New York

Cost: £££ – you’ll spend a lot Rating: 10/10 – iconic city with lots to see / do Trip video: I’ve been to NY a bunch of times over the years, and my company has just opened an office (2022) so I’ll be back regularly. Here is a video of our most recent trip. 9 – Empire State Building You can go up the Empire State Building for views of NY – tickets to the observatory are about £30. Having been to the Rockefeller and the Empire State, I’d say views from the Rockefeller are better.We went to a cool bar / restaurant called 230-Fifth which had spectacular views of the Empire State Building and wasn’t overly crowded / overpriced (pics below). 10 – High Line You can walk the High Line which is an elevated ‘linear park’ 1.45 miles long. Despite the weather being great, the ‘park’ wasn’t very green and in all honesty I wasn’t overly impressed. It’s a nice thing to do if you have the time as the views of the city are nice, but it’s not a must-do. 11 – Grand Central Terminal Located in Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central is not only a transportation-hub, but an impressive famous landmark. You’ll also recognise it from many American films. 12 – Chelsea Market A cool food / shopping hall in Chelsea, Manhattan. Nice to walk around and pick up some light bites. It has a cool interior but you don’t need too long to explore. There’s a vendor called Los Tacos No.1 which was a big hit with our team and no wonder why… absolutely delicious!

It also starts in daylight and lasts for about 2 hours, so not only do you get a sunset (if the day is clear), but you also get to see the skyline in the daylight, and then again when it’s dark and the city lights up!

Dumbo (acronym of ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’) is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn which has a magical view of the Manhattan skyline as well as plenty of nice places to eat / drink. 7 – Statue of Liberty Another iconic New York sight, the Statue of Liberty is a massive sculpture on Liberty Island. The statue is the figure of Libertas (a Roman liberty goddess) with a torch in her hand, and has become an icon of freedom as well as of the US. It was a gift of friendship from the French to the US, dedicated in 1886. If you’re not fussed about getting too up close, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry which is free from the Whitehall Terminal to Staten Island. The trip is about 25 minutes and goes past the Statue of Liberty. This is probably your best option if you have not booked tickets in advance and don’t have time to spend half a day waiting in line. You can walk around the PIER A area which has lots of bars and restaurants and good views of the Statue of Liberty in the background. OR you could actually plan ahead and book a proper trip which we did recently. This was an absolute highlight of the trip and we got SO lucky with the weather. Liberty Cruise NYC charges $45 per adult for their sunset cruise which is a little more expensive than the Circle Line boats / the free ferry which I suggested in my last blog, but SO worth it. Why is it so good? Well, it doesn’t just target the Statue of Liberty, but other famous NY landmarks (Brooklyn / Manhattan Bridges, the NY and Brooklyn skyline!

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.

5 – Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan and you can cross on foot, by car, motorbikes, bikes and even by train.

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.

Dumbo (acronym of ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’) is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn which has a magical view of the Manhattan skyline as well as plenty of nice places to eat / drink. 7 – Statue of Liberty Another iconic New York sight, the Statue of Liberty is a massive sculpture on Liberty Island. The statue is the figure of Libertas (a Roman liberty goddess) with a torch in her hand, and has become an icon of freedom as well as of the US. It was a gift of friendship from the French to the US, dedicated in 1886. If you’re not fussed about getting too up close, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry which is free from the Whitehall Terminal to Staten Island. The trip is about 25 minutes and goes past the Statue of Liberty. This is probably your best option if you have not booked tickets in advance and don’t have time to spend half a day waiting in line. You can walk around the PIER A area which has lots of bars and restaurants and good views of the Statue of Liberty in the background. OR you could actually plan ahead and book a proper trip which we did recently. This was an absolute highlight of the trip and we got SO lucky with the weather. Liberty Cruise NYC charges $45 per adult for their sunset cruise which is a little more expensive than the Circle Line boats / the free ferry which I suggested in my last blog, but SO worth it. Why is it so good? Well, it doesn’t just target the Statue of Liberty, but other famous NY landmarks (Brooklyn / Manhattan Bridges, the NY and Brooklyn skyline!

It also starts in daylight and lasts for about 2 hours, so not only do you get a sunset (if the day is clear), but you also get to see the skyline in the daylight, and then again when it’s dark and the city lights up!

They sell more expensive tickets for a premium upper deck with seats, but personally, I think the view from the front where we were is a lot better. They also have a bar downstairs where you can grab beers and snacks. Was a very special evening.

8 – Ground Zero & the 9/11 Museum You can visit the memorial commemorating the 2011 September 11 attacks which killed 2,977 people. It consists of two square reflecting pools which mark where the Twin Towers stood. You can read the names of all those who tragically lost their lives. You will also see One World Trade Center (or Freedom Tower) which is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center and is the tallest building in the US. The museum was a sobering experience but absolutely worth doing – it is well thought out, informative and emotional. Tickets booked in advance are around $36 online and definitely recommend so you can skip the queue (it wasn’t particularly busy when I was there last, but has been when I’ve visited previously).

9 – Empire State Building You can go up the Empire State Building for views of NY – tickets to the observatory are about £30. Having been to the Rockefeller and the Empire State, I’d say views from the Rockefeller are better.We went to a cool bar / restaurant called 230-Fifth which had spectacular views of the Empire State Building and wasn’t overly crowded / overpriced (pics below). 10 – High Line You can walk the High Line which is an elevated ‘linear park’ 1.45 miles long. Despite the weather being great, the ‘park’ wasn’t very green and in all honesty I wasn’t overly impressed. It’s a nice thing to do if you have the time as the views of the city are nice, but it’s not a must-do. 11 – Grand Central Terminal Located in Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central is not only a transportation-hub, but an impressive famous landmark. You’ll also recognise it from many American films. 12 – Chelsea Market A cool food / shopping hall in Chelsea, Manhattan. Nice to walk around and pick up some light bites. It has a cool interior but you don’t need too long to explore. There’s a vendor called Los Tacos No.1 which was a big hit with our team and no wonder why… absolutely delicious!

Worth visiting if you have the time. *FUN FACT* the Oreo cookie was invented and produced here! 13 – Williamsburg Williamsburg is a cool neighbourhood in Brooklyn (kind of like Shoreditch in London). It’s very young and fashionable with some trendy boutiques, restaurants and cafes. It apparently has a great nightlife too. 14 – NYC Ferry We got the NYC ferry from North Williamsburg back to Manhattan which was not only quick and cheap, but allowed us to take in more stunning views. The NYC ferry seems like a good way to get around if the weather is nice. 15 – Charging Bull & Fearless Girl Didn’t manage to get a great pic, but the Charging Bull & Fearless Girl are cool to see. They’re located in the financial district in Manhattan (near to Wall Street). The bull is a symbol of ‘aggressive financial optimism and prosperity’. The girl was actually commissioned by State Green Global Advisors to advertise for an ‘index fund which comprises gender-diverse companies’. It has a plaque below the statue which says ‘Know the power of women in leadership. SHE makes a difference.’ UPDATE – the Fearless Girl is no longer there, but the Bull is! 16 – Go to a baseball game! We went to watch a game at the Yankee Stadium. Tickets are super reasonable (I think we paid about $40pp) but you can get them for as little as $12 if you sit up at the top. To be honest, the baseball wasn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but the atmosphere is great – especially with a team of 40 people.

17 – Rockaway Beach, Queens We got the train to see some friends who live in Queens. We visited Rockaway Beach which was beautiful and would’ve been packed on a sunnier day. Other… You’ll discover so much as you walk the streets of New York… Soho – full of designer boutiques and galleries – trendy shopping destination Chinatown – vibrant neighbourhood great for foodies Little Italy – lots of souvenir shops as well as restaurants and bakeries Flat Iron Building – cool skyscraper Chrysler Building – Art-Deco skyscraper Union Square – playgrounds, markets and benches to watch the world go by on Meatpacking District – cool commercial area on the west side East Village – known for its ‘happening’ nightlife Ghostbusters Firehouse – recognisable location from the films Actual Firehouse – cool to see the massive fire trucks If you’re into art, the Guggenheim Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art come highly recommended. Food & drink… Here’s some of the food and drink I enjoyed (became a pizza addict on my last trip). I always used to think food in NY was over-rated, but turns out I didn’t know where to look… Trattoria Dell’arte Very cute Italian place right by Central Park and opposite to Carnegie Hall. Both the bread and pasta were exceptional (but might have had a little bit to do with the fact I hadn’t eaten up until that point and had just run 15k!)

Brooklyn Pizza Masters Despite the name of this place, it is not in Brooklyn. Just tried to find it on my maps but I can’t – it’s near to Sutton Place though – about East 58th/59th Street, just past the bridge. The vodka pizza is SOOOO good – I ate 6 slices in 7 days. Also, if you’re on a budget but don’t have a kitchen to cook in, slices of pizza are a great bet as a more reasonable option.

Beauty & Essex This is a trendy place to go and whilst the food was delicious, the service was terrible and we had to tip 20% anyway ( about $200!!) as the US tipping system is crazy! Apparently they do a great brunch on a Sunday and it pops off.

Banter NYC In Greenwich Village – super cute, yummy brunch.

Oxford Cafe Oh my goodness – I LOVED this place – right by our office on Lexington Avenue. They do everything you can think of – sandwiches, soup, salads, burritos. The breakfast croissant was one of my favourite things I’ve eaten in a long time.

BagelWorks We walked to get bagels on Upper East Side before work – loved that a NY policeman was in there waiting for his when we arrived… so New York. It is quite an overwhelming experience and you need to be ready to order, especially if there is a queue. With so much choice, it’s hard to decide, but my favourite was the salmon.

Liberty Bagels After the BagelWorks success, I wanted to find other amazing bagel shops in NY. Peter unknowingly tricked me into going to one of the most famous ones (because it was closest out of the selection I had chosen and he didn’t want to walk far). In my opinion, BagelWorks was better but maybe I ordered wrong.

Cecconi’s We were STARVING after a morning of touristing and nabbed an outside spot at Cecconi’s. Better than the London food in my opinion and a lovely spot to sit.

Crif Dogs These photos are from about 1.30am and we had decided we wanted to try a corndog. After trying to find with no luck (still haven’t had one), we settled on Crif Dogs which was so yummy and a very popular spot. There’s also a prohibition bar there which you can get into by ringing the telephone in the phone booth in there.

Joe’s Pizza An institution in NY, the restaurant is covered in photos of celebrities eating in this spot. I think I ordered wrong (ordered the thick Sicilian pizza instead of the traditional NY slice), was tasty but not as good as the vodka pizza from Brooklyn Pizza Masters.

