Like so many other people, it was always a dream of mine to visit New York City. Since I was a child I have been fascinated by New York and everything it has to offer. I suppose when you grow up in a small village in Ireland, where the most exciting event is Wednesday night bingo in the local pub, the bright lights of NYC seem like a long way away. Just over a year ago myself and my boyfriend decided to get our shit together and finally start planning for the holiday we'd always wanted. It goes without saying that New York can be an expensive trip which, if you are a peasant like me, requires a lot of hard work and saving. From sightseeing to snacking, New York has so much to offer, and at all different prices, which allows you to cater to your own budget. No matter how much or how little you spend, your experience in New York will be truly unforgettable and worth every penny.
Getting there
We decided to fly to New York on February 4th and return February 8th, giving us five days and four nights in NYC. Having compared prices on a few different airline sites, we chose to fly with Aer Lingus as the price and flight times suited what we were looking for. The flights cost us roughly 1000 for two of us, which is more or less what we were expecting to pay when travelling at this time of the year. January and February are the cheapest months to travel as they are off peak, unless you are travelling in or around Valentines Day which can cost almost double for flights and accommodation. (I'll settle for a night of Valentines Day bingo in the pub thank you very much!)
After you have booked your flights and accommodation, you MUST apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) This is a form that you fill out online which gives you clearance to travel to the USA. It is a good idea to apply for this at least two months before you travel. The ESTA costs about $14 and is valid for two years. Check it out here: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
The flight from Dublin Airport to John F Kennedy Airport took just over six hours which was fine as there were plenty of films and tv shows on the in-flight entertainment system to keep us occupied. (If you want to relax and enjoy your flight without sobbing uncontrollably then I recommend not reading 'A Dog's Purpose') Being the sweaty pig that I am, a long flight like that can lead only to one thing, the dreaded 'swamp ass'. (You know, when you've been sitting for so long that your arse begins to feel like the Everglades) Unfortunately, swamp ass is pretty much unavoidable but it's a good idea to take a few trips to the bathroom to minimise the swampiness.
Accommodation
There are thousands of hotels in New York so it's worthwhile to take the time to sit down and do your research. Sites like Trivago and Trip Advisor are useful when comparing prices, reading reviews and finding a price which suits your budget. Hotels that are located in the more central areas of Manhattan are more expensive but there are many more to choose from if you are planning on staying outside the 'touristy' spots. Because it was our first time in New York, we decided that we wanted to stay at the very heart of the hustle and bustle in Times Square. We stayed in the Crowne Plaza which initially worked out at about $550 (we paid extra for a room with a city view) Although this doesn't seem like an extortionate amount, we were also charged around $200 in extra charges for services like wifi, access to the gym and use of the phone. Unfortunately you have to pay these extra charges whether you use the services or not. (I just ate a burger the size of a small dog, do I look like I want to use the gym?)
(View from our room on the 44th floor)
I would highly recommend the Crowne Plaza if it is your first time in New York and you are looking to stay somewhere central. The room was comfortable and spacious and we had an excellent city view. As it is located right in the middle of Times Square, it is within walking distance to restaurants, shops, bars, theatres and attractions such as Rockefeller Centre, Grand Central Station and lots more. Staying in Times Square has it's pros and cons. As I've mentioned, it's in a great central location and there is so much to see and do but it's also very loud and busy which some people may not like. As Times Square is the centre for tourist activity, it is full of promoters trying to sell you tickets to attractions, comedy shows and tours. It is also full of, for lack of a better word, nutters dressed up in crazy costumes who try to get you to take photos with them. If they ask for a photo the best thing to do is politely decline as they will expect a tip afterwards and you may end up having to fork out a large sum of money with nothing to show for it only a blurry photo with an Elmo who looks like he just went ten rounds with Conor McGregor.
