When In New York...

Our oldest daughter turned 18 this month!!! First off, I still can't believe that I'm old enough to have an 18 yr old kid.... but anyway, ever since she was twelve, we planned on taking a trip together, just me and her, to a place of her choosing when she turned eighteen - out of school, but before college and a full time job! 

She chose New York, NY and we had a great time!

Back before she was born, my ex and I used to drive truck through New York every couple weeks, so I've been there, but up until now I had only experienced it by driving through, which is completely different than being right among the people, walking the sidewalks and taking the subways! There were some things I learned about New York, that was different than I expected. So here we go, in no particular order.... (it's gonna be random!)

 You will spend a lot of time riding the subway. It's not scary. It's fun and relaxing, especially if you like to people watch! It ended up being one of our favorite things about New York! It's true... rats and cockroaches do live in the subway. We saw many of them. The rats didn't bother me... they run down under the tracks. PS. The subway needs better signs and more trash cans.

Central Park isn't nearly as scary as people make you think. It's beautiful! And big! I was told not to go to central park.... well here's the thing about me, if you tell me not to do something, it's pretty much a given that I'm gonna do it.... we went to central park the first night we were in New York and went back another time as well.

When crossing the street, don't watch the crosswalk sign. Watch the cars and the people. Stand in the street, don't stay on the sidewalk or you'll get plowed over.

Road signs are more of a suggestion... people will drive through red lights, stop in the middle of the street, and turn a four lane road into a six lane. People will walk out between cars, and trash trucks will take up the whole street! And you'll hear alot of horns honking!!!

 New Yorkers put all their trash on the streets in the evening. This was one of the things about New York that I didn't like.

 The Museum of Natural History is way over rated and not worth the price of admission, or the time to go through it. It was my biggest disappointment. Also if you want to see exhibits from the 'Night at the Museum movies, don't bother - you won't. There were kids running around, screaming, the exhibits were covered in dust, and I couldn't wait to get out of there!

The ladies bathroom inside Victoria Secret is worth the climb! I'm not a huge Victoria Secret fan, but every lady needs to see it!

 Be ready to walk, and walk and walk. Expect to walk a lot! We averaged over 30,000 steps a day! It's no wonder New Yorkers are fit! When in Mid Manhattan, people walk fast. Don't stop mindlessly on the sidewalk.

 Regardless of what you see in the movies, most New Yorkers don't walk around in high heeled shoes. Penny loafers, ballet flats, and sneakers are the go too.... PS. They carry their heels in a bag. We even saw quite a few business men carry their dress shoes in a bag and wear sneakers.

 The Bushwick Street Art is legit, if you like that kind of thing! We got to watch a few of the artist's and enjoyed talking to one of them.

Mid Manhattan is beautiful. Everyone needs to walk down 5th Ave and visit all the places you hear about.... Tiffany's, Trump Tower, Louis Vuitton, Kaws, Victoria Secret, Gucci, Prada, etc. 

 Some parts of the boughs are questionable.
There were a few places that we probably shouldn't have been out alone in... but we kinda laugh in the face of danger... (just a little) and we loved the adventure!

If you park in Jersey City at the Path - it makes you wonder if your doing the right thing.... but it's fine once your parked. Just remember where you're parked. Also, the total cost of parking ended up being $15 cheaper than they quoted me. It's a great cheap option for staying in the city - park your car and back pack in.

 

 If you are visiting Carrie Bradshaw's apartment in 'Sex and the City', stop by Magnolia Bakery. Their cheesecake is better than the cupcakes! The Carmel Pecan Cheesecake was my favorite! (I even brought one home for the hubby!)

 Don't spend all the time looking at the map that your missing out on the NYC experience! But - It's a good idea to keep a subway map on your phone. You'll need it. By the time we were ready to leave, we had the subway map, stops and directions pretty much down!

 If you visit the raging bull in the financial district at night, there are far less people! While your there... walk by Trinity church and graveyard, Federal Hall and the New York Stock Exchange.

I highly recommend staying at Pod 51! It has small bunk rooms with shared bathrooms, and an amazing rooftop deck. (My only complaint is I wish the rooms had a floor length mirror and it would be nice to have a shelf or stool in the bathroom to lay your clothes/towel, on when your in the shower.) Our room was #406 with a street view, was clean and in a perfect location. There was an outdoor garden/waterfall across the street. It was 2 blocks from the main 6 subway. And in a nice neighborhood.

Take the FREE tram to Roosevelt Island... you'll get a good view of the city and you can see the old smallpox hospital ruins and the lab where vaccines were originally tested. As well as the lighthouse. There is a FREE red bus that will take you around the island.

There are a lot of musicians playing in the subways. I loved the music! Some were better than others - this one guy in particular was really, really good, both singing and playing the piano. He would stop playing and talk to every person that gave him cash. He had a genuine spirit about him... Faith even got a hug!

