Your first flight is a different kind of special in itself, and the cherry on the cake would be that flight landing to New York's John. F. Kennedy International Airport! I mean whaaaaat!
First ever flight + first International trip + New York + a trip with best friends❣️this was a dream come true for me to have this 25 day trip to USA!
Arriving at the airport, my friends came to the airport to pick us home. I was bribed by our friendship and lots of chocolates, to carry the food their mom's had sent from India.Reliving our old Engineering college days with 4 of my best buddies overlooking Rockefeller and World Trade Center from their homes in Jersey City. It was a beautiful night!!
Next day we got all ready and set for our exploration of New York City! Whoaaaa!
I was obviously happy as this was my first international trip so the excitement was real! #LivingMyDream #NewYorkCity #NewYork
We stopped at every next interval clicking pictures in front of stores and showrooms of Disney, Macy's, Victoria's Secret, Hershey's and what not!
I was awed by the vibe these streets and stores carried, it was beautiful!
We then walked all the way to Times Square and the hype was all worth it.
We also went to Hershey's stores to have free Kisses chocolates and buy a few. This store is so grand and amazing it absolutely has a different dedicated Tripoto blog post here.
Lastly we went to Central Park! This place has my heart! It's beautiful and huge! There were few musicians playing their hearts out and it was absolutely a melody and calm!
I am not really a fan of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and thus I didn't feel like spending on the same. Entry fee: ~35$
Day 3: D.U.M.B.O, Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Center Memorial and Metro Station, New York University, Washington Square Park.
After experiencing day one on Starbucks and Subway (add tons of pictures, touristy beautiful places, metros, and all sorts of craziness), we made sure we were more full on stomach before we left home!
Our first stop was at DUMBO - one word for it - BEAUTIFUL!
Dumbo (short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is a beautiful area from which you can see the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge. It's wonderful and sunny! Also this is where one of the scenes from movie 'Kal Ho Na Ho' was shot.
World Trade Center 22/7 Memorial has been so calm and serene. The names of the Martyrs are engraved on these walls of memorial.
We walked from there to get to the Brooklyn Bridge and it was as amazing as I always thought. You can walk the whole bridge in around 20-25 minutes. We took more than 45 minutes!! because Photos is life! LOL
Our friends studied in NYU, and were excited to see the their universities and libraries. It was indeed beautiful and very different from the universities and campuses here.
WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK
Last destination for today was the Washington Square Park, just in front of the New York Universities. It was similar to the parks we have in India, but was undoubtedly very clean.
India Gate of the New York: We named this as the India Gate of the New York, which is in this Washington Square Park.
There are lot of pizzerias offering Artichoke pizzas. This was the first time I ever heard of a fruit called Artichoke and such pizzas. We ended this day with the yummiest Artichoke Pizza (not found in India yet). A slice costs around $5.
Day 4: Staten Island, Charging Bull and the High Line
Staten Island offers free round trip ferry to the Statue of Liberty Island, with no halt at the Liberty island. You can click pictures directly from the ferry while round tripping the Statue of Liberty. It's a normal government ferry, do not expect anything outstanding or different. There were more ferries that actually take you to the Liberty island.
Charging Bull also called as Wall Street Bull in the Financial District in Manhattan. The oversize sculpture depicts a bull, the symbol of aggressive financial optimism and prosperity, leaning back on its haunches and with its head lowered as if ready to charge. I was so excited to go to the Financial District after the movie 'The Wolf of Wall Street'.
High Line is around 2.3 km elevated linear park, green way and rail trail. The park's attractions include lot of natural plantings, which grew on the disused rail tracks, all with these beautiful views of the city, Brooklyn and the Hudson River
Day 5: Kayaking at River Hudson & Rockefeller Center
Kayaking at Hudson River is undoubtedly one of my favorite things to do in NYC. It was my first time and cherry on the cake that it was a free sport. You can either do the kayaking solo or in a pair, it was so much fun! We absolutely had too much fun.
And as the rule says, you must do all the free things happening in the city!
Day 5: Kayaking at River Hudson & Rockefeller Center
Kayaking at Hudson River is undoubtedly one of my favorite things to do in NYC. It was my first time and cherry on the cake that it was a free sport. You can either do the kayaking solo or in a pair, it was so much fun! We absolutely had too much fun.
And as the rule says, you must do all the free things happening in the city!
Rockefeller Center gives you an opportunity to experience breathtaking 360° view of NYC from Top of the Rock Observation Deck from 70th floor. Rockefeller Center is a large complex consisting of 19 commercial buildings covering, in New York City in Midtown Manhattan. You may also choose one of the following Observatory Decks:
Rockefeller center $36.
Empire State Building $39.00.
Top of the Rock Observatory $39.20.
Newport Mall in Jersey City is again a must do when it comes to Shopping. We literally ran our breathe out to catch the bus to Newport mall.
This is a Paradise for shoppers. You will find stores like Forever 21 - as amazing footwear and accessories you cannot ever imagine, Aeropostale - some cost effective tshirts, Victoria's secret - for lot of skincare and perfumes, mists etc, New York & Company wherein I bought some really classic watches and accessories, MACY's wherein I got some really amazing makeup products of MAC and Sephora. The prices of the Makeup products is 25-40% lesser than the price in India and are also more original. So, do shop.
Tip: I'd recommend you to shop from Jersey City instead of New York City, as it has comparatively less taxes and charges than NYC.
We went to more clubs in NYC, and trust me, you don't want to know how insane these clubs here are.
THAT IS ALL MADNESS. I would recommend one to visit these clubs at least one.
SOME TIPS WHILE TRAVELLING USA:
Internal Transfer connectivity: The Metro and Bus connectivity is amazing. Do not forget to check the Maps for Metro and Bus numbers for your next destination.
