It’s hard to go to New York and not give yourself the leading role of a brand-new starring movie in your head while you’re there – the lights, the glamour, the landmarks, the buzz.
It might be the city that never sleeps, but the whole place feels like a dream, and not least when your hotel room looks out onto the bright lights and chattering crowds of the one and only Times Square.
I went to New York over the May bank holiday weekend – spending three nights and four whole days as a hungry tourist with a desire to eat at and see all the best spots.
After spending hours researching, itinerary making and TikTok watching, my meticulous plans were ago and I was comfortable on my British Airways flight eating my meals, drinking my drinks (both alcoholic and not) and my headphones were plugged in for watching on the in-seat television which boasts thousands of shows.
The flight felt quick and easy and before I knew it, I was on the subway from JFK airport to Times Square, which by the way I’d recommend to anyone rather than paying for a taxi.
My boyfriend and I arrived at the Tempo by Hilton Times Square, our necks already a little sore from looking up as we were so mesmerised by all that surrounded us.
We were given a room on the 34th floor and we couldn’t wait to see what our view would be.
We stepped in the room, the automatic blinds started to open, and below us were dots for people, yellow splodges for taxis, views across the river and big, bright lights with adverts, TV series’, shows, food and drink.
@immyshare The best view of New York from a hotel room 😍🇺🇸🗽📍 #timesquare #timessquarenyc #newyorkview #nycviews #nyc #timessquarenyc #hotel #besthotels #prinvite #fyp #aliciakeys #cocacola #samsung @Zach Harris ♬ original sound - ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It was a pinch me moment, and it took a good few minutes to come back to earth and realise that this was actually real, and where we would call home for a few days.
Aside from the view, the room and bathroom were clean, spacious, and the bed was the perfect level of comfort for a good sleep after a long day out.
KEY INFORMATION:
Brand name: British Airways Holidays
Hotel name: Tempo by Hilton Times Square
Length of trip: 3 nights, 4 days
Highlights: Hotel views; Summit One Vanderbilt viewpoint; pancakes!
I spent the next four days walking, eating, walking, eating, walking, eating – and occasionally sleeping.
Summit One Vanderbilt is a new viewpoint that you can get tickets for in NYC. It hosts three mega floors with different immersive experiences, views and picture opportunities, and I’d recommend it to anyone.
We loved the bubble floor where you’re basically surrounded by big silver beach balls that are kept up by machines blasting out air.
Other highlights of the trip included lunch at Bubby’s in Tribeca where I had the biggest pancake portion you’ll ever see topped with Nutella, cream and berries...
...getting a ferry to Brooklyn and walking back over the bridge, demolishing the biggest and most scrumptious chocolate cookie I’ve ever eaten and strolling through central park in the sunshine.
@immyshare The city that never sleeps 🗽🇺🇸🌉 #newyork #manhattanbridge #brooklyn #brooklynbridge #dumbo #burninglove #burninglovetrend #transition #fyp #thingstodonewyork #cool #newyorkcity #newyorktravel #viral #newyorkhiddengems #newyorkrightnow #nyctravel @Zach Harris ♬ Burning Love (with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) - Elvis Presley & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
We saw Rockefeller and visited the One World Trade Centre and Ground Zero to pay our respects.
We walked along Wall Street, shopped on Fifth Avenue and even went to 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar which faced the red and blue sparkling Empire State building at night.
I did circa 100,000 steps and must have eaten my bodyweight in snacks, meals and more, but it was so worth it.
And, I'm really not surprised that New York was listed as the most searched holiday package destination on the British Airways site in the recently released British Airways Holidays 2024 Travel Trends Report.
It also reports that long-lead search data from British Airways Holidays for holiday packages in early 2025 reveals that New York is topping the list there too.
AND, from a global perspective, the most popular destinations on TikTok (measured in hashtag views) included New York at number eight.
New York City, I’ll be back soon.
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