New York City is every girl’s dream. Well, it was mine at least. Every single pinterest board I’ve had since I was about twelve fantasised about a life where I would live in a high-rise apartment with gorgeous views of the city. However, NYC seemed like a million worlds away as a farm girl from New Zealand.
This year, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to travel to NYC to go to summer school. I had no idea what the big city was going to be like, and what the best things to do were. So, here’s my girl’s guide to NYC, for anyone who wants to plan a trip there in the future.
Shopping
Firstly, shopping in NYC is a must. I will admit, it is very expensive, but as one of the fashion capitals of the world it is a must. The first stop on my trip was the biggest Macy’s in the world, which was a quick walk from where I was staying on 6th Avenue. This store has eight stories of clothes, makeup, shoes, furniture, you name it. It took me and my family nearly an entire day just to get through the entire thing, and almost every brand you could think of featured in the store.
Macy's Department Store, 151 W 134th St
One of the next best places to go for a quick shop is 5th Avenue. It has all the basics that you can get in New Zealand, but way better. Each shop was about four stories, H&M, Lululemon, Adidas, Nike, Puma all providing different shopper experiences. Their shops were almost like museums for the brand, and that was so intriguing for me as a girl who is usually content with Rebel Sport. It was also super exciting to see famous American brands that I had never seen before in real life, such as Barnes & Noble, Ulta, Alo, and Urban Outfitters.
Finally, the last shopping destination that I visited in NYC, Times Square, was one of the most iconic destinations on my trip. Times Square, though constantly busy and hell-ish if you have social anxiety, was so incredibly exciting to visit. Everything seemed super fast-paced and there was a lot going on at once, with shops and advertisements in every corner. The most iconic brands were everywhere, including GAP, Old Navy, Levi’s, Forever 21, Sephora, Disney, M&Ms, Krispy Kreme and so much more. It’s a location that can keep you entertained for hours, just be cautious of pickpockets and scammers (as in every big city).
Times Square
Also, it is important to note that this is not a complete list, I did miss a lot of shopping places and other attractions on my trip due to time constraints. Other places that were recommended to me by friends were SoHo, Brooklyn Flea Markets and around the Financial District.
Iconic Attractions
Of course, you can’t go to NYC without seeing the most iconic attractions. While you can see so much just by walking around, it’s also super cool to get out and explore some of the areas that are a bit further away. One of the places I stayed was super close to the Empire State Building and Times Square, while the other was closer to Central Park. Even so, many of the places I visited were still a wee subway ride away.
First of all, the Brooklyn Bridge is an absolute must when visiting NYC. It’s a short 2km walk over, and the views are amazing. You get a clear shot of the high-rises in the Financial District including the World Trade Center, you can see the Statue of Liberty, and you get to admire how impressive the bridge itself is! However, make sure to go quite early in the morning so that there are not too many people. I went at around 7:30 and it was just starting to get busy, so any later and you might not be able to take the best photos. It’s also a good idea to explore a bit of the Brooklyn area after the trip over from Manhattan, where I visited some iconic spots such as Dumbo and Pebble Beach. Some advice from me is that it is much more enjoyable to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge than to walk the Manhattan Bridge, as subway trains are constantly using the Manhattan Bridge and make a lot of noise! Instead, you can view the Manhattan bridge from Dumbo, which is equally as impressive as walking over it, without the screechy train noises.
Brooklyn Bridge
Next is another staple NYC attraction: Central Park. Central Park is absolutely massive, and so much bigger than I thought it was. A lot of people visit the park at all times of the day, with opportunities to run, ride bikes, have a picnic or even ride in a horse and carriage! There was so much more to central park than what I initially thought, and it can take you almost an entire day to explore it all. It’s so worth it though, the vibes and the skyline views are immaculate.
Central Park
The Met Museum was another not-to-miss attraction, especially as a girl who is obsessed with the Met Gala each year. It was so unreal to see the real museum that is funded by the event, and there was so much to see. I was there for two hours, and I didn’t even explore the entire first floor (out of four!). Another highlight for me was the rooftop, which had gorgeous views of central park and the skyline. The Met was the only museum that I visited, as I’m not too much of a museum girlie, but it is interesting for literally anyone. There were works and pieces from all different time periods and places, my favourites being from the American Exhibit.
Another one of my favourite memories in NYC was playing football (soccer) on Pier 40. Pier 40 is a sports training facility on the Hudson River in the West Village. The facility is so perfectly placed where you can play soccer on the roof and see the Statue of Liberty and the buildings of New York so clearly at the same time. Playing there was incomparable to anything I have ever done in my life, so I would recommend this to all of the sports girls out there.
