Ideas for My Very First Trip to NYC
January 4, 2013
Planning my trip to New York City
I have long wanted to take a trip to New York City and to finally see with my own eyes those sights and buildings made famous in so many movies and books. And now my dream will come true! Later this month, my husband and I will be traveling to NYC for four days in the city.
I’ve started a list of things I want to see and do:
- Take a free ride on the Staten Island ferry for views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline
- Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
- Buy a 7-day MetroCard for unlimited subway rides and use it to explore the city
- Walk the High Line
- Stop by the Union Square Greenmarket
- Ride the Roosevelt Island tram
- Visit the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue
- Wander around Grand Central Station
- Meander through Central Park
- Visit the American Natural History Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Buy a hot dog from a street vendor
- Search for NYC’s best pizza
- Taste test some of NYC’s finest cheesecake
- Eat a bagel (or two)
- Score some tickets to a play
To get me in the mood, I’ve also re-read a classic, award-winning children’s book, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsberg. It’s about two children, Claudia and her brother Jamie, who run away from home and hide out for one week in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A classic juvenile novel that takes place in NYC
So, you can see, I am already enjoying myself as I plan for our trip. I’d appreciate any suggestions from you, too. What are your favorite NYC experiences and recommendations?
January 4, 2013 at 7:19 am
Make sure you go to Little Italy, a good deli and get a slice of Famous Ray’s pizza!
January 4, 2013 at 10:15 am
Famous Ray’s (my dad’s name is Ray, so I’ll remember this)! Thanks.
January 4, 2013 at 7:42 am
In mid-town, be sure to stop by St. Peter’s Lutheran Church at the Citicorp center. The architecture of the church is one thing, but inside is the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, the only permanent Louise Nevelson installation in New York. It’s absolutely worth a visit.
Don’t forget another historic piece of architecture, the Flatiron Building. Check out the list of activities at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
And don’t miss the Morgan Library and Museum!!! I use the multiple exclamation marks for a reason, believe me. Currently, there’s a Beatrix Potter exhibit, among other treasures.
The automats are gone, so you can’t turn yourself into that Edward Hopper painting, but don’t miss a cup of coffee at a Chock full o’Nuts . You can still pay homage to Hopper there.
Oh, I wish I were going with you!
January 4, 2013 at 10:15 am
I’ve added everything to my list. Now I’ll have to balance the stress of trying to see everything with the need to slow down and soak in every moment. I do hope I have time to see everything you suggested — just the kinds of things I’d love to expereince there. If I can’t do everything on this trip, I may just have to plan a second one!
January 4, 2013 at 8:28 am
Looks like quite a list! I smile at your bagel comment. No NY bagel can taste better than the one I enjoyed at a place on Seattle’s Capitol Hill.
I grew up in Chicago but visited NY quite a few times. My Dad visited his folks in Staten Island once a year.On my first NY visit with my Dad we rode the NYCentral “streamliner” into Grand Central Station.
Dad took my Aunt Bernie to a Broadway play each year and later described the play to his young children. It was like being there. This was the time of Mary Martin in”South Pacific.” “Sound of Music.” Jackie Gleason in “Take Me Along.” Great Theatre!
My Aunt Bernie worked at Butterick Pattern Co. for 50 years. Rode that ferry daily. She knew the City like a cab driver!
I have to admit to my childhood disappointment having relatives in New York. I would have given anything for relatives on a farm.
Enjoy, Rosemary! And when you ride the ferry, give the “lady” a wave from me.
January 4, 2013 at 10:13 am
Oh, you have such wonderful family memories associated with NYC. Thanks for sharing them!
January 4, 2013 at 9:41 am
Enjoy NYC!! Despite living in the area, I have made surprisingly few trips there. I will say that there’s an obelisk in Central Park, behind the Met, that’s worth a quick look. Just the atmosphere of the city’s great.
January 4, 2013 at 10:12 am
Can’t wait. And I’ll try to look for the obelisk. Thanks.
January 4, 2013 at 9:49 am
I hope you enjoy your time there–never been but I hope to see something about your trip in your blog….
Many times the planning and the expectations are half the fun. Love that book!!!! Takes me back to my school years. Have fun and take care!
January 4, 2013 at 10:12 am
I agree that aanticipation is half (or more than half) the fun.
January 4, 2013 at 10:24 am
My son lives in Brooklyn. On our first visit to New York we went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Ellis Island was really interesting. The Met is really interesting too. You can take pictures inside which was surprising to me. Also, the entrance fee is a suggested fee, you can actually pay whatever you like and still get in. (At least that was an option a few years ago)The public library is awesome. Loved the Highline and Central Park too.
January 4, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Thanks for your input. My niece works in Brooklyn, so I hope to visit there!
January 5, 2013 at 9:45 am
There is a little tiny church…very old, very beautiful…sitting right next to Ground Zero…that was totally untouched on 9/11…some kind of intervention?? I don’t know but you can go inside and they have a very, moving memorial to the first responders with photos, etc. It brought me to tears…
January 5, 2013 at 6:23 pm
Thank you! If we get to the memorial, I’ll look for the church.
January 5, 2013 at 6:19 pm
Don’t forget your camera! Everyone will look forward to your views of the city. One of my favorite places: Metropolitan Museum of Art and MOMA if time allows. I lived in NYC for many years. On return visits I esp. enjoyed seeing the Ellis Island Museum, a play, and the streets lined with brownstones!,