my first time in new york city essay

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Free A Trip To New York City Essay Example

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Topic: Building , Life , Airline , New York , Aviation , Real Estate , City , Dreams

Published: 03/30/2020

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Many people visualize living in America, but living in New York is more magical, than any dream. Even though, New York City is considered as the majority inhabited city in the United States, it is the best place one can ever want to visit. Taking a trip to New York City has been my dream since I was young. I had always wished to visit a place with tall buildings, and full of people. My dream of visiting New York City had come to life. I could not contain my excitement because; I would be a New Yorker, even if it was for a couple of days. Coming from a small town, I had never been exposed to such a large city like New York. My trip to New York was dream come true because, it was like discovering an entire new way of life from the one I lived. I had just won a trip to New York, after an exemplary performance in my school project. I did not sleep the night before my travel to New York. I woke up several times in the middle of my sleep, just to check the time. When morning arrived, I picked my bag, which I had packed a week ago. My stomach was doing flips as we headed to the airport because; I could not believe it was happening. I was overcome by an exhilarating feeling as I realized that, in a couple of hours, I will be in the most amazing and biggest city in the United States. My plane ride was torture because I had a bubbling anticipation to reach my destination. On my way to my hotel room, I was awestruck at the incredible sight I saw in New York City. Each street is crammed with amazing buildings, and a fantastic view. After freshening up, I got the chance to go inside some of the buildings for instance, the Empire State Building. I made my way to the top of the building, and I will never forget the fantastic view. Standing on top of one of the top stories of the Empire State Building, was breathtaking. I felt like holding the entire city in my hands from this awesome view. In addition, I could see the Ellis Island a distance away from the top of the Empire State Building. It was as if the little peaceful vicinity where I lived was magnified by 1000 to make up the speculate city of New York. I did not miss the chance of passing through the great Times Square on my way to the famous Fifth Avenue. I could not miss the opportunity to enjoy the excitement of Rockefeller Center. There were so many shops on Fifth Avenue, and the people were very good to me. New York has an array of restaurants with all the types of food one wishes to take. I got the chance of eating in a Chinese restaurant, and the food was amazing. The evening was here, and I had to go back to my town the next morning. I had dreamed of being in New York City, and my dream had come true and now it was time to say goodbye to my dream city. I took a number of photos for remembrance of my two day trip to New York City. I took a taxi back to the hotel in preparation for my flight back home. I felt bad while taking my flight but I was so happy that my dream to go to New York had come true and so, I boarded my plane smiling. My first trip to New York was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, one I will always treasure, and I am sure I will return some day. The implausible means of transportation, the huge skyscrapers and buildings, and all of the thousands of people made me anxious to work harder, get a scholarship, and perhaps move to an incredible city such as this one. Hence

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New York as a Tourist Attraction City Essay

Introduction, my stay in new york, visits to famous places.

New York is a lively city and one that is constantly on the move. Apparently, the dynamic nature of the city has created a culture where residents are often fascinated by new things. For this reason, the business community has to keep coming up with new ways to package products and services. Products and services include accommodation facilities, clubs, food, transportation, and entertainment. When new attractions come into existence, they only excite residents for a short while.

New York is a famous city and one that is characterized by constant change. According to Carroll (2012), New Yorkers are often fascinated by the dynamic nature of the city. Whenever new attractions such as clubs, restaurants or stores come into existence, they only excite people for a short while. Drawing from a study by Nee (2012), New York is not viewed as a city of ancient monuments and statues. However, New Yorkers still respect the older structures that have been around for ages.

This paper presents a discussion about my visit to New York and highlights some attractions and moments that fascinated me.

From my childhood days, I always admired and desired to visit New York someday. The opportunity finally came when I received an invitation from an old friend to visit. From my little knowledge of New York, I knew that I would have an exciting experience.

On arrival, the first thing I became aware of was how busy the city was. It appeared to me like there was no room for idlers in New York. Surprisingly, New York seemed even busier at night. As noted by Nee (2012), New York is a city that roars to life every day and stays alive past midnight.

A notable characteristic of New York is the existence of many fast food restaurants. According to Parker (2014), one only needs a pizza to survive in New York. This explains the reason for many restaurants in the city. Various means of transport can be found in New York including taxis, trains, and buses. For shorter distances, taxi is the most preferred means of transport. However, it is important to note that taxi drivers do not talk much (Parker, 2014). Personally, I enjoyed using buses to move from one part of the city to another. Unlike other cities where places for walking while crossing a road are clearly designated, no such thing exists in New York.

My friend had organized for me to visit a few places in New York. The first place to visit was the 9/11 memorial. The memorial serves to remind Americans about the incident that caused the death of so many people. According to Owen (2015), the 9/11 memorial carries a very powerful message of loss in the United States. However, Presser (2012) argues that the memorial is a tribute to all those who lost their lives during the attack and is thus an important symbol of hope and revitalization.

After the 9/11 memorial, the next place for me to visit was the Times Square. Times Square is regarded as one of the renowned entertainment locations in the world (Nee, 2012). The visit to Times Square was at night and the place was colorful, noisy, and very busy. In addition, there were so many people, including the police, students, and excited theatre funs all involved in different activities.

I also got a chance to visit Central Park. Located in the heart of the city, Central Park is among the world’s most famous green places. According to Kifer (2013), the park is huge and contains a number of natural features. It is very easy to get lost unless one is careful.

When I set out to visit New York, I expected to see so much and at the end of my visit, I was not disappointed. I enjoyed every single moment in New York and would not hesitate to visit again.

Carroll, M. (2012). New York City for dummies . Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Kifer, C. (2013). Tips for First-Time Travel to New York City . Web.

Nee, P. (2012). Top 10 Guide to New York City Sights . Boston, MA: Internationalist Publishing Company.

Owen, P. (2015). 10 of the best ways to enjoy New York … on a budget . Web.

Parker, L. (2014). 21 Things you learn the first time you visit NYC . Web.

Presser, B. (2012). Lonely Planet Pocket New York City . Australia: Lonely Planet.

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IvyPanda. (2021, April 15). New York as a Tourist Attraction City. https://ivypanda.com/essays/new-york-as-a-tourist-attraction-city/

"New York as a Tourist Attraction City." IvyPanda , 15 Apr. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/new-york-as-a-tourist-attraction-city/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'New York as a Tourist Attraction City'. 15 April.

IvyPanda . 2021. "New York as a Tourist Attraction City." April 15, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/new-york-as-a-tourist-attraction-city/.

1. IvyPanda . "New York as a Tourist Attraction City." April 15, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/new-york-as-a-tourist-attraction-city/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "New York as a Tourist Attraction City." April 15, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/new-york-as-a-tourist-attraction-city/.

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Visiting new york for the first time: the ultimate beginner’s guide to new york city.

The Impressive skyscrapers that form a fantastic skyline together, a mix of architecture where historic buildings and futuristic design go hand in hand, the city that never sleeps, … You probably already guessed it? This blog post is about New York City. There is so much to experience in this huge metropolis, that visiting New York for the first time definitely requires some preparation. To help you, I bundled all my tips in an ultimate beginner’s guide for a successful first visit to The Big Apple.

In 2022 I traveled to New York City for the second time. After 8 years I was super excited to visit this fantastic city again and especially surprised, because so much had changed. Although it was my second visit, it still felt like my first time. I had to get to know the city again. And soon New York City stole my heart once more.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains interesting affiliate links. This means that if you purchase something through my recommendations, I receive a small reward. The best part? It doesn’t cost you anything extra and it helps my blog continue to grow. A win-win situation, so thank you!

How to travel to New York City?  

Traveling to this metropolis is possible with a direct flight from Brussels Airport. There are several airlines that offer tickets to New York. If you search and compare well you can even find very affordable tickets. In barely 8.5 hours or 2 to 3 films on your airplane screen later, you reach The Big Apple.

We landed at JFK airport where we boarded a private transfer to the city center provided by the travel agency where we booked our trip. Frankly, this service was very expensive for a driver who came to pick us up 2 hours late. “Traffic,” he said. Of course, traversing New York City by car is no easy task, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. There are many other options to get to Manhattan from the various airports in New York. One of them is an external service that offers shared transfer at democratic prices

You can also travel to Manhattan from the various airports with a large shuttle bus. If you prefer a little more privacy, you can opt for the taxi. This may be a bit more expensive, but the taxis are available at all terminals at the airport itself. You don’t lose time waiting for a driver to pick you up. You do have to watch out for ‘pirate cabs’ though. These are not official taxi drivers trying to trick you into riding with them.

Traveling by train is also an option. From JFK and Newark you can reach several major train stations by train. You can also take the airtrain in JFK. This is a kind of monorail system that connects the airport to the New York subway. That way you can continue your journey by metro.

In short, there are plenty of options to travel from the airport to your destination.

How to get around in New York City ?

The yellow cabs have become one of the trademarks of New York City. They are therefore often seen as the means of transport par excellence to move through the city. The taxis are not super expensive, of course this depends on the duration of the ride. Because traffic is often congested during peak hours, the taxi is not always the most appropriate option to get around the city center quickly. Taxis can be hailed all over the city if they are not occupied. You can see this by the light.

You can also use an uber. Unlike a taxi, an uber has a fixed price. But I’ve heard several times that this price can be high, especially during peak hours.

Go underground

The subway is a fast and cheap way to move around the city. The cheapest method of using the metro is to buy a reloadable ‘Metro Card’. This way you can always reload a certain amount on your card. A ride with the Metro Card costs $2.75 regardless of destination. I’m not lying when I say that New York’s subway traffic is very chaotic. When you travel by metro you sometimes have to search a bit and especially stay attentive. Make sure you always have a plan at hand or on your smartphone. The disadvantage of getting around with the metro is that you don’t see anything of the city while you’re on the way.

Hop-on-Hop-off  

A pleasant alternative is the red Hop-on-Hop-off bus. This is a bit more expensive, but it drives past the most popular sights in New York City. Because you can get on and off at any stop, you can easily move between the different attractions while enjoying the city. These bus rides are offered by various companies,  but tickets are cheaper to book online.

Walking and cycling

Exploring the city by bike is always fun and is certainly possible in New York City. Although this is not the safest and most relaxed option. Don’t get me wrong. There are many neighborhoods that are great to discover by bike, such as Central Park, DUMBO, … However, New York’s traffic is so chaotic that you need your full focus when cycling and can’t fully enjoy the beautiful city. It’s therefore better to opt for an organized bicycle tour with a guide.

I myself planned our visits for a certain day in the same neighborhood so that we had to use the metro as little as possible and could mainly walk from one sight to another. I found the combination of walking and riding the subway to be the best option. This allowed us to move quickly and economically, but this way we could also see a large part of the city.

The best time to travel to New York City?

The climate of New York City is somewhat similar to our climate, only with more extremes. It can get very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. Yet visiting New York in all seasons has its charms.

The most attractive period is the Christmas period. During these magical weeks, the city is beautifully decorated and the shopping paradise par excellence for buying the best Christmas presents. Then you can also admire the imposing Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and try the accompanying skating rink. You can also skate in other places in the city, such as Central Park. In short, New York City is the perfect Christmas destination.

Don’t worry too much about the weather. T here are plenty of things to do indoor during cold and rainy days.  You’ll find numerous impressive museums such as the MoMa, The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, various indoor observaties such as Summit One Vanderbilt and many covered markets such as the Chelsea market where you can relax and taste some New York delicacies .

When winter gives way to spring, New York City brightens up with colorful, fragrant blossoms. In addition to the soft pleasant temperatures that already make it possible to enjoy the outside terraces, it is  the ideal time to discover the parks such as Central Park or The Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I was there in May and this was an excellent time to visit New York.  

During the summer months, the real New Yorkers flee the city because of the heat. My first visit to New York City was in July and yes, it was very hot. But I liked those summery sultry vibes, especially the 4th of July festivities. On the other hand, the heat also hampered some activities such as cycling in Central Park.

The best time to visit New York definitely depends on the purpose of your trip.

How many days do you need to visit New York City ?  

When visiting New York for the firt time, I advise you to really take your time. This city is so overwhelming and there is so much to experience, so there is a great danger that you will run from one sight to another without really experiencing New York City. Therefore, be sure to book a minimum of 5 nights so that you have at least 5 to 6 full days to fully enjoy The Big Apple.  

Important tips before visiting New York for the first time

If you plan to travel from Belgium to the United States, you will need an international passport and an ESTA travel authorization or visa .

Also, don’t forget that New York City is in a different time zone. It is 6 hours earlier than in Belgium. This way you save a little time when you depart.  The disadvantage is the jet lag that causes you to wake up very early the first few days.

Make sure you also bring an international plug, otherwise you will not be able to use or charge your electrical appliances.

In New York, a different currency is used, USD. That may seem obvious, but it is not like in some countries where they still accept euros. It is therefore best to change some money before your trip or at the airport. The cheapest way to exchange Euro into USD is through an exchange office. First compare the prices and choose the exchange office where you have the least loss.

Keep in mind that the prices on the menu when you’re going to a bar or restaurant  don’t include a tip. At the end of the ride you still have to pay 18%, 20% or 22% extra tip. Even when someone provides you with a service, for example the driver, the bellboy in the hotel, … you are expected to tip.  

Where to stay in New York City?  

When looking for a place to stay in New York City, Times Square is often put forward because this neighborhood is centrally located. I too have stayed around Times Square twice. Personally, I think it is one of the less cozy neighborhoods in New York. It is perhaps the one that is located the most central in Manhatten, but via the metro you can also move very quickly from another location.

On my next visit to New York I will definitely choose to stay in a different neighborhood. I already an overview of 15 gorgeous boutique hotels where to stay when visiting New York . But also via the map widget of Booking you can easily find a stay near your preference.

Booking.com

The best things to do when visiting New York for the first time

New york city card  .

New York City is an immensely large city. And if you are there only there for a few days, then of course you want to see and experience as much as possible. Therefore it necessary to prepare well for your city trip in the Big Apple.

Do you want to visit many sights? Then I advise you to take a look at a New York city card. This allows you to visit some of New York’s highlights at a cheaper rate. There are different types of city cards. Below you will find an overview. The best thing is that you look at them all and choose the city card that best meets your needs.

We opted for a Sightseeing Flex Pass with which we could visit no fewer than 7 sights. The advantage was that we not only saved money on the entrance fee to the attractions, but with this ticket we didn’t have to make reservations anywhere. This way we could decide for ourselves during the trip when we wanted to visit which sights. It’s useful to be able to adjust your itinerary last minute when the weather is bad or not…

New York, New York  

One of the reasons why visiting New York City should be on your bucket list is of course, the impressive skyline. This is formed by the mix of beautiful buildings in different architectural styles. The first skyscrapers were built in the early 20th century during a period of economic prosperity. Just think of the roaring twenties. You can still admire many buildings in this typical Art Deco style, such as the Empire State building, Chrysler Building and Rockefeller center.

In this neighborhood you can still find some gems from the past, such as Grand Central Station, the New York Public Library and the Flatiron building.

But time does not stand still and certainly not in New York City, the city that never sleeps. In the meantime, you can also see many hypermodern complexes, such as the recent sustainable construction project Hudson Yards, where you’ll find The Edge and The Vessel, among other spectacular skyscrapers. And there are also some beautiful parks here such as the High Line and Little Island.

Of course there are many more other modern buildings in the city center to admire, such as the One World Trade Center, One Vanderbilt and the Oculus Center.

Both the older and the newer generation of buildings together form the impressive skyline of The Big Apple. You can admire this beautiful skyline from one of the five observatories in New York City or from some other viewpoints that I will discuss in more detail later in this article.

Must visit Museums in New York City

When you plan to visit New York City for the first time, there are bound to be a number of museums on your to-do list. This city has so many museums that it is impossible to visit them all. That is why I am listing a few of them below that are definitely worth a visit.

MoMa is the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Here you can, as the name says, admire modern and contemporary art. It is one of the largest museums in the world and the modern art collection of the MoMa is also considered one of the best collections in the world.  

In the permanent exhibition you can admire pieces from 1880 to the present. These are artworks from big names such as Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Gustav Klimt, …   It’s therefore a very varied collection that is definitely worth a visit.

Besides the permanent exhibition, there are also changing exhibitions. This allows you to visit the MoMa again and again and be surprised by works that you have never seen before.

Guggenheim  

Just like the MoMa, the Guggenheim is a museum with a beautiful Modern art collection, including some works that fall within the Impressionism and Expressionism movement.

In addition to the impressive art collection, the building is actually a work of art in itself. It was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and consists of a spiral shape that can be seen both inside and outside. This way you can admire the artworks as you make your way along the spiral ramps that run through the entire building.

If you are not planning to visit the Guggenheim, it is definlitely worth just taking a walk past the building.

9/11 Memorial museum  

An tragic event New York City will never forget is the 9/11 attack in 2001, when two planes flew into The Twin Towers. This disaster was worldwide on the news. More than 3000 people lost their lives here.

Today this place is referred to as Ground Zero. On the exact spot where the Twin Towers stood, there are now two monumental pools with the names of all the victims engraved in the rim. It’s quite impressive, but at the same time also captivating to see.

