My 5 Must Dos in New York City

I’ve been lucky enough to visit New York City three times in the last eight years and now that LM is older I’m definitely getting the ache to go back. It’s one of my favourite places in the world, somewhere I feel completely at home. There really is no city like it, there are so many different worlds all on island, it’s crazy. The last time I visited was now almost three years ago (believe me it feels longer) which is probably why I’m starting to miss the place like crazy and since it’s been a while since I did a blog post about somewhere other than the UK or a Disney park I thought i’d share with you five of my favourite things to do while in New York City.

Eating Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding in Central Park
I just love Central Park, there is just something magical about a giant park in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world. I’m so thankful that every time I’ve been to New York the weather has been wonderful which has made for many hours lying on the grass in the sun. I love walking past the lake and seeing all the row boats out. It’s crazy this oasis of calm is surrounded by huge tower blocks. My absolute favourite thing to do though is go to Magnolia Bakery on the Upper West Side, get myself an iced coffee and a tub of their famous banana pudding then walk back through Central Park to the Alice in Wonderland statue to eat it. It’s quite shaded by the statue and the trees mask some of the traffic noise so it’s probably one of the most serene places in the city. I always feel so relaxed and happy sat there.

Take a trip to Governors Island
On my 2009 trip I got the chance to visit Governors Island. There is ferry that leaves from Battery Park and takes you over. It’s not open all year around but as I’d gone in August it was open. I’ve visited Staten, Liberty and Ellis Island but Governors Island is by far my favourite. It’s beautiful with a rich history and is pretty much void of most tourists who choose the other islands to visit. I remember going to the park on the island and sitting on a swing looking out over at Liberty Island. I felt so incredibly happy and free, I felt like I could do anything and that despite being there after a break up I felt like I could move on and still make an amazing life for myself.

See Lady Liberty
Some people like the Empire State Building, some like the Millennium Tower, some like the Rockefeller Centre, but my favourite iconic feature of New York City is The Statue of Liberty and no matter how long I’m in NYC for, I have to make a trip to see her. Not across to the island necessarily but just see her. She means a lot to me. She stands for freedom, for a new life, for giving those in trouble a safe place to live.. I need her in my life. Standing tall and welcoming everyone to America (my favourite place, even with Trump in charge I’d still move in a heartbeat.) On my last trip I took the subway right down to Battery Park and with a Dunkin Donuts iced latte in hand I sat on bench for a good hours and watched the world go by with Lady Liberty in the distance. Like I said above, I always feel at home and at peace in NYC, even though it’s the city that never sleeps.

Visit Times Square
It’s probably cliché but I love Times Square. Growing up and seeing it on TV I always wanted to go and on my first morning in NYC on my first trip that’s where we walked. It’s now a tradition to go on my first day. It feels like NYC to me and there is no where else in the world that feels the same as sanding surrounded by those boards, the yellow cabs, tourists, and those huge shops and restaurants. Plus, they have a Disney Store. It feels like the heart of NYC to me, at least from an outsiders perspective anyway.

Walk
Yes NYC is famous for it’s cabs, it’s subway and heck, it even has buses but for me, the way to explore Manhattan is on foot. In fact the way to explore anywhere is on foot. I walked from Kings Cross to the River Thames in London, and I walked all around Washington DC so it’s a safe bet I’ve walked a lot of Manhattan in my three trips. Some walks are obvious like Battery Park, Central Park, 5th Avenue and the High Line (that’s a must, especially at night, it’s so beautiful!) and some not so obvious like all around the village and all the New York University haunts such as Washington Square Park. Chinatown and Little Italy are 100% worth a walk through too, in fact walking from the Financial Distract to Chinatown is a great walk, so many awesome shops and little cafes. You won’t regret it, just bring comfy shoes!

I know it’s exciting to explore new places, I love that thrill and the planning that goes with it, but my heart longs for New York and all the places I’m yet to visit in that fantastic city!