NYC for Thanks Giving

Among family affairs, I was able to spend a considerable time travelling and sightseeing over Thanks Giving. With only a week or two after celebrating my twenty-first birthday, what better place than NYC?!

When I descended on the airplane early in the morning after catching my flight from Phoenix the evening before, the sun had already risen but the sky was still being lit up from the city lights. It wasn't long before I was whisked off in a limousine heading to the bright lights and a comfy bed awaiting me in the New Yorker Hotel.

Dining in 

I could not fault the location of the New Yorker Hotel one bit. Opposite Madison Square Gardens, I certainly would recommend it to the avid tourist. It's walking distance to most destinations in Manhattan, and situated right next to a subway stop for the what-would-be-treks to South Ferry to board and see the Green Lady in all her beauty. Forty stories high, it's easy to be immersed in the silence of the sky, except for the occasional siren. 

With just a quick nap to begin the day, the adventure began at lunchtime. Onwards and upwards in the Empire State Building. Despite fighting with the gusts of wind, the views were spectacular just as sunset began. That evening, we walked to what would be my first experience of Times Square. 

View from Empire State Building

For me, one of my favourite moments was Central Park, to be immersed in city life yet so close you feel as though you're in the countryside was perfect. At this moment, all my homesickness woes went away. I had missed trees, grass, squirrels, those little things we take the most for granted, I had missed. I am so used to walking out my flat door to the blazing heat and dust, it felt great to be in a place which felt like UK soil. 

Central Park

Whilst in the vicinity, we took a trip to Central Park Zoo. However small the zoo was, the California Sea Lion feeding was the highlight for me. One in particular stole my heart straight away. Blind in both eyes, Breezy is an old but intelligent individual, very clever and entertaining the crowd regardless of her disability.

Breezy

As an avid chick flick movie fan, the trip to Grand Central Station was essential to the New York experience. The building was smaller than what I had initially thought it would be, however it was just as bustling. It was easy to distinguish the tourists from the commuters from the walking speeds. I was in awe – London King’s Cross/ St Pancras was nothing compared to this place except for Platform 9 ¾ of course.

Another iconic building which springs to mind when I think of New York is The Flatiron Building possibly due to its appearance in the Spider-Man films. Therefore I couldn't leave the Big Apple without having seen it. However, spectacular winds and rain meant a rather unpleasant journey towards the Flatiron Building and I was rather content with just a few moments looking before heading back into the dry.

Due to the great location of the New Yorker hotel, it meant a great proximity to Macy’s Thanks Giving Parade. It’s hard to imagine the amount of people that visited Manhattan just for the parade, as this was the first Thanks Giving I have celebrated alongside my mum and sister. People were so eager to stand at the roadside, many were closed off and it was hard to see what was going on. However, the large balloons and ballonicles meant that those standing even a few blocks away from the action could see them between the skyscrapers. The dusting of snow on the morning of Thanks Giving made the atmosphere even more magical. The freezing cold soon saw us move into a small café for breakfast and warmth.

Boarding the ferry to Ellis Island on the penultimate day in NYC, the weather certainly reminded me of miserable England! Although the reminder certainly put a little smile on my face. The ferry was a great platform for photos of The Statue of Liberty to be taken even though the top deck really took your breath away due to the freezing temperatures. Before my visit to New York, I wasn’t the most educated about the city, however one of the most interesting parts for me was Ellis Island where 12 million immigrants visited in order to attain the American dream. The self-guided tour allowed you to go at your own pace as you experienced what it would have been like to arrive at Ellis Island and follow individual stories.

On the ferry to Ellis Island

That afternoon we walked to the 9/11 Memorial which was just breath-taking.

What better way than to spend the last evening watching Mamma Mia on Broadway in our own box which I absolutely loved. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and so had high expectations for the musical, since it was being shown on Broadway it had to be good! We bought last minute tickets which is what I would recommend to tourists. With it being Thanks Giving weekend anyway, we were expecting it to be busy anyway, however this worked perfectly for us. The cast were incredibly talented and were commended with a standing ovation.

My favourite photo I took whilst being in NYC

 I think I love NYC as much as I enjoy visiting London, despite different histories and ages. It may just been the bustle of the city that makes me feel alive. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay here and wouldn't have changed my trip for the world. I definitely recommend visiting the city, as it certainly is something on most people's bucketlists. Hopefully this blog gave you a slight snapshot of my journey and feelings as I explore another culture and way of life.