Be sure to visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum where you can learn everything about this terrible event, but also how New Yorkers experienced this attack through their personal stories of loss, recovery and hope. You will also find remnants of the old structures of the Twin Towers as well as objects that have been recovered from the rubble. This makes it easier to imagine how terrible this event was. Let me tell you that a visit to this museum is sure to leave a deep impression on you.

A touch of green New York City

Visiting New York City for the first time is intense. New York City is referred to as the city that never sleeps for a reason. The sounds, lights, the city in constant development… That sometimes causes a little overstimulation. An occasional moment to take a breather is not an unnecessary luxury here. Fortunately, The Big Apple has numerous beautifully landscaped city parks where you can relax or enjoy New York City in a green setting.

Central park  

The most famous park in New York City with about 25 million visitors annually is Central Park and is also called the green heart of Manhattan. The large, rectangular domain stretches from 59th to 110th Street and from 5th to 8th Avenue. From Top of The Rock you can admire the park very well from above. That’s where you see how big it really is.

The construction of Central Park took no less than 16 years. When you walk through the park, you will not be surprised that it took so long. It’s a beautiful natural environment consisting of wide avenues, smaller hiking trails through the woods, several lakes, impressive monuments, sunbathing areas and a few restaurants. You can also spot some sights here such as the Belvedere castle and the famous Bethesda fountain. The park also houses a zoo called “Central park zoo.”

Around the park is a 10 kilometer long road where car traffic is banned during weekends and after 7 pm. Then it is a real paradise for active New Yorkers, but also the perfect time for tourists to explore Central Park by bicycle. Rent a bike or opt for a guided bike tour. Not an avid cyclist? Then take a nice walk or go for a romantic ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

Last but not least. If you plan to spend some time in Central Park, it is also nice to have lunch on the beautiful terrace of The Loeb Boat House when the weather is nice. Don’t forget to make a reservation! Here you can also rent rowing boats to go out on the lake.

High line  

The High Line in a beautiful park that stretches for 2,3 kilometers from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards. This park was built on an old elevated railway that was used for the transport of meat and poultry until 1980. This piece of green runs above the streets between the buildings. It is a unique experience that attracts millions of visitors every year.

During the walk you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Hudson River, the typical New York industrial environment, the mix of different architectural styles and art. Yes, you heard that right. Artworks such as statues and murals are exhibited in the park. There are also occasional shows.

If you’re in the mood for a refreshing drink or snack, head down between 15th Street and 16th Street for a break at the Chelsea Market. This former biscuit factory has been transformed into a cozy food hall. Today you can find numerous food stalls and restaurants.

Besides that the High Line is close to some popular attractions. You can combine a walk through the park with a visit to The Vessel and The Edge.

You can also opt to walk the High Line as part of a guided tour. This way you will learn even more about the history of the park and the surrounding area.  

Little Island  

Little Island is, as the name suggests, an island that floats above the Hudson River. It is a city park that only recently (in 2021) opened its doors. So it probably won’t surprise you that it’s located near the Meatpacking District and Hudson Yards. You can also admire this impressive park with several height differences from the High Line. It’s quite unique to see.

Would you like to visit Little Island? Then you can reach it via one of the two pedestrian bridges, the North Bridge or South Bridge. Both bridges are located on the Hudson River Greenway at Pier 55.

From Little Island you can enjoy a green urban oasis with beautiful flora and an impressive view of Manhattan, New Jersey and the river around you.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden  

Want to escape the city for a while and relax in an oasis of peace? Then be sure to visit the beautifully landscaped Brooklyn Botanic Garden . This park consists of no less than 12 different gardens.

The best time to visit Brooklyn Botanic Garden is during the spring when most of the flowers are in bloom. In April you can admire the lush cherry blossoms. We were only there at the end of May and could enjoy a beautiful setting full of colorful and fragrant flowers. The biggest draw was the vast field of purple bluebells.

Nice neighborhoods to explore in New York City 

New York City is divided into several neighborhoods that overlap. The nice thing is that every neighborhood has its own identity. When visiting New York for the first time you will get to most  neighborhoods anyway when you go sightseeing all over the city. I already mentioned some neighborhoods under the other topics in this article. But here I list a few more that should certainly not be missing from your itinerary during your city trip in The Big Apple.

Let’s start with the most trendy neighborhood in Brooklyn. Just across the Manhattan Bridge you will find the DUMBO neighborhood which literally means “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”.

It’s a super fun and creative area to explore. You will find various art galleries, coffee bars, bakeries and also very photogenic places.

The most famous photo spot is perhaps the one on Washington Street where you can see the Empire State Building through the pillars of the Manhattan Bridge.

From Brooklyn Bridge Park you also have amazing views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the spectacular Manhattan skyline.

The best day to visit DUMBO is definitely Sunday. Then there is a flea market where you can find nice things.

Lower Manhatten and the Financial District  

Even though the name ‘Financial District’ sounds rather boring, I still found this a super fun area to explore. You walk in between the most impressive skyscrapers that serve as offices for the most prestigious companies. You will find, among other things, the world-famous stock exchange and the One World Trade center.

Other special monuments are the beautiful Trinity Church that suddenly appears between the skyscrapers of Wall Street.

Near Wall Street you’ll also find the famous statue The Charging Bull. If you rub the nose, horns and yes, the balls of this statue, it supposingly brings good luck. Another famous statue in the area is The Fearless Girl. The statue was made in honor of International Women’s Day and stands in front of the New York Stock Exchange.

China Town en Little Italy  

Nice neighborhoods to stroll through are China Town and Little Italy. This name already tells you that these are the neighborhoods where mainly Chinese and Italian immigrants settle. Meanwhile, the boundaries between the two neighborhoods have become blurred. China Town is growing while Little Italy is shrinking. This is because many Italians are moving away from the area. Yet you can still find the authentic atmosphere in both neighborhoods. There are also still many traditional restaurants and boutiques.

Times square and Hell’s Kitchen  

Although I certainly don’t think Times Square is the nicest or coziest neighborhood in New York, it is of course something you should see at least once. The immense advertising screens, the colorful neon lighting, the many street performers, the gigantic shops, the masses of tourists… It has something, especially when it’s dark.

You can combine your visit to Times Square with a theater performance on Broadway or a snack and drink in Hell’s kitchen. Hell’s kitchen used to not have the best reputation, but today you will find many trendy bars and eateries there.

Below you will find some amazing guided tours from Getyourguide. These are perfect if you want to explore different neighborhoods in an original way.

The best views in New York City

I personally think the best views of New York City are the places where you can admire the city from a distance or from above. Then you can completely soak in that beautiful skyline consisting of the most impressive buildings.

Admire New York City from above

Visiting one of the 5 observation platforms in New York should not be missing on your New York itinerary. These 5 viewpoints are located on the roof of some of the most impressive skyscrapers in New York . I will briefly go through them all here. An extensive report full of tips for visiting one or more of these phenomenal observatories can be found in my blog post about the 5 observatories with the best view of New York .

Empire State Building

Empire State Building is the oldest observation platform and therefore a true classic. In addition to the beautiful view, you also have access to the interactive museum where you can experience the evolution of the building, including a tribute to its film history. The building served as a film setting for several blockbusters such as King Kong and Sleepless in Seattle.

Top of Rock

You have the best outdoor view from Top of Rock. This observatory is located on the roof of Rockefeller center. Here you can admire the iconic skyline in all its glory with highlights such as the Empire State Building, Chrysler building, Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, but also Central Park.    

One World Trade Center

The tallest skyscraper in New York City is One World Trade Center. The top floor, One World Observatory is open to visitors. There you have a phenomenal 360 degree indoor view of the city. The highlight of our visit was definitely the elevator that took us to the 102nd floor in 47 seconds. Not because it was so fast, but because we could see the entire evolution of 500 years of New York City on the walls of the elevator during the ride.

One of my favorite viewpoints is The Edge. The observatory is unique in that way it’s an angular platform suspended from a skyscraper, hence the name: The Edge. So there is no building under the outdoor zone. Some bits of the floor have been replaced with glass that literally allow you to see 100 floors down. The unique shapes and the use of these different materials ensure that this is a very original photo spot.

Summit One Vanderbilt

If you want to be surprised by design, art and special effects in addition to the view, then you should definitely visit Summit One Vanderbilt. The visit is such an amazing experience that sometimes you forget that you have to enjoy the view. This because you are so absorbed in everything that happens in the spaces. Moreover, it is also a very photogenic place.

Do you want to admire New York City from even higher. Then you can also book a helicopter flight. Impressive views guaranteed!

Walk towards the skyline on Brooklyn Bridge  

One of the most famous landmarks in New York City is the Brooklyn Bridge. It opened in 1883. This iconic steel-constructed bridge was long the only connection between Manhattan and Brooklyn. It’s definitely a must-see when visiting New York for the first time.

The bridge is not only very impressive to look at. When you walk it from Brooklyn towards Manhattan you also have a great view of the New York skyline. You literaly walk towards it.

Soak in the skyline from on the water

Since Manhattan is completely surrounded by the Hudson River and East River, it is really worth admiring the city from the water.

You can do this by taking a ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island where you can see New York City’s most famous woman up close, Lady Liberty. In addition to the Statue of Liberty, you will also find the Statue of Liberty Museum with information and exhibitions about everything related to the Statue of Liberty. This museum is free for all visitors to the island.  

You can also take the ferry to Ellis Island. This island served as a border post for immigrants who wanted to settle in America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today you can visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum where you can see several exhibits, each highlighting a different aspect of immigration. The personal stories are especially touching.

You can enjoy a beautiful view of the New York skyline from both the ferry and on both islands.

Besides the ferry, you can also opt for another type of boat trip, such as a cruise with or without extras.

Where to go shopping in New York City?  

Soho (south of houston street) and nolita  .

What used to be an industrial district, dotted with factories and warehouses, is now a true shopping paradise called SoHo. These old buildings were restored into shops with luxury apartments and lofts above them. Because the historical elements have been preserved, it is still a very pleasant neighborhood to walk through.

Start your shopping adventure at Broadway and get lost among the 25 blocks of shopping district. You will find a mix of unique boutiques, large department stores and high-end luxury designers.

Do you need a break? Then visit Balthazar Bakery . A beautiful place completely in Art Nouveau style where you can go for a snack or drink. And not unimportantly one of the best bakeries in New York City.

Haven’t shopped enough yet? Then walk on to the adjacent neighborhood of Nolita where you can find even more beautiful shops and unique boutiques.

5th Avenue and Madison Avenue  

The most legendary shopping street is of course 5th Avenue. There you will find all the famous luxury brands. They are characterized by most impressive shop windows. It is not for nothing that 5th Avenue is called the most expensive shopping street in the world.

Within walking distance is Madison Avenue, which is part of the Upper East side. Here you can also find several high-end shops. In addition, this street is also known because some of the most expensive real estate in the world are located here.

If budget is not an issue, 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue are the places-to-be for shopping. Otherwise you stick to window shopping, like me.  

Impressive shopping malls

The United States is known for its gigantic ‘Shopping Malls’. You can also find some impressive ones in New York City. Two of the most famous shopping centers, Brookfield Park and The Oculus, are within walking distance of each other in Battery Park. Brookfield Park mainly houses luxury shops, while you can find more affordable brands in The Oculus. If you don’t like shopping, The Oculus is still a super impressive building to visit.

Another one that you absolutely cannot miss is the famous American department store Macy’s on Herald Square. This branch is according to the Guinness Book of Records the largest department store in the world.

Of course there are still plenty of nice places to shop in New York City. You also have the vibrant Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village and the charming streets of the West Village. For nice vintage stuff you have to be in the East Village. And some more high-end fashion houses and shops can be found in the Meatpacking District.

Not to miss specialties New York City

Hot dogs are an indispensable part of the New York street scene, at least the numerous hot dog stalls that you will find on every corner of the street. It is therefore a must-do to order a hot dog at such a typical food truck during your trip to the Big Apple. There are now also many vegetarian alternatives. I was told that you can taste the best hot dogs at Gray’s Papaya .

Blueberry pancakes  

You may have seen them appear in a couple of films or television show, but these little stacked pancakes are a true breakfast classic in the United States. In New York City you can order these typical American pancakes in different ways. The most famous are the bleuberry pancakes made with blueberries. When you order them you usually get a jar of blueberry jelly and one of maple syrup with your pancakes. I first tried to carefully put a piece of pancake in both jars and then eat it, until the waiter convinced me to empty both jars at once over my stack of pancakes. And believe me, it tasted heavenly! The best blueberry pancakes can be found at the Clinton St. Baking Company .

Another real New York specialty is the bagel. These round buns with a hole in them, not to be confused with the donut, originally come from Poland. The bagel was introduced to New York City by Jewish immigrants. These delicious sandwiches became a hit and today they are the favorite breakfast or lunch choice of many New Yorkers. The classic New York bagel is topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon and onion and is highly recommended. You can order delicious bagels at one of the many Black Seed Bagel locations.

New York Pizza  

Everyone knows that pizza is an Italian specialty. The New Yorkers gave it their own twist, partly influenced by their fast-paced and busy lifestyle, and that is how the famous New York pizza slices came about. Where you normally have to wait for your pizza to be baked, you can have a delicious pizza slice within just 2 minutes in one of the many pizza places all over New York City. The perfect snack for a quick and cheap bite while discovering the city.

Are you a foodie and want to discover even more delicious New York City specialties? Then opt for an organized food tour with a guide from Getyourguide. You will not only discover the different delicacies, but also the best places to eat them.

Where to eat New York City?

New York City has a lot of restaurants. Like its inhabitants, the restaurants are a melting pot of cultures. And that’s nice, because you can really find all kinds of cuisines there. It’s a true foodie paradise! The only thing you need to know is that the good restaurants are in demand and that it is therefore best to reserve a spot in time. Sometimes it can be hard to get a table in New York’s best restaurants .

Of course it was impossible for me to try everything, but below is a small summary of the restaurants and cozy neighborhoods to eat that personally appealed to me the most.  

The blue dog NYC

Do you want to start your day of sightseeing off right? Then go for brunch at The blue dog NYC. This address is one of the best. We even went there twice because it was so good. The specialty of the house are the egg-o-holics on bread, a hearty breakfast that will keep you going for a few hours. The blue dog is popular, so book a table in time.

South Street Seaport  

A super cozy neighborhood where you can find a lot of nice restaurants is South Street Seaport. This former harbor is home to some of the oldest buildings in Manhattan. Many of these historic buildings have been completely restored and house authentic boutiques, trendy bars and cozy restaurants. You will also find pier 17 an events center that hosts a series of concerts on the roof terrace in the summer. On the ground floor of pier 17 there are still plenty of restaurants where you can dine with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge. We dined at Malibu Farm New York and can definitely recommend this restaurant.

If you then walk further along the waterfront towards Battery Park, you will pass Industry Kitchen where you can also enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner.

Chelsea & Meatpacking Disctrict   

Adjacent to the Chelsea district, we find the Meatpacking District where many slaughterhouses and packaging companies used to be located. Today this is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in New York City where you can also find numerous elegant bars and delicious restaurants such as Fig & Olive , Pastis , Catch and Buddakan .  

Nearby you can also visit the Chelsea market , a former biscuit factory, which was transformed into an impressive food hall. You will not find many different types of food stalls and restaurants here, but the interior is also really great.

With this comprehensive beginner’s guide to New York City, I’ve tried to give as many tips as possible for visiting New York for the first time. I hope that with my tips you will have an unforgettable first New York experience.

Are you visiting New York for the first time? What would you definitely not want to miss on your this trip to The Big Apple? Let me know below in the comments.

If you are planning a city trip to New York City, then definitely read 5 best observatories in New York City where I share my experiences visiting the all of New Yorks’ observatories and my overview of 15 gorgeous boutique hotels where to stay when visiting New York .

Wanna visit more of the United States? Then check my travel guides below:

• The ultimate Deep Road trip
• How to spend the perfect day in Miami
• What to expect from an airboat tour in the Everglades
• The most beautiful beaches in Sanibel
• How to plan a 3 days city trip in New Orleans

Thank you for reading.  

Yours truly,  

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NYC for Beginners: A Guide to Your First Visit to New York City

Writing a guide for a first time visit to New York City is about as daunting as the visit itself. How do you whittle down the millions of possibilities in this amazing city? How do you recommend “must do” things in a city that has so many? This post has taken me a while, but I have tried and it’s now also updated for 2024!

My guide is skewed toward Manhattan, although I hope by now everyone knows that New York City comprises of five boroughs. The simple truth is that you cannot experience all of them during one trip, so I recommend focusing on Manhattan and Brooklyn if you don’t have much time.

When to Visit

My personal favorite times in the city are the Fall (late September – November) and Spring (April – May) . Temperatures are mild, the air is fresh and there is a relatively smaller swarm of tourists.

