New York, USA, December 2025

I had an early start to navigate the icy pavements on my walk back to the train station to catch my Amtrak train to New York.  This time the train was better suited for luggage, with an actual luggage rack, so I did not have to lift my bag over my head to put it in! They even had a café car, though they did try to sell me Earl Grey tea, as ‘normal’ – Americans just don’t understand tea!

I was glad to be able to check in to my room when I returned to the hotel (after queuing in both queues again) so I could freshen up and change before I walked to the Radio City Music Hall to attend the famous Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular – and what a spectacular.  I did treat myself to a ridiculous expensive cocktail (I will not say just how ridiculously expensive it was 🥴 but I did get to keep the souvenir “plastic glass” it came in lol) but I decided I am paying for experiences.   It was a great show and a lot of festive fun. 

I exited back on to 6^th Avenue into crowds of people, the Rockefeller Christmas tree and ice skating rink, Christmas lights, trishaws drivers dressed as Santa, touting for rides whilst pumping out Christmas music and even the filming of an unknown movie down a side street.  Let’s not forget Cyber trucks.  It is really like being in the movies.  I am not normally a fan of big crowds but I love the lights and sound of the New York – steam coming from vents, horns, sirens etc.

Next on the must try food list was Chic-Fil-A, where I had nice chicken fillet strips with their special sauce.  I feel like I am becoming a bit of an expert now and I enjoyed these more than the Raising Cains ones.

Now, if you have read my blogs for a while, you will know that I am not averse to running outside first thing in the morning, still in my pyjamas.  Normally I am doing this to see a sunrise, but on my first morning in New York it was for bagels.  Not just any bagels, but the viral Liberty bagels.  When I had past it yesterday, there was a long queue so I thought I would go for it’s 7am opening so I layered up my  thermals  and jacket over my pjs ( it was -5 again) and walked the 10 minutes to the store.

Many years ago, in another life 😏, I had a career in Investment Banking in London and travelled to New York frequently to visit the company’s head office on Wall Street.  I used to stay in a hotel in the World Trade Centre and was familiar with the area.  Along with the rest of the world, I watched in horror as live images were displayed on big screens in our London office as the tragedy of September 11, 2001, unfolded. Although I had been back to New York a few times in the aftermath, I had not been since the rebuild and I was keen to see how the site had been memorialised. 

The first impressive site was the Oculus – the building that covers the transport hub and the shopping mall.  Apparently, the design is intended to resemble a dove leaving a child’s hand, but some see an eye with eyelashes (Oculus does mean eye in Latin after all).  Whatever you see, it is an impressive building, and that it should be, as apparently it is the most expensive train station in the world!

I had booked a walking tour of the area and my  guide, Jim,  lived 1 mile away, and from his 9^th floor apartment, woke to the sound of the first plan hitting. Jim walked us through the area giving us some information about the event itself, and of course of what is now in the place of the original twin towers.  He was quick to point out the area is considered a battlefield and a graveyard. 

We took a moment to see the memorial on the Ladder 10 Fire House. Just next door to the site and therefore, the first crew on site.  Not surprisingly, everyone on duty at the time of the tragedy died, along with others who turned up later.  Among the dead of the day were 343 fire crew, 72 police and 27 EMTs, many of whom died running into the burning builds to save others.

The site memorial features two large pools on the footprints of the original twin towers, surrounded by the names of all those lost of the day.  Unfortunately the waterfalls (tears) were not working (either for maintenance or because of the cold, did I mention it was freezing cold?) but I don’t think you stand in front of the memorials without taking a moment of thought and reflection for those that were lost that day.  In a touching memorial, someone has the job of placing a white rose by the names on the persons birthday.

While standing and reflecting, be aware of very demanding squirrels – one decided it was appropriate to climb up my leg in search of food!

The tour ended here and I went into the Museum to explore on my own before heading up the to the Observation Deck of One World Trade , often known as the “Freedom Tower”.  Standing at 1776m tall (in reference to the year the Declaration of Independence was signed) it is the tallest building in the US.  There was no queue and just a few other people so I got up quickly and enjoyed the view over the city (when I got through the gauntlet of upselling – ipads to tell you what you are seeing and photos). 

I jumped back on subway, this time getting off at Union Square to take a look around the Christmas Market.  I am sure it is better in the evenings, but it is also so crowded at that time.  Still, the stalls are lovely, but everything is so expensive!  I did treat myself to a hot apple cider (it is such a good drink) before walking back up town. 

By the time I had meandered by way back up to 45^th Street, it was time head over to the Rockefeller Centre, this time to head up to the “Top of the Rock”.   I had a “timed” ticket so could only enter in that 30 minute period.  The queue was pretty long but moved fairly steadily, and I was soon speeding up to the observation deck on the 67-69^th floors.  Another great view of the city and I had timed it so I got a little of the sunset.

Of course, I did not have long to loiter, before I had to head off to get changed before my next show of the visit.  This evening I was seeing the play, Art, starring James Cordon, Bobby Cannavale and Neil Patric Harris (3 well known actors). I was thrilled to see that they handed out the programmes (or Playbills as they are famously known as) for free👍🏻, but in reality, the  joke was on me as most of it was adverts 🤣 (which of course explains why they can be free)!

The basis of the show, as per its website, is: “Three longtime friends. One ridiculously expensive painting. Is it art, or is it just the world’s priciest inside joke? As the three men debate the piece and what truly constitutes “art”. Oddly, I have had a similar conversation with a friend in the past 😂. It was a great show and they got a standing ovation.

For my final full day in New York (and in the US), I woke to a balmy 2C so of course had to go out for a walk.  This time I walked up 5^th Avenue, past Saks (and their great Christmas window decorations), passed the Rockefeller Centre again and its icon Christmas tree and skating rink from a different angle, Trump Towers and the very cool Louis Vuitton Suitcase building.

I thought they called New York, the city that never sleeps.  Now, that may be true at night, but they certainly seem to sleep in 🤣, as the streets were so quiet and many of the shops don’t seem to open till 11am!

I spent a little time walking around the beautiful Central park.  It was probably busier than the streets with people running and walking and even ice skating on the rink. I love how cars, walkers/runners and cyclists all have their own lanes through the park.

I really wish I had more days to see more shows 🤣 but what a great note to end my trip on.   I will be back!