New York City – no place like it on Earth; so much to see and so much to do. Full of bustling streets with world-famous sites around every corner. It is hard to even put into words how amazing New York truly is, and every time you go, you will see and experience so many new things. You could spend months exploring New York City!
To start, be prepared to walk… a lot! Relying on transportation is usually pointless if you want to explore the city. Walking through the city gives you the full experience; you see people from all around the world, jaw-dropping sky-high buildings, food in every corner from all parts of the world, and top attractions are usually within walking distance of each other. A tour guide is not needed in the city, in my opinion. The energy in NYC is undefeated. You feel inspired there; there’s a sort of magic there, being in the midst of thousands of people all going to different places with different agendas united in one city.
Another great way to get around the city is through the subway, which is much faster than a car or taxi in nonstop traffic. The trains run 24 hours a day and it is very affordable. Hailing a yellow cab from the street is very easy, but usually very expensive.
Where to stay in New York:
My family and I have an apartment in New York, so we don’t normally get a hotel, only on special occasions. But some great options for hotels in the city include:
- Freehand: Located in Flatiron District. A boutique hotel with a game room, a 24-hour gym, five on-set eateries, and a rooftop bar. Has beautiful decor and is relatively cheap – about $250 per night
- Pod 39: A great budget-friendly hotel. Has a rooftop with city views. Located within walking distance of the Grand Central Station. About $200 per night.
- Made Hotel: Urban hotel with bohemian fabrics and modern finishings. Their cocktail bar, Good Behavior, overlooks sweeping views of the Empire State Building. About $400 per night.
- Baccarat Hotel: Very luxurious, five-star hotel. The hotel is covered with Baccarat crystals and comes with a spa, an indoor pool, and various bars. About $1000 per night.
For more hotels in NYC, visit: Top 10 Luxury Hotels In New York City (msn.com)
If you live in NYC, visit a lot, or stay for a long period of time and love the gym, I recommend registering to be an Equinox gym club member, located in the Hudson Yards. There is an outdoor heated pool and sundeck with private cabanas. There is also an indoor saltwater lap pool, as well as a spa, sauna, unlimited Mat Pilates classes, a shop to buy activewear essentials, personal trainers, and sleep and nutrition coaches. It is truly the best gym experience you can get. The rooftop pool overlooks sky-high buildings and the infamous Vessel. For more information: Hudson Yards Fitness Club – Equinox
Visiting the museums is a must when going to NYC. The Metropolitan Museum is my favorite, by far. The Met Museum is the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere and is one of the world’s largest art museums. The museum contains an extensive collection of art, architecture, and artifacts from medieval Europe. It consists of works of art from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt, paintings, and sculptures from nearly all of the European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art. It also contains African, Asian, Oceanian, Byzantine, and Islamic art, along with antique weapons, armor, costumes, accessories, musical instruments from all around the world. It is a very diverse museum, and you can learn a lot about the history of the world through this museum. For more information on the Met Museum: Home – The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)
My family and I spent a lot of time in the Islamic Art section of the museum. My dad and his relatives were born and grew up in Syria, and although my dad, mom, brother, and I are not religious, he grew up Muslim. So, learning about Islam and Islamic countries through artifacts and art was an amazing experience. The Met’s collection of Islamic art with more than 15,000 objects ranges in date from the seventh to twenty-first century. For more info on the Islamic Art of the Met Museum, visit: Islamic Art | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)
Winter and Christmas time in NYC is quite magical. I personally like visiting NYC in the summer and spring better than in the winter, but that’s because I like warmer weather better in general. A must-see in the winter of NYC is the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a world-wide symbol of the holidays in New York City. Ice skating in the rink of the Rockefeller Center is an essential activity to do. The Rockefeller Center is family-friendly, full of many tourists, activities, and beautiful views.
