New York City- Winter vs Summer

New York is a popular choice for a city break and one which I have been to several times. It really is a city that never sleeps and one where the energy is like nowhere I have been to before! I have also had the pleasure of enjoying the Big Apple in both Summer and Winter, both seasons have their attractions but here are some of my favourites:

Winter - Festive lights and the shop windows are magical and a perfect way to get into the spirit of the season. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are all big events for this city! - Ice skating in Central Park. As experiences go, this is a special one. Gliding (well I maybe wasn’t quite as graceful to be honest) around on the ice whilst the towering sky scrapers soar overhead, it is a fun way to pass a few hours! - Snow! It can get super cold during the winter months and if you are lucky, you might get snow, making the city more twinkly than normal

Summer - Central Park comes alive with lots of locals enjoying the space. Take a walk to the heart of the park where you will find the lake. Simply enjoy the view or you could even hire a row boat! Either way, pack a picnic and enjoy the sounds of people having fun! - Rooftop Bars offer the perfect sanctuary from the heat and sightseeing - Going to see Lady Liberty whilst the sun shone was a real highlight- as was the breeze onboard the Staten Island Ferry! Must see attractions - Get up and get the view. The Empire State is the iconic way to get up high for the view but if you fancy seeing the skyline from a different perspective then you can always travel the to the Top of the Rock. - Open top bus tours. These are a great way to get your bearings in any city but perfect here as there is something to see around every corner. - Statue of Liberty- you may want to get up close and personal with a trip to Liberty Island but you can have an equally breath-taking view onboard the Staten Island ferry which is free! - Visit the 9/11 memorial site. We all remember where we were when we saw the news that the Twin Towers had been hit but only when you stand where they once were can you feel the true scale of devastation. The memorial site is a sobering reminder of the lives lost. There is also a museum should you want to explore a bit more. - Go grab a drink or a bite to eat a Fraunces Tavern- the old watering hole where many of the Founding Fathers use to meet! Full of atmosphere and often has live music.

New York is a fab city for a long weekend or longer but if you have some time to spend on your journey, I can highly recommend a Trans-Atlantic crossing onboard Cunard Queen Mary 2 - check out my blogs for my experience onboard!