Posto NYC Thin Crust Pizza We treated ourselves after a 10k run to a massive thin crust pizza. Different to both pizza options above, but just as tasty. Cute restaurant too.

Ajisai Not the prettiest restaurant in the world, but sushi was very good and lunch menu was reasonably priced – you get a lot for your money! Near to our office on Lexington Avenue (795).

Karaoke! Radiostar Had the best night in here. Important to note, people who do karaoke in NY are actually good. We were the only bad people in there. Feel like they must be ex-Broadway / want-to-be Broadway stars – the talent was unreal. You can choose a song and pay a couple of dollars to sing it when you’re at the bar buying a drink. Lots of fun.

PHD Downtown We hosted our launch party here – cool rooftop bar Downtown, on top of the Dream hotel. Amazing views and good vibes.

Actually can’t wait to go back. As much as the horse carriages look like a cute idea, they’re cruel so I’d suggest you don’t pay for a ride. 4 – Take in the City Skyline Option 1: Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) Most people say you should go up the Empire State Building but I’d say the view from the top of the Rockefeller Center is more impressive (because you get the view of the Empire State Building too). You can book tickets to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for $36 (£28) per person. We booked early evening tickets which was fantastic as we got to experience the view in both daylight, nightlight, and during sunset. Option 2: The Edge All my colleagues were raving about this so I had to visit on my last day before flying to Memphis. Stunning views of the city, but I think the Top of the Rock is a bit better as the Empire State Building is right in front of it. Tickets are also on the expensive side at about $45 per person which is steep for a quick visit (wasn’t there for more than 15 mins).

It is home to many shops, offices and restaurants, as well as a whole host of street artists / performers. The Naked Cowboy was our fave and is the same guy we saw and posed with when we went for New Year in 2005! It’s a really cool place to walk through but you don’t need to allocate too much time to see it as there’s not a massive amount to do. Times Square is also known for the New Year ball drop. The ball is located on the roof of One Times Square and descends 43m at midnight on the 31st Dec to signal the start of the new year. One of my clients has offices facing the ball (see pics below!) Whilst you’re in the Broadway area (Times Square is at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue), you may want to see a show… 2 – Broadway Be warned, ticket prices to go to the theatre in the US are incredibly high… you’ll pay more than double what you would to see the same show in the UK. Therefore, make sure you do your research and see something that’s only on on Broadway. Funny Girl isn’t on in London and I got a reasonably priced ticket on TodayTix (although I did pay $42 for a ‘fun-sized’ wine when I was there!!!!!!!) Flights Prices vary depending on the time of year you go. I just looked on SkyScanner for 2019 and flights are as little as £279! Am back in 2023 and you can still get flights for around the same price, but you have to be super lucky / travel at a specific time. Always check SkyScanner for best fares. Accommodation In 2019 we stayed in the Holiday Inn Express on West 39th Street (near to Times Square). Our room was tiny and the hotel wasn’t particularly nice despite it being quite expensive. It cost around $300 (£235) per night! More recently, I stayed at Dream Downtown, which is a cute, reasonably priced hotel, a stones throw away from Chelsea Market. It also has a cool rooftop bar. Check AirBnb / booking.com to find accommodation suitable to your budget. Visa If you’re travelling from the UK you will need an ESTA to enter the US. Approval doesn’t take long but I’d suggest you apply well in advance of your trip just incase. It costs $14 (£12) and lasts for 2 years. Currency is the US dollar… as I type, £1 = $1.28! Check conversion rates before you go. Transport When we weren’t walking, we mainly used Uber to get around (it even has it’s own area for airport pick-up that you have to get a bus to). I’d definitely suggest exploring on foot as much as possible. If you jump on the subway / in a taxi you’ll miss a whole bunch you’d discover if you were walking. What we did… 1 – Times Square See the famous square in Midtown Manhattan known for its massive billboards and screens. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘The Crossroads of the World’ and has a incredibly lively atmosphere. In Sept, we were there (actually in the 9/11 Museum) when it was announced that the Queen died, so the whole of NY had Queen related stuff on their screens which was cute.

It also starts in daylight and lasts for about 2 hours, so not only do you get a sunset (if the day is clear), but you also get to see the skyline in the daylight, and then again when it’s dark and the city lights up!

Dumbo (acronym of ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’) is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn which has a magical view of the Manhattan skyline as well as plenty of nice places to eat / drink. 7 – Statue of Liberty Another iconic New York sight, the Statue of Liberty is a massive sculpture on Liberty Island. The statue is the figure of Libertas (a Roman liberty goddess) with a torch in her hand, and has become an icon of freedom as well as of the US. It was a gift of friendship from the French to the US, dedicated in 1886. If you’re not fussed about getting too up close, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry which is free from the Whitehall Terminal to Staten Island. The trip is about 25 minutes and goes past the Statue of Liberty. This is probably your best option if you have not booked tickets in advance and don’t have time to spend half a day waiting in line. You can walk around the PIER A area which has lots of bars and restaurants and good views of the Statue of Liberty in the background. OR you could actually plan ahead and book a proper trip which we did recently. This was an absolute highlight of the trip and we got SO lucky with the weather. Liberty Cruise NYC charges $45 per adult for their sunset cruise which is a little more expensive than the Circle Line boats / the free ferry which I suggested in my last blog, but SO worth it. Why is it so good? Well, it doesn’t just target the Statue of Liberty, but other famous NY landmarks (Brooklyn / Manhattan Bridges, the NY and Brooklyn skyline!

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.

5 – Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan and you can cross on foot, by car, motorbikes, bikes and even by train.

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.

Dumbo (acronym of ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’) is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn which has a magical view of the Manhattan skyline as well as plenty of nice places to eat / drink. 7 – Statue of Liberty Another iconic New York sight, the Statue of Liberty is a massive sculpture on Liberty Island. The statue is the figure of Libertas (a Roman liberty goddess) with a torch in her hand, and has become an icon of freedom as well as of the US. It was a gift of friendship from the French to the US, dedicated in 1886. If you’re not fussed about getting too up close, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry which is free from the Whitehall Terminal to Staten Island. The trip is about 25 minutes and goes past the Statue of Liberty. This is probably your best option if you have not booked tickets in advance and don’t have time to spend half a day waiting in line. You can walk around the PIER A area which has lots of bars and restaurants and good views of the Statue of Liberty in the background. OR you could actually plan ahead and book a proper trip which we did recently. This was an absolute highlight of the trip and we got SO lucky with the weather. Liberty Cruise NYC charges $45 per adult for their sunset cruise which is a little more expensive than the Circle Line boats / the free ferry which I suggested in my last blog, but SO worth it. Why is it so good? Well, it doesn’t just target the Statue of Liberty, but other famous NY landmarks (Brooklyn / Manhattan Bridges, the NY and Brooklyn skyline!

It also starts in daylight and lasts for about 2 hours, so not only do you get a sunset (if the day is clear), but you also get to see the skyline in the daylight, and then again when it’s dark and the city lights up!

They sell more expensive tickets for a premium upper deck with seats, but personally, I think the view from the front where we were is a lot better. They also have a bar downstairs where you can grab beers and snacks. Was a very special evening.

8 – Ground Zero & the 9/11 Museum You can visit the memorial commemorating the 2011 September 11 attacks which killed 2,977 people. It consists of two square reflecting pools which mark where the Twin Towers stood. You can read the names of all those who tragically lost their lives. You will also see One World Trade Center (or Freedom Tower) which is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center and is the tallest building in the US. The museum was a sobering experience but absolutely worth doing – it is well thought out, informative and emotional. Tickets booked in advance are around $36 online and definitely recommend so you can skip the queue (it wasn’t particularly busy when I was there last, but has been when I’ve visited previously).

9 – Empire State Building You can go up the Empire State Building for views of NY – tickets to the observatory are about £30. Having been to the Rockefeller and the Empire State, I’d say views from the Rockefeller are better.We went to a cool bar / restaurant called 230-Fifth which had spectacular views of the Empire State Building and wasn’t overly crowded / overpriced (pics below). 10 – High Line You can walk the High Line which is an elevated ‘linear park’ 1.45 miles long. Despite the weather being great, the ‘park’ wasn’t very green and in all honesty I wasn’t overly impressed. It’s a nice thing to do if you have the time as the views of the city are nice, but it’s not a must-do. 11 – Grand Central Terminal Located in Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central is not only a transportation-hub, but an impressive famous landmark. You’ll also recognise it from many American films. 12 – Chelsea Market A cool food / shopping hall in Chelsea, Manhattan. Nice to walk around and pick up some light bites. It has a cool interior but you don’t need too long to explore. There’s a vendor called Los Tacos No.1 which was a big hit with our team and no wonder why… absolutely delicious!

Worth visiting if you have the time. *FUN FACT* the Oreo cookie was invented and produced here! 13 – Williamsburg Williamsburg is a cool neighbourhood in Brooklyn (kind of like Shoreditch in London). It’s very young and fashionable with some trendy boutiques, restaurants and cafes. It apparently has a great nightlife too. 14 – NYC Ferry We got the NYC ferry from North Williamsburg back to Manhattan which was not only quick and cheap, but allowed us to take in more stunning views. The NYC ferry seems like a good way to get around if the weather is nice. 15 – Charging Bull & Fearless Girl Didn’t manage to get a great pic, but the Charging Bull & Fearless Girl are cool to see. They’re located in the financial district in Manhattan (near to Wall Street). The bull is a symbol of ‘aggressive financial optimism and prosperity’. The girl was actually commissioned by State Green Global Advisors to advertise for an ‘index fund which comprises gender-diverse companies’. It has a plaque below the statue which says ‘Know the power of women in leadership. SHE makes a difference.’ UPDATE – the Fearless Girl is no longer there, but the Bull is! 16 – Go to a baseball game! We went to watch a game at the Yankee Stadium. Tickets are super reasonable (I think we paid about $40pp) but you can get them for as little as $12 if you sit up at the top. To be honest, the baseball wasn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but the atmosphere is great – especially with a team of 40 people.