Attractions and sightseeing
There is so much to see and do in New York that it is actually overwhelming. When you're there, you are constantly looking around (and looking up!) trying to take in the views of the city. As there are so many attractions in NYC, it's worthwhile to do your research before travelling and plan an itinerary of what you want to do while you're there. Something which I found very helpful was a Facebook group called 'NYC The place to be' It's a closed group which has over 18,000 members who share information and tips on travelling to New York. It's a great place to get first hand reviews and information on everything that the city has to offer and is really handy if you want to ask any questions as other members are usually quick to respond. This is a closed group so if you will have to make a request to join and be accepted by an administrator before you are able to view the page. This group gave us lots of information about different attractions which allowed us to plan our itinerary and figure out what we wanted to see.
If you are planning on visiting several attractions then it's a good idea to check out some of the passes that give you access to the attractions of your choice. You can cater these passes to suit your own itinerary and visit as many attractions as you like. There are many different websites offering a wide range of passes so it can take a while to decide on one that suits you. In the end, we chose the Go City Card which gave us access to Top of The Rock, The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum as well as two days on the hop-on-hop-off bus tour all using the handy mobile app which was scanned at each attraction. (We had also booked the Harbour Lights Cruise on this pass but, being the idiots that we are, didn't realise that it wasn't running during the time of our trip!) Check out http://www.smartdestinations.com/ to create your own pass!
- Top of The Rock
Top of The Rock is the observation desk at the top of Rockefeller Centre which looks out onto a spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline. We decided to do this at night time so we could see the city lit up and it was definitely worth our while. The view was amazing and, in my opinion, a must-see for anyone visiting New York for the first time. The Rockefeller Plaza is also home to the NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall and a large outdoor ice rink.
- The Statue of Liberty and The Ellis Island Museum of Immigration
These attractions came as a package deal on our Go City Pass and gave us access to the Liberty Island Ferry and entrance to the museum on Ellis Island. The ferry leaves every half an hour or so and is a short ride away from Lady Liberty. If you are interested, you can also pay extra to visit the museum or access to the crown (which needs to be booked in advance) but, in my opinion, seeing the statue is more than enough. You can walk around the island for as long as you like and it also gives you a chance to get another great view of the Manhattan skyline.
Just another short ferry ride away is Ellis Island which once functioned as the gateway for immigrants entering the USA. The Ellis Island Museum of Immigration was one of my favourite parts of the trip. The building is steeped in history and is home to thousands of artefacts including travel documents, diary entries and photographs which once belonged to the millions of immigrants who arrived there from all over the world. The museum focused on the history of America as a country which was founded and shaped by the immigrants who came there in search of a new life, bringing with them the traditions of their home countries. (A very relevant theme considering recent circumstances...)
- One World Observatory
One of the must-see attractions in New York is the One World Observatory which is located on floors 100 and 102 of the One World Trade Centre (the tallest building in the western hemisphere). The One World Trade Centre is also located next to Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial Museum.
There are no words to describe the view other than spectacular. As a first-timer in New York, this view is what made me realise how big the city really is. Photos don't do it justice and it is definitely something which needs to be seen to be believed. We decided to visit OWO during the day so we could get a clear view of the city but, like TOTR, it does open at night time to provide amazing views of the city lights. Purchase your tickets at https://oneworldobservatory.com/
- School of Rock
When in New York, it's almost impossible not to be tempted into going to a Broadway show. There are so many shows on offer, which are advertised everywhere, and you are bound to find something to suit your own tastes whether you want a loud, booming musical or something a bit more light-hearted. When planning our trip we decided that we wanted to see School of Rock and wrote it into our itinerary as something to do on our first night (when we knew we would be too wrecked to do anything else!) If you can, avoid buying tickets online and instead wait until you get there where you can pick up cheaper tickets at the theatre box office or at the TKTS stand in Times Square (located behind the red steps in Duffy Square). We managed to get tickets for School of Rock at the Winter Garden Theatre for $59 dollars each which wasn't cheap especially since all they had left was 'partial view' tickets. When they told us the tickets were partial view I instantly had visions of us watching the show through binoculars from a bin behind the theatre but our seats were actually in one of the booths right beside the stage. (You know when you're at a show and you look at the people in the booths and think 'Well they must love themselves', that was us!) At one stage, some of the actors came up into the booth next to us and were leaning over to high-five us! Although at times it was hard to see the back of the stage, we still managed to get a fantastic view. I would highly recommend School of Rock to people of all ages. It's a hilariously funny show with an amazing original score and the dynamic between the kids and the adult actors was incredible from beginning to end.
