Exploring New York City or Manhattan for the first time might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With some thoughtful planning, you can tailor your visit to fit exactly what you’re looking for, at your own pace, while hitting all the must-see spots. NYC is a city teeming with people, vibrant noises, and constant activity. It’s a whirlwind of energy, clamor, and yes, even some less-than-pleasant smells. Yet, it’s no wonder why it’s often hailed as the greatest city on Earth by millions.

When mapping out your itinerary, consider where you’ll be staying in relation to what you plan to do. For instance, if catching a Broadway show and visiting iconic tourist attractions is on your agenda, a stay near Broadway is ideal. If your interests lean towards exploring the art scene in Chelsea, mingling in the East Village, or venturing out to Brooklyn, consider accommodations closer to those areas. Regardless, with the extensive subway system, the city is yours to traverse.

When I mentioned my upcoming trip to New York, the common questions were whether I’d be catching a Broadway show or visiting the Statue of Liberty. While these are top draws for many, having visited New York several times before, these weren’t on my agenda this time. My goal was to absorb as much as possible on a self-guided walking tour. The allure of staying in Times Square was undeniable—it’s Times Square, after all. Exploring Battery Park, strolling through Central Park, and ascending to the Top of the Rock was at the forefront of my plans. Every sight was within walking distance, keeping my expenses minimal without extensive museum visits or guided tours. The one culinary must for me? Joe’s Pizza—a nod to its fame in the Spiderman movies.

Care to join me on this virtual tour?

Day 1

After we got off the train and landed in Columbus Circle (Central Park) we grabbed a quick bite to eat from one of the food trucks there.  Nothing significant, but I was hungry so it didn’t matter.  Then it was time to hit the first place on my list- the Top of The Rock (Rockafeller Center).  The view did not disappoint.

Also part of the Rockefeller Center, is the Atlas statue on Fifth Avenue.  This  looks just as worldly as you see in the history books. We all know the history, where Atlas was forced to carry the world on his shoulders as a punishment when he helped with the war against the Olympic gods.

Our afternoon walk continued, and we came across St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  I loved looking at this church and its amazing architecture.  I couldn’t have planned this shot any more perfectly, capturing your typical New York cab parked out front! According to Wikipedia, this is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic Church in North America, and first of its kinds in the US.  The cathedral is so large it can seat up to 2,400 people. Alec Baldwin married Hilaria there in 2012.  I for sure, don’t know that many people!

One of the joys of walking around Times Square, is seeing all the artists. They’re either trying to sell you something, or trying to get you to take your picture with them.  This guy kind of looks like the tin man, but he kind of doesn’t.  I’m not really sure what he’s supposed to be.  Either way, his costume is great. We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore.

So after a day of flying, riding the train, lunch, and checking out Top of the Rock etc, we checked into our hotel, (we stayed at the Westin, Times Square) we decided it was finally time to check out the famous Joe’s Pizza.  They have several locations, but we went to the one at 40th St/Broadway. Their original location is in Greenwhich Village.  If you’ve never heard of Joe’s Pizza, you may be wondering why they’re so famous.  In the Marvels movie,  Spider-Man 2 Peter Parker works there. The pizza is your typical large triangular sliced NY style pizza.  It’s good, but not great.  The restaurant is super small, and basically set up for carryout.  Our line wrapped around the corner from 40th Street down Broadway.  They are constantly opening the ovens putting in pizzas and taking out the cooked ones- so it delays the cooking time. Here are some of my favorite pics!

Day 2

After a good night’s rest, our second day of adventure began in Central Park. And boy did we have perfect weather for it.

We wanted to check out the Blockhouse.  This is the oldest building in Park, and was ressurected before the park was created, built back in 1814. This was used to defend the British during the War of 1812.

After this quick hike, we decided to go ahead with our walking tour of Manhattan.  We headed south and walked the full lenth of Central Park via 5th Avenue.  Check out our pics.