17 – Rockaway Beach, Queens We got the train to see some friends who live in Queens. We visited Rockaway Beach which was beautiful and would’ve been packed on a sunnier day. Other… You’ll discover so much as you walk the streets of New York… Soho – full of designer boutiques and galleries – trendy shopping destination Chinatown – vibrant neighbourhood great for foodies Little Italy – lots of souvenir shops as well as restaurants and bakeries Flat Iron Building – cool skyscraper Chrysler Building – Art-Deco skyscraper Union Square – playgrounds, markets and benches to watch the world go by on Meatpacking District – cool commercial area on the west side East Village – known for its ‘happening’ nightlife Ghostbusters Firehouse – recognisable location from the films Actual Firehouse – cool to see the massive fire trucks If you’re into art, the Guggenheim Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art come highly recommended. Food & drink… Here’s some of the food and drink I enjoyed (became a pizza addict on my last trip). I always used to think food in NY was over-rated, but turns out I didn’t know where to look… Trattoria Dell’arte Very cute Italian place right by Central Park and opposite to Carnegie Hall. Both the bread and pasta were exceptional (but might have had a little bit to do with the fact I hadn’t eaten up until that point and had just run 15k!)

Brooklyn Pizza Masters Despite the name of this place, it is not in Brooklyn. Just tried to find it on my maps but I can’t – it’s near to Sutton Place though – about East 58th/59th Street, just past the bridge. The vodka pizza is SOOOO good – I ate 6 slices in 7 days. Also, if you’re on a budget but don’t have a kitchen to cook in, slices of pizza are a great bet as a more reasonable option.

Beauty & Essex This is a trendy place to go and whilst the food was delicious, the service was terrible and we had to tip 20% anyway ( about $200!!) as the US tipping system is crazy! Apparently they do a great brunch on a Sunday and it pops off.

Banter NYC In Greenwich Village – super cute, yummy brunch.

Oxford Cafe Oh my goodness – I LOVED this place – right by our office on Lexington Avenue. They do everything you can think of – sandwiches, soup, salads, burritos. The breakfast croissant was one of my favourite things I’ve eaten in a long time.

BagelWorks We walked to get bagels on Upper East Side before work – loved that a NY policeman was in there waiting for his when we arrived… so New York. It is quite an overwhelming experience and you need to be ready to order, especially if there is a queue. With so much choice, it’s hard to decide, but my favourite was the salmon.

Liberty Bagels After the BagelWorks success, I wanted to find other amazing bagel shops in NY. Peter unknowingly tricked me into going to one of the most famous ones (because it was closest out of the selection I had chosen and he didn’t want to walk far). In my opinion, BagelWorks was better but maybe I ordered wrong.

Cecconi’s We were STARVING after a morning of touristing and nabbed an outside spot at Cecconi’s. Better than the London food in my opinion and a lovely spot to sit.

Crif Dogs These photos are from about 1.30am and we had decided we wanted to try a corndog. After trying to find with no luck (still haven’t had one), we settled on Crif Dogs which was so yummy and a very popular spot. There’s also a prohibition bar there which you can get into by ringing the telephone in the phone booth in there.

Joe’s Pizza An institution in NY, the restaurant is covered in photos of celebrities eating in this spot. I think I ordered wrong (ordered the thick Sicilian pizza instead of the traditional NY slice), was tasty but not as good as the vodka pizza from Brooklyn Pizza Masters.

Posto NYC Thin Crust Pizza We treated ourselves after a 10k run to a massive thin crust pizza. Different to both pizza options above, but just as tasty. Cute restaurant too.

Ajisai Not the prettiest restaurant in the world, but sushi was very good and lunch menu was reasonably priced – you get a lot for your money! Near to our office on Lexington Avenue (795).

Karaoke! Radiostar Had the best night in here. Important to note, people who do karaoke in NY are actually good. We were the only bad people in there. Feel like they must be ex-Broadway / want-to-be Broadway stars – the talent was unreal. You can choose a song and pay a couple of dollars to sing it when you’re at the bar buying a drink. Lots of fun.

PHD Downtown We hosted our launch party here – cool rooftop bar Downtown, on top of the Dream hotel. Amazing views and good vibes.

Actually can’t wait to go back. Flights Prices vary depending on the time of year you go. I just looked on SkyScanner for 2019 and flights are as little as £279! Am back in 2023 and you can still get flights for around the same price, but you have to be super lucky / travel at a specific time. Always check SkyScanner for best fares. Accommodation In 2019 we stayed in the Holiday Inn Express on West 39th Street (near to Times Square). Our room was tiny and the hotel wasn’t particularly nice despite it being quite expensive. It cost around $300 (£235) per night! More recently, I stayed at Dream Downtown, which is a cute, reasonably priced hotel, a stones throw away from Chelsea Market. It also has a cool rooftop bar. Check AirBnb / booking.com to find accommodation suitable to your budget. Visa If you’re travelling from the UK you will need an ESTA to enter the US. Approval doesn’t take long but I’d suggest you apply well in advance of your trip just incase. It costs $14 (£12) and lasts for 2 years. Currency is the US dollar… as I type, £1 = $1.28! Check conversion rates before you go. Transport When we weren’t walking, we mainly used Uber to get around (it even has it’s own area for airport pick-up that you have to get a bus to). I’d definitely suggest exploring on foot as much as possible. If you jump on the subway / in a taxi you’ll miss a whole bunch you’d discover if you were walking. What we did… 1 – Times Square See the famous square in Midtown Manhattan known for its massive billboards and screens. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘The Crossroads of the World’ and has a incredibly lively atmosphere. In Sept, we were there (actually in the 9/11 Museum) when it was announced that the Queen died, so the whole of NY had Queen related stuff on their screens which was cute.

It is home to many shops, offices and restaurants, as well as a whole host of street artists / performers. The Naked Cowboy was our fave and is the same guy we saw and posed with when we went for New Year in 2005! It’s a really cool place to walk through but you don’t need to allocate too much time to see it as there’s not a massive amount to do. Times Square is also known for the New Year ball drop. The ball is located on the roof of One Times Square and descends 43m at midnight on the 31st Dec to signal the start of the new year. One of my clients has offices facing the ball (see pics below!) Whilst you’re in the Broadway area (Times Square is at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue), you may want to see a show… 2 – Broadway Be warned, ticket prices to go to the theatre in the US are incredibly high… you’ll pay more than double what you would to see the same show in the UK. Therefore, make sure you do your research and see something that’s only on on Broadway. Funny Girl isn’t on in London and I got a reasonably priced ticket on TodayTix (although I did pay $42 for a ‘fun-sized’ wine when I was there!!!!!!!)

In 2019, I luckily had a friend in Anastasia so went to see that (which was amazing – highly recommend). I also saw The Lion King and Rent on 2 other trips to NY. 3 – Central Park The most famous park in New York, Central Park should definitely be on your to-do list. It is one of the most filmed locations in the world and you’ll probably recognise some areas from some famous American films. Last time I was in NY, I had a marathon coming up which I had barely trained for. Luckily, one of my colleagues spotted me about to head out for a long run in the foyer of our hotel, and came to keep me company. We managed an easy 15k around the stunning Central Park in the sun.

As much as the horse carriages look like a cute idea, they’re cruel so I’d suggest you don’t pay for a ride. 4 – Take in the City Skyline Option 1: Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) Most people say you should go up the Empire State Building but I’d say the view from the top of the Rockefeller Center is more impressive (because you get the view of the Empire State Building too). You can book tickets to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for $36 (£28) per person. We booked early evening tickets which was fantastic as we got to experience the view in both daylight, nightlight, and during sunset. Option 2: The Edge All my colleagues were raving about this so I had to visit on my last day before flying to Memphis. Stunning views of the city, but I think the Top of the Rock is a bit better as the Empire State Building is right in front of it. Tickets are also on the expensive side at about $45 per person which is steep for a quick visit (wasn’t there for more than 15 mins).

The area next to The Edge is quite cute too – big screens up with seats to watch live sports games!

5 – Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan and you can cross on foot, by car, motorbikes, bikes and even by train.

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.

Dumbo (acronym of ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’) is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn which has a magical view of the Manhattan skyline as well as plenty of nice places to eat / drink. 7 – Statue of Liberty Another iconic New York sight, the Statue of Liberty is a massive sculpture on Liberty Island. The statue is the figure of Libertas (a Roman liberty goddess) with a torch in her hand, and has become an icon of freedom as well as of the US. It was a gift of friendship from the French to the US, dedicated in 1886. If you’re not fussed about getting too up close, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry which is free from the Whitehall Terminal to Staten Island. The trip is about 25 minutes and goes past the Statue of Liberty. This is probably your best option if you have not booked tickets in advance and don’t have time to spend half a day waiting in line. You can walk around the PIER A area which has lots of bars and restaurants and good views of the Statue of Liberty in the background. OR you could actually plan ahead and book a proper trip which we did recently. This was an absolute highlight of the trip and we got SO lucky with the weather. Liberty Cruise NYC charges $45 per adult for their sunset cruise which is a little more expensive than the Circle Line boats / the free ferry which I suggested in my last blog, but SO worth it. Why is it so good? Well, it doesn’t just target the Statue of Liberty, but other famous NY landmarks (Brooklyn / Manhattan Bridges, the NY and Brooklyn skyline!

It also starts in daylight and lasts for about 2 hours, so not only do you get a sunset (if the day is clear), but you also get to see the skyline in the daylight, and then again when it’s dark and the city lights up!

They sell more expensive tickets for a premium upper deck with seats, but personally, I think the view from the front where we were is a lot better. They also have a bar downstairs where you can grab beers and snacks. Was a very special evening.

8 – Ground Zero & the 9/11 Museum You can visit the memorial commemorating the 2011 September 11 attacks which killed 2,977 people. It consists of two square reflecting pools which mark where the Twin Towers stood. You can read the names of all those who tragically lost their lives. You will also see One World Trade Center (or Freedom Tower) which is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center and is the tallest building in the US. The museum was a sobering experience but absolutely worth doing – it is well thought out, informative and emotional. Tickets booked in advance are around $36 online and definitely recommend so you can skip the queue (it wasn’t particularly busy when I was there last, but has been when I’ve visited previously).

9 – Empire State Building You can go up the Empire State Building for views of NY – tickets to the observatory are about £30. Having been to the Rockefeller and the Empire State, I’d say views from the Rockefeller are better.We went to a cool bar / restaurant called 230-Fifth which had spectacular views of the Empire State Building and wasn’t overly crowded / overpriced (pics below). 10 – High Line You can walk the High Line which is an elevated ‘linear park’ 1.45 miles long. Despite the weather being great, the ‘park’ wasn’t very green and in all honesty I wasn’t overly impressed. It’s a nice thing to do if you have the time as the views of the city are nice, but it’s not a must-do. 11 – Grand Central Terminal Located in Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central is not only a transportation-hub, but an impressive famous landmark. You’ll also recognise it from many American films. 12 – Chelsea Market A cool food / shopping hall in Chelsea, Manhattan. Nice to walk around and pick up some light bites. It has a cool interior but you don’t need too long to explore. There’s a vendor called Los Tacos No.1 which was a big hit with our team and no wonder why… absolutely delicious!

