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The Big Apple: 20 tips for your New York trip 🇺🇸

I’m going large on this one because let’s face it, there’s just so much to see and do in New York City – the city that never sleeps!

1: First things first, if you’re planning on seeing the sights, invest in the New York Pass before you arrive.

This isn’t a hard sell and I’m not on commission – perhaps I should be? – but the New York Pass is simply money well spent if you plan to get in as many of the famous sights as you can! You’ll also skip the queues at some attractions which is especially helpful if you’re going to NYC when it’s busy.

I bought the 3 day pass which is around $170, although they do sell passes for 1 day, 2 days or up to 10 days if needed. As it’s a fair bit of money to stump up, you might want to check out the potential savings on their website first, to decide if it is value for you. It definitely was for me.

Discounts are offered on top attractions such as the Empire State Building, Top of The Rock, the Radio City Music Hall, the Museum of Modern Art, the 9/11 memorial and the Circle Line Tours of the Hudson River – as well as lots of lesser known places.

If Bloomingdale’s beckons, you can also use the pass to save dollars on some of your shopping, too. What more could you want? Just to prove I’m not on commission, the New York Pass just happens to be the one I chose – there are lots more out there that do the same sort of thing, such as the New York CityPASS and the Explorer Pass.

2: Soak up the famous skyline from the water.

One of the best ways to appreciate the bright lights of New York is from the water. Take a trip along the Hudson River on a Circle Line Cruise, where you will see the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center and other iconic sights, all whilst sipping a wine (or hot chocolate, if it’s cold) up on deck.

I’ve done the ‘Liberty Cruise’ on sunny summers days, which gets you up close and personal with Lady Liberty herself. I’ve also done the ‘Harbour Lights Cruise’ on freezing winters nights, which, by contrast gives you the best views of the city, all lit up after dark. Both cruises come included with a New York Pass and set sail from Pier 83, up near the Hells Kitchen area in the Upper West, or from South Seaport in Lower Manhattan.

If you prefer hop on, hop off over cruising, I can also highly recommend the water taxi, which offers a bit of both! It’s a 90 minute round trip around Manhattan and Brooklyn, but with a number of stops factored in along the route. If you happen to be a Sex and The City fan (like me), one of the stops is at Christopher Street, just steps from Carrie Bradshaw’s ‘stoop’. More of that later. The water taxi is also gratis with a New York Pass (around $30 otherwise).

Tip: If you don’t have the New York Pass and you don’t want to stump up for the cruise/ water taxi, the Staten Island ferry that commutes to St George will also enable you to see Manhattan from the water and whilst it can be crowded with commuters, it’s completely free! Catch this from Downtown but know that there could be lengthy queues during busy periods!

Have a look at the Hudson cruise in my vid!

3: Visit Grand Central Terminal.

What an amazing building this is! Practically everyone recognises this famous station concourse from a multitude of blockbuster movies or photographic prints.

Grand Central Terminal was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and railroad magnate in the early 1900’s, before finally opening in 1913. It is entirely free to visit, so why would you not? When you visit, you’ll understand why it’s described as a ‘city within a city’.

Not only is this a huge hub for transportation (over 600 departures daily), it also has over 30 eateries and 60 shops. I can recommend the bagels and coffee from Zaro’s if you’re after a tasty breakfast treat! If you want something more substantial such as ‘poached eggs over lentils and quinoa’ or ‘steel cut Irish oatmeal’, then Pershing Square – right outside Grand Central – is also a winner!

Tip: If you have a New York Pass, you can also do the audio tour, which gives you a detailed history of the terminal from its first opening in 1871. The tour will guide you around the Vanderbilt Hall and its many chandeliers, as well as the Whispering Gallery (no clues given).

4: MoMA (we love you)…

If art is your thing, you should head straight for the Museum Of Modern Art (MoMA) on West 53rd Street. This is the world’s leading museum for contemporary art and here you will see all things arty from Van Gogh, to Claude Monet, Picasso, Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock, all across four floors.

