Favorite Spots
New York City has my heart
New York’s long been one of my favorite places to visit. I first visited over 20 years ago and it instantly was a place that I knew I wanted to return to. In 2012 I returned with my daughter, for her 13th Birthday. She also fell in love. Since then, I have returned at least once a year and sometimes twice.
You will find all of these activities in your
Itinerary. Just click below!
Favorite Spots, Tips, Free Things
Yellow cabs, steam through subway grilles, towering skyscrapers, Times Square’s billboards and lights are some amazing sights to see in NYC. I couldn’t get enough of it, and still can’t – Stepping downtown a few steps, into Greenwich Village or the Highline takes you to a whole other dimension of this fabulous city. My first time to Harlem was so amazing, there is SO much to say about it. But like many world-class cities it can be expensive. So here are my tips on making the most of New York on a budget. Jennifer
*See my favorite NYC spots below the Tips and Free Things...Keep Scrolling
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Some of My Favorites
Click on any pict below to Explore these Favorites
Greenwich Village
The earliest known reference to the village's name as "Greenwich" dates back to 1696, in the will of Yellis Mandeville of Greenwich; however, the village was not mentioned in the city records until 1713.
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The High Line
The High Line is an elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park on Manhattan’s West Side.
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Central Park
Central Park was designed in 1858 by landscape architect and writer Frederick Law Olmsted and the English architect Calvert Vaux, who also designed Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Central Park has been a National Historic Landmark since 1962.
DUMBO
"Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass"
Trendy Dumbo's cobblestone streets and converted Brooklyn warehouse buildings are the backdrop for independent boutiques, high-end restaurants and trendy cafes.
Free
NYC Free Activities Abound
There are SO many things to see and do for FREE. While I don’t skimp on my hotel, or the location, I can enjoy so many things without spending money.
What makes NYC so great? I would say it's atmosphere. It is magical. And you can enjoy it for free by just walking the city streets. As you turn a corner and walk into a different neighborhood, everything changes – Soho, Chinatown, Harlem, the Upper East Side, Greenwich Village, Little Italy truly makes it feel like you are visiting a lot of different cities in one. Then you step outside of Manhattan and it's all again very different. I mean, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and you've entered Brooklyn and DUMBO. Exploring is never ending.
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What is free, you might ask? Times Square, Grand Central Station, The Brooklyn Bridge, St Patrick’s Cathedral, the New York Public Library. How about Central Park, the High Line on an old elevated railway track, or Bryant Park? Pick up a cup of morning coffee and walk with the locals along the old tracks of the High Line, you won't be disappointed that you did. Another incredible stroll is across the Brooklyn Bridge. There are amazing views from Brooklyn and as you make your way back across the Bridge into Manhattan!
Bang for Your Buck
Get the Most out Of Your NYC Trip
Get tickets for the 72 hour Double Decker Bus. The Bus is a Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus, so you can choose what you see and do. I know, I know, so many say that the Subway is the way to go and less expensive...What do you see when you are below ground though? Yep. Nothing.
We have always opted for the Tour buses and it’s just such a great vantage point. You want more “FREE”? With the Bus pass you will get a Free Scenic Water tour AND a night tour. Okay, so maybe you are paying for it in the price of the whole package, but it's really just not that much money with what you get! Seeing the lights from a top the Double Decker Bus, going across the Manhattan Bridge into Brooklyn, after dark, is just a really great way to soak it all in. Plus it is organized and just very efficient. Different zones. Stops at all the right places. Easy Peasy.
Tips
Make the Most out of Your Time
Check to see when the sun sets and make sure to get in line for the “Night Tour” as it is getting dark. Getting on to early, you will find yourself disappointed in not seeing everything in the Night lit up City Sky.
The Great thing about the Bus Tour also providing a Scenic Water Tour? You can see the Statue of Liberty, up close and personal, without having to pay to get off. I’ve always snapped amazing photos without having to pay at the Statue or wait in LONG lines.
We have used the 72 hour bus tour in many ways. We have taken the bus across to DUMBO (in Brooklyn) and then walked the Brooklyn Bridge back. We have taken the Bus to Harlem, with fun stops along the way, ate lunch at Red Rooster and then hopped back on the bus. We have gotten off on the North East side of Central Park to walk new areas of the park and then hopped back on further south. SO many options and it takes the guess work out of using the Subway. Plus, if you are claustrophobic or a bit scared of being underground in today's world...you can stay on top and take in everything going on...I am not mentioning anyone's name who might like it better above ground!
Your NYC Itinerary
What You Will Find
My Next Adventures NYC Itineraries will work with or without the Bus. The itineraries will be layed out by hitting different boroughs each day.
*The 1st time I was in NYC we wasted SO much time by running from one site to the other in totally different parts of Manhattan. TIME.KILLER. If you want to enjoy your time and enjoy each stop along the way, you have to do it in boroughs. You will be so happy with the itineraries I offer because I have figured this out! Enjoy!
Food Tips
Food Can Be Expensive in NYC
Another way to save Money would be with your Food.
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I always stay somewhere that has a free breakfast. It will save a lot. Also, being a Hilton Honors Diamond, an Executive Lounge is amazing (sometimes you can purchase an upgrade for the lounge as well).
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Breakfast: Free
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Dinner: Free in the Executive Lounges. Hilton’s with a good executive lounge will have a great Hors d’ oeuvre time that hits right around the dinner hour. Take advantage of it! We will maybe do one or two dinners out, maybe.
Lunch: Eat at your favorite restaurants during lunch and save at Breakfast and Dinner. Also, there are numerous food trucks. You can always grab a smoothie, pretzel, hot dog, or many other things while you are out and about!
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I hope you fall in love with NYC like I have. It has a piece of me and now when I go I can truly just enjoy it.
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Jennifer