New York, New York

On Wednesday 14th our flight was at 9am so we had to get up mega early to get to the airport but because we were going on holiday it wasn’t too bad. I’m normally really moody in the mornings haha. Our flight was with United and as I sat down in my seat there was a blanket, headphones and a cushion which I thought was a nice touch as I always get SO cold on planes. I mostly spent my time listening to music, watching movies and sleeping. After flying over 3,000 miles we arrived in New York about 12ish and the airport queues weren’t too bad at all which I was surprised at as last time we went the airport was horrendous so I was happy we managed to get through pretty easily! 

We got to our hotel about 2pm. We were staying at The Empire Hotel which was right by the Lincoln Centre and Central Park. It’s famous for being in Gossip Girl if you didn’t know! Below is the view from our room. Just unreal. This is probably the BEST view we’ve ever had from a hotel room and we couldn’t have been happier. 

 By the time we had checked in and unpacked it was around 4ish I think and we were all kind of shattered so we just went to explore what was around our hotel and had a lovely walk around Central Park and grabbed some food. We stayed out for about 3 hours then went back to the hotel and just chilled and watched something on TV. Trying to get to sleep was a bit of a nightmare as the window in our room wasn’t the best and the street noise was just so loud but we did eventually get used to it.

We woke up on Thursday and didn’t really know the best way to see everything around NYC but we remembered that last time we brought tickets to a bus tour so we went for a walk towards Central Park and as we knew from the day before they were selling bus tour tickets there. We got a 4 day pass and decided to do a downtown tour and you could just get on and off when you wanted so it was just ideal. We stayed on the bus for most of the morning getting off at different points, then in the afternoon we decided to visit Times Square and pick up some gifts and do a little shopping. I honestly just love how busy Times Square is and I don’t think you can really describe the atmosphere unless you’ve been. So guys, if you haven’t been you REALLY need to go! 

After taking photo’s and a bit of shopping around Times Square we headed back to the hotel for a little rest before heading back out for some dinner.  I wish I could remember the restaurant where we had food at but I can’t.. 

On Friday we went down for breakfast at the hotel then we had decided to visit the 9/11 memorial and museum. Last time we visited NY the museum was still being built so this time we definitely wanted to go and visit so we headed downtown on the tour bus. We got off a little early as I was desperate for the toilet lol, we eventually found a Macdonalds. After getting lost for about an hour and asking so many people for directions we finally got to the 9/11 memorial.. We queued for a little while for tickets to the museum then walked in. It was such an overwhelming feeling and I can’t really describe it, so beautiful yet truly heartbreaking. I honestly had tears in my eyes while waking through the museum, so many so stories from that terrible day. 

We spent a good couple of hours waking around then headed outside to the memorial which was again really heartbreaking, seeing the names of those killed in the attacks was just so sad.

We got back on the tour bus at around 4:30ish as we had to get back to the hotel but the traffic was just horrendous. We definitely shouldn’t have left it that late, ooooppsss. We eventually got back to the hotel and we all rushed to get ready to go back out as that night we went to The Gershwin Theatre to see Wicked! I have always wanted to see a show on Broadway and this was at the top of my list. 

We had already booked tickets in the UK before so when we got there we just went to the ticket office to pick up our tickets. We made our way to our seats and OMG our seats were amazing! We were up on a balcony with no-one in front of us, they were just the perfect seats. The show was just amazing and the best I have ever seen, I’m not sure anything will be able to top it. 

I woke up on Saturday SO excited as I was meeting Nicole. I know most of you won’t know who Nicole is so here’s a little story.. When I was halfway through my first lot of chemo I found Nicole through a hashtag on Instagram #HodgkinsLymphoma and she was the little ray of sunshine I needed in my life. We both had the same cancer and I was inspired by her courage throughout her battle. When I was going through my relapse she was super supportive and we became closer and closer and I so happy I can now call her one of my best friends and she was one of the main reasons why we decided to go to New York so I could meet her in person.

Nicole was getting the train from where she lived then meeting us at the hotel, when she arrived we both ran and gave each other the biggest hug and I was so happy I was finally meeting my princess after 2 years. As soon as we walked out the hotel it started raining. No, not just rain it was like a monsoon. We went into a store and Nicole bought me an umbrella. (she wouldn’t let the cashier take my money) haha. We headed to Times Square but then the rain had gotten heavier ugh so we ran into Macdonalds. Me and Nicole are obsessed with chicken nuggets so it only made sense that the first thing we did was get chicken nuggets.. 

We stayed in Macdonalds for ages as the rain was just so heavy. We took so many photos and did a Facebook live to our bad ass lymphomie group although we thought no-one was watching for the first five minutes, but they were.. AWKWARD. The rain wasn’t stopping and Nicole needed to get a train so we walked to Grand Central Station and even though we had umbrellas we still got soaked. We went with Nicole to her train and I gave her the biggest hug goodbye, I really didn’t want her to leave as we hadn’t spent that much time together but I enjoyed meeting my princess and I couldn’t have been happier. 

We decided to stop and explore Grand Central Station and take some photo’s as we didn’t have chance to come here last time. I actually didn’t think Grand Central was that big, but oh was I wrong. It’s MASSIVE and so pretty. Photo’s don’t do it justice. 

We got a taxi from Grand Central to Macy’s as we really didn’t fancy walking back in the rain.. We spent quite a while shopping so thankfully the rain had stopped when we had finished so we walked to the M&M shop near Times Square which I was so happy about haha. 

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at Subway and got some food. Right next to our hotel was the Lincoln Centre and there was a little seating area and a pretty fountain so we sat there people watching eating our Subway. It was a perfect way to end the day! 

  On Sunday we had decided to have a shopping day which I was super excited about as I hadn’t brought much up to this point. surprisingly. The only place we could go to for shopping was of course FIFTH AVENUE which actually made sense as we also wanted to go to the Rockefeller to go up the Top Of The Rock. We went to Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, Lord & Taylor, Urban Outfitters, Ted Baker, Saks etc, etc. I can’t name every store because that would take forever haha but I was so happy with everything I got. 

After a little shopping we headed to the Top Of The Rock and I was so excited to go up and take photo’s. I’m more into photography now so the whole trip for me was amazing as I could really test out my photography skills haha 

The views were just incredible. Last time we went up The Empire State and of course the views were amazing but I thought the top of the Rockefeller views were just something else. I would definitely recommend if your going to New York and only have time/money to visit just one of these then I’d say visit the Top Of The Rock. You won’t be disappointed!

 After The Rockefeller Center we did some more shopping then we ended the day going to Central Park and going on a horse and carriage ride which made my mom super happy as that’s always been her dream. Even though it’s not the cheapest thing I’d defenitly say it’s one thing to do when you go to New York. It’s an experience all of us will never forget. 

Monday was the day where we had to go home. *sad face* but our flight wasn’t until 10pm at night so we still had most of the day to explore. We woke up and packed most of our stuff then headed down for breakfast inside the hotel as this was the easiest thing to do. we then finished packaging and checked out, we were allowed to leave our luggage at the hotel until we returned later that day thankfully! We didn’t want to go too far as we needed to be back at the hotel for about 3pm to make sure we had enough time to get the to airport etc. There was a shopping complex near our hotel so we had a look in there for a couple of hours then took a last walk around Central Park.

​I have probably missed out some bits but I had the BEST time with my family and didn’t get to do everything I wanted to so that means I’ll just have to go back, right?! Have you ever been to New York? What did you love most about the city? Let me know in the comments.