New York: In Five Days- Day 1

Day One

If you are feeling slightly jet-lagged (for those living in Britain), this is a great opportunity to wake up refreshed and early enough to catch a stroll through the blissful, Central Park. Aiming for about 7.30am, head to 86th Street via our beloved subway, and walk through stopping off at Bellevedere Castle along the way. Make your way to the entrance of Museum of Metropolitan Art for 9am near 81st Street.

Meander through countless centuries of stunning art, from Medieval Christianity and Italian Renaissance to modern contemporary and abstract photography. Enough to get the little grey cells bubbling with creativity and pure imagination.

Grab some local cuisine at various hot dog vendors dotted around. If you are vegetarian, there are always cafes located nearby. Walk a few blocks northwards and spot the famous Guggenheim Art Gallery to the right, for people with more conceptual minds. After viewing the spectacular art work, head back on the metro tracks to 51st Street to book in advance some essential viewing of Broadway shows.


As my visit was during Christmas, there were definitely a few must-sees at this time. So heading to Radio City to reserve tickets for the annual Radio City Christmas Bonanza, The Rockettes and more gave me enough festive jitters for the next few days. Tickets are pretty steep for these shows, but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity if you don’t plan to return anytime soon. Just around the corner, a few blocks away is the world renowned Carnegie Hall. From the New York Philharmonic Orchestra to Cuba’s Buena Vista Social Club, the Carnegie Hall has been host to thousands of artists from the late 19th century. At this period of time, Handel’s Messiah was performing and without a doubt I bought the cheapest ticket-$10 for a concession ticket, therefore remember to bring your Student ID; you can get a fair few discounts for tourist attractions this way.

Down 52nd streets and general Midtown Manhattan, you really get a sense of the hustle and bustle of New York, Radio City being opposite to the Rockafeller Centre, 5th Avenue and Times Square. This is certainly a great chance to stretch your legs and see New York’s mammoth structures by foot. (Just remember to wrap up warm in winter, and wear appropriate footwear!)