During our stay the temperature ranged from 80 to 90 degrees, so it was seriously hot. Think warm pavements radiating heat, that rush of cool air-conditioning as you step inside, and the occasional breeze funnelled between the tall buildings.

My first shout out has to go to my travel companion and closest friend of 30 years, Lesley. Not only is she the perfect travel buddy, she also works for United Airlines, so they were the obvious choice for our flights. With United celebrating 100 years of flying in 2026, it felt fitting to cross the Atlantic with such a long established US carrier.

United were superb: friendly, efficient staff, really comfortable seats, tasty dining and great in‑flight entertainment, plus up to 7 flights a day to New York City which makes them a very flexible option. The little details really stood out: the rich chocolate truffles with dinner (yes, even in economy), the slice of hot pizza before landing, the soft blanket and light pillows for everyone as we settled in for the flight.

One big stand out note: be sure to download their award‑winning United app before you travel. It genuinely saves time and stress, with instant mobile boarding passes, real‑time gate changes, bag tracking and free messaging on board (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger).

Once in the US, we cleared immigration quickly and hopped on the train to Penn Station with seconds to spare. The clatter of wheels on tracks and that first glimpse of Manhattan as you emerge from underground all added to the excitement. From landing to arriving at our hotel took no more than 75 minutes.

I chose to stay at The Westin New York Grand Central because of its brilliant location for several key viewpoints (SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center), as well as easy access to the subway lines heading north, south and west. The hotel staff were genuinely friendly and nothing was too much trouble. Our room was large by New York City standards, with very comfortable beds, crisp linens and, surprisingly, it was relatively quiet at night (or as quiet as Manhattan ever gets), with just a distant hum of taxis and sirens reminding you where you are.

Choosing the right location for your stay is so important. Many first timers are drawn to Times Square for its neon lights and non‑stop energy, but it can be noisy at night and extremely busy. For third or fourth visits, you might look at the Financial District instead, where weekends are quieter, the streets feel more spacious and the pace is a little less frenetic. A boutique option like The Artezen, with its lovely rooftop bar and skyline views, can work particularly well in that part of town.

Time to head out. We really packed it in during our 4 days, so here is a low‑down of what we managed each day.

Friday

Starting around 2 pm after the flight and checking in at the hotel, we decided to go for it.

Our first stop had to be SUMMIT One Vanderbilt - spread over three floors – from floor 91 to 93. It is pretty big! I had heard so much about this experience that it was top of my list. We were very kindly gifted tickets @summitov @sloansquared2 – thank you. The memory of visiting will remain with me forever.

How do you begin to describe the experience? Captivating, fun, varied, busy and optically challenging. From the moment you step inside you are surrounded by mirrors, glass and curves that play tricks with your eyes. Light bounces off every surface, the floor seems to melt into the sky and you catch your own reflection from every angle. It is genuinely spellbinding, before you even remember to look out of the windows at the outstanding views of the city.

The Silver Ball Room, known as Affinity, is a favourite with everyone, with silver foil balloons drifting and tumbling through the mirrored room as people laugh, dodge and pose. All I can say is: do not forget to have your photo taken at the beginning, and make sure you scan your wristband before you enter the Cloud Room Unity. You will want those photos.

Overall, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is a must for first timers or anyone who has not been on a previous visit. The beauty of it is that it is brilliant at every time of day, so you do not need to chase a sunset up there. However you do need to pre-book as it sells out so quickly. Therefore I will ensure I add entrance tickets to any enquires I receive. The light, reflections and views are stunning whether it is bright midday sunshine or a softer late afternoon glow. Sunglasses are provided if you forget your own!

Special treat: Next we headed to the bottom of Central Park. I had read about The Palm Court cocktail bar at The Plaza and it delivered on every level. Stepping inside feels like walking into a movie set: high ceilings, ornate detailing, lush greenery and the soft clink of glassware. The décor is elegant, the ambience warm and refined, and the cocktails were divine, beautifully presented and perfectly balanced. The prices are, as you might expect, on the higher side, but absolutely worth it for the experience of this iconic, utterly amazing venue.

Walking back down Fifth Avenue, past the designer shop windows, honking yellow cabs and the smell of street food drifting from the corners, we decided we had time to make sunset at the Rockefeller Center.