Worth visiting if you have the time. *FUN FACT* the Oreo cookie was invented and produced here! 13 – Williamsburg Williamsburg is a cool neighbourhood in Brooklyn (kind of like Shoreditch in London). It’s very young and fashionable with some trendy boutiques, restaurants and cafes. It apparently has a great nightlife too. 14 – NYC Ferry We got the NYC ferry from North Williamsburg back to Manhattan which was not only quick and cheap, but allowed us to take in more stunning views. The NYC ferry seems like a good way to get around if the weather is nice. 15 – Charging Bull & Fearless Girl Didn’t manage to get a great pic, but the Charging Bull & Fearless Girl are cool to see. They’re located in the financial district in Manhattan (near to Wall Street). The bull is a symbol of ‘aggressive financial optimism and prosperity’. The girl was actually commissioned by State Green Global Advisors to advertise for an ‘index fund which comprises gender-diverse companies’. It has a plaque below the statue which says ‘Know the power of women in leadership. SHE makes a difference.’ UPDATE – the Fearless Girl is no longer there, but the Bull is! 16 – Go to a baseball game! We went to watch a game at the Yankee Stadium. Tickets are super reasonable (I think we paid about $40pp) but you can get them for as little as $12 if you sit up at the top. To be honest, the baseball wasn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but the atmosphere is great – especially with a team of 40 people.

17 – Rockaway Beach, Queens We got the train to see some friends who live in Queens. We visited Rockaway Beach which was beautiful and would’ve been packed on a sunnier day. Other… You’ll discover so much as you walk the streets of New York… Soho – full of designer boutiques and galleries – trendy shopping destination Chinatown – vibrant neighbourhood great for foodies Little Italy – lots of souvenir shops as well as restaurants and bakeries Flat Iron Building – cool skyscraper Chrysler Building – Art-Deco skyscraper Union Square – playgrounds, markets and benches to watch the world go by on Meatpacking District – cool commercial area on the west side East Village – known for its ‘happening’ nightlife Ghostbusters Firehouse – recognisable location from the films Actual Firehouse – cool to see the massive fire trucks If you’re into art, the Guggenheim Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art come highly recommended. Food & drink… Here’s some of the food and drink I enjoyed (became a pizza addict on my last trip). I always used to think food in NY was over-rated, but turns out I didn’t know where to look… Trattoria Dell’arte Very cute Italian place right by Central Park and opposite to Carnegie Hall. Both the bread and pasta were exceptional (but might have had a little bit to do with the fact I hadn’t eaten up until that point and had just run 15k!)

Brooklyn Pizza Masters Despite the name of this place, it is not in Brooklyn. Just tried to find it on my maps but I can’t – it’s near to Sutton Place though – about East 58th/59th Street, just past the bridge. The vodka pizza is SOOOO good – I ate 6 slices in 7 days. Also, if you’re on a budget but don’t have a kitchen to cook in, slices of pizza are a great bet as a more reasonable option.

Beauty & Essex This is a trendy place to go and whilst the food was delicious, the service was terrible and we had to tip 20% anyway ( about $200!!) as the US tipping system is crazy! Apparently they do a great brunch on a Sunday and it pops off.

Banter NYC In Greenwich Village – super cute, yummy brunch.

Oxford Cafe Oh my goodness – I LOVED this place – right by our office on Lexington Avenue. They do everything you can think of – sandwiches, soup, salads, burritos. The breakfast croissant was one of my favourite things I’ve eaten in a long time.

BagelWorks We walked to get bagels on Upper East Side before work – loved that a NY policeman was in there waiting for his when we arrived… so New York. It is quite an overwhelming experience and you need to be ready to order, especially if there is a queue. With so much choice, it’s hard to decide, but my favourite was the salmon.

Liberty Bagels After the BagelWorks success, I wanted to find other amazing bagel shops in NY. Peter unknowingly tricked me into going to one of the most famous ones (because it was closest out of the selection I had chosen and he didn’t want to walk far). In my opinion, BagelWorks was better but maybe I ordered wrong.

Cecconi’s We were STARVING after a morning of touristing and nabbed an outside spot at Cecconi’s. Better than the London food in my opinion and a lovely spot to sit.

Crif Dogs These photos are from about 1.30am and we had decided we wanted to try a corndog. After trying to find with no luck (still haven’t had one), we settled on Crif Dogs which was so yummy and a very popular spot. There’s also a prohibition bar there which you can get into by ringing the telephone in the phone booth in there.

Joe’s Pizza An institution in NY, the restaurant is covered in photos of celebrities eating in this spot. I think I ordered wrong (ordered the thick Sicilian pizza instead of the traditional NY slice), was tasty but not as good as the vodka pizza from Brooklyn Pizza Masters.

Posto NYC Thin Crust Pizza We treated ourselves after a 10k run to a massive thin crust pizza. Different to both pizza options above, but just as tasty. Cute restaurant too.

Ajisai Not the prettiest restaurant in the world, but sushi was very good and lunch menu was reasonably priced – you get a lot for your money! Near to our office on Lexington Avenue (795).

Karaoke! Radiostar Had the best night in here. Important to note, people who do karaoke in NY are actually good. We were the only bad people in there. Feel like they must be ex-Broadway / want-to-be Broadway stars – the talent was unreal. You can choose a song and pay a couple of dollars to sing it when you’re at the bar buying a drink. Lots of fun.

PHD Downtown We hosted our launch party here – cool rooftop bar Downtown, on top of the Dream hotel. Amazing views and good vibes.

Actually can’t wait to go back. As much as the horse carriages look like a cute idea, they’re cruel so I’d suggest you don’t pay for a ride. 4 – Take in the City Skyline Option 1: Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) Most people say you should go up the Empire State Building but I’d say the view from the top of the Rockefeller Center is more impressive (because you get the view of the Empire State Building too). You can book tickets to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for $36 (£28) per person. We booked early evening tickets which was fantastic as we got to experience the view in both daylight, nightlight, and during sunset. Option 2: The Edge All my colleagues were raving about this so I had to visit on my last day before flying to Memphis. Stunning views of the city, but I think the Top of the Rock is a bit better as the Empire State Building is right in front of it. Tickets are also on the expensive side at about $45 per person which is steep for a quick visit (wasn’t there for more than 15 mins).

It is home to many shops, offices and restaurants, as well as a whole host of street artists / performers. The Naked Cowboy was our fave and is the same guy we saw and posed with when we went for New Year in 2005! It’s a really cool place to walk through but you don’t need to allocate too much time to see it as there’s not a massive amount to do. Times Square is also known for the New Year ball drop. The ball is located on the roof of One Times Square and descends 43m at midnight on the 31st Dec to signal the start of the new year. One of my clients has offices facing the ball (see pics below!) Whilst you’re in the Broadway area (Times Square is at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue), you may want to see a show… 2 – Broadway Be warned, ticket prices to go to the theatre in the US are incredibly high… you’ll pay more than double what you would to see the same show in the UK. Therefore, make sure you do your research and see something that’s only on on Broadway. Funny Girl isn’t on in London and I got a reasonably priced ticket on TodayTix (although I did pay $42 for a ‘fun-sized’ wine when I was there!!!!!!!)

It also starts in daylight and lasts for about 2 hours, so not only do you get a sunset (if the day is clear), but you also get to see the skyline in the daylight, and then again when it’s dark and the city lights up!

Dumbo (acronym of ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’) is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn which has a magical view of the Manhattan skyline as well as plenty of nice places to eat / drink. 7 – Statue of Liberty Another iconic New York sight, the Statue of Liberty is a massive sculpture on Liberty Island. The statue is the figure of Libertas (a Roman liberty goddess) with a torch in her hand, and has become an icon of freedom as well as of the US. It was a gift of friendship from the French to the US, dedicated in 1886. If you’re not fussed about getting too up close, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry which is free from the Whitehall Terminal to Staten Island. The trip is about 25 minutes and goes past the Statue of Liberty. This is probably your best option if you have not booked tickets in advance and don’t have time to spend half a day waiting in line. You can walk around the PIER A area which has lots of bars and restaurants and good views of the Statue of Liberty in the background. OR you could actually plan ahead and book a proper trip which we did recently. This was an absolute highlight of the trip and we got SO lucky with the weather. Liberty Cruise NYC charges $45 per adult for their sunset cruise which is a little more expensive than the Circle Line boats / the free ferry which I suggested in my last blog, but SO worth it. Why is it so good? Well, it doesn’t just target the Statue of Liberty, but other famous NY landmarks (Brooklyn / Manhattan Bridges, the NY and Brooklyn skyline!

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.

5 – Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan and you can cross on foot, by car, motorbikes, bikes and even by train.

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.

Dumbo (acronym of ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’) is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn which has a magical view of the Manhattan skyline as well as plenty of nice places to eat / drink. 7 – Statue of Liberty Another iconic New York sight, the Statue of Liberty is a massive sculpture on Liberty Island. The statue is the figure of Libertas (a Roman liberty goddess) with a torch in her hand, and has become an icon of freedom as well as of the US. It was a gift of friendship from the French to the US, dedicated in 1886. If you’re not fussed about getting too up close, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry which is free from the Whitehall Terminal to Staten Island. The trip is about 25 minutes and goes past the Statue of Liberty. This is probably your best option if you have not booked tickets in advance and don’t have time to spend half a day waiting in line. You can walk around the PIER A area which has lots of bars and restaurants and good views of the Statue of Liberty in the background. OR you could actually plan ahead and book a proper trip which we did recently. This was an absolute highlight of the trip and we got SO lucky with the weather. Liberty Cruise NYC charges $45 per adult for their sunset cruise which is a little more expensive than the Circle Line boats / the free ferry which I suggested in my last blog, but SO worth it. Why is it so good? Well, it doesn’t just target the Statue of Liberty, but other famous NY landmarks (Brooklyn / Manhattan Bridges, the NY and Brooklyn skyline!

It also starts in daylight and lasts for about 2 hours, so not only do you get a sunset (if the day is clear), but you also get to see the skyline in the daylight, and then again when it’s dark and the city lights up!

They sell more expensive tickets for a premium upper deck with seats, but personally, I think the view from the front where we were is a lot better. They also have a bar downstairs where you can grab beers and snacks. Was a very special evening.

