Start spreading the news… I wish I were leaving today!

Me and Laura in Central Park on Christmas Day

I think it’s about time I started writing about my plans for the year, and what better to start with than where I’m headed in around eight weeks time – I’m going back to New York City baby!

I’m so unbelievably excited now that it has sunk in that I’m going and can’t wait to head over there with my parents to visit my younger sister, Laura, while she is over there studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology for a semester. We’re actually flying out on my mum’s 50th birthday so she is very excited that she will be in NYC by tea time – perfect for a big fat juicy steak! My parents booked the trip a couple of weeks ago, but with everything going on I just haven’t really had the head space to thinking about or register that we are actually going, so here is a post to show my appreciation.

The Statue of Liberty, we didn’t get the boat out to Staten Island on this visit but have previously

As a family, we have been to New York three times before, twice flying out on Christmas Day and once in the October half term. All were amazing and we have spent a lot of time there walking around the city, checking out the sights, eating A LOT of amazing food and of course, shopping! We’ve been to the United Nations, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Trump Towers, Times Square, Ground Zero and the building sight that followed, plus countless other must-sees. We’ve been to amazing broadway shows such as Mamma Mia and The Phantom of the Opera. I’ve eaten more cows than I can count in steak and burgers, fajitas, pancakes, cheesecake and the rest – all delicious!

I’ve had the most amazing time of previous visits, but am looking forward to doing completely different things this time – would love to check out the markets and try some sushi, I must go back to Little Italy, but would love to check out a cabaret show. I would also love to go to the Central Park Zoo.

Does anyone have any suggestions for things to check out that I might not have already covered? Any hidden gems you’d like to share?