New York Planning


With just over a week to go until we head off to New York we've been busy noting down all the things we want to do and organising them into an itinerary. The thing about New York is there is so much to see and do and if you don't plan it out you can easily end up wasting time travelling from one end of Manhattan to the other and missing out on some must see sights. We've got 7 days, including travel and we've done our best to fit it all in.

We're flying with IcelandAir meaning we've got a stop over in the capital for an hour. This has worked out as one of the cheapest options and is the same duration as most other options. We're staying the Yotel Hotel on 41st Street on 10th Avenue and it looks amazing. It's quite modern and high-tec, it reminds me of Citizen M Hotels. With us getting to our hotel at 9pm after a full day of travelling we're likely to be grabbing some pizza then heading to bed. Maybe a nosey at Times Square if we're not exhausted.


Day 1 of sight-seeing is going to involve lots of walking. We've booked 3 day Hop On Hop Off bus tour passes with Greyline but don't get them until the next day. Having been to New York before we had a good idea of what we'd like to see that's close together. We're planning Central Park and hope to venture further around than last time. We'll also be heading to 5th Avenue for some shopping along with Bath and Body Works and Dylan's Candy Bar. We'll checking out Grand Central Station (for a Gossip Girl style photo)  and a look at the Rockefellar Center. We're going to Juniors Restaurant for dinner after seeing amazing reviews for their cheesecake. We might head to a comedy club at night but that'll be a last minute booking.

The first day of our bus tour is hopefully going to include the Uptown Tour, stopping off to see the Yankee Stadium. We'll also do the Midtown Tour and head up the Empire State Building. We didn't do it last time, opting for the Top of the Rock. That night we've got Knicks basketball tickets for in Madison Square Garden and I can't wait!


The next day we'll be making full use of our bus tickets and add ons by doing a Hop On Hop Off boat tour, along with a visit to Soho and the Night Tour. There's also a Giant Pillow Fight on that day so I'm hoping we manage to catch a glimpse of it. On our last visit we went to a roof top bar and it had stunning views. I think we'll do something similar this time round.

On day 4 of sight-seeing we're planning the Downtown tour including the One Observatory and 9/11 Tribute Center. We're also going to walk across Brooklyn Bridge. Last time we only went half way but this time we're going all the way in. I'm desperate to see Dumbo and Brooklyn Park. We'll also do the Brooklyn bus tour while we're there. I'm hoping to go for some rainbow bagels too. It's Wrestlemania that night so I've been informed we'll be watching it in a Sports Bar somewhere that night. 

On our last full day in New York we're heading to Woodbury Commons Outlet Mall. We went to the outlets in Vegas last time and it was amazing so hopefully the New York ones will be equally as great. I'm setting my sights on a new Michael Kors bag and some other bargains. At night, after being all shopped out, we're going to see a musical. We'll just book the tickets with Today Tix and aren't too fussed what we go to see.


Our flight home isn't until after 8pm so we'll still have the morning and most of the afternoon. I've got my eye on Tick Tock Diner next to Penn Station for breakfast. We're also going to walk the High Line. We were too busy going to Central Perk last time to do this so it's a must-do this time. I'm sure there will be some last minute shopping involved on this day too.

If you've got any restaurant recommendations let me know. Also if there's anything you think we've missed out from our plan leave a comment.

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