“There is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless”. This quote says it all!!! Welcome to my version of New York discovered. Here is a short and sweet article about my visit to New York City.
I stayed at the Holiday Inn Manhattan 6th Ave-Chelsea in New York, which is a 10-minute walk from the magnificent Empire State Building. It is a cozy place though the rooms are not that big but very clean and with all amenities including a safe and flat-screen cable TV. A great place to stay in New York, where there are so many old hotels you can book by mistake and be very disappointed later on. You can just step out of this hotel and walk all around Manhattan, with all that it has to offer. Times Square is 2 km. away, and the 28th Street Subway Station is just 3 blocks away!
It’s New York, so you definitely won’t be spending much time in your room! A word from the wise? Plan the day’s excursion and always book your tickets in advance online, so you don’t have to waste precious time standing around in the long tourist queues! The New York City Explorer Pass is a good idea, as it admits you to several attractions at a lower price. (You can check the details online) The Statue of Liberty cruise is a must.
Best to get tickets online in advance, but you can get them from the dozens of touts on the quayside too. It takes a couple of hours, with amazing views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty from the cruise boat. The iconic Empire State Building has amazing views of the city and is a must do on everyone’s itinerary. You can easily pass a couple of hours there. The souvenir shop there is loaded with goodies.
My version of New York Discovered
You can’t visit New York and not catch a show on Broadway. I saw “Phantom of the Opera”, the longest-running show on Broadway. It was my first opera experience, and I felt like I was back in the 19th century, with the ambiance of the theatre which was ah-mazing. The Metropolitan Museum of Art was a very different experience as well. So much culture and art under one roof baffle you. At least half a day needed to explore it satisfactorily.
Next, I visited MOMA, the Museum of Modern Art. One word…Mind Boggling!!! Among other sights I cannot forget are the 9/11 memorial and the One World Trade Centre. The perpetually flowing water monument at ground zero, the site of the destroyed twin towers brings back bad memories though. I didn’t spend much time there as I was rushing to catch the 4th of July celebrations! The new complex next to it is shaped like a mammoth white dove.
From there, I set off for the East River since it was the 4th of July, and I wanted to see the fireworks after sunset. After a taxi ride and a long walk amidst crowds and patrolling police, I finally made it to the East River. There were two barges on the river organized by Macy’s which were going to shoot the fireworks. The half-hour long pyrotechnics display was amazing.
I also remember fondly my visits to Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Central Park, The Plaza Hotel ( remember Home Alone 2? ), the John Lennon Memorial, riding the subway, Saks 5th Avenue, and just wandering around Manhattan and Brooklyn. I did not have much time to spend in the city and would love to explore it more when I make another trip! But I got to say this to all you travel lovers that it is a definite list topper in that list of “place to visit” we all have!!!
