“New York, New York”, the city that never sleeps and one that I recently visited on an oh-so-spontaneous trip across the Atlantic – oh, and it was also my first solo trip; bring on the pressure!

New York is a city that I was never quite sure about. As a beach and relaxation kind of girl, the idea of the glitz, shopping, glamourous nightlife and more was never something that was at the top of my bucket list. In fact, it always reminded me of London, which may explain why I put off visiting – why go somewhere that was just like home?

I couldn’t have been more wrong. Yes, New York offered plenty of opportunities to dine out, sample the nightlife and shop until you literally drop, yet it also offered plenty of cultural activity, an element that I seek on every trip and was pleased to find in the city.

Check out the photos below that I snapped whilst exploring the city.

Times Square, New York

Empire State Building, New York

With its diverse culture and activities on offer, New York was a great surprise to me. There was so much to see and do that made it different to other cities that I’ve visited. It was ideal for a solo traveller seeking activities to stay occupied in addition to being suited to families, couples and just about any type of traveller or travel group. I’m guilty of getting completely caught up in New York… and loving it.

Top tips for visiting New York

• Buy a CityPASS – it’s a great way to maximise your access around the city to some of the key attractions such as the Empire State Building, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Empire State Building and more, saving up to 41% on entry fees in the process.
• Don’t be shy to explore beyond Manhattan; I stayed in Brooklyn which provided easy access to Manhattan yet had plenty of its own personality to offer.
• Ask for directions if you need them. I didn’t encounter a single person that wasn’t willing to help me out.
• Research beforehand. I had limited time in the city so had planned activities including an On Location Tour. Use sites like the official site for NYC Tourism to ensure that you maximise your schedule.
• Take the subway. It’s relatively useful to get used to and is a much cheaper way of getting around the city.

Many thanks to NYCgo for providing a CityPASS and advice for my trip to New York.