8 – Ground Zero & the 9/11 Museum You can visit the memorial commemorating the 2011 September 11 attacks which killed 2,977 people. It consists of two square reflecting pools which mark where the Twin Towers stood. You can read the names of all those who tragically lost their lives. You will also see One World Trade Center (or Freedom Tower) which is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center and is the tallest building in the US. The museum was a sobering experience but absolutely worth doing – it is well thought out, informative and emotional. Tickets booked in advance are around $36 online and definitely recommend so you can skip the queue (it wasn’t particularly busy when I was there last, but has been when I’ve visited previously).

9 – Empire State Building You can go up the Empire State Building for views of NY – tickets to the observatory are about £30. Having been to the Rockefeller and the Empire State, I’d say views from the Rockefeller are better.We went to a cool bar / restaurant called 230-Fifth which had spectacular views of the Empire State Building and wasn’t overly crowded / overpriced (pics below). 10 – High Line You can walk the High Line which is an elevated ‘linear park’ 1.45 miles long. Despite the weather being great, the ‘park’ wasn’t very green and in all honesty I wasn’t overly impressed. It’s a nice thing to do if you have the time as the views of the city are nice, but it’s not a must-do. 11 – Grand Central Terminal Located in Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central is not only a transportation-hub, but an impressive famous landmark. You’ll also recognise it from many American films. 12 – Chelsea Market A cool food / shopping hall in Chelsea, Manhattan. Nice to walk around and pick up some light bites. It has a cool interior but you don’t need too long to explore. There’s a vendor called Los Tacos No.1 which was a big hit with our team and no wonder why… absolutely delicious!

Worth visiting if you have the time. *FUN FACT* the Oreo cookie was invented and produced here! 13 – Williamsburg Williamsburg is a cool neighbourhood in Brooklyn (kind of like Shoreditch in London). It’s very young and fashionable with some trendy boutiques, restaurants and cafes. It apparently has a great nightlife too. 14 – NYC Ferry We got the NYC ferry from North Williamsburg back to Manhattan which was not only quick and cheap, but allowed us to take in more stunning views. The NYC ferry seems like a good way to get around if the weather is nice. 15 – Charging Bull & Fearless Girl Didn’t manage to get a great pic, but the Charging Bull & Fearless Girl are cool to see. They’re located in the financial district in Manhattan (near to Wall Street). The bull is a symbol of ‘aggressive financial optimism and prosperity’. The girl was actually commissioned by State Green Global Advisors to advertise for an ‘index fund which comprises gender-diverse companies’. It has a plaque below the statue which says ‘Know the power of women in leadership. SHE makes a difference.’ UPDATE – the Fearless Girl is no longer there, but the Bull is! 16 – Go to a baseball game! We went to watch a game at the Yankee Stadium. Tickets are super reasonable (I think we paid about $40pp) but you can get them for as little as $12 if you sit up at the top. To be honest, the baseball wasn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but the atmosphere is great – especially with a team of 40 people.

17 – Rockaway Beach, Queens We got the train to see some friends who live in Queens. We visited Rockaway Beach which was beautiful and would’ve been packed on a sunnier day. Other… You’ll discover so much as you walk the streets of New York… Soho – full of designer boutiques and galleries – trendy shopping destination Chinatown – vibrant neighbourhood great for foodies Little Italy – lots of souvenir shops as well as restaurants and bakeries Flat Iron Building – cool skyscraper Chrysler Building – Art-Deco skyscraper Union Square – playgrounds, markets and benches to watch the world go by on Meatpacking District – cool commercial area on the west side East Village – known for its ‘happening’ nightlife Ghostbusters Firehouse – recognisable location from the films Actual Firehouse – cool to see the massive fire trucks If you’re into art, the Guggenheim Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art come highly recommended. Food & drink… Here’s some of the food and drink I enjoyed (became a pizza addict on my last trip). I always used to think food in NY was over-rated, but turns out I didn’t know where to look… Trattoria Dell’arte Very cute Italian place right by Central Park and opposite to Carnegie Hall. Both the bread and pasta were exceptional (but might have had a little bit to do with the fact I hadn’t eaten up until that point and had just run 15k!)

Brooklyn Pizza Masters Despite the name of this place, it is not in Brooklyn. Just tried to find it on my maps but I can’t – it’s near to Sutton Place though – about East 58th/59th Street, just past the bridge. The vodka pizza is SOOOO good – I ate 6 slices in 7 days. Also, if you’re on a budget but don’t have a kitchen to cook in, slices of pizza are a great bet as a more reasonable option.

Beauty & Essex This is a trendy place to go and whilst the food was delicious, the service was terrible and we had to tip 20% anyway ( about $200!!) as the US tipping system is crazy! Apparently they do a great brunch on a Sunday and it pops off.

Banter NYC In Greenwich Village – super cute, yummy brunch.

Oxford Cafe Oh my goodness – I LOVED this place – right by our office on Lexington Avenue. They do everything you can think of – sandwiches, soup, salads, burritos. The breakfast croissant was one of my favourite things I’ve eaten in a long time.

BagelWorks We walked to get bagels on Upper East Side before work – loved that a NY policeman was in there waiting for his when we arrived… so New York. It is quite an overwhelming experience and you need to be ready to order, especially if there is a queue. With so much choice, it’s hard to decide, but my favourite was the salmon.

Liberty Bagels After the BagelWorks success, I wanted to find other amazing bagel shops in NY. Peter unknowingly tricked me into going to one of the most famous ones (because it was closest out of the selection I had chosen and he didn’t want to walk far). In my opinion, BagelWorks was better but maybe I ordered wrong.

Cecconi’s We were STARVING after a morning of touristing and nabbed an outside spot at Cecconi’s. Better than the London food in my opinion and a lovely spot to sit.

Crif Dogs These photos are from about 1.30am and we had decided we wanted to try a corndog. After trying to find with no luck (still haven’t had one), we settled on Crif Dogs which was so yummy and a very popular spot. There’s also a prohibition bar there which you can get into by ringing the telephone in the phone booth in there.

Joe’s Pizza An institution in NY, the restaurant is covered in photos of celebrities eating in this spot. I think I ordered wrong (ordered the thick Sicilian pizza instead of the traditional NY slice), was tasty but not as good as the vodka pizza from Brooklyn Pizza Masters.

Posto NYC Thin Crust Pizza We treated ourselves after a 10k run to a massive thin crust pizza. Different to both pizza options above, but just as tasty. Cute restaurant too.

Ajisai Not the prettiest restaurant in the world, but sushi was very good and lunch menu was reasonably priced – you get a lot for your money! Near to our office on Lexington Avenue (795).

Karaoke! Radiostar Had the best night in here. Important to note, people who do karaoke in NY are actually good. We were the only bad people in there. Feel like they must be ex-Broadway / want-to-be Broadway stars – the talent was unreal. You can choose a song and pay a couple of dollars to sing it when you’re at the bar buying a drink. Lots of fun.

PHD Downtown We hosted our launch party here – cool rooftop bar Downtown, on top of the Dream hotel. Amazing views and good vibes.

Actually can’t wait to go back.

It is home to many shops, offices and restaurants, as well as a whole host of street artists / performers. The Naked Cowboy was our fave and is the same guy we saw and posed with when we went for New Year in 2005! It’s a really cool place to walk through but you don’t need to allocate too much time to see it as there’s not a massive amount to do. Times Square is also known for the New Year ball drop. The ball is located on the roof of One Times Square and descends 43m at midnight on the 31st Dec to signal the start of the new year. One of my clients has offices facing the ball (see pics below!) Whilst you’re in the Broadway area (Times Square is at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue), you may want to see a show… 2 – Broadway Be warned, ticket prices to go to the theatre in the US are incredibly high… you’ll pay more than double what you would to see the same show in the UK. Therefore, make sure you do your research and see something that’s only on on Broadway. Funny Girl isn’t on in London and I got a reasonably priced ticket on TodayTix (although I did pay $42 for a ‘fun-sized’ wine when I was there!!!!!!!)

In 2019, I luckily had a friend in Anastasia so went to see that (which was amazing – highly recommend). I also saw The Lion King and Rent on 2 other trips to NY. 3 – Central Park The most famous park in New York, Central Park should definitely be on your to-do list. It is one of the most filmed locations in the world and you’ll probably recognise some areas from some famous American films. Last time I was in NY, I had a marathon coming up which I had barely trained for. Luckily, one of my colleagues spotted me about to head out for a long run in the foyer of our hotel, and came to keep me company. We managed an easy 15k around the stunning Central Park in the sun.

As much as the horse carriages look like a cute idea, they’re cruel so I’d suggest you don’t pay for a ride. 4 – Take in the City Skyline Option 1: Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) Most people say you should go up the Empire State Building but I’d say the view from the top of the Rockefeller Center is more impressive (because you get the view of the Empire State Building too). You can book tickets to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for $36 (£28) per person. We booked early evening tickets which was fantastic as we got to experience the view in both daylight, nightlight, and during sunset. Option 2: The Edge All my colleagues were raving about this so I had to visit on my last day before flying to Memphis. Stunning views of the city, but I think the Top of the Rock is a bit better as the Empire State Building is right in front of it. Tickets are also on the expensive side at about $45 per person which is steep for a quick visit (wasn’t there for more than 15 mins).

The area next to The Edge is quite cute too – big screens up with seats to watch live sports games!

5 – Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan and you can cross on foot, by car, motorbikes, bikes and even by train.

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.

Dumbo (acronym of ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’) is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn which has a magical view of the Manhattan skyline as well as plenty of nice places to eat / drink. 7 – Statue of Liberty Another iconic New York sight, the Statue of Liberty is a massive sculpture on Liberty Island. The statue is the figure of Libertas (a Roman liberty goddess) with a torch in her hand, and has become an icon of freedom as well as of the US. It was a gift of friendship from the French to the US, dedicated in 1886. If you’re not fussed about getting too up close, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry which is free from the Whitehall Terminal to Staten Island. The trip is about 25 minutes and goes past the Statue of Liberty. This is probably your best option if you have not booked tickets in advance and don’t have time to spend half a day waiting in line. You can walk around the PIER A area which has lots of bars and restaurants and good views of the Statue of Liberty in the background. OR you could actually plan ahead and book a proper trip which we did recently. This was an absolute highlight of the trip and we got SO lucky with the weather. Liberty Cruise NYC charges $45 per adult for their sunset cruise which is a little more expensive than the Circle Line boats / the free ferry which I suggested in my last blog, but SO worth it. Why is it so good? Well, it doesn’t just target the Statue of Liberty, but other famous NY landmarks (Brooklyn / Manhattan Bridges, the NY and Brooklyn skyline!

It also starts in daylight and lasts for about 2 hours, so not only do you get a sunset (if the day is clear), but you also get to see the skyline in the daylight, and then again when it’s dark and the city lights up!

