About this time last year (well September to be precise), we took a trip to NYC… I blogged part 1 and then sort of forgot to do part 2.
So here it is. Better late than never… my favourite (and free!) spaces in New York.
And a few of my random NY tips that I don’t have pictures for but they’re here too!
One of my absolute favourite things was the High Line. (Yes, we got this shot by lying down on the ground! Yes, we got strange looks. Totally worth it though!)
It’s a section of old elevated rail line that’s been converted into a park. You basically walk from Downtown to Midtown on it, and get a great view of more unexpected New York sights (like the New Yorker sign above)…
And the Empire State building peeking out from behind this reddy church…
And amazing ghost signs (I was obsessed with these on our trip and would stop to snap them wherever I saw them, usually to the confusion of other pedestrians)…
And arty things… like this cool bird house installation. (Though I got the feeling this wee guy was none too impressed with me taking his picture!)
At the end (or the start I think, we might have walked it backwards!) we came across this street art… which I can only assume refers to the massively scary…
… HUGE CLOWN sitting nearby! Clowns completely weird me out β mainly because I watched Stephen King’s IT at an early age. (Even linking to this is giving me the shivers… and I didn’t even watch it!)
But the drunken panda street art made it all better. Mostly better. Ok, ignore the clown. Go to the High Line. You’ll love it. Pretend I didn’t mention the other bit.
Inside Grand Central Station, there’s an amazing ‘whispering gallery’. It might be hard to see from our slightly murky photos β but you can stand at opposite ends, talk into the wall and hear each other.
It’s the strangest thing to be leaning against a wall (as pictured) and be able to hear each other’s voices as if you were standing next to each other.
If you’re looking for it, there’s no sign… just go under the main station, towards the food courts and look for a sort of curved roof with four pillary bits.
It’s an obvious one but Central Park is a must-go to…
So you can hang out with Hans Christian Andersen and Alice in Wonderland…
But also to do some brilliant people watching… especially when they’re watching giant bubbles being blown.
This woman’s reaction to the bubble coming her way is just the best. That’s pure joy right there!
And if that’s not enough joy, why not treat yourself a silly ice-cream. We couldn’t decide who’s would win the silliest award…
*****
Here’s my other random tips as promised:
Pick up a Time Out NYC magazine at the airport β that’s how we found out about comedy shows, pop-ups etc that we wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
Best view… I would say go up The Rockefeller. Most people do the Empire State but the queues are long and once you’re up there, well, you can’t see the Empire State if that makes sense! π
Rooftop bars… we were lucky in that our hotel had an amazing rooftop bar… which was basically an outdoor club with a view of the Empire State and the Chrysler.
Best bakery... Two Little Red Hens. These guys do mini versions of all their cupcakes too so you can buy lots and not over-do it (too much).
Best breakfast (and lunch!) in Manhattan… Penelope on Lexington. There can be huge queues for this place so
it’s best to turn up not too hungry, put your name on the waiting list and grab a coffee nearby while you wait.
Best shop (certainly one of my fav!)… in god we trust in Brooklyn.
Best coffee… Cafe Grumpy (the original is Brooklyn but it’s also served in a cool hotel bar that’s opposite the Public Library)
Getting about… we jumped on the river taxis for getting to and from Brooklyn/Downtown etc… might be a bit chilly but you get a great view of the city that way.
Oh yes, if you ever get the opportunity to eat some Fruit Loops at 3am on a deserted hotel rooftop… while the lights from the Empire State turn the whole misty sky red… then take it.
Honestly, it’ll be the best cereal of your life. In a crazy, only in New York sort of way!
I am so glad you posted this, I am going to New York in September and am currently planning it!
Connie Onnie recently posted..Watercolor Books & A Wishbone
Very good timing then Connie! Hope you have a brill time (jealous!) x
You always do the best dinky travel guides! I wanted to go to New York City before and now I want to go even more!!
Thanks Abbi π Makes me want to go back too β it’s the good and bad thing about looking at pictures like these! x
Oh wow I’d never heard of the whispering gallery before, that’s going on my to-visit-list!! LOve your pictures btw! π
It was actually my mister that heard about it… I hadn’t even heard of a whispering gallery until we went! It’s weird but very cool x
Great photos! I have severe NY blues at the mo : ( That city gets under my skin! I can’t complain as we’re going to Oz next year but a big part of me wishes it was NY again. Thanks for sharing x
Lisa recently posted..A week in film
You know I’m thinking ruby slippers etc now? π Oz will be amazing I’m sure… but yes NY does have a way of stealing your heart! I totally fell for it last time we were there… hope the NY blues clear up soon x
Ah, I can’t read your travel posts anymore! I was so sure I wanted my first New York trip to be at Christmas, and now I want to go in Summer/Autumn!
aDizzyGirl recently posted..Working 9-5
Well, I kind of want to go there at Christmas too one day… so maybe if you go then you can tell me all about it? (It’s the skating at the Rockefeller christmas tree that I really want to do!)
You guys always take the cutest travel photos. You make me want to go to NYC too. Even though I hated it last time I was there. Probably cause I went in the winter after a horrible break up. Must give it another go.
