Arriving at the airport, the pair of us were jumping with excitement. The flight added to the anticipation as it was both of our first times flying long-haul so we lapped up all the free flight food and watched as many films as possible. On the plane, when we weren’t watching a rerun of Disney films, we couldn’t stop talking about what New York would actually be like when we arrived. What will the atmosphere be like? And the food? What about the Broadway show we had booked? We grinned enthusiastically as we contemplated and discussed our trip.

As we tracked the flight on the screen and got close to landing, arriving at JFK’s airport didn’t feel real. The captain announced the final approach and our smiles were as wide as the aeroplane’s wingspan. An evening arrival (handy if you want to avoid rush-hour traffic in to Manhattan!) gave us the opportunity to catch glimpses of the summer sun setting over the city, offering views of the iconic buildings as we got closer to the runway, Our anticipation grew the faster the aircraft descended towards the runway, as it tried to steady itself against the cross winds from the Atlantic and from the mainland (JFK is on Long Island which, if we’re being pedantic, isn’t connected to the North American continent with anything other than bridges!). I’ll never forget the feeling of excitement in my stomach as I could see everything I’ve been dreaming about come into focus. It felt as if we were IN a postcard. I’m not sure I even noticed the sound of the engines going into thrust reversal mode or the whirring of the flaps; I was that focused on what awaited us!

The city, for me, lived up to every single expectation. It had an electric ambience about it that you couldn’t get anywhere else and offered the excitement (which made it hard to go to sleep each night as I wanted more) I craved for my dream birthday trip.

You’re probably thinking, but where do I begin in planning this dream trip? Don’t worry, I’ve got the places you need to add to your agenda to ensure you have the time of your lives and it’ll be a birthday you’ll talk about in years to come. Oh, and you won’t even have to dent your debit/credit cards…at least not massively!

It may sound predictable as your first stop but is it a birthday break without a phenomenal shopping trip? Macy’s is what, for me at least, New York is known for in terms of department stores (sorry Saks, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Bergdorf! Maybe you will get a look in on my next trip!) The outside of Macy’s just screams NYC. Without the Macy’s sign, I wouldn’t think it was a department store: the building itself is an attraction in its own right, a living, breathing museum…and a reminder of New York’s wealth and pre-eminence in the world of Finance and its ability to withstand crisis such as the Great Depression, the attack and fall of the Twin Towers, the dot com crash, the bank failures and subsequent financial crisis that was triggered in 2008 and, most recently, the stock market crash in the wake of COVID. If there’s one city in the U.S. that’s a symbol of American resilience it’s New York.

Macy’s opened its NYC store in 1858 but didn’t move to today’s location until 1902, and this is where the store gained its popular reputation. Even in today’s modern building, some of the original wooden escalators are still in place and you can use them like one did a century ago. Originally, there was a verbal agreement for Macy’s to buy the corner five story plot on 34th street but a rival department store, Siegel-Cooper, bought it instead and the owner of Macy’s therefore built the store around it, and, overtime, the Macy’s branding was placed on the plot. Since the 1900s, the store has been spruced up inside and out, with the aim of keeping the grandeur look. The exterior reminded me of the architecture I’ve seen in Europe, with its neutral palette and grand windows.

I’m a bit of a shopping browser, I love to see what’s on offer and when I was in Macy’s, we were both overwhelmed with the choices of clothing and accessories, especially when I arrived at the Kate Spade section (I wanted all of the handbags!). I was shocked at how big the store actually was. It felt like I was in some sort of luxury TV show as I swept my fingers inquisitively across each clothing rail. I didn’t buy anything as many of the items were out of my price range but the experience of actually being in the Macy’s store on West 34th Street was thrilling enough – and something I can tick off my dream NYC bucket list.