They sell more expensive tickets for a premium upper deck with seats, but personally, I think the view from the front where we were is a lot better. They also have a bar downstairs where you can grab beers and snacks. Was a very special evening.

8 – Ground Zero & the 9/11 Museum You can visit the memorial commemorating the 2011 September 11 attacks which killed 2,977 people. It consists of two square reflecting pools which mark where the Twin Towers stood. You can read the names of all those who tragically lost their lives. You will also see One World Trade Center (or Freedom Tower) which is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center and is the tallest building in the US. The museum was a sobering experience but absolutely worth doing – it is well thought out, informative and emotional. Tickets booked in advance are around $36 online and definitely recommend so you can skip the queue (it wasn’t particularly busy when I was there last, but has been when I’ve visited previously).

9 – Empire State Building You can go up the Empire State Building for views of NY – tickets to the observatory are about £30. Having been to the Rockefeller and the Empire State, I’d say views from the Rockefeller are better.We went to a cool bar / restaurant called 230-Fifth which had spectacular views of the Empire State Building and wasn’t overly crowded / overpriced (pics below). 10 – High Line You can walk the High Line which is an elevated ‘linear park’ 1.45 miles long. Despite the weather being great, the ‘park’ wasn’t very green and in all honesty I wasn’t overly impressed. It’s a nice thing to do if you have the time as the views of the city are nice, but it’s not a must-do. 11 – Grand Central Terminal Located in Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central is not only a transportation-hub, but an impressive famous landmark. You’ll also recognise it from many American films. 12 – Chelsea Market A cool food / shopping hall in Chelsea, Manhattan. Nice to walk around and pick up some light bites. It has a cool interior but you don’t need too long to explore. There’s a vendor called Los Tacos No.1 which was a big hit with our team and no wonder why… absolutely delicious!

Worth visiting if you have the time. *FUN FACT* the Oreo cookie was invented and produced here! 13 – Williamsburg Williamsburg is a cool neighbourhood in Brooklyn (kind of like Shoreditch in London). It’s very young and fashionable with some trendy boutiques, restaurants and cafes. It apparently has a great nightlife too. 14 – NYC Ferry We got the NYC ferry from North Williamsburg back to Manhattan which was not only quick and cheap, but allowed us to take in more stunning views. The NYC ferry seems like a good way to get around if the weather is nice. 15 – Charging Bull & Fearless Girl Didn’t manage to get a great pic, but the Charging Bull & Fearless Girl are cool to see. They’re located in the financial district in Manhattan (near to Wall Street). The bull is a symbol of ‘aggressive financial optimism and prosperity’. The girl was actually commissioned by State Green Global Advisors to advertise for an ‘index fund which comprises gender-diverse companies’. It has a plaque below the statue which says ‘Know the power of women in leadership. SHE makes a difference.’ UPDATE – the Fearless Girl is no longer there, but the Bull is! 16 – Go to a baseball game! We went to watch a game at the Yankee Stadium. Tickets are super reasonable (I think we paid about $40pp) but you can get them for as little as $12 if you sit up at the top. To be honest, the baseball wasn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but the atmosphere is great – especially with a team of 40 people.

17 – Rockaway Beach, Queens We got the train to see some friends who live in Queens. We visited Rockaway Beach which was beautiful and would’ve been packed on a sunnier day. Other… You’ll discover so much as you walk the streets of New York… Soho – full of designer boutiques and galleries – trendy shopping destination Chinatown – vibrant neighbourhood great for foodies Little Italy – lots of souvenir shops as well as restaurants and bakeries Flat Iron Building – cool skyscraper Chrysler Building – Art-Deco skyscraper Union Square – playgrounds, markets and benches to watch the world go by on Meatpacking District – cool commercial area on the west side East Village – known for its ‘happening’ nightlife Ghostbusters Firehouse – recognisable location from the films Actual Firehouse – cool to see the massive fire trucks If you’re into art, the Guggenheim Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art come highly recommended. Food & drink… Here’s some of the food and drink I enjoyed (became a pizza addict on my last trip). I always used to think food in NY was over-rated, but turns out I didn’t know where to look… Trattoria Dell’arte Very cute Italian place right by Central Park and opposite to Carnegie Hall. Both the bread and pasta were exceptional (but might have had a little bit to do with the fact I hadn’t eaten up until that point and had just run 15k!)

Brooklyn Pizza Masters Despite the name of this place, it is not in Brooklyn. Just tried to find it on my maps but I can’t – it’s near to Sutton Place though – about East 58th/59th Street, just past the bridge. The vodka pizza is SOOOO good – I ate 6 slices in 7 days. Also, if you’re on a budget but don’t have a kitchen to cook in, slices of pizza are a great bet as a more reasonable option.

Beauty & Essex This is a trendy place to go and whilst the food was delicious, the service was terrible and we had to tip 20% anyway ( about $200!!) as the US tipping system is crazy! Apparently they do a great brunch on a Sunday and it pops off.

Banter NYC In Greenwich Village – super cute, yummy brunch.

Oxford Cafe Oh my goodness – I LOVED this place – right by our office on Lexington Avenue. They do everything you can think of – sandwiches, soup, salads, burritos. The breakfast croissant was one of my favourite things I’ve eaten in a long time.

BagelWorks We walked to get bagels on Upper East Side before work – loved that a NY policeman was in there waiting for his when we arrived… so New York. It is quite an overwhelming experience and you need to be ready to order, especially if there is a queue. With so much choice, it’s hard to decide, but my favourite was the salmon.

Liberty Bagels After the BagelWorks success, I wanted to find other amazing bagel shops in NY. Peter unknowingly tricked me into going to one of the most famous ones (because it was closest out of the selection I had chosen and he didn’t want to walk far). In my opinion, BagelWorks was better but maybe I ordered wrong.

Cecconi’s We were STARVING after a morning of touristing and nabbed an outside spot at Cecconi’s. Better than the London food in my opinion and a lovely spot to sit.

Crif Dogs These photos are from about 1.30am and we had decided we wanted to try a corndog. After trying to find with no luck (still haven’t had one), we settled on Crif Dogs which was so yummy and a very popular spot. There’s also a prohibition bar there which you can get into by ringing the telephone in the phone booth in there.

Joe’s Pizza An institution in NY, the restaurant is covered in photos of celebrities eating in this spot. I think I ordered wrong (ordered the thick Sicilian pizza instead of the traditional NY slice), was tasty but not as good as the vodka pizza from Brooklyn Pizza Masters.

Posto NYC Thin Crust Pizza We treated ourselves after a 10k run to a massive thin crust pizza. Different to both pizza options above, but just as tasty. Cute restaurant too.

Ajisai Not the prettiest restaurant in the world, but sushi was very good and lunch menu was reasonably priced – you get a lot for your money! Near to our office on Lexington Avenue (795).

Karaoke! Radiostar Had the best night in here. Important to note, people who do karaoke in NY are actually good. We were the only bad people in there. Feel like they must be ex-Broadway / want-to-be Broadway stars – the talent was unreal. You can choose a song and pay a couple of dollars to sing it when you’re at the bar buying a drink. Lots of fun.

PHD Downtown We hosted our launch party here – cool rooftop bar Downtown, on top of the Dream hotel. Amazing views and good vibes.

Actually can’t wait to go back. Flights Prices vary depending on the time of year you go. I just looked on SkyScanner for 2019 and flights are as little as £279! Am back in 2023 and you can still get flights for around the same price, but you have to be super lucky / travel at a specific time. Always check SkyScanner for best fares. Accommodation In 2019 we stayed in the Holiday Inn Express on West 39th Street (near to Times Square). Our room was tiny and the hotel wasn’t particularly nice despite it being quite expensive. It cost around $300 (£235) per night! More recently, I stayed at Dream Downtown, which is a cute, reasonably priced hotel, a stones throw away from Chelsea Market. It also has a cool rooftop bar. Check AirBnb / booking.com to find accommodation suitable to your budget. Visa If you’re travelling from the UK you will need an ESTA to enter the US. Approval doesn’t take long but I’d suggest you apply well in advance of your trip just incase. It costs $14 (£12) and lasts for 2 years. Currency is the US dollar… as I type, £1 = $1.28! Check conversion rates before you go. Transport When we weren’t walking, we mainly used Uber to get around (it even has it’s own area for airport pick-up that you have to get a bus to). I’d definitely suggest exploring on foot as much as possible. If you jump on the subway / in a taxi you’ll miss a whole bunch you’d discover if you were walking. What we did… 1 – Times Square See the famous square in Midtown Manhattan known for its massive billboards and screens. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘The Crossroads of the World’ and has a incredibly lively atmosphere. In Sept, we were there (actually in the 9/11 Museum) when it was announced that the Queen died, so the whole of NY had Queen related stuff on their screens which was cute.

It is home to many shops, offices and restaurants, as well as a whole host of street artists / performers. The Naked Cowboy was our fave and is the same guy we saw and posed with when we went for New Year in 2005! It’s a really cool place to walk through but you don’t need to allocate too much time to see it as there’s not a massive amount to do. Times Square is also known for the New Year ball drop. The ball is located on the roof of One Times Square and descends 43m at midnight on the 31st Dec to signal the start of the new year. One of my clients has offices facing the ball (see pics below!) Whilst you’re in the Broadway area (Times Square is at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue), you may want to see a show… 2 – Broadway Be warned, ticket prices to go to the theatre in the US are incredibly high… you’ll pay more than double what you would to see the same show in the UK. Therefore, make sure you do your research and see something that’s only on on Broadway. Funny Girl isn’t on in London and I got a reasonably priced ticket on TodayTix (although I did pay $42 for a ‘fun-sized’ wine when I was there!!!!!!!)

In 2019, I luckily had a friend in Anastasia so went to see that (which was amazing – highly recommend). I also saw The Lion King and Rent on 2 other trips to NY. 3 – Central Park The most famous park in New York, Central Park should definitely be on your to-do list. It is one of the most filmed locations in the world and you’ll probably recognise some areas from some famous American films. Last time I was in NY, I had a marathon coming up which I had barely trained for. Luckily, one of my colleagues spotted me about to head out for a long run in the foyer of our hotel, and came to keep me company. We managed an easy 15k around the stunning Central Park in the sun.

