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round trip travel and lifestyle blog

11 Things to Do in New York City

February 7, 2018
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It really is like the movies: bright lights, constant energy, the hustle and bustle.  My trip to New York City was an absolute dream even though it was below freezing for the majority of my stay.  New York bleeds an attitude of fierce ambition; New Yorkers are a proud breed—and rightfully so.  The area is rich with history and brims with European influence.  Chatter of language upon language flutters through the busy streets.  The Big Apple can certainly overwhelm; you can visit this city ample times and truly do something different every time.  While there are thousands of attractions waiting for your business in New York City, here are just 11:11 things to do in new york city travel

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Fondly known as “the Met,” this world-renowned museum is massive and filled wall to wall with big names.  Exhibits come and go, but during my visit, I saw artists from Michelangelo to Rodin.  Metropolitan Museum of Art the Met Architecture Statue NYCMetropolitan Museum of Art New York City

2. One World Trade Center

There are endless skyscrapers in the city, but this one holds deep meaning for every American in light of the events on September 11, 2001.  Rebuilt after the terrorist attacks, it now stands big and proud at 1776 feet tall to commemorate our country’s birthday.One World Trade Center New York City Travel

3. 9/11 Memorial & Museum

One of the most impactful uses of my time in New York, this museum tactfully relays the events of 9/11 through displays of ruins, children’s artwork in response, photographs of everyone killed and audio recordings from loved ones.  Goosebumps inhabited my skin and nausea my stomach as I absorbed the gravity of this chilling museum.  My friend, Riley, and I spent two hours here, and we didn’t even get to everything.

4. Chelsea Market

Take some deeps breaths and do some meditation before your stop here because it’s intense!  Riley described it as a food mall, and I couldn’t agree more.  Dozens of restaurants line this indoor strip from Japanese to French cuisine, donuts to gelato.  Our recommendation is to walk the entire length to see what looks best before making a decision because let’s be honest: everything looks good.  Chelsea Market also offers an artisan market as well as several shops.  I found a darling illustrated map of New York City and postcard to join my collection.

5. The Oculus + Westfield Shopping Center

I can promise you that you’ll never see a mall like this anywhere else; its unique yet clean design makes this spot totally ‘grammable.  In the shape of an eye, this shopping mall stands just steps from the new World Trade Center.Oculus Mall Shopping New York City Travel

6. Lyndhurst Mansion

It’s no secret that I have a crush on Europe, and this mansion makes me feel like I’m across the pond.  Its gothic-inspired architecture and view of the Hudson River make this a dreamy spot to visit.  Unfortunately, the inside of the mansion was closed for the season during my visit, but it’s certainly at the top of my to-do list for my next trip to the Big Apple.  I’d also be lying if I said I didn’t look up wedding prices at this charming venue.Lyndhurst Manor Tarrytown New York City Jay GouldLyndhurst Manor New York City CastleLyndhurst Manor Hudson River New York City Jay Gould Estate

7. Times Square

This iconic spot is the face of New York with its constant motion, bustling commerce and bright billboards.  You really can’t visit New York without a stroll through Times Square.  (Well, it’s probably more of a sophisticated maneuvering event trying to avoid all the people trying to sell you a bus tour!)Things to Do in New York City Round Trip TraveTimes Square New York City Travel

8. Broadway Show

Another classic attraction in the Big Apple, Broadway shows allow you some time off your feet, a cushy seat and a cultural experience.  And in the center of Times Square, you can buy available discounted tickets for shows that day.  Riley and I enjoyed half-off tickets to a matinee showing of School of Rock, and Broadway did not disappoint!

9. Statue of Liberty

Although I didn’t get to go up the Statue of Liberty (because temps were in the single digits!), the green lady was worth the visit.  It’s another “you just gotta” attraction in New York for its history and status.Statue of Liberty Winter Ellis Island New York City

10. Empire State Building

My ears popped as the elevator zipped up to the 86th floor.  The Empire State Building’s old time charm, romance and skyline views make this a necessary stop; the city all lit up at night is awe-inspiring.  (However, I am a bit salty that the security guard told me I couldn’t play music after I *quietly* played “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.)Processed with VSCO with a6 presetManhattan Skyline Sunset Empire State Building View New York CityEmpire State Building Observatation Deck NYCEmpire State Building Skyscraper New York City Manhattan

11. Grand Central Station

My favorite things in life are those which are both beautiful and practical, and Grand Central Station definitely fits in these categories.  Practically speaking, this train station transports thousands of people to and from work on the daily, but artistically speaking, this building is absolutely stunning with its regal chandeliers and grand, paned windows.Grand Central Station New York City Train StationGrand Central Train Station NYCGrand Central Terminal Train Station NYC

New York City isn’t short of things to do, but do add these classic attractions to your list.  Even in the bitter cold, my trip to New York was absolutely wonderful.  I’m itching to return to see more sights all in warmer weather, of course!

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Comments

  1. lcdorkin says

    February 7, 2018 at 10:59 am

    THIS just got me SO excited for our visit this weekend to NYC and I want to do it all! Love all your suggestions above just worried we wont have enough time! So tough to choose!

