New York City

Getting to New York City

🚂 Trains are not as common in the USA. However, they still exist. There is a train that goes from Philadelphia to NYC. 

🚘 Driving can be hard in the city let alone finding parking. I would leave your car somewhere outside of the city and then use public transportation to get into the city.

✈️ I took a flight and landed in the Newark Airport which is outside of New York City. I then took the Newark Airport Express Bus to get into the city ($32 in 2019).  

NYC for New Year's Eve (2018-2019)

Day 1: 

I arrived in NYC in the evening and took the Newark Airport Express into the city. Due to traffic, it was a long bus ride. I arrived in the city and went straight to my friends house to drop off my luggage. Afterwards we headed out to meet our other friends who had arrived for dinner. We then decided to make the most out of our first night in the big apple! We saw Times Square at night and went into the M&M store (a must do). It was cool to be able to see Times Square both at night and the day during this trip. 

Day 2: 

The next morning after eating breakfast at the apartment, headed over to the Empire State Building. The line was super long, wrapping around the block! After patiently waiting, and grabbing a hotdog along the way, we made it inside and to the top. The views were definitely worth the wait, you could practically see the whole island! It was as a beautiful sunny day which made for great photos also. Afterwards we headed to Rockefeller Center to go Ice Skating! Once we had tied up our laces, we walked around NYC to see the sights. One of the sights that was important to me for nostalgia sake was to go to the American Girl Store. My friends were from France and had never experienced American Girls as children. I was so excited to show them a bit more of my childhood. That evening we got to see the Christmas lights all around the city! 

Day 3: 

The next morning we were up bright and early for New Year's Eve! We got to the entrance early to hope to be able to get close to the front to see the ball drop. Make sure that you check to see what you're allowed to bring, otherwise they won't let you in. There are also no public restrooms- if you need to go, you will not be readmitted in from my understanding. We ended up leaving an hour and a half before the ball dropped due to health concerns. However there was lot's of music and we had a great time up until then! 


Food 

New York is huge melting pot! There are lot's of good options no matter where you are. 

Reservations are recommended

Some places to eat are:

Lodging

Thing to See 

*Only sites here that I have personally seen. 

View from Empire State Building

M&M Store 

On our way to see the ball drop for New Years Eve

Central Park