Here is a breakdown of seasons with pros and cons –

• Fall – in my opinion, the best time to visit! The city looks gorgeous and smells wonderful. The only con is that the weather can be unexpected at times.
• Winter – the tourists have definitely left the city, but it can also be achingly cold. While it might be a good idea to visit and gain a perspective of actual local life in New York City, it might not be the best season for a first time visit. The exception is December – the city is extremely delightful at Christmastime – enough to forget the cold!
• Spring – the city is has a renewed sense of energy, walking around in the mild temperatures, watching the flowers bloom around you is very lovely. Cons are that it could be rainy, temperatures are unpredictable. Check out my Spring Guide to NYC if you plan to travel in the Spring.
• Summer – hot, sticky, smelly and full of tourists, I don’t recommend this season in the city. The only pros are long days, restaurant week and evenings on rooftops. However, if you have already booked a summer trip / can only visit in the summer – don’t despair! It’s still New York City and you will have a wonderful time 🙂

Where to Stay

I firmly believe that the area you stay in during your first visit to the city will influence your opinion on New York City forever.

Avoid staying in Times Square and Midtown near Penn Station . The hotels are subpar at best, it is extremely crowded and dirty and you will be hard put to get a good night’s sleep. Also, you won’t be able to look past the tourist experience in New York City, and your first visit might end up being your last.

Note that Airbnbs are illegal in New York City unless you book a shared room in a place with your host around. A good rule of thumb while booking an Airbnb is that if it is cheaper than average, it is too good to be true.

If your visit is more than five days, I suggest staying in two different neighborhoods to get more of a feel for the city! We did this on our first visit, and I was amazed at the differences in our experience.

I recommend staying in a hotel in Manhattan or Brooklyn (specific neighborhoods listed below). Expect to pay premium prices for smaller rooms, but you aren’t going to be spending much time in your room anyway!

My top hotel pick is The High Line Hotel, Chelsea

We stayed at The High Line Hotel for four days before our move to NYC and it was an incredible experience! The High Line Hotel is a historic building in the quiet part of Chelsea, but right by the High Line. It is still a convenient walk to the trains on 8th Ave. Their rooms are gorgeous, the service is impeccable, and the coffee shop in the lobby serves the best cappuccinos in the city! Seriously, this is the Intelligentsia coffee shop, frequented mostly by locals. In the summer and fall, the front garden transforms into a delightful cocktail spot.

Other Good Neighborhoods to Stay In –

• Financial District – not very neighborhoody but gets quiet in the evenings and is close to a lot of the major attractions. Very well connected via the Subway.
• Brooklyn Heights – there are a couple of nice new hotels in Brooklyn Heights (ex: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge ). It is a lovely neighborhood and very well connected by the subway, literally minutes to Manhattan. A huge plus is that you get amazing Manhattan Skyline views! Beware of the neighboring Downtown Brooklyn – it might be cheaper but is generally dirtier and less salubrious.
• Near Central Park – if you have a large budget , splurge on one of the grand hotels at the southern edge of Central Park! Stunning views and an elevated experience, for example the iconic Plaza Hotel or slightly more affordable, the 1 Hotel Central Park .
• SoHo – SoHo can get a bit crowded, but it is well connected by subways, has excellent food options and is a fun neighborhood to walk around in. I recommend The Dominick Hotel , The Bowery Hotel or the Mercer Hotel
• Upper East or Upper West Side – both are beautiful, historic residential neighborhoods in NYC but with plenty of great restaurants and very easy access to Central Park. The Upper West Side also has very good access to the Theater District and West Village on the 2/3 trains.
• Williamsburg – I would generally recommend Williamsburg to a younger crowd. This neighborhood is full of great restaurants, bars and cafes plus stunning views of Manhattan. However, you have to rely on the L train and connectivity can get wonky on the weekends. Check out the Hoxton Williamsburg , or the Wythe Hotel .

How Long to Stay

My answer to this question is forever! <3

In all seriousness, I recommend planning at least a 5 day trip to NYC if you want to hit everything on this list. This will give you enough time for the “must-dos” as well as time to spend on eating, drinking and soaking in the local life.

If you can’t spare five days, visit anyway! It is never a bad idea to hang out in NYC – just do as much as time and sanity permits.

How to Get Around

Foot : One of my favorite ways to explore New York City is to just walk. Most of the areas you end up in are going to be safe, so don’t worry. Of course, weigh the pros and cons of walking versus how much time you have to spend. Everything in the city looks close by, but distances can get pretty long.

Subway : The most convenient way to get around New York City is the Subway. Yes it is dirty, it can get crowded, some trains are canceled on the weekends, but it exists and can take you from most Point As to Point Bs. Use it! I don’t recommend buying a MetroPass as all the stations now accept payment via Tap to Pay directly from your phone or credit card. Tip : Use the same credit card to pay for rides, as all rides after your 10th in a week are free.

Taxis : While in Manhattan, I prefer hailing taxis instead of using Uber / Lyft for shorter rides. Two main reasons are that taxis are ubiquitous so can get you to your destination quicker, and that taxi drivers are safer and more vetted than Uber drivers in the city. I like to use the Curb app to hail and pay for taxis, you can use my code TANMAYA for $10 off your first ride.

General Tips for First Timers

• Stick to exploring neighborhoods to save time – for example, do everything in Midtown on the same day, do everything on the Upper East Side + Central Park on the same day etc.
• Use Google Maps! Save all the spots you want to hit and group the ones close by. Use more of your time seeing and experiencing New York City rather than traveling from one tip of the island of Manhattan to another.
• Don’t stop in the middle of sidewalks where tons of people are walking, and walk fast if you are able to.
• Navigate the Subway sensibly – don’t enter empty cars when the rest of the subway is packed (these are empty for a reason), don’t stick your hand to stop the subway door from closing, know which direction you want to go (Uptown and Queens versus Downtown and Brooklyn) etc.
• Don’t spend more than an hour in Times Square. Please remember to not generalize NYC based on Times Square – it is just a loud, crowded square in the city popular with tourists and hence, tourist traps.
• Skip the tour to visit the Statue of Liberty unless it is a bucket list item for you to set foot on Liberty Island. See the Statue of Liberty from the free Staten Island Ferry instead.

What to do in NYC

I tried my best to pare down to twenty must do things for your first time in New York City. Of course, how much of this you can do will depend on when and for how long you visit. Don’t try to cram everything in, take it slow so that you will leave wanting to come back!

• Enjoy the views from Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Bridge Promenade (in Brooklyn Heights) and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Tip : The views walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan are more stunning. Go early in the morning to beat the crowds. This photogenic spot in DUMBO is very famous with the tourists – it’s definitely worth a visit earlier in the morning when it is not packed!
• Explore historic Lower Manhattan – Stone Street, Wall Street, The Oculus and the 9/11 Memorial Don’t spend too much time at the Oculus, I love it for its unique architecture rather than the run of the mill shops you find at any mall in the USA.
• Take the free Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty . Note, please do not ride it during the morning or evening rush hour. Or, if you don’t mind splurging, book a cruise on the river with views of the Statue!
• Go shopping at the lovely boutiques in SoHo and admire the architecture. My favorites are Sezane and McNally Jackson books followed by a stroll through Elizabeth Street Garden.
• Explore the gorgeous West Village, my absolute favorite neighborhood in NYC! I will write a neighborhood guide soon, but meanwhile look through my Instagram story highlights for West Village.
• Check out a speakeasy or a jazz bar or a comedy show – lots of suggestions below for speakeasies!
• Listen to the live music and/or protests in Washington Square Park. A man brings his piano to the park on summer Sundays, it is lovely!
• Check out the Saturday morning Farmers Market in Union Square Park for some local life and fresh food or the Grand Bazaar on the Upper West Side on Sundays for antiques.
• Take a walk on the High Line – try to go on a weekday! Start from the south and walk north all the way to Hudson Yards to finish off at the new Vessel. Stop at Chelsea Market on the way if you get hungry.
• Depending on the season, check out the ice skating rink and Christmas Market in Bryant Park. In the Summer, there are free plays and performances some evenings.
• Times Square of course, you have to go once (and hopefully only once)
• Watch a play on Broadway ( here is a guide to scoring cheap tickets) and then eat dinner in Hell’s Kitchen.
• Admire Grand Central Station
• Walk or bike around Central Park – check out my Instagram story highlights on Central Park for the spots you should check out there. Go boating on The Lake on weekday evenings (fewer crowds) or enjoy Shakespeare in the Park in the summer.
• Spend a few hours at the museums on the Upper East Side (the Met of course, the Guggenheim or my personal favorite, the Frick Collection). Also a great way to wait out bad weather.
• Eat cookies and visit bookstores on the Upper West Side (+ cherry blossoms at the Natural History Museum in the Spring). Walk along the quiet streets of the upper 70s and 80s and admire the gorgeous architecture.
• Catch a Comedy Show at the historic Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village
• Drink in the views from the Top of the Rock, or else literally drink + get stunning views from one of the many rooftop bars (suggestions below). I have been to the observation decks at both the Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building. The ESB is more gorgeous but I prefer the views from the Top of the Rock. Both get very crowded, so go early in the morning or late at night. Either way, have lots of patience!
• Check out one of the many lovely bookstores in the city or the delightful Morgan Library and Museum. The Reading room at the New York Public library is stunning as well!
• Spend some time being fancy on Fifth Avenue – afternoon tea at the Plaza or Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe , shopping (window or otherwise) at Bergdorfs etc. This area is of course a favorite (but very busy!) during the holiday season!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tanmaya Godbole (@hernewyorkedit) on Dec 10, 2018 at 5:54am PST

Bonus Spot : Governor’s Island is a delightful escape in the summer. A quick ferry ride takes you to an island sans cars, but with amazing views of the Lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. You could take a picnic, rent bikes and easily spend a whole day here!

Where to Eat & Drink in NYC

There is so much amazing food and drink in New York City that it is hard to know where to start to recommend. I think it makes sense to break it into sections so you can pick what type of food you like the best and choose a spot in the neighborhood you are currently in!

Note that these are some of my favorite spots, but you CANNOT hit them all in your first visit. Choose the ones that you are close to and enjoy those. If you are planning a date, head to this post for recommendations for romantic restaurants.

• Lucali – the best pizza in NYC but a very involved process, take a look at this Instagram Post for a guide on how to get in
• Rubirosa in SoHo – definitely get the iconic Tie Dye pizza
• Juliana’s in DUMBO – a good stop before / after the Brooklyn Bridge, the line can get very long so go in off hours
• Emily – has locations in both Clinton Hill (original) and the West Village
• Paulie Gees in Greenpoint – might be out of the way, but good to keep in mind.
• Bleecker Street Pizza in the West Village – both for slices and delivery
• Joe’s Pizza near the West 4th Street station – a slice on the go
• Price Street Pizza in SoHo – a slice on the go
• Sadelle’s in SoHo (their takeout counter is excellent)
• Russ & Daughters in the Lower East Side
• Ess-a-Bagel in Midtown
• Tomkin’s Square Bagels in East Village

Sweet Things

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tanmaya Godbole (@hernewyorkedit) on Dec 12, 2019 at 5:46am PST

• Aux Merveilleux de Fred, La Maison du Macaron for amazing croissants
• Lady M Cakes for their lovely light crepe cakes. I especially love the Upper East Side location near the Met
• Two Little Red Hens Bakery for their Chocolate Cake and/or cheesecake
• Levain Bakery for the most delicious chocolate chip walnut cookies
• Harbs for Japanese style cakes (love their chocolate cake and strawberry shortcake)
• Molly’s Cupcakes for delightful flavored cupcakes in West Village

More Food (in no particular order)

• Somtum Der, Thai Villa for Thai food
• Cafe Mogador in the East Village for falafel and chicken kebabs
• Baar Baar, GupShup for Indian gastropubs
• Mala Project in the East Village or Bryant Park for spicy Chinese dry pot
• Lilia in Williamsburg for gorgeous fresh pastas (make reservations at least a month in advance)
• Omar’s for their to-go kebab counter near Bryant Park
• Authentic Indian food at countless restaurants in Jackson Heights, Queens
• Frankies 457 or La Vara if you head to Lucali in Caroll Gardens and don’t get a table
• Cheeky Sandwiches for late night, hole in the wall New Orleans style sandwiches
• Palma for a lovely dining experience in their garden
• Buvette in the West Village for breakfast and evening wine
• Tartine in the West Village (byob, excellent food)
• Cafe Cluny, St Tropez or Osteria 57 in the West Village for date night
• Sofreh in Prospect Heights for an innovative take on Persian food (might be too far of a trek into Brooklyn)
• Fausto for excellent Italian food in Prospect Heights (if you are already in the neighborhood)

Michelin Star Restaurants

New York City is overrun by Michelin Star Restaurants. Here is the 2020 list. Some of the two or three star restaurants might be on your bucket list, if so, make reservations far in advance. In fact, I would almost recommend securing your reservation before booking your flight.

Speakeasies & Craft Cocktails

New York City had a very healthy drinking scene during the Prohibition a hundred years ago. So even now, you can find plenty of “speakeasies” around the city (obviously most of these are not historical)

Here are some fun speakeasies and cocktail bars with excellent drinks!

• Angels Share – if it is too packed, they have an annex next door
• Little Branch in the West Village
• Apotheke in Chinatown
• Patent Pending in NoMad
• Raines Law Room in Chelsea
• Le Boudoir in Cobble Hill – live Jazz music on Mondays
• Ice Cream Shop in the Upper East Side
• Elsa in Cobble Hill (not a speakeasy)
• Clover Club in Carroll Gardens (not a speakeasy)
• Dear Irving in Gramercy Park (not a speakeasy)

New York City has a healthy coffee scene and some incredible coffee shops! Check out my list of ten best coffeeshops in Manhattan for more information!

Please do not go to one of the thousand Starbucks or Pret that litter every corner in Midtown, Manhattan.

Rooftop Bars

• Gallow Green – gorgeous in Summer and Winter, it transports you to a different world.
• The Met Rooftop (open from May to late fall) – my personal favorite rooftop bar, gorgeous views over Central Park and pretty good drinks!
• The Top of the Standard – fancy views and club like atmosphere
• Mr Purple – a Lower East Side favorite, there is a pool on the rooftop. Beware that lines to enter get very long if you aren’t staying at the hotel
• Lemon’s at the Wythe Hotel – Views of midtown Manhattan from this Williamsburg rooftop
• Harriet’s Brooklyn – there is a $20 cover for non hotel guests
• The Rooftop at Eataly Flatiron – decorated differently for each season, the ambience and drinks are delightful but the food is subpar.

Honestly, this is just a small taste of what New York City has to offer. If I did my job right, you will fall in love with the city and vow to return many more times. Check out my New York City focused Instagram page for tips on what to do in the city if you want to get a more local experience!

Here is a handy map of everything I mentioned in this guide. Save it to your own Google Maps so you can access it during your trip! Don’t know how? Read this .

Pin this post to find it more easily in the future!

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A guide to the prettiest spring blossoms ….

Another Super Useful Super Enticing SuperBLog! Thanks hernewyorkedit

Yay, glad to help!! Thank you!

This is a great addition tips blog on guide to first visit to new York city, thank you for sharing this article. I love it how you have written the insightful, all these ideas are really wonderful and very useful for all of us in future.

Thank you so much, glad to hear that!

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My very first impressions of New York City

Sometimes, some moments stay with us forever . If you are a traveler, you probably have many unforgettable moments in your mind and, if you are coming to this blog, it is because you too have been to New York or are planning to go there soon.

More and more of us are dreaming about a trip to NYC. Sometimes it takes a while to make that dream come true and we spend a lot of time dreaming about New York City, imagining what the first moments we will spend in NYC will be. And even when we have finally discovered it, we never really forget the first sensations and the first moments lived. Today, I share with you MY very first impressions of the Big Apple, after several years of dreaming to go there…

My very first meeting with NYC

The very first time I walked on New York City’s ground was at the exit of a subway station on 23rd Street. So what I first discovered in NYC was the district of Chelsea ! Until then, I didn’t know much about Chelsea other than what I had read in the tourist guides: a family neighbourhood, lively but not too, gay friendly and full of art galleries!

It is March 2014. I’m 26 years old, still a student, don’t have much money. With my boyfriend, we saved for a long time before we could afford this trip. And finally, we were able to plan something good! 7 days in New York , followed by 10 days in Canada and finally, a last weekend in New York before the return flight.

For this very first trip to New York, we looked for the most affordable places to stay. In Chelsea, we found the Leo House hostel , affordable and well rated.

I will always remember the emotion that overwhelmed me when I walked onto this sidewalk. It was really an explosion in my head! I turned to my boyfriend, we looked at each other with a huge smile and said : “This is it, we’re in New York City !!!”. Tiredness finally turns into excitement. All our senses are on alert. After months (years?) spent dreaming about New York, it is always a great emotion to go from dream to reality.

First impressions, first sensations

We are at the corner of 23rd Street and 8th Avenue. And indeed, there is traffic in New York, even in residential districts! We already noticed the incredible number of cabs driving around. It’s not only in movies, there are really a lot of them!

When you come from another country (I come from France), you are also quickly surprised by the width of the streets. We are “only” on the 23rd Street, but there are already 2 lanes per direction + one parking lane = 5 lanes for this “small” street! I will finally learn later that the 23rd Street is in fact the main traffic street of Chelsea and that we find in the surroundings, perpendicularly, small lanes much quieter!

After a few minutes on this sidewalk, we will soon meet another symbol of New York: the famous sirens! As soon as we got out of the subway, we were confronted with a huge cacophony of fire trucks, ambulances and police cars, driving at full speed, sirens and horns blaring! Welcome in New York City 🙂

On another level, we also discovered all the good smells of food from the Dallas BBQ around the corner. After a 8 hours flight and a meal tray digested for a long time, we quickly salivated! Good point: we don’t have to walk far from the hotel to find food!

We also realized a few days later that food smells are simply omnipresent in New York City at any time of the day or night. The craziest thing is the smell of grilled meat that is almost everywhere. It makes you want to eat steak all day long!

First moments in New York: between fatigue and excitement

We finally go to Leo House where we are very pleasantly welcomed. This budget hotel has the particularity to be managed by a catholic institution. The advantage is that the prices are among the cheapest in the city! The hotel is clean and safe , a real good place in NYC.

☞ You might be interested in : Leo house, an affordable and well located hotel in NYC

In spite of the tiredness which starts, we decide to spend the end of the day in Times Square and to eat there before going back to sleep. The subway trip is not easy when you arrive! Between tiredness and the complexity of the network, we spend some time underground, roaming towards Chinatown, in a opposite direction to Times Square 😀

Fortunately, the excitement helps us forget the fatigue.

This is what I can tell you about my first moments in NYC. Feel free to share the memories of your first time in New York in the comments and to tell your first impressions of this amazing city.

☞ You might be interested in : ● New York City neighbourhood guide: all you need to know ● The complete NYC subway guide for beginners 

I’m a french travel blogger, crazy about New York City! Since I discovered NYC in 2014, each trip is an opportunity to learn more about the secrets of this fantastic city. I wish you a pleasant visit on my blog, with I hope, a lot of beautiful discoveries!

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First Timers Guide to New York City

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New York City…. the Big Apple, the city that never sleeps, the city of dreams… whatever you call it, NYC needs to be on your bucket list. If it’s your first time in New York City, then it can be confusing and overwhelming *very overwhelming*!

BUT that’s why you’re here, right?! If you’re planning your first time visit to NYC a.k.a. the concrete jungle, then read along my friends!

*This post may contain affiliate links and I get a commission for the purchase made through the link at no extra cost to you. These are services and items I use and recommend myself.

First Timers Guide to New York City: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to NYC for Your First Time

The five boroughs.

New York City is HUGE! I mean massive! There are five boroughs (areas) in the city.

The main area with all the attractions, famous skyscrapers, and the safest borough is Manhattan .

Brooklyn is across the river from Manhattan and is easily accessible by the famous Brooklyn Bridge or the subway.

Staten Island is south of Manhattan and Brooklyn (across the water) and the most popular way to get here is to take the Staten Island Ferry (for FREE) that leaves from the southern tip of Manhattan – OH, and you get a GREAT view of the Statue of Liberty from the boat!

Queens is where JFK Airport and LaGuardia Airport are located. If you’re a Mets fan then this is also where their stadium is located.

The last borough is the most northern part of NYC, the Bronx . Yes, the same one in JLo’s song (just got a flashback from my college days when everyone called me “Jenny from the block”).

This isn’t the greatest area of NYC, but Yankee Stadium is located here if you want to see a classic American baseball game! *I’m a huge fan of the Yankees btw* (Don’t judge).

How to Get to New York City

This is such an easily accessible city! You will have no problem getting here.

• For international visitors, John F. Kennedy International (JFK) is one of the cheapest airports to fly into and it’s VERY easy to get around.
• For national visitors, LaGuardia (LGA) is a great option.. it’s closer to Manhattan (and definitely cheaper for taxis).
• Newark Liberty International (EWR) also services NYC, however, it is located in New Jersey, and getting into the city is actually an expensive challenge! (Taking the train includes making changes and about 2 hours of your time and taking a taxi will set you back $100 before your even really start your vacation!)

By Train: There are two train stations in NYC and both are in Manhattan. Union Station and Penn Station. Amtrak services Penn Station and it’s a very easy and comfortable ride into the city! SUPER convenient if you are coming from Washington DC, Baltimore, or Philadelphia. (If you’re coming from DC, don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Guide to Washington DC )

By Car: It’s possible to drive into the city.. but if you are staying in Manhattan, do yourself a favor and DON’T DRIVE! Not only are you trying to navigate through a city filled with one-way streets, but you have people honking, pedestrians just walking out into the middle of the road, and other drivers not using turn signals and just pushing their way into your lane. Don’t do it!

Getting into Manhattan

Most likely you will be staying in Manhattan since it’s the most touristy and has the most hotels.

From JFK: Getting a taxi from JFK is not cheap.. it will cost you about $75.00 after the flat rate airport fee, tolls, and tip. This is the quickest route into the city and the one with the least amount of hassle, so if you’re just trying to get your vacation going, then go with this option.

The AirTrain runs from all the terminals at the airport to the subway and the Long Island Railroad. This is the cheapest option but could be confusing since you have to transfer trains at the end of the line and switch over to the ever-confusing subway system. There are two stations that are the end of the line (Jamaica and Howard Beach) and the trip costs $7.75 one way. If you are going on the Long Island Railroad, get off at the Jamaica station and transfer to the train which takes you to Penn Station (~$10 one-way peak and only 19 minutes!!). The subway will cost you $2.75 for the one trip into Manhattan, but won’t be as quick.

The NYC Express Bus runs from JFK & LGA from 11am-7pm every day straight into Manhattan (either the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Station or Times Square). It’s a $35.00 round trip ($19.00 one way) from JFK and a $30.00 round trip ($16.00 one way) from LGA.

The Go AirLink NYC is a great shuttle service from ALL airports – yes, including Newark! Not only do they offer private car service (which is about $100 FYI), but they offer a shared shuttle service. Fill out the form online and pay for your reservation and journey! It’s super simple and under $30.00 for a one-way journey – YES, even from Newark!

From LGA: LaGuardia doesn’t have a direct train system to the subway, but getting a taxi is fairly cheap and easy. It will cost you about $45-$55 for a metered taxi with tolls and tip.

Navigating the Subway

This subway system was created in 1904 and now has over 850 miles of tracks and 472 stations. It’s considered one of the largest subway systems in the world.. so to say it’s intimidating is an understatement.

Fear not, first time New York City traveler!

First things first, the lines go by their letters and numbers NOT the color because there are multiple services on each colored line. When you look at the subway map, each stop has either a white mark or a black mark. The black marks mean that stop is a local train and the white mark means it’s the express train.

The express trains will only stop at the express stops (which are the white dots) and the local trains will stop at the black dots AND the white dots.

Under each station name on the map, there is a letter, number, or a set of letters and numbers… those are the trains that stop there (local trains will usually only have one number or letter underneath it).

You have two choices for directions to go in… Uptown and Downtown. If you are heading north or towards the Bronx then you will go “Uptown” and if you are heading south or to Brooklyn then you will go “Downtown”. Pretty simple, right?

If you see a black line on the map connecting two stations on two different lines, that means there’s a pedestrian tunnel and it’s FREE to switch lines. So instead of exiting to the street, walking to another line, and paying for another trip, you can just take the tunnel for free!

Must-See Attractions for Your First Time in New York City

So where do first-timers in New York City go? Well, there’s A LOT! These are the big five though.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Closest Subway Station: Bowling Green (4,5 trains), South Ferry (1 local service train)

Believe it or not, the Statue of Liberty is small… like microscopic compared to the massive skyscrapers that surround it (in 1886, it used to be the tallest structure in NYC!! WHAT??!!).

You can view the statue from Battery Park in lower Manhattan, but if it’s your first time, you have to actually visit the statue (because it looks tiny from afar).

I recommend you pre-book your ticket. There’s only ONE ferry that goes to the Statue of Liberty (Statue Cruises). Once you enter Battery Park there will be people standing around telling you that the boat to the statue is fully booked or out of order and they can get you there.. this is a SCAM! Don’t do it!

There are three types of tickets:

• Reserve – This is the ticket for Liberty Island and Ellis Island ONLY. No bells and whistles, just the plain old hop off the ferry and walk around the statue. Tickets are $25.50 per person.
• Reserve with Pedestal – This is the ticket that includes all the above AND access to the pedestal of the statue. It’s 215 steps to the top of the pedestal, but there is an elevator. Tickets are $25.50 per person, but NEEDS to be reserved!
• Reserve with Crown – This ticket includes all of the above AND access to the crown. These tickets need to be reserved at least a month in advance because they are very limited and very popular. *There are another 154 steps to climb to get to the crown from the pedestal. Tickets are $28.50 per person.

Hop on the ferry where you disembarked on Liberty Island and your next stop will be Ellis Island. (If you are visiting later in the day, then the ferry will not stop at Ellis Island, so if you’re dead set on visiting here, then you need to go early).

If you wish to skip Ellis Island then just stay on the ferry and it will take you back to the port in Battery Park.

*Make sure you board the correct boat on Liberty Island!! There’s one that goes to New York and the other goes to New Jersey!!

Empire State Building

Closest Subway Station: 34 St Herald Square (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W trains)

They claim to be the world’s most famous building… and it might be close. This building has been in countless movies and TV shows and is a major staple on the NYC Skyline.

If it’s your first time in New York City, then you HAVE to go to the top of the Empire State Building!

There are a few options for tickets. The main deck is the 86th floor, but you can go higher to the 102nd floor. The museum tour is included with all tickets. If you go during sunset, not only will it be busy, but more expensive. If you want to experience day and night, then there’s a ticket for that too! Also, tickets are a little bit cheaper during off-season.

• Main Deck Ticket: $38.00
• 102nd & Main Deck Ticket: $68.00
• Sunrise/Sunset Ticket: $114.81
• AM/PM Ticket: $61.00

The observatory has it’s own entrance (so make sure you don’t through the main entrance for the Empire State Building). You’ll get the chance to explore the museum, the new interactive observatory experience and then head on up to the main deck.

Times Square

Closest Subway Station: Times Square 42nd St (N, Q, R, S, W, 1, 2, 3, 7)

Times Square is the bustling hub and tourist destination in the city filled with entertainment, shopping, and plenty of bright lights and excitement.

Anyone remember TRL being broadcast from here EVERY DAY!? I seriously watched that show religiously in high school. It’s also where you’ll see the famous ball drop on New Years Eve!

You’ll find the square at Broadway and 7th Avenue. This is best enjoyed at night when you can see all the lights. Just know, it’s SUPER busy no matter what time you take a stroll through here.

Rockefeller Center

Closest Subway Station: 47-50 Sts Rockefeller Center (B, D, F, M trains)

If you haven’t heard of Rockefeller Center, where have you been?! Have you even seen Home Alone 2?! (Helllloooooo giant Christmas tree)

This is where you will find the famous ice skating rink, called The Rink. It runs from October – early April every year and opens 8:30am- midnight. There are 90 minute skate sessions every 2 hours. You CANNOT pre-book your tickets or make reservations for a time slot…. it’s first come, first serve during general admission times. You can book VIP experiences, 7am first skate sessions, or a rink season passes.

Prices fluctuate depending on the day and time of the season. Off season is $25.00 and the peak holiday rate is $35.00 PLUS $18.00 for the skate rental. Children under 11 are $17.00 no matter what time during the season.

Rockefeller Center has plenty to offer during the summer season too.. (these are also open year-round). If you want to take in the skyline 70 floors up, Top of the Rock will give you a great view of the Empire State Building. Just like the Empire State Building, you’ll need to reserve your ticket time and the prices fluctuate depending on the time of day (starting at $32.00).

You can tour the NBC Studios and get a behind the scenes look at The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live, and more or check out a show at Radio City Music Hall (and for $31.00 you can take a backstage tour of the venue).

Central Park

Closest Subway Station: 59 St Columbus Circle (A, B, C, D, 1 trains) & multiple other stations up and down the border of the park (however, they are local services – B, C, 2, 3 trains)

This urban park is open all year round. It’s 2.5 miles long and .5 miles wide! Walking through the park, you can actually forget you’re in the big city.

Park highlights: Bethesda Fountain is the famous fountain that has been in countless movies and TV shows (Gossip Girl!!! eeeekkkkk!), John Lennon’s memorial is located in Strawberry Fields, Bow Bridge was the first cast iron bridge in the park, the famous carousel that’s over 100 years old ($3.25 per ride), the massive reservoir, and during the winter season, the Wollman ice rink!

The Wollman Rink is the cheaper option for ice skating in the city. Monday- Thursday is $12.00 and $19.00 on weekends and holidays for adults. Skate rentals are only $10.00 and the locker costs $5.00 with a refundable deposit.

My advice for exploring the park is to set aside an hour or two and just pick one section to check out, otherwise, you will spend ALL day there!! The park is a lot bigger than you think.

Where to Stay

Midtown Manhattan is a great place to base yourself because you are in the middle of everything! I prefer the hotels around Times Square because there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and nightlife.

My favorite hotel I’ve stayed at is definitely the Aliz Hotel Times Square . It’s in a great location and doesn’t feel too busy, but close to Times Square… also literally next to the subway station!

Tips for Your First Time in New York City

• If you’re on a budget, but still want to see the Statue of Liberty, hop on the Staten Island Ferry and you’ll go straight past the Statue for FREE!
• Grab the New York City Pass if you plan on doing ALL the attractions, you’ll save some money! (Don’t bother if you’re only doing one or two – you won’t save money)
• Avoid the horse and carriage rides through the park – the horses are mistreated.
• Download a subway map app on your phone! (City Mapper or New York Subway MTA Map)
• If you don’t have WiFi, make sure you download an offline map of the city – just in case!
• Choose a hotel that’s next to the subway – it will make getting around SO MUCH EASIER
• Wear comfy shoes, you’ll be walking A LOT

Have any questions about your upcoming first-time trip to New York City? Lemme know in the comments below or send me a message on my Contact Me page! Been to NYC and have some of your own tips? Share them in the comments with everyone!

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7 Key Things To Know Before Your First Trip To New York City

• Destinations
• New York City
• United States

New York City is diverse, lively, dense, and home to iconic sights and symbols like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Streets are filled with skyscrapers. It’s a mix of cultures and foods and world-class art. Theater is top quality here. You can shop till you drop. At Times Square, you will marvel at the oversized flashing lighted signs that surround the crowds below. And when you are tired of the bustle, escape to the wonders of Central Park with its lakes and trees and grassy hills.

With all New York City has to offer, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when planning a trip, especially if it’s your first time in NYC. Here are some major things to know that will help. Be flexible once you get to New York, but at least have a game plan ahead of time so you can best enjoy this wonderfully complex city.

1. New York City Is Manhattan And More

New York City is made up of five boroughs, with Manhattan at its core. While you can venture to Brooklyn , the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, you will want to center your first trip in Manhattan. This is where you’ll find the Empire State Building , Times Square, Broadway shows, and Central Park . If you have time, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or take the subway to the Bronx. If you have only a few days, plan to spend most of your time in Manhattan.

2. Sleep In Manhattan But Not In Times Square

Staying in Manhattan on your first trip allows you to fit in the most sightseeing. That doesn’t narrow it down a lot, though, as Manhattan is large and there are hundreds of hotels. Many people book a hotel in Times Square because they’ve heard of it and seen the ball drop on TV on New Year’s Eve. But I recommend staying at least a few blocks away from the chaos and noise and giant neon signs of Times Square. Choose a place in your budget and preferences at least a few blocks away.

I like staying near Grand Central Station on East 42nd Street. This puts you at a transportation hub within walking distance of Rockefeller Plaza, Bryant Park, Times Square, and Central Park. I can recommend the Hyatt Grand Central as a mid-priced, clean, attractive option.

If you’re after lower prices, you can opt to stay in New Jersey or Brooklyn, or anywhere outside the middle of Manhattan. The trade-off is more time spent on the train or subway. I like to pack my sightseeing days full of sights, walking out the door of my hotel and being right in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Figure out what’s best for you.

3. Decide On The Iconic Attractions You Want To See

While your interests will determine how you fill your time in New York City, there are three iconic sights that will top your list on your first trip.

The Statue of Liberty National Monument . Lady Liberty, recognized around the world as a symbol of freedom, stands waiting to welcome you to New York. Before you go, think about whether you want to take the boat out to the island and see the statue from her pedestal. Or are you fine with taking the free Staten Island Ferry and getting a close-up view from the water? Do you also want to go to nearby Ellis Island, where immigrants were brought and processed into the U.S. for years? You can get tickets to see both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Allow basically a morning or afternoon to do the joint tour.

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Built where the Twin Towers once stood, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum honors those lost in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Be prepared for an emotional experience .

If you are short on time, you can visit just the memorial pools outside the museum. Allow at least 2 hours for the museum.

Central Park

This famous green oasis covering more than 800 acres calls to visitors and locals alike. Stroll along the tree-lined paths or relax on the grassy lawns of North Meadow and Sheep’s Meadow. Marvel at the lovely curves of Bow Bridge. And visit the Imagine memorial to John Lennon.