Day 3

On our third day, we ventured to Hudson Yards, passing by The Vessel—a striking structure consisting of 154 interconnected staircases soaring 150 feet tall. This architectural marvel was a centerpiece of “public art” in the area, offering a magnificent sight to behold. Sadly, in 2021, it was closed to the public due to a series of tragic events involving multiple suicides.

While we were walking through Hudson Yards, I felt like I was being watched by this guy

The artwork displayed on  the High Line in Hudson Yards is great. This nearly 1.5-mile elevated pathway was repurposed from an old railway line. Positioned on Manhattan’s west side, it meanders amidst condominiums, commercial spaces, and mixed-use buildings. Walking this route, tranquility envelops you, offering relief from the city sounds and crowds. It took us roughly half an hour to traverse its entire length, and the best part? It’s free to wander through.

When you go to NYC, you should definitely check out the Chelsea Market. You can grab a cup of coffee and you can even watch them make some fresh baked goods at Sarabeth’s

After walking through the Highline, and refueling at Chelsea Market- we headed south and had to check out the view across the Hudson River.  These views did not disappoint!

We took a walk through Washington Square Park

After leaving the Park, we continued to head south, and grabbed lunch at a great diner called The Waverly. This across from the park at the corner of Sixth Ave and Waverly Place. It has those old fashioned leather booths, and the grilled cheese with tomato and bacon sandwich hit the spot. I definitely recommend. From there, we headed back out and walked through Little Italy and Chinatown.

Little Italy was crowded, but smelled exactly like you’d think it would. There’s nothing better than smelling garlic, fresh pasta, and even taking a few sneak peaks at diner’s plates ad you are walking by their sidewalk tables.   Next time, I am definitely going back for dinner and a slice of tiramisu.

My experience walking through Chinatown was not what I was expecting.  For some reason, I though there would be a lot more restaurants, than what we actually saw.  It was difficult watlking by the sidewalk vendors that had blocks and blocks of premier, high-end designer labels’ counterfeit products.  This went on for many blocks, and it didn’t really clear out until we finally made our way to the next subway station.

After we wore ourselves out, we headed back to the hotel for a quick nap.  We decided for dinner that evening, we were ging to hang out in what was called Hell’s Kitchen.  This area has grown so much and gone through so many changes.  We ate at a place called Mom’s and I absolutely loved it.  The music was loud, the menu was super colorful, and the drinks were huge!  Here’s my Mom’s Margarita (16 ozs!)

Day 4

On our last day, we had to start the day off right. I was going to finally try a proper NYC Bagel.  Across the street from our hotel, we stepped into The NYC Coffee Shop, where”Life Begins After Coffee”.  I ordered the All Time New Yorker, this terrfic egg and cheese bagel sandwich.  Let me tell you.  It was deelish!  This is where you should grab a bagel and a coffee if you’re in Times Square.

On our last day, our remaining agenda was to visit the World Trace Center Memorial to pay our respects, head over to the financial district, and also see if we had time to see the Statue of Liberty.  We weren’t going to go to Ellis Island on this trip, but I would like to go back with my son, so he can experience it much closer up, as I did, when I went as a kid.

The World Trade Center Memorial was very touching to see. I was overhwheled with emotion as I laid eyes on both fountains and read through all the names. It didn’t feel right to snap a lot of pictures and videos, but I wanted to catch a few, in case anyone reading this does not have the opportunity to go visit it themselves in person.

After we visited the World Trade Center, we headed on over to the Financial District. We saw the Bull on Broad St.

The Fearless Girl statue is located across the street from the New York Stock Exchange building.

As I left the hustle and bustle of the city,  and iconic skyline of Manhattan, I’m amazed at sense of the relentless energy of the people.   Manhattan has historic landmarks and many hidden gems, each corner holds a story waiting to be discovered. Manhattan, with its blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy, remains a testament to the spirit of New York City—an enduring beacon of art, culture, and limitless possibilities. Until next time, Manhattan, thank you for an unforgettable journey amidst your skyscrapers and dreams.

Check out all of my pictures from my trip on my Gallery page.