Let’s Go To: New York, New York

I usually have a great introduction in mind when I’m writing a post and full of ideas but this time around, New York blew me away so much so I have no idea how to start this. My brain is teeming with things I want to talk about because simply put, New York is amazing! Is that good enough? Seems like an understatement. Here we go….

The view from my Times Square hotel.

The first few days I stayed smack in the middle of Times Square. My room had stunning views of Times Square and Broadway from the 30th floor and I wanted to stay there forever! This may sound odd but at night, I turned off the lights in my room and opened all the windows, letting the city lights shine in – it made me so happy. Of course the location made it so easy for me to walk everywhere; plus the subway station was only a block away.

Times Square at night.

Central Park walk in the morning.

American Museum of Natural History

I ended up doing some very touristy things while I was there and I’m not ashamed to admit it! I went on a morning run through Central Park and watched the sunrise, visited the American Museum of Natural History and spent FOUR hours there (still wish I had more time!), grabbed a hotdog from one of a million hotdog stands in the city, went shopping on 5th Avenue (grabbed myself some Henri Bendel goodies)…..

Hello, Henri Bendel – pretty, pretty store!

Dylan’s Candy Bar – 3 floors of candy!

My morning spot – Starbucks Times Square.

Central Park sunrise – too pretty!

……..stood in awe at Grand Central station, lined up to eat at Shake Shack (worth it!), got surprised with Baked By Melissa cupcakes, ate Dim Sum in Chinatown, people-watched at Washington Square Park, had some coffee while strolling down Highline Park, remembered those who were lost at the 9/11 Memorial, experienced and perfected the subway system, grabbed the best pretzel I’ve ever had from again – one of a million pretzel stands, had rooftop drinks in Brooklyn….

Best pretzel ever! Pumpkin seeds, coconut and almonds!

Rooftop at our friend’s apartment in Brooklyn.

Washington Square Park – best place for people watching!

When in New York, right?

Rockafeller Center – I want to be here during Christmas!

…..acted like a kid in a candy store at the 3 story Dylan’s Candy Bar, had an ice cream sandwich at 2:00AM fromInsomnia Cookies, witnessed several tennis players since the U.S Open was happening, imagined Christmas time at the Rockafeller Center, ate the world’s best cheesecake at Junior’s, got my mind blown by Momofuku Milkbar‘s Cereal Milk soft serve ice cream (I went twice), sat in the middle of Times Square and basked myself with city lights, also became an expert at catching and riding cabs (the cabs are so cheap in New York!).

Cereal Milk flavored soft serve with cereal crunch!

Chelsea area atop the Highline Park.

9/11 Memorial

One World Trade Center

If you’re wondering, yes – I experienced New York by myself for the most part. One of the days, my friend from Boston spent the entire day with me but for the rest, I was alone. I’ll have to write about that one day but I love traveling alone. Yes, it’s wonderful having a travel partner, friends or family with you. However, there’s something very gratifying and freeing when traveling alone.

Baked by Melissa cupcakes – they’re bite-sized!

Night time stroll through Manhattan.

Shake Shack > In-N-Out (yup, I said it!)

So gorgeous!

In conclusion, the little (even though it seemed like a lot) I saw of New York, I adored. Being a city girl myself (born & raised in Tokyo), I felt at home and I loved that I didn’t have to drive at all. The city makes you feel so small but in a wondrous way; it makes me feel like Ariel from The Little Mermaid, just eager to keep exploring. With that being said, there’s so much more of the city I want to see and I’m already thinking about when I can go back. Since I work from home, I’m also thinking about maybe living there for a few months; will keep you posted!

Grand Central Station – how beautiful is this place?

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Next stop: Portland, Oregon

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