Founded in 1929, the museum has now amassed well over 150,000 artworks. It has exhibitions too. One of the years I went (2017) there was the ‘Spider Cell’ by Louise Bourgeois, which was massive and very impressive! Whether you’re someone who can spend a day in an art gallery, or someone who simply likes to have a look, but not linger, MoMA is one of the best museums in New York City to visit.

If you have the luxury of time to visit two art museums during your stay, the Guggenheim in Upper Manhattan, on 89th Street, is also one of my recommendations. It houses a huge selection of 20th century art and also boasts a famous staircase, seen in many a Hollywood Blockbuster!

Tip: It used to be that if you visited MoMA on a Friday between 16:00 and 20:00, admission was free – but, like anything that’s free, it draws in bigger crowds. Entrance is also included with the New York Pass if you have one.

5: Take in some jazz!

Birdland on 63, the street sounds like a symphony” – as Bono said. Actually, save you getting lost, it’s no longer on 63rd, but in midtown on West 44th Street, just off Times Square.

Its name dates back to a bebop legend of his time and main headliner, Charlie Parker – nicknamed ‘Bird’. You’ll spot his photo on the walls inside the club.

In honesty, I’d never have considered going to a jazz club in New York with my boyfriend, but being there on this occasion with a group of girls, well we thought it would be fun – and it was.

We went to ‘Jim Caruso’s Cast Party’ at the famous Birdland, which saw around 15 acts throughout the evening and into the early hours – from comedy, to drag, to fantastic singers and musicians. On other nights they host open mic night – so plenty of fun to be had if you can sing! Or even if you can’t!

The evening cost us around $50 per person (2017 prices) and that included the entertainment and a standard three course meal (excluding drinks). It was a cosy, intimate setting, with every table a prime seat to watch the brilliant acts.

Tip: If star-spotting is of interest, Birdland is supposedly a hotspot for celebrity visitors – not that I can confirm that firsthand. Maybe next time?

6: Visit the World Trade Center Site.

Known as Ground Zero after the devastating terror attacks on September 11 2001, within the Financial District now stands the impressive ‘Freedom Tower’ in the vicinity of where the Twin Towers once sat. Upon completion in 2012, Freedom Tower – designed by architect David M Childs – became America’s tallest skyscraper, standing 1,776 feet high.

My photos above show the stages of reconstruction; the first I took in December 2010, the second in June 2012 and the third – ten years later – in June 2022. It’s amazing to see how the site has transformed in a relatively small amount of time, thanks to the incredible efforts of the architect and everyone involved, including the New York and New Jersey Port Authority.

The 9/11 memorial and tribute center are a must see experience – poignant, moving, thought-provoking, yet inspiring. Firstly, there’s the tribute museum which houses artefacts such as missing person notices, children’s drawings and photographs from the day the plane hit. Then there’s the reflecting pools that surround the plaza and which occupy the original location of the twin towers. The pools are surrounded by swamp white oak trees and bronze panels that are inscribed with the names of everyone who lost their life in the terrorist attack. Families will often put a single flower next to their loved one’s name on birthdays and anniversaries.

Tip: If you have some time whilst in this area, pay a visit to the 18th century St Paul’s Chapel opposite the east side of Ground Zero. This small church was completely undamaged in the 9/11 attack (a modern day miracle) and served as a refuge for the firefighters and volunteers. Today, there’s an exhibition called ‘Unwavering Spirit’ within the Chapel. It’s free to enter, but you should leave a small donation if you can.

7: DIY television and movie tour!

No doubt when you’re planning your trip, you will see a plethora of film and television tours that are available to book online, usually for a hefty price too. “Forget About It!” – (yes, there’s a Soprano’s tour too) – you really don’t need a tour guide or bus load of fans to see these familiar places.

