I’m back from New York! Overall, my New York City experience was probably very different from what a typical tourist experience would be like since my group didn’t spend much time in the tourist-y parts of Manhattan and instead spent every day in Brooklyn, but we did have one free day to explore the city on our own and we packed in as much sightseeing as possible.
I’ll share more about why I went to New York in my next post, but for now, here’s how we spent our free day (with lots of free things to do in NYC!) and how we somehow managed to only spend money on food and Subway passes.
Central Park
We spent some quiet time in Central Park early in the morning and it was wonderful. There were a bunch of people out running, some cute coffee shops, and an awesome view of the skyline.
Plaza Hotel
Next, we went to the Plaza Hotel. If you’ve seen any of the Eloise at the Plaza movies or read the books, you’re probably familiar with the hotel! I used to love those movies, so I thought it was pretty cool and I channeled my inner-Eloise.
The hotel was really fancy, of course, and there were a bunch of shops, including an Eloise-themed one!
FAO Schwarz
I was happy we got to go to this huge toy store since I’ve heard it’s closing soon. They have lots of fun toys, a big candy bar, huge stuffed animals, and a floor-size piano that you can play with your feet.
If only Patrick the Pup hadn’t cost $500…
If only Patrick the Pup hadn’t cost $500…
Lunch in Little Italy
After FAO Schwarz, we took a Subway ride over to Little Italy for lunch.
I got penne arrabbiata (pasta with spicy tomato sauce) and it was fun to be transported to a different country and culture, even just for an hour.
I got penne arrabbiata (pasta with spicy tomato sauce) and it was fun to be transported to a different country and culture, even just for an hour.
Staten Island Ferry
Next, we took the Staten Island Ferry (which is completely free!) to see the Statue of Liberty, along with every other tourist in the city.
New York High Line
After going to the new 9/11 Memorial (where I didn’t take pictures out of respect), we went to my favorite stop of the day: the New York High Line. It’s an old train track that has been converted into a walking path and it runs for a couple miles above Manhattan. We got there right around sunset, which made for a beautiful view of the skyline and some cool pictures.
Time’s Square
We finished off the day eating street food and devil’s food cheesecake in Time’s Square– a very New York way to end the day.
If we’d had more time, I would’ve loved to do some other things, like see a Broadway show, but it was a packed day and I think I fell asleep as soon as my head hit my pillow. A girl in my group used a pedometer app on her phone and we walked over 10 miles– phew! (Not sure if that speaks more to our determination to see as much as possible or our lack of Subway knowledge/tendency to get lost haha.) Either way, it was a really great tourist-y day with some fun friends.
Questions for you:
Have you ever been to NYC? What was your favorite thing to do there?
Do you think you’re more of a big city or small town type of person? I loved visiting NYC but my preference would definitely be a smaller city to live long-term!
Do you think you’re more of a big city or small town type of person? I loved visiting NYC but my preference would definitely be a smaller city to live long-term!
STILL can’t believe we were in the same area. I loved Brooklyn! We went to Smorgasburg on Saturday and that area was so cute. I’m still debating on whether I want to live in a big city or not 🙂
I know! 🙁 I’m so bummed I didn’t get to see you! Wait, I’m not even totally sure what Smorgasburg is but it sounds like the cutest thing EVER!
I went to New York City for my high school graduation present. My favorite part of the trip was a night of dinner and a comedy show we went to. It was fun to explore New York City, ride the subway, get lost, and see all the sights 🙂 We also went to a big M&M store that was tons of fun too!
Going to a comedy show sounds awesome! And YES, some of us wanted to go to the M&M store but we ran out of time. It sounds so cool!
Well that is such a fun day!! Its funny cause I love Times Square’s busy-ness and Central Park’s chill vibe 😉 I am more of a city girl but NYC definitely gets me sometimes. I’d have to argue my doggies are cuter but those ears are just unbearable Ha!
Haha right?! We gotta be loyal to our pups 😉 And Central Park’s relaxed feel was so refreshing after the busyness of the rest of the city!
Thank Ya
May I say that you are absolutely stunning? Because you are! I’ve yet to go to NYC. I’m a saver by all accounts, so this list is absolutely perfect for me!
