New York city to me is the city of hope. A strong invisible rope that runs along the city binds every New Yorker together and this is visible to an outsider like me. You can feel a strong sense of community amidst the chaos and it’s beautiful to see.
Driving to New York city from Virginia after a weekend with family, we stayed put in nearby New Jersey overlooking the city of New York. From our landscape windows of every single room of our apartment stay, we saw the twinkling lights of the skyscrapers and the breathtaking Hudson river bearing boats and ferries carrying passengers back and forth. I could never get tired of this sight. It was worth waking up to and also the last thing to see every day and night!
Staying in New Jersey was a conscious decision because this was our daughter’s first trip ever. Choosing to experience the magical NYC during the day and the quiet of Jersey by night, our vacation was planned around lots of subway rides, experiencing New York’s food scene and the architechtural magnificence of New York while winding down to a relaxed evening back at our apartment in New Jersey.
Visiting the Empire State Building is a must but one that you should do with skip-the-line tickets if possible. The extra cost provided us with a wonderful experience and witness the panoramic views of New York city with towering skyscrapers that look like legos from on top of the tower to the silk ribbon of the Hudson River seen from any part of the building is spectacular. The elevator looks straight of Mad Men portraying a very 60s – 70s glamorous corporate scene. The elevator ride stops in a few floors. The 2nd floor is a great spot to capture the essence of New York city and the Empire State building with interactive simulation, videos and displays. The 86th floor is an open air observatory where you witness the expanse of New York City in the finest bird’s eye-view.
Other adventures in New York city included the lush green Central Park, a rare sight in a concrete jungle, the Statue of Liberty sightseeing cruise, the National 9/11 Memorial, Times Square, Rockefeller center and much more. Another favorite spot is the Oculus, a terminal situated by the 9/11 memorial and one world observatory on the subway system. It is modern and architecturally very unique, a must see if you visit New York.
For a New York – Italian experience, we headed to Eataly, a stylish Italian market with shops, restaurants and bars that were all things Italian. It is certainly not for the budget traveller. Eataly is a true gourmet experience to drink the finest of wine and ingredients so rare in fresh made-to-serve pastas and pizzas.
On the humbler side of things, we had to make the mandatory Joe’s Pizza pit-stop recommended by all tourist pages. A small hole-in-the-wall serving you fresh pizzas by the slice, Joe’s is a stop you must take because what is a trip to New York after all if you don’t eat a good slice of pizza there?
The beauty of New York is the amalgamation of different cultures. It is the land of immigrants and it shows in the vibrancy that is New York. Famed for its Chinatown, we stopped at Xi’an foods to experience their hand-pulled noodles from the Szechuan cuisine recommended by many locals. This place is mandatory if you love authentic Chinese food. The chili oil made with Sichuan peppercorns and garlic is to die for. Hugging and holding on to fresh hand-pulled noodles, the dish is a super hit!
Even though I am not someone with a sweet tooth, I had to make a stop at Momofoku Milk Bar. Christina Tosi is one of my favourite TV pastry chefs and the simplicity behind the concept of her birthday cake recipe never ceases to amaze me. I got the famous cereal milk soft serve with cornflakes crunch on top. Growing up, I would always finish up the cornflakes leaving some of that milk with cornflakes bits behind. This milk soaked with the flavor of our beloved Kellogg’s cornflakes was the highlight of having cereal. The cereal milk soft serve is exactly just that! It brings back a rush of childhood memories and if you’re one of the many cereal milk lovers, this has to be on your list of things to do when you visit New York.
I could go on and on about New York and the many things I did on my trip there. And this was just my first trip. There is so much more I haven’t seen and it will take me atleast a dozen more trips to say I’ve seen the city with all my heart. But what travelogue of New York is complete without the mention of their subways. Saving the best for last, the New York subway is an amazing experience for anyone that doesn’t have a subway system in their city. It connects you faster and better than any car or taxi. Of course, the taxis there are popular. In my opinion, the trains are a much better option. And to get the best New York subway experience, head to the Grand Central station. It is like going to a concert you will never forget. The experience is definitely one of a lifetime for every tourist. The grandiose of the structure, the music and the pure energy of the people flooding it make this the most vibrant place you will experience anywhere on the planet.
The city of New York is truly a city that never sleeps. It has so much to offer for every person. From the constant music to the mouth-watering selection of foods to the many social events happening in the city, New York is an emotion that has to be experienced at least once in your lifetime!
Side note – For people that grew up watching Friends the tv show, check out 90 Bedford St, New York and even a small restaurant where Central Perk should have been!