Free Sight-Seeing
Although some attractions need to be booked in advance, most of the sights of NYC are completely free and accessible by walking, bus or subway. Walking around the city streets is a sight in itself and there is so much to take in everywhere you look. Buildings such as The Empire State Building, The Chrysler Building, The Flat Iron Building, The New York Public Library and Grand Central Station are all must-sees as well as a stroll through Central Park.
If you want a great view of the Manhattan skyline free of charge then the 230 Fifth Rooftop Garden Bar and Restaurant is a great spot to visit. Access to the rooftop terrace is free and there are heated plastic domes which you can sit in while you enjoy a drink from the bar. (Unfortunately those aren't free!)
- Museums
If you are in or around Central Park, you might also be interested in visiting some of the fantastic museums that New York has to offer. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History and the Guggenheim art museum are all located close to the park and the great thing about them is there is no set entrance fee and you can pay as much or as little as you want to! We went to the Met and the American Museum of Natural History and both were very interesting and provided a nice change of scenery from trawling through the busy streets all day.
The Met is the largest art museum in America and is home to a wide variety of paintings and sculptures from Ancient Egypt to modern and contemporary work. The building itself is spectacular to look at and it's so big inside that we barely got to see all of it!
The American Museum of Natural History is also worth a visit if you're interested in science and nature. It hosts a wide range of exhibits including 'The World's Largest Dinosaurs' exhibition which is definitely worth checking out if you want to release your inner Ross Geller. Like the Met, this museum is huge and very easy to get lost in so make sure you hold onto your map! As we went quite late in the afternoon and still had a few other things planned for that day, we unfortunately didn't spend a very long time here but what we did manage to see was fantastic!
Shopping
It may sound shocking but I actually don't like shopping very much. Although I like buying things, I find the psychical act of shopping quite stressful, especially when it comes to clothes! Before travelling to New York, I had a few things in mind that I wanted to buy. As we are deprived of Sephora in Ireland, I mostly wanted to pick up a few makeup bits but other than that, there wasn't much else that I needed. There are so many shops in New York that you really don't know where to start.
For the most part, a lot of the shops they have are the same as what we have in Ireland and the UK. I didn't really see the point in buying clothes in places like H&M and Forever 21 in Times Square when I could buy the same things in Dublin for pretty much the same price! (Gone are the days when those who visited New York came home with fifty Abercrombie and Fitch hoodies!) If you are looking for some bargains then outlets like Woodbury Common and Jersey Gardens are your best bet. We were considering visiting the outlets on our last day but eventually we decided against it as we didn't really fancy spending an entire day shopping as it was our first time and there was still a lot that we wanted to see.
Macy's is worth a visit as it's pretty much an attraction in itself. The department store is home to lots of high end designers such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton as well as (slightly) more affordable brands like Adidas and The North Face. Right across the street from Macy's is the largest Victoria's Secret Shop in the world which is also a must-see even if you don't buy anything! Tiffany and Co is another historic shopping destination if you are in the market for a special keepsake from NYC.
If you are looking for something a bit different, areas such as Greenwich Village and the East Village are home to some quirky boutiques and thrift stores where you are bound to pick up something more unique
Food
Ah food...my reason for living. Like many others, I grew up watching a lot of American films and TV shows which lead me to become fascinated by the food. Before travelling to New York, I was dreaming of pancakes and pizza and I am happy to say that it really did live up to my expectations! If you love food then there is no denying that you will love New York. It is home to every type of food that you could possibly want and there is so much choice on offer that it can sometimes be overwhelming! Before travelling, we had gotten some good recommendations of places to eat in NYC so we had a few restaurants in mind that we wanted to visit. For the most part, I just wanted to immerse myself in all the cheesy chain restaurants and try the food that I had heard about in TV shows (like breadsticks in Olive Garden!) Apologies in advance for the lack of food pictures. I'm not one for photographing my food as I'm usually ready to dive straight in as soon as it's put in front of me!