It definitely was a different kettle fish in terms of the shoppers. They had that air of luxury and entitlement about them, with the certainty of knowing exactly what they were shopping for. Blonde women with pressed suits and business-esque outfits, and men with their slicked back hair and brown loafers were among the many that passed my sister and I. In some ways, it felt like they were Alpha predators in their natural habitat, with an instinct honed to detect anyone  who doesn’t belong there. I didn’t exactly catch the chats of other shoppers but I felt their presence, and couldn’t help watching as they’d step up to the counter, ready to pay for whatever expensive item they desired. Looking at them, I just knew that only the finest facials and waxes would do for them! I think that’s one of the reasons I loved Macy’s: it gave me a chance to observe a certain type of New Yorker in their stomping ground.

Fifth Avenue is much more hype than it is wow factor, however, if you’re into shopping then it’s still a must-see on your trip. This street is for the visitors who have an exceptionally big budget so if that’s you, go rock and roll with the luxury brands that sit along the street. But if a Tiffany necklace isn’t in your price range, then Fifth Avenue is the perfect place to have a browse, window shop and take some goal worthy photos. New York can be very hot in the summertime, it depends which month you go in. In early summer, there can be cooler days so I’d recommend bringing a few layers, but as the heat intensifies, light summer dresses should be amongst your packing list – and will be a killer outfit for all your Instagram photos.

Fifth Avenue had an exclusive feel about it, like you were somebody when walking down the street. The people that passed me held themselves with their heads up high, paying no attention to the people around them, too obsessed with their phone and ensuring they entered the correct store. They had larger-than-usual personalities, as if they were on a mission to add to their already extravagant wardrobe with another bold item. I have to say, their aura started rubbing off on me and I noticed a perkiness and confidence about myself. The ‘rich-and-in-a-hurry’ feel of Fifth Avenue is something else, similar to Times Square with the bustle of traffic and flocks of people.

I went into Tiffany’s on my trip because well, you have to right? The atmosphere in there instantly made me realise my weekly budget for the trip wouldn’t even touch the sides of a Tiffany item, but it did give me a taste of the finer side of city shopping. Tiffany’s had a weird silence about it, not the kind you’d find in a typical high street shop. The shoppers in there were full of admiration, discussing with the cashier about the finer details of necklaces. Only a limited number of people were in each part of the shop, as if it was more like an exhibit than a place to shop.

For a more realistic shopping scene after the hype of Macy’s and Fifth Avenue, the Rockefeller Center is the place to be and my favourite spot for shopping. I love how around this area, there was a combination of both designer labels and your standard high-street names. I went into many of the shops around Rockefeller Center but J Crew stood out for me. J Crew had that hip-but-relaxed vibe about it. Its items and clothes were inclusive, less elitist.

For a more realistic shopping scene after the hype of Macy’s and Fifth Avenue, the Rockefeller Center is the place to be and my favourite spot for shopping. I love how around this area, there was a combination of both designer labels and your standard high-street names. I went into many of the shops around Rockefeller Center but J Crew stood out for me. J Crew had that hip-but-relaxed vibe about it. Its items and clothes were inclusive, less elitist.

The vibe of Rockefeller Centre had a similar ambience to London’s Oxford Street. The experience in the shops was just how I expected: unique, bustling and a bit of everything. Can I say that all of the shops stood out? But especially Micheal Kors and Cole Hann as they were both in direct view of the Rockefeller building itself. The age range of people was definitely a lot younger at Rockefeller Centre than it was at both Macy’s and Fifth Avenue, and I loved that. It’s that familiarity with people just like me which made me enjoy the experience even more.

Whilst in the Rockefeller Center for shopping, I would recommend heading up the Top of the Rock towards sunset. It’s no secret that New York has the most incredible bird’s-eye view and there are many spots in the city where you’re able to enjoy that. I would suggest opting for the Rockefeller Center over the Empire State Building as you’ll be able to get a full panoramic view of all of NYC, including Central Park and the Empire State building too.