If time is limited, enter the park at the south end and wander as long as you can. There’s more to see than at the north end of the park. Download a map or app of the park so you can easily find the points you most want to see.

4. Discount Passes May Save You Money

For your first trip to New York City, consider an attractions pass. This can save you money, especially if you plan to visit the most popular places. Basic options include:

All-Inclusive

These are for a set number of days. Fit in as many attractions as you like in that time. Some come with skip-the-line perks. Two to look into are the Sightseeing Pass and the New York Pass .

Number Of Attractions

These are for a set number of attractions, such as three or five choices from the options given. If you know what you most want to see, these are a good kind of pass. One to consider is The Explorer Pass .

Pre-Packaged Passes

You don’t have a choice of which attractions are included. But many of the most popular are included. Check out the CityPass , which is a booklet of six tickets

Do a cost comparison with what you want to see between having a pass and no pass to find out whether you want to invest in one.

5. Choose Where You Will Take In The City Views

The vastness of New York City never ceases to amaze people. And taking in a view of the city from above is a must when you visit. Not only do you see the density of the buildings but you have the water, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty to spy on from up high. Here are four main places that feature a panoramic view. Book tickets ahead of your visit to get the time of day you prefer. If you can choose two of these viewing sites, book one in the daytime and the other at sunset for views of NYC in all lights.

The Edge is an outside platform 101 stories up, and it literally hangs off the edge of the building. You see West Manhattan and south to the Statue of Liberty. The angled glass walls allow you to lean out over the city. And there’s a glassed section of ground where you can stand and look straight down at the city below.

This is my favorite of the city view places. After you get over the strange sensation of feeling like you’re on the brink of falling 100 stories to the sidewalk, it’s quite exciting. And the views are certainly breathtaking.

Top Of The Rock Observation Deck

From the top of Rockefeller Center, you can take in views of Central Park and Manhattan Midtown from 70 floors up. And from the Top of the Rock you can clearly see the Empire State Building. That’s one reason some people recommend this one if you are choosing just one view site. And with indoor and outdoor viewing decks, you can stay inside if it’s cold or rainy.

Empire State Building

This grand symbol of New York, the Empire State Building , is billed as the “world’s most famous skyscraper.” Get your ticket and ride the elevator to the 86th floor, where you can look out at the city from the 360-degree observatory. See the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty.

If you choose, you can include a visit to the 102nd floor as well. Here are floor-to-ceiling views that can cover up to 80 miles away on a clear day.

Summit One Vanderbilt

The newest entry into fantastic NYC viewpoints is the Summit . The entrance is inside Grand Central Station. It does have a view of the city, and it also has other floors with mirrors and shiny objects. It’s an experience that goes beyond taking in the city sights. Take a look at the website and see if it’s something you want to do. 

6. It’s Okay If It’s Rainy Or Very Cold

As your trip gets close, check the weather. If it looks like a day of rain or extreme cold is coming, no problem. Plan for amazing indoor options. A few top picks:

Metropolitan Museum Of Art

This world-class art museum offers so much to see that you could easily spend days here. Not only does it display art from different historical periods and countries, but also the architecture of the building alone is worth a visit.

Like the Louvre in Paris and the British Museum, the Met can be enjoyed in short sessions. Plan for a morning or a few hours. Then, look at the online information about the exhibits. Choose two or three areas that fascinate you and start there. You will likely want to return to see more!

American Museum Of Natural History

This grand museum has been around for 150 years. While it’s a great way to keep young ones in your party busy and happy, I’ve found as a grown-up that I love natural history displays.

Popular exhibits include the brown bears in the North American Hall of Mammals, the massive blue whale model that measures 94 feet, and the huge Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.

New York Public Library

This imposing building is a great place to shelter from the weather. The stately lions standing guard on the front steps are named Patience and Fortitude. The architecture inside the library is noteworthy. And it’s free.

7. Wear Comfortable Shoes

You may think of New York City as a fashion mecca and figure you need to dress up. But while there are upscale stores and elegant restaurants, for sightseeing, you don’t need to be fancy. You will walk and walk and walk. And that’s the best way to experience New York. So, wear comfortable shoes or flat-heeled boots. And it may be surprising but rest assured that casual clothes are fine for Broadway shows and most restaurants.

These tips touch on some things that can make your trip easier and more fun. With a bit of planning, you will enjoy your time in New York. I’m betting you’ll want to return for more incredible experiences in this fascinating city.

Go over to our New York City category to find out more about the Big Apple:

• 9 Best Places In New York City To Escape The Crowds
• 10 Best Spots To Try New York City Pizza, According To The Locals
• 10 Luxe Lounges To Visit In New York City

As the owner of the travel blog, Exploring Our World , Sharon enjoys taking her readers on a journey with her. Articles often delve into the history of a place, and by adding in a generous number of photos, she inspires others to explore for themselves. In her early travels, she was most frustrated by coming back home and learning that she had missed a fascinating sight or a hidden gem. Now she helps travelers prepare for a trip by passing along travel tips, pointing out lesser known things to see, and alerting them to enjoyable day trips from major cities.

Her travel articles have been published by Stripes Europe Newsletter and the World War 2 Writing and Research Center. Whether she's discovering more about her hometown of San Diego, California or flying to faraway places, she enjoys sharing with travel lovers around the world.

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Descriptive Essay About New York City

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Our world is full of wonders and every person should plunge into unforgettable feelings they give us. One of those wonders is New York City. It is considered to be the city of diversity, opportunities, and unbelievable beauty. This essay on New York will definitely help you find your own way in exploring it.

New York essay: Five delicious pieces of the Big Apple

Each of five boroughs is unique and characterized by specific features of living there. You can recognize Manhattan by its eminent skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center, numerous universities and colleges and wonderful Central Park. It represents the financial heart of the city. You can see busy clerks and businessmen on Wall Street and hear continuous clicking and typing of office workers and programmers eager to make fortune. It is for sure, they would make money faster with the smart writing service like ours.

Brooklyn nowadays is a core of the powerful “machine” producing exclusive organic food and promoting modern art, cinema and indie music. All creativity is mostly presented by the Williamsburg neighborhood, the hot spot for the young people ready to enjoy every single breath of night. However, you can notice how the fascinating night clubs transform into calm and quiet Cobble Hill and Park Slope residences. Bushwick offers shopping for young families.

In the northern part of New York, the Bronx stretches its boundaries. Known for its agrarian past and the first settlers skilled at farming, hunting and fishing , the Bronx has parklands and gardens at its disposal now. New York Botanical Garden will amaze you with the beauty of rare flowers and plants and the Bronx Zoo is going to immerse you in the atmosphere of wildlife. Have you ever been to Italy? The Bronx is called “real Little Italy” , by the way. New York City makes it possible to fall for the charm of Bella Italia right on Arthur Avenue.

If you think about sports as the best way of entertainment or care for your body and want to keep trim, you are to visit Queens. Take your rollers and skates and be free to disclose vivid streets. Stroll by Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Root for New Your Mets at Citi Field stadium. Go to Flushing Chinatown nearby to satisfy your hunger with some special Asian dainties. But be careful with those dainties, for instance, choose a healthy Mediterranean diet and make the right choice of your dietary pattern for effective training.

Staten Island is regarded as the keeper of the city’s past. This part of NYC encompasses museums and historical attractions such as prominent Historic Richmond Town where anyone may play the role of a person of the 19th century. Moreover, this place combines sunny beaches and the biggest and coolest forest preserve of the city. If you are interested in ordering an essay concerning New York boroughs, take a look at our services. Our company will help you save your money.

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New York City in five words

It is hard sometimes to describe a beautiful place just in a few words. Only a skilled writer expresses the right thought briefly and clearly. We know that New York welcomes everyone all over the world. Despite the great number of tourist attractions, its vividness and versatility also catch an eye. Take a look at five simple words describing New York:

1. Multiplicity.

New York is a real polygonal diamond in the jewel box of America. That is why it has about one hundred different names. For example, look at how the name “The Big Apple” appeared . John Fitzgerald, a sports reporter, was the first to use such a nickname in his articles. One day, he heard the horsemen in New Orleans talking about going to “the big apple”, the venue of horseracing, which was NYC. In the 17th century, New York City also got the name New Amsterdam due to Dutch West India company.

2. Hospitality.

The city is the paradise for immigrants. It takes the first place among heavily-populated cities of America. Many foreigners from all over the world come here willing to open new possibilities and challenge themselves. This multicultural harbor is a combination of the true American lifestyle and international flavoring. Aliens can find here a place reminding their own cultural environment. For instance, Brooklyn is a borough where Ukrainian, Russian, Italian, Jamaican people etc. may encounter fellow countrymen and simply feel at home. Check our essay on American culture to get more information: https://smartwriters.org/blog/essay-on-american-culture-how-should-we-start

3. Musicality.

The Big Apple can boast its staginess of the onstage and musical life. Dozens of theaters open their doors for visitors in Broadway. Many essays on New York cover great Broadway performances including astonishing “Cats” and “Chicago”. These are the must-see performances accompanied by incredible acting and pompous dancing. You can hear music everywhere in the city. Feel its sound from the windows of huge dwellings and especially on the streets of Times Square and even underground. Lots of street musicians and dancers entertain passers-by and devote themselves entirely to the rhythm and endless passion of music.

4. Eccentricity.

By the way, famous Times Square, the place of giant shining billboards, big screens, fashionable shopping centers and glam, gathers lots of extraordinary personalities. You can meet here specific characters form the Statue of Liberty in human guise to cartoons and even daring naked cowboy with the guitar hiding the most “shocking” parts of his body in his hands. So getting amazing emotions is possible for free right in Times Square. Here, you can allow yourself being a bit of weirdo especially when it comes to putting your personal goals into life. Look here for some interesting ideas on achieving success in our essay about career goals .

Did you know how many bridges there are in New York? In total, almost 2,000 bridges and tunnels were built here. Today, the most outstanding of them comprises Brooklyn, Manhattan and Verrazzano Bridges. All they are the symbolic architectural embodiment of a connection between things, which seem utterly differ at first glance. Considering the contrast between nations, religions, sights, and territories that the city represents, the feeling of unity there is quite impressive. This contrast is based on the grounds of respect and friendship. Look at this essay to enquire the importance of friendship in our life: https://smartwriters.org/blog/what-is-friendship-essay-who-is-a-friend

Consider this descriptive essay on New York City as your guide. Now it is up to you to choose your path in the kingdom where everything is so different and similar at the same time. Keep in mind that there are plenty of options. At one moment you find yourself inside the boiling business pot like Wall Street or rejoice over bright sun of the beaches standing with your toes in the warm sand, listening to the sound of the sea at another moment. Whatever you want to do, New York has it all. If you liked this essay, you can find out more about our company and writing services.

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Essay on New York City

Students are often asked to write an essay on New York City in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on New York City

Introduction to new york city.

New York City is a big, busy place in the United States. It has five parts called boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Many people from all over the world live here, making it a place with lots of different cultures.

Famous Places in New York City

The city has famous buildings like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. There’s also a huge park called Central Park. People come from everywhere to see these places.

Life in New York City

In New York City, life moves fast. Streets are filled with taxis, buses, and people walking. There are lots of shops, restaurants, and places to have fun.

New York City is known for its bright lights and tall buildings. It’s a place where you can find something new and exciting around every corner.

250 Words Essay on New York City

New York City is a big and busy place in the United States. It has five areas called boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Many people from all over the world live here, and you can hear many different languages.

The city is known for some very famous spots. The Statue of Liberty is a huge statue that stands for freedom. Central Park is a big green space where people can play and relax. The Empire State Building is a very tall building that lets you see the city from high up.

Life here is fast and exciting. The streets are often full of cars and the sidewalks full of people walking. There are lots of shops, restaurants, and places to see plays called theaters. The city never sleeps, which means there is always something to do, even late at night.

Transport in New York City

Getting around the city is easy with many buses and trains. The subway is a train that runs under the ground and can take you to many places quickly.

Culture and Food

New York City has food from all around the world because people from different countries live here. You can try new foods and learn about other cultures.

New York City is a special place with lots to see and do. It is full of life, with many different people and activities that make it an exciting city to visit or live in.

500 Words Essay on New York City

New York City is one of the most famous cities in the world. It is known for its tall buildings, busy streets, and many different kinds of people. Some people call it “The Big Apple” or “The City That Never Sleeps.” This city has five parts called boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.

The Skyline and Buildings

When you think of New York City, you might picture its skyline first. The skyline is the shape made by all the tall buildings when you look at the city from far away. The tallest of these buildings is called One World Trade Center. There are many other tall buildings, too, like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. These buildings are not just offices; some have places to live, restaurants, and shops.

The People of New York

Lots of people live in New York City. In fact, over eight million people call it home. They come from all over the world, which makes New York a very special place. You can hear different languages, eat foods from many countries, and meet people with different customs and traditions.

Famous Places to Visit

New York has many famous places that people like to visit. One of these places is Times Square. It is full of bright lights and big electronic screens. Another famous place is Central Park. This big park is right in the middle of Manhattan, and it’s a place where you can play, walk, or just sit and enjoy nature.

The Statue of Liberty is also here. It was a gift from France and stands on a small island. You can take a ferry to see it up close. It is a symbol of freedom and welcome to people coming to the United States.

Transportation in the City

Getting around New York City is easy because there are many ways to travel. The subway is a train that runs under the ground and can take you to many places quickly. Buses run on the streets, and there are also yellow taxis that you can hail to get a ride.

Culture and Entertainment

New York is also a place where you can find lots of art, music, and theater. There are many museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. These museums have paintings, sculptures, and other artworks.

Broadway is where you can watch plays and musicals. It’s famous all over the world for its shows. There is also music everywhere, from big concerts in places like Madison Square Garden to street musicians playing in subway stations.

New York City is an exciting place with lots to see and do. It’s a city of tall buildings, lots of people, and fun places to visit. Whether you are interested in history, art, or just want to see the sights, New York City has something for everyone. It’s a place that shows the best of what a big city can offer, and that’s why so many people love it.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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My First New York: Early Adventures in the Big City (As Remembered by Actors, Artists, Athletes, Chefs, Comedians, Filmmakers, Mayors, Models, Moguls, Porn Stars, Rockers, Writers, and Others Hardcover – March 23, 2010

Purchase options and add-ons.

From the staff of New York Magazine comes the perfect gift for the Manhattanite in all of us. My First New York is a glorious collection of recollections and reminiscences as fifty of the city’s most famous residents recapture the kicks and thrills of first arriving in the Big Apple. Actors and athletes, rock stars and porn stars, writers, artists, and politicos—from Yogi Berra to Liza Minnelli, from Chloe Sevigny to Andy Samberg to Diane Von Furstenberg—they all share their hilarious, touching, frightening, amazing early big city adventures in My First New York .

• Print length 256 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Ecco
• Publication date March 23, 2010
• Dimensions 1.1 x 5.2 x 7.2 inches
• ISBN-10 0061963933
• ISBN-13 978-0061963933
• See all details

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Editorial Reviews

From booklist.

“These small, glittering essays make a reader feel that the sheer force of all these dreams, this persistence, might in fact rub off on you.” — Los Angeles Times

“No matter how rich and famous they become, newcomers generally suffer through the most absurd living conditions as a rite of passage to becoming New Yorkers. It’s proven by the boldfaced contributors to My First New York .” — New York Post

“A breezy celebration of the city. . . . 50 famous residents describe their first days in the city―days variously exhilarating, overwhelming, terrifying, or inspiring, but invariably unforgettable.” — Booklist

“As wacky and wonderful as NYC itself.” — Modern Tonic

“At time hilarious and heartbreaking, all these stories are inspiring―just like life in NYC.” — Star

“Celebrate[s] all the quirkiness, beauty, creativity, eccentricity, and artistry that is New York City.” — Pop Matters

From the Back Cover

A book as effervescent and alive as the city itself.

My First New York features candid accounts of coming to New York by more than fifty of the most remarkable people who have called the city home. Here are true stories of long nights out and wild nights in, of first dates and lost loves, of memorable meals and miserable jobs, of slow walks up Broadway and fast subway rides downtown.

The contributors—a mix of actors, artists, comedians, entrepreneurs, musicians, politicians, sports stars, writers, and others—reflect an enormous variety of experiences: few have arrived with less than filmmaker Jonas Mekas, a concentration-camp survivor on a UN refugee ship; few have swanned in with more than designer Diane von Furstenberg, a princess . And an extraordinary number managed to land in New York just as something historic was happening—the artist Cindy Sherman arrived in the middle of the Summer of Sam; restaurateur Danny Meyer came on the day John Lennon was shot.

Arranged chronologically, these moving and memorable stories combine to form an impressionistic history of New York since the Great Depression. They also provide an accidental encyclopedia of New York hotspots through the ages: from the Cedar Tavern and the Gaslight to Lutèce and Elaine's, from Max's Kansas City and the Mudd Club to the Odeon and Bungalow 8, they're all here, dots on the unbroken line of the Next Next things.

