I was never sure how I would feel about the “city that never sleeps” when I often prefer the quiet of the country. I am so grateful someone included me in their plans to visit New York City, because now I can say with enthusiasm that I love it!
The first time I stood in Times Square I surely must have looked like a tourist with my mouth hanging open in amazement. The buildings are enormous, and the constant video advertisements that span the length and height of some of them is unlike anything else I have ever seen! Everything you have ever heard about the bustling crowds and horn-honking cab drivers of Manhattan is absolutely true. It is like an amusement park that never closes – as illuminated at two o’clock in the morning as it is at midday. Add to this the excitement of visiting famous landmarks and consuming delicious New York pizza, bagels, pretzels, and cheesecake, and you have yourself a trip well worth taking!
The planning of a trip to New York can quickly become overwhelming. It can be difficult to even know where to begin to incorporate so many experiences into a workable plan. In an effort to help you unravel this task, I decided to share with you a (rather long) article detailing my experiences there. I have also provided a suggested three-day itinerary at the end of this article that can be customized to fit your personal preferences. Please remember it will still be necessary to check current time schedules before making your final arrangements.
The more you know before you go, the more confident (and less stressed) your journey will be. Before we dive into the sights (please stay tuned for that!) here are some tips I hope you find helpful:
- Plan as far in advance as possible to purchase good seats for Broadway and tickets to popular attractions that could sell out.
- Study the layout of Manhattan and the Subway System (More on this to follow.)
- Study the lists of TSA items approved and banned for flights to minimize travel delays.
- Do some exercising and walking to build stamina. You are going to be glad you did! And take very comfortable walking shoes. One day we walked over ten miles! If you are on the move to experience all you can, the daily average could be around five miles.
- If you are traveling in a group or family, find out what each person desires to experience the most, and be sure to incorporate that into your plan.
The New York City Subway System
By far the most confusing (and potentially stressful) part of traveling to NYC can be navigating the Subway System. Spend time studying the map and various stops along the lines. Also, make use of good apps like Moovit and NYC Subway to plot your rides when you are there. Here are some things I have learned that you may find beneficial:
- The subway trains are labeled by letters or numbers. Locals refer to them as “the 1” or “the Q” and not by the color of the line on the map. If you need to ask for directions, this is helpful.
- There may be several subway stations with the same name (i.e., Canal Street) so pay attention to the location of the station for the train you are riding. Choose the one closest to your destination to avoid unnecessary walking.
- Subway stations are sometimes difficult to spot. They may be marked with a green or green/white globe or they may be part of a storefront. The apps will help with finding them, but looking for them as you walk is a great idea.
- Tickets are required for traveling on the subway. (I understand the same ticket may be used for the city bus, but I do not have experience with this.) Although you can buy a ticket with an attached dollar amount that decreases with each ride, if you are planning to stay more than a couple of days you should get the unlimited 7-day ticket. Tickets can be purchased in the subway stations. Once you have a ticket, you will swipe it to go through the turnstyle. TIP: Swipe pretty quickly (as though you were walking through without stopping) for the best result. If it cannot read your ticket after three tries, you will likely need to wait several minutes before trying again. Going to a different turnstyle will not help. You do not need to swipe again when leaving the station. Also, please note most turnstyles spin for entrances and exits.
- Signs throughout the station will indicate where the track for your train is located. Up and down arrows on the signs indicate ascending or descending stairways, and the arrows apply to everything on the sign. Once you have arrived at the correct track location, a sign above the platform will confirm the destination. These usually have the last stop of the line listed, which can be checked against your map. When the train arrives, move quickly into the car. Subways are often crowded, so be prepared to surrender your personal space bubble to strangers.
- Perhaps the most beneficial part of my subway travel study was understanding the areas of Manhattan – Uptown, Midtown, Downtown. Trains go both directions (think of the direction of the cars on the street above the station) and sometimes the track for the opposite direction is not connected underground. The station may be across the street. Knowing which direction you need to go from where you are currently helps more than I can say. It will keep you from entering a wrong station or (in my case) ending up in Queens where you never planned to go.
I really hope this information is helpful and does not deter you from your adventure. It is a little tricky, but it is so worth the effort!
Hotels
If you are able to book a hotel in Times Square, I highly recommend doing so. Besides the territorial excitement of the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue, you will be in the center of the fun and in short walking distance from subway stations, restaurants, and places to shop. 
