Since I was a little girl, I've always been mesmerized by being surrounded by tall buildings and skyscrapers. So naturally, New York City became a peculiar obsession of mine. Disclaimer: I may or may not over-hype this city if you've never been. People either hate it or love it. I, however, am UN-apologetically head over heels in love with the Big Apple. I haven't seen nearly as much as I want of it, but I've seen enough to want to keep coming back, and as soon as possible. Anyone who follows me on Instagram can vouch for the fact that I'm a little too obsessed with the city because of the amount of pictures I've taken and posted (and I take and post a lot of pictures in general so my NYC pictures were record-breaking). Because I had such an excess (and I didn't want to over-saturate my Instagram feed), I thought why not make a blog post about my favorite city in the world (and yes in 2 parts because I have way too much content). There's so much history, liveliness and culture embedded into every street, and I hope that comes across in the photographs I've taken. All of my pictures are from August 2017 (I went with my family for my 21st birthday). So please enjoy and maybe you'll even find it useful if you're planning a trip there in the near future.
The Hilton, Midtown
If you're coming to NYC solely to be a tourist, the Hilton hotel in Midtown is perfect. Because of it's central location, it made sight-seeing a breeze. We were never too far away from anything. Right outside our hotel was the first ever Halal Guy's stand. I made the grave mistake of not trying it and I have all the regrets. The LOVE sculpture that everyone loves taking pictures with was across the street as well. Of course, there's never a bad view in NYC and the one from our hotel room didn't disappoint. Every morning we'd walk across the street to get breakfast from one of the cutest Starbucks I've ever witnessed. The walls were all glass windows, and the view of the city could be seen from every angle.
Grand Central Terminal
Just to be clear, Grand Central Terminal is more than just a railroad terminal. It's filled with cute shops and places to eat as well. The architecture is beautiful, and as it's name suggests "grand." As you enter the terminal, you can feel the years of history that resonates between the walls.
Times Square
Times Square is way better at night even though nighttime is peak time so it's the most crowded. The lights, the billboards, the atmosphere. It's lively and animated and it's hard to get bored here. There's an M&M World and a Hershey's Chocolate World as well. At the heart of Times Square you can also find Madam Tussaud's. I've been to the one in Vegas, but this one far exceeded it in every way. The wait is dreadful so I definitely recommend buying tickets ahead of time. Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum is located next door, but unfortunately I wasn't able to check it out.
Rockefeller Center
The Top of the Rock was probably one of my favorite views in all of NYC. It's an observation deck located at the top of Rockefeller Center. We also grabbed an early dinner beforehand, below Rockefeller Plaza, where all the flags were flying. The food was overpriced but the atmosphere around us was blissful.
The Morgan Library and Museum
Close to Grand Central Terminal is the Morgan Library and Museum. The main purpose I decided to check this out was for Pierpont Morgan's 1906 library. It's located in Murray Hill on Madison Avenue. The private library made public by his son, was owned by J.P. Morgan, the banker. We decided to walk through Murray Hill and if you get the chance, I highly recommend this. The neighborhood is filled with so much character and the cutest houses. The library itself was beautiful and the details were antique and intricate.
The Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel was a must see for me since I grew up watching Home Alone 2 and Eloise at the Plaza. It's as luxurious as is sounds and looks in the movies. Part of the hotel is closed off to the public so don't expect to walk right into the lobby. There is a restaurant you can access and we actually stumbled upon an upscale food court located downstairs, but that's about all we saw of it.
Central Park
I could spend the whole day at Central Park and it still wouldn't be enough time. The park is massive and there's so much to do. Be prepared to WALK. At the center of the park is Bethesda Fountain, and the area surrounding it is beautiful and serene. It's crazy to think this park is located in the middle of a busy city because once you're there you won't feel like you are. Strolling through the park feels like a little adventure. There are street performers, unique art vendors, bike riding, horse carriages- you name it. I also made it a point to see Belvedere Castle. The view from the top is breathtaking but it's not an actual castle you can walk through.
Black Tap
A friend of mine had told me I couldn't leave NYC without trying Black Tap. They're famous for their tasty burgers and massive milkshakes. Let's just say, we were not disappointed. Be prepared to stand in a line out the door, but it's worth it. We liked it so much we went back again before we left.
The Empire State Building
One of the most famous buildings in the world, let alone the Big Apple. The Empire State Building is a beauty. It's observation deck is always packed with people, but again the view is worth it. As you make your way up to the top, they keep you entertained with the building's history and fun facts. I felt as if I was getting on a ride at Universal Studios. We went at night, and the view from the top is incredible. Seeing the city lit up like that is hard to put in words, but I was nothing short of awestruck.
Stay Tuned for Part II of II.
-love Sof
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