Taken together, My First New York is a collection of fifty-six testaments to a larger revelation, one that new arrivals of all stripes and all eras have experienced again and again in New York, regardless of how the city proceeds to treat them: what the songwriter Rufus Wain-wright calls "having cracked the code of living life to the fullest."

Contributors include André Aciman, Susanne Bartsch, Yogi Berra, Mary Boone, Naomi Campbell, Graydon Carter, David Chang, Chuck Close, Judy Collins, Nick Denton, Danny DeVito, Agnes Deyn, David Dinkins, Ashley Dupré, Nora Ephron, Harold Evans, James Franco, Ira Glass, Michel Gondry, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Albert Hammond Jr., Keith Hernandez, Lauren Hutton, Jenny Joslin, Zoe Kazan, Larry Kramer, Padma Lakshmi, Daniel Libeskind, Michael Lucas, Lorin Maazel, Colum McCann, Audra McDonald, Jonas Mekas, Danny Meyer, Lorne Michaels, Liza Minnelli, Mike Myers, Parker Posey, David Rakoff, Dan Rather, Chita Rivera, James Rosenquist, Andy Samberg, Amy Sedaris, Chloe Sevigny, Cindy Sherman, Gary Shteyngart, Nate Silver, Liz Smith, Paul Taylor, Tommy Tune, Diane von Furstenberg, Rufus Wainwright, Kara Walker, Jann Wenner, and Tom Wolfe

About the Author

Founded in 1968, New York magazine covers, analyzes, and defines the news, culture, and personalities that make New York City the capital of almost everything.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ecco; 1st edition (March 23, 2010)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0061963933
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0061963933
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.8 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 1.1 x 5.2 x 7.2 inches
• #9,431 in Travelogues & Travel Essays
• #9,665 in Essays (Books)
• #13,493 in Traveler & Explorer Biographies

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Kids Are Missing School at an Alarming Rate

How the pandemic changed families’ lives and the culture of education..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Katrin Bennhold. This is “The Daily.”

[THEME MUSIC]

Today, long after schools have fully reopened, my colleague Sarah Mervosh describes a more permanent shift in the way kids and their parents think about being in class after the pandemic, which is that school feels optional and kids are still missing a lot of it.

It’s Tuesday, April 2.

Sarah, you’re an education reporter, and you’ve been looking at what’s happened in schools since the pandemic, when kids missed many hours of class and fell way behind on their learning targets. It’s been three years since most kids went back to school. So one might expect things to be almost back to normal, but you found something surprising. Tell us about that.

Yeah, things are really not back to normal, even though it has been quite a while since most or all kids have come back to the classroom. So for example, we know that kids are still academically behind since the pandemic. On average, US students have made up about a third of their pandemic learning losses in math and about a quarter of their losses in reading. So overall, academically students are not back to where they would have been without the pandemic.

And then we’re also just seeing still a lot of behavioral challenges in the classroom, kids having a lot of trouble regulating their emotions and their ability to sit in the classroom and respond in an orderly way and be in a really structured environment. And so as an education reporter, I had been following all of these trends and wondering, like, why isn’t it back to normal?

And how did you answer that question? Why aren’t kids back to normal?

So I came across this data in this report that really crystallized things for me. And it was about absenteeism, the share of students who are missing a lot of days of school. Before the pandemic, about 15 percent of US students were chronically absent from school. After the pandemic, 28 percent of students were chronically absent from school. So that’s almost double.

And last school year, the last school year for which these national estimates are available, it was 26 percent. So it had barely improved, and still 1 in 4 students were chronically absent from school.

And Sarah, what does chronically absent actually mean?

So the way that it’s typically defined is being absent for at least 10 percent of the school year. And that typically works out to about 18 days out of the year. And so the reason why all of this matters is because students not being in school and not being in school regularly relates directly back to the things I mentioned at the beginning about academic catch-up from the pandemic and academic performance as well as their ability to regulate their behavior, get into a routine, deal with some of the mental health aspects of the pandemic.

And so this issue is a window into what’s going on in schools today. And one of the most surprising things we saw in the data is that this is really happening across demographic groups.

So in poor communities which had higher absenteeism rates before the pandemic, it has increased from about 19 percent before the pandemic to around 32 percent last school year. But in rich communities, it’s also increased from about 10 percent to 19 percent. And this is also happening similarly across demographics in terms of how long school districts stayed remote during the pandemic, which was a surprise to me.

So you see generally similar increases in chronic absenteeism on average in districts that were remote the longest and districts that were opening relatively quickly during the pandemic.

Wow. That is striking. And if it’s happening across demographic groups, is it equally happening across age groups or are there differences that you’re seeing?

So the way that one source described it to me is that chronic absenteeism is like a Nike Swoosh.

Explain that. What do you mean, a Nike Swoosh?

Yes. So in the early grades, you see higher rates of absenteeism in kindergarten and first grade, and then you see this long tail at the end. And in upper grades and high school, where absenteeism has also historically been high, so you have the least absenteeism in the middle, in elementary and middle school and then high rates on either end.

So let’s dig into that a little more. Do we know why some students still aren’t going back to school? What’s causing this absenteeism?

There’s no one factor that’s driving the absences. It’s more like there are a number of factors that pile up on top of one another. But probably the most universally shared reason that you’ll hear is just illness. Schools have always been germ factories. But with COVID, there is ostensibly one other virus in the mix as well as just a feeling of a changed culture around going to school and to work sick and I think some hesitance and caution from families about sending their child to school sick.

I can totally relate to that. Having three kids of my own, there is certainly this kind of self-consciousness that if somebody coughs or sniffles, you feel the sense of responsibility, of not exposing the world to your germs.

Yeah. And I think some would argue that’s been a positive cultural change for everyone’s health since the pandemic. But it’s also something that schools are now trying to fight against in terms of having some new messaging to remind people that school is obligatory. It is mandatory. And they’re trying to re-encourage families to send their kids to school unless they’re actively throwing up or they have an active fever. So it’s a new recalculation and recalibration.

So OK, sickness is one of the things that is keeping kids home more. What else is going on?

I think mental health and anxiety is another big issue, something that I heard in a lot of interviews with parents and counselors. So we know that students and children experienced increases in depression and anxiety during the pandemic, lots of disruption to their school and home lives. And what I’m hearing from parents as well as counselors is just a lot of increases in anxiety and the way that students relate to school because they were removed from school and were able to have distance and a barrier during critical periods of development, and re-engaging with that has been pretty hard on a lot of kids.

Hello. Hey, Dana. Me again.

There’s this one parent I spoke with in Atlanta. Her name is Dana Chevsky. She’s a mom of two teenagers. And she went through this with her son, who’s now 13.

So my son, he’s very bright.

Before the pandemic, she described him as really social.

Extremely social, very well liked, extremely athletic and gifted in that way, loved to do sports.

There were no major flags or issues regarding his attendance. And then like everyone else in the spring of 2020, he was sent home. He learns online. By fall of that year, he gets back to school relatively quickly, but things were not normal. They had to wear masks. And at some point, things start to take a turn.

So he started to withdraw a bit from social activities. The fear of removing his mask in front of the other kids overtook his ability to go to football out of fear and anxiety. And that’s when we realized that something was very wrong.

Eventually, he is set to start middle school.

He said, I’ll be fine when school starts in the fall. I just need the summer to do a reset.

And he’s telling himself he’s going to go, and it’s going to go OK. And —

He said he was fine, and he was ready. And then the first day of school came, and he was not fine.

He doesn’t go.

He refused to go to school the first few days, and he kept telling himself that he’ll do it tomorrow. And I think he was really convinced of that. And each time tomorrow would come, and he would get up and get ready. He would get in the car, and we would get to the parking lot of the school, and he just couldn’t do it.

It took a few days into the school year until he would actually go to school. And when he did, it went OK.

He saw all his friends from fifth grade. They were all happy to see him. He felt great. He came home and was just so relieved that that chapter was over, as were we. Unfortunately, that was only the beginning of further challenges.

But then it started to get worse.

He started to miss school probably a day or two a week. He felt like he wasn’t really ready for the increased demands and pressures of middle school, both socially and academically. And his response to that was to just avoid it at any cost possible.

And by later that fall —

We went from missing school one or two days a week the first month to, by October of that school year, he was refusing entirely.

He had pretty much stopped going altogether.

So it almost seems like Dana’s son is stuck in this vicious cycle where fear and anxiety beget more fear and anxiety.

Yeah, and a crucial thing is that her and her husband were able to work from home, which is one aspect of this, that some parents do have the ability to work remotely now, which she would say is a factor in allowing some of this to happen. And completely refusing school is perhaps an extreme example, but it is representative of some of the push and pull that kids are experiencing right now, where feeling anxious can make you want to avoid school. But then the more you don’t go to school and you’re out of your routines, it can make you feel more anxious about going.

So it can be a vicious cycle. And for Dana and her family and her son, it took some real professional intervention to help him get out of it.

OK, so anxiety about school and different feelings about sickness are a couple of drivers of this absenteeism that we’re seeing. What else?

Yeah, there are a number of other reasons. And for this it can depend on family situations. So I think it’s helpful to break it out into two different categories, higher income families and lower income families. For higher income communities and higher income families, I’m hearing a lot more that families are going on vacation. They’re not so beholden to the spring break calendar. It’s sort of like, no problem. Let’s add on a few days at the end. Maybe we’ll go off peak travel season.

I heard from a number of people that just aren’t blinking about that anymore. You learn online during COVID. We can just make it up online. We’ll just figure it out. There’s not that sense of obligatory attendance as there might have been before.

So basically the pandemic normalized this idea that kids don’t always need to show up, and maybe some parents are even taking advantage of that.

Yeah, I mean, I think it’s playing out in different ways depending on your family circumstance. So if you’re a higher income family, maybe you’re taking advantage of a deal to go to Hawaii for two weeks, and it’s not the peak, peak travel season. But if you’re a lower income family, you have different reasons. It’s the same underlying philosophy but the different motivating factors.

So some of the many reasons that lower income communities had higher rates of student absences before the pandemic still exist. Your student may have a job, and that job and the money that it brings in for your family is more valuable than the daily attendance as well as needing child care and babysitters for younger siblings. Maybe you were up all night with a family situation, and you’re tired and you oversleep. You’re not going to school that day. Transportation barriers.

There’s any number of reasons, but it’s also just this feeling that it doesn’t feel mandatory anymore, that any of one of those barriers is just a little more likely to keep you home than before.

So it’s quite a contrast, isn’t it? It’s almost like a perfect satirical snapshot of our very unequal society, right? I mean, so disadvantaged kids missing school because they’re working, and more privileged kids missing school because of vacation.

Yeah, and actually really speaks to some of the other things about absenteeism, where if you’re a higher income student, you’re less likely to be academically affected because you’re off getting an enriching experience when you’re out of school, whereas lower income students, it’s more harmful for them to miss school because the things that they’re missing for are not necessarily academic replacements.

So it sounds like there were a few things that were set in motion by the pandemic that exacerbated problems that were already there. And then because of the way the world settled into this new reality and developed new habits and attitudes towards sickness and remote work, you have this perfect storm that results in kids chronically missing more school.

Yeah, and I think on an individual level for any particular student or family, it might not seem so significant for the one day that you’re sick or the one day you go on vacation. But it does start to add up. And then when you look at a school level or a system level and the large number of students and families this is impacting, that’s where you start to see that this is having a huge impact on education.

We’ll be right back.

So Sarah, what is the implication of so many kids missing school?

Yeah, so one reason I think this is a helpful metric is because absenteeism helps explain why so many students across the country have not caught up from their pandemic learning losses. So it’s sort of both a cause and a symptom. If you’re behind academically, you don’t really want to go to school. If you don’t go to school, you fall further behind academically. And then with mental health, if you have a lot of anxiety, you may not want to go to school. But then not going can fuel your anxiety even more.

So it’s all really interrelated. And looking at this gives us a clearer picture of the challenges facing schools right now. And part of why this is so relevant is because absenteeism has impacts beyond the students who are absent themselves. So not only is it bad for their academics. There’s research that shows that when classmates are absent, it can negatively harm the academics of even the students who do show up. Because the teacher has to adjust their curriculum and slow down a bit to make sure that everyone’s on the same page.

And then there’s other research that shows that absenteeism is culturally contagious. On a given day, if at least 10 percent of your classmates are absent, you are then more likely to be absent the following day.

So we’ve talked a lot about the negative impacts of missing school and this doom loop, if you will. And school, in many ways, is about more than just the academics, right? So what are kids missing out on apart from this crucial time of learning?

Yeah, I mean, school is where you get prepared for social life and work life and society. And so beyond the academics, there’s a lot that goes into school. For very young students who were very young during the pandemic, there’s the element of learning to stand in line for the bathroom, learning how to hold a pencil, learning to share.

These are all things that kids are learning in school. And for older students, there’s like learning to engage with the world in a way that you’re going to have to do as an adult in the workforce. So one thing that really stuck out to me is I talked to a school counselor who told me the kids at her high school got so used to just googling solutions during the pandemic that they have a lot of anxiety around taking a test they don’t the answers to or having a difficult conversation with a teacher.

And so those social skills, those practicing of awkward encounters or just acknowledging when you don’t know something and having to have a conversation with someone else that you then use in the workforce and your adult life, school is where we practice all of these things.

So when experts project out into the long term effects of all of this, what are they worried about?

I mean, as a nation we’re concerned with whether students are catching up from the pandemic. We saw historic losses during the pandemic, particularly in math. And the federal government has poured billions of dollars into helping schools catch up. But if students are not there, they cannot benefit from interventions in order to catch up. And so that has impacts on our economic future as a country as well as for the students themselves and the system.

When you’re in those early grades, establishing those daily habits of attendance is crucial for your success later on. And in older grades, you’re running out of time. And so being chronically absent to a serious degree can be a predictor of dropout or disengagement from high school.

So all age groups basically suffer and the stakes are high. I guess the next question is, how do we fix this? Are there any solutions that you know of that are actually working?

Yeah, so there’s lots of research out there that you have to tackle absenteeism from multiple angles. Some of the things we’ve seen that have worked, there are campaigns to text message with parents or send postcards to their home, letting them know how many absences actually have been accumulated so far that school year. That has seen some positive effects.

There’s been some research that tutoring can have a positive effect on absenteeism, perhaps because it helps people engage academically and interrupts that cycle we were talking about. And then there’s home visiting, which has seen some really promising results, where school districts are sending representatives out to connect with families in their homes and find out why are you not going to school, what can we do to help you?

Hi, it’s Sarah at “The New York Times.”

I actually spoke to a mom in Michigan who received one of these visits.

So tell me about you. What is your name? Where do you live? Tell me a little bit about your family.

Her name is Regina Murph.

It’s myself. And I have four children. I have two that are grown and moved out.

She has two school aged kids.

My six-year-old is a 12-year-old that are with me, they’re both boys, and they’re attending Ypsi Community Schools.

And during the pandemic, she was working at a nursing home so she had a lot of virus exposure.

And I lost my younger sister. That put me in a different mindset.

And she lost her sister to COVID-19.

And I feel like that that’s when things fell apart in a sense.

And she was just struggling.

With my six-year-old, in the morning, I try to make sure I have everything together. Because if you’re missing a shoe or if you’re missing simple items, it’s like a domino effect, I would say.

Parents know sometimes the mornings can be rough when you’re trying to get your kids to school.

And then he ends up missing the bus. I’ll say, oh, just forget it. We’ll try again tomorrow.

And it was just harder to get her kids to school in the morning early enough to make the bus.

And then there’s the fear of sickness. Sending my kids out there, will they get sick? I don’t want anything to happen to them. It’s a lot of fears. It was a lot of fears there.

And so her kids started to miss a good amount of school.

And then someone came to my house, and they just told me that they were worried about their attendance and how —

And eventually she got a visit.

And I was —

How does it make you feel to have someone come out and ask you about that?

I mean, a part of you is embarrassed. But it was refreshing to know that I had those options to be able to reach out to them.

The way that she described it to me, she was a little embarrassed, but she also felt a little bit less alone. She was going through a hard time in her life. And so this home visit helped re-establish the relationship with school, helped make her more aware of how many absences her kids had accumulated, helped her maybe make more of an effort in the mornings when it is hard to get them to school because she knows there’s going to be other times when they’ll have to miss because they really are sick.

So it’s this kind of direct intervention, a personal intervention that maybe has the hope of rebuilding the connection, the broken connection often between parents, kids, and schools that we’ve seen since the pandemic.

Yeah, I mean, I don’t think it’s the only way, but it speaks to something that’s really critical. Schools have always been the center of American life and the center of neighborhoods. They’re supposed to be places of community, places of relationships, friendships. And so reestablishing that connection is really important to helping students and families feel like there’s reason to go to school.

And I think by all indications, things are slowly getting better but not — we’re not back to pre-pandemic levels. And this school year is going to be critical. When we see the data from this school year, what is it going to show?

