New York City captivates me. The urban energy, the symbolism, the culture…everything about New York City makes me so enthralled. So far it has been my favorite place to visit.

Bateaux New York Dinner Cruise

This cruise really brought the magnitude of New York City’s architecture. It stops for about 5 minutes to get an up close photo of the Statue of Liberty.

Take A Ferry to Liberty and Ellis Island

Learn the history of how this beautiful monument was built. Not only did The French have to build the Statue of Liberty but they also had to raise money for the pedestal. The rich helped fund the Statue of Liberty and ironically the Statue of Liberty was a symbol to “break free”. The artist, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, was able to get away with a few chains at the feet of the Statue. The rest of the funds for the pedestal was crowd funded by Americans, advertised in the local paper. Many of the donators were poor and contributed small funds.

I also thought it was interesting the only reason why The Statue of Liberty is green is because the copper rusts to that color.

The second time I went to the Statue of Liberty it was super awkward because a woman tried to sell me a boat ticket that stopped in front of the State of Liberty (as opposed to stopping at the island). The scheduling she gave me didn’t make sense with that I looked up online, didn’t actually stop at Liberty Island and she tried to guide me ACROSS THE STREET from Battery Park (where the tickets are sold and where the ferry departs), to her booth. Moral of the story: Don’t waste your time with random people trying to sell you tickets on the street to The Statue of Liberty. They will over charge you and rip you off.

Go to Castle Clinton National Monument (located at Battery Park) or purchase your tickets in advance through Statue Cruises directly or through a tour. 

*The crown sells out MONTHS in advance 

Pictured on the second to last photo: The New Colossus.

You can learn the history of Ellis Island at their museum and you can look up your ancestors who stopped at Ellis Island, trying to migrate to The States. You can also look this up at home.

Federal Reserve of New York

This building is made out of cement, there are security cameras on every corner, and armed guards at every entrance. I wish I would have known at time of visiting that they offer public tours. Museum & Gold Vault Tour. It’s free and the calendar opens 30 days prior.

Stop By Raging Bull 

In December of 1989 Arturo Di Modica dropped off the raging bull outside of New York Stock Exchange as a Christmas gift to Americans and as a clap back to the crash that occurred 2 years prior in 1987 “Black Monday”. What is even more hilarious about this bull is the NYPD got rid of this sculpture as it was unauthorized and it is only because of the public outrage of the bull being gone, is why we still have the raging bull available to public today.

Visit The 9/11 Memorial

The 9/11 memorial truly doesn’t need any description but it is so heart warming to have a memorial to represent and honor the victims of the terrorist attack. Love does conquer evil.

See A Show

I saw Aladdin, which is playing at New Amsterdam Theatre. The production was A+: costumes, choreography, and the setting. The humor was very modern which I appreciated because it made it very different from the film. Major Attaway (who played the Genie) blew me away with how he commands the audience’s attention. “Friend Like Me” performance still has me shook! I would pay again just to see that performance again. The whole cast put their all into the show and I am so glad I went to see Aladdin.

Walk Across Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan

Visit a Museum or Art Gallery

Visit a museum like The Met, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Forbes Magazine ranked the Metropolitan Museum of Art (“The Met”) in the top 10 of the most admired art museums in the world.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is currently ranked the top third specialty museum in New York City by Tripadvisor.

Stroll or Bike Central Park

Don’t be afraid to meet the dogs of Central Park. Below are Hermione and Lola.

If you get the chance to go to New York City during Christmas time, don’t forget the decorations. The Rockefellar has their Christmas tree (pictured) but The New York Stock Exchange has their own Christmas tree as well as other popular buildings.

Accommodation

If you are a theater fan and plan on going to a few shows, I recommend to book your hotel at Times Square. From what I have researched, the cost of hotels stay the same no matter where in Manhattan you stay. It will save you a lot of headache if you stay close to where you will be spending the most time. I am a fan of Hilton Garden Inn Times Square.

Budget Tips

One of the cheapest times to visit New York City is early January. The hotel accommodations will save you the most money. Flights to New York City are generally cheap because JFK is a popular airport.

Don’t be afraid to take the subway – How to get to Manhattan from JFK:
Go on the JFK AirTrain and from Jamaica Station, take the Belmont line to Pennsylvania Station. It will take an hour commute but is budget friendly.