If you head up the top just as the sun is about to set, then you’re able to experience the city in all its glory; in daylight, as the sun is setting and when the city is lit up at night. It’s like standing on the biggest Christmas tree with a city of possibilities ahead of you. And, there really is no better sight than a sea of skyscrapers in the night sky.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the Broadway scene is something that sets the butterflies in my stomach fluttering every time I think about it! Times Square itself is pure urban theatre: the way the lights create a faux day in the night, the buzzing sound of different types of music playing, and crowds of people filtering in and out…could there be a more appropriate prelude to a Broadway show? Who needs an expensive pre-show set menu when you could grab a hot dog and pretzel at Times Square and just soak in the energy from humans and machines!

Broadway attracts the kind of talent and shows (it’s not unusual to pay over $300 for the best seats in the house!) that London’s West End can only dream about (in fact, most British actors see a run on Broadway as the peak of their theatrical careers). For example, Al Pacino has had a long and varied career on Broadway, whereas he’s performed in the West End just once. West End? “Fuggeddaboudit!”, as they say in New York!

There are numerous musicals running at any given time but we saw The Lion King on my trip and loved every minute of the production. It brought the Disney film to life with a production packed of colour, emotion and power. The dancing was electric, the voices of the actors were incredible and thinking back to it, it’s one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. I’m a big West End goer so I wasn’t sure how Broadway would compare to it, but I would say on an atmospheric level, it’s a slight step up. The theatre itself was lit up outside, showcasing the Lion King branding and inside and had a very similar feel to the theatres along Shaftesbury Avenue in London. I loved how everyone I passed had the same anticipation in their voice to watch the show.

New York may be an iconic city, but it’s also known for its collection of green spaces including the noteworthy Central Park. The beauty of the park is that it stretches over two miles across the city, and has more things to do than first meets the eye.

The bottom half of Central Park is where there is the most going on including the Wollman Rink (the ice rink in the winter months), the Bethesda Fountain and terrace and a few more attractions such as Strawberry Fields and the Central Park Zoo. The Bethesda Fountain area was my favourite spot in the park because it was a perfect area for people watching and seeing the endeavours (from children playing games to business women taking important phone calls) that went on in the park, plus, there’s the calmness of water right behind me – adding a oasis of tranquility to the mayhem.

Even though it was busy, I kind of liked that as it offered the New York feel. It still had that busy hum about it, with people rushing around like they had a mission to complete. Do New Yorkers ever slow down? Everyone looked busy, determined and self-assured. There was confidence in the way people carried themselves in the park. Sitting on the actual fountain itself and looking around gave me a sense of belonging to the city, and finding a home away from home (albeit temporarily), and it’s a feeling I’ll always hold onto.

It wouldn’t be a birthday’ trip without some superb grub. New York’s take on Italy has to be one of my favourite areas of Manhattan. Little Italy is a quirky spot that still has some authenticity about the place and I could really see that on my visit. The buildings had that typical colourful and bricked look to them with red draped roofs over every restaurant scattered around the area. I may not have heard many Italian speakers on my visit, however, the waiters in the restaurants still had that Italian twang and you could tell it was their native language.

Little Italy is not as quiet as it used to be, considering the attention it has received from tourists recently. However, it is a prime location for many traditional Italian eateries, whether you’re in need of a pizza or pasta fix.

I loved how Little Italy has the rustic appeal to typical Italian streets with the colourful decor and charming folk. It can be tricky to pick where to eat when in the area, but Lombardi’s is somewhere you have to go. It’s a restaurant that is very overly hyped but for good reason: Lombardi’s was the first ever pizzeria in the United States and I can assure you, the pizzas are just as authentic as they are in Italy.

You can’t miss visiting the New York Library. I’m a huge bookworm and visiting the New York Library was one of those moments where I jumped with excitement. I’ve read many different types of books, but since picking up the YA novel of ‘Jessie loves NYC’ when I was sixteen, I dreamt of living out the city fantasy. And, I can say for sure that I was living out that exact dream, especially in The Library – it was one of those spots which really lived up to the hype. 

