After more than 20 years of adventures in the Big Apple, my passion for this electric city of finance, culture, and food only grows strongerThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
As the saying goes, “New York City is always a good idea” (Image: Portia Jones )
As the saying goes, “New York City is always a good idea,” and even as prices seem to climb, I still find myself wholeheartedly agreeing. After more than 20 years of adventures in the Big Apple, my passion for this electric city of finance, culture, and food only grows stronger.
I first arrived as a broke 21-year-old, fresh from working a Camp America season in 2006, mesmerised by a cityscape I’d only seen on TV. NYC was then shifting its post-9/11 identity, looking to the future, and it was an exciting time for a first visit.
Since then, I’ve returned countless times, watching the city transform as new neighbourhoods like Hudson Yards rise, the One World Trade Centre and its moving memorial take shape, and bike lanes weave their way across Manhattan.
If you’re planning your first trip to NYC, here are my must-do experiences, the ones I never skip, no matter how many times I visit.
The Edge, Hudson Yards
Having visited pretty much all the NYC observation decks, I can say that my current favourite is the Edge at Hudson Yards. (Image: Portia Jones )
Manhattan offers several observation decks, such as the Rockefeller Centre, with views of Central Park; the One World Observatory, overlooking downtown; and the classic Empire State Building deck, each providing a distinct New York experience.
Having visited pretty much all the decks, I can say that my current favourite is the Edge at Hudson Yards, the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere, suspended more than 1,100 feet above NYC.
Located on the 100th floor of 30 Hudson Yards, it features a unique cantilevered design that extends 80 feet into the air, offering 360-degree views from the tip of Central Park to the Statue of Liberty.
I enjoyed exploring the outdoor deck with a glass of fizz, gazing over Manhattan from a striking height.(Image: Portia Jones )
I enjoyed exploring the outdoor deck with a glass of fizz, gazing over Manhattan from an outrageous height.
If you’re not too scared of heights, there is even a glass floor, where you can look 100 stories straight down to the city streets.
There are also Angled Glass Walls that lean outward, allowing you to lean over the city skyline like Spider-Man, and they are brilliant for enviable pictures.
Food tour of Chinatown and Little Italy
As someone who is always on the lookout for great food, it’s not surprising that two of my favourite neighbourhoods have an abundance of culinary experiences(Image: Portia Jones )
As someone who is always on the lookout for great food, it’s not surprising that two of my favourite neighbourhoods have an abundance of culinary experiences. Chinatown and Little Italy are essential stops for any NYC trip.
These two historic, adjacent neighbourhoods in Lower Manhattan represent iconic immigrant experiences and have excellent eats and street art.
Chinatown is a thriving, expansive community known for authentic food, bustling markets, and cultural landmarks, while Little Italy has shrunk to a few blocks on Mulberry Street, largely focusing on Italian dining and tourism.
You can, of course, visit them on your own, but if you are new to the city, I highly recommend booking a food tour through Get Your Guide to eat at the best spots and learn more about the history and culture of these distinctive areas.
On our food tour of Chinatown and Little Italy, our local guide, Diego, introduced us to lesser-known places we wouldn’t have found on our own.
We then went to a ridiculously affordable dumpling spot where I busted out my Sith Lord chopsticks, why yes, I am a delight.(Image: Portia Jones )
We started in frenetic Chinatown with Hong Kong-style sponge cakes, wandered through lively streets and Columbus Park, enjoyed street art, and learned about the neighbourhood’s rich history and politics.
Doyers Street was once known as the “Bloody Angle” because more violent gang shootings occurred there from the 1900s to the 1930s than at any other intersection in NYC. It is now a vibrant street, home to the famous Nom Wah Tea Parlour.
We then went to a ridiculously affordable dumpling spot where I busted out my Sith Lord chopsticks, why yes, I am a delight.
Diego then led us along Mulberry Street in Little Italy, where we heard captivating stories about NYC’s mafia history and pizza culture while sampling a slice of “NYC’s best pizza” and enjoying mini cannolis at a 130-year-old bakery.
For anyone who loves food with a side of storytelling, I really recommend booking a tour on your trip to NYC.
The High Line
The High Line is one of my all-time favourite city escapes, a lush ribbon of green floating above Manhattan’s constant buzz.(Image: Portia Jones )
The High Line is one of my all-time favourite city escapes, a lush ribbon of green floating above Manhattan’s constant buzz.
This 1.45-mile-long elevated public park in Manhattan, New York City, was built on a historic, abandoned freight rail line. It stretches from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street at Hudson Yard.
High above the streets, the High Line bursts with more than 500 plant and tree species, thoughtfully designed by Piet Oudolf to mirror nature’s rhythms.
Art lovers will also find ever-changing contemporary installations, such as the current Plinth commission, “The Light That Shines Through the Universe,” at 30th Street.
Don’t miss the new High Line Shop between 15th and 16th Streets, where you’ll find quirky park-inspired merchandise (look out for “Dinosaur”, the pigeon), plus free tours and wellness programs for both locals and visitors.