Pier 40, 353 West St
Summit One Vanderbilt was the final attraction that I saw during my time in NYC, and it was definitely one of the most memorable. Tickets per person were $43 USD (around $70 NZD), but it was worth every penny. The Summit One experience starts down the bottom of a large high-rise building, where you take an elevator 100 floors up to reach the exhibition. The first floor is filled with mirrors and a full 360 degree view of Manhattan. I went at sunset, meaning that I saw daylight on the first floor, and by the time I reached the third floor I got to see the view at nighttime. There were so many different art pieces on each floor, including the TikTok famous silver balloon room, and an opportunity to stand on a glass floor. The views were breathtaking during the entire experience, and it truly encapsulated what it felt like to be lucky enough to be in New York. Another nice feature is that the building is connected to Grand Central Station, meaning that once I had returned to ground level, I was able to see another iconic NYC landmark.
Summit One Vanderbilt, 45 E 42nd St
Entertainment
There is so much to see and do in NYC, but due to my limited time I only got to go to a few key entertainment hotspots. The first was the iconic Coney Island, which I’m not going to lie I only went to for the sake of the Taylor Swift song, but was actually a really enjoyable experience. They have many different rides and places to eat, as well as gorgeous views of the sea and pier. There are lots of things to choose from, but it can be pricey. I paid nearly $30 USD to go on only three rides, and so I don’t really feel like it was worth it. I think it is definitely something cool to see, but you do have to be cautious about how much you spend if you are trying to do a budget-friendly trip.
Luna Park in Coney Island, 1000 Surf Ave, Brooklyn
As a certified sports girl, I obviously had to indulge in some of NYC’s best sporting atmospheres. My first American sports game that I attended was a WNBA game where the New York Liberty faced off against the Chicago Sky at Barclays Center, Brooklyn. Tickets start from around $41 USD, and attending is so worth it. There was an atmosphere that I had genuinely never experienced before, where every member of the crowd was so hyped for their team. It was an unrivalled support for women’s sport, which is something I appreciated so much. Another key thing about WNBA games is that the entertainment keeps on coming. During any time out or quarter break new acts would take the court, including dancers, games, and of course Liberty’s mascot Ellie the Elephant. There was something for everyone, and so I think a WNBA game should be on everyone’s NYC bucket list.
New York Liberty at Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn
One of the most iconic sporting venues in the world, Yankees Stadium, was the final entertainment destination I visited in NYC. I figured that because the Yankees are such a big part of what is New York that it would be a crime if I did not try and attend a game. When I first entered the grand foyer of the stadium, I could feel the legacy that it held. All of the legends of the team were depicted on banners spanning the periphery, and fans from all generations were decked head to toe in Yankees merch. It was so exciting to see the atmosphere of a sporting crowd I had never been a part of, and trying to decipher the rules during the game definitely kept me on my toes. It was an unfortunate game for the Yankees though, losing 9-1 to the Tampa Bay Rays. Still, eating ice cream out of baseball caps will forever be ingrained into my memories, and I am so grateful that I got to experience a new sport live in such an iconic way.
New York Yankees at Yankees Stadium, 1 E 161st St
Food
Finally, it wouldn’t be a girl’s guide if it didn’t have food recommendations. When in New York, trying the local cuisine (if you can call it that) is a MUST. Firstly, street food will always hit different, so don’t be afraid to try a hotdog out of the random carts you’ll see everywhere. Secondly, there are pizza shops everywhere, meaning you have no excuse to not try NYC pizza. Pizza in NYC is great because one, it is always so much better than New Zealand Pizza and two, you can get one slice (which is the size of a whole meal) for only $1. Yes please.
You also must try all of the American staples. The places I visited included Shake Shack, Wingstop, Crumbl Cookies, Insomnia Cookies, Raising Cane’s, Taco Bell, Olive Garden and Chipotle. Everything, despite the fact that my calorie intake was probably catastrophic, was so delicious. Wingstop was easily my favourite destination, as while it is a relatively simple restaurant it has all that you’ll ever need: different flavours of wings and chicken tenders. It tasted so delicious, and it made me want to stay in the US forever. However, I must note that fast food wasn’t exactly cheap in the city, making it hard to decide where to eat each night. It was common for each meal to cost $20 USD, which seems reasonable, but when converted to NZD is about $32 for dinner every night. Majority of my spending money ended up going to meals, which was a bit disappointing, if you do plan your trip try to include meals into your budget as best you can!
Raising Cane's, 1501 Broadway, Times Square
In summary, if you are just a girl trying to make it to the most iconic city in the world, I hope that my guide is (somewhat) helpful for helping you to live out your city girl dreams, while trying to keep on a budget.
2 Comments