I mean, in interviews, I’m talking to educators who are telling me, at least in their school, it’s continuing to some degree this school year. So I think there’s some evidence that while things are getting better very slowly as time goes on, something has changed fundamentally. When you think back to all of those different reasons that families are giving and why kids are missing school, they’re pretty diverse. There’s a bunch of different reasons but the core theme that underlies them is this shift in this mindset that school is now optional, and that mindset took root during the pandemic. And that was the lived experience for many families.

School, it was optional to attend school in person. When school shut down, that broke the daily norm and it severed a lot of families trust in the education system that is supposed to be a reliable place. And then when schools reopened, there were still options. There were relaxed policies around grading and attendance. And so it all culminates in this cultural shift of school feeling optional.

And I think that’s something that you see in society more broadly. If you look at remote work, for example, the rate of remote work for those who can work remotely has remained about the same since late 2022. So that seems to be here to stay. That’s a long-term cultural shift brought about by the pandemic. And so this question is like, is that going to happen with schools?

We saw that the pandemic exacerbated and revealed all of the beauties and flaws of our education system. Students lost a lot of ground not being in person. So you can see on the one hand, what the value that schools bring. But then on the other hand, it revealed all of the flaws of our imperfect public education system and the flaws of a system that’s pretty strained in terms of its resources and its ability to serve all students and then their increasing needs.

They have more academic needs. They have more mental health and behavioral needs. And so you’re seeing that all culminate in this moment.

So in some ways, the pandemic crippled our school system. And by doing so, it actually showed the essential role schools play in society.

Yeah. And I think also the essential role that relationships and connection to one another play in society. And today, years out from the pandemic, I hear from teachers who are so exhausted and feel so underappreciated. They’re facing so many challenges in their classroom. I hear from parents who feel failed in some ways by the school system, and their kids are not getting what they need. And so we’re at this moment where we’re at a crossroads.

Will school stay optional? Or will we come together again? Can this trust be rebuilt? Will schools be the pillars in our community going forward?

Sarah, thank you.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Here’s what else you need to know today. Donald Trump has posted a $175 million bond that will prevent authorities in New York from seizing his assets, including his best-known properties, while he appeals a civil court judgment against him. Trump owes New York more than $450 million after a judge found he and his sons knowingly inflated the value of their properties. He was originally asked to pay a bond in that amount, an amount he was having trouble securing, and only got the bond once it was later lowered to $175 million. If Trump loses his appeal, he will still owe the full $450 million.

And Israeli airstrikes destroyed part of the Iranian embassy complex in Syria, killing at least seven Iranian officers overseeing covert operations in the Middle East. Three generals in the external military and intelligence service of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and four other officers died in the attack, making it one of the deadliest in a years long shadow war between Israel and Iran.

Today’s episode was produced by Clare Toeniskoetter, Luke Vander Ploeg, Summer Thomad, and Diana Nguyen. It was edited by MJ Davis Lin and Paige Cowett, contains original music by Marion Lozano and Dan Powell, and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Katrin Bennhold. See you tomorrow.

• April 3, 2024   •   27:42 The Accidental Tax Cutter in Chief
• April 2, 2024   •   29:32 Kids Are Missing School at an Alarming Rate
• April 1, 2024   •   36:14 Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem
• March 29, 2024   •   48:42 Hamas Took Her, and Still Has Her Husband
• March 28, 2024   •   33:40 The Newest Tech Start-Up Billionaire? Donald Trump.
• March 27, 2024   •   28:06 Democrats’ Plan to Save the Republican House Speaker
• March 26, 2024   •   29:13 The United States vs. the iPhone
• March 25, 2024   •   25:59 A Terrorist Attack in Russia
• March 24, 2024   •   21:39 The Sunday Read: ‘My Goldendoodle Spent a Week at Some Luxury Dog ‘Hotels.’ I Tagged Along.’
• March 22, 2024   •   35:30 Chuck Schumer on His Campaign to Oust Israel’s Leader
• March 21, 2024   •   27:18 The Caitlin Clark Phenomenon
• March 20, 2024   •   25:58 The Bombshell Case That Will Transform the Housing Market

Hosted by Katrin Bennhold

Featuring Sarah Mervosh

Produced by Clare Toeniskoetter ,  Luke Vander Ploeg ,  Summer Thomad and Diana Nguyen

Edited by M.J. Davis Lin and Paige Cowett

Original music by Marion Lozano and Dan Powell

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Long after schools have fully reopened after the pandemic, one concerning metric suggests that children and their parents have changed the way they think about being in class.

Sarah Mervosh, an education reporter for The Times, discusses the apparent shift to a culture in which school feels optional.

On today’s episode

Sarah Mervosh , an education reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading

School absences have “exploded” across the United States .

Data shows that the more time students spent in remote instruction during the pandemic, the further they fell behind .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Katrin Bennhold is the Berlin bureau chief. A former Nieman fellow at Harvard University, she previously reported from London and Paris, covering a range of topics from the rise of populism to gender. More about Katrin Bennhold

Sarah Mervosh covers education for The Times, focusing on K-12 schools. More about Sarah Mervosh

Luke Vander Ploeg is a senior producer on “The Daily” and a reporter for the National Desk covering the Midwest. More about Luke Vander Ploeg

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The Case for Marrying an Older Man

A woman’s life is all work and little rest. an age gap relationship can help..

In the summer, in the south of France, my husband and I like to play, rather badly, the lottery. We take long, scorching walks to the village — gratuitous beauty, gratuitous heat — kicking up dust and languid debates over how we’d spend such an influx. I purchase scratch-offs, jackpot tickets, scraping the former with euro coins in restaurants too fine for that. I never cash them in, nor do I check the winning numbers. For I already won something like the lotto, with its gifts and its curses, when he married me.

He is ten years older than I am. I chose him on purpose, not by chance. As far as life decisions go, on balance, I recommend it.

When I was 20 and a junior at Harvard College, a series of great ironies began to mock me. I could study all I wanted, prove myself as exceptional as I liked, and still my fiercest advantage remained so universal it deflated my other plans. My youth. The newness of my face and body. Compellingly effortless; cruelly fleeting. I shared it with the average, idle young woman shrugging down the street. The thought, when it descended on me, jolted my perspective, the way a falling leaf can make you look up: I could diligently craft an ideal existence, over years and years of sleepless nights and industry. Or I could just marry it early.

So naturally I began to lug a heavy suitcase of books each Saturday to the Harvard Business School to work on my Nabokov paper. In one cavernous, well-appointed room sat approximately 50 of the planet’s most suitable bachelors. I had high breasts, most of my eggs, plausible deniability when it came to purity, a flush ponytail, a pep in my step that had yet to run out. Apologies to Progress, but older men still desired those things.

I could not understand why my female classmates did not join me, given their intelligence. Each time I reconsidered the project, it struck me as more reasonable. Why ignore our youth when it amounted to a superpower? Why assume the burdens of womanhood, its too-quick-to-vanish upper hand, but not its brief benefits at least? Perhaps it came easier to avoid the topic wholesale than to accept that women really do have a tragically short window of power, and reason enough to take advantage of that fact while they can. As for me, I liked history, Victorian novels, knew of imminent female pitfalls from all the books I’d read: vampiric boyfriends; labor, at the office and in the hospital, expected simultaneously; a decline in status as we aged, like a looming eclipse. I’d have disliked being called calculating, but I had, like all women, a calculator in my head. I thought it silly to ignore its answers when they pointed to an unfairness for which we really ought to have been preparing.

I was competitive by nature, an English-literature student with all the corresponding major ambitions and minor prospects (Great American novel; email job). A little Bovarist , frantic for new places and ideas; to travel here, to travel there, to be in the room where things happened. I resented the callow boys in my class, who lusted after a particular, socially sanctioned type on campus: thin and sexless, emotionally detached and socially connected, the opposite of me. Restless one Saturday night, I slipped on a red dress and snuck into a graduate-school event, coiling an HDMI cord around my wrist as proof of some technical duty. I danced. I drank for free, until one of the organizers asked me to leave. I called and climbed into an Uber. Then I promptly climbed out of it. For there he was, emerging from the revolving doors. Brown eyes, curved lips, immaculate jacket. I went to him, asked him for a cigarette. A date, days later. A second one, where I discovered he was a person, potentially my favorite kind: funny, clear-eyed, brilliant, on intimate terms with the universe.

I used to love men like men love women — that is, not very well, and with a hunger driven only by my own inadequacies. Not him. In those early days, I spoke fondly of my family, stocked the fridge with his favorite pasta, folded his clothes more neatly than I ever have since. I wrote his mother a thank-you note for hosting me in his native France, something befitting a daughter-in-law. It worked; I meant it. After graduation and my fellowship at Oxford, I stayed in Europe for his career and married him at 23.

Of course I just fell in love. Romances have a setting; I had only intervened to place myself well. Mainly, I spotted the precise trouble of being a woman ahead of time, tried to surf it instead of letting it drown me on principle. I had grown bored of discussions of fair and unfair, equal or unequal , and preferred instead to consider a thing called ease.

The reception of a particular age-gap relationship depends on its obviousness. The greater and more visible the difference in years and status between a man and a woman, the more it strikes others as transactional. Transactional thinking in relationships is both as American as it gets and the least kosher subject in the American romantic lexicon. When a 50-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman walk down the street, the questions form themselves inside of you; they make you feel cynical and obscene: How good of a deal is that? Which party is getting the better one? Would I take it? He is older. Income rises with age, so we assume he has money, at least relative to her; at minimum, more connections and experience. She has supple skin. Energy. Sex. Maybe she gets a Birkin. Maybe he gets a baby long after his prime. The sight of their entwined hands throws a lucid light on the calculations each of us makes, in love, to varying degrees of denial. You could get married in the most romantic place in the world, like I did, and you would still have to sign a contract.

Twenty and 30 is not like 30 and 40; some freshness to my features back then, some clumsiness in my bearing, warped our decade, in the eyes of others, to an uncrossable gulf. Perhaps this explains the anger we felt directed at us at the start of our relationship. People seemed to take us very, very personally. I recall a hellish car ride with a friend of his who began to castigate me in the backseat, in tones so low that only I could hear him. He told me, You wanted a rich boyfriend. You chased and snuck into parties . He spared me the insult of gold digger, but he drew, with other words, the outline for it. Most offended were the single older women, my husband’s classmates. They discussed me in the bathroom at parties when I was in the stall. What does he see in her? What do they talk about? They were concerned about me. They wielded their concern like a bludgeon. They paraphrased without meaning to my favorite line from Nabokov’s Lolita : “You took advantage of my disadvantage,” suspecting me of some weakness he in turn mined. It did not disturb them, so much, to consider that all relationships were trades. The trouble was the trade I’d made struck them as a bad one.

The truth is you can fall in love with someone for all sorts of reasons, tiny transactions, pluses and minuses, whose sum is your affection for each other, your loyalty, your commitment. The way someone picks up your favorite croissant. Their habit of listening hard. What they do for you on your anniversary and your reciprocal gesture, wrapped thoughtfully. The serenity they inspire; your happiness, enlivening it. When someone says they feel unappreciated, what they really mean is you’re in debt to them.

When I think of same-age, same-stage relationships, what I tend to picture is a woman who is doing too much for too little.

I’m 27 now, and most women my age have “partners.” These days, girls become partners quite young. A partner is supposed to be a modern answer to the oppression of marriage, the terrible feeling of someone looming over you, head of a household to which you can only ever be the neck. Necks are vulnerable. The problem with a partner, however, is if you’re equal in all things, you compromise in all things. And men are too skilled at taking .

There is a boy out there who knows how to floss because my friend taught him. Now he kisses college girls with fresh breath. A boy married to my friend who doesn’t know how to pack his own suitcase. She “likes to do it for him.” A million boys who know how to touch a woman, who go to therapy because they were pushed, who learned fidelity, boundaries, decency, manners, to use a top sheet and act humanely beneath it, to call their mothers, match colors, bring flowers to a funeral and inhale, exhale in the face of rage, because some girl, some girl we know, some girl they probably don’t speak to and will never, ever credit, took the time to teach him. All while she was working, raising herself, clawing up the cliff-face of adulthood. Hauling him at her own expense.

I find a post on Reddit where five thousand men try to define “ a woman’s touch .” They describe raised flower beds, blankets, photographs of their loved ones, not hers, sprouting on the mantel overnight. Candles, coasters, side tables. Someone remembering to take lint out of the dryer. To give compliments. I wonder what these women are getting back. I imagine them like Cinderella’s mice, scurrying around, their sole proof of life their contributions to a more central character. On occasion I meet a nice couple, who grew up together. They know each other with a fraternalism tender and alien to me.  But I think of all my friends who failed at this, were failed at this, and I think, No, absolutely not, too risky . Riskier, sometimes, than an age gap.

My younger brother is in his early 20s, handsome, successful, but in many ways: an endearing disaster. By his age, I had long since wisened up. He leaves his clothes in the dryer, takes out a single shirt, steams it for three minutes. His towel on the floor, for someone else to retrieve. His lovely, same-age girlfriend is aching to fix these tendencies, among others. She is capable beyond words. Statistically, they will not end up together. He moved into his first place recently, and she, the girlfriend, supplied him with a long, detailed list of things he needed for his apartment: sheets, towels, hangers, a colander, which made me laugh. She picked out his couch. I will bet you anything she will fix his laundry habits, and if so, they will impress the next girl. If they break up, she will never see that couch again, and he will forget its story. I tell her when I visit because I like her, though I get in trouble for it: You shouldn’t do so much for him, not for someone who is not stuck with you, not for any boy, not even for my wonderful brother.

Too much work had left my husband, by 30, jaded and uninspired. He’d burned out — but I could reenchant things. I danced at restaurants when they played a song I liked. I turned grocery shopping into an adventure, pleased by what I provided. Ambitious, hungry, he needed someone smart enough to sustain his interest, but flexible enough in her habits to build them around his hours. I could. I do: read myself occupied, make myself free, materialize beside him when he calls for me. In exchange, I left a lucrative but deadening spreadsheet job to write full-time, without having to live like a writer. I learned to cook, a little, and decorate, somewhat poorly. Mostly I get to read, to walk central London and Miami and think in delicious circles, to work hard, when necessary, for free, and write stories for far less than minimum wage when I tally all the hours I take to write them.

At 20, I had felt daunted by the project of becoming my ideal self, couldn’t imagine doing it in tandem with someone, two raw lumps of clay trying to mold one another and only sullying things worse. I’d go on dates with boys my age and leave with the impression they were telling me not about themselves but some person who didn’t exist yet and on whom I was meant to bet regardless. My husband struck me instead as so finished, formed. Analyzable for compatibility. He bore the traces of other women who’d improved him, small but crucial basics like use a coaster ; listen, don’t give advice. Young egos mellow into patience and generosity.

My husband isn’t my partner. He’s my mentor, my lover, and, only in certain contexts, my friend. I’ll never forget it, how he showed me around our first place like he was introducing me to myself: This is the wine you’ll drink, where you’ll keep your clothes, we vacation here, this is the other language we’ll speak, you’ll learn it, and I did. Adulthood seemed a series of exhausting obligations. But his logistics ran so smoothly that he simply tacked mine on. I moved into his flat, onto his level, drag and drop, cleaner thrice a week, bills automatic. By opting out of partnership in my 20s, I granted myself a kind of compartmentalized, liberating selfishness none of my friends have managed. I am the work in progress, the party we worry about, a surprising dominance. When I searched for my first job, at 21, we combined our efforts, for my sake. He had wisdom to impart, contacts with whom he arranged coffees; we spent an afternoon, laughing, drawing up earnest lists of my pros and cons (highly sociable; sloppy math). Meanwhile, I took calls from a dear friend who had a boyfriend her age. Both savagely ambitious, hyperclose and entwined in each other’s projects. If each was a start-up , the other was the first hire, an intense dedication I found riveting. Yet every time she called me, I hung up with the distinct feeling that too much was happening at the same time: both learning to please a boss; to forge more adult relationships with their families; to pay bills and taxes and hang prints on the wall. Neither had any advice to give and certainly no stability. I pictured a three-legged race, two people tied together and hobbling toward every milestone.

I don’t fool myself. My marriage has its cons. There are only so many times one can say “thank you” — for splendid scenes, fine dinners — before the phrase starts to grate. I live in an apartment whose rent he pays and that shapes the freedom with which I can ever be angry with him. He doesn’t have to hold it over my head. It just floats there, complicating usual shorthands to explain dissatisfaction like, You aren’t being supportive lately . It’s a Frenchism to say, “Take a decision,” and from time to time I joke: from whom? Occasionally I find myself in some fabulous country at some fabulous party and I think what a long way I have traveled, like a lucky cloud, and it is frightening to think of oneself as vapor.

Mostly I worry that if he ever betrayed me and I had to move on, I would survive, but would find in my humor, preferences, the way I make coffee or the bed nothing that he did not teach, change, mold, recompose, stamp with his initials, the way Renaissance painters hid in their paintings their faces among a crowd. I wonder if when they looked at their paintings, they saw their own faces first. But this is the wrong question, if our aim is happiness. Like the other question on which I’m expected to dwell: Who is in charge, the man who drives or the woman who put him there so she could enjoy herself? I sit in the car, in the painting it would have taken me a corporate job and 20 years to paint alone, and my concern over who has the upper hand becomes as distant as the horizon, the one he and I made so wide for me.