If you visit Chinatown you should eat at the Nom Wah Tea Parlor - it was New York's first dim sum house and opened in 1920. It is also located on Doyers Street which became the deadliest street in American history, known as The Bloody Angle. We were there at night, and it was kinda cool! The Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is a fun place if your adventurous.... at $5 a scoop, it’s a bit pricey, but they have unusual flavors like ginger, wasabi, and black sesame seed. We tasted rose, Chi tea, kidney bean, and more... When in Chinatown, people walk slow....

If visiting the Modern Art Museum, be sure to visit the MOMA Design Store..... they have some cool items on display to purchase. We were disappointed that two floors  of the Museum were closed for remodel while we were there. The Museum was nice, but honestly, I'd have rather went to the MET.

New Yorker's live on coffee and coke...... If you ask for a diet Mt. Dew, people pretty much think you're crazy... the only place we ever saw Mt. Dew was in CVS. It was fine for Faith, she can live on coffee... but I get grumpy if I can't have my diet dew! So I had to go to CVS a few times.

Time Square is pretty much exactly like what you've heard about.... but with a lot more people..... it was pretty neat seeing all the lights and walking in the crowds!

Go to St Patrick's Cathedral during a service..... the organ music is awesome! PS. Pictures really don't begin to do it Justice. Although I am an Independent Baptist, when it comes to churches and reverence, Catholics have it right!

Top of the Rock has an amazing view, but for the money.... it looked just like pics you see online. I'm still glad we went, but looking back it was a lot of money for how little time we spent there.

The architect in New York City is on point! I loved the marble in New York City Public Library, the arches, the columns at St Patrick's Cathedral. The Plaza Hotel, the Frick Collection..... etc. The majesticness of it, makes you feel like you're a part of history.

Make sure you have a portable charger. You'll need it. 

Overall, New Yorkers are quiet, friendly people.... it's the tourists that are rowdy and won't shut up.... and kinda rude. All New Yorkers wear ear buds.

You will hear much more of other languages than English. My daughter loved this.... she likes the coming together/melting pot idea. I don't. If you come to our country, speak our language. Period.

The Brooklyn Bridge isn't nearly as romantic as I thought it would be.... I mean it was cool and worth the walk, just watch out for the speeding bikes, runners, and tourists.

If you want to see the flags at United Nations Head Quarters, get there before 4 pm. We got there about an hour too late, so we only saw empty flag poles. The 193 flags are raised every morning at 8 am and lowered every day at 4pm.

There is food everywhere! There are restaurants and street carts everywhere you go. Seriously, you never have to think of what you want to eat, because the choices are always in front of you! My favorite was the fruit stands, Faith got a lb. of fresh sweet cherry's one night. We tried a NY cony dog from a vending cart.... it was good, the pretzel was pretty horrible, and we never did get our slice of NY pizza.

And while we are on the subject of food.... take the time to go to the local places! One night we got all dressed up and went to La Lanterna di Vittorio. It was a nice authentic Italian restaurant with tea lights, an outdoor garden and jazz music from The Bar Next Door playing downstairs. It was hard to read the french menu in the dimly lit room and we ended up ordering some things we weren't expecting, but the food was great! It was a perfect evening out on the town!

Make sure you take time to chill. We had a five day jam packed itinerary and and our days were LONG. So by mid day, we'd head back to pod51 and enjoy some alone time, watch TV, text the hubby, eat snacks on the rooftop, and change our clothes.... it really helped give us a breather, before we headed out again for the afternoon/evening. New York City is different at night than during the day.... I liked both, but late nights were my favorite!

 (Let me insert here.... I love my kid, and I'm pretty sure she loves me, but we are two completely different types of personality, so by mid afternoon, we needed a break from each other.... just to be.)

Ride the FREE Staten Island Ferry. For the best views of New York City and the Statue of Liberty, board the starboard side and go to the 2nd deck in the back.... We were going to ride again during the day, but simply didn't have the time.

You most likely won't have time to see everything on your list. We had to cross a few things off, like the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, The 911 Memorial, The High line, and The Met Museums.

Take time to see things that are unique to you. My maiden name is Frick, so I wanted to see the Frick Collection and Henry Clay Frick's Home. (Incase you're wondering - he is my 9th cousin 2x removed!!!)

Faith is learning to speak Korean, and really wanted to spend time in Korea town. It isn't very big, but its modern and has great tasting food! If you like Kpop, stop by Koryo Books. We visited Korea town twice and I had my first Bulgogi (which I loved) and a Churro!

We also stopped in Centrailia, PA to see Graffiti Highway on the way home. We took our own spray paint and left our mark... I did a little FREE advertising while we were there.

We loved the nights, all the people, and the lights of the City.... it was quite different for two country girls, who live in the middle of nowhere! And yes, we'd definitely like to go back!

So how about you? Have you visited New York City? If so, what things about it surprised you? If not, would you go?

*More pics can be seen on our Instagram Highlights here and here!