May 2011

14

New York City

by Lia Halsall

Originally we were going to go to Italy & France. But we changed our minds this week due to the Australian Dollar being worth so much more over in America compared to Europe. So the plan now is we’re going to spend two weeks exploring New York City. Winter will be well and truly set in over there when we arrive and I’m really hoping that it’s snowing. I’ve not been exposed to much of it before and would love the opportunity to see it, feel it and play in it. And then there’s my love of all things winter fashion.

NYC has been a dream location of mine to visit for as long as I can remember. One of many actually. Hubby’s going to fly to me and then from there we’ll fly out together into NYC. We’re going to stay somewhere relatively central to everything and then decide on what we’re going to do on a day by day basis. Ground Zero is a must see, especially because of what we do. We want to pay our respects and get a greater appreciation of why we’re doing what we’re doing. It’s a bigger picture type thing for me and something I just feel that I have to do. It’s hard to put into words.

I’m also hoping to catch up with a very dear friend of mine who lives across the border in Canada. We’ve not met face to face before but she’s been a pillar of strength during my grieving process. So I’m really hoping that both our schedules will allow us this wonderful opportunity, fingers crossed.

So if anyone who’s reading this has travelled there before feel free to share your experiences with me. I’d love to hear about them.

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

Vicki Saturday 14 May 11 at 11:07

Hey Lia,
Oohhh I am *SO* jealous – I absolutely adore NYC. I have only been there in the Summer though, so I imagine that winter would be a whole different experience! It would be lovely if it were snowing when you went…I can just imagine being able to ice skate in Central Park :)

OK – so my *must see’s* in the Big Smoke would be (no particular order)
- Ground Zero (which you already mentioned)…when I went it was only 9 months after 9/11 and there was still a lot of the memorabilia up…letters from kids to their parents, firemen hats etc…it was heart wrenching but a very spiritual experience
- Central Park
- Empire State Building
- Catch the ferry over to Liberty and Ellis islands
- Shopping in Macy’s
- See a show at Broadway

I know, many of them you probably already heard but seriously they are my recommendations :)

Hmm…me thinks I might have to book a trip….it’s been way too long!

x

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Lia Halsall Saturday 14 May 11 at 11:11

Vic I didn’t know you’d been to NYC. You learn something new every day, don’t you.

Thanks for all the great recommendations, they’re all going on my list. Some I already had but some I didn’t, so thanks. A Broadway show would be great, I wonder what will be showing when we’re over there. I haven’t seen a live show since Cats in Melbourne. xxx

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Raechelle Saturday 14 May 11 at 16:05

I’ve only been there once and I was 19 at the time…didn’t really do all a person should do when they go to NY-but Vic has already given some great tips…those are absolute must sees! Oh, and NYC pizza is supposed to be primo-so you must indulge in some true NY Italian pizza!

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Lia Halsall Saturday 14 May 11 at 16:48

It would be a crime not to sample some of their finest foods Raechelle. ;) xxx

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Samantha Saturday 14 May 11 at 17:46

Hi Lia
I have been there twice, once in the summer and once in winter (winter trip was 2001) The good thing about a winter trip is you will not queue up for long at most of the tourist attractions! Take a good pair of walking shoes, so much to see and best way to get around is just walking and taking it all in. Enjoy your trip!

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Lia Halsall Saturday 14 May 11 at 21:08

We were thinking along the same lines Sam. Walking everywhere will serve two purposes, sight seeing and burning the calories we consume. ;) xxx

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Michelle Thursday 02 June 11 at 13:08

Hey Lia,
We’ve been to NYC twice, once in 2007 and again in 2008. It’s fantastic.
A big tip if you haven’t booked your accomadation yet is to look at vrbo.com We used them in San Fran and had a whole apartment with laundry, kitchen, study, wifi, leather lounge suites etc for the same price as a hotel. I’ve seen the same thing for new york.
We love the lower-east-side for cute cafes (Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery), SOHO (South of Houston- pron. howston) for shopping, shopping, shopping and Union Square area is great to stay in (or anywhere on the A train line; it goes everywhere). Do get over to Brooklyn too. One of our favourite things to do is to go to Pedro’s in DUMBO (Down under the Manhatten Brooklyn Overpass) 73 Jay St Brooklyn. It’s a tiny hole in the wall mexican bar/restaurant which serves the most potent margehritas around (I don’t drink often but these are worth it) and some pretty full on tasty food. We then stagger our way to the top of Jay St and walk back into Manhatten across the bridge. I know it’ll be cold but a bridge walk is a must.

Maybe also check out Big Apple Greeter. http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/ It’s a free service where local new yorkers meet your at your accomodation, give you a free met card and show you around. Ours took us to ground zero and some of the churches where the memorials are as well as Wall St and the Native American Museum.

Massive list, sorry. I really love NY
Mish

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Lia Halsall Wednesday 08 June 11 at 19:32

That’s heaps of great information, thanks Mish. I’ve already checked out your links and will be using both of them. xxx

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