where do I begin...I LOVED IT! This was my second time going...though I wouldn't really count the first time because I went with a tour bus group. I have nothing against them but everything's just really rushed and you only get to see bits of New York. So this was my first time properly getting to explore New York by foot and experiencing the city, the food and the people.
The Environment
I'm the type that loves hustle and bustle and a busy busy environment and New York was just that. Truly living up to "the city that never sleeps". The subway stations are always crowded, Times Square is always busy and the party scene is nuts! People were lining up for the rooftop bar at the Moxy hotel basically every night.
The Shopping
Soho was a dream to shop (or window shop) at, there was something to see at every corner and inhabits basically any high end store you can think of. Didn't buy much, but nonetheless, it was fun exploring every store and their interiors. Each store had its own personality that I thought represented the brand really well. Would definitely recommend shopping here!
5th ave is also, of course, a great shopping strip.
Sightseeing
This was the main focus of the trip, went to see a lot of different sites and really got to immerse myself in the diverse and audacious building designs in New York (some old, some new). The buildings I'm used to seeing are really "safe" and don't really push the limits of design, so it was really interesting to see work that ventures outside the box. All I've got to say is that the pictures do them no justice, no words can describe how tiny and insignificant I felt (in a good way) with those structures towering over me. GOOSEBUMPS!
Side note: I can live without going up the Empire State, but I would definitely recommend going to the Top of the Rock.
Gossip Girl is so much more fun to watch now that I can point out places that I've been to!
Brooklyn Bridge
Central Park
Central Park
Oculus
The MET
Guggenheim Museum
MoMA
High Line
Washington Square Park
Broadway Musical - Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon was hilarious and the actors were amazing, you could tell the audience really enjoyed it judging by the endless laughter and clapping throughout the show and standing ovation at the end. I definitely recommend seeing a Broadway show when in New York, whichever it may be, there are so many to choose from!
Food
The food was incredible. You could literally walk into any restaurant/food truck/cafe whatever and the food would not disappoint. We had a list of food places we wanted to hit up, but it was hard to stick to the plan sometimes since we didn't know the areas really well. Nonetheless, we always found somewhere to go nearby that served good food. Others might beg to differ, but I have yet to encounter food that I'm not a fan of in NY. (knock on wood) Though the next time I go, I would like to explore more of the Asian cuisine.
Gallagher's Steakhouse
Emporio
&pizza
Joe's Pizza
Doughnut Plant
Favourite Spot - Times Square
We had to walk through Times Square to get home and I stood in the middle of the craziness every night for a couple minutes just to take it all in. The enormity of Times Square made my worries feel small. I would stand there, stare at all the lights, and think about everything I did that day and smile, because what is there not to be happy about?!
Hotel - Moxy Times Square
The moment I saw pictures of this hotel on Expedia, I just couldn't stop thinking about it because it was so cozy and cute! It reminded me of Ikea showrooms. Moxy had a nice bar and lounge area, as well as an outdoor mini golf space (sadly, we didn't have time to play). A lot of the sites we wanted to go to were a walk-able distance/easy subway ride from the hotel. I will definitely be staying here again if I get the chance to go back to New York.
Take me back please!