A week in New York. Not a place, a lifestyle.

A video of just under 2 minutes…. That’s all I needed to convince myself to travel to New York.

A week in New York – My schedule

On February 5th, I departed from Brussels – Zaventem with United Airlines for a week-long trip to New York.
We arrived at Newark International Airport, a quieter and slightly smaller airport compared to John F. Kennedy International Airport. However, if you want to get to the city faster, I do recommend flying into JFK. From both Newark and JFK, it is very easy to travel to Manhattan. Buses, subways and taxis are certainly available for your convenience. You can find more information here.
Keep reading below to discover the ideal itinerary and how to best fill your days with both exploration and necessary relaxation.

Day 1

After an approximately 8-hour flight, we arrived at the Hampton Inn Manhattan hotel. A decent and budget-friendly hotel. Breakfast was nothing special, but you’re on the road a lot anyway. Freshening up was necessary, but we soon decided to explore the city a bit. There we went, heading for Times Square, and what an adventure it was! Not for a second did I deviate my gaze from the skyscrapers and billboards. My first reaction? What an impressive city this is!

Like any other tourist, we dined the first night at the Hard Rock Cafe. Those typical sweaters with ‘New York’ on demanded a closer look. 😉 Eventually my friend ended up buying a pin, for those who are curious. After such a long flight, we were starving, so that hamburger was definitely satisfying!
When we stepped outside, it was already dark. Well, relatively dark, because the lights of Times Square continued to dazzle our eyes. That evening, we strolled around a bit and quickly discovered the Broadway theaters, including the one showcasing my favorite musical, ‘Hamilton’.
With a sense of joy, we crawled into our bed that night, curious about what awaited us.

Day 2

Our second day began quite early. Although we hadn’t set an alarm, we were already having breakfast before 7 a.m. That jet lag did have its advantages; we were wide awake and ready to start a new day.
For the first time, we took the subway to Central Park, which was also a bit of an adventure. It took us a while to figure out how the subway worked, but fortunately we soon realized that Google Maps was our best friend when it came down to it. So you don’t need a specific app if you want to look up the hours of the underground trains. Besides, the subway is the most efficient means of transportation in the Big Apple.
After getting a bit lost in the subway network, we eventually made it, and believe it or not, we walked through the entirety of Central Park. A tip for those aiming to achieve their daily 10,000 steps!

Something to keep in mind

New York’s largest park is truly an oasis of peace in the city. Something you might need from time to time, as Frank Sinatra wasn’t lying when he spoke about the city that never sleeps. Even at night, you can hear cars honking, people shouting, and so on. It’s something you have to be okay with because otherwise, leaving your window open in the hotel room isn’t an option.

In the afternoon, there was little time to rest as we had a tour scheduled with the most fantastic Dutch-speaking guide: Patrick Van Roosendaal, also known as BENY. Usually, I’m quite skeptical about tour guides and don’t fancy them much, but this was truly a unique experience.
He took us to unique places like the High Line. What used to be a freight railroad has now been transformed into a park. Besides being a high-rise park, there are breathtaking buildings in every direction, created by the best architects in the world. If you have a passion for architecture, this is definitely a must-visit.

We also visited the Starbucks Reserve, which was a unique experience. Here, you could witness the roasting process of the beans, explore a cocktail bar, and find specific merchandise. It’s completely different from what you typically expect from Starbucks. Definitely worth a visit, especially for coffee enthusiasts like me.
Additionally, we stumbled upon a delightful food hall, Chelsea Market. An indoor market offering a diverse array of cuisines from around the world.

During this guided tour, we met some really nice people with whom we further explored the city that same evening. We all dined together at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, a must-visit for musical enthusiasts or anyone seeking an interactive dining experience. The servers are ready to belt out the greatest Broadway hits, and goodness, there are some incredible talents among them. However, the food quality is in my opinion a bit lower; if you come here, it’s unfortunately not for the food. After dinner we visited some more stores and bought tickets to something I’ll tell you more about later. With this, we wrapped up the successful day. Onward to the next adventure.

Day 3

Day 3 has arrived, packed with activities,but I dare say this one was my favorite.
In the morning, we took the subway to Fifth Avenue, also known as the upscale shopping street. Here, you’ll find St. Patrick’s Cathedral, truly a gem among all the towering buildings on this street. What struck me the most is that there are still so many churches in New York, and yet many devote attention to their faith.
On this luxurious street, you’ll also come across the famous Trump Tower, the choice is yours whether to go inside or not. A fun fact is that the former president sells his merchandise there, including a rather distinct-smelling perfume (quite disgusting), yet fervent supporters are willing to spend a lot of money on it.
Fans of designer stores can definitely indulge themselves on Fifth Avenue, but even just for people-watching and soaking in the opulent atmosphere, this street is absolutely worth a visit.

After a quick visit to the square in front of Rockefeller Center, we hopped back on the subway, this time heading towards the Brooklyn Bridge. A magnificent bridge connecting Manhattan with, as you might guess, Brooklyn. Crossing this bridge brings you to Dumbo, a trendy neighborhood of converted industrial buildings housing cool eateries, coffee shops and unique stores. Dumbo is also known for its stunning views of the Manhattan Bridge. Here you are guaranteed to find the famous ‘influencers in the wild’. But of course, we also went for that picture perfect photo.

Healthy fast food?!

The delicious salad you see in the photo is from Sweetgreen. It’s actually an American fast-food chain that exclusively offers healthy options. Just talking about it makes my mouth water; it’s that delicious! Definitely a recommendation if you’re not in the mood for the greasier food often encountered in America.

We returned to Manhattan this time via the ferry. From Dumbo, you can head towards Lower Manhattan for just $5. Here, you’ll find the famous Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, and Trinity Church.
When we visited the 9/11 Memorial, we were speechless. The gripping story we’ve heard for years suddenly became a tangible reality again. In the empty footprints where all the victims’ names are inscribed, the water seems to endlessly flow, ultimately disappearing into a mysterious black hole. It’s incredibly moving to stand so close to it.

In the evening, it was time for a somewhat lighter activity. Changing into different attire, we headed to one of the many viewpoints over the city, namely The Edge. We opted to visit in the evening to witness the sunset from the outdoor platform. For the daredevils, ‘The Edge’ offers activities like walking over the rooftop or hanging at the building’s edge. However, we decided to keep our feet firmly on the ground and simply enjoyed the impressive view.
After this enjoyable activity, it was time for dinner again. This time, we took a taxi to Little Italy, a neighborhood where many Italian immigrants live and have numerous restaurants and stores. A wonderful way to end the day. On to the next one!

Day 4

Day 4 was once again packed with activities. We were up early as we wanted to visit the Statue of Liberty on this sunny morning. To save some money, it’s possible to take a free ferry to Staten Island. Along the way, you can get a great view of the Statue of Liberty from the water. It’s definitely something to consider if you’re not particularly keen on visiting Liberty Island, and it’s much cheaper than a boat tour around the Statue of Liberty. However, there wasn’t much to do on Staten Island itself; it mainly serves as a commuting hub for many working people heading to Manhattan, and the neighborhood is rather unremarkable.

After a free round-trip ferry ride, we found ourselves back in Manhattan as we had booked an appointment at the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. This time, it was an indoor observation point with some art rooms as well. A very enjoyable experience, but be prepared for the crowds and potential stuffiness as the sun constantly shines on the building. Fortunately, they provide stylish sunglasses and fashionable shoe accessories.If you’re wondering about the best viewpoints in New York, The Edge and the SUMMIT are definitely excellent choices. Both offer more than just a panoramic view; they’re true attractions in themselves.

Because we arrived early at the One Vanderbilt building, we stumbled upon Grand Central Station by chance. We had to check it out, especially that famous Gossip Girl scene; we just had to try to recreate it! The clock, by the way, visible outside the station, is the world’s largest Tiffany glass clock, valued at over $10 million.
On our way to our appointment, we also came across the New York Public Library. Entering is an option, but note that some sections may require an entrance fee.
We freed up the rest of the day for some shopping and relaxation at Bryant Park. There was a Christmas market and ice skating rink there, creating a wonderfully cozy atmosphere that made it one of my favorite spots in NYC.

Fun fact about me: I am a huge musical fan; I love everything Broadway, and tonight a dream of mine came true! Together with my friends, we went to see the musical ‘Wicked’. You know, the untold story of the witches from the Wizard of Oz? I could write a separate article about this, but the conclusion? It moved me so much! I remember we went to eat a McFlurry in Times Square after the show, and I still had tears in my eyes from the lingering emotions. What an evening! The actresses who played the lead roles that night (Talia Suskauer and Brittney Johnson) are still set as the background of my phone.

Day 5

Tired of New York on our fifth day? Not at all! Plus, we still had something fun planned!
As two huge Friends fans, we couldn’t miss this opportunity. The Friends Experience was booked well in advance, and we had an absolute blast!There’s not much more to tell, but if you’re a fan of the series, this is definitely a fun experience. A tip: it’s best to book in advance, and you can also choose between different packages that may include merchandise or extra photos.We went home with a cool Central Perk mug and a hoodie With Joey’s popular quote: ‘How you doin’?. In the end, we didn’t really empty the store after all. 😅

In the afternoon, we treated ourselves to a donut at Krispy Kreme and continued to enjoy wandering around New York City. During our stroll, we stumbled upon the Flatiron Building, a famous tourist attraction due to its striking narrow shape. Unfortunately, the building was covered in scaffolding when we visited. A fun fact is that the building was sold for $161 million in May 2023.
Unexpectedly, we concluded the day with another Broadway musical, namely Aladdin. The costumes worn by the actors and actresses were stunning! A Disney musical is always a great choice, of course!

Day 6

Our last morning in New York, as we flew back to Brussels in the afternoon. We wrapped up the day with a delightful breakfast at In Common NYC cafe, a trendy spot offering delicious bagels and coffees. If you’re looking for a breakfast or lunch spot, this place is highly recommended!
As with most vacations, on the last day, the sun started shining—typical phenomenon… When you’re heading home, the weather turns beautiful! Fortunately, we didn’t experience any rain that week, so we certainly had no complaints. We all went to Bryant Park, enjoying our last few hours people-watching and reminiscing about the past few days. A great way to wrap up a wonderful holiday!

More NYC tips

More New York tips will be available on my website soon, so stay tuned and keep an eye out. If you have any questions or are curious about specific things, don’t hesitate to contact me. You can find my social media handles and email in the footer below.