    Reply
    • roundtriptravel says

      February 7, 2018 at 11:19 am

      Hi Leigh! Ugh, I know–too many great things to do!! Whatever you do will be great 🙂 I’m just jealous you get to go back before I do–ha! Happy travels 🙂

      Reply
      • lcdorkin says

        February 7, 2018 at 12:25 pm

        Haha I can pack you in my bag? 😉

  2. Streets of Nuremberg says

    February 7, 2018 at 11:37 am

    Appreciate your tips so much. Me and the wife will be visiting NYC in April, so this comes in handy! Thanks for sharing! Marcus

    Reply
    • roundtriptravel says

      February 7, 2018 at 11:43 am

      Hello, Marcus! That sounds fantastic! Have a great trip and happy travels!

      Reply
      • Streets of Nuremberg says

        February 7, 2018 at 11:53 am

        Thanks 😀

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Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
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About

Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
learn more about my story

Want free access to my 30-minute travel budgeting course?

Hi, it's been a minute, and I'd love to reintroduc Hi, it's been a minute, and I'd love to reintroduce myself👋

🇺🇸I'm a Missouri girl living in southern France where I teach English to French kiddos and update my blog, Round Trip. I moved here in the height of Covid last fall, and boy, do I have some STORIES that I dish in my brand new magazine (keep scrolling for the dirty deets)

🐝I majored in magazine editing and would love to talk your ear off about the Oxford comma. Oh, and I won the school spelling bee in 7th grade. Yep, I peaked😂

💃I'm a middle child, and I don't let my family forget that. I've always loved the attention, and I suppose that manifests in my addiction to glitter and leopard print.

📖This week I launched Round Trip: The Magazine, a 20-page print + digital experience. It’s jam-packed with articles about how I moved to France during a pandemic, the best French villages to add to your bucket list and how I saved $7,000 to move abroad. I spill the tea on how travel and life abroad has taught me the best lessons about insecurity and confidence, heartbreak and love👀

So very nice to meet you! Bop over to link in bio to check out this week's magazine launch❤️

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(giveaway) What's a magazine launch week without a (giveaway) What's a magazine launch week without a giveaway?!💥 I recently announced my latest project, Round Trip: The Magazine. This 20-page physical + digital magazine is jam-packed with articles on how I made the move to France during a pandemic, the best French villages to visit, how I saved thousands of dollars to travel and the lessons I've learned through travel. And lots, lots more!

🎉Here's how to enter my giveaway (it takes 30 seconds!):
1️⃣Like this post
2️⃣Follow moi @round.trip
3️⃣Tag a pal who's missing travel like CRAZY

BONUS: Share this post to your story and tag me to get an additional two entries.

This giveaway is not sponsored or affiliated with Instagram in any way. Winner will be selected at random and notified via DM. No purchase necessary. Flat lay design by the wonderfully talented @mariiela_garciia

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😳Here’s a little secret for you: I was terrif 😳Here’s a little secret for you: I was terrified I would fall flat on my face. Now I’m happy and loving every second of life in France, but let’s rewind the clock back to one year ago, shall we?

⏰I was a mess. Last spring, it’d already been several months since I submitted my application to teach English in France. My heart was set on living abroad. And it was shattered as headlines and exclamation points littered the world with this virus called Covid.

🙈Between March and August, I might as well have had the words “I don’t know” tattooed on my forehead. My heart was constantly in flux: do I keep fighting for a dream that exists only in abstract? Or do I give up my dream to move abroad because life is too complicated or rather it’s just not possible?

🍳I had put all my eggs in one basket. I’d told everyone that the plan was to move to France, and now all of life’s questions could be summed up in a slew of question marks. I feared embarrassment and failure. But more than anything, I had long dreamed of living in France. It wasn’t only a question of pride but of passion.

⏩Fast forward to today: I’ve been living in France for six months, and although it’s not always perfect, I’m in love with my life here. Sincerely. I take walks around my neighborhood, look around and constantly say to myself, “Is this seriously my life?”

❓I get a lot of questions about my life in France. And for this reason along with the journey to get here, I decided to create something. This week, I'm launching Round Trip: The Magazine. It’s a 20+ page magazine (digital or physical — you pick!) filled with stories, travel tips, language learning ideas, bucket list destinations and beyond. Plus, a password-protected online portal with bonus content.

🎊And it's available now — link in bio!

#lacorniche #marseille #marseillecity #roundtripthemag #marseillefr #mediterraneansea #magazine #entrepreneur #microinfluencer #microinfluencers #bloggersunder2k #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder10k #france
(big news!) ☎️Travel called — it wants you b (big news!) ☎️Travel called — it wants you back. The cabin fever is real as we’ve been cooped up in our homes for the past however many months. Whether you’re booking a flight ASAP or wanting to play it safe for a while, many of us have been daydreaming about travel. We miss the thrill of takeoff, the exhilaration of exploration, the elation of discovery.

✈️That's why TODAY I’m launching Round Trip: The Magazine, a 20+ page physical + digital experience. It’s jam-packed with articles about how I moved to France during a pandemic, the best French villages to add to your bucket list and how I saved $7,000 to move abroad.

