its great contrasts. After the bustle of Times Square, we stepped into the majestic New York Public Library. In the serene reading room with high ceilings and wooden tables, you forget for a moment completely that you are in such a busy metropolis.

We got a similar surprise when we suddenly saw St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the middle of busy Fifth Avenue. Surrounded by modern skyscrapers and luxury stores, this Gothic building stands as a monument of peace and faith. The contrast between the cathedral and the gleaming window displays of Victoria’s Secret across the street says it all about this multifaceted city.

A very different experience was our Sunday morning in Harlem, where we attended a service with a gospel choir. The energy, the singing, the emotion – it was very impressive. After the service, we had a short tour of the neighborhood, where the guide told us more about the origins of the neighborhood and why the porch steps were built so high (so the former residents didn’t stand in the horse poop). This was New York at its most authentic.

Iconic sights

Of course, we didn’t skip the classic must-sees. The walk across the Brooklyn Bridge was great fun, with the view of the city’s impressive skyline. The Statue of Liberty, which we visited by ferry, was impressive – not only as a symbol, but also through the realization of how many people used to see this statue first upon their arrival in America.

Rockefeller Center was also on our list. The “Top of the Rock” offers a fantastic view of the city: Central Park on one side, the Empire State Building and the rest of Manhattan on the other.

Impressive monument

Not all of our activities were joyful. The 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero made quite an impression. The endless black waterfalls on the spot where the Twin Towers once stood, the names engraved in the granite…. Like so many, I remember exactly where I was when the images of the planes crashing into the towers were broadcast on all the news channels. This is where this terrible event comes in very hard.

Central Park

Of course, we also had to visit Central Park. And this we did on electric scooters. It was very crowded in the park, as there was a running event. But fortunately the paths were also open to the rest of the public and we were able to cruise around on our scooters in the sunshine. It’s very nice to see the variety between joggers, picnickers and buskers. At the end of our scooter ride, we also walked into the luxurious Plaza Hotel to get a piece of the grandeur that this hotel right on Central Park exudes.

Practical tips for your New York trip

1. Subway: The subway system is fast, efficient and the best way to get around. You can easily check in and out with your credit card.
2. Comfortable shoes: You walk way more than you think. Even with the subway at hand, we easily made 15,000 steps a day.
3. Electric scooter in Central Park: Highly recommended! Fun, not too expensive and you see a lot more of the park.
4. Plan, but stay flexible: Have a list of must-sees, but leave room for spontaneous discoveries. Sometimes it’s those unplanned moments that stick with you the most.
5. Combine highlights with local experiences: Combine the well-known attractions with authentic experiences such as a gospel choir in Harlem or a local café in Greenwich Village.
6. Travel documents: Don’t forget to fill out your ESTA form on time!
7. Pay: Make sure you have extra means of payment with you. We encountered several times that our debit cards (with world coverage) did not work. Fortunately, we also both had credit cards with us, so we were still able to checkout.
8. Viewpoints: Visit one of the major observation platforms (Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, or One World Observatory) preferably during sunset for the most spectacular photos.
9. Budget liberally: New York can be expensive, especially with all those tempting stores and restaurants.

From the corporate Financial District to the artistic SoHo, from hip Williamsburg in Brooklyn to the stately Upper East Side – each neighborhood has its own vibe.

Credits photos: OpstapmetLisa