Although New York is a film set in its own right, there are some clear locations to be found, straight out of your favourite movies and TV series – and who needs organised, expensive tours when it’s just as easy to plan it yourself?

As a huge Sex And The City fan, I managed to locate ‘Carrie’s stoop’ and the original magnolia bakery, where I just had to buy not one – but two – of their tasty, but pricey cupcakes. It couldn’t have been easier to locate, thanks to the help of Google – it’s at 66 Perry Street just off Bleeker Street, in case you’re wondering. Although in the show Carrie’s apartment is meant to be in the Upper East, its true location is the West Village. The beauty of locating this myself, without a tour load of people, is that I could take as many ‘stoop selfies’ as my heart desired! Another SATC location not to miss is the New York Public Library where Carrie and Big ‘almost’ got married (a stunning place to visit regardless of whether a fan of the show or not).

The Friends building is also within easy walking distance of Carrie’s apartment, just a few blocks away at 90 Bedford Street, on the corner of Grove Street. Get your Google maps on it. It’s in a lovely, leafy area of Greenwich Village and has a little cafe/ coffee shop underneath – a little like Central Perk. Alas, it’s not the real Central Perk – which was just a figment of the writers’ imaginations!

One more location I had to visit was the Plaza Hotel, where Home Alone 2 was filmed! This is outside the entrance to Central Park, on 5th Avenue and is every inch as grand as it always looked to me as a child watching the film!

Gone but not forgotten! The FAQ Schwarz toy shop was the inspiration behind ‘Duncan’s Toy Chest’ in Home Alone 2 and used to be just over the road from the Plaza Hotel. Although I managed to see it, it’s sadly since closed down. As well as the links to Home Alone, this huge toy-wonderland used to house the famous musical piano from the movie BIG, too.

8: Go to the Top Of The Rock.

The Rockefeller Centre is a 22-acre plot in midtown Manhattan that was built by developer John D Rockefeller and opened in 1932. It’s one of New York’s most iconic sites and where the famous Christmas tree and ice skating rinks live during the festive period.

On the east side of the Rockefeller Plaza, there’s a huge green granite block you can’t miss. This is the self-proclaimed “jewel of the Rockefeller Center” – the Top of The Rock Observatory.

Once inside the building, you’ll be transported up to the observation deck via its glass bottomed lift (don’t look down if you suffer with vertigo!).

The 360 degree views from the deck on the 70th floor go on for miles. Whilst it’s great to see the cityscape on a crisp, sunny morning, having done both a few times now, you really can’t beat the bright lights only seen during a night viewing. Whatever your preference, Top Of The Rock is a great spot for a photograph, largely thanks to the perspex screens which allow full panoramic viewing.

Tip: Hate waiting in queues? Thought you’d left all that behind in Disney? If so, buy the New York Pass to queue jump to the top! Without the NY Pass, you’re looking at around $40 for your ticket.

9: What trip is complete without a bit of shopping?

C’mon – you know you want to! New York has the best stores for shopperholics including Macy’s, Barneys, Bloomingdales and not forgetting, Tiffany’s (where, yes, you can also go for a breakfast before you shop for your bling).

Big designer names feel very at home in the Big Apple, with Gucci, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs and Hermes all being commonplace. Away from the label-obsessed Fifth Avenue, New York has a hipster scene where flea markets selling vintage wears is commonplace, especially in the quieter East Village. There’s also some fancy pop up’s ‘popping up’ all over the city too, like the SJP store on Perry Street. Of course, it was always a given I was going there!

Although most things will be cheaper Stateside, it is still worth doing a quick currency conversion on your phone because don’t be fooled into thinking everything will be (UK fashion brands, for example). Hit the stores at the right time of year (Black Friday and the January Sales) and you’ll get some great bargains no matter what the conversion works out as.

If you’re a big buyer or someone who goes to New York solely for the shopping, you might want to purchase some extra space in the hold. I’ve heard that many committed shoppers take an empty suitcase out to New York with them, with the full intention of cramming it full to take home.

Tip: If you have a New York Pass, you’ll be delighted to know that you will receive 10% off at Macy’s and Bloomingdales too! Your credit card may not be quite so delighted.

10: Breathe in the buzz of Times Square!

There’s no denying, Times Square is the life and soul of NYC. With bright lights, huge billboards, the constant beeping of car horns and a fuzzy character or two thrown in for good measure. Not forgetting the infamous ‘Naked Cowboy’ who has been entertaining crowds with his butt-naked busking for many years now, too!

It’s fair to say that Times Square has definitely got it going on. Here you will find souvenir shop central, lots of places to grab food, lots of places to have a drink and lots and lots (and lots) of people. It’s the hive of activity in Manhattan and it’s home to the lively theatre district too. But more of that later.

Having been to NYC on five occasions (so far), I’ve always chosen to stay somewhere between Midtown and Upper East, that’s just my preference – although if I stay close to Times Square, I’ll always stay in a road off the side. It’s pretty obvious but the closer you stay towards Times Square, the noisier it will be. And it will be noisy! If you want a good, central location but only a few blocks away from the craziness, I’d recommend the Hilton Garden Inn, South-Midtown, Hotel Edison on West 47th Street or the Radisson on Lexington Avenue.

Whilst you’re in the throws of being a tourist, why not holler a yellow cab? Why? Just because. Yellow cabs are everywhere, tooting their horns, so it’s easy to pick one up – just look for the lit up light on the top. Unlike the taxis in the UK, the yellow cabs have small televisions inside which show adverts on repeat. You can’t knock the entrepreneurial efforts – where else do you get captive audiences so readily?

Tip: You might prefer to have your ‘taxi experience’ travelling into the city from the airport – both for the ‘wow factor’ of first seeing the skyline and also for the added benefit of convenience. Prices from all three of the airports are fixed at pick up, so you don’t need to worry about being ripped off. From memory, it’s around $50.

See Times Square in action, in my vid!

11: Do Central Park by saddle!

Ahhh, lovely Central Park, the 843-acre oasis in the big city! It’s the place where the joggers start their day and the locals go at the weekends, as well as one of the most popular tourist spots.

I think Central Park looks truly magical in the cold winter snow and not only that, but it brings back happy childhood memories of watching Home Alone 2! However, if you happen to be in the Big Apple in the Summer, hiring a bike is the easiest way to get around Central Park (it is quite big after all!). Bike hire is available between April and October and guess what? – you know it – if you have a New York Pass, you get 3 hours free rental! Winner.

There’s lots to see by saddle when you’re in Central Park, including the ‘Imagine’ tribute to John Lennon, Belvedere Castle, a large boating lake, a reservoir, pretty gardens and the Alice In Wonderland statue. There used to be a great zoo within the park, but sadly, it’s gone now.

If you want to stop off for a quick bite (or indeed a fancy dinner), The Loeb Boathouse in the middle of the park is a good choice. It’s especially lovely in the winter time with its welcoming, roaring fire. Sex and The City fans will also recognise the Boathouse as the location where Carrie and Big met for lunch, before both falling into the lake!

Tip: If you don’t like cycling, Central Park is perfectly walkable, it will just take you a lot longer! If time is on your side, you can also enjoy a nice and relaxing horse drawn carriage ride through the park too.

12: Walk across to Brooklyn for a slice of pizza.

Another ‘must do’ on everyone’s tourist list is a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, which starts in Downtown Manhattan near City Hall.

Here’s some statistics for you: The Brooklyn Bridge is 5,989 feet in length, 119 feet high and 1.1 miles long. Pretty big. It spans the East River and is the daily commute for those who live in Brooklyn and work in Manhattan (or less likely, the other way around).

It took us around 20 – 25 minutes to walk across the bridge to Dumbo, where we had heard the pizza was to die for. In the heat of the summer, we almost did die getting there, but yes, it was worth it for a massive slice of Hawaiian! I’ll also mention that it’s completely safe to walk the bridge as it’s fully pedestrianised – but stay off the cycle lane!

On the bridge, you can expect to see lots of stalls selling magnets and other cheap souvenirs, buskers and social media influencers taking their all-important “look at me posing on the bridge” shot!

When you exit the bridge, bear left towards Downtown Brooklyn and you’ll hit the Dumbo area first – where pizza places are a-plenty. We tried out Front Street Pizza as we had heard it was up there with the best. It didn’t disappoint – the service was fast and the pizza, delicious!

Tip: Whilst over in Dumbo, know that you can get an amazing photograph from Washington Street that captures the Manhattan Skyline and bridge in all its glory.

Take a wander over the Brooklyn Bridge in my vid!

13: Grab seafood at South Street Seaport.

Whilst in lower Manhattan (following your walk across the Brooklyn Bridge!), why take some time to stop by South Street Seaport? Like many spots in the city, it may look familiar if you’ve watched films such as I Am Legend, Godzilla and Hitch.

It’s here where you can be sure to pick up a tasty, fresh lobster roll at Fulton Fish Market – or any seafood the heart desires – and find a quiet bench to sit, looking out across the Hudson River. On a sunny day – bliss!

The financial district of Wall Street, home to the New York Stock Exchange (and a rather nice Tiffany store, just saying) is within easy walking distance of South Street Seaport, if you plan to have a morning or afternoon exploring the area. So, too, is leafy Battery Park where it’s nice to sit by the river with a cold beer on a sunny day. The Circle Line Cruises and water taxis that I mentioned earlier also operate from Seaport at regular times throughout the day.

If the President or any VIPs are in New York, chances are they will fly in on helicopters and land at Seaport. I saw then-President, Donald Trump and his entire entourage arrive and everything came to an abrupt standstill. If that happens when you’re there, don’t expect to get on any of the cruises or water taxis any time soon.

Tip: Not linked, but kind of – I couldn’t let you go to New York City and miss out on the guacamole! New Yorkers do it best. Whilst their lobster rolls are some of the best, the Mexican restaurants serving guacamole will blow your socks off – and the good news is that they are plentiful in Manhattan!

14: Celeb spot! Sort of.

Many a famous face calls New York home but if the streets of the city are too crowded for you to spot your favourite celebrity, you can at least find the wax versions in Madame Tussauds, off Times Square!

Cheesy? Very. But good fun, too, especially if it’s raining outside or you want to kill a couple of hours indoors to escape the heat or crowds.

New York’s Madame Tussaud’s is home to a whole host of famous (waxy) faces from Elton John, to the Beatles, to Jon Bon Jovi, the Spice Girls, Neil Armstrong and Barack Obama. To name just a fraction! There’s plenty of star-studded selfies to be had here and it’s great for kids and adults alike.

Entrance is included with the New York Pass (like you needed telling) – otherwise it’s around $35.

15: Ride the subway!

Walking around New York is so easy and enjoyable, thanks to the helpful grid system in place. This makes map reading super simple (phew). You’ll find that the city feels a joy to get around in the spring, summer and autumn months, thanks to the pleasant weather. Winter, not so much.

If it’s freezing, wet or windy outside (or even if it’s not), why not go underground and try out the New York Subway? It’s a tourist attraction in its own right and it runs a massive 660 miles!

Riding New York’s underground is a simple, reliable, fast and inexpensive way to get around the city, in the same way that the London Underground or the metros in any other major city are. Like the New York grid system, the underground network is very easy to navigate and understand.

Buskers and on-train performers are not an unusual sight on the underground and these entertainers most definitely make for an interesting journey. It’s a normal thing here in New York and the way in which some people make a dollar. Don’t be completely shocked to see rats on the tracks either – they, too, are very commonplace!

It goes without saying, that you should always exercise caution when you’re in the subway, especially if you’re a lone traveller or it’s later in the night. Pickpockets will be hanging around places where opportunities present themselves, so just be vigilant. Although it is worth saying that the subway is a much safer place than it once was – cleaner too.

Tip: One thing to mention is to ensure that you take your time when using the turnstiles on the way into the subways. These ‘iron maidens’ can be a little temperamental and if you’re unlucky, they will eat up your ticket if you don’t use them right! I speak from experience….

16: The Empire State Building

You can’t go wrong with the home of King Kong! Sorry, that was awful – but nonetheless, true. Surely one of the hotspots of any visit to New York City is this dominant skyline structure, recognised the world over?

Some stats: There are 10 million bricks, 60,000 tonnes of steel, 6,400 windows and 328,000 square foot of marble that comprise this 1,472 foot high skyscraper!

The Empire State Building has two observation decks open to the public (New York Pass holders, it’s on there), each complete with coin-operated telescopes that enable you to see for miles. One of the observation decks was actually New York’s highest until the One World Trade Center beat it, in 2014.

If you don’t get to go up the Empire State Building, you can still marvel at it from the streets below. Each evening it illuminates, with the top 30 floors shining bright and colourful lights into the night sky. On Valentine’s Day it will shine red, on St Patrick’s Day, Green and it will glow a festive red and green at Christmas. It’s even been known to theme around events like the Superbowl too.

Tip: Whilst the Empire State Building is arguably more iconic than Top of The Rock, if you only have time to visit one, go with Top Of The Rock. Not only are the queues bigger at the Empire State, but the viewing platform is also ruined somewhat by iron bars that obscure your view. It’s definitely less camera-friendly than the perspex at Top of The Rock and it’s also fair to say that you get a pretty fine view of the Empire State from the Top of The Rock anyway.

17: Take in Broadway, baby!

Seriously now – who goes to the Big Apple without seeing a show? In the heart of Times Square is the dazzling bright lights of Broadway! The Theater District is officially the area stretching from 40th to 54th Street, between Sixth and Eighth Avenues.

You’ll find yourself spoiled for choice on Broadway. From all-singing, all-dancing blockbuster musicals like Chicago and Wicked, to the smaller and more independent shows – there’s something for everyone. You’ll also have opportunity to see some well known A-listers perform too, such as Sarah Jessica Parker and husband Matthew Broderick who starred in Neil Simon’s ‘Plaza Suite’, or Jake Gyllenhaal who took to the stage in ‘Sunday in the park with George’.

Of course, if money’s no object, then buy your tickets up front – but this is pricey. If you’re willing to take a risk, turn up to the box office a few hours before the show and ask if there’s any availability. This way, you’ll get a good deal as they want to sell all the seats – so a bit of haggling may be possible. We did this for Motown The Musical and got our seats at a fraction of the price.

Tip: You can take it a step further if you’re not overly fussed which show you watch. Simply turn up and queue up at the TKTS Booth in Times Square or the branch in South Street Seaport and take what they have available. There’s definite bargains to be had by doing this, usually slashing prices by half, if not more. The TKTS app also enables you to see live time listings too.

18: Escape the crowds in Greenwich Village and surrounding areas.

If you want a lazy lunch, but you’re a bit tired of queuing for substandard burgers at TG Fridays in Time Square, then look no further than the quieter parts of town which offer much nicer food and surroundings. It’s here where the quiet lanes meet brown-brick townhouses – as opposed busy streets clashing with high rises!

The streets in Greenwich Village are tree-lined and leafy, with a ‘neighbourhood feel’ and a slower pace about them. Relaxed, independent coffee houses and boutique stores replace the obligatory Starbucks and high-street stores found elsewhere in the city.

We happened to stumble across a little eatery called The Wren which we found at 344 Bowery. We had a delicious lunch and a bottle of red wine, whilst relaxing and chatting to the ever-so-friendly staff. The Wren is not far from Washington Square Park, one of the prettiest green spaces in the city – which is definitely worth a visit.

Chelsea – with its 300+ art galleries – and The Meatpacking District are also nearby. As is SOHO, Tribeca, Little Italy and China Town. You can easily spend days in this pocket of Manhattan!

19: Get your graffiti geek on!

Like any busy city, New York streets are full of colourful street art and magnificent murals.

Back in the 1970s, when much of New York was a poorer place and crime levels were a lot higher, graffiti began to take off as a form of rebellion. Even though it was illegal and – by default, dangerous – this didn’t amateur street artists from tagging across the city. Nowadays, you’ll find more sophisticated murals donning the streets. Banksy is a big fan of NYC and has a number of pieces still intact.

The arty East Village is home to a lot of the street art, with the First Street Green Art Park being a place where artists can display their work in the open air – sculptors too. Murals change often, so no two visits will be the same.

One local artist I really like is Paul Richard, whose work is produced by ‘dripping paint’ to make faces on the pavements. Blink and you’ll miss them. So in a city where you’re constantly told to look up, don’t forget to look down from time to time as well!

20: Go for Christmas!

Having visited New York in Spring, Summer and Winter (only Autumn left to do!) – Christmas is the season when NYC truly sparkles!

From the Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center (or the ‘Home Alone Tree’ as I like to call it), to the ice rinks in Bryant Park – there’s nowhere else on earth that gets you into the ‘Christmas spirit’ quite like New York City!

In Bryant Park, as well as the ice rink, you will find an array of Christmas market stalls and huts, where you can pick up colourful handmade decorations, a bag of salted pretzels or a mulled wine to warm the cockles – amongst many other trinkets and edible treats!

At Christmas, the street corners of the city house many a ‘Santa Claus’ of all shapes and sizes, performing Christmas carols on whatever musical instrument they have to hand – sure to put a smile on your face. The shop displays, too, are nothing short of spectacular, including the musical windows at Macy’s and the dripping-in-diamonds Tiffany’s tree – sure to get you feeling warm and fuzzy! Over the top (but appreciated) decorations adorn the city – from the huge red baubles outside Radio City to the ‘dancing snowflakes’ in Rockefeller Square.

In a (chest)nutshell, you simply can’t fail to love New York at Christmas!

I hope my blog has given you lots of ideas for your trip to The Big Apple! Let me know by commenting below 👇🏻

9 thoughts on “The Big Apple: 20 tips for your New York trip 🇺🇸”

  1. A great read Lynsey- you have a talent for this.
    When do the Christmas decorations etc appear? Is it now a safe city to wander around?

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    1. Hi Dave! Hope you are keeping well.
      I’m glad you enjoyed the read.
      I believe the Christmas decorations start to go up just before Thanksgiving in November – and stay around until January. If you’re after a snowy experience in New York, I didn’t see any in December, yet I did in March! Equally, the ice rinks remain open until March.
      With regards NYC being a safe city; I’ve definitely found it to be somewhere I feel comfortable walking around (and there are plenty of cops out and about). It’s like any City though – good parts and bad. I ventured into Little Italy and China Town about 5 years ago and didn’t like it as much as uptown/ midtown – but that might have been personal perspective.
      If you decide to go to New York in the future, I don’t think it will disappoint! 🙂

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  2. Can I ask if you have ever stayed in lower Manhattan and if so, where is the best place to stay? Thank u in advance.
    Kate

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    1. Hi Kate. Sorry, I’ve always stayed uptown or midtown. But I have been all over Manhattan (walking mainly) and can say that Greenwich is lovely. I’d personally avoid Little Italy and China Town to stay – great to visit – but not where I’d want to base myself…..I hope that helps?

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