Hello New York !

August 19, 2018

Hello New York !

Last Spring, I decided to travel to NYC; the most popular travel destination in United States also known as the Big apple, City of dreams or the City that never sleeps. I've always wanted to travel to New York City since I was a kid, even though the thought of traveling to such a densely populated city was overwhelming. However, I was able to explore the beauty of this vibrant City by sticking into a more laid-back visit without trying to cram too much things to do during the stay.

View from the Empire State Building

NYC comprises of five county-level administrative divisions called boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Manhattan is the strip of land bounded by Hudson river to the west, East river to the east and Harlem river to North and is locally referred as the "City". It is the home to some of the popular land marks including Times Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, 911 memorial museum, Rockefeller Center and much more. In other words, most of the famous NYC landmarks we have heard of are located in Manhattan. In this post I will talk about things I learnt during my visit which will help you plan your next vacation. Tip 1: If you are planning a trip to NYC you should plan to spend more time in Manhattan to see the beauty of the City.

Times Square

During our stay, we decided to stay with a friend who lived in West New York which is a town in New jersey across the Hudson river from Manhattan. Tip 2: Staying with friends away from the crowded Manhattan was not only peaceful it was definitely budget friendly.

Million Dollar View from West New York

If you are planning to stay in Manhattan, you do not have to worry about getting in and out of the City. However, if you are planning to stay out, do not shy away from public transportation. Tip 3: New York buses are very efficient compared to driving your own/rented vehicle or taking Uber.

Another plus point is that the Port Authority Bus Station is located right in the center of Mid-town Manhattan.

Before you travel to New York, familiarize yourself with a map of Manhattan to get a general idea about where your favorite landmarks are located. Tip 4: Once you get into the City, most of the things are in walking distance and you will find many tour bus companies offering deals of tours to the tourists.

Central Park

Colombus Circle

If you have the budget, I recommend you signing up for a bus. I signed up for a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing tour offered by Big Bus and I am glad I did so. They offered several stops at different locations and I could easily find several Big Buses and get on and off. Tip 5: It takes almost a whole day to cover the downtown tour and the uptown tour even if you are not getting off at any stop other than to switch from one tour to the other. Tour Buses makes it easier to go from one place to the other, familiarize yourself with the City and learn about architecture, important events, and structures related to the City.

Hop-on Hop off BIG BUS New York

You will never run out of things to do in New York City and it is filled with activities that would fit any traveling budget. Hopefully this post gives some insight into what to expect in the City for someone who's planning to explore this beautiful and diverse city rich in history, architecture, fashion, food culture, music, and much more.

More photos from NYC;