If I thought I knew what it was like to feel busy after my ten days in London then the following ten days in New York showed me I had no idea whatsoever. I had pretty high expectations for New York and I was not let down in any way. It is such an amazing vibrant city and it was so great to finally be there experiencing it for myself. As much as I loved the city and all the places I visited the real highlight for me was spending time with my sister and getting to see New York through her eyes as well. Cath, Glenn and Chloe have been living there for a couple of years now so they had great suggestions of places to go that I never would have even known about.

My first day in New York was spent not actually in New York at all but in New Jersey. Unfortunately we didn’t run into any real housewives but it was a lovely day and my first chance to see the Manhattan skyline and do some shopping. Day two was spent mainly in Brooklyn where Cath and I checked out the West Indies street fair which was amazing fun! It was basically the American version of the Notting Hill festival I had been at only a week before. I never thought I would ever witness so much twerking in real life.

I spent the next few days exploring the boroughs and doing some of the tourist musts. I went to Wall Street, the 911 memorial and museum, walked the Brooklyn Bridge, spent an afternoon at Coney Island, watched the rehearsal for Jimmy Fallon’s monologue, wandered around Chelsea, went to amateur night at The Apollo and went shopping way out in the Bronx. It was very busy few days but I was absolutely loving every minute.

The next few days were just as busy with more sightseeing. I managed a brunch in Williamsburg where I marvelled at the hipsters in the birthplace of modern hipsterdom. The food was delightful (if ridiculously overpriced) and the street art was super cool to look at … but I definitely didn’t belong there. Not to far from Williamsburg, on the edge of Queens was Long Island City which I enjoyed a lot more. It’s way more laid back and had a really cool family vibe. The rest of my activities were all in and around Manhattan. I took a sightseeing ferry out to cast my gaze on Lady Liberty which was a lovely way to spend an afternoon in the glorious weather NY was having. I also took a walk all along The Highline which is an old overground rail line running through lower Manhattan that has been transformed into a park. On the same day I visited Grand Central Station and the New York Public Library, two amazing buildings that really do leave you in awe. Next stop was Central Park, probably one of my favourite places in all of NYC. Later that night I met up with Cath and Glenn for family date night where we went out for drinks at a bar in Hell’s Kitchen called Bar Nine. They have duelling pianos and great daiquiris. It was a great night!

So I should mention, while I was making sure to see all the sights I was also making sure to eat all the foods! I didn’t even realise how many restaurants or dishes that I knew of and wanted to try while I was there but I feel like I did a good job of ticking lots of culinary boxes. The Cheesecake Factory and Shake Shake were both great and the pizza at Grimaldi’s, under the Brooklyn Bridge, really lived up to expectations. I also had a classic hotdog from Nathan’s at Coney Island and thoroughly enjoyed the banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery. I had a funnel cake in Long Island City, tacos in Chelsea, a French omelette in Williamsburg, key lime pie in Greenpoint and some of the best fried chicken of my life in Harlem. Probably my favourite two meals were on the Lower East Side, which is probably also my favourite area of NY. I absolutely devoured the pastrami sandwich from Katz’s Deli and feasted on the salmon and cream cheese bagel from Russ & Daughters. Both meals came with a side of pickles and I am now left wondering why everything in life doesn’t come with a side of pickles.

My last few days were spent museum hoping and spending more time with Cath, Glenn & Chloe. I attempted to go and watch Cath and Glenn play basketball, like the pro’s they are, but unfortunately only arrived in time to see Cath dislocate her finger! Despite the finger injury the four of us still went and saw Charlie & The Chocolate Factory on Broadway that night and it was amazing! I also made the trip to the top of the Empire State building and marvelled at everyone looking like ants below. MoMA was fantastic and it was great to see some surprise well known pieces that I had no idea were there. The Guggenheim was great but really had nothing on The MET which was truly awe inspiring. I may have also been keeping a keen eye for exhibits coming to life while in the American Museum of Natural History but sadly everything was rather still, although still very fascinating. I absolutely had the best time in New York and was sad to say goodbye to the city but mostly to those in it who I love and miss. Another place I’ll be back to soon I’m sure.