My relationship with New York began at birth; I was born in Brooklyn and lived there up until the age of five.

When I moved to Georgia I continued to visit my father and other family every summer since, but it wasn't until I was a teenager that I realized the beauty of the city and wished every school year for summer to come sooner so that I would be reunited with it all.

Throughout the years I acquired a collection of my favorite places around the city and found myself always wanting to return. Without further ado, here are my top three venues around the city that I fell in love with and visit every time I go back to New York.

1. Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The first time I visited, I was mesmerized at how such a stunning garden could exist in an urban jungle like Brooklyn. I couldn't cover all 52 acres in one day but came across wonders like its herbal garden and the water lily ponds. Even in my rural town in Georgia I hadn't ever come across anything like this garden. It is probably my favorite oasis to visit in the city when I miss nature.

2. Museum of Modern Art

I had wanted to go to the MoMA for months, and when my dream finally came to fruition, I was not let down. Admission was free since I was a student, and I spent hours exploring its four floors as well as sculpture garden outdoors. I am far from an art critic and I actually don't know much about it, but as modern art goes, I think the MoMA contains several compelling pieces. My personal favorite floor was the art that doubled as interactive video games - one room was shaped as a long hallway. You pick up a controller as you walk in and watch Super Mario projected on either wall of the hallway and played as you walked. The museum was crowded, but well worth the wait.

3. The High Line

I wasn't even aware this place existed until it was introduced to me by a family member one adventurous night. It was my second day in the city and I spent all day walking around Manhattan with my cousin - we frequented places like Central Park, Patsy's Pizzeria and the Brooklyn Bridge, until we finally took a trip up some stairs and found ourselves in the midst of the city's "High Line." It's a linear park in Manhattan built 30 feet above street level with impeccable views of the city. It was made by converting out-of-use railroad tracks and plants that are scattered throughout include perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees. We watched the city below us and it was that day when I knew nowhere else in the world could compare to the stunning New York.

New York is without a doubt one-of-a-kind; hidden in it's urban midst are gardens and parks and endless places anyone would feel at home in. Each summer the city never fails to impress me with its constant surprises and wonders.

I hope you add these to places you'd like to visit at least once in your lifetime, because I don't know anywhere else I have felt so relaxed and elated.

Safe travels!