One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years. —Tom Wolfe
After six days in New York City, I’m back home. Or at least, my body is home. I fear my heart is somewhere on 5th Avenue, in the vicinity of Bryant Park.
If you’re in the area, could you keep a lookout for it? Oh and while you’re at it, could you stop at that one sandwich shop – you know the one I mean, right? – and get me a smoked salmon roll? I’ll pay you back.
Thanks.
These are a few general thoughts I had about our trip. Details will come later:
1) New Yorkers are nice.
How did they get a stereotype for being rude? One native New Yorker I know, now a Phoenix resident, claims the rude ones are from other places. She says real New Yorkers are friendly. (This is an excuse we use for Phoenix drivers — it’s the California transplants who drive like maniacs. We’re angels.)
On the other hand, maybe the reason we had no issues in New York is that we did our best to stay out of the way. I mean, if you’re some rube who stops in the middle of the sidewalk, gazing up at the skyline with your mouth hanging open…
Then again, it’s really hard not to let your mouth hang open.
Honestly, just walking around looking at the buildings? Hands down, that was my favorite part of New York. Which leads me to my next point…
2) They can always tell you’re a tourist.
I suppose me constantly stepping to the side and taking pictures was a clue.
Everywhere you look, there’s something new to take in. Right next to a grand cathedral, there might be a modern glass building, Art Deco, Gothic, and on and on. Son said it was like someone vomited architecture all over the city. (He meant it as a compliment.)
3) Everything tastes better in New York
I could write an entire post on the food we ate. Heck, I could write an entire post on just the smoked salmon roll…
But I didn’t get a picture of the salmon roll. I just ate it.
4) There are a number of free things to do in New York.
If you tire of museums, shows, and dining on sumptuous meals, there are plenty of other things that are totally free! The New York Public Library is definitely worth a visit (they have the original stuffed animals that inspired the Winnie the Pooh stories), you can spend a whole day walking Central Park and probably not see it all, you can tour cathedrals and even see the burial place of Alexander Hamilton (at Trinity Church), and the Performing Arts Library at the Lincoln Center has a super cool museum – totally free!
I almost forgot the Staten Island Ferry! Totally free!
5) That being said, New York is still expensive.
But worth it. Totally worth it.
I should tell you, there is a downfall to visiting New York: It makes the food you normally eat seem really boring. On the bright side, everything becomes a bit more affordable.
Example: On our way home from the airport, we decided to stop for pizza — but not just any pizza. It had to be good.
So we wound up going to a “Brooklyn-inspired” pizza & wine bar near our home. They’re good, but we don’t go often because we always thought they were high-priced. We got one large pizza, I had a glass of their house red and Husband had a Coke. Can’t remember what the kids drank, but when we got the bill, I was shocked. “Look guys,” I said, “it’s only $29!”
They were moderately impressed.
And that’s an overview of our trip. Next up I’ll tell you about the shows we saw (including Husband’s Carnegie performance) and the museums.
Meanwhile, I’m on the hunt for a good smoked salmon roll. I’ll let you know what I find.
Feeding on Folly 
Sounds like a great time. Do keep us updated on the smoke salmon roll. And for the record, we Californians drive like maniacs everywhere – including California.
Yeah, what’s up with that? 😉
Truthfully, I think the problem with Phoenix drivers is that we have too many NASCAR fans. Everyone drives as though they’re trying to qualify.
Out here I think it’s because of so many transplants to the state who learned to drive in other states/countries and never bother to learn CA law and just do whatever they feel like.
Haha! Well, we have a number of older folks from the Midwest and we think, “Your car is equipped with a blinker, isn’t it?”
Yay for regurgitated architecture! Sounds like a fabulous time!
Yes, it was! I think we need to start saving for our next trip! (Regurgitated architecture is the best!)
I’m glad you had such a good time, a trip to remember, New York will miss you!
Haha — well, I’m sure our AirBnB host noticed us leaving, and four less people on the subway must appreciated! 😉
What happened to #3?
Augh! That’s what I get for dashing it off quickly!
If it’s all the same to you, I’m going to quietly sneak back in and edit. Thanks for the heads up! 👍
I’m so glad you had a swell time. (I’ve had a few friends that could not stand NYC when they visited and they swear they will never go back. I just don’t get that. There is so MUCH to do and see and, as you point out, there are plenty of inexpensive options.) I trust you will be blessing us with many more posts about your trip? (Yes, I’m politely begging…)
Frankly I’m surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did, because typically I prefer quiet places. Not a night-life kind of gal. But there’s such an energy to NYC, it’s hard not to be swept up in it. And like you said, there’s no end of things to do.
I assure you, there will be several posts to come. My concern is that I’ll turn into one of those annoying friends who can’t stop talking about their trip. “And here’s a photo of me with the panhandler…”
It sounds wonderful. I’ve never been, but we’ve talked bout going some year around the holidays. Bet it’s beautiful then!
There were several spots, especially in Central Park, where I thought, “I bet this is beautiful at Christmas!” But I’m not sure I could handle the cold. We get rather spoiled in Phoenix.
Hahaha, it’s probably not worse than Chicago!
This is a great list – makes me want to go there!
It helped that our son had been there multiple times and understood the subway system, I’m not sure how well I would have done without him. But now that I’ve been there, I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Best to have a guide!
Amen x 5.
LOL, what pizza place did you visit if I may ask?!?!😍
In New York we went to John’s of Time Square. Loved it!
In Phoenix we went to Upper Crust Pizza & Wine Bar. What’s funny is that we never noticed until this trip how ALL the pictures on the walls were of New York! We figured the owner must be from there, which probably explains why we like the pizza so much!
Great post…
Thanks!
I love New York my first and second trip I stayed in a area called “hells kitchen”. It wasn’t as bad as it sounds that area I have been told has really been cleaned up although when you get close to the river it’s a rough area New York it’s a big bustling town where something is going on 24/7 and you can find all types of food and cool bars to go to, I went to a country western bar right in Mid Town Manhattan which is something I thought I wouldn’t see. Getting around isn’t a problem because you have the subway and busses and taxi’s and despite what people think New Yorkers are willing to help you if you are lost. I’ll tell my first subway story later. I like the street venders you can get hotdogs, pretzel’s and my favorite knish. I could go on and on about how great NYC is and all it offers but I will shut up
Sounds like we’re of the same mind! I could have written ten posts about the trip, but I had to hold myself back for fear of rambling. There was just so much to see and do! The only bad part was coming back home, because suddenly my life seemed so dull in comparison. It took me a couple weeks to snap out of it. But even then, I’d go back in a heartbeat!
I spent most of my time in Manhattan but there is so much in just that area.
Agreed. It’s hard to get bored in that city, that’s for sure.
This is great! It looks like you really got around the city in such a short amount of time. You’re welcome back anytime to eat and drink and pick up your heart.
Well thanks! I definitely intend on returning, loved it too much not to. Thanks for the welcome!
After traveling (at one point twice a year) every year to this amazing city, we just capitulated to the inevitable and moved out here. And we don’t regret it for a second. Love the post, though if we may be so bold as to correct you, you don’t stop talking pictures even after you go local. 😉
Good on you for moving there! I suspect my son may one day follow you. He’s a biannual visitor right now.
I guess it would be hard not to take pictures even as a local! Though I expect you’d draw the line at taking one of a rat! (Honestly, it was only to prove to coworkers our breakroom rodent is a mouse, not a rat. Maybe now they’ll believe me! 😉 )