30 hour trip survived :)
Hi everyone! This was me. Reporting back as I wait for my flight to board. (Long post ahead)
This trip was decided last minute, and admittedly it was poorly planned. I was also overwhelmed with the information I could access from different sources; that being said, learning that I’m arriving the day before America’s 250th Independence Day, (and Taylor Swift’s Wedding apparently) among other events, I accepted that
- I wouldn’t be able to see everything
- I’ll be happy doing very touristy things
I was coming from a 2 week trip with family in Columbus and Chicago and had a medium sized luggage, a cabin sized luggage, and a personal bag. A friend suggested to leave the biggest luggage in storage at JFK and that’s what I did. I used smart carte, and for 2 days, I was charged 87 usd. I initially regretted this as this was a big amount for me, but later on I was grateful I did.
Transportation
- Coming into the city, I did AirTrain —> LIRR —> subway. My first blooper was not knowing the LIRR needed a separate ticket from the OMNY card. Thankfully I could just pay that on the train
- I got the OMNY card upon arriving at Jamaica station. I paid first for the 18usd one that included airtrain + 3 subway rides. In the end I reloaded a total of 30usd to cover for all transportation until I was back at the airport
- I took the LIRR since this was mentioned to me by someone I knew. It had only 2 stops until Grand Central. Seeing Grand Central station was also a deciding factor for me to take this route ~ though Google Maps actually wanted me do Penn Station. I just wanted to get that off the list as I made my way to the hotel— not knowing this was actually better since the wedding was already going on then.
- As a classic first time tourist, the first subway ride I took after leaving the hotel post check-in was going the wrong direction. After maybe 4-5 stops I wondered why the street numbers were going up when my destination street number was supposedly a lower number. Haha. From then on, I always checked if I was entering the correct side— though sometimes they won’t tell u at entry but that usually means the difference will be on the platforms. Something unique I noticed is we only tap coming in but not going out.
- I was able to take the bus one time. It’s my first time encountering the touch/push to open the doors when you want to alight the vehicle. They don’t open automatically!
- Going back to the airport I was advised to take the subway. It had more stops than LIRR but it was still fast. I think it took about the same time coming in and going out of manhattan. I enjoyed the E line because the train cars were new, the AC was on full blast, and it was generally better than the older lines.
Accomodation
- checked in at OYO suites. just a few steps from Times Square (W 47th near cor. 7th). I am familiar with this chain. It was cheap even for last minute, around 150 usd. And I didn’t expect much for the price. What’s important for me was a decent bed and a private bathroom
- I got the decent bed and own bathroom but it smelled like smoke when I entered, and I didn’t trust the cleanliness of the carpet and the bathroom. The towels were also so poor quality they looked like rugs 😅. Thankfully I was prepared with my own towel and slippers. They had toiletriess and a heater plus a very effective AC which was needed in this heat!
Activities
Arrival day:
- Post check-in:
Expectation: walk the High line before dinner
Reality: navigating the thick crowd at Times Square and the level of humidity upon getting out of the subway was a lot! I felt drained and just rested at the hotel before freshening up for dinner.
- Dinner:
Expectation: stand up dinner at L’industrie West Village and stroll a little to the Friends (TV series) Apartment Building
Reality: next door drinking place (Talea Beer Co.) allowed L’industrie customers to sit as long as every person orders a drink. We did just that and was able to enjoy our dinner. The pizza was good though I have no other NY Pizza experience to compare it too. It also rained while we were having dinner so we didn’t get to stroll and decided to just make our way back home
- Post-Dinner
Expectation: pass thru Times Square before going back to hotel
Reality: I mentioned to my friend that I was sad that i wasn’t able to get tickets to any broadway show. She mentioned the stardust diner to me and there I went. Food was priced what I expected it to be—expensive haha ( I only got drinks) but I truly enjoyed all the performing staff. I was able to get in just before the post broadway rush, and easily because I was a party of 1. It was a good end of the night. I went to Times Square just before midnight and experienced the most uneventful ball drop. Haha! There was a program but they didn’t project the events to the people in Times Square aside from the countdown. It was still fun to get a glimpse of the ball drop :). Bought water and bread at a 7-eleven before retiring happily after a long shower.