Helicopter ride over NYC
If you’re marking a special occasion or are willing to splurge, a helicopter ride over NYC is a memorable experience(Image: Portia Jones )
If you’re marking a special occasion or are willing to splurge, a helicopter ride over NYC is a memorable experience. I did it once for a wedding anniversary celebration, and it was epic.
We did a Manhattan Sightseeing Helicopter Tour with HeliNY, offering dreamy 180-degree views of Manhattan Island from a specially designed helicopter.
With floor-to-ceiling convex windows, the helicopter offered crystal-clear views of the city. We spotted Central Park, the Hudson River, New York Harbour, and even the Intrepid Museum from above.
There is truly nothing like gliding past the Rockefeller Centre, Empire State Building, World Financial Centre, and Chrysler Building from above, then circling the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Greenwich Village, South Street Seaport, and the historic Brooklyn Bridge with your favourite person. I can’t recommend it enough.
See a Broadway show
No trip to NYC is complete without seeing a Broadway show!(Image: GETTY)
No trip to NYC is complete without seeing a Broadway show. While Broadway’s roots stretch back to the 1700s, it took nearly 150 years to become the dazzling Times Square theatre district we know today, where hits like The Lion King, Wicked, and Hamilton light up the stage every night.
New York’s Broadway season in May 2026 features a mix of star-studded revivals, brand-new musicals, and long-running classics. High-profile highlights include Daniel Radcliffe in Every Brilliant Thing and Ayo Edebiri starring in Proof.
If you’re hoping to save on tickets, there are clever hacks like Daily Lotteries and Rush Tickets, usually running £30–£50 ($40–$60). I once scored a ticket to Rent for just $10 through a lottery back in 2006!
There are also Digital Lotteries you can enter online, available a day or a week in advance via platforms like Lucky Seat or Broadway Direct. Winners are notified by text or email and have a short window to purchase.
In-Person Rush: Go directly to the theatre box office when it opens (usually 10:00 AM, or 11:00 AM/Noon on Sundays).
Tickets are first-come, first-served and can dip as low as £35 ($45). For digital rush tickets, check out the TodayTix app, which releases new deals every morning at 9:00 AM.
Walk or run over the Brooklyn Bridge
One of the best free things you can do in the city is to walk or run over the Brooklyn Bridge.(Image: Portia Jones )
One of the best free things you can do in the city is to walk or run over the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks, serving as a historic link between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights over the East River. Completed in 1883, it was the first steel-wire suspension bridge and, at the time, the longest in the world.
The bridge has a wooden pedestrian promenade elevated 18 feet above vehicle traffic. It is approximately 1.1 miles (1.8 km) long and takes about 20–30 minutes to walk.
If you’re a runner, set your alarm and hit the bridge early to soak up the skyline as you jog or sprint along the wooden promenade.
Head over on a Saturday morning, and you can join New York’s new parkrun event waiting on the Brooklyn side.
The Brooklyn Bridge parkrun is a free, friendly 5k every week, a chance to meet locals and fellow travellers as you dash through the scenic Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Have lunch with a view at Time Out Market
Food tastes even better with a view, and Time Out Market is one of my top picks, a sprawling waterfront food hall and cultural hotspot in Dumbo, Brooklyn.(Image: Portia Jones )
Food tastes even better with a view, and Time Out Market is one of my top picks, a sprawling waterfront food hall and cultural hotspot in Dumbo, Brooklyn.
Set inside the historic Empire Stores warehouse, this 21,000-square-foot wonderland boasts nearly 20 artisanal food vendors, three lively bars, and a rooftop terrace with unbeatable views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.
The market gathers “the best of the city” under one roof, with beloved local spots dishing out unforgettable bites.
Some of my favourites include:
Jacob’s Pickles: Southern-style comfort food, including their famous Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich.Ess-a-Bagel: Iconic New York bagels and lox.Bark Barbecue: Highly-rated pork ribs and brisket.Okiboru: Award-winning Tsukemen (dipping ramen) and chicken dumplingsFornino: Artisanal wood-fired pizza.Have a drink at a rooftop barContent cannot be displayed without consent
NYC is packed with buzzing rooftop bars, from lively dance floors to chic lounges with jaw-dropping skyline views.
I’ve sipped wine at plenty of rooftop haunts—Magic Hour, Refinery Rooftop, Mr Purple—but right now, my heart belongs to 5 o’Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar at Margaritaville Times Square.
Perched high on the 31st and 32nd floors, it serves up sweeping views of Manhattan, including a front-row seat to the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball and the Hudson River.
Here, you can sip signature margaritas like the Midtown Margarita, Tropical Palomas, and a rainbow of other frozen delights.
If you need to balance out those golden hour drinks, the menu has you covered with Wagyu sliders, Cajun shrimp dip, truffle fries, and charcuterie boards.
What I love most is the laid-back, tropical vibe; it feels refreshingly unpretentious compared to other rooftop bars. No reservations needed, so it’s perfect for spontaneous visits. For wallet-friendly drinks, swing by during happy hour, Monday to Friday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.