Emily, Britney and Cate spend a long weekend exploring all the touristy sights of NYC!
New York City
Activities
World Trade Center Museum and Tribute tour
This was an amazing experience and I highly recommend everyone go see the World Trade Center Museum. Britt had done this tour before, but it was the first time for Cate and I. The museum was very well done, with a lot of information and artifacts from that day. The Tribute tours were led by people who had loved ones who died that day and they told their story, so it was a very emotional experience. (Good thing they had tissues in every room of the museum.) We did the tour first, and then began going through the museum about 2 hours before they closed, thinking that was plenty of time. Unfortunately we didn’t even get to see it all, so I would definitely allow more time next time.
Ice skating Rink at Bryant Park
The rink at Bryant Park was recommended to us as the best place to ice skate, over Rockefeller or Central Park. It’s less touristy (but still crowded!) and is surrounded by a cute winter village marketplace. You do have to pay for bag check, so we consolidated our purses into one bag.
Chelsea market
Chelsea Market is a super cute indoor shopping area with lots of good food spots too. We checked this out the day it snowed and we were especially thankful to have a place indoor to hang out! There is everything from an Anthropologie to independently owned boutiques. We ate at Buddakan – a really good Asian fushion restaurant.
Today Show filming
We woke up before the sun was up to head into the city to get a spot outside the Today Show. They recommend you arrive at or before 6 a.m. and that’s when we arrived, but we were still in the second row of people standing behind the barriers. We weren’t able to move up to the front until about halfway through the show when people started leaving. (So get there even earlier if you want to be front and center to shake their hand or get on TV.) It was still really cool to get to see them tape the show and broadcast their segments from outside. We were there in December and it was COLD! Bundle up appropriately. Stuido 1A is located in Rockefeller Center between 48th and 49th streets and 5th Ave. and the Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave.). You’ll see the barriers blocking the street.
Matt Lauer and Al Roker filming the Today Show
TKTS Broadway ticket booth in Times Square
They sell same day Broadway tickets for shows happening that night for half price at the TKTS Ticket Booth. Availability is just whatever shows still have open seats that night, so if you’re looking for something specific, you may not find it. We bought our tickets for Avenue Q in the morning and went to the show that evening. Hilarious show – highly recommend it!
TKTS Ticket Booth in the center of Times Square
Other NYC sights:
The Iconic Rockefeller Christmas Tree
New York Stock Exchange
Restaurants
Momofuko Milk Bar
Momofuko Milk Bar is a super cute dessert spot! Try the Sprinkle Birthday cake – it’s a layered vanilla rainbow cake and it’s amazing. They also do cooking classes where you can learn how to make the cake and you get to take it home afterwards. We didn’t get the chance to do the class, but it sounded really fun.
Serendipity III
We’ve wanted to go to Serendipity III since we saw the rom-com Serendipity years ago. They’re known for their amazing desserts – frozen hot chocolate is a must!! Make a reservation – it’s very popular. Since we were there before Christmas, it was decorated really cute inside.
Hotel
We stayed in an Airbnb in Hoboken, New Jersey. It was across the Hudson River with an awesome view of the city. Staying in Hoboken is a good option if you’re looking for somewhere cheaper than in the city. We easily took the subway into the city every day, and it probably only added 30 minutes transit time versus staying in the city. One night we stayed out too late, once the trains stopped running, and we took a cab back with no problem.
Airbnb is great option to find rentals when traveling. Here, you’ll find a large range of unique accommodations to rent in the greater NYC area, and most of the places on Airbnb are far better value for your money than traditional hotels. Though my favorite part about it is you really feel like a local when staying in a new city! Sign up here to get $40 off your first visit!
View of the city across the Hudson River
Transportation
We flew into Newark and took the train to Hoboken. We took the train into the city everyday and used the subway and walked everywhere. (Though the day it was snowing, we did break down and get cabs!) It’s a very easy city to navigate and get around.
New York City Travel Tips:
Weather – Had we known it would snow halfway through our trip, we would have brought better waterproof boots. I ruined a pair of black suede boots sloshing around in the snow. If you travel there in the winter, come prepared for that.
Walking – Walk briskly! We learned day 1 that New Yorkers will plow you down on the sidewalk if you’re not moving quickly enough.
Safety – Don’t get into a car that’s not a yellow NYC Taxi car. A lot of people were offering us rides and telling us they were cabs, especially at the airport, when they had regular, unmarked cars. Maybe it would have been fine, but we weren’t going to take a chance.
We loved wandering the streets of New York on the only sunny day we had!
Other travel guides you might like:
New York City, New York – Art Lovers’ Tour of New York City
Cape Cod, Massachusetts – Beaches and Lobsters: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Chicago, Illinois – Weekend Guide: Chicago, Illinois
Las Vegas, Nevada – Guide to Gambling and Eating in Las Vegas, Nevada
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