The library has that quiet appeal like every old school bookshop with books dating back hundreds of years. I walked around the airy space, the extravagant stairwells and couldn’t believe some people call this their local library. The stoned stairwells led up to rooms behind dark wooden doors filled with wooden shelf units of books, extravagant chandeliers, arched wide windows, terracotta flooring and a sea of computers. Local New York students took it in their stride. Paintings including murals from prehistory to the contemporary period covered the ceilings, door frames and each room had a different name; it was more like a museum than a library. I loved the quiet thrill of exploring the building and discovering different aspects of her personality, and her treasures, in every step. Who needs trashy reality shows and banal box sets when you can enrich the mind in a temple devoted to human intellectual achievement!

The New York Public Library origins date back to the 19th century. When the New York governor at the time died, there were two libraries of importance; the Astor and Lenox Libraries but neither were public. However, when both libraries faced financial difficulties, they decided to come together and that’s when the New York Public Library was born, and today, it sees 18 million patrons walk through its doors. The history is palpable when you visit the library, in the craft of the artwork, the collection of books and the woodwork.

I don’t think a girls’ trip to NY can be complete without visiting Manhattan’s neighbour Brooklyn. I only scratched the surface with Brooklyn but it whetted my appetite and l will definitely be heading back on my next trip. I loved Brooklyn because it had the slower pace to Manhattan and the residential parts of the borough had an almost suburban feel to them.

One of the things that make Brooklyn so interesting is the Brooklyn Bridge, perfect for dreamy views. You can either go over the bridge by car or by walking but I would suggest getting your steps in just so you’re able to see the gorgeous sights of the city in the background.

I spent a few hours in Brooklyn and it was nowhere near enough time to fully appreciate the joys of the borough. When we walked away from the bridge, we headed down to the ferry port area to get a view of the East River and Manhattan, reflecting over the smooth waves. It was one of those moments where I thought ‘Wow, New York is incredible’. After that, we pottered around the borough as much as we could in the limited time, passing the many blocks of terracotta housing, immersing ourselves deeper into the calmness. I don’t have much to recommend other than to go there and make up your own mind on what Brooklyn is for you – you don’t want to miss it, especially if the quieter pace of a city is a bit of you.

New York is a pretty accessible city by foot or by the subway system but, really, no trip would be complete without a ride in an iconic yellow cab. Now if you’d like to pretend you’re a part of the Sex and the City or The Bold Type cast, then you’ve got to get your practice in and nab down a cab. It can take some mastering but it’s all part of the fun whilst you’re in the city and to pretend your group are proper New Yorkers.

New York cabbies are full of character and it’s almost a pick of the draw of who you get when nabbing down a cab. In the cab back to the airport, our driver was full of life, chatting away about the history of the roads and how they have changed over time. I can’t remember the exact facts but what will always stay with me is his cheerful charm and how inviting he was of us, exploring a city he called home.

It won’t be a girl’s trip without cocktails and dancing the night away. New York isn’t short of places to drink and it can be hard to know where to go without spending an absolute fortune. But, the East Village is a neighbourhood to venture into for cocktail lounges, speakeasies and karaoke bars; there really is something for everyone. The East Village is busy, loud, central and good fun so an all rounder for a memorable night – and exactly what we loved about it. It’s a vibe different from every other part of Manhattan. That’s what I loved about New York, how each neighbourhood changed in pace, atmosphere and views.

The bar scene is unlimited here so it really can be tough choosing a place to visit. Some of the best places to visit would include The Ready Rooftop Bar for a cosy atmosphere and goal worthy views (the view is definitely more exaggerated with a couple of cocktails in your system and worth it, trust me) and Club Cumming for a night of either burlesque or variety shows on offer. The bar choice is wide but as you walk along East Village, I can guarantee you the right bar will stand out to you. We wanted to visit every single one!

New York. The place of unforgettable attractions, unique food establishments and well, New Yorkers and a city that’ll always leave my heart leaving more. You’ll return from New York with a buzz in your step, and memories with your girls that’ll last a lifetime.