A room with a view is wonderful, but it is not necessary. You are not likely to spend much time in your room, and the thrill is greater at street level anyway. The last time John and I visited New York, we stayed at the Marriott Marquis on Broadway between 45th and 46th. (Useful tip: Use intersections instead of addresses when giving a destination to a driver.) The Marriott is conveniently close to the 42nd Street subway station and next door to Junior’s Diner where we ate several times!
Now on to the fun stuff! There is SO much more to experience than what is listed here, but these are experiences I plan to repeat. I am sure you will enjoy exploring and creating your own list of favorites!
Food!
For breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert try Junior’s Diner on 45th! This bustling diner boasts a wide variety of comfort food menu items for every meal, so you will almost certainly find something appealing. I have always heard of the deliciousness of New York bagels and New York cheesecake, and I declare this place must take the blue ribbon for both!
Downstairs from the grand lobby of The Plaza Hotel (where Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was filmed) is a gourmet Plaza Food Hall. Stop by Todd English and order a pastrami on rye (I prefer it without sauerkraut) and I promise your taste buds will thank you!
For some dinner fun, walk to Ellen’s Stardust Diner at the corner of Broadway and 51st. Reservations are not accepted, so be prepared to wait a while for a table at this wildly popular restaurant. Once inside, you will hear some amazing talent as Broadway’s young hopefuls bounce back and forth between performing and serving tables!
There are also many popular chain restaurants and fast food places in and around Times Square as well as a variety of street vendors, pizza restaurants, and delis. Eating is part of the fun, so enjoy!
Shopping!
Along the streets of New York you will find a continuous buffet line of stores ranging from tourist souvenir shops to upscale boutiques. There is truly no end to the shopping experience!
I enjoy visiting Macy’s on 34th Street (the backdrop of the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade) because I love the classic Christmas movie that highlights this iconic department store. The store is massive and covers several stories.
No trip to New York would be complete without a stop in Chinatown. It truly feels as though you step into a foreign country when you ascend from the subway station there. The store signs are written in Chinese with English subtitles. The majority of the people are Chinese, and the markets contain foods from their culture – many of which I did not even recognize!
As soon as you exit the subway station, it is likely that you will be approached by people selling knockoff purses, sunglasses, and jewelry of popular brand names. If you are interested in negotiating a deal on any of these items, you will need to follow them to the side street where their storeroom is located. You will be given a phone or laminated card that displays the items available. Once you choose the item you would like to see, they will go get it and bring it back to you. The first price they give you is very negotiable, so counter-offer until you reach their bottom line. Payment is (of course) made in cash only, so be prepared for that. While in Chinatown, you may want to eat at a local restaurant. All restaurants have a health inspection scorecard displayed in the window, which I found comforting. If you visit Mulberry Street, try the cream puffs at the Lung Moon Bakery!
Disney fans like me will thoroughly enjoy a visit to the massive Disney Store in Times Square where brand items that are not sold elsewhere – like the Statue of Liberty Minnie Mouse – can be found. Chocolate lovers will be wowed by the Hershey’s Chocolate World, and be sure to visit M&M’s World to try new flavors not yet produced publicly.
Sightseeing!
Perhaps the most iconic and patriotic site in all of New York is the Statue of Liberty. After seeing pictures of that majestic lady my entire life, I was still unprepared for the awe and wonder I would feel when I finally laid eyes on her for myself. 
True American patriots should not miss the opportunity to feel so connected to this symbol of our freedom. To view Lady Liberty’s magnificence up close, you will need a ticket to ride a ferry across to the island. We used Statue Cruises. Book this one early for your choice of time slots. Access to the interior of the statue (museum, pedestal, and crown) requires an additional ticket purchase and sells out quickly. (If you choose “crown” access, be forewarned that it requires a 10-story ascension up a steep and winding staircase!) The ferry ride back to New York also offers an opportunity to disembark for a visit to Ellis Island, the gateway to freedom for many early immigrants, but I have not yet been there. (Another thing to keep in mind is there are ferries for New Jersey as well as New York. Be sure to catch the right one!)
An equally patriotic site, though an entirely somber one, is the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. The two eternal fountains outside that mark the locations of the original 
towers are surrounded by black marble walls displaying the names of those who lost their lives on what may be the darkest day in American history. You may notice white roses placed on some of the names in recognition of that person’s birthday. Inside the museum are many photos, videos, news broadcasts, relics, and personal effects that provide insight into the story of that horrific day. Be prepared for the solemn sights that will weigh heavy on your heart and mind for some time to come. Tears are common here. This site may not be appropriate for very young children, but I believe all other Americans should visit it at least once.