4th of July
Expectation:
- very early start of the day (6am)
- on my list: Central Park and Financial District
- go back to the hotel before check out for a shower and store bags at the hotel after
- miss the fireworks (sadly)
Reality:
- still slightly early start to the day (left at 7am)
- I saw on the map that Rockefeller plaza and St. Patrick’s cathedral were nearby so decided to pass thru these 2 landmarks on my way to Central Park
- learned that St Patrick’s was a Catholic Church (I am Catholic) and decided to attend the mass as it was about to start when I finished looking thru one side of the cathedral. It was also quiet this time of the day. Almost no tourists aside from mass goers. Also learned that there was another mass at 5:30pm I could attend in lieu of the Sunday mass I was supposedly missing as I would be travelling
- made my way to central Park at past 8am. Weather was still nice. Did the walk entering from the corner where the Plaza hotel is, covering the pond (wonderful skyline views!!!!), Gapstow Bridge, Wollman Rink (climb the huge Rock to the left of it for a better vantage point) Mall and Literary Walk, Bethesda Terrace and Fountain. At this point the heat was starting to hurt 😅
- i walked more to get to the steps of the Met and filmed my gossip girl moment while eating the bread that i bought the previous night 😅(did not go into the museum)
-rode the bus to the nearest stop near my hotel and happened to pass by a Barnes and Noble which I checked out and also to cool down from the heat a bit. Had been on a look out for a cheap meal but nothing was landing for me. I went back to the hotel for the quickest shower, last minute pack up and check out just before 12nn. Stored my bag. I was told to claim it before 8pm. Stayed a bit at the lobby to avoid the heat.
- Afternoon Impulsive Moments: wanted to see the Statue of Liberty from afar and the bridges too. So I first made my way to Dumbo for the photo spots, then time out market. Found dumbo market before leaving the place and got a meal (with rice!) and discounted huge drink. Was able to sit down while eating and cool off at the same time. The heat was draining!
- transpo to Battery Park to see the statue. Tons of people
Getting on ferries and I did not want to do that. Saw some
Of huge ships both from Time out market rooftop and from battery park. It took a while for me to get here as I was supposedly catching the free downtown loop., but I missed the last trip for the day. They were closing down the roads already.
- just wanted to get out of the heat so I took the subway to the oculus and stayed there for a bit. Went out to see the 9/11 memorial (did not go inside the museum)
- subway back to St. Patrick’s for the 5:30pm
Mass. Rested and cooled down at the building across for a bit before claiming my bag at the hotel. Bought some stuff at the Hershey’s store and had coffee at Central Perk.
-made my way back to JFK and was able to catch a Bunch of the fireworks display all over while riding the AirTrain!
Takeaway:
- plan ahead but have allowance for changes. My impulsivity caused good and not so good changes to the trip.
- as a solo traveler, do not be afraid to ask other (likely) tourists to take your photos. I usually approach someone taking a selfie and offer to take their photo before asking them to take mine. So far it has never failed. :)
- a lot more of the city to see. I would want to come back at a less chaotic time season and take my time to enjoy it. I still loved that I accidentally came in at an important holiday. It was so much more exciting and I really witnessed the city that never sleeps!
- Catch a broadway show!!!! It hurt a bit to be living in theater district without watching any show 😅
- take the weather warnings seriously. Even when I’m used to heat and humidity I could still feel my body approaching dehydration. I did my best to catch up on hydration but the heat was really something else.
- I felt like I was playing hide and seek with the landmark buildings everytime I was walking around. Haha! Everything was beautiful and I couldn’t believe I was actually there experiencing it.
This was very long. If you’ve read to this point, thank you! I have enjoyed reading thru this sub prior to the trip as well. I appreciate everyone’s insights especially to those who responded to my previous post. Until the next one!