Everybody has seen New York City (NYC) in the movies but getting to explore it in real life is another story. I spent this weekend in the city that never sleeps and I loved this US bustling metropolis. Keep on reading to find out what to visit while you’re in NYC.
Certainly, there is a lot to see in New York and a weekend is a short time to visit, but I made the most out of it with my friends.
New York City is composed of five boroughs:
- Bronx
- Brooklyn (the most populated one)
- Manhattan
- Queens
- Staten Island
In the sections below you will find the spots we checked out during our stay, sorted by borough.
What to see in New York
Brooklyn
Greenpoint
Since I was staying at a friend’s in Greenpoint, this is the first part of New York I got to experience. Home to a large Polish-American community, the growing Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn is a residential area with a hipster touch. Traditional Polish shops and restaurants share the streets with innovative restaurants, bars and live music establishments. Galleries and art studios are located in restored warehouses. One of the main avenues here is Bedford Avenue, which is the longest street in Brooklyn and stretches 10.2 miles. The revitalized East River Pier has parks and new skyscrapers with panoramic views of downtown Manhattan. We had breakfast in this area and I really enjoyed this sneak peek of NYC.
Williamsburg
Williamsburg is a trendy neighborhood in Brooklyn that draws young and stylish people to its refined boutiques, modern cafes, and bustling restaurants. Street art lights up main residential streets and restored factories, while the waterfront offers stunning views of Manhattan and seasonal venues with open-air concerts and food markets. Dance clubs, hipster bars, and music venues enliven the nightlife.
Either on Saturdays or Sundays, make sure to pay a visit to the various flea markets in the area, including Artists & Fleas and the nearby Brooklyn Flea by the East river.
Manhattan
I explored the most famous borough of New York City with another friend who was visiting this weekend. We were both newbies to NYC, so we were eager to sight see as much as possible!
Lower Manhattan
World Trade Center
Our first stop was in Lower Manhattan, in the south of the island, near where the Twin Towers were. And there she was, the Liberty Tower, the new tallest building in Manhattan. After the attacks of 9/11, the World Trade Center has been converted into a memorial park that pays tribute to the victims of the attacks. This new complex consists of two pools that are located in the void left by the Towers. The names of the victims are inscribed on the bronze parapets that surround the pools. As soon as the reconstruction is finished, this space will feature a museum, offices and shops.
Wall Street
Continuing our tour of the Financial District and the southern tip of Manhattan, we headed to Trinity Church and Wall St.
To be honest, Trinity Church goes pretty much unnoticed given it’s surrounded by skyscrapers. It’s unbelievable that this Anglican temple erected in 1846 once was the tallest in NYC.
Down from Trinity Church is the world famous Wall St. In real life, I was surprised by how narrow and small this street was. Today, Wall Street is the epicenter of the financial district and was named after the wall that kept enemies out of Manhattan. In this area of New York you can find several prominent buildings such as the Federal Reserve Bank, the Federal Hall National Monument (where George Washington was sworn in in 1789), and the New York Stock Exchange. A few steps from there, near Custom House, we came across the famous bronze Charging Bull of Wall St.
Civic Center
Next to the financial district in Lower Manhattan, lies the area known as the Civic Center. This is where the official buildings of the city, the New York State and the Federal Government are located. If you’re looking to access the Brooklyn Bridge, this is the best place for it.
Midtown
Times Square
After visiting Lower Manhattan, we took the subway to Times Square to see the most bustling part of the city. Neon lights abound here and if you don’t like big crowds, you’ll be likely done in five minutes. By the way, this spot is where New Yorkers celebrate the arrival of the New Year every December 31st.
Top of the Rock
Continuing our way through Midtown, we arrived at the Radio City Music Hall and the Rockefeller Center, a famous building complex known for its winter ice rink. This huge space houses the NBC Studios as well as the Top of the Rock, a panoramic viewpoint of New York. Admission is $27 but it is worth it: the views over the city of New York are priceless and you can even see Central Park (apparently from the Empire State this isn’t possible).
Staten Island
Walking further south from Wall Street, you’ll pass by the National Museum of the American Indian and arrive at Battery Park, which offers great views of the Statue of Liberty. This area is from where free ferries depart to Staten Island. These ferries connect both boroughs and pass alongside Governors Island, Ellis Island (a former immigration reception center), and Liberty Island (where the famous Statue of Liberty is located). Also, the views of the Manhattan skyline are incredible, so don’t miss out on this free activity!
Where to eat in New York
We spent a busy weekend in New York going from one place to another, but here are the places we grabbed a bite at:
- Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop: we came here for a donut and it was decent although I’m not a fan of this kind of food.
- The Meatball Shop: located in Greenpoint (Brooklyn), this cute restaurant offers yummy meatballs with a mix and match menu utilizing sustainable and natural ingredients. Menu highlights include seasonal veggies, market-driven salads, sandwiches, handmade ice cream sandwiches, craft cocktails, and an approachable wine program. The success of this concept made possible to open various locations around NYC. The Meatball Shop published their cookbook in 2011 and their Classic Tomato Sauce can be found in grocery stores nationwide including Whole Foods Markets.
And with much sadness, the first weekend in NYC came to an end but I’m sure I’ll be back soon. Bye bye New York, until next time!
Trip details
- Transportation from Washington DC to New York: Megabus; the route takes around 4h30 (depending on how lucky you are with traffic that day!)
- Accommodation: at a friend’s house in Greenpoint (Brooklyn)
Feel free to leave a comment below if you liked this post about New York!
