💌 A Love Letter to New York City

By Hannah Parsons, Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Social media portrays New York as a huge city with endless opportunities, places to visit, food to eat, drinks to try and shops to explore. And, honestly? It really is like that.

Before I went to New York, I imagined it as big, scary and overwhelming. I had seen countless Tik Toks about how small you feel when you stand amongst the skyscrapers, and I completely understood what they meant. But at the same time, I always saw New York as an amazing place where you could be whoever you wanted to be.

I have been drawn to New York since I was young (ask my mum!) like so many girls, who grew up watching the city in films and on social media. I remember the first time I stood in Times Square and feeling genuinely emotional. There was something about finally standing in a place I had imagined for so many years that felt quite surreal.

Coming back to New York as a student was completely different from visiting as a tourist. This time, I wasn’t just looking around and thinking about what an amazing place it was. I was thinking about my future. Being there made me feel inspired. I felt like I had my whole life ahead of me and that, if I worked hard enough, I could make the life I wanted for myself.

And I certainly made the most of it. My days involved getting up early, taking the train from Rutgers into the city and then walking until I physically couldn’t walk anymore. I explored streets for hours, discovering new places and somehow still managing to convince myself that I could walk just a little bit further. By the time I got back to bed, my legs definitely disagreed!

There are so many things I love about New York, but the buildings, food and shopping have to be at the top of my list. I could spend hours just looking up at the architecture, wandering into shops or finding somewhere new to eat. There is something so exciting about knowing that there is always another street to explore, another restaurant to try or another shop you haven’t discovered yet.

If I had to recommend just five things to anyone visiting New York, my list would be:

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
One of those things that feels very touristy, but is completely worth it. The views of Manhattan are incredible, and walking towards the city makes you appreciate just how enormous it really is. Walk from Brooklyn into Manhattan for the best views.

Explore the West Village – Probably one of my favourite areas of New York. The streets feel completely different from the skyscrapers of Midtown, and I could honestly imagine myself living there one day. Key Stops are: The Friends Apartment Building, The West Side Highway, L’industrie Pizza and Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment.

Spend time in Bryant Park
A little escape amongst the craziness of Manhattan. It is the perfect place to sit, people-watch and take in the city around you. I went in summer and winter, both different, but amazing. Go in winter for a buzzing Christmas market and ice rink. In Summer, a more relaxed vibe, movies and music on the lawn.

See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
There is something about seeing the Christmas tree lit up at Rockefeller Center that makes New York feel exactly like the New York you see in films. It was magical.

Have a sweet-treat trip
Because obviously, no trip to New York is complete without eating your way around the city. Mimi’s and Levain Bakery were two of my favourites, and I would happily make an entire day out of finding somewhere new for a sweet treat.

I left New York wanting to work hard enough to come back. Not just for a holiday, but to actually live there. I can picture myself having a little apartment in the West Village, walking to get my morning coffee and somehow becoming one of those people who casually says they are “just popping into Manhattan” as though that isn’t completely amazing. There are still many things on my list – including trying to catch a taping of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Studying abroad made New York feel less like a faraway city I had always dreamed about and more like somewhere I could genuinely see myself having a future.

So, New York, thank you for making me dream a little bigger.

I’ll be back.