New York - Travelling in Covid times

Fresh back from New York, I wanted to share with you how it was to travel with Covid restrictions still in place, NYC vaccine requirements for Children and of course what we got up too. To travel to the USA children aged 17 and younger do not have to be fully vaccinated BUT it is important to note that each state in the US has it's own rules and in the state of New York, children aged 5 and over must be vaccinated to gain entry into some attractions, restaurants, bars and even some shops. Fortunately we were aware of this and my youngest was double vaccinated.

Prior to travel we had to undertake a Covid 19 Rapid antigen test ( RAT ) the day before we travelled and receive a negative result and a fit to fly certificate, this had to be done under a clinician supervision ( video call in our case ) and we had to receive an negative test and fit to fly certificate to submit to the airline. We also had to complete an Attestation form for the US. As well as paper copies of all the details we had to submit PDF copies to the airline for an easy check in. We flew United Airlines from London and they were spot on. On arrival in NYC we took a taxi from the airport, this is quick and easy as the local taxi's charge a flat rate of around $70 plus tolls and tips. We headed straight to our hotel which was The Row NYC on 8th Avenue. The hotel was excellent, in a fab location, only a block from Times Sq and eateries and shops on the door step. The hotel was great for us, rooms were a little cramped ( have you seen how tall my kids are ) but for 4 nights it was perfect. Rooms were clean and tidy and bed's VERY comfortable. The weather in NYC whilst we were there was quite strange as we had days of below freezing temperatures, spring like days and one day temp in the late 60's. But the one thing I always wanted to experience was Snow in Central Park and in the very last hours before we flew home it snowed ??

We are blessed to have been to New York three time prior to this visit and it honestly always blows me away. The bright lights of Times Sq, constant beeping of cars and taxi's as well as the piercing sirens of the NYPD/FDNY never fail to send shivers down my spine. it really is magical each and every time.

As well as the usual shopping on Fifth Avenue, exploring Times Square, Grand Central Terminal and visiting ground zero, one spring like day we decided to walk 1.5hrs to Lower Manhattan. Along the way I made a plan to stop at my idols fictional apartment on 66 Perry Street, This apartment is Carrie Bradshaw's from the Hit TV series/films ''Sex and the City''. I must admit I was a little in ore and just gazed at the building like she was actually in there ( please don't judge LOL ) and just around the corner from 66 Perry street on Bedford street we happen to stumble across the ''Friends'' apartment block. We continued to walk on through Chelsea, the Tribeca and Greenwich and then we saw it, the One World Trade centre, Freedom tower, all 102 floors of it. We paid to go up the tower ( it is much cheaper to pre-book in the UK ) WOW it was amazing, emotional and the views were quite simply phenomenal. Definitely worth a trip up.

Another spring like day we hired bikes around central park. This is a fun and cheap way to see Central Park at your leisure with bike hire costing around $16 each for 1.5 hrs. On route we saw various famous film locations, the Alice in Wonderland Statue as well as the ever popular 'Imagine' memorial to john Lennon which is located in the park pretty much along side the Dakota Building where he lived with Yoko Ono and where he was shot outside of. Its a quiet place to remember and you will often find someone singing music by John Lennon. You can actually cram a lot of the park in within 1.5hrs but be sure to stay in the cycle lanes and not ride on the sidewalks or you will soon be told off by the locals (like we was ??)

On a much warmer day ( Late 60's) we took a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn/Dumbo. The walk each way over the Bridge is about 15 mins each way unless you stop to take photos. Again the skyline views are simply amazing. We didn't venture far over the bridge just took in the views and greenery of East River Waterfront. As you can see from my photo's the views are stunning.

Another good tip for whilst in Lower Manhattan is to take the Staten Island Ferry to Staten Island, as you take in amazing skyline views again as well as great shots of the Statue of Liberty. And best of all it is Free!!

Overall our trip was amazing and its fab to see Broadway fully open and the lights shining brightly but the area around Times Sq can be a little overwhelming. You are still to be on guard of local touts trying to sell you things, trying to encourage you to have photos taken with them for money and of course although this is a rich city there is a lot of homelessness and to see people stood over the road grills and crouched at the side of street food generators just to get warm was heart breaking to witness, but as a tourist you are best to just ignore and go about your business like typical New Yorker.

Oh and one final thing, If you like CAKE ( those who know me well know how much I LOVE CAKE ) you must make a visit to Magnolia Bakery as their cakes and cupcakes are divine. There are bakeries in Greenwich, Grand Central Terminal and at the Rockefeller centre.

When the sad time came to fly home, all we had to do was to complete the Return to the UK form which is on the FCO website, no pre-departure tests or anything.

If you have any questions re a potential visit to New York or would like me to enquire into some prices for you please let me know and I would be more than happy to help x #Newyork #Unitedairlines #timessquare #broadway #magnoliabakery #oneworldobservatory #grandcentralterminal #brooklynbridge #sexandthecity #carriebradshaw #friends