They sell Metro passes having for 10-12 metro journeys. It is recommended to buy those if you know you are going to commute through train for next 2 or 3 days. It also saves your time waiting in the ticket queue.
Weather forecast: Also their daily weather forecast there is perfect and apt. So do not forget to check if you need to carry a coat or an umbrella. We experienced chilling cold weather one day, and other days it was burning hot, the next day it rained heavily, and we were always saved by these unplanned surprises/shocks as we checked weather forecast before leaving our home.
Carry local sim card: You obviously want no adventures of getting lost without being able to call someone or run into people to ask for directions and get confused between the Streets and the Avenues or search Starbucks to find free WiFi, or go freaked out when any random stranger asks you out (yes, it does happen there.)
Thus, it's always good to get an US Sim card, or activate international calling to your existing one.
Clothing and Footwear: I understand we tend to wear stylist clothes when on vacation and that's absolutely amazing. Similarly for footwear, I would absolutely NOT prefer heels (even little heels) as you are required to walk and stand ALOT here. I would only recommend good pair of shoes (get 2 if you want variety) or sneakers and a pair of slippers. But all you need to do is make sure you are comfortable in those.
Hoboken River Front:
This night was dope. We went to a really cool place called 'Tally Hoboken' who runs has amazing offers, games and contests on varied liquors along with all night DJ. We also got some free shots coupons to be redeemed next time, not sure if they still give those coupons.
But that night was DOPE!
We spent the entire night at the River front and reminiscing good old college days.
We went to more clubs in NYC, and trust me, you don't want to know how insane these clubs here are.
THAT IS ALL MADNESS. I would recommend one to visit these clubs at least one.
SOME TIPS WHILE TRAVELLING USA:
Internal Transfer connectivity: The Metro and Bus connectivity is amazing. Do not forget to check the Maps for Metro and Bus numbers for your next destination.
They sell Metro passes having for 10-12 metro journeys. It is recommended to buy those if you know you are going to commute through train for next 2 or 3 days. It also saves your time waiting in the ticket queue.
Weather forecast: Also their daily weather forecast there is perfect and apt. So do not forget to check if you need to carry a coat or an umbrella. We experienced chilling cold weather one day, and other days it was burning hot, the next day it rained heavily, and we were always saved by these unplanned surprises/shocks as we checked weather forecast before leaving our home.
Carry local sim card: You obviously want no adventures of getting lost without being able to call someone or run into people to ask for directions and get confused between the Streets and the Avenues or search Starbucks to find free WiFi, or go freaked out when any random stranger asks you out (yes, it does happen there.)
Thus, it's always good to get an US Sim card, or activate international calling to your existing one.
Clothing and Footwear: I understand we tend to wear stylist clothes when on vacation and that's absolutely amazing. Similarly for footwear, I would absolutely NOT prefer heels (even little heels) as you are required to walk and stand ALOT here. I would only recommend good pair of shoes (get 2 if you want variety) or sneakers and a pair of slippers. But all you need to do is make sure you are comfortable in those.
Carry food and water: Water is costlier than beer. Half a litre of bottle costs around $2-3. Moreover there are lot of food options if you have a non vegetarian diet. But if you are an Vegan, then it's better to visit super market and collect some ready to eat food, or fruits. Since I was at my friend's place, we had a wholesome breakfast for us to survive until evening.
Carry a bag pack with some packed snacks, dried fruits and protein bars along with at least a litre water bottle. You'll need to walk alot, so better be prepared.
Make Starbucks and Subway your best friend there.
After like 10 days, there was an uncontrollable craving for Indian food. New Jersey has most amazing Indian food restaurants at the Indian street. They serve Biryanis, Gujaratis and Rajasthani Thalis, some amazing South Indian dishes. Basically, complete Indian cuisine.
Chocolate shopping tip: Instead of buying chocolates from Hershey's or any other stores, I would suggest one to purchase them from Super markets like Walmart, for lesser prices and more quantities.
Yes, you can thank me later!
Shopping Tip: In terms of clothing, the cheapest brands are Forever 21 and H&M in USA. You will find a good fashionable clothes there as compared to India. I found some good Tunics even in some shops at Jersey City near our home. Usually a normal tunic will range between $5-10. I found one for $3 as well, so all you need is an Eagle's eye while picking the clothes from heap and also lot of patience.
Souvenir Shopping: There are lot of street vendors and little stores in every corner of NY, selling souvenirs like Key chains, Fridge Magnets, small to large statues of Statue of liberty, Brooklyn bridge and Charging Bull, Post cards, Photo frames with a pinch of NY love. You will also find lot of Mugs and T-shirts written New York in it. F.R.I.E.N.D.S fans can also buy t-shirts written 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S' and 'Chandler and Monica' mugs. It's beautiful.
Also there's a store named 'AtoZ' at Times Square which has lots and lots of souvenirs ranging from $1-$5. It's beautiful, all you need is patience Haha.
Jackets and Coats: Shop from Burlington Coat Factory to get the best of the lot at a good price.
My USA trip was adventurous along with relaxing and being with my closest friends. It was a complete 25 day trip, wherein I visited New York City and Niagara Falls, Boston in Massachusetts, Miami in Florida and Key West which is the southern most point of USA. I plan to write a detailed blog for all of them.
But for now, this is my version of New York and Jersey City. I hope you enjoyed this blog as much as I enjoyed writing and reliving all these moments in my mind.
It's absolutely true when people say Mumbai and New York to be the city of Dreams, because once you stay there even for a while, you leave a little of your heart there and bring a little of that place along with you.
Tell me in your comments, your dream place and why is it your dream place❣️ I would love to know it.
Lots of Love,
Vaibhavi