Lauren recently posted..Sarah & Garyβs Glasgow Picnic Wedding
Loved the High Line! We had no idea about the whispering gallery though we did spend a couple of hours drinking fizz upstairs
You’ve inspired me to post some of my past travels…I love NYC so much it hurts! x
Christine recently posted..FishClub, Clapham
Great post! I love New York. If I ever make it back there I’d love to check out the High Line. x
ps not a fan of clowns either!
colleen @ hello olive recently posted..(An update) plus have you heard about
we honeymooned in new york so it always will have a special place in my heart. and these photos make me want to go back so much.
we went to the top of the rock too and it was really good as all our skyline photos have the empire state building in them.
and get the ferry if you have time, it is free and the view back to manhattan are amazing π
Lottie recently posted..west london
love your new NYC post! Am going in March for boyfriend’s 30th so need all your tips π
Ugh now I want to go back RIGHT NOW! Loved the High Line but didn’t made it to Grand Central so that’s a good enough reason to book a flight, right?
domestikate recently posted..Wild wild west
Love NYC baby!! Needed an excuse to go back and youve just given me at least 2 reasons to book that flight! Whoop whoop! π
Amazing! I want to go now, but it’s in the pipeline for a big birthday in a couple of years. Guess I’ll just have to wait π
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Or you could go twice? There’s so much to take in anyhow? Just call the first trip a recon for the birthday trip β just to check, you know, if it’s a suitable location π
Oh, I miss NYC. You never do get over it. For every person who goes and falls in love with the city, I feel a little bit happier. You’ve made my morning.
ginger from the style of being recently posted..miss match: printed skirt
Awww, you’re welcome x
I love your pictures and your guide – it really makes me want to go back to New York again and pick up some cheesecake while visiting the whispering gallery.
Siobhan recently posted..On not getting a tattoo
Ah that sounds like an ideal day doesn’t it? Thanks my dear x
Hi Zoe, it’s lovely to discover your site and thanks for your lovely comments. Great piece about New York – such an interesting journey following your photo trail. Will definitely bookmark this for when we next go to NYC. x
Geraldine recently posted..Toys that are fun to play with but easy on the eye!
Hey Geraldine… I actually discovered your blog through a comment you left on one of my Japan posts! You’re v welcome on the comments though… and thank you x
you’re getting me all excited. we were there last november and going again at easter. (my best bud lives in brooklyn.) i think i was telling little nest box how the funniest thing happened on the high line. my friend was telling me how ethan hawke did the narration for the audio tour of the highline and we were doing impressions of him (we both have a thing for ethan hawke ever since reality bites) and not two minutes later, he walked passed us. we peed ourselves. x
francesca recently posted..A few instagrams from the last few days
Oh wow, that’s amazing francesca! I’m guessing that was probably a weird moment for him too π Only in NY as they say!
Z, you need to give a warning with posts featuring clowns *shudder*. The panda does help though!
Sorry! I did consider putting a warning in the title! π
Oooh I loved lots of these things about NYC too. NOT the clown. (I was scarred by It when I was little, too.) But definitely the High Line, in god we trust, and central park and the little bird houses! Thanks for the flashback! And next time I’ll definitely check out Grand Central Station.
Heiress Emma recently posted..Flowers in the house
Yeah the clown was definitely a low! (Who would commission that?!) You got to have one downside though right? π
Wow, so many good tips! I am definitely bookmarking this for future trips.
Emily x
Amazing photos as ever. I went to New York several years ago and am desperate to go back. We were going through the photos the other day coincidentally and saying how much we want to go again. I went to Grand Central Station but had not heard about the whispering gallery and have heard of it since and annoyed not to have known about it at the time! Thanks for the post, very inspirational and has fuelled my desire to go back!
Kate recently posted..A Vintage Fair
Thanks Kate π I think it’s just one of those places you have to go to a few times to see everything… I’d been to NY a couple of times (family used to live there) but that trip was the first I knew of the whispering gallery (actually the first I’d ever heard of one) so there must be loads more things too! Hope you can make it back soon x
I’ll be bookmarking this as we’re planning on spending a few days in New York for our honeymoon – I can’t wait.
Helen recently posted..Grow your own
Excellent honeymoon destination Helen π That’s why we were there last year! x
Ooooo New York. Been there so many times, and still love it. And didn’t even see all these great spots, such a shame! You have such a great eye for great places in great cities :-)! I am definitely taking your tips about Tokio with me if we ever decide to go there, yay! xox
Marlous recently posted..The trophy head craft kit
Zoe, check out http://www.ghostsigns.co.uk/about And the linked site http://kratie.ghostsigns.co.uk It’s our friend’s Sam’s sites – he’s just about to publish a book about the ghostsigns in Kratie (where he lives in Cambodia)
I absolutely love NYC. The highline is one of my favorite spots. The last time I went up to the city we went to the highline, walked a bunch but then just layed out on the grass enjoying what was left of the summer. I have been so many times and never heard of the whispering gallery. I certainly am going to go next time I hit the city. PS. your blog is wonderful, and brings me so much joy! Thanks for sharing!
<3 Danielle