I recently was lucky enough to travel to New York as part of a trip with my local culinary college. I had an absolute blast and cannot believe how much I saw and did in just 4 days away! I’ve definitely found my new favourite travel destination and cannot wait visit the USA again soon with my family – I’m planning many more future visits! I had such a brilliant time in New York, I absolutely loved the feel of the city, the sights and of course the food! Over the last week I ticked off many dreams on my bucket list – seeing the Statue of Liberty, going up to the top of the Empire State Building, watching a basketball game at Madison Square Gardens, meeting and visiting Jacques Torres and his chocolate factory and watching Wicked! on Broadway were a few highlights!
Here are some snapshots taken from my trip. I hope you enjoy – I wish I’d brought my camera with me more times – I didn’t get to photograph Central Park and some of the other places we visited, but maybe next time!
Statue of Liberty on our sightseeing boat tour down the Hudson River
St. Patrick’s Cathedral – on our first full day in New York it was St. Patrick’s Day and it was pretty hectic around 5th Avenue – where the St. Paddy’s Day parade was taking place later in the day.
Going to the top of the Empire State Building was great fun. I loved seeing the New York skyline!
The 9/11 memorial museum was a great and overwhelming experience. It was a very heartwarming and emotional visit.
Washington Park
I saw my first ever basketball game at Madison Square Gardens! We saw the New York Knicks vs the Minnesota Timberwolves. The atmosphere was brilliant and it was great to experience for myself one of America’s national sports.
Times Square – it’s super exhilarating walking around at night, there’s so much going on and lots to see!
On one of the days my dream came true! We met the legendary Jacques Torres aka “Mr Chocolate” and had the chance to tour his chocolate factory in Brooklyn. Being a self-confessed chocoholic this little factory trip was perfect! We indulged and tasted many treats – we were given little taster pots of roasted almonds dusted with a rich and decadent cocoa powder, Jacques famous chocolate chip cookies (which are absolutely amazing!), we also enjoyed chocolate coated Cheerios and toffee/caramel covered popcorn drizzled with chocolate – my two personal favourite picks!
Being given a tour of the factory by Jacques Torres
Lots of different Easter chocolate ready to be packaged and sold
Some of the coolest looking chocolate I’ve ever seen! These hand crafted chocolate fish are simply so creative and delicious!
We were in charge of finding restaurants and places to eat for most days. I loved looking around and tasting new foods as I like to do on most holidays I go on. We had a really early start in the middle of our holiday visiting a New York fish market at 5:00am! After that we had a few moments to go and search out somewhere to eat breakfast before our trip to see the Statue of Liberty. We found this amazing deli selling an array of different cuisines from all over the world and whole foods. This traditional Italian-American sandwich/roll made me really hungry and I really couldn’t wait to try it out. Consisting of crisp salad leaves, the sweetest sliced tomato, smoked ham, salami and mozzarella incased in a crunchy sesame ciabatta-style bun. Incredibly good, great fresh produce and extremely yummy.
(My breakfast and lunch for one day!)
Fresh mozzarella pizza and barbecue chicken pizza
I ate my fair share of pizza whilst away in NYC – New York is definitely the city for pizza lovers outside of Italy (I could’ve easily swarmed this post with never ending pictures of pizza!…) I’ve always loved American-style pizzas! This pic above is of one my friends pepperoni pizza – it was massive, but he still managed to eat it all!
(Sorry about the quality of this photo! Phone picture of our meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp The restaurant is located in the heart of Times Square with great views of Broadway.) I love a good all-American cheeseburger with fries and this certainly lived up to my expectations. It was smoky, with a lovely flame-grilled flavour, the gooey oozy cheese was a perfect and the fries and dip were seriously so tasty! Definitely going to try to share a burger like this on the blog soon!
Walking past Carlo’s Bake Shop – the queues for his cake and goodies was out the door! Next time I visit a slice of cake will be on the menu for sure!
Some of the goodies I bought back from New York! I’m slightly addicted to that 42 oz bag of M&M’s and the Hershey’s cookies ‘n’ creme chocolate bars AND all the Oreos! (+ don’t forget those amazing Reese’s too!) 🙂 I’ve got many recipes lined up with all these delicious treats!
The last day was spent shopping on 5th Avenue in Manhattan! One of the best days – it was nice to relax in some retail therapy before the long flight home later that night. Unfortunately, New York was forecast for snow on the Friday we were going home! It was a bitterly cold end to the holiday but we still made the most of it and had fun. I had an absolutely brilliant time and bought back many great gifts and memories home!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading! Have a great weekend guys!
Great photos! Looks like you had a brilliant time in New York! I love the city, it’s crazy busy but also full of some of the most fun places and best food I’ve ever eaten!
Thanks so much Emily! 😀 I had the best time ever in New York! Definitely one of the best cities/places I’ve ever visited!
Beautiful shots….. I especially liked the one of St. Patrick’s cathedral. Yes, I have to admit NYC is a wonderful city. Our girls both live in Brooklyn, and we don’t visit as much as we should. Your post gave me inspiration to hit NY when the weather gets warmer. I definitely want to visit the High Line. What a great culinary field-trip experience this must have been, where did you come from?
