A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO NYC

We've had a few visitors the past couple weeks which has left me a little exhausted. However, it's been good to get out and see the sights around the state. I've driven from one side of NY to the other, so I have a few suggestions of things to see.

I'll start with the big one: New York City!!! I didn't know until moving to New York state that much of it is country. Over half the population lives in or around NYC, so that leaves a whole lotta beautiful country for everyone else.

Honestly, I've now been to NYC just twice in my life. The first time I went with a friend back in 2012. It was very intimidating to me, a born-and-raised country gal. I thought it was dirty, expensive, and over-crowded. Ultimately, over-rated, and I didn't really want to return. (Although, it was good to see the place just once to know that.)

Well, I am glad I went again because the city is not so scary or gross to me anymore. I kind of want to go back and see a bunch more actually...I guess it's a place that grows on you. I think that living in Washington, D.C. has helped me adjust to "big" city life...especially driving in the city and understanding the metro system.

Before going to NYC, it's extremely helpful to download an app for the subway system if you're unsure of exactly where to go. I really liked one called Embark NYC. It's pretty easy to use. Best of all, it allows you to look at the metro map and the stops/train changes you need to make even if you don't have cellular signal (which happens often on underground transportation).

Anyway, if you've got a few days to spend in NYC and need some sights to see, I have a few suggestions. This is by far not a comprehensive list nor in any order.

This is probably NYC LEVEL: BEGINNER. (Also very good if you're on a budget like me.)

1.  THE STATUE OF LIBERTY VIA THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY

I know a lot of people see Lady Liberty any number of ways, but I thought that riding the {FREE} Staten Island Ferry was a great experience. The ferry operates throughout the entire day on a 15/30 minute schedule depending on when you ride. It offers a fantastic view of The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Lower Manhattan. The ferry is very clean and you can even check out the views from on deck. This is definitely the way to go...especially because it will allow you to save your dollars (or allow you to spend them elsewhere in the city).

2. ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER - 9/11 MEMORIAL

It's kind of crazy to think that the 9/11 attacks happened over 14 years years ago and that a new World Trade Center is already up and running. I remember that day quite well...and I was only an eighth grader in the Midwest. Visiting the memorial is so beautiful and impactful. It really captures the memory of the buildings and the people who lost their lives that day. I didn't see the museum, but I'm sure it's just as impactful. The memorial itself is outside and free, but a museum ticket costs $24 for adults. I have pictures of the memorial, but honestly, seeing it in person is how you should do it. Being there, I can't image how chaotic that day was in 2001 or how the search and clean-up happened afterwards. It just confounds me how something like that could ever occur there (or anywhere really).

3. CHELSEA MARKET

The Chelsea Market is the cutest little stop and shop. Built in a former Nabisco factory (where the Oreo cookie was invented), it blends the industrial and urban with the quaint small-town market feel. You will fall in LOVE with this place. It's worth the trip and is a great place to grab a bite to eat and look at handcrafted items. Apparently above the Chelsea Market lies the HighLine, an urban oasis that repurposes an old railway into a parkway...that's something I'll have to see next time.

4. ROCKEFELLER CENTER

There are so many attractions to find in Rockefeller Center...from the shops and restaurants to the buildings and businesses surrounding the area. It's home to the Today Show, NBC, Radio City, The Tonight Show, the Associated Press, and Lego, among other well known entities. In the wintertime you'll find the iconic New York Christmas Tree and a beautiful skating rink. You can also check out an amazing view of NYC from Top of theRock.

5. CENTRAL PARK

I would say Central Park is one of the most iconic landmarks in NYC. It was certainly on the top of my list of places to see when first visiting the city. It's such a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city surrounding it. If not for the towering skyscrapers around it, you may actually forget you were in NYC and could easily get lost in its 843 acres. Explore the nature, the art and architecture, skating rink and ponds, or even the Central Park Zoo.

6. TIMES SQUARE

Funny enough, I don't even have a picture of Times Square. I am not a huge fan of the place, to be honest. I'm only including it in my list because I think it's one of New York's major attractions and good to see at least once (even if it's just for a minute...which is usually what it is for me). Times Square is NYC in a nutshell: lights, people, shows, events. I suppose that's why it's so popular. One thing I for sure want to do yet is see a Broadway production, and this is the place to do that.

7. THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART (THE MET)

The Met is the largest art museum in the United States. It's worth the trip for that. You could spend all day in the museum. I spent a few hours and focused on my favorites: drawings, prints, stained glass, American, and the European masters. I'm not sure how many people know this, but the price for the adult ticket is only a "recommended" price. You can pay what you want. Now, if I were to spend the whole day in The Met, I would probably pay the whole price, but for just a few hours I prorated it. I would still love to se the MoMA which houses Van Gogh's Starry Night. The Guggenheim has wonderful architecture, but unless you are absolutely in love with their current exhibition it's probably not worth it over The Met or MoMA.

8. GRAND CENTRAL STATION

Grand Central Station is filled with shops and dining and is a great little point where many tracks diverge. Literally. It's worth the stop to enjoy the beauty and grandiosity of the architecture. And if this is your transportation into or out of the city, even better.

Hopefully this short list gives you some good starting points to see on your first visit to NYC. There are so many more wonderful sights to see outside of this list. I definitely still want to see a Broadway production, go to the Tonight Show, the Brooklyn Bridge, see the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center, go to Coney Island, see Wall Street, go to the American Museum of Natural History, and ring the Stock Market Bell (haha...maybe someday). But hey, this all gives me reason to go back again...hopefully soon.

What places have you enjoyed while in NYC? I'd love to hear all the wonderful places, especially the ones that are off the beaten path.