You’re so sweet, Alison! And I hope you’ll get to go to NYC at some point- definitely a cool experience! And I’ve basically nicknamed myself El Cheapo, so we might be two peas in a pod 😉
I love love love the high line. Your shot is perfect! Sunsets in June in NYC are unbeatable. That pasta looked unreal <3 … I also have a boo stuffed animal 😀
Thanks, Georgie! A photography compliment coming from you means a lot! And YOU HAVE A BOO STUFFED ANIMAL?! So envious! 🙂
It looks like you had a blast in NYC and for free! When I visited NYC a few years ago we spent the day with my mom’s friend who lives there so she knew where to see the best stuff for free and get the best deals. The coolest was being able to see the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry for free!
Oh wow, I bet exploring the city with a local was a whole different experience! And I was amazed that the Staten Island Ferry was free?!
Wow – 10 miles is a lot of walking! I’ve never heard of the Highline, but it looks really pretty. It’s like the urban version of rail trails.
I’d like to think I’m in pretty good shape from lots of running, but I think all of the walking definitely worked some different muscles because my legs were feelin’ it in the mornings after! And rail trails is a perfect way to describe it 🙂
So fun!! Love all the pics and miss you lots!
AWW SHAN! I miss you so much! I wish you were here but I know God has such awesome things in store for you this summer on your Spanish adventure 🙂 (And I totally read “So fun!!” in the Shannon/Nikki/Elizabeth voice 😉 )
Wow! You packed that all into one day? I’m very impressed!
The congestion of NYC isn’t for me. I hate big crowds and bumping into people all the time. I guess that’s why I choose to live in Fort Lauderdale rather than Miami even though I have a long commute into work. Fort Lauderdale is a relatively big city but in comparison to the congestion and touristy nature of Miami it’s pretty low key 🙂
Big crowds aren’t really my thing, either, so I completely understand. The view of the beautiful New York skyline almost made me change my mind though! 😉 And that’s good to know about Fort Lauderdale vs. Miami- I wasn’t really sure what the differences are!
Thank You
You hit some of the best!! So glad you had an awesome time in NYC. Come back again one day so that we can hang out! 🙂
I love central Park! It’s so pretty 🙂
That devil’s food cheesecake… swoon! It looks delicious, and I am going to have to grab a slice for myself. I might be going to New York in a few weeks by myself (eeeep!) and this made me so excited. I haven’t been since I was ten, and I cannot wait to be back.
This looks like such a fun girls day! Love the toy store pics, that looks like my kind of place! 🙂 your dog is totally cuter! Haha 🙂
I am definitely not so much a city person, having grown up in the quiet New Zealand countryside! I just moved from the central city in sydney to a quieter suburb and it is soo nice and peaceful and I already feel more at home! 🙂
I’m so glad you feel more at home now after your move! The suburbs are the perfect mix of quiet and enough activity to still be exciting to me 🙂
You look so stylish Liv! It sounds like you are having a great time!
Meredith
Thanks, Meredith! I’ve been loving those light, breezy palazzo pants!
First off, your outfit is super cute! I am a little jealous because I am one of those people who cannot wear that style!
My husband and I were supposed to go to NYC in April, but everything changed when we found out we were pregnant. The trip will hopefully happen next year (crossing my fingers).
Central Park looks amazing. I could probably spend all day there and it is on my running bucket list.
You sure packed a lot in one day! You must have been exhausted by the end of it… or perhaps, the city just makes people come alive (kind of like Vegas).
Thanks, Kristen! The weather was cool while we were in New York, so light pants and a top ended up being perfect. I hope y’all will get to go to NYC next year- so many great things to do, as I’m sure you know 🙂 I was actually in Central Park on National Running Day! And I was definitely wiped by the end of that one day!
Those sound like awesome ways to enjoy NYC! Pinned and shared.
Flying in and out of New York is a breeze! I remember my first trip; the excitement of soaring above the clouds was unforgettable. The convenience of direct flights made it easy to explore the city. Once I landed, navigating the subway system was surprisingly simple. I enjoyed hopping between iconic landmarks like Times Square and Central Park. Each journey felt like an adventure, and I loved discovering hidden gems in the bustling streets. New York became my favorite travel destination!