New York City is one of those places that truly live up to the hype. Everywhere you go, there’s energy, people, and something new to always see. My favorite part was visiting Canal Street in Chinatown. It was super busy packed with shops and vendors selling fake designer items from purses to sunglasses. I got around the city on one of the double-decker buses, which made it easy to see everything without having to walk more miles than we already had to. Another place that really stood out to me was the 9/11 Memorial. It’s beautiful but also emotional and standing by the fountains where the towers once stood makes you stop and think about how much the city has been through. Even though it’s in the middle of downtown, it feels calm and peaceful in that area.  

You can’t visit New York without checking out all the shopping and sights. The shops in Times Square are some of the coolest, especially at dark when everything is lit up. There are big stores like M&M’s World and souvenir shops everywhere you look. It is fun to even just walk around and see everything even if you don’t go in. I also took the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, entering that they had fresh fruit stands as well as vendors there too which really gave it that true New York City feel. The city is loud, crowded, and fast, but that’s what makes it special. Between the history, the views, and everything there is to do, New York City is definitely a place I’d love to visit again.