Top 6 in NYC for a first trip

For us, New York is part one of our first lovely travel discrepancies since before we started travelling together. It was 2013 when we were planning our first couple trip, still living in Argentina, and we had a conversation that was something like this:

Flor: “So I have to go to Europe, it is not fair, I´ve been to NY 2 times already, next one has to include at least Paris or London”

Me (Pablo): “No way. I’ve already been there twice, and went to the US three times without visiting NYC, which I have dreamed about since I was a kid. Next trip is to New York”

This ended up in hard negotiations, hours of using flight searching tools and travel planning (see our post about planning a trip!), and we came to an agreement. We were going to take three weeks and include Paris, London and New York in the same trip. Which made some logic, because, let’s be honest, who would say no to going for a third time to Paris, London or NYC?

That trip, which happened, was amazing, and eventually will generate more posts about other places we visited. It was my (Pablo) first (and so far only) visit to the Big Apple, with a great guide (Flor) who was visiting it for the third time. This is why I listed my favorite 6 things to do in a first visit, and eventually the NYC master will add her own views in a different post! I know the Midtown part is kind of long, but you´ll see why.

1 – Visiting Times Square (day and night)

I know is a cliché, something anyone going to NYC will do, but I can still remember the Sunday morning I walked into Times Square from the 6^th Avenue for the first time. I couldn’t believe I was finally there. Flor still mocks me for my astonished face, and I couldn´t stop smiling. Visiting during the day for the first time allows being surprised twice. Check every corner, the signs, the shops and the people. Everything there is art in shape of a city.

Visiting by night, with all the huge boards lighting up the scene making unique scenery is a different experience, possibly more spectacular. My recommendation: stop a few times, sit there and enjoy the view. There is a vibe that you won´t feel anywhere else.

2- Enjoying the two top city views – Rockefeller Center and the Empire State building.

My recommendation here is – go up on the Empire State building by sunset. While it looks expensive, it is worth spending the extra penny and after having the view from level 86, go up to the level 102 observation deck. Pictures are possibly more spectacular from the open deck in level 86, but memories and the view from 102 will leave you with no regrets. I recommend doing this by sunset as the view of South Manhattan, the Chrysler Building and Wall Street all illuminated is spectacular, and not so enjoyable from the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center Observation Deck).

On the other hand, go to the Top of The Rock during the day. The best possible view of Central Park is there. And Central Park is so lovely during the day. What is more, as the Empire State lovers say, from the Rockefeller Center Observation Deck, you can see “Empie”, giving a plus.

Check both websites for timetables and rates:

Empire State: http://www.esbnyc.com

Rockefeller Center Observation Deck: https://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

3- Walking Midtown through 5^th avenue towards Central Park

Walking the 5^th Avenue is certainly one of the things you´ll be doing a lot while in New York. But the strip from the New York Public Library on 5^th Avenue and East 42^rd Street to Strawberry Fields will let you go through most of the greatest spots in the city:

• NY Public Library on 42^nd: Get in the library, walk around and do not miss the Rose Main reading room and the details in the walls and stairs.

• On 42^nd, turn east for a few blocks to check the Chrysler Building (formerly world´s tallest for almost a year, between 1930 and 1931, surpassed by the great “Empi”). The Art Deco design, with the amazing crown are another icon of the city, and one that can´t be missed.

• As you are there, also go through Grand Central Terminal. It´s almost across the road, you can´t really miss it. This train station, from 1903, is best known for the huge Main Concourse, always full of people, not only the train users, but also tourists, and it is major meeting point.

Two clocks not to be missed in Grand Central. The four- faced brass clock inside the Main Concourse, and the 4mts clock facing 42^nd street, surrounded by sculptures.

• Go back to the 5^th and continue walking north, until you reach St Patrick´s Cathedral on 50^th. This Neo-gothic Catholic Cathedral is possibly the most visible symbol of Roman Catholicism in the US.
• Right across the street, you will see the Rockefeller Center. Besides going to the top, as mentioned above, do not miss walking around the complex, made of buildings and including the Radio City (Facing 6^th Avenue), the Channel Garden´s, the sculptures of Atlas and Prometheus, the ice skating ring, and if visiting in the festive season, the Christmas Tree.

• Further north on the 5^th Avenue, a few famous flagship stores for international brands such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Uniqlo and Apple can be found. Pay them a small visit at least, even if not buying anything, as the design and setting is quite unique.

• Right before arriving to the Central Park, on the 58^th street and across the Grand Army Plaza, the well known Plaza Hotel can be found. Unless you are staying there, I do not think it is possible to visit rooms like Kevin McAllister in Home Alone 2, but you will get a great view of the building, and can check out the lobby and some ballrooms, and even enjoy a meal at the Plaza Food hall.

• Upon reaching the Central Park, and while walking north west towards Strawberry Fields (John Lennon memorial), you can check:
  • The Bethesda Fountain
  • The Bow Bridge
  • Alice in Wonderland Statue
  • The Dakota Building view
  • Strawberry Fields (Imagine)

Central Park itself can be enjoyed walking (or biking) for hours, but I think these are the ones you can´t miss on a first visit.

4 – Walking around Wall Street and South Manhattan.

This area, the oldest in town, with all the offices and financial institutions buildings, is another must. Do not miss the 9/11 memorial, the New York Stock Exchange building and the new One World Trade Center.

Take the ferry to see the statue of Liberty from Battery Park. I suggest you take this ferry first time of the day, to avoid the crowds, and finish your day by having a beer with all the yuppies at Ulysses, one of the most traditional Irish pubs in the city.

5 – Walking around the SoHo.

The most noticeable part of this neighborhood are the Cast Iron buildings, with those popular fire escape stairs, and great places to have a coffee and see the world go by, as well as do some shopping. I really enjoyed the area, which seems to go at a slightly slower pace than Midtown.

6 – Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge

One of the many New York´s famous bridges, connecting Manhattan to the borough that used to house lots of immigrants and is now the center for the hipster community and many tech startups. I think the best way to cross the bridge is head to Brooklyn on the subway, and get back to the city walking. The best times is at sunset, while seeing the sun settling behind the buildings of Manhattan. Of course, do not miss walking around Brooklyn before crossing.

Some other spots…

While preparing the post, a lot of other NYC places came to my head, and I am pretty sure you will certainly check most, but it was quite hard to make them fit in my top 6. Just to name a few, walking around Greenwich Village and NYU, the Highline park, the Upper West Side, Columbia, the Harlem, visiting the many amazing museums (MoMA and Met are the best ones), checking the upper East Side, Park Avenue, Madison Avenue, the Flatiron Building and many others. We stayed in NYC for six days and managed to check all of those. I recommend ensuring you do not miss the top 6 and make some room for the others.

Have you been to NYC? What is your proposed top 6? Tell us!