As a former New Yorker, this city will always represent the most profound part of my life. It was a time where my focus was my career in the fashion industry and knowing where the hottest party was every night of the week. The one thing I didn’t take advantage of was the diverse tourist attractions. As a local, going to all of the sites isn’t usually a top priority unless you have family or friends in town. 13 years and 2 kids later, coming back to New York for 5 days as a tourist was actually the most important thing on my list. These sites are a reminder of how New York is the epicenter of culture and continues to influence the world. The New York Pass is your ticket to all of the sites in the city and beyond. If you are planning to visit New York City and want to pack in more than a few attractions then The New York Pass is the way to go. There are several packages you can buy - 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days and 10 days. Purchasing this pass guarantees lower rates for each site and faster entry at given locations. The other great addition is the guidebook that is divided up by area. The book provides a description of each site, and the nearest buses and trains to take. Starting at $119 for a one day pass to $399 for a 10 day pass the value is undeniable. [caption id="attachment_1370" align="aligncenter" width="2000"]
Day 1:
You can’t go to New York without going to Central Park. This big slice of greenery in the middle of a concrete jungle is your only escape into nature in the city. The Alice in Wonderland sculpture is the perfect place to capture a moment with your family. [caption id="attachment_1375" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Central Park - Andrea Serrano[/caption]
Day 2:
This day was jam packed with adventure! We started out at The American Museum of Natural History and if you have kids, this is a must. We took in the underwater re-creations of oceans all over the world, the evolution of man, and ancient dinosaur bones. This massive museum could also take days to walk through, but with more stops along the way we had to keep it moving. The next stop was the Top of the Rock to view the city. The breathtaking views from the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Center are breathtaking and the waiting time to see it wasn’t that bad. We ended the day at The Statue of Liberty. If there are only a few places you have time to see in New York, this should be on the top of your list. This was the 1st passageway for so many immigrants who made America what it is today. Taking the ferry over to the island, you wonder what these people were feeling as they set their sites on their new home. You must do the audio tour which is included in the package. The history and the stories are palpable as you listen to recordings of real immigrants on their journey to the land of the free. [caption id="attachment_1377" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Statue of Liberty - Andrea Serrano[/caption]
Day 3:
With so much to see in the city it could be overwhelming. We opted for a break in the hustle and bustle to check out Coney Island. I’ve been there more than a few times, but in the past few years they have made some great updates including new rides and the vibrant Coney Art Walls. With the New York Pass you can get 4 hours of rides at Luna Park plus access to Deno's Wonder Wheel which is great because you can really cover a lot of ground in those few hours. Other new additions were some great new gift shops with quality Coney Island merchandise and restaurants with some healthy food options that were non-existent just a few years ago. [caption id="attachment_1378" align="aligncenter" width="850"]
Deno's Wonder Wheel - Andrea Serrano[/caption]
Day 4:
Our weekend continued in Brooklyn as we visited the New York Transit Museum. Located in a defunct subway station in downtown Brooklyn, this is one of the sleeper hits when it comes to taking in history of New York. Housing historical artifacts of the New York City Subway, bus, commuter rail, and bridge and tunnel systems it’s impressive for both children and adults. I love going into all of the old subway cars and seeing all of the beautiful details like padded wicker seats and old advertisements on display. [caption id="attachment_1385" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
New York Transit Museum - Andrea Serrano[/caption]
Day 5:
We ended our trip with the 9/11 Memorial Museum. I remember living in New York when this happened and how it forever changed so many people’s lives. I’m so glad I did, especially to pay respect to everyone who lost their lives and the first responders who risked everything. The museum did a a great job of documenting that day and displaying all of the artifacts. It was incredible to see people from all of the world there and realize how many people this event affected. Sharing all of these sites with my family over the 5 days of our trip was such a bonding experience and I can’t wait to come back and explore more. There are so many attractions to see and many that I wouldn't mind visiting over and over again. The New York Pass made my vacation easy and hassle-free. I would totally recommend it to anyone who is looking to conquer as many attractions as they can in New York.