To be a woman is to race against the clock, in several ways, until there is nothing left to be but run ragged.

We try to put it off, but it will hit us at some point: that we live in a world in which our power has a different shape from that of men, a different distribution of advantage, ours a funnel and theirs an expanding cone. A woman at 20 rarely has to earn her welcome; a boy at 20 will be turned away at the door. A woman at 30 may find a younger woman has taken her seat; a man at 30 will have invited her. I think back to the women in the bathroom, my husband’s classmates. What was my relationship if not an inconvertible sign of this unfairness? What was I doing, in marrying older, if not endorsing it? I had taken advantage of their disadvantage. I had preempted my own. After all, principled women are meant to defy unfairness, to show some integrity or denial, not plan around it, like I had. These were driven women, successful, beautiful, capable. I merely possessed the one thing they had already lost. In getting ahead of the problem, had I pushed them down? If I hadn’t, would it really have made any difference?

When we decided we wanted to be equal to men, we got on men’s time. We worked when they worked, retired when they retired, had to squeeze pregnancy, children, menopause somewhere impossibly in the margins. I have a friend, in her late 20s, who wears a mood ring; these days it is often red, flickering in the air like a siren when she explains her predicament to me. She has raised her fair share of same-age boyfriends. She has put her head down, worked laboriously alongside them, too. At last she is beginning to reap the dividends, earning the income to finally enjoy herself. But it is now, exactly at this precipice of freedom and pleasure, that a time problem comes closing in. If she would like to have children before 35, she must begin her next profession, motherhood, rather soon, compromising inevitably her original one. The same-age partner, equally unsettled in his career, will take only the minimum time off, she guesses, or else pay some cost which will come back to bite her. Everything unfailingly does. If she freezes her eggs to buy time, the decision and its logistics will burden her singly — and perhaps it will not work. Overlay the years a woman is supposed to establish herself in her career and her fertility window and it’s a perfect, miserable circle. By midlife women report feeling invisible, undervalued; it is a telling cliché, that after all this, some husbands leave for a younger girl. So when is her time, exactly? For leisure, ease, liberty? There is no brand of feminism which achieved female rest. If women’s problem in the ’50s was a paralyzing malaise, now it is that they are too active, too capable, never permitted a vacation they didn’t plan. It’s not that our efforts to have it all were fated for failure. They simply weren’t imaginative enough.

For me, my relationship, with its age gap, has alleviated this rush , permitted me to massage the clock, shift its hands to my benefit. Very soon, we will decide to have children, and I don’t panic over last gasps of fun, because I took so many big breaths of it early: on the holidays of someone who had worked a decade longer than I had, in beautiful places when I was young and beautiful, a symmetry I recommend. If such a thing as maternal energy exists, mine was never depleted. I spent the last nearly seven years supported more than I support and I am still not as old as my husband was when he met me. When I have a child, I will expect more help from him than I would if he were younger, for what does professional tenure earn you if not the right to set more limits on work demands — or, if not, to secure some child care, at the very least? When I return to work after maternal upheaval, he will aid me, as he’s always had, with his ability to put himself aside, as younger men are rarely able.

Above all, the great gift of my marriage is flexibility. A chance to live my life before I become responsible for someone else’s — a lover’s, or a child’s. A chance to write. A chance at a destiny that doesn’t adhere rigidly to the routines and timelines of men, but lends itself instead to roomy accommodation, to the very fluidity Betty Friedan dreamed of in 1963 in The Feminine Mystique , but we’ve largely forgotten: some career or style of life that “permits year-to-year variation — a full-time paid job in one community, part-time in another, exercise of the professional skill in serious volunteer work or a period of study during pregnancy or early motherhood when a full-time job is not feasible.” Some things are just not feasible in our current structures. Somewhere along the way we stopped admitting that, and all we did was make women feel like personal failures. I dream of new structures, a world in which women have entry-level jobs in their 30s; alternate avenues for promotion; corporate ladders with balconies on which they can stand still, have a smoke, take a break, make a baby, enjoy themselves, before they keep climbing. Perhaps men long for this in their own way. Actually I am sure of that.

Once, when we first fell in love, I put my head in his lap on a long car ride; I remember his hands on my face, the sun, the twisting turns of a mountain road, surprising and not surprising us like our romance, and his voice, telling me that it was his biggest regret that I was so young, he feared he would lose me. Last week, we looked back at old photos and agreed we’d given each other our respective best years. Sometimes real equality is not so obvious, sometimes it takes turns, sometimes it takes almost a decade to reveal itself.

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Looking for the best places to see the April 8 solar eclipse in the totality path? You may have to dodge clouds.

By Eric Henderson

Updated on: April 2, 2024 / 2:12 PM EDT / CBS News

America is gearing up for the April 8 total solar eclipse , and in less than a week many will be scrambling to find the best location to watch within the path of totality. Meteorologists are closely monitoring the latest models, and while it won't be until a few days prior to the event that the national forecast will be fully cooked, historical data suggests those hoping to view the corona and see a fully darkened midday sky may find themselves dodging clouds due to April weather patterns.

The last time a total solar eclipse traversed an elongated path across the continental U.S. — on Aug. 21, 2017 — Americans could be caught gazing at the midday dark from Oregon all the way to South Carolina. Most spots along the path of totality enjoyed reasonably clear, summer skies.

Those living or visiting along the path of totality next week may not end up so fortunate, as historical weather maps show the odds of experiencing a cloud-free sky at this time of year are somewhat less than ideal. In fact, finding a totally clear view at any given time is closer to the exception than the rule.

"According to NASA, at any given time, 70% of the earth is covered in clouds," said Mike Augustyniak , CBS Minnesota director of meteorology.

Not only is North America in the middle of the volatility of changing seasons during this year's solar event, but meteorologists note that we're also currently in an El Niño pattern, albeit one that's proven quieter than usual.

"An El Niño pattern tends to increase the chances of cloudy, rainy weather in those areas. Interestingly, though, that is not how this winter and spring have played out," said Augustyniak. "Since the start of 2024, Texas Hill Country and western Texas areas have been markedly drier than average; if that trend holds for the next few weeks, that would be good news for eclipse watchers."

The path of totality is only about 150 miles wide, and in America stretches roughly 2,500 miles from the Texas border to the last few towns in northeastern Maine. That leaves only so many places where you can seek the full show, though the path's width will be significantly wider than it was in 2017, according to NASA , as the moon will to be closer to Earth on this pass than it was then.

So will April showers bring spectator flowers? Here's a breakdown of which places along the path of totality are most likely to give eclipse chasers the best odds.

Viewing the eclipse in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas

Augustyniak said at this transitional time of year, the further south you can go, the more likely you are to experience clear skies during eclipse totality.

"Of the areas where the total eclipse will be visible on April 8, that includes the Hill Country of Texas, and the Mexican states of Coahuila and Durango," Augustyniak said.

Of course, the further south you get, the more you increase your chances of running into not only clouds, but rain.

"Spring is our storm season of course," said Jeff Ray , chief meteorologist for CBS Texas.

Ray said that you can almost bet on needing to do a little bit of reverse storm-chasing — in other words, doing some last-minute navigation to dart away from the oncoming clouds, rather than toward them — on or around the eclipse in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

"There will be storms around the day of April 8. I say that because we rarely get through a week in spring without a couple of rounds coming through the area during this time of the year. Will they arrive a day before and be gone? Not start up until later that day? Maybe two days later? We are looking at our long-range model the GFS for the date and it looks like storms on the eighth," Ray said, with a caveat. "Long-range models are notoriously inaccurate for a specific day. But there is a good chance the storms the model sees will materialize, give or take a 36-hour period."

Ray said that Texas sees, on average, a sunny or mostly sunny April day only about 28% of the time. Conversely, the region gets April days with mostly cloudy or fully overcast conditions about 36% of the time.

"High clouds can arrive several days before the storm system, they are overhead in April around 22% of the time. A sky with some kind of cloud cover is likely," said Ray. "A typical April day would have near overcast skies in the morning, then the heating of the day makes for more sunshine. So an afternoon even has better odds of a good view of the eclipse."

The eclipse will reach totality in Texas from about 1:30 p.m. CT near Elm Creek until wrapping up near the Oklahoma border a few minutes before 2 p.m. Some of the most populous areas along the path of totality will be during this leg, from San Antonio and Austin to Dallas-Fort Worth.

One final factor to consider if you're heading to the area — tornadoes. Ray said that the National Weather Office in Fort Worth has tallied all the confirmed tornadoes since 1880, and in April and May, north Texas has seen more than 1,100 twisters, compared with the nearly 900 seen in all other months.

"So more tornadoes in the 61-day window than all of the other days of the year combined," Ray said, "but the tornado count varies greatly from year to year."

Ultimately, Ray said that April is traditionally the third-stormiest month of the year in Texas.

"In short, April is not the best, nor the worst, time of the year to hope for clear or mostly clear skies. The best would be July or August. The worst would be January or February," he said. "We get a decent idea of the expected weather about seven days out. Four days out we get more comfortable talking about the timing of a rain or storm event. But it's the weather, we are trying to throw a lasso around chaos. It is not rare we forecasters look like fools."

Viewing the eclipse in Missouri, southern Illinois and Indiana

While many are likely to head as far south as possible, some of the biggest cities in the Midwest are likely to fuel day-of migration to spots in Missouri and Illinois, many of them likely seeing a total eclipse for the second time in a decade. A small zone centered around Carbondale, Illinois, was along the path of totality in 2017, and will be once again this month.

While those in the St. Louis area seeking areas to watch in southeastern Missouri will find historical odds for cloud-free viewing roughly comparable to Arkansas, and those in the Chicago metro area should find their best bet is to head toward the southern part of Illinois.

"If you're unable to travel (to Texas or Arkansas), then Southern Illinois and Indiana present your best opportunity for a clearer sky, supported by the 43-year average and, of course, weather permitting," said Albert Ramon , chief meteorologist for CBS Chicago.

There will likely be some who decide that 90% or 95% totality is enough for them. But Ramon warns that those in the Chicago metro area could be at a higher risk to find their view obscured by clouds.

"Based on a comprehensive 43-year average , April 8 typically brings cloud cover chances ranging from 60 to 80% across Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, with similar patterns observed in Indianapolis, where cloud cover hovers between 60 to 70%," Ramon said.

Viewing the eclipse near the Great Lakes and Pennsylvania

Ramon said another factor that could make viewing along the path of totality something of a challenge in the Midwest is the lingering influence of an El Niño weather pattern.

"Its presence elevates the chances of clouds across the Midwest and Great Lakes regions," Ramon said. "This year may even be a bit more cloudier than the normal."

The Great Lakes portion of totality's path includes large sections of Ohio, including Cleveland, along with the area of Ontario south of Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Erie, Pennsylvania. CBS Pittsburgh meteorologist Ray Petelin said many of these areas are subject to the wildcard that is the Great Lakes.

"They are known for lake-effect snow, but it is the lake-effect clouds that could hide the eclipse. Erie, which is in the path of totality, averages only six clear days during the month of April. Pittsburgh, which has the potential to see around 97% of totality, only averages four clear days in April," Petelin said.

Petelin says that a southerly breeze and warmer-than-average temperatures would go a long way toward helping the Great Lakes region out on April 8. 

"While the historical data suggests the chances for a clear day are low, this winter and early spring have been exceptionally bright and warmer than usual. Let's keep our fingers crossed that we can get that perfect weather for when it matters most," Petelin said.

As it stands, the areas near the shores of the Great Lakes historically show a higher probability for clearer skies than areas inland.

Viewing the eclipse in New England

The eclipse will wrap up its march across the U.S. when the path of totality cuts across state lines from New York to Vermont just before 3:30 p.m. ET. By this point in the event, the duration of totality along the central line will have already fallen off from its peak — about 4 minutes, 30 seconds near Nazas, Mexico — to just over 3 minutes, 30 seconds, according to NASA.

"The southern edge of the totality line passes right through the towns of Middlebury, Northfield and Barre. You will need to get just north of these areas. Some suggested 'larger' towns include Montpelier, St. Johnsbury, Newport and Burlington," said Terry Eliasen , executive weather producer for CBS Boston.

In New Hampshire, the southern edge of totality will pass just north of the White Mountains. And in Maine, you'll need to get north of major cities like Portland, Augusta and Bangor. Eliasen said the entirety of Baxter State Park will be in the totality path, including Mount Katahdin.

The bad news: Eliasen said that those in the New England area face possibly the stiffest odds in the country for catching clear skies next Monday, based on historical patterns. The data says you're more likely to be negatively impacted by clouds pretty much anywhere in these three states than not.

"Frankly, northern New England is probably the worst place (historically speaking) in the path of totality as far as cloud cover goes," said Eliasen. "Of course, we could get lucky."

No luck? There's always the 2045 total solar eclipse

As a last-ditch hope for those who opt to stay put no matter where they're located, there's one last meteorological ace-in-the-hole that could offer reprieve, one fueled by the astronomical event itself.

"It's worth noting that, as totality approaches and sunlight is reduced, temperatures are likely to fall noticeably. Cooler temperatures can stabilize the atmosphere – like when the sun sets after a hot summer day – leading to a decrease in cloud cover," said Augustyniak. "Still, your best plan is to find an area that has no clouds to begin with."

And if the clouds end up sullying the view for some this month, another chance comes around in August 2045 , when a line of totality will stretch from northern California all the way to Miami Beach. Which, of course, will fall during the height of hurricane season.

Eric Henderson is Managing Editor, Midwest for CBSNews.com. He has won three Emmy Awards, an Eric Sevareid Award and two Edward R. Murrow Awards.

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A $15 toll to drive into part of Manhattan has been approved. That’s a first for US cities

FILE - Commuters wait to drive through the Holland Tunnel into New York City during morning rush hour traffic in Jersey City, N.J., on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. New York has become the first U.S. city to approve congestion tolls on drivers entering its downtown. Transit authorities approved the congestion pricing plan Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

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NEW YORK (AP) — New York is on track to become the first U.S. city with congestion tolls on drivers entering its central business district after transit officials approved a $15 fee for most motorists headed to the busiest part of Manhattan.

Members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board on Wednesday voted to greenlight the congestion pricing plan, expected to go into effect in June. The board approved only minor changes to a plan presented to the public months ago, and brushed off requests for exceptions by dozens of groups of commuters.

The vote authorizes a $15 toll on most commuter passenger vehicles that drive into Manhattan south of 60th Street, a zone that’s south of Central Park, during daytime hours. Tolls are higher for larger vehicles, and lower for late-night entries into the city, as well as for motorcycles.

Supporters of the new tolls say it will push more people to use public transport, reduce congestion to speed up public buses and emergency vehicles, reduce pollution, and raise money needed to improve the subway system. Opponents say the fees are a burden on workers and will increase the prices of staple goods that are driven to the city by truck.

To enter Manhattan, commuters from other states and boroughs already pay around $15 in bridge and tunnel tolls — and the congestion fee will come on top of that. Daily parking costs already run $25 to $50 in the congestion zone, which includes a dozen neighborhoods in Manhattan that are south of 60th street.

New York’s plan has drawn lawsuits from small business owners and the state of New Jersey which demand more thorough environmental assessments before the plan moves forward. In court documents, state officials argue the plan will cost its commuters millions but won’t fund improvements in New Jersey transit agencies, even as it funds public transit in New York and Connecticut.

The state Legislature approved the tolls in 2019, mandating that the program should raise $1 billion per year to fund public subway and bus systems for the city’s 4 million daily riders. It also established the boundaries of the zone, which covers the busiest part of the city, and scaled back early proposals to include the area up to 86th Street . The pandemic and lack of federal regulation stalled the project.

Tolls will vary based on the time of day and the size of the vehicle, ranging from $1.75 for motorcycles crossing overnight to $36 for sightseeing buses and trucks with trailers during the day. The overnight period runs from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays, and from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends.

Visitors without E-ZPasses — a device that collects toll information remotely — will pay more. And as on bridges, license plate readers are expected to identify other drivers, so that they can be billed by mail.

Taxis will charge passengers $1.25 per trip that touches the zone, while app-based rides will charge $2.50.

The vote Wednesday followed two months of public comment in which over 100 categories of drivers asked to be exempted from the tolls. They ranged from small groups like holders of diplomatic license plates to large groups like residents of the neighboring states of New Jersey and Connecticut.

But the $1 billion in toll revenue mandated by the state law meant that eliminating charges for one group would increase the price for everyone else, so most requests for exceptions weren’t granted.

Some exceptions survived, including a free pass for emergency vehicles, specialized city vehicles, and buses with regular public routes or city school contracts. Vehicles carrying disabled people and certain low-income commuters also get a pass. Low-income drivers are eligible for discounts and tax credits.

If the plan survives those legal challenges, New York will become the first U.S. city to implement a congestion pricing scheme. Such schemes have been implemented in London, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore.

In 2017, Virginia officials implemented a toll system to reduce congestion during rush hour on Interstate 66 near Washington, D.C.