Are you planning to go to the States for your exchange program? East Coast? West Coast? It doesn’t matter! Because I will be writing posts on both and hopefully, they will be helpful to you.

I am Huizhen, the author of huizhenny.wordpress.com. I have spent the past 6 months in USA at the University of Maryland. It was an amazing and wonderful journey. And I hope to share my experiences with you through this platform. 🙂

Home to the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square, and other iconic landmarks, how can you not stop over at New York when you are in the East Coast of United States?

New York City, the city that never sleeps, is a fast-paced, globally influential center of art, culture, fashion and finance. With bulks of attractions for you to explore, 2 days is definitely not enough. But this mens weekend bag can pack a lot of things for a weekend trip. So plan your itinerary properly to maximize your time there!

Here is my MUST-SEE & MUST-GO 2-days itinerary:

BROOKLYN BRIDGE

Brooklyn Bridge - about 1.6km (1.1miles) long.

Brooklyn Bridge – about 1.6km (1.1miles) long.

The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge which majestically looms over New York City’s East River, connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Completed in 1883, it is one of the oldest bridges in the United States. The construction took 14 years and involved 600 workers.

If you are lucky, you would be able to take a instagrammable picture on Brooklyn Bridge without without other pedestrians.

If you are lucky, you would be able to take an instagrammable picture on Brooklyn Bridge without other pedestrians.

Okay, enough of the information which only engineers can appreciate.

This iconic feature of New York City skyline is definitely a must-go NO MATTER HOW LITTLE TIME YOU HAVE IN NYC.

Take some time to stroll down this magnificent bridge, enjoy the breeze and the breathtaking view.

I would recommend you to go as early as possible to avoid the crowds if you want to take an instagrammable photo here.


One World Trade Center & National 9/11 Memorial

One World Trade Center

One World Trade Center

I feel that a tour in New York City would not be complete without stopping by this place. The news of 9/11 still seems so fresh in my memory.

One World Trade Center,  also known as One WTC (1 WTC), is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center in the Lower Manhattan.  It’s the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere and also the 6th tallest in the world till date. Over here, you could purchase the observatory ticket ($32/adult) which gives you access to levels 100, 101, 102 for the stunning 360 degrees NYC view.

9/11 Memorial Waterfalls

Next to 1 WTC lies two waterfalls over the footprint where the North and South towers of World Trade Center once stood. They are the largest manmade waterfalls in the U.S.. Seeing the names of the victims (in Sept 11 2001 and 1993 bombing attacks) inscribed on the bronze plates which surround the falls is truly sombering; overwhelmed with sadness and emotions as I stood on the grave of thousands of individuals who died in such a horrific way.

Next to the waterfalls, there is also a 9/11 Memorial museum which I didn’t get to visit due to time constraint. But you certainly should if you have the time to spare. (#4 of things to do in NYC on Tripadvisor!)


WALL STREET – Financial District in NYC

Wall Street. Why ain't I wearing a suit? Picture at New York City, one of the must go places in NYC

Wall Street. Why ain’t I wearing a suit?:D

Surely, most of you have seen the “Wall Street” on film and TV. So I supposed you would want to drop by here when you have the chance? Well, in my opinion, this is not the most exciting area of NYC to check out beside the “Bull” and “NYSE” building. Nonetheless, it is still a must-go for the economists and movie lovers!


CENTRAL PARK

Such an exotic view of both the city and the park.

Such an exotic view of both the city and the park.

Central Park is rated as the #1 things to do in New York (on Tripadvisor)!  Being the most visited urban park in the United States and one of the most filmed locations in the world, the park is designed with a simple goal: where city dwellers can go to forget the city. Be sure you check the weather forecast before coming to avoid disappointment 🙂


GRAND CENTRAL STATION

Grand Central Station - also known as the Grand Central Terminal in the past

Grand Central Station – also known as the Grand Central Terminal in the past.

Another place which you probably have seen on movies (especially in romance movies) before. Grand Central Station is a bustling temple to New York’s illustrious past with celestial ceiling mural above the vast main concourse and crowns the largest train station in the world.


EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building

The other skyscraper in New York City with 103 floors. Does this picture ring a bell to you? Maybe not, since i didn’t manage to capture a picture of its tip. BUT THIS IS THE BUILDING WHICH KING KONG CLIMBED ON. Okay, that is not the reason why this building is iconic. Empire State Building was actually the tallest building in the world for 41 years until the first World Trade Center tower opened in 1973.

You could purchase your observatory tickets for a spectacular view of NYC, featuring both indoor and outdoor promenades.


STATUE OF LIBERTY

View of Statue of Liberty from the Cruise

View of Statue of Liberty from the Cruise

Of course, you have to come here when you come over to New York. Statue of Liberty is not just the icon of New York but the icon of freedom and of America as well.

However, you have to take a cruise ($18/adult) from Battery Park in order to reach the Liberty Island. And if you want to access the crown of the statue, that would cost even more. Sadly, I ain’t rich enough to afford that.

The view of Ellis Island from the cruise

The view of Ellis Island from the cruise

After touring Liberty Island, the cruise would take you to Ellis Island, another beautiful island which I did not have the chance to explore due to time constraint, and only managed to take a snap of it from the cruise. 🙁


TIME SQUARE

Time Square

Time Square

Time square is the most bustling square of New York and a major commercial intersections in the world, known for its Broadway theaters, cinemas and the brightly adorned billboards and advertisements. It is one of the places that make New York a city that never sleeps.

Over here, there are tons of shops and theaters. If you would like to truly experience a New Yorker life, do some shopping, catch a show, drop-by a museum while you are there!


ROCKEFELLER CENTER

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Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink

Rockefeller Center is a landmark spanning 19 commercial buildings, steps from Time Square and home to many NY events. Well, I came here because it is listed as one of the must-go places on internet. But there really isn’t anything much to do here unless you want to do some ice-skating during winter?


M&M’S WORLD (Time Square)

M&M's World in Time Square

M&M’s World in Time Square

Well, I would only recommend you to come here if either you have too much time to spend at Time Square or you are a huge fan of M&M’s.

M&M's merchandise products

M&M’s World is New York City’s largest candy store with 3 levels.  It includes a 15m-wide, two-story-high, “wall of chocolate”, made up of 72 continuous candy-filled tubes.

The store sells all kinds of M&M’s merchandise; from shirts to bags to mugs to socks and even pajamas, like the delightful ones which can be found here. And I definitely had a lot of fun walking around the shop, behaving like a kid 🙂


Overall, my short getaway to New York was an amazing and fulfilling experience and I would definitely come back again to explore other parts of this gem.

On a side note, if you are taking a bus from another state, NEVER BE LATE FOR YOUR BUS. The bus (Boltbus) did not wait for us even though we were just a minute late. Hence we had to spend another $40 each on another bus ride just so that we could get back in time. *heart breaks*

Here’s a map of the places to go to in New York:
[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=zYN_nE4B8iOs.kLh4-DhCBrFA&w=640&h=480]

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