One restaurant which I had heard a lot about was Ellen's Stardust Diner, located in Times Square. This rough and ready 50s themed diner offers a traditional American diner-style menu of burgers, fries and milkshakes but it is the entertainment which sets this place apart from the rest. If you like musical theatre then Ellen's is the place to be as the talented wait staff perform musical numbers as they walk around the restaurant and stand on top of tables. Ellen's is great fun and I found the food to be really tasty however, if you are in any way claustrophobic then this probably isn't the place for you. The restaurant is usually very busy and the tables downstairs and pushed quite tightly together so at times it can feel like you're right on top of the person next to you. If you enjoy musicals and singing then you will love it but if you want to eat your dinner without a waiter shaking his arse in your face while singing 'Greased Lightning' then maybe consider somewhere else!
Another place that we really enjoyed was Southern Hospitality, a bar and restaurant in Hell's Kitchen which was founded by Justin Timberlake (no, we didn't see him!). This busy restaurant offers a range of authentic American BBQ dishes such as ribs, steaks and burgers as well as a lavish cocktail menu. We visited Southern Hospitality on the night of the Super Bowl and, although the place was packed, we didn't have to wait long for a table and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo to prove it but trust me when I say the pulled pork brisket was DIVINE. Our meal was reasonably priced, as far as New York prices go, and I would definitely recommend Southern Hospitality for anyone looking for some hearty Southern style cooking.
While in New York, I developed a full blown obsession with pancakes. I'm the type of person who develops an emotional attachment to food and will continue to eat one particular dish until I get sick of it. During this trip, that was pancakes. In Ireland, pancakes aren't really a big deal and they only get their time to shine once a year on Pancake Tuesday. America, however, is the mother ship of pancakes. Most places offer pancakes on their breakfast menus but I found myself completely obsessed with the pancakes from Applebees. On our last day, we pushed the boat out slightly and I had pancakes in Junior's which were also amazing so, all in all, I was very content for my food intake to consist of 80% pancakes while in New York.
When in New York, there are so many options for food so you will never be stuck for somewhere to eat. If you would rather avoid the touristy places like Bubba Gump or the Hard Rock Café then you can always venture to Little Italy or China Town for a more authentic taste of what New York has to offer. Eating in New York can be pretty pricey and you will end up spending a large chunk of your spending money on meals each day. Daily we spent roughly 20-35 on breakfast and 50-80 on dinner. Lunch wasn't really a big deal as we were usually out and about so just tended to grab a slice of pizza or a sandwich. When on the go, there are a wide variety of spots to pop in for a bite to eat such as Ray's pizza (see below for it's heavenly goodness), various cafes and diners and, if you want to save your dollars, old reliable McDonalds. If you're travelling on a budget then it's worth saving your money for a nice evening meal and grabbing breakfast and lunch from a convenience store or deli.
The whole concept of tipping is something which, in my opinion, is blown completely out of proportion. Before travelling to New York I got the impression that I was meant to tip literally every person who passed me on the street! However, when you're there, it's something that you just get used to. When you receive the bill at the end of your meal, at the bottom of the receipt there are suggested amounts for tipping so you have an idea of what you should pay. This can be anything from 10-25% so the amount you choose is entirely up to you!
An Unforgettable Experience
There is so much to say about New York and it's hard to put into words just how amazing the city really is. While writing this post, I'm trying so hard to include as much as I can without it turning into a big rambling spiel. New York really is the kind of place that has to be seen to be believed. Although there are so many famous attractions to visit, the most enjoyable thing for me was just walking around and taking in the sights and sounds of the city. I would suggest wearing comfortable shoes and clothing as you will walk the legs off yourself from morning to night! It is genuinely the city that never sleeps and the atmosphere is indescribable. There is such a fantastic buzz and it really is unlike anywhere that I have ever been before. Everything is so big and bold that when I finally returned home to my little village in Ireland I felt like I was entering the desolate, post-apocalyptic warzone of Mad Max. Although there were many things that we didn't get to see and do during our trip, we still enjoyed every minute of it and we will definitely be returning with a newfound love for the Big Apple.
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