Thanks so much Loretta! I’m glad you enjoyed my pictures! 😀 I absolutely love New York – Brooklyn is one of my favourite boroughs. 😀 I study at Colchester Institute in East Anglia, UK. It was a great trip and I cannot wait to revisit with my family soon!
This looks amazing! I’m going to the city for my birthday in May and I’m beyond excited 🙂
Thanks so much Medha! Aww that’s so exciting to visit New York for your birthday! 😀 It’s the best city!
I am so jealous that you got to meet Mr. Chocolate! I bet that was such an amazing adventure! So happy to hear that you enjoyed New York City – it’s one of my favorite places to visit!
Thanks Eva! Hehe – I know I was so lucky to meet Jacques! 😀 New York City is so brilliant, one of my favourite travel spots so far!
I lived in New York for over a decade I miss it every now and again (not those rent prices though or the rats!) lol Great pictures! Jealous you got to meet Jacques Torres! so cool & Ive always wanted to visit Dominique Ansel’s bakery!
New York is my new favourite city – I would love to live there one day if I ever had the chance! 😀 I know, meeting Jacques was absolutely brilliant! Next time I visit New York I definitely want to visit Dominique Ansel’s bakery and try a cronut!
Go for it! You would love it. You know the saying right? If you can make it there you can make it anywhere 🙂 (but definitely have money saved haha)
I actually moved on a whim in my 20s and stayed until 2 years ago (I’m 34) lol My parents were mad at me at first (moved from Texas) but they got over it and my mom came to visit me years later. I lived in almost all the boroughs except the Bronx. So many memories of NYC, I say why not life is too short Good luck!
It’s definitely the dream to travel around the US – absolutely love the idea and live there one day! 😀 Wow, Texas is a long way from New York (you were very brave!). 😀
NYC is my most favorite place! I almost moved there after I graduated from college but decided at the last minute not to. I’m from Chicago but I love New York so much better, it’s just amazing! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures!
I can’t believe you nearly moved to NYC! It’s my new favourite travel destination for a city break – I definitely would love the opportunity to live there one day too! 😀
What a wonderful trip Jess ! It seems you had a lot of fun ! you even have the time to visit Mr. Chocolate ! That’s is all you 😉
Pictures are stunning ! Have a nice weekend 🙂 x
Thanks so much Eva! 😀 Aww I’m so happy you enjoyed my pictures! Have a lovely weekend too! x
Oh the beauty of New York!! <3 You took some amazing photos and ohh my the food there. I can only imagine 😉
I absolutely love New York! 😀 The sights and food were both amazing – I ate plenty delicious foods whilst there!
It’s nice to see NYC from the perspective of fresh eyes. The city sometimes burn me out a little. You’ve inspired me to do some touristy things! 🙂
Thanks so much Olivia! 😀 I absolutely loved New York – I cannot wait to visit again and see the sights I missed! I’m glad you like the article!
I agree with Olivia above…after having lived in NYC I forget that this is a city that excites/inspires people…as it stressed me out most of the time! But next-time look for more local foods, there are so many tourist traps in NY!!
New York is a really lovely city – I think it’s a very different place for people who live there however compared to a tourist visiting! Having said that, I did get stressed trying to get around in the cabs and finding places! 😀 I really loved the local food! So great and so much on offer!
Looks fab! Lucky lady x
It was a fantastic week away! 😀
It looks it!
You really did a lot in a relatively short spce of time. I live in NYC and am still amazed at all there is to do.
Thanks Suzanne! It was a very tiring trip but I had so much fun! 😀 NYC has a special place in my heart! I cannot wait to visit again and meet up with the foodie friends I’ve made! x
I have yet to spend time in NY, and I’m dying too! Your photos make me want to go even more. Glad you had such a great trip!
Thanks Marcie – I had a great time! 😀 NY should be on everyone’s bucket list!
NYC is filled with so much amazingness!!! I used to live about 30 minutes away but it was when I was younger and couldn’t appreciate it!!! Now I think I need to go back and see what it’s all about!
NYC is amazing! I’m in love with that city! 😀
Oh how wonderful Jess, I loved looking at your photo’s. Laura@ Baking in Pyjamas
Aww I’m glad you enjoyed the photos! 😀
Ahhh I love NYC!! There is always so much to do and I see you did a lot!! So glad you have fun on this trip. Next time you are coming..u will have to let me know so we meet up 🙂
Thanks so much Zainab! NYC has a special place in my heart! Such a lovely city! 😀 Definitely next time I’m in New York I would love to meet! x
NYC is definitely up there on my list of places to visit! Some day…Looks like you had a wonderful trip, and packed a LOT of stuff into that trip!
Thanks Denise! It was a brilliant fun-filled trip! 😀
Yay! Love NYC, it is my favorite for sight seeing and so many great eats! So glad you had a great time, love all your pics 🙂
Aww thanks so much Kelly! I had an amazing time. I cannot wait to visit America again! 😀 x
But…but…have you had Chicago style deep dish?
(Lol sorry, that’s literally the only thing I can think after you saying NY is the best place to get pizza outside of Italy. Noooo. Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo.) 😛
This is the perfect trip! My dream to go to New York and I want to do exactly what you did – you defiantly used the 4 days well! Amazing photos also.
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New York is an amazing city – definitely well worth a visit if you get the chance! 😀 I’m really pleased you enjoyed the article, Rhea!