If you haven't read up on day 1, be sure to check it out here. Day two was by far our busiest day in New York City and I
think it was the day that we realised that we vastly underestimated the size of
this city.
Andrew’s Coffee Shop
We began the day on empty stomachs, deciding to walk to the
Empire State Building first and just get breakfast around there. Now remember around
10 seconds ago when I said that we didn’t realise how big Manhattan was, turns
out 20 blocks is slightly more than a quick walk.
Despite this, this place was amazing! I had banana pancakes
and fresh orange juice and for somewhere so close to the Empire State Building,
this place was way less expensive than it could of (and in my opinion, should
of) been. We had to wait only a few minutes before getting a table and our food
came as quickly as it disappeared from our plates. Honestly, if you’re anywhere
near 34th Street and 7th Avenue, pop into here and you
won’t regret it!
Empire State Building
We went to the Empire State Building twice on our second day
in New York, once mid-morning and once at night. We were able to do this as
prior to our trip, we bought the CityPASS which honestly is a life saver. This
pass not only saves you money but it makes your trips into different attractions
so much quicker and stress free. If you know that you want to go to all the
main tourist-y spots, I would definitely recommend you do this as you still
have a lot of flexibility of when you visit each of the attractions so I can
see it working for almost everyone.
I feel like my first reaction to it was that it was so much
smaller than I had expected it to be. Whilst inside, I loved the art deco feel.
Despite this being one of New York’s most famed landmarks, I would definitely
say not to go if you had children with you as there was long queues and whilst
on the observation deck, there is a sort of ‘push your way to the very front
without acknowledging anyone else’ attitude. However, the views from here were
incredible. It made me feel like I was a giant as everything looked so tiny
from so high up; so worth the visit. If I could chose a time to go, I would
chose the night as I think it was so pretty seeing all the buildings lit up. It
gives you such a different perspective of the city as a whole compared to what
you see on the ground and honestly is phenomenal.
Rockefeller Centre and Top of the Rock
When it’s the middle of summer, New York is experiencing a
heatwave, and you’ve just walked 15 blocks at 12.00, the Rockefeller Centre is
what I imagine as heaven on earth. If you’re on Fifth Avenue and need a place
to stop for lunch or a quick break, take a stop in here and you’ll be dandy.
The Rockefeller Centre is full of lots of little cafés and restaurants as well
as some shops you can peruse upstairs so it’s great for a little stop midday.
At the top of the Rockefeller Centre is the Top of the Rock
observation centre which I think, dare I say it, I preferred to the Empire
State Building. This is because they give out timed tickets so you aren’t waiting
in queues and the deck itself is so much bigger which prevents crowding and
means for a much more pleasant experience. You also get amazing views of
central park and the Empire State Building so this would for sure be up there
if I created a list of places you needed to visit in NYC.
Tiffany’s 5th Avenue
 |
| Oh don't mind me just pretending to be Audrey Hepburn whilst welling up in the middle of Manhattan |
When we decided to go to New York, this was somewhere I knew
I absolutely had to go. As someone who has been pretty much obsessed with the
film ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and Audrey Hepburn for most of her life, even
seeing the store made me well up. As much as I would have loved to grab a croissant
and a tea (something which is seemingly hard to come by in New York) and
channel my inner Holly Golightly, just walking in the store felt magical. The
staff here were lovely and always willing to help (both times we went) and
basically everything in this shop is beautiful. I don’t think this is one of
the places you have to visit, unless you’re as obsessed with that film/novella
as I am, as unless you wanted to buy something, I can see many people using
that time on another tourist attraction and it being a better use of their
time. But if you’re in the area and fancy a wander in, go for it, but also
prepare for your bank account to feel some pain.
Stay tuned for day three tomorrow!
No comments:
Post a Comment