As much as the horse carriages look like a cute idea, they’re cruel so I’d suggest you don’t pay for a ride. 4 – Take in the City Skyline Option 1: Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) Most people say you should go up the Empire State Building but I’d say the view from the top of the Rockefeller Center is more impressive (because you get the view of the Empire State Building too). You can book tickets to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for $36 (£28) per person. We booked early evening tickets which was fantastic as we got to experience the view in both daylight, nightlight, and during sunset. Option 2: The Edge All my colleagues were raving about this so I had to visit on my last day before flying to Memphis. Stunning views of the city, but I think the Top of the Rock is a bit better as the Empire State Building is right in front of it. Tickets are also on the expensive side at about $45 per person which is steep for a quick visit (wasn’t there for more than 15 mins).

The area next to The Edge is quite cute too – big screens up with seats to watch live sports games!

5 – Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan and you can cross on foot, by car, motorbikes, bikes and even by train.

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.

Dumbo (acronym of ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’) is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn which has a magical view of the Manhattan skyline as well as plenty of nice places to eat / drink. 7 – Statue of Liberty Another iconic New York sight, the Statue of Liberty is a massive sculpture on Liberty Island. The statue is the figure of Libertas (a Roman liberty goddess) with a torch in her hand, and has become an icon of freedom as well as of the US. It was a gift of friendship from the French to the US, dedicated in 1886. If you’re not fussed about getting too up close, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry which is free from the Whitehall Terminal to Staten Island. The trip is about 25 minutes and goes past the Statue of Liberty. This is probably your best option if you have not booked tickets in advance and don’t have time to spend half a day waiting in line. You can walk around the PIER A area which has lots of bars and restaurants and good views of the Statue of Liberty in the background. OR you could actually plan ahead and book a proper trip which we did recently. This was an absolute highlight of the trip and we got SO lucky with the weather. Liberty Cruise NYC charges $45 per adult for their sunset cruise which is a little more expensive than the Circle Line boats / the free ferry which I suggested in my last blog, but SO worth it. Why is it so good? Well, it doesn’t just target the Statue of Liberty, but other famous NY landmarks (Brooklyn / Manhattan Bridges, the NY and Brooklyn skyline!

It also starts in daylight and lasts for about 2 hours, so not only do you get a sunset (if the day is clear), but you also get to see the skyline in the daylight, and then again when it’s dark and the city lights up!

They sell more expensive tickets for a premium upper deck with seats, but personally, I think the view from the front where we were is a lot better. They also have a bar downstairs where you can grab beers and snacks. Was a very special evening.

8 – Ground Zero & the 9/11 Museum You can visit the memorial commemorating the 2011 September 11 attacks which killed 2,977 people. It consists of two square reflecting pools which mark where the Twin Towers stood. You can read the names of all those who tragically lost their lives. You will also see One World Trade Center (or Freedom Tower) which is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center and is the tallest building in the US. The museum was a sobering experience but absolutely worth doing – it is well thought out, informative and emotional. Tickets booked in advance are around $36 online and definitely recommend so you can skip the queue (it wasn’t particularly busy when I was there last, but has been when I’ve visited previously).

9 – Empire State Building You can go up the Empire State Building for views of NY – tickets to the observatory are about £30. Having been to the Rockefeller and the Empire State, I’d say views from the Rockefeller are better.We went to a cool bar / restaurant called 230-Fifth which had spectacular views of the Empire State Building and wasn’t overly crowded / overpriced (pics below). 10 – High Line You can walk the High Line which is an elevated ‘linear park’ 1.45 miles long. Despite the weather being great, the ‘park’ wasn’t very green and in all honesty I wasn’t overly impressed. It’s a nice thing to do if you have the time as the views of the city are nice, but it’s not a must-do. 11 – Grand Central Terminal Located in Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central is not only a transportation-hub, but an impressive famous landmark. You’ll also recognise it from many American films. 12 – Chelsea Market A cool food / shopping hall in Chelsea, Manhattan. Nice to walk around and pick up some light bites. It has a cool interior but you don’t need too long to explore. There’s a vendor called Los Tacos No.1 which was a big hit with our team and no wonder why… absolutely delicious!

Worth visiting if you have the time. *FUN FACT* the Oreo cookie was invented and produced here! 13 – Williamsburg Williamsburg is a cool neighbourhood in Brooklyn (kind of like Shoreditch in London). It’s very young and fashionable with some trendy boutiques, restaurants and cafes. It apparently has a great nightlife too. 14 – NYC Ferry We got the NYC ferry from North Williamsburg back to Manhattan which was not only quick and cheap, but allowed us to take in more stunning views. The NYC ferry seems like a good way to get around if the weather is nice. 15 – Charging Bull & Fearless Girl Didn’t manage to get a great pic, but the Charging Bull & Fearless Girl are cool to see. They’re located in the financial district in Manhattan (near to Wall Street). The bull is a symbol of ‘aggressive financial optimism and prosperity’. The girl was actually commissioned by State Green Global Advisors to advertise for an ‘index fund which comprises gender-diverse companies’. It has a plaque below the statue which says ‘Know the power of women in leadership. SHE makes a difference.’ UPDATE – the Fearless Girl is no longer there, but the Bull is! 16 – Go to a baseball game! We went to watch a game at the Yankee Stadium. Tickets are super reasonable (I think we paid about $40pp) but you can get them for as little as $12 if you sit up at the top. To be honest, the baseball wasn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but the atmosphere is great – especially with a team of 40 people.

17 – Rockaway Beach, Queens We got the train to see some friends who live in Queens. We visited Rockaway Beach which was beautiful and would’ve been packed on a sunnier day. Other… You’ll discover so much as you walk the streets of New York… Soho – full of designer boutiques and galleries – trendy shopping destination Chinatown – vibrant neighbourhood great for foodies Little Italy – lots of souvenir shops as well as restaurants and bakeries Flat Iron Building – cool skyscraper Chrysler Building – Art-Deco skyscraper Union Square – playgrounds, markets and benches to watch the world go by on Meatpacking District – cool commercial area on the west side East Village – known for its ‘happening’ nightlife Ghostbusters Firehouse – recognisable location from the films Actual Firehouse – cool to see the massive fire trucks If you’re into art, the Guggenheim Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art come highly recommended. Food & drink… Here’s some of the food and drink I enjoyed (became a pizza addict on my last trip). I always used to think food in NY was over-rated, but turns out I didn’t know where to look… Trattoria Dell’arte Very cute Italian place right by Central Park and opposite to Carnegie Hall. Both the bread and pasta were exceptional (but might have had a little bit to do with the fact I hadn’t eaten up until that point and had just run 15k!)

Brooklyn Pizza Masters Despite the name of this place, it is not in Brooklyn. Just tried to find it on my maps but I can’t – it’s near to Sutton Place though – about East 58th/59th Street, just past the bridge. The vodka pizza is SOOOO good – I ate 6 slices in 7 days. Also, if you’re on a budget but don’t have a kitchen to cook in, slices of pizza are a great bet as a more reasonable option.

Beauty & Essex This is a trendy place to go and whilst the food was delicious, the service was terrible and we had to tip 20% anyway ( about $200!!) as the US tipping system is crazy! Apparently they do a great brunch on a Sunday and it pops off.

Banter NYC In Greenwich Village – super cute, yummy brunch.

Oxford Cafe Oh my goodness – I LOVED this place – right by our office on Lexington Avenue. They do everything you can think of – sandwiches, soup, salads, burritos. The breakfast croissant was one of my favourite things I’ve eaten in a long time.

BagelWorks We walked to get bagels on Upper East Side before work – loved that a NY policeman was in there waiting for his when we arrived… so New York. It is quite an overwhelming experience and you need to be ready to order, especially if there is a queue. With so much choice, it’s hard to decide, but my favourite was the salmon.

Liberty Bagels After the BagelWorks success, I wanted to find other amazing bagel shops in NY. Peter unknowingly tricked me into going to one of the most famous ones (because it was closest out of the selection I had chosen and he didn’t want to walk far). In my opinion, BagelWorks was better but maybe I ordered wrong.

Cecconi’s We were STARVING after a morning of touristing and nabbed an outside spot at Cecconi’s. Better than the London food in my opinion and a lovely spot to sit.

Crif Dogs These photos are from about 1.30am and we had decided we wanted to try a corndog. After trying to find with no luck (still haven’t had one), we settled on Crif Dogs which was so yummy and a very popular spot. There’s also a prohibition bar there which you can get into by ringing the telephone in the phone booth in there.

Joe’s Pizza An institution in NY, the restaurant is covered in photos of celebrities eating in this spot. I think I ordered wrong (ordered the thick Sicilian pizza instead of the traditional NY slice), was tasty but not as good as the vodka pizza from Brooklyn Pizza Masters.

Posto NYC Thin Crust Pizza We treated ourselves after a 10k run to a massive thin crust pizza. Different to both pizza options above, but just as tasty. Cute restaurant too.

Ajisai Not the prettiest restaurant in the world, but sushi was very good and lunch menu was reasonably priced – you get a lot for your money! Near to our office on Lexington Avenue (795).

Karaoke! Radiostar Had the best night in here. Important to note, people who do karaoke in NY are actually good. We were the only bad people in there. Feel like they must be ex-Broadway / want-to-be Broadway stars – the talent was unreal. You can choose a song and pay a couple of dollars to sing it when you’re at the bar buying a drink. Lots of fun.

PHD Downtown We hosted our launch party here – cool rooftop bar Downtown, on top of the Dream hotel. Amazing views and good vibes.

Actually can’t wait to go back. As much as the horse carriages look like a cute idea, they’re cruel so I’d suggest you don’t pay for a ride. 4 – Take in the City Skyline Option 1: Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) Most people say you should go up the Empire State Building but I’d say the view from the top of the Rockefeller Center is more impressive (because you get the view of the Empire State Building too). You can book tickets to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for $36 (£28) per person. We booked early evening tickets which was fantastic as we got to experience the view in both daylight, nightlight, and during sunset. Option 2: The Edge All my colleagues were raving about this so I had to visit on my last day before flying to Memphis. Stunning views of the city, but I think the Top of the Rock is a bit better as the Empire State Building is right in front of it. Tickets are also on the expensive side at about $45 per person which is steep for a quick visit (wasn’t there for more than 15 mins).

It also starts in daylight and lasts for about 2 hours, so not only do you get a sunset (if the day is clear), but you also get to see the skyline in the daylight, and then again when it’s dark and the city lights up!

