7/20/2019 0 Comments TWO DAYS IN MANHATTANTwo days in Manhattan, New York, is ephemeral -- a fleeting, mere moment in time compared to what is required to view and enjoy the expanses of this energetic city. However, I managed to pack in as many attractions as possible during my recent first trip to NYC, or more specifically, Manhattan. If you are curious as to how to schedule your itinerary around sites that require no transportation and/or a little amount of time, keep reading for my on-foot experience in two days in Manhattan! :) HALF-DAY 1 We arrived to Manhattan around mid-day, hence the half-day schedule. We didn't want to walk too far from our hotel with such little time, so your first day is the perfect time to check off all the attractions that require the least walking and visit time in order to leave room for longer visits and father distances the next day. 1. GOSSIP GIRL We began our itinerary with a classic GG location -- the Lotte New York Palace Hotel. Where Serena, Chuck, and their families lived, the Palace was conveniently where we stayed for our trip. Naturally, I immediately had to take pictures of the beautiful entrance and relive the scenes of the iconic show after checking into our room. 2. LUNCH @ A NY DELI Before heading out to explore, make sure to grab some lunch to keep up your energy through the rest of the day. NY delis are located everywhere and are great places to get a taste of the hustle and bustle while finding a variety of meals that will satisfy the whole family. If you're looking for a more authentic experience, the Deli on Madison was a delicious lunch spot for us, while the expanding chain of Pret-A-Manger offered tasty grab-and-go options. 3. ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL A gorgeous landmark, St. Patrick's Cathedral was conveniently located right next to our hotel, so we began our journey with a tour of the beautiful exterior and interior. The vaulted ceilings, marble statues, candle light, and bouquet devotions all made for a stunning experience inside such a deeply holy place. And, if you're lucky, you may just happen to visit during a Mass, like we did, and get to listen in to the amazing service. 4. GRAND CENTRAL STATION In retrospect, it appears that many of Day 1's locations centered around a Gossip Girl theme :) Nonetheless, the bright turquoise ceiling, expansive interior, and impressive marble staircases all contribute to what makes Grand Central Station such a highly visited spot. 5. ROCKEFELLER CENTER Make sure to visit the Top of the Rock to take in their sweeping views of the city. If you have time, sunset is a popular time to admire the golden hour or setting sun over the multitude of skyscrapers and activity below. Plus, the magnifying stations can help you see as far as the Statue of Liberty for just fifty cents. Stop by the gift shop to purchase a (cheesy) cute mug that changes colors to reveal the skyline once in contact with hot drinks. DAY 2 Today is the day to start fresh and early, packing the longer walks and visits into your itinerary. Get excited to explore! 1. BLUESTONE LANE For breakfast, we chose a spot a little more than halfway through Central Park and close to the MET so that we would begin our adventures close to where we wanted to spend the day in order to finish at our hotel by the end of our walking. Bluestone Lane, located inside a space attached to the Church of the Heavenly Rest, was well worth the two mile walk from our hotel. With gorgeous vaulted ceilings and stonework, you truly felt as though you were dining inside a church. Not to mention, their famous avocado toast with poached egg was absolutely scrumptious and filling to last through the day. 2. FIFTH AVENUE On the way to breakfast, we made sure to admire the complex, beautiful displays in the front of the multitude of recognizable stores along 5th Avenue. From Versace to Gucci and everything in between, this street is wonderful for window shopping. 3. THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (MET) An absolutely essential part of visiting NY, we visited the MET after breakfast to work our way down Central Park. Honestly, we did not allot enough time to tour the endless galleries of this landmark that you can get lost in for hours. However, from the galleries we did manage to appreciate, the enormous collections are mesmerizing. One particular favorite was a painting of St. Jerome, by Leonardo da Vinci, a piece highlighted by the museum. My favorite, the CAMP fashion exhibit, was truly incredible. Reality translated to exaggerated fashion through imitations of Tiffany's bag dresses, Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup, and even a TV dinner. At the end, I got to purchase an Anna Wintour tote from the CAMP gift shop, which for me sealed the deal on the MET as my favorite attraction. And don't forget to grab a pretzel, ice cream, or smoothie from the many food carts parked outside before continuing on the rest of your journey! 4. CENTRAL PARK After the MET, our walk traversed naturally through Central Park. We stopped along the way at sites such as Bethesda Fountain, The Mall, and The Lake. A boat ride by the Loeb Boathouse is also a great way to rest your legs while enjoying the water, but is only really good for less sunny days, since the lake is usually in direct sunlight.
HALF-DAY 3 Before heading out later that afternoon, we strived to make the most of our last day in NY between the unfortunate thunderstorms. 1. NY BAGELS For breakfast, we simply had to experience the bagels that NY is known for. Ess-A-Bagel, a spot located a mere five minutes from our hotel, served as the perfect place to experience the grand variety of cream cheeses and toppings. From avocado garlic cream cheese to NY's famous lox to chocolate chip cream cheese (my order), Ess-A-Bagel has every type of extreme and delicious bagel topping you could wish for. 2. TIMES SQUARE Another iconic location, Times Square lived up to the incredible energy you witness in every picture and video. All you can do is simply stop and stare, swiveling 360-degrees to take in all the color and light. A timeless place to tour, don't forget to pick up an authentic "I <3 NY" t-shirt! :) Thank you for reading and viewing "Two Days in Manhattan!" I hope that you received some inspiration for traveling on a short schedule or with little to no transportation. Until next time... I <3 NY!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |