After arriving in New York after possibly the best flight ever, where I managed to bag two empty seats to myself and spread out for comfortable naps (this never happens to me), I was greeted with glorious city heat and bright sunshine.
I arrived at my hostel which was the best hostel I've ever stayed at (American Dream Hostel) and wasted no time in exploring the city. We went straight to Times Square to see the lights in the evening and I tried my first five guys burger (loved it).
The first full day started early due to jet lag, but this left more time to explore the city in the day and take advantage of the breakfast. The hostel provided dunkin donuts for breakfast! Only in NYC!
Dunkin Donuts for breakfast!
The first stop was Times Square again. The day was a Sunday, and Times Square on a Sunday morning is so pleasant, no crowds and plenty of space to take pictures in the sunshine. We looked around the shops for a bit, ones worth visiting are Sephora, Hershey's (free chocolate samples), forever 21 and the best Disney store I've ever visited.
During this day we did so much that I felt like I never stopped to breathe! I saw a broadway show called Hedwig starring Darren Criss, ate lunch in supposedley the place to go for New York cheesecake (Juniors) and bought an I Love New York hoodie to cover myself from the massive thunderstorm that suddenly appeared! I also tried my first Pinkberry and went to this amazing diner which featured the waiters and waitresses singing on the tables. Seriously go visit this place, its quite expensive but you pay for a broadway performance basically! The waiters usually star on broadway whilst working there so their singing is amazing! I think it was called Ellen's Starlight Diner, definitely worth checking out even if it is expensive.
Broadway show: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Juniors cheesecake and yes it was that big!
Pinkberry with brownie bites and cookie dough
Ellen's Starlight Diner
The next day was another early start, and we headed downtown to Soho to visit the 9/11 memorial. The last time I went to New York this wasn't open, so being my first time I was absolutely blown away by the dedication of the memorial to all who died. It is moving and I think everyone needs to visit it. Costing only $24, it is well worth the money. The weather was a little rainy so we ventured to see the Statue of Liberty but it was very cloudy, so we took a walk around battery park before heading back to the hotel to freshen up for our last evening.
9/11 Memorial
We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, definitely go there! It's not as expensive as you think it will be and I tried the pulled chicken sandwich. It was soo good and all for under $20.Their cocktails are out of this world but because I was under 21, I couldn't try any!
Our last night in NY couldn't have been less perfect! Although the weather wasn't the best, squeezing the sights and sounds of the city into two days was the best and most tiring idea ever!
The next day I boarded a plane to Savannah to begin my summer adventure working on Hilton Head Island!
