For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to take a trip to the Big Apple. I've wanted to explore the city and see all of the places I had come to love in my favorite movies. Last week I finally was able to go there with my family, and it was as amazing as I had hoped it would be. There were parts that seemed like they came straight out of the movies, while other parts were much different than I had expected (in a good way!). I saw and did a lot during my time in NYC, but there's so much more to do and see and experience there. So for those of you who are first-time travelers to New York City like I was, or hope to go there in the near future, I've come up with a guide to making your experience that much easier and enjoyable.
1. Pack good shoes.
This may seem like a no-brainer to some, but packing good shoes can honestly make or break your whole trip. There is bound to be at least a little long distance walking on a trip to NYC, and it helps to walk more instead of constantly paying for a taxi. My family and I walked almost all day every day that we were there, and it was worth the pain. You see so much more than you would through a car window or on a tour bus. You see not only the main tourist attractions, but you can go off the main roads and see how real people live in the big city.
2. Subway!
If you find you just can't take another step, or you have to travel a really far distance across the city, the subway is the way to go. It can be dirty and old and hot, but it gets you to the place you want to go in a relatively short amount of time. Plus, it's way cheaper than a taxi!
3. Get a good view of the city.
From the ground, the massive skyscrapers and buildings look amazing. It's a wonder how some were built in the first place. However, to get a feel for just how grand and awesome the entire city is, the only way to go is up. I personally would recommend going to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center. It may not be the highest building, but I think it has the most beautiful view. It's location in Midtown gives you a unique three-sixty view of the whole island. On one side, you can see the expanse of Central Park, and on the other, you can see the Empire State Building, the new Freedom Tower, and even the Statue of Liberty. I went during the day and the view was great, but I can only imagine what it would look like up there at night!
4. Avoid Times Square.
Before you object, I'm not suggesting to avoid Times Square completely. It's a NYC staple for most people, and all the lights and signs lit up at night are really cool. However, what I'm suggesting is to stay somewhere close, but not in the general area. The crowds of people that can accumulate in that area alone are astounding, and it can be quite overwhelming if you're also staying in the area. We decided to stay around Midtown. It's close enough to Times Square that you can see all the lights, but far enough away to get a break from the crowds.
5. Look for the stage door!
If you're thinking about seeing a Broadway show, do it. It's a great experience for the whole family, and you get to see the amazing talent of the actors on stage. My sister loves music and theater and was looking forward to the show so much. I was surprised when at the end of the show, she immediately ran out the doors to the street. When I caught up to her, a crowd of people was forming near a stage door. Being the fan that she is, she knew to find the stage door after the show in order to meet some of the cast and get autographs. The actors were so nice and thanked us for coming to the show. It was a really great experience that I would recommend everyone should try!
6. Yelp is your best friend.
I don't have very many apps on my phone and don't often tell people about ones to use. In this case, though, I would totally suggest downloading Yelp if you don't already have it. I was surprised to find that it was hard to choose places to eat in the city mainly because there were just so many to choose from. Yelp made it so much easier. It gave us top restaurants in areas we went to, and we chose places based on reviews, price and type of food. Our best decision was to go to Park Bar at 5 p.m. on a Wednesday. We were tired from walking all day and needed a place to rest and grab a drink. We met some of the nicest people there. They gave us even more suggestions on where to go and what to see and told us stories about their own lives in the city. Unexpected experiences like this made our trip even more memorable and fun.
7. Central Park is magical.
The top of my NYC bucket list was to walk through Central Park, and it didn't disappoint. I've always loved seeing romantic moments played out there in movies, or people running through the park, or even just sitting on a bench enjoying the view. Once I got there, it was even better than the movies. Take away the skyscrapers and buildings, and it's almost like you're in a state park in some parts. The gardens are beautiful, and there are so many things to do in the park alone. We were there an entire day and barely made it through half of the park! My favorite spots were Belverde Castle because of the view and the Shakespeare Gardens. There were quotes from Shakespeare's plays among the flowers, and we even saw a wedding take place there. Definitely a magical spot in such a large city.
My family and I did a lot while we were in NYC, but there's so much more one can experience there. These tips were helpful to us during our visit, and I hope that others can have just as good an experience as I did.
