USA-New York
- Nila
- 23 hours ago
- 4 min read
Who hasn't heard of the big apple?! As the city is one of the most famous in USA , I thought I'd skip the written guide and go with an annotated photo essay instead!
New York gave me sooooo many opportunities to take amazing photos that its been hard to choose my favorites, but hopefully you'll find a decent array showing my week enjoying some of what the city has to offer.
I walked endlessly as I didn't much care for the subway and used it only when absolutely necessary, but this meant I saw a lot I would otherwise have missed.
I visited all the usual tourist hot spots but also managed some of the unique experiences the city had to offer.
Central Park
As our hotel was right next to this iconic landmark, I spent a fair amount of time here walking and exploring. I also tried a famed pedicab tour, which was nice, but nothing beats getting a picnic and just spending the day wandering, sitting with a coffee watching the mini sailboats or hiking some of the many trails!
Sunrise Iconic Horse Carriages
Views
Installations
Walkways
Wildlife
The Musical Clock Strawberry Fields- Lennon memorial
In and around Brooklyln
DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge, Squibb Park, Charging Bull(Wall Street), Freedom Tower, Occulus, Highline, Hudson Yard( Vessel) and Little Island.
Liberty Island
We booked ahead as we wanted to climb the pedestal but Lady liberty can be seen for free from the Staten Island Ferry, which we did too for the night views!
Bryant Park
Probably my favorite area to hang out! Managed to do a free open air movie night here(Ghost), AND saw some free Broadway musicals being performed while resting after a trip to the library- which was beautiful! I could just sit here with a coffee/ wine and people watch all day!!
The National Library with its stunning interiors:
Freedom Tower and 9/11 Memorial
A somber feeling to be where so many lives were lost and where the world essentially changed forever. The Freedom Tower was like the Phoenix rising- a monument to the eternal hope of mankind and the understanding that we must keep moving forward no matter what. At least that was how I felt.
Rockefeller Center, Top of The Rock and St. Patrick's Cathedral
Views from most tall buildings is the same so we chose to go up to the top of the Rockefeller Center to see another side of NYC. Very touristy thing to do but it had to be done and we really enjoyed it! Go up just before sunset for the loveliest views.
The MET( Metropolitan Museum of Art)
We hardly did justice to this behemoth of a museum- just a very cursory visit. It needs time and several visits to even scratch the surface of the treasures within. Still, better a quick visit than no visit at all and we were lucky to have caught one of the several free guided tours.
Some of my favourites....Van Gogh,Monet,Rodin,Degas,Sargent
Roosevelt Island
What a little gem. Starting from the tramway ride and the fabulous views from it, to exploring the island to getting great views of the Chrysler Building(helped by a little zoom!)-a well spent half day and not one the usual tourist path so can be explored in peace and quiet! Take the tramway and then there's a free circular bus around the island so walk or not, depending on your stamina.
Get to the end of the island and just sit and watch seaplanes land and enjoy the Manhattan skyline.
Iconic Places and Restaurants
Times Square and around
Grand Central Station
Katz Delicatessen expensive but worth it! (Pastrami all the way!)
Joe's Pizza
Brave the queues- its definitely good! Plus Spiderman ate here!! "Peter Parker did not just eat at Joe's Pizza in Manhattan—he famously worked there as a delivery driver in the 2004 movie Spider-Man"!!
The Halal Guys
Truly one of the most delicious meals in NYC! Cost effective, great portion size and most importantly undeniably yummy- no wonder the queues are huge but no-one minds waiting!
Of course the Ghostbusters Firehouse had to be visited!!
The Friend's building was top on the to do list along with Washington Square Park.
Random, temporary and strange sights!
Lastly my favorite photos of NYC.
Thoughts on NYC- a complex and vibrant city no doubt. I really enjoyed being a tourist here but would not want to live here. Its a tough life if you aren't super wealthy and I rather enjoy my pampered existence in Asia!
*A few notes:
Places may look empty in the photos but they are super crowded- for such clear photos I got up VERY early !!
Using the underground involves stairs- the city lacks elevators and escalators here and if you find a rare one, its so slow you may as well walk.
Biggest HATE was the tipping culture. Not only was it expected, it was demanded and percentages dictated. USA needs to learn from pretty much everywhere else that tips are not to pay staff wages but an optional extra for good service.
As a tourist you have many options to enjoy NY without spending on tours etc. Do your research!
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