This is my next massive shout out: you really should buy a New York CityPASS if you are planning to visit a few mainline attractions. On the Standard CityPASS we pre‑booked the Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, 9/11 Museum and the American Museum of Natural History. The app proved a real asset as we could decide fairly late if we wanted to try and get tickets. There are various options you can purchase and they quickly add up to worthwhile savings if you are hitting the tourist trail.

Back to the Rockefeller Center: the information displays have been updated since my last visit, and the experience felt fresh and well set out. The views were amazing, with clear skies and that golden evening light washing over the city. Watching the sun sink behind the skyline was the perfect end to the day.

Just note: on this occasion we were lucky and elevated very quickly for sunset, but as a rule, give yourself a good 30 minutes from arriving at the building to actually getting to the observation decks. Do not book with 5 minutes to go until sunset – you will miss it.

Saturday

Today was all about taking it slightly easier after our full‑on first day.

It was a glorious morning, bright and already warm, so we grabbed a coffee, a smoothie and a croissant (sorry, not a bagel!) and headed to The High Line. The best starting point is Hudson Yards, then walk southwards.

The High Line is a peaceful, raised ribbon of green above the city streets: grasses swaying in the breeze, plantings softening the steel and concrete, birds chirping somewhere in the foliage. It is relaxing, stunning and reveals a side of New York City you might not know exists. It feels like a calm, linear park suspended above this urban metropolis. The “line” refers to the old freight rail tracks that once served the meatpacking district, and the way the designers have blended old industrial structures with modern architecture is genuinely harmonious. There are plenty of benches along the way where you can sit, people‑watch and soak up the views.

At the end we dropped down and popped into the Whitney Museum – purely for some retail therapy in the shop, we did not go around the galleries this time – and then headed over to Little Island.

Little Island is a beautiful outdoor park space, small and compact but cleverly designed with winding paths, viewing points and colourful planting. It is perfect for relaxing, watching the boats glide along the Hudson and spotting the helicopters buzzing overhead. From here you can link straight onto the boardwalk down the west side of the city. It was great to see locals running, walking their dogs and chilling in the park areas. For me it was far preferable to being crushed in Times Square on another 90‑degree day.

We then wandered into Chelsea Market for lunch. You could easily spend an hour just deciding where and what to eat. The smell of spices, baking bread and sizzling food hits you as soon as you walk in. We eventually settled on tacos, which were fresh, messy and delicious, before catching the subway back to midtown and heading to Broadway for a musical: The Outsiders.

This performance was brilliant. The voices were incredible, the staging clever and the story genuinely moving. The atmosphere in the theatre built and the standing ovation at the end was fully deserved. I can 100% recommend getting tickets in advance or considering a last minute option such as the same‑day discount booths. You can visit the iconic TKTS booth in Times Square (under the red steps) or at Lincoln Center for tickets up to 50% off for that day's performances and next‑day matinees. You can also download the TKTS app to check available shows and wait times beforehand.

No visit is really complete without walking through Times Square. It is neon madness: huge screens flashing, characters posing for photos, street performers, and people everywhere. It is easy to lose track of your route as you look upwards, sideways, backwards and forwards all at once. But soak it up and enjoy the chaos.

After a quick freshen up at the hotel, we did not need much for our evening other than a perfect view. We found it with this gem of a bar.

This is another of my special treat offerings: Arties Backroom and Rooftop. It is not a high‑end bar, more of a relaxed rooftop space, but it has an amazing open‑air terrace with views of Queens, One World Observatory, the Empire State Building, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and, my favourite, the Chrysler Building.

Nestled on top of what I would describe as a student hotel, do not expect fancy dining, white tablecloths or air‑conditioned lounges. It is simply a rooftop, a bar and a few appetisers. But as the sky blushed pink, the city lights flickered on and a warm breeze drifted across the terrace, it was utterly perfect and, for me, the best bar I have ever visited in New York City.

Sunday

We headed off early today to Lower Manhattan and the 9/11 Museum.

I was working for a UK company specialising in USA and Canada touring holidays when 9/11 struck. As with many of us, the memory of that day will never fade. The last time I visited the 9/11 site, it had yet to be decided what would happen in terms of a memorial building.

