New York, New York!

Having been to New York several times in my younger days, we decided take our son to experience the sights of The Big Apple. He’s always wanted to go and has a list as long as his arm of all the places he wanted to see! My son was 12, which was the l perfect age to enjoy and appreciate it!!!



We went for February Half term for 5 days. Which was the perfect amount of time. It was full on and we did an awful lot of steps! Over 150000, so pack a good pair of walking shoes! Exhausting but so worth it!! Remember you need an ESTA to enter the USA, you’re better to do this as soon after booking as possible - after all, it lasts for 2 years!



Many people as me about booking transfers from the airport, I personally didn’t as I found jumping in a yellow cab at the airport was super easy and quite a lot cheaper! And after all, what better to arrive in this incredible city than in the iconic ‘yellow cab!’



We stayed at the Riu Time Square, which is as the perfect base for situation in a great location close to the subway, hop on bus stop and the buzzing centre of Time Square. I found this area to stay idea as in the evening we could venture out , the restaurants are all within easy walking distance and the centre is a must see at night. TOP TIP - pre book your restaurants before you as they can get pretty booked up, and it saves you wandering round trying to find somewhere to eat!



The MUST see sights - we booked a sight seeing pass for the 5 days. I found this the best value for money when planning where I wanted us to see. You can enter as many of the 150plus tourist attractions as you can over the duration of the pass - we fit in loads! It’s all scanned on an app and doesn’t require pre booking (The Empire state, however did need booking in advance and I would recommend paying that little extra to go to the 102 floor!) The pass will start from the first attraction you visit - we started to use it straight away as soon as we arrive, visiting ‘Top Of The Rock’ at sunset - WOW. (Here you’ll find the infamous Christmas Tree from Home Alone and the ice skating rink!) You must view the skyline at this time. Watching the lights come on as the sky gets darker is awesome!



We did pre book a basketball game at Maddison Square Garden before we got there, along with a Broadway show ‘Aladdin’ - which was INCREDIBLE!!!!



If you’re a movie fan like me, there are so many movies filmed in New York - watch a few before you go and see which iconic movie sets/buildings you can find! The best hit is that most of these are absolutely free to see too.



Before you go, it’s really important to plan your days. I would suggest choosing an area (ie ground zero or Central Park area) and seeing all the attractions in that area. That way, you are not wasting time hopping from one area to the next. Use the hop on and off bus for the uptown and downtown loops, and also the subway is a very reliable and super quick way to get around! TOP TIP - If you do use the subway, buy a ticket for the duration you are there and not each individual journey. It will save you a fortune!!



Here is. a list of some of the main sights and MUST sees when you go! If you would like me to help you plan your days, I’ve also got an itinerary you could follow!



🍎Places to visit:

Book Empire State - 102 floor✔️✔️

Helicopter trip Up and down the Hudson River - WOW

Natural history museum✔️

Rockerfella - top of the rock✔️

The edge✔️wish we’d have booked city climb

Summit One Vanderbilt

Plaza hotel ✔️

Ghostbusters HQ✔️

Flat iron ✔️

Grand central station✔️

FAO Swartz - big piano✔️

Central Park zoo✔️

Central Park horse and carriage ✔️

Brooklyn bridge ✔️

Jesse✔️

Big Piano /Zoltar ✔️

Statue of Liberty ✔️

9/11 ground zero✔️

Wall Street / financial bill✔️

China town ✔️

Hudson River ✔️

little Italy ✔️

Soho✔️

Times Square✔️

Intrepid sea and air museum ✔️

Radio city ✔️

Subway ✔️

Flat iron ✔️

Wall Street✔️

Raging Bull✔️

Financial district ✔️

City hall✔️

Downtown bus tour ✔️

Uptown bus tour✔️

Theatre show on Broadway✔️

Shopping on 5th Avenue ✔️

Whispering Wall at Grand Central Station ✔️

Bubba Gump ✔️

Juniors breakfast ✔️

Virgil’s✔️

Nike town ✔️

Macy’s ✔️

Bloomingdale’s ✔️

Natural history museum ✔️

Ghostbuster HQ ✔️

Ellen’s stardust ✔️

Madam Tussaud’s ✔️

New York Aquarium ✔️

Uptown / Downtown bus tour ✔️



So if you’re thinking of planning your own New York adventure or would like help on what to do and see while you are there, please do get in touch. I’d love to help you organise this trip of a lifetime



📧emmabuckle@designertravel.co.uk

☎️07515347426

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⭐️Award Winning Luxury Agent ⭐️



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