It's got to be New York

New York is said to be a city of dreams, that never sleeps and where you can eat around the world in just a few blocks. New York was a Bucket List destination for me and I can safely tick that adventure off. Last week the train pulled into Penn Station, 11 hours after departing from Montreal. We arrived late and spent the taxi journey with our heads craned against the windows looking up at the skyline. Too excited to sleep we dropped our luggage in our room and headed straight for Times Square.

The lights are brighter than you can imagine, the buildings taller than you thought physically possible and the bumper to bumper yellow taxis in abundance are not just a stunt put together for the movies! New York met and surpassed every expectation I had. It is unlike any other city I have ever visited.

My highlights were the 9/11 memorial site, 'Top of the Rock', people watching in Central Park, Grand Central Station and walking along 5th Avenue. I'm thinking of doing a weekly travel highlight post so I might save a few of these and go into more detail over the next few weeks.

A couple of tips though if you find yourself as a first timer in New York. Take the free Staten Island Ferry from South Ferry, Manhatten to Staten Island to get a fantastic view of the Statue of Liberty without taking hours out of your day for quite a hefty cost. Obviously you don't get a chance to get onto the Statue of Liberty Island. At the moment it is closed inside for renovation so we were not to bothered about going over there. You also get a stunning view of the Manhatten skyline.

 
If you do 'Top of the Rock' at the Rockefeller centre go up just before sunset to get views of the city by day and night. We chose to do the Rockefeller rather than the Empire State Building because you can get a picture of the skyline with the infamous Empire State Building and you also get a view over Central Park. From the Empire State Building the Rockefeller blocks the view over Central Park and the Rockefeller isn't a pretty, memorable building like the Empire State Building. The Rockefeller is also cheaper than the Empire State.

I don't think I could live in New York but I could see myself visiting time and time again. Especially for the shopping. There is a reason as to why it is a world renowned shopping capital. Macy's is 7 or 8 stories tall and crosses between two buildings.

Have you ever visited New York or would you like to? What are/would be your 'must-sees'?
Lauren x