The 9/11 Museum is a powerful testament to the human tragedy and to how widely people were affected: families, emergency services, locals, Americans and the wider world. It has been thoughtfully and tastefully curated. You walk through quiet, dimly lit spaces filled with personal stories, artefacts and images that are hard to forget. You leave with an overwhelming sense of sadness, but also of togetherness and of what New York City stands for. It was an honour to be able to visit and pay my respects.

We followed this with a walk down to the Staten Island Ferry, pausing for a quick look inside Fraunces Tavern. The time of day was not right for us to eat or drink, but if you are missing home and fancy some nostalgia, it is worth a stop: a little piece of history tucked in amongst so many tall buildings.

The Staten Island Ferry is free, which means that a fair number of tourists simply ride it for the round trip to glimpse the Statue of Liberty. It is a great little boat trip: the breeze on your face on the open deck, and the classic skyline unfolding behind you as the boat pulls away.

We did, however, get off and take the bus to Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. The main feature is an authentic Chinese Scholar’s Garden, modelled after Ming Dynasty gardens, and it is one of only two authentic classical outdoor Chinese gardens in the United States. Wandering through its pavilions, ponds and rock formations felt calm and contemplative, a world away from midtown traffic. It was the perfect “something different” to do in the heat after multiple visits to the city.

Somehow we found the stamina to head to the Empire State Building before returning to our hotel. We both wanted to visit this iconic landmark again after many years. She did not disappoint. The building itself is beautifully restored, and the new elements linked to King Kong and the film are brilliant fun, with interactive scenes that make even the queue areas part of the experience. Then, of course, there are the views: sweeping panoramas and that unmistakable feeling of standing on top of New York City. For first timers it is a must.

For our final night, we walked down to the East River Ferry and headed over to Williamsburg for dinner. We honestly had not thought about our timing, but we boarded at 8 pm and watched the sun set as we crossed the water. The skyline glowed, the river shimmered and it felt magical – a treat we had not expected.

Williamsburg has a great range of restaurants about a 15 minute walk from where the boat docked. It felt hip and trendy, with buzzy bars, candle‑lit restaurants and a more local vibe. Prices were reasonable and we both agreed we would definitely go back another time. Just note: you do need to take the overground and subway back, so make sure you know your route before you set off.

Monday

After packing and storing our luggage at the hotel, I knew I wanted to find something a little different for breakfast. Do not get me wrong, there are classic diners and, for first timers, somewhere like Ellen’s Stardust is probably a must, but for this morning we wanted something quieter.

I found the Church of Heavenly Rest Café – Bluestone Lane – just off Central Park. This is my final special treat. If you want somewhere small, different, peaceful and with outstanding food, this is for you. Housed within a beautiful church building, it has soft light, relaxed music, great coffee and fresh, colourful dishes. It felt like a sanctuary from the city outside.

We then rode off breakfast on Citi Bikes, which we were able to access for free from the hotel. We downloaded the app, scanned a bike code when we found one and then set off for a 40‑minute ride. You cycle in a one‑way loop around Central Park, weaving past runners, dog walkers and families on picnics. It was a perfect way to end our trip.

Until… we realised we were near the American Museum of Natural History, so we locked the bikes there and headed off to see the dinosaurs, the famous blue whale, the polar bear and the panda, reliving our favourite bits from Night at the Museum as we went.

Exhausted by the heat and a few last subway journeys, we opted to pay a little more and catch the Coach USA service back to Newark. The pick‑up point was only two blocks away from the hotel and the journey was smooth, comfortable and wonderfully air‑conditioned.

Thank you, New York City, for delivering once again. From the city that never sleeps to the Travel Counsellor who now needs a few naps.

If this has given you a taste for New York City, I would love to help you plan your own trip. Whether it is your first visit or your fifth, I can tailor an itinerary to suit your time, budget and travel style so you get the very best out of the city.

If you have any questions about the places I mention, or would like advice on where to stay and what to include, just ask. I can design a New York City adventure that fits you perfectly, from a short break to a longer multi‑centre escape.

Contact me today to start planning your New York City escape.

Sarah Daniels Travel

01395 874786

sarah.daniels@MyTC.com