Your must see and do's for New York, New York

[Sodthesystem]

About to go international on a solo vacation and the excitement is kicking in :)

Anyone want to tell me what they most enjoyed?

I have 5 days. I love architecture. I wouldn't mind catching some beautiful music. I'll absolutely do a ghost tour because it's my fave way to get to know cities. And i want to do a tour from the water but tbh I'd happily just get a normal ferry tbh (anyone know where to go for the best views?)

Tbh I think I'll maybe skip museums as I often feel they either drag out or you don't have time to see all and it's annoying. But I may give one half a day or so.

But basically - chasing beautiful places, sounds, feelings, clothes etc...

Any places that are must eats? (I'll try to save but I'm sure I could splurge on occasion).

Anyone got any must do's?

Ice skating at the Rockerfeller Centre was my absolute favourite thing. Your DD might like that @IAmKerplunk
We took a horse and carriage round Central Park - the guide was so knowledgeable.
The Edge for incredible views and photos. Then you can get on the High Line there.

I was incredibly moved by the 9/11 memorial.

I took the subway to Brooklyn and walked back to Manhattan via the Brooklyn bridge. Beautiful views.

Oh lunch at Tavern On The Green!

Go up into the crown of rhe Statue of Liberty. Make sure you go onto the official website - it is not expensive. If it is fully booked, keep looking because they get returns.

I know you said no museums but I would go to the Tennement Museum. You go into a tenement with a guide and it is all furnished as it would have been back on the day.

Go to a viewing platform whether it’s Empire State or Rockerfella, spend a few hours in Central Park, see a Broadway show and visit the High Line. As for food there will probably be loads of stuff you want to try while there. Also I loved eating at diners. I found them so homely and often the food was much healthier than I expected.

I really like the Brooklyn Flea Market and then walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Chelsea Market and the High Line are worth a wander and I recently did a Mafia Walking Tour done by an ex NYPD detective which was really interesting and worth the money. You also get to go to a good restaurant and get some amazing cannoli at the end.

I'm very annoyed that my post was hidden, it was because i linked a site with art deco history of the Rockerfeller centre that clearly wasn't liked.

If you get the chance look at the history behind the freezes on the buildings of the Rockerfeller centre, they are fascinating.

Another fantastic art deco building that I don't think has been mentioned is the Chrysler building, you can enter the foyer of that one as well,

Someone else has mentioned the High Line, definitely agree that's worth a visit as it is pretty unique.

Yeah the Highline is great. I actually squealed with excitement when you could see the Statue of Liberty in the distance near the end.

It is also a good chance to have a wander around Greenwich Village and the Meatpacking district. There is a pretty good covered food market not far from one end of the Highline where we had a great burger.

Not at all

For me the highlight was top of the rock (I did do the empire state building too but they played irritating cheesy music the whole time and I couldn't hear myself think). Plus you can see the empire state building from top of the rock so it's just a better observation deck all round imo.

I'd also recommend just taking the ferry instead of a boat tour because it had the same issue with loud abrasive music. And they said things were included which actually, they then decided needed extra money for.

Eat at Liberty Bagel (there are branches in different places).
Tenement museum and the Frick as suggested, and if you go to Grand Central, it’s v close to the NY Library and to Bryant Park where there is a great Christmas market-easy to spend half a day in that area and see and do nice things.

Hey all!

Thanks to all who replied!

I wish I could say I had a fantastic time but - I actually...definately don't like New York.

I had some nice experiences (moma, the high line, top of the rock and some beautiful churches) but the whole money grabbing aspect (especially monetising the 9/11 museam) just left a bad taste in my mouth. Not to sound all 'woo' but the energy of the whole place just felt so, so off to me. I found myself looking at things I should have felt awed by and just feeling... like it was a treat dangling over a trap.

All the pretty lights and those songs that glamorise it just seem like windodressing on a sewer and propaganda to convince the inhabitants that it's actually great place to be.

Was actually quite relieved to get away!

Maybe I'm being harsh but that's just how I felt about it. Still, it was an adventure xD

And I got some funny stories.
A man told me I had a nice ass when I was walking home one night and for some reason it was just so funny hearing that in the American accent xD oh and I visited some random walk in psychic off the street. She was awful. Like, really bad haha but hey, I didn't get my organs stolen so... that's good I guess lol.

I did the Christmas market! It was cute!

That's how I felt about it! Apart from The Tenement Museum I didn't like it at all. It absolutely stank of fried chicken and was so noisy.

Aw that’s a shame op - I last visited in 1996 and loved it! I imagine it has changed an awful lot since then though. At least you have been and can tick it off your list!

I will be interested to know why my dd20 and her friend make of it in a couple of weeks time

Central Park - just amazing, such a lush space within a city
The Met Museum - just wander round and look at the building inside, reminded me of the V & A
Staten Island Ferry - views are incredible
9/11 Museum - just breathtaking and very humbling
We spent a good few hours wandering around Soho and Tribeca - loved the shops and the coffee places
Food - we found very hit and miss - best places we found were small deli's tucked away with huge vats of freshly cooked soups and amazing bread rolls.

Maybe with them being younger they will enjoy it more @IAmKerplunk

@Bulbsbulbsbulbs
I think it was all the crazy people and destitution but the smells were...interesting too. Mostly it seemed to be weed xD

I'm gutted I forgot weed was legal over there till nearer the end of my trip. It might have made walking around a bit more palatable if I was stoned xD

Ha. My adult child lives there so I have to visit….. it’s a tough life, as I’m sure you understand. I have noticed increasing weed smell/use too, but for me it’s just a brilliant place to hang out, enhanced by the presence of my child. Always something to see and explore and I get the inside on decent cheap places to eat…..

See I felt that way about London and moved there for a summer and had so much fun. And it's better when you live there if course, over holidays and expensive hotels and restaurants.

I just didn't get that same feeling for New York. Which is funny because before I went I was debating searching for an apartment there for a few months stay lol. But I just wasn't feeling the same about it as I did for London. So that's out. Going to have to think of a new plan for the next few months lol.

That’s a shame the city wasn’t for you OP.

I just wanted to add, anyone doing ice skating at Rockefeller should make sure they have winter sports on their insurance. A few years ago, I saw a social media post by a woman who fell and broke her ankle skating. She was open and honest with her insurance but they dug their heels in as it was classed as a winter sport.