Postponed in 2020 because of this pesky Covid. But this year, Atis and I were set on traveling. Set on going to New York. The concrete jungle. The state of mind. The city that never sleeps! Though I slept a lot lol.
This is our first time in New York and is the only state that I really wanted to visit in the US. I watched Gossip Girl a million times. My favorite Christmas movie is Home Alone, the New York one. The big city and skyscrapers are very alluring. I guess living in Hawaii my whole life had me dreaming about the big city, the hustle & bustle on the east coast. At least for 2 weeks.
We were able to visit everything on our list. This trip wasn’t as itinerary-filled as all my previous ones. It was a more relaxed excursion with room for spontaneity. Atis definitely prefers it over a jammed-packed schedule. I mean, most of the time we started our days just before 5… PM lol.
5th Ave
Christmas trees and glistening lights, yes, we went during the holidays. Ten days before Christmas Eve. It was very crowded, especially around Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue where it’s dripping with Christmas decor. It was the earliest we could go because Atis still had classes to teach. And we didn’t want to go later, entering the New Year. It would’ve been worse. But we expected the large crowds and prepared for it. Always be prepared!
The Saks light show was cute. It was scheduled every 30 minutes, but it seemed like they put it on whenever they wanted. After one show, we waited only 5 minutes for the next one, then 15 minutes, then 10 minutes. That or it didn’t feel like a 30-minute wait. Lucky us!
Edge NYC
I was most excited to visit Edge NYC. The protruding observation deck is 100-stories-high, with a glass floor, and 360-degree views of the concrete jungle 😲
We went right when the sun was setting. Again, it was packed! But the views were worth it. Just this once though lol. We got to see all of New York - One World Trade Center, Empire State Building, Statue Of Liberty, Hudson River, and everything in between. And everything in between was super windy 💨
We purchased the souvenir photographs. You have the option of purchasing just the photos or the photo album. We opted for the album. That last photo cracks me up 🤣
Tips / Need to know
Purchase tickets online! Do this for everything! Reserve your spot before you go.
Best to go during their very first time slot. Your ticket time allows for an hour, but you can stay for as long as you like, or at least till closing. That’s the reason why it’s soo crowded, an accumulation of the hours before you. Therefore, be one of the firsts to get there.
Going during peak days and sunsets will be a bit pricier. I dodged the higher prices by going on a Thursday and picking the time slot after their very last indicated sunset time. The sun was actually setting right during my ticket time. Check weather apps for sunset times.
Best not to wear hats or flappy clothing, it’s really windy.
There’s a glass floor in the middle of the observation deck. It felt sturdy, but the thought of the glass cracking from all these people walking on it got me weak in the knees 😬
Rockefeller Center
During this time, 50th Street between 5th & 6th Avenue was closed off for all the foot traffic. Everyone wanted a picture of the Rockefeller building, its Christmas tree, and the ice rink. It was crowded. *Drink every time I say crowded.* But I finally got to see the Rock, with the Christmas tree, with the ice rink. Magical.
We got to skate in the iconic Rockefeller Ice Rink. Loved it. Loved it even more becuase…
He proposed!
I said yes, obviously.
I love him 😍
Atis proposed to me. I cried and I can’t believe I cried 😭 Ten years together and we are ready to tie the knot. Everyone there cheered for us, from the rink all the way to 5th Ave lol. Thanks, everyone!
Ice skating is our thing now. We are going to ice skate around the world. So far we did it in Germany, now New York. Where to next? Lol.
Rockefeller Ice Rink Tips
Purchase tickets online and ahead of time! I purchased ours a month and a half before, just to be safe. But I also scoped out availability a week before and it was already sold out.
Similar to Edge NYC, ticket prices are higher during peak days/hours.
Your ticket time allows for an hour, and unlike Edge, you get to stay for only an hour. Good management. The rink wasn’t crowded. Thank goodness!
Chelsea Market
There were so many restaurants to choose from, but we found an oyster bar!
We found Lobster Place that has fresh oysters, clams, sea urchins, shrimps, lobsters, crabs, all these shellfish! It’s a food court setting, so you can seat yourself, no need reservations. We ordered like 5 trays of oysters. It’s Atis’ favorite place now.
Brooklyn Bridge
This trip wasn’t as cold as I anticipated. I bought a whole box of Hot Hands warmers assuming it’d be freezing, but it was mostly in the low 60’s. However, the day we went to Brooklyn, was a cold one. It was in the low 30’s and dipped in the 20’s 🥶Crossing the bridge was fine because we were exerting some heat from walking that mile-long structure. Once we got closer to the water, we felt that icy chill.
Only 1.1 miles long, basically a 20-minute walk. We didn’t notice its distance because we were too busy taking pics.
Again, it was crowded. Got there around 1PM and so did everyone else. Trying to keep my composure 😤
Got to the piers near the bridge and it was peaceful. Finally. Away from the crowds.
Statue Of Liberty Viewpoint
We actually didn’t plan on going to Liberty Island. I thought we could see the Statue Of Liberty from this viewpoint. I mean… we can lol. The ferry looked crowded and probably booked for the day. Maybe next time.
New York Stock Exchange
One World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial
Central Park
I actually planned Central Park for our first day. We ended up going on our last day, at the last minute. Like right before heading to the airport lol.
This park reminds me of Baguio in the Philippines. It’s cold and smells like horses lol. I saw squirrels for the first time 🥺
So, I finally got to visit New York. It did not disappoint. I like the big city vibe. I like just walking and sightseeing and there was a lot to see in New York, and I loved that about it. By the way, I walked 20,000+ steps a day 😳 We used the subways to get around, but even walking to a station can be a journey.
We also swung by Times Square, Winter Village in Bryant Park, Chinatown, and other places but didn’t take many pictures. Just wanted to take it in, ya’ know?
Going during the holidays and during a pandemic wasn’t as hectic because we prepared for it. Did our research - reservations, transportation, places to eat, prices, etc. Also, Atis and I are fully vaccinated and got our booster shots; this helps tremendously when coming back to Hawaii.
Alright! Till the next excursion! I have a wedding to plan!