Being a fan of Seinfeld and Sex And The City, I often wondered what it would be like to walk around the streets of New York. It’s a notion that I romanticized for a long time before finally having the chance to experience it for real.
The ‘Big Apple’ made an impression on me the moment I stepped off the plane into LaGuardia Airport. There was a bustle in the air, and different kind of energy. All around I could hear notable New York accents as people engaged in conversations. Toto, we’re not in Canada anymore, eh?
Aboard the shuttle, the driver took off like a bat out of hell, honking madly and weaving fearlessly in-and-out of rush-hour traffic. The couple beside me engaged in an argument with him about how many stops he had to make and how long it would take them to get home. I silently chuckled to myself, highly enjoying the accent-to-accent verbal sparring. It felt like I was in a movie.
First skyline glimmer
Gazing out the window, I got my first glimpse of Manhattan as we crossed the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge. What a breathtaking view! Glimmering lights stretched as far as I could see, reaching up into the sky. Overhead, stars were beginning to shine, and the half-moon was on the rise. I could almost hear Christopher Cross serenading the scene. It was absolutely stunning, and I was instantly taken. Love at first sight.
My home base was Hilton New York on 6th Avenue. A great hotel for amenities, service, food and beverages, and a spacious and fully-loaded fitness centre. As an extra bonus, my room on the 35th floor came with a spectacular view. Being situated close to some of the most popular attractions, it would prove to be a convenient place for walking around the streets of New York.
Ice-skating rinks
First bucket-list adventure was ice-skating, with two outdoor rinks within walking distance. Citi Pond at Bryant Park is free, but charge skate and locker rentals. Gliding around the packed ice under towering skyscrapers was surreal. Not to mention it was +8 Celsius outside. I couldn’t help but wonder how they kept the ice from melting. I also wondered how many of these people had ever skated before, as I dodged weaving, wobbling and wipe-outs.
The Rink at Rockefeller Centre is the most renowned for visitors. Skate rentals cost less, but they charge admission. More than a quarter million people skate here from October through April. An even greater number than that take in Rockefeller Centre’s other tourist attraction.
The view from above
The Top of the Rock is a three-level observation deck on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Outdoor terraces feature fully transparent safety glass, while the uppermost level provides an open-air unobstructed 360-degree view.
Seeing the city from above is a must! The best time to go is about an hour before sunset, when you can see everything in daylight before the sun goes down, and witness colours on the horizon change from orange, red and mauve into shades of blue, grey and black. Then, eventually, trillions of twinkling stars come out to accentuate the night. For someone already in love with the skyline, the view from up there seals the deal.
Strolling around Times Square
Another must-do thing while wandering around the streets of New York is to visit the city’s most famous region – Times Square. This illuminated spectacle of glowing billboards, blinking lights, and bustling bodies is one of the world’s busiest pedestrian sections and most-visited tourist attractions. I enjoyed walking through, and got great amusement from the people-watching, but due to sensory overload did not stay long.
Times Square is hub of the Broadway Theatre section, and seeing any Broadway show is a memorable occasion. I got to check out Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, which was billed as one of New York’s most thrilling shows at the time. Once Spider-Man was revealed, the action evolved into high-flying acrobatics above the stage and right over our heads. With stunning costumes, special effects, and contemporary music composed by Bono and The Edge, it was a fabulous feast for ears and eyes.
Street food endorsed by locals
For quick and easy food on the streets of New York, you can always find plenty of food carts with falafels, gyros, and other delicious dishes. The most renowned is The Halal Guys, located right beside my hotel, and constantly busy. It’s the street food of choice for the locals in line who, when asked why they chose this particular cart, insisted “It’s the best. You can’t go wrong.”
They recommended the ‘special plate’ heaping with ground meat, lettuce, pita, and orange rice that looked like shredded carrots. And after eating it one time, I could see why they would line up for it again and again. I thoroughly enjoyed it! The best part was the tangy white sauce, tasting like tzatziki crossed with tahini.
Running around Central Park
After all that food, exercise is in order, so I opted for going for a run in the outdoors. Central Park is gorgeous and well-groomed, with well-marked trails perfect for running. It’s both hilly and flat, with many scenic distractions, and awesome skyline views.
The route circling Central Park is 9.8 kilometers and goes past The Dakota, the historic apartment once home to John Lennon. Fans still flock there, and it was surreal gazing at the building I’ve seen so many times in media. Strawberry Fields and the Imagine mosaic inside the park pay tribute to Lennon, and are peaceful places to stop and reflect on life. Or just sitting and “watching the wheels go ‘round and ‘round” on the streets of New York.
Emotional memorial
The 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site is a deeply moving and somber place dedicated to remembering the men, women and children killed in the terror attacks of September 2001 and February 1993. It features two cascading waterfalls and reflecting pools set within the footprints of the twin towers. Admission is free, but pre-registration and photo ID is required.
Every single name of nearly 3000 victims is inscribed on bronze panels lining the two pools, and I took time to read every single one. It took me several hours to acknowledge them all, and it was an incredibly emotional visit. Especially when I came across a woman tracing one of the names. I stood and watched her for a moment before approaching and quietly asking “Did you know him?”
“Yes,” she answered, looking up at me. “He was my husband. And these are his children.” She motioned towards a teenaged boy and girl who politely smiled at me.
I couldn’t imagine what they must have felt, and found myself completely lost for words. While I’d seen countless news stories and documentaries portraying the attacks, I never fully realized the utter loss of life and the sheer enormity of the tragedy until meeting this woman and her children. I was humbled and honoured to be in their presence.
And even though I had no words to say, I’m certain my tears said it all.
