{"id":89224,"date":"2013-11-05T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-11-05T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/paulinas-new-york-top-10\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:51:43","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:51:43","slug":"paulinas-new-york-top-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/paulinas-new-york-top-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Paulina’s New York Top 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have always wanted to go to New York<\/a>, ever since watching episodes of Friends back in the day. With so many movies, shows and series set in New York, I am sure everyone feels similar. It\u2019s almost like a second home, with certain places so familiar you feel you have been there already. So to say that my expectations were high was an understatement.<\/p>\n

\"New<\/a><\/p>\n

On the day of our flight, my husband and I were dancing around packing with \u201cEmpire State of Mind\u201d by Alicia Keys blaring in the background. We were lucky enough to fly pretty much direct (Cape Town – Johannesburg and then Johannesburg to John F Kennedy airport<\/a>) on flight SA203. I really believe it is worth spending that extra penny on a better connection. It\u2019s already a very long flight and with the time difference, too many stop overs will mean you are completely dead when you land.<\/p>\n

To find awesome flights check here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Flatiron<\/a><\/p>\n

We stayed at Strand Hotel<\/a> and I can\u2019t recommend it enough. It is absolutely gorgeous and has a brilliant view of the Empire State Building from the roof terrace. It\u2019s a great place to wind the day down over cocktails after a long day of shopping.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/a><\/p>\n

Here are my top 10 Highlights of the trip:<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Being a girl, I speak to the womenfolk when I say the shopping is mad. The best store by far is Macy\u2019s<\/a>. It\u2019s 8 floors (if I recall correctly) of pure magic!<\/li>\n
  2. Cocktails at the Mo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel<\/a>. Lots of beautiful people and the best cocktails I have ever tried. Check the price though! At $25 per cocktail it\u2019s easy to rack up quite a bill.<\/li>\n
  3. Burgers at the Shake Shack<\/a> with chilli cheese chips and custard milkshake. Only the Americans could come up with such a combo.<\/li>\n
  4. Friendly Americans \u2013 WOW \u2013 don\u2019t take out a map as 10+ people will stop to give you directions, recommendations, review your itinerary etc. New Yorkers love their city.<\/li>\n
  5. Broadway. You have to go to at least 1 show! It\u2019s such a typically New York thing to do.<\/li>\n
  6. It really is the city that never sleeps, one night we went to Bowlmor in Times Square<\/a> and had a late dinner in their sports bar feeling very much like \u201clocals\u201d.<\/li>\n
  7. New York is known for some awesome pizza and Grimaldi\u2019s<\/a> is as authentic as they come.<\/li>\n
  8. The Statue of Liberty. Take a boat, go to the Island. There is something about that sight that makes you shiver.<\/li>\n
  9. With so many famous comedians coming from New York City, you have to make your way down to a comedy club and catch a show. I recommend the Gotham Comedy Club<\/a>. American humour translates well, but can be a bit harsh. If you don\u2019t want to get picked on, don\u2019t sit up front.<\/li>\n
  10. Times Square at night. When you get off the subway you will be blown away. The lights, smells, people, buildings, and cars catapult you into another world.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Overall an awesome trip but plan for a day or two of down time when you get back as the time difference can really get to you.<\/p>\n

    \"Times<\/a><\/p>\n

    \"Statue<\/a><\/p>\n

    \"The<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Book your SAA flight to New York<\/a> with Travelstart<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    I have always wanted to go to New York, ever since watching episodes of Friends back in the day. With so many movies, shows and series set in New York, I am sure everyone feels similar. It\u2019s almost like a second home, with certain places so familiar you feel you have been there already. So to say that my expectations were high was an understatement. … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":89225,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,445],"tags":[514,42,434],"class_list":["post-89224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","category-destinations-travel","tag-jfk","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"yoast_head":"\nPaulina's New York Top 10 | Travelstart Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I have always wanted to go to New York, ever since watching episodes of Friends back in the day. 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