Dumbo (acronym of ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’) is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn which has a magical view of the Manhattan skyline as well as plenty of nice places to eat / drink. 7 – Statue of Liberty Another iconic New York sight, the Statue of Liberty is a massive sculpture on Liberty Island. The statue is the figure of Libertas (a Roman liberty goddess) with a torch in her hand, and has become an icon of freedom as well as of the US. It was a gift of friendship from the French to the US, dedicated in 1886. If you’re not fussed about getting too up close, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry which is free from the Whitehall Terminal to Staten Island. The trip is about 25 minutes and goes past the Statue of Liberty. This is probably your best option if you have not booked tickets in advance and don’t have time to spend half a day waiting in line. You can walk around the PIER A area which has lots of bars and restaurants and good views of the Statue of Liberty in the background. OR you could actually plan ahead and book a proper trip which we did recently. This was an absolute highlight of the trip and we got SO lucky with the weather. Liberty Cruise NYC charges $45 per adult for their sunset cruise which is a little more expensive than the Circle Line boats / the free ferry which I suggested in my last blog, but SO worth it. Why is it so good? Well, it doesn’t just target the Statue of Liberty, but other famous NY landmarks (Brooklyn / Manhattan Bridges, the NY and Brooklyn skyline!

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.

5 – Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan and you can cross on foot, by car, motorbikes, bikes and even by train.

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.

Dumbo (acronym of ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’) is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn which has a magical view of the Manhattan skyline as well as plenty of nice places to eat / drink. 7 – Statue of Liberty Another iconic New York sight, the Statue of Liberty is a massive sculpture on Liberty Island. The statue is the figure of Libertas (a Roman liberty goddess) with a torch in her hand, and has become an icon of freedom as well as of the US. It was a gift of friendship from the French to the US, dedicated in 1886. If you’re not fussed about getting too up close, you can hop on the Staten Island Ferry which is free from the Whitehall Terminal to Staten Island. The trip is about 25 minutes and goes past the Statue of Liberty. This is probably your best option if you have not booked tickets in advance and don’t have time to spend half a day waiting in line. You can walk around the PIER A area which has lots of bars and restaurants and good views of the Statue of Liberty in the background. OR you could actually plan ahead and book a proper trip which we did recently. This was an absolute highlight of the trip and we got SO lucky with the weather. Liberty Cruise NYC charges $45 per adult for their sunset cruise which is a little more expensive than the Circle Line boats / the free ferry which I suggested in my last blog, but SO worth it. Why is it so good? Well, it doesn’t just target the Statue of Liberty, but other famous NY landmarks (Brooklyn / Manhattan Bridges, the NY and Brooklyn skyline!

It also starts in daylight and lasts for about 2 hours, so not only do you get a sunset (if the day is clear), but you also get to see the skyline in the daylight, and then again when it’s dark and the city lights up!

They sell more expensive tickets for a premium upper deck with seats, but personally, I think the view from the front where we were is a lot better. They also have a bar downstairs where you can grab beers and snacks. Was a very special evening.

8 – Ground Zero & the 9/11 Museum You can visit the memorial commemorating the 2011 September 11 attacks which killed 2,977 people. It consists of two square reflecting pools which mark where the Twin Towers stood. You can read the names of all those who tragically lost their lives. You will also see One World Trade Center (or Freedom Tower) which is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center and is the tallest building in the US. The museum was a sobering experience but absolutely worth doing – it is well thought out, informative and emotional. Tickets booked in advance are around $36 online and definitely recommend so you can skip the queue (it wasn’t particularly busy when I was there last, but has been when I’ve visited previously).

9 – Empire State Building You can go up the Empire State Building for views of NY – tickets to the observatory are about £30. Having been to the Rockefeller and the Empire State, I’d say views from the Rockefeller are better.We went to a cool bar / restaurant called 230-Fifth which had spectacular views of the Empire State Building and wasn’t overly crowded / overpriced (pics below). 10 – High Line You can walk the High Line which is an elevated ‘linear park’ 1.45 miles long. Despite the weather being great, the ‘park’ wasn’t very green and in all honesty I wasn’t overly impressed. It’s a nice thing to do if you have the time as the views of the city are nice, but it’s not a must-do. 11 – Grand Central Terminal Located in Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central is not only a transportation-hub, but an impressive famous landmark. You’ll also recognise it from many American films. 12 – Chelsea Market A cool food / shopping hall in Chelsea, Manhattan. Nice to walk around and pick up some light bites. It has a cool interior but you don’t need too long to explore. There’s a vendor called Los Tacos No.1 which was a big hit with our team and no wonder why… absolutely delicious!

Worth visiting if you have the time. *FUN FACT* the Oreo cookie was invented and produced here! 13 – Williamsburg Williamsburg is a cool neighbourhood in Brooklyn (kind of like Shoreditch in London). It’s very young and fashionable with some trendy boutiques, restaurants and cafes. It apparently has a great nightlife too. 14 – NYC Ferry We got the NYC ferry from North Williamsburg back to Manhattan which was not only quick and cheap, but allowed us to take in more stunning views. The NYC ferry seems like a good way to get around if the weather is nice. 15 – Charging Bull & Fearless Girl Didn’t manage to get a great pic, but the Charging Bull & Fearless Girl are cool to see. They’re located in the financial district in Manhattan (near to Wall Street). The bull is a symbol of ‘aggressive financial optimism and prosperity’. The girl was actually commissioned by State Green Global Advisors to advertise for an ‘index fund which comprises gender-diverse companies’. It has a plaque below the statue which says ‘Know the power of women in leadership. SHE makes a difference.’ UPDATE – the Fearless Girl is no longer there, but the Bull is! 16 – Go to a baseball game! We went to watch a game at the Yankee Stadium. Tickets are super reasonable (I think we paid about $40pp) but you can get them for as little as $12 if you sit up at the top. To be honest, the baseball wasn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but the atmosphere is great – especially with a team of 40 people.

17 – Rockaway Beach, Queens We got the train to see some friends who live in Queens. We visited Rockaway Beach which was beautiful and would’ve been packed on a sunnier day. Other… You’ll discover so much as you walk the streets of New York… Soho – full of designer boutiques and galleries – trendy shopping destination Chinatown – vibrant neighbourhood great for foodies Little Italy – lots of souvenir shops as well as restaurants and bakeries Flat Iron Building – cool skyscraper Chrysler Building – Art-Deco skyscraper Union Square – playgrounds, markets and benches to watch the world go by on Meatpacking District – cool commercial area on the west side East Village – known for its ‘happening’ nightlife Ghostbusters Firehouse – recognisable location from the films Actual Firehouse – cool to see the massive fire trucks If you’re into art, the Guggenheim Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art come highly recommended. Food & drink… Here’s some of the food and drink I enjoyed (became a pizza addict on my last trip). I always used to think food in NY was over-rated, but turns out I didn’t know where to look… Trattoria Dell’arte Very cute Italian place right by Central Park and opposite to Carnegie Hall. Both the bread and pasta were exceptional (but might have had a little bit to do with the fact I hadn’t eaten up until that point and had just run 15k!)

Brooklyn Pizza Masters Despite the name of this place, it is not in Brooklyn. Just tried to find it on my maps but I can’t – it’s near to Sutton Place though – about East 58th/59th Street, just past the bridge. The vodka pizza is SOOOO good – I ate 6 slices in 7 days. Also, if you’re on a budget but don’t have a kitchen to cook in, slices of pizza are a great bet as a more reasonable option.

Beauty & Essex This is a trendy place to go and whilst the food was delicious, the service was terrible and we had to tip 20% anyway ( about $200!!) as the US tipping system is crazy! Apparently they do a great brunch on a Sunday and it pops off.

Banter NYC In Greenwich Village – super cute, yummy brunch.

Oxford Cafe Oh my goodness – I LOVED this place – right by our office on Lexington Avenue. They do everything you can think of – sandwiches, soup, salads, burritos. The breakfast croissant was one of my favourite things I’ve eaten in a long time.

BagelWorks We walked to get bagels on Upper East Side before work – loved that a NY policeman was in there waiting for his when we arrived… so New York. It is quite an overwhelming experience and you need to be ready to order, especially if there is a queue. With so much choice, it’s hard to decide, but my favourite was the salmon.

Liberty Bagels After the BagelWorks success, I wanted to find other amazing bagel shops in NY. Peter unknowingly tricked me into going to one of the most famous ones (because it was closest out of the selection I had chosen and he didn’t want to walk far). In my opinion, BagelWorks was better but maybe I ordered wrong.

Cecconi’s We were STARVING after a morning of touristing and nabbed an outside spot at Cecconi’s. Better than the London food in my opinion and a lovely spot to sit.

Crif Dogs These photos are from about 1.30am and we had decided we wanted to try a corndog. After trying to find with no luck (still haven’t had one), we settled on Crif Dogs which was so yummy and a very popular spot. There’s also a prohibition bar there which you can get into by ringing the telephone in the phone booth in there.

Joe’s Pizza An institution in NY, the restaurant is covered in photos of celebrities eating in this spot. I think I ordered wrong (ordered the thick Sicilian pizza instead of the traditional NY slice), was tasty but not as good as the vodka pizza from Brooklyn Pizza Masters.

Posto NYC Thin Crust Pizza We treated ourselves after a 10k run to a massive thin crust pizza. Different to both pizza options above, but just as tasty. Cute restaurant too.

Ajisai Not the prettiest restaurant in the world, but sushi was very good and lunch menu was reasonably priced – you get a lot for your money! Near to our office on Lexington Avenue (795).

Karaoke! Radiostar Had the best night in here. Important to note, people who do karaoke in NY are actually good. We were the only bad people in there. Feel like they must be ex-Broadway / want-to-be Broadway stars – the talent was unreal. You can choose a song and pay a couple of dollars to sing it when you’re at the bar buying a drink. Lots of fun.

PHD Downtown We hosted our launch party here – cool rooftop bar Downtown, on top of the Dream hotel. Amazing views and good vibes.

Actually can’t wait to go back. As much as the horse carriages look like a cute idea, they’re cruel so I’d suggest you don’t pay for a ride. 4 – Take in the City Skyline Option 1: Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) Most people say you should go up the Empire State Building but I’d say the view from the top of the Rockefeller Center is more impressive (because you get the view of the Empire State Building too). You can book tickets to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for $36 (£28) per person. We booked early evening tickets which was fantastic as we got to experience the view in both daylight, nightlight, and during sunset. Option 2: The Edge All my colleagues were raving about this so I had to visit on my last day before flying to Memphis. Stunning views of the city, but I think the Top of the Rock is a bit better as the Empire State Building is right in front of it. Tickets are also on the expensive side at about $45 per person which is steep for a quick visit (wasn’t there for more than 15 mins).

The area next to The Edge is quite cute too – big screens up with seats to watch live sports games!

5 – Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan and you can cross on foot, by car, motorbikes, bikes and even by train.

We walked over which took about 25 minutes if I remember correctly. Another iconic image of NY. 6 – DUMBO I would suggest you walk over Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Dumbo.