In a New York minute…
Everything can change. But yet, each time I go back to New York City, I feel like no time has passed.
It’s the same busy, bustling (and hustling) wonderful place.
I’m so used to traveling there, that I don’t think too much of it. I love the sights, the food, the people. But I still don’t think about it in that same way that I saw it for the first time. With fresh eyes, wide with anticipation to find out what the city holds.
And I’ve never brought anyone into the city for the first time. Joe and I lived there, my friends and family had all been. We’d all done the NYC thing before.
That is, until my friend Grace booked her tickets to the states this summer. Instead of our ultimate girls trip in December like we’d been planning, life’s plans occasionally change. So on a freezing night in the middle of the winter, we tipsily booked flights to NYC for the end of April. And while we played New York, New York, loudly over Spotify… it was the start of a brand new adventure.
Fast forward to when the end of May actually arrived. Hotels booked. Plans vaguely organised. I knew a little bit about what we should do. And along the way, we discovered the perfect recipe for your first time in New York City.**
**I should add…. This will not include all of the tourist checklist items for New York City. I’m a firm believer that in order to get to know a city, you can’t have it be all about touring about – you’ve got to include, the food, the life, the culture. And a little bit of room for spontaneity. Otherwise you’ll leave feeling utterly exhausted.
So here it is…
Where to go in New York City if you’ve never been there before:
The Touristy Checklist
These are the things that I think are the “must-haves” for your very first time in the city. There are still things I haven’t done in the city that are on the tourist list. It means each time I’m back I try to see something new.
1. Top of the Rock
NBC’s Rockefeller Centre is a mega-must! You may have heard about The Empire State building being the best for views in the city, but I disagree. Top of the Rock is spans over the on the 67-70th Floors of Rockefeller Centre. It costs around $30 to go up (which is $20 cheaper than the Empire State building). And I think the best bit about it, is you actually have views of the Empire State building. It’s the shot everyone is after – and it’s totally worth it. If you book your tickets ahead of time, they can be cheaper and then you don’t have to wait in much of a line to go up.
2. Central Park
It’s one of New York City’s finest features. The park itself stretches from 59th to around 110th. And no matter the time of year, it’s beautiful. We happened to be there in the spring, blossoms were blooming, dogs were everywhere and we were as happy as can be. There’s a couple of points in the park that I’d recommend going to. The pond for all the sailboats. I’m completely reminded of Stuart Little and his boat race here and I’m not afraid to admit it. Right next to the pond is the Alice in Wonderland statue and memorial. Her husband donated this to the park in memory of his wife, who absolutely loved children and I think it’s just a really special sort of thing to see.
Also, the bridge! It looks bigger in the movies, but I’ll tell you that this bridge is perfect to perch up on. Only try and make sure you’re with someone who can give you a boost!
3. Times Square
Even if it’s for a minute. Go and take it all in. The first time you’re here it will feel magical. And actually, even the 50th time you’re there.. well it’s still pretty magical. Especially at night. We walked back to our hotel one night… maybe around midnight and walked through Times Square and it just felt like this perfect moment in time.
4. Eat a bagel
It actually doesn’t matter if you go to the most famous bagel shop or not. You’ve got to get yourself a bagel. With choices like Ess-a-bagel in the city or my personal favorite in Hoboken, O’Bagel (though this might be cheating because it’s actually in New Jersey – but we always stop there on our drive across the state to my hometown of Buffalo).
5. Walk the High Line
Located in Chelsea, the High Line is an old subway line that’s been turned into a beautiful walking park. You can walk from top to bottom and there’s art installments, fun street art, greenery and even food stalls along the way. Plus if you’re walking back into Midtown it sure beats walking down on the street.
Research to do something that specifically interests YOU
6. P.J. Clarke’s for breakfast
If you’re going to New York City for the very first time. Do a little research on the things that interest you personally. Grace loves Frank Sinatra, so she had a look in advance at where his old haunts used to be. That’s when we realized we could pop into P.J. Clarke’s for breakfast. I thought it would be incredibly touristy inside, but it’s not. It’s the perfect little hideaway – all complete with friendly service and a delicious fry up.
7. Ophelia’s for drinks
Just like Grace found Frank’s favourite restaurant – she also found a rooftop bar where he used to hang out. Ophelia’s is high in the sky and has both fantastic views of the city and delicious drinks. We had a few rounds there before going out for dinner and it was the perfect start to our trip.
8. Check out a dive bar
Jet lagged beyond belief, our first move was to check into the hotel to shower and change. That was a quick no-go because the room wasn’t ready. So we trekked out to find a place for a drink. It’s how we stumbled into an Irish pub (because we left England to go straight into a pub…!) Anyways. We popped in and had a seriously great time. Good pub food of nachos, sliders and wings. And a couple rounds of drinks to get us acclimated to the Eastern Time Zone.
9. And a garden rooftop bar
My friends once took me to Gallow Green and I’ve never looked back. It’s great for daytime drinks or late night ones. The flowers and everywhere and I’m not going to lie… it’s a damn good Instagram opportunity in the making.
And mostly… JUST ENJOY IT. You can do so much of the sights by just walking everywhere. Walk. Explore. And mostly, have a great time. Whether it’s your first time in New York City or your 38th. It’s a wonderful place.
And let me know your favourite spots too! I’m going back in two weeks so would love to know your recommendations of what we should see.
Kelly xox