Next up, we’re going to New York City! City trips have always been a staple in my childhood as we live about an hour away.
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I feel like you can never go wrong with NYC. I love experiencing the holiday bustle, spending a summer day walking the streets, and getting dinner with some friends and a skyline view.
Some of my favorite things include exploring the streets and walking around, while trying new foods! My sister and I try to find the most unique dessert shops during each of our trips, and honestly, they never fail to please. We once walked 36 blocks to find a crêpe place… it was worth it:)
If you ever find yourself in SoHo, I MUST recommend the Dominique Ansel Bakery. It’s nothing short of the cute little bakery of your dreams. Filled with creamy goodness, the warm sweet scent hits you the moment you walk through the door. Famous for their cookie shots, you can expect the line to go down the street. Served exclusively after 3pm, these shot glass-shaped cookies filled with milk are well worth the wait. The warm cookie melts in your mouth while the milk adds the perfect blend of cold.
If you’re a foodie, you must seek out a location for Smorgasburg. Smorgasburg is essentially a street filled with food vendors, offering the best foods of all cuisines. It’s truly a foodie’s dream. You can spend hours just going around, convincing yourself that you must try each food because it just looks so good. They typically set up somewhere with a nice view, some music, and loads of food. As expected, it’s very easy to get carried away. Personally, I’ve visited their locations by World Trade Center and Brooklyn. They never disappoint.
When visiting NYC, there are some touristy locations that should definitely be on your list to visit. This includes Times Square… duhhh. I would recommend seeing it at nighttime, but walking around during the day is extremely lively too. There are always street vendors set up; street artists ready to spray-paint a NYC skyline, sketch your portrait, or dance for you; and of course the people dressed up as Disney characters. This used to be
even more special before the Toys-R-Us in Times Square shut down (sad) — their Ferris Wheel is missed. Visiting the M&M Store is super cool as they have a plethora of flavors, colors, and sizes offered — something you don’t see at your local grocery store.
Walking around Central Park is incredibly special as well — especially in the fall. My family has spent countless days biking, walking, boating, and laughing in Central Park. In the summers, they have boat rentals for you to enjoy some time at the pond, model sailboat racing, and a Bubble Man who religiously stands by the Bethesda Terrace. We rent row boats almost every summer, and take in the beautiful view that Central Park offers. They also almost always have a model sailboat race at Conservatory Water, which is interesting to watch. And of course, the Bubble Man. This simple, yet super cool concept has always amazed me. He uses some soapy water, rope, and two sticks to create the most mesmerizing bubbles. As you can expect, I have spent quite a few dollars trying to get the perfect bubble.
If you couldn’t tell, I LOVE the city and can probably talk about it for HOURS!! With the countless places to explore and new foods to try, you can never be bored. You have now spent ~a day in the life~ in New York City. I hope you love it as much as I do:)
New York City looks like so much fun. One of my friends from home is in school there, so once Covid calms down, perhaps I will have to make a few extra excuses to go visit. You mention a number of touristy things to do. Either for NYC or the next town you visit, do you have recommendations for things that perhaps are more popular with locals?
You kind of inspired me to do a ‘part 2’ on Costa Rica and NYC haha!! I hope the additional information helped:) I absolutely love NYC and there just isn’t enough space to include everything I want to say about it:( If you would like more suggestions on places to explore or food to try, just let me know and I’d be happy to offer some insight!
This is another place I have actually visited and it’s really cool to hear someone else’s perspective on it. New York is amazing (I have a feeling that living there may be another story, but visiting is fun). It definitely has the ‘melting pot’ feel that this country was supposedly founded on. I’m a little sad you didn’t mention NY style pizza which is probably my favorite pizza style. Also you talked about street artists and performers which are always so cool and interesting to see. I had some guy once do a spray paint picture with these template things and brushes that I still have framed and hung up in my room.
This is so nostalgic for me! My mom is from the Queens borough in NYC, and I always loved visiting my grandmother during the summer. It was so fun to take the subway to Manhatten with my cousins and visit Central Park and other places. We’d also go to Rockefeller Center during the winter and see the skating. I remember going to the Smorgasburg when I was younger too; I think I had tacos that were really unique and yummy. One of my favorite places is Alba’s Pizzeria on Queens Blvd! Flushing is also great for Asian food.
Dang! I miss the city! I hope to go back soon!