Hello there! New York, New York… We’re here! Welcome to today’s blog. Although we stayed in areas such as the Bronx and Queens, most of the crazy attractions are around Manhattan and this being my first time around, we went hard on hitting the main attractions.
But before we start with the New York shenanigans, remember this is part of a bigger trip Jono and I did in 2022 to British Columbia, Canada, New York and Nuevo Leon, Mexico in Northern America and then to 5/7 Central America countries from Guatemala to Panama so if you’re interested, check out the links below and at the end of the post.
British Columbia | New York | Nuevo Leon
How did we get there?
We flew from Vancouver to Toronto and then to New York. We arrived at La Guardia Airport around 4:30 in the afternoon and apart from the fact there was a lot of people arriving and lining up through migration, the process of getting into the country was really smooth. Originally we were supposed to arrive to JFK earlier in the day around the same time as my parents and have a full day of activities together after lunch but we lost our flight (Oops) but they rescheduled us for that same day.
Where’s New York?
I’m potentially taking a bit more space than usual to talk about this because I feel like New York is such a famous place in the world with so much to see that we forget the context of all around it. Even after visiting myself, I’m revising these maps in aww with how little the NYC area is and how much more is there around that many people (including myself) miss when thinking about New York.
New York state is in the north east area of USA, touching the south of Toronto, Canada, which was a reason why we were tempted to do the Train trail from Vancouver to Toronto in our Canada trip. See the Niagara Falls and then take the train down to NYC.
At the center is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that is among the world’s major commercial, financial, and cultural centers. Its iconic sites include skyscrapers, such as the Empire State Building, and the expansive Central Park. The Broadway Theater is located in the neon-lit area of Times Square.
Where did we go?
Where we stayed?
Day 1: Empire State
Today was our first day in New York city! A first for most of us (my parents and I) but second time for Jono and the possibly the hundred time for my brother since he’s been living and working nearby (Cincinnati) for a while. We were supposed to arrive to New York for lunch and my brother had a grand itinerary planned for the evening but our flight was cancelled and we arrived later in the night. But we still managed to squish the Empire State this day!
Empire State
The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The building was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and built from 1930 to 1931. Its name is derived from “Empire State”, the nickname of the state of New York.
Day 2: Dumbo, Brooklyn Bridge, Staten Island Ferry & Times Square
Dumbo
Trendy Dumbo’s cobblestone streets and converted Brooklyn warehouse buildings are the backdrop for independent boutiques, high-end restaurants and trendy cafes. Near the waterfront, St. Ann’s Warehouse, in a former tobacco factory, is the heart of a thriving performance and gallery scene. The north end of Brooklyn Bridge Park features historic Jane’s Carousel as well as picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline.
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge in New York City, spanning the East River between the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Opened on May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first fixed crossing of the East River.
Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is a passenger ferry route operated by the New York City Department of Transportation. The ferry’s single route runs 5.2 miles through New York Harbor between the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Staten Island, with ferry boats making the trip in about 25 minutes.
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment hub, and neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
Day 3: Vessle, Highline, Chelsea Market, Little Island
Vessel
The Vessel is a structure and landmark built as part of the Hudson Yards Development Plan in Manhattan, New York, United States. This bold, beehive-looking structure is one of the most iconic buildings in Midtown Manhattan and the centerpiece of Hudson Yards.
Highline
The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long (2.33 km) elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan in New York City.
Chelsea Market
The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long (2.33 km) elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail created on a former New York Central Railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan in New York City.
Little Island
Little Island at Pier 55 is an artificial island park in the Hudson River west of Manhattan in New York City, adjoining Hudson River Park. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, it is near the intersection of West Street and 13th Street in the Meatpacking District and Chelsea neighborhoods of Manhattan.
Day 4: The Met & Central Park
The Met
Little Island at Pier 55 is an artificial island park in the Hudson River west of Manhattan in New York City, adjoining Hudson River Park. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, it is near the intersection of West Street and 13th Street in the Meatpacking District and Chelsea neighborhoods of Manhattan.
Central Park
Central Park is an urban park in New York City located between the Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan. It is the fifth-largest park in the city, covering 843 acres (341 ha). It is the most visited urban park in the United States, with an estimated 42 million visitors annually as of 2016, and is the most filmed location in the world.
Day 5: Swapping accommodation, sightseeing break and back on Central Park!
Central Park
Day 5: Lower Manhattan – Fulton Center, Oculus, 9/11 Memorial, Brookfield Place, Charging Bull
Grand Central
Grand Central Terminal (GCT; also referred to as Grand Central Station or simply as Grand Central) is a commuter rail terminal located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
Fulton Center
Fulton Center is a subway and retail complex centered at the intersection of Fulton Street and Broadway in Lower Manhattan, New York City.
Oculus
Designed by famed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the Oculus is an aesthetically stunning transit hub that is home to the World Trade Center PATH station with trains to New Jersey, connections to 12 NYC Transit subway lines, and dozens of dining and shopping retailers as part of Westfield’s Shops at the Oculus.
9/11 Memorial
The National 9/11 Memorial is a Memorial & Museum in New York City commemorating the September 11 attacks of 2001, which killed 2,977 people, and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which killed six. The empty space symbolizes both the loss of life and the physical void left by the destruction of the Twin Towers. Around the pools, engraved in the parapets, are the names of the 2,977 victims of September 11, as well as the six victims of the 1993 bombing of the North Tower.
We didn’t get to go to the Museum this time since we were on a city sight seeing schedule but I hope we make the time to come in the future. Since coming back to New Zealand, I’ve watched the Netflix documentary about the Boston Marathon attack. It made me reflect on how terrorist attacks and gun violence is so prevalent and devastating in the US.
There’s so much more to it and I wont get into this in this post but I thought I’d put some of my thoughts in here in memory to all the people who have lost their lives to it and the ones who suffer everyday with the impacts and terror that events like these leave on the people.
Brookfield Place
Brookfield Place is a shopping center and office building complex in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is located in the Battery Park City neighborhood, across West Street from the World Trade Center, and overlooks the Hudson River.
Charging Bull
Charging Bull, sometimes referred to as the Bull of Wall Street or the Bowling Green Bull, is a bronze sculpture that stands on Broadway just north of Bowling Green in the Financial District of Manhattan in New York City.
Day 6: Stardust Dinner, Times Square & Wicked on Broadway
Stardust Dinner
Home of the Original World-Famous Singing Waitstaff, The Stardusters! a group of people on a stage in front of a crowd.
The diner is regarded as one of the best theme restaurants in New York. The diner also contains retro-themed memorabilia such as photos of many past Miss Subways on the walls, an indoor train, a 1956 Predicta television, and a “drive-in theater” screen that showcases performances from the 1950s.
Wicked on Broadway
We watched Wicked on Broadway! I can’t believe it. We tried to get into the Broadway lottery but we had no luck. At first, we were hesitant about spending the money for a ticket since we’re used to do very inexpensive sightseeing and haven’t done much tourism in the entreteinment and show biz industry even though I’m a total fan. We decided to go for it since it’s a once in a life time experience and believe it or not, it was my first musical ever! A though mark to beat now for whatever show I watch next. Watching a Musical on Broadway, and Wicked at that… Not a bad choice for a first time, huh? See all the pics and read more about it here.
Day 7: Back in Times Square & Brooklyn
Times Square
Brooklyn
Throughout the whole trip, I was
New York Journi
Where we’ve been?
Before New York
After New York
Before North America
North America
After North America
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