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Visiting NYC in 2008.

I visited New York City for the first time in 2008. My traveling companion? … my mom. She is a travel enthusiast as well so any time she has an opportunity to travel with me, she’s on board. The drive from Toronto to New York was about 9 hours. We decided to take the I-90 and then the I-87. The first stretch of the highway is quite boring in terms of scenery (although the frequent Starbucks stops made it more enjoyable), but the road past Albany towards NYC was beautiful (mountains and wavy roads). * There is also a shorter route according to Google Maps which takes about 8h 15min.

We were there for about 5 days, everyday walking through some of the most beautiful areas of Manhattan. By the end of our stay, we had seen most of the island, although not nearly everything! The downtown core of NYC is impressive and offers many attractions. Here are my top suggestions of things not to miss while there:

Things to do in New York City (The Big Apple):

1. Empire State Building – take the elevator to the top floor and see beautiful NYC from the top! There is a fee for getting up there and you have to go through an airport-like security check. Be prepared to wait in line for about 0.5+ hrs.

2.  Statue of Liberty – There is a ferry that takes you to the island. I don’t know I imagined this statue to be much bigger and impressive than it actually is. Don’t get me wrong – it is beautiful! I guess watching too many movies gets you imagining things differently.

3. United Nations Headquarters (grounds and building) – an educational trip indeed. Take a guided tour to see the main assembly room and walk around the building to see some interesting art monuments.

4. Ground Zero Memorial – see images and artifacts from the recovery. This place is really impressive. On your way up to the second floor, make sure to notice all the letters that have been posted from children who lost their families on 9/11.

5. Times Square – it seems that the half of the city is to be found in Times Square. Here you will find many restaurants, and souvenir shops. There are many brand-name stores here (for example M&M) which literally light-up the streets. You will also find here the Disney Store which I recommend to see even if you’re not a kid ;).

6. Central Park – this is one of the iconic sights of New York City. It’s so interesting to have this park in the middle of the busiest city I’ve ever been in.

7. Metropolitan Museum of Art – if you’re a lover or not of art, you have to see the ‘Met’.  Its earliest roots date back to 1866 in Paris, France, when a group of Americans agreed to create a “national institution and gallery of art” to bring art and art education to the US.  In March 1880, the Museum opened to the public at its current site on Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street. Here you will be able to see some of the most famous paintings in the world.

8. Chrysler Building – while a well-known landmark of NYC, make sure to also go inside…the lobby very impressive.

9. Rockefeller Center – I am a huge fan of Home Alone so this was one of the places I wanted to see. It is a much smaller area than I imagined (the movie gives you the impression that the Center is quite large). I didn’t get a chance to see the Christmas tree since I visited in summer time, but it’s nonetheless still interesting place to visit.

10. Grand Central Terminal – This building managed to take my breath away when I walked in. The detailing on the walls, marble floors and elegant light fixtures are not things one would expect to find at a train station.

11. Take a walk down 5th Avenue – all the designer stores are to be found here. Even though your budget might not allow you to buy anything, it’s still worth a peak.

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