New York, New York

On April 17, 2024 at 11:30 AM, we set off on the Boeing 747 from Frankfurt to New York, arriving at JFK Airport at 2:30 PM local time. After a very quick immigration process, thanks to a very friendly and helpful immigration officer, we were able to leave the terminal just a few minutes later. We had organized a driver through Booking.com who picked us up a few minutes later and took us from the airport to Manhattan, at 48th St. in 6th Ave. to the Hard Rock Cafe Hotel. The first impressions were stunning, what a city. The drive through the canyons of buildings took our breath away. We were struck by the fever of New York. Then to the hotel, check in, and take a room on the 22nd floor.

Then our first exploration tour started, headed to Times Square, which is only a few meters away. What a sea of lights, blinking, gigantic billboards that took our breath away. A small exploration tour brought us past the Empire State Building.

June 18, 2024 Exploration of New York begins. First, we admired the skyscrapers a bit, then went to Bryant Park and further to Rockefeller Center, for which we had tickets. From the observation deck, Top of the Rock at 260 meters high, we had a fantastic view of the city. We walked further through the city and admired the oldest wooden escalators in the largest department store in the world. In the evening, we walked again through Times Square to experience the atmosphere there.

June 19, 2024 After breakfast at Pret a Manger, we went on another exploration tour. First, we headed to Flatiron Plaza and the Flatiron Building, then on to Madison Square Park. Then the visit to the Empire State Building, the observation deck on the 102nd floor, at 373 meters, offered an incredible view of New York. After the Empire State Building, we headed to Soho, Little Italy, and Chinatown.

June 20, 2024 we went to the subway station and took the train to the World Trade Center. We visited the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and were on the One World Observatory observation deck, on the 102nd floor, at a height of 386 meters. After that, we visited the shopping center and train station Oculus. We then took a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to Dumbo. In the evening, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt was on the program. On the 93rd floor, at a height of 369 meters, there was the next spectacular viewpoint.

June 21, 2024 back on the subway to Battery Park to take the boat to Liberty Island. Although we already had tickets and a time slot, we found ourselves in a kilometer-long waiting line, in scorching heat, without any shade. After about 2 hours of struggling to get to the front, we entered a funnel-shaped access area. Hundreds of people pressed in front to reach the entrance. Then another checkpoint with person and bag checks, and we were on the boat 💪. After the crossing, we visited the island with the Statue of Liberty.

In the evening, we went to Hudson Yards, to The Edge Observation Deck at a height of 345 meters. Again, a fantastic view over New York. After that, as always, to Times Square to soak in the atmosphere.

June 22, 2024 we went back to the Hudson Yards district to walk on the High Line. Then we went to the Meatpacking District, visited Pier 57, and Little Island, which we had to leave shortly after due to a thunderstorm as it was closed.

Next, we headed to the New York Stock Exchange, to Wall Street, and to the landmark, the bull.

To end the day, as always, at Times Square.

June 23, 2024 was the visit to Central Park. Then on foot to the Lenox Hill district to take the Roosevelt Island Tram over the East River to Roosevelt Island. After we returned by tram, we went to 5th Ave. at 57th St. to Trump Tower. After a brief tour, we went shopping again to buy souvenirs for our loved ones.

June 24, 2024, we went for breakfast at Pret a Manger and then took the shuttle to JFK Airport. At 5:00 PM, after some delays, the Boeing 747 took off from American soil, and a dream vacation was coming to an end.