New York City – A 40th Birthday Adventure in the Big Apple

New York had been on our wish list for a long time, and when a milestone birthday comes around, it feels like the perfect excuse to finally say *yes* to a dream trip. From iconic landmarks and famous neighbourhoods to unforgettable views and classic New York food, this was a city break packed with moments we’ll never forget. If you’re thinking about visiting NYC for a special occasion or simply want to experience the buzz of the Big Apple for yourself, this trip gave us a real taste of why New York is loved by so many.

A 40th Birthday Bucket-List Trip to New York City

For my 40th we ticked off one of my bucket list adventures - my husband and I finally went to New York - the big Apple!

Where We Stayed in Manhattan: Courtyard New York Chelsea

We stayed at Courtyard New York Manhattan/Chelsea, which was perfectly situated within walking distance of Madison Square Gardens, Macys and the Empire State Building.

Exploring New York City on Foot and by Metro

We took the metro from Penn to Central Park - ate donuts and drank coffee while walking miles and enjoyed buskers at Strawberry fields. We walked the Highline to Chelsea Market - took time to explore the financial district and Ground Zero too.

Iconic New York Experiences: Helicopter Ride and Statue of Liberty

We went 'all out' and had a Helicopter ride over the Hudson, we also took to the water with a boat trip around the Statue of Liberty!

Eating Our Way Around New York City

We ate pretzels in Battery Park and had some great diner experiences. We had a fab brunch at a lovely little bar / restaurant called BEA near Hells Kitchen that was quite hidden away, it had been recommended to us and we loved it.

Visiting the Empire State Building at Night

The iconic Empire State Building was breathtaking - we did it at night - super experience.

Flying to New York from Manchester and Getting Around

We flew direct with Air Lingus from Manchester into JFK and took a Yellow cab when we arrived, used the train going home. Reliable, easy and cheap to use.