I went to new york from manchester for three days and fit in everything i wanted

New York is a place that we’ve all seen on screen, whether it’s in Home Alone 2, Sex and the City or Friends. Even if you’ve never been, it feels like somewhere you already know. So when you

do see it in the flesh, it’s hard to believe it’s even real. A trip to New York is easily done from Manchester Airport. Virgin Atlantic and Aer Lingus both offer direct flights from

Manchester to New York JFK, or you can fly with British Airways via Heathrow. I recently flew on the Global Airlines service, operated by Hi Fly, from Manchester to New York for a four-night

trip, which you can read more about here. Global Airlines is yet to announce if it will operate more flights on the route. I departed on Wednesday May 21 from Manchester at 12.25pm,

arriving in New York at approximately 2.30pm local time. My return flight was on Sunday, May 25, departing New York just before 9am and arriving in Manchester at 8.20pm BST. I’d been to New

York once before and had already ticked off some major sights, but there were still things I wanted to do and places I wanted to visit. Before leaving I drew up a loose plan, selecting a

couple of key activities for each day based on geographical areas. I kept my schedule flexible and I didn’t book anything in advance in case the weather changed (a huge factor to consider in

New York). The beauty of the city is that you can do it on a range of budgets. If you want to indulge, you can, and if you need to do it cheaply, it’s possible. Here’s everything I got up

to during my trip to New York, from the transport I used to the meals I ate, and the things I learned along the way. ARRIVING AND TRANSPORT FROM THE AIRPORT After a surprisingly quick

passport check at JFK I headed to Manhatten using the Air Train and subway. You can get an Uber (what the locals actually use - not a yellow cab) which is easy but costly, setting you back

around $100. A budget-friendly option is to take the Air Train, which runs 24-hours-a-day, every 15 minutes and transfer to the subway. The Air Train is free between terminals, although

you’ll need to catch it to Jamaica Station, which costs $8, and tap out with your card as you exit the station. From here you can catch the subway to your destination, costing $2.90. Like

the London Underground, the Paris Metro, the Berlin U-Bahn, heck the Manchester Metrolink for that matter too, once you get the knack of the subway in New York you’re laughing. I used the

City Mapper app and Google Maps to plan my route, they tell you which line you need, the direction (usually you’re looking out for Uptown or Downtown) and which stop to get off. The subway

has a tap and go system in place with a universal fare of $2.90. You only tap in at the start and you need to use the same card each time. There’s a seven day fare cap of $34 after 12 rides,

which means every subsequent ride is free for the remaining seven days. Alternatively you can purchase a 7-day MetroCard for $34 up front, although these are due to be phased out by the end

of the year. I caught the subway seven times during my four-night trip, totalling $20.30, so it was more cost effective than buying the 7-day travel card. THE FIRST EVENING I arrived at my

hotel at around 4.30pm. Despite protests from my body clock I resisted the urge to climb into bed and ventured out in the ‘city that never sleeps’. It may have been 6pm but I certainly felt

like sleeping. Only a few blocks from Times Square is Restaurant Row, a street lined with brownstones with restaurants of every cuisine imaginable, from French to Japanese, to Thai and

Italian. I settled on Bareburger, which focuses on organic, grass fed-beef and a huge variety of burgers. I kept it plain and simple with a standard single beef burger ($10.95) which came

with cheese, onion, dill pickle and a special sauce, in a brioche bun (you choose from a range of breads). I made it a ‘combo’ deal for an additional $6.95, selecting a side of French fries

and a soda. It was just what my jet-lagged body needed. The meat was juicy, caressed by the cheese and sauce, while the tangy pickles cut through the whole thing. The French fries were crisp

and salty. To top it all off there was baseball on the TV. The perfect start to my American adventure. DAY ONE KATZ'S DELICATESSEN Following an interesting night’s sleep and waking up

at 4am convinced it was 9am, I left the hotel hungry and in need of sustenance, and what better place to go than the iconic Katz's Delicatessen. Some know it for its amazing pastrami

sandwiches priced at nearly $30. Others know it for _that_ scene in When Harry Met Sally. I’d read so many reviews calling it overrated, overcrowded and overpriced so I was a little

apprehensive about going. I couldn't have been more wrong. Katz has an efficient system in place minimising queues and everyone is given a yellow ticket which you need to keep in order

to pay at the end. I ordered the iconic pastrami on rye sandwich with mustard at the counter, and the carver presented me with a slither to try. It was exquisite; it just melted in the

mouth, a bit beefy, a bit salty, a bit juicy, a bit of everything you could want. He handed over my sandwich on a tray with some pickles, and I picked up a Pepsi from the drinks counter. I

found a free seat not far from where Meg Ryan gave that stellar performance. I wasn’t entirely sure how to tackle the huge sandwich before me, but judging by the amount of napkins my

neighbour was using, I knew it would be messy. I just went for it and every mouthful was delicious. Some reviews slated the bread, yet I found it was an adequate vessel for the succulent

pastrami, and when any pieces did drop out onto my plate (and I confess, also on my lap) I just scooped them up and carried on. Every now and then I took a break to nibble on a pickle and

have a breather before carrying on. I managed to eat a good three-quarters of it, despite some saying it’s best to share and it kept me full for the next five hours. This sandwich, as

amazing as it was, cost $28.95, totalling $32.90 with the Pepsi. However, you’re paying for more than just the food; it’s also the novelty of the experience, the location, and the history of

the place. LOWER MANHATTAN I caught the subway further south and arrived at The Oculus, a huge transport hub with shops and cafes, right by the One World Trade Centre. It’s a magnificent

contemporary building designed to represent a dove being released from a pair of hands. Just around the corner from here I dipped into one of New York’s most famous shops, Century 21. Known

for selling designer brands at discount prices, it was packed with everything you could think of when it comes to fashion. I wouldn’t say it's completely budget friendly as many pieces

were still triple figures (I saw a Furla hand bag slashed from $505 to $229.99, and a Ganni dress, down from $325 to $139.99), but they’re still bargains if designer brands appeal to you.

After this, I paid a visit to the 9/11 monument, taking in the fountains which occupy Ground Zero. I previously went to the museum, something I’d recommend although it is very emotional and

harrowing. There are reminders of 9/11 all around in this part of Manhattan. Next to the fountains is Liberty Park, where you’ll find The Sphere, a bronze sculpture by German artist Fritz

Koenig which stood between the two towers and it remains in the same badly damaged condition it was found in after the attacks. Across the road from this park is O’Hara’s Restaurant and Pub,

which was partially damaged in the attacks. It’s now become a shrine to the emergency services after fire crews working at the 9/11 site left their patches stapled to the walls and today

it’s got badges from forces all across the USA - and the world, including a Greater Manchester Police hat. TIMES SQUARE I caught the subway back up to Midtown and before heading back to my

hotel, stopping by Times Square along the way, a place I experienced at different times of the day and in different weather conditions. Times Square can be both over- and underwhelming as

you have so many expectations of it. I was surprised by all the activity going on there from people flogging tickets to slightly seedy characters. It’s a sensory overload. The worst time I

walked through it was on a Saturday night when it was packed and not pleasant at all. Yet in the rