New York City New York City is the city that never sleeps. When I think of it, I think of the countless songs, inspiring movies, theater, Broadway, the food, the neighborhoods, the night skyline. Having grown up there and then lived there again in my 30s the city evokes many fond memories. The city has the power to be whatever you want it to be.
When I lived there, friends and family came to visit and I loved playing tour guide. (Maybe that should have been my first clue that travel was my passion.) I would drag them around experiencing it my-way. Walking shoes are a must in this place, if you don’t pack them you’ll miss the whole city. The heart of the city - is in the streets. And while the storefronts change and restaurants come and go, the people make this city what it is.
New York is known for some of the best food in the country. But knowing where to go isn’t always on the top of the top lists. Some of the oldest establishments don’t get the love they deserve or once got because there’s always something new and fresh popping up. And new and fresh is good, it’s actually really great. But as of the latest estimates, New York City has nearly 27,000 restaurants, which can be intimidating.
New York is also a quilt. It’s a patchwork of communities, cultures and ethnicities. Not all of it is tourist friendly, nor should it need to be. We all know Manhattan and that’s all we tend to think of as “the city”. And if you’re there for only a weekend, you’ll be lucky to take a small bite of that tiny island. The streets are stacked with experiences to explore and try.
Making your way around can be overwhelming. The tall buildings. The rush of the traffic. And hum of the people. But at the end, this city has something for everybody.
If you only have a short weekend, then staying somewhat central to your preferred activities is a must or you’ll spend hours traveling around and not see anything. The subway is a fantastic way to get around, but in like every large city, it’s a means to get form point a to b - don’t get stuck on it for too long or you’ll miss the beauty around you.
If you have more than a few days, and depending on what you like, you may actually have time to linger and enjoy the outer boroughs. And if the weather is nice take a jaunt out to Long Island and the beaches. Coney Island is about an hour by train from Manhattan and you can spend the whole day there, but if a day is all you have that’s not where you’ll want to spend it. But if you want to experience the authentic Italian culture you may spend a day in in Bensonhurst or Bay Ridge.
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