There are two good options for a high rise view of Manhattan, the Empire State 
Building and Top Of The Rock at Rockefeller Center, and I suggest you visit at least one of them. I have been to both, and my personal favorite was the Empire State Building. This could largely be attributed to my love for historical sites. I have heard of this iconic New York building all of my life and seen it in movies. I also enjoyed the photo displays of the construction of this tower which was innovatively superior in its glory days. Do research on both buildings to decide which one you feel you would enjoy the most, but be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to see the city in this way.
One of the things that always astounds me when I visit New York is the lack of grass and trees. It has not been deemed a “concrete jungle” incorrectly, and It is the exact opposite of my city with its green lawns and forests. If you want to find beautiful grassy landscapes in Manhattan, you will need to visit Central Park. The serenity is relaxing, and the scenery is breathtaking, along the walking paths of this 840 acre park. There are many activities offered in the park, so be sure to research them to find the ones you would enjoy most.
Some of my other favorite sites to visit are Trump Tower, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Grand Central Station, and I am certain the list will grow with each visit!
It is worth noting that Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is not so very far from Manhattan. If you have an extra day for travel, you may wish to visit Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and various other sites near Independence Square. It is quite convenient to board an Amtrak train at Penn Station in New York and ride to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. (Accelerated trains provide shorter ride times, so look for those!) You will need to take a subway or taxi/Uber to the historical sites once you arrive at the station. History lovers and American patriots will definitely enjoy standing in the room where our Declaration of Independence was written!
Itinerary!
If time and funds permit, a week in Manhattan (although much more expensive) would afford a more relaxed pace than the suggested itinerary I will provide here. Following this itinerary will require a bustling pace (you will feel right at home with the locals!) but it will enable you to incorporate many experiences into just three days.
DAY ONE
Arrive mid-morning at La Guardia Airport and retrieve baggage
Connect with ground transportation provider
Arrive in Times Square and check in at hotel
Walk to 49 St Subway Station (written as SS after this)
Purchase subway passes (7-Day Unlimited is best option)
Take the N or R Uptown to 57 St-7 Av SS
Central Park
The Plaza Hotel
Lunch in The Plaza Hotel Food Hall
Walk 5th Avenue
Trump Tower
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Walk W 50th Street
Rockefeller Center
Hot Chocolate at Godiva Chocolatier
Turn Left on 7th Avenue
M&M’s World
Hershey’s Chocolate World
Disney Store
Rest/Refresh at Hotel
Walk to Ellen’s Stardust Diner for Dinner
Return to Hotel
DAY TWO
Breakfast at Junior’s Diner (Busy day! Eat a big breakfast!)
Walk to Times Square-42 St SS
Take the 1 Downtown to South Ferry SS
Statue Cruises (Pick up tickets at Will Call office)
Statue of Liberty
Walk to SS (same one)
Take the 1 Uptown to WTC Cortlandt
(Huge building with shopping – ask for directions to exit closest to museum)
9/11 Memorial and Museum
Walk to Cortlandt St SS (corner of Dey St. and Church St.)
Take the R Uptown to Canal Street SS
China Town and Little Italy
Cream Puffs from Lung Moon Bakery on Mulberry Street
Walk to Canal St SS
Take the N or Q Uptown to Times Square-42 St SS
Dinner (and dessert!) at Junior’s Diner
DAY THREE
Breakfast at McDonald’s (Times Square)
Walk to Times Sq-42 St SS
Take the 7 toward Flushing-Main St to Grand Central-42 St SS
Grand Central Station
Take the 6 from the Grand Central-42 St SS downtown to the 33 St SS
Walk to Empire State Building on 34th Street
Continue on 34th Street and walk to Macy’s
(Stop for fast food lunch at anyplace that looks appealing.)
Walk to 34 Street-Penn Station SS
Take the 1 Downton to 23 Street SS
Walk to Kleinfeld Bridal on 20th Street
Walk back to SS and take the 1 Uptown to Times Square-42 St SS
Carlo’s Bakery is on 42nd and 8th in walking distance from the hotel
Rest/Refresh/Shop
Dinner at Olive Garden or other nearby restaurant
Walk to Radio City Music Hall (corner of 6th and 50th) or Broadway for a spectacular show like Wicked, which I have seen twice and enjoyed immensely.
Rockefeller Center at night
Walk to Hotel
DAY FOUR
Depart for LaGuardia Airport and home with lots of good memories.
I hope you have found this article to be very helpful. I also hope that if you have ever thought of visiting New York City you will make plans very soon to go! It is definitely an adventure worth taking!
Happy and safe travels to you!
