Top of the Rock

My Favorite New York Moments

For so many people New York City has a magic allure and is considered a place where big moments happen. Of course it's a favorite Hollywood filming destination which adds to all the glitz and glamour. Some of my favorite films and shows like Sex and the City, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail and When Harry Met Sally all have big romantic moments in New York City. In the city that never sleeps, amongst all the skyscrapers and flashing lights, there's a feeling that anything can happen.

When I graduated from Chico State in 2009, I moved out to New York City for a year for a new job opportunity. I felt very much like the cliché Carrie Bradshaw going to the big city, and I loved it! I returned home to San Francisco to pursue another degree, but I have gone back to visit NYC many times since. I've had so many awesome New York moments, some are nostalgic and others are just down right hilarious!

Top of the Rock - On my most recent trip it was the first time my boyfriend and I went to NYC together. He got to meet my best friend who lives in the city and I gave him the grand tour to some of my favorite spots. I had never been to Top of the Rock before and I wanted to have my "Tom Hanks finds Meg Ryan on the top of the Empire State building" moment with him :)

Republic - This place is hands down one of my all time favorite restaurants and my bestie and I would go often. If you love Asian fusion cuisine then you have to check this place out on your next visit to NYC. The fried calamari is my FAVORITE!

The Plaza Hotel - Have you ever seen the 1980's comedy Big Business? It takes place at the Plaza Hotel on 5th Avenue. When I first moved to NYC, checking out the Plaza was on the top of my list. Many years later I actually found out that the movie was actually filmed at a replica on a soundstage. :(

Central Park - One of my favorite walks through Central Park was last year in autumn. The leaves were bright hues of oranges, reds and yellows. In California most of our trees are evergreen and I always feel like we don't have a true fall season.

Shopping in Soho - If there's a designer brand you love, you're surely going to find it in Soho. While I mostly shop thrift, every once in a blue moon I'll splurge on new designer duds. And I just love the cobblestone streets and neighborhood architecture. ❤️

Magnolia Bakery - My fellow Sex and the City fans know that this is one of Carrie's favorite places to grab a cupcake and chat girl talk with Miranda (Season 3, Episode 5... um yeah... I'm a big fan). I've been here with my bestie to do exactly the same :)

Ground Zero - Every American remembers the day September 11th, 2001. I have been to ground zero twice, the first time was in 2006 when there was still tons of rubble and ash smell in the air. I returned in 2015 to see the memorial that has been built in honor of the victims. Both times it was an emotional experience and makes me feel so grateful for our freedom.

New Years in Times Square - On New Year's Eve in December 2009, a group of girlfriends and I decided to go BIG and celebrate the New Year in Times Square. Let me tell you, it was no small feat to get front row but we were determined as we got in line early that morning. We had to wait a solid 12 hours in the freezing snow! But, I will admit that it was pretty awesome for the last 15 minutes before midnight. We saw a slew of celebrities including Jennifer Lopez and Nick Lachey, and at the stroke of midnight were showered with a hurricane of confetti. Celebrating New Years in Times Square is great to do once in your early twenties, and I'm glad I had the experience. But now that I'm in my 30's I'm cool with a more low key kind of night!

Brooklyn - There's so many aspects of Brooklyn that I love. From the historical brownstones in Brooklyn Heights to quirky Williamsburg, it has it's own special kind of charm. The borough of Brooklyn is so dramatically different than any place in my home state of California so I always feel far from home, in a good adventurous way. 

Grand Central Terminal - Years ago my girlfriend and I went out for a night of drinks and dancing in Manhattan. In the wee hours of the morning we had to drag our asses back to her mom's house in Queens. There was one last train going home for the night from Grand Central and we had to kick off our heels and run as fast as we could to catch it. We laughed so hard when we finally boarded the train. Awe, those summer nights in the city.