Intro

The Empire City. The Big Apple. Gotham. Concrete Jungle. Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, Tony Bennett, among others, have all sang about New York City. The city that needs no introduction by the likes of me. One of the millions of people who have called the NYC area home at one point or another. Washington, D.C. maybe the capital of the US, but to the world, NYC is the heart of the country. A city that you could visit a million times and still see everything in this 13.4 mile island.

Below I am going to regale you of my tales from the city. Best times to travel here. Tips for packing efficiently. Cost saying tricks. And the best sights to see in the city that never sleeps!

Conclusion

New York City might be the concrete jungle but it is also the haven for diversity, culture, cuisine, history, and the arts. Many people find this city overwhelming, which it can be, but it can also be so very magical. A place where the elite and the working class collide, enjoying the same offerings and experiences.

What is great about New York City is, there is no wrong season to go visit. Spring and Fall are gorgeous weather. The summer months come alive in the city with fairs, markets, rooftop bars, and such. The winter is a major draw for the city being lit up for the holiday's. The light show projected on the outside of the Saks Fifth Avenue building. The Christmas Tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center. Masses at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The pop up holiday market and ice skating in Bryant Park. The Radio City Rockettes or the Nutcracker shows. Running the Santa Suit 5k. There is no shortage of things to do even in the colder months. I will tell you, after being in the travel industry for many years in NYC, the cheapest time to travel to New York would be January to February. With that said, be prepared to bundle up and possibly be walking through sludge. Which is New York's version of snow that has turned yellow and black. 

I could go on for hours and hours, pages and pages, on how much I love visiting New York City. There is no shortage of things to do, no matter who is visiting. The above guide just scrapes the surface of things to do in New York as it is ever changing. From the restaurants, museums, shows, and pop-up exhibits. I have been visiting Manhattan for more years than I care to mention and I still have not seen all the city has to offer. 

My parting words for those fearful of trying to keep up with the trends and fashion of New York City, just make sure you have a variety of comfortable clothes and footwear, along with clothing to go out in, layers, and possible rain attire. When your feet are not in pain and frozen, you will be thankful for that.

Quote

“My hometown New York also has a big heart. It doesn’t like to see itself in that way, but we do come together when need be…” Anthony Bourdain

Next on the Blog…

If your interested in visiting other states in the northeast region, rich with culture and history, check out my blog post on the Best Sights in and Around Washington, D.C. as well as 27 Ways for the Best Time in Rhode Island. This maybe not a popular opinion, but I would argue that D.C. is second to NYC in museums and theater. Though Manhattan by far triumphs with cuisine though.