❤️My heart in creating this magazine is to provide a more immersive, intimate experience than my blog posts and Instagram stories. 

🍵It’s more than just the practical tips but also the raw + real, juicy deets. I spill the tea on how travel and life abroad has taught me the best lessons about insecurity and confidence, heartbreak and love.

I’ve spent HOURS pouring my heart into these pages, and I’m confident these words will not only help you plan your future trips but also inspire you to chase your passions harder.

Today the pre-sale (and sale price!) is available to my email subscribers. Not on the list? Comment 💥and I'll add you to the list. Allez-y !

#lacorniche #magazine #blogger #bloggervibes #roundtrip #roundtripthemag #marseille #marseillefr #marseillecity #marseillefrance #mediterranean #mediterraneansea #selfpublished #microinfluencer #microinfluencers #bloggersunder10k #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder2k #entrepreneur #france #vivelafrance
Sometimes I just don’t believe my life🙈 Toda Sometimes I just don’t believe my life🙈

Today we took a casual 20ish minute boat ride to a nearby island I can see from my backyard. We hiked up to the ancient fort and danced to music mere feet from ruins — all with views of the Mediterranean Sea and Marseille in all her sunny glory.

I think back to a year ago when my life felt heavy and full of question marks. I think of all the hoops I jumped through and all the doors God opened for me to be here. I think of the daily prayers for answers, long walks to let out the stress and the anxious tears.

And friends, it was all worth it. What a beautiful thing reflection is! What an amazing thing it is to see the pain that was and the joy that is! 

The months leading up to moving to France were absolute mayhem, but oh, I am so beyond glad I didn’t quit when it was hard. Because I am in absolute love with my life in southern France☀️
Been kinda quiet on the socials as of late👀I've Been kinda quiet on the socials as of late👀I've been soaking up the Marseille sunshine with long walks, picnics and the not-so occasional ice cream😋

💪I've also been hard at work. For the past two months, I've been creating my latest project, Round Trip: The Magazine. I've sent out surveys, edited and workshopped this piece for hours upon hours. And I am delighted to say I am all set to launch in APRIL!!

🤔What is this so-called magazine, and why should I care? Alas, in September, I moved to France to teach English — yes, in the middle of a pandemic. It's been quite the wild ride, and along the way, I've been getting lots of questions about my journey here.

I also wanted to take my blog to the next level. As much as I love sharing my travel tips + life abroad peeks on my blog and social channels, I longed to provide a more immersive, intimate experience. Ya know, like a coffee date with your best gal pal?☕

Given that I have a degree in magazine editing, I thought it only fitting to answer the questions, share my stories and dish all the dirty deets in magazine format. And I am sooo stoked for next month's launch!! Want to be first to hear when this magazine drops and to get the pre-sale price? Comment with ⭐and I'll add you to my insiders list.

#microinfluencer #microinfluencers #bloggersunder2k #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder10k #marseille #marseillecity #lacorniche #faussemonnaie #malmousque  #lepetitnice #ansedelafaussemonnaie #mediterraneansea #mediterranean #blueskies #southernfrance #jaimelafrance #vivelafrance #france #francetravel #americansabroad #americansinfrance #americaninfrance #expatlife #americanabroad
🍷😋Best eats + sips in BORDEAUX: 🍦@glace 🍷😋Best eats + sips in BORDEAUX: 

🍦@glaceriedumas_bordeaux Tori and I stayed in Bordeaux for two nights, and we visited Glacerie Dumas twice. Long story short: it was delightful. The first night I ordered ice cream macaron sandwiches. And the second night I ordered their chocolate ice cream topped with chantilly. 

🍜@padang8padang I am always in search of a good bowl of pad thai, and this fit just the bill. My pad thai packed flavor, and I was so bummed that my tummy wasn’t big enough to finish the whole bowl. Reasonably priced and steps away from a darling square. 

🍔@cafekokomo Located in a bubbly square, Café Kokomo serves up burgers, fries, lemonade and more of your American favorites. The best part of all (okay, close) is that they handed out those gummy Krabby Patty candies with our order. AMAZE.

🍇L’Oenothèque: Tor and I decided to make our wine tasting at our Airbnb. We found a wine shop right across from Église Notre Dame de Bordeaux. The kind shopkeeper helped us pick out a selection of regional wines for our charcuterie night, and she even pointed to where they came from on her map of Bordeaux. The shop isn't super active online, so here's the address: 1 Place du Chapelet

What are you craving for your trip to Bordeaux? Save this post for your next trip to southwestern France. Link in bio has more Bordeaux food + activity recs❗

#padangpadangfr #padangpadang #padangpadangbordeaux #glaceriedumas #glaceriedumasbordeaux #glaceriedumasfr #bordeauxeats #bordeauxrestau #eatbordeaux #macaron #icecream #bordeauxdessert #thingstodobordeaux #bordeauxcityguide #bordeauxmaville #cafekokomo #cafekokomobordeaux #LOenothèque #Oenothèque #bordeauxwine #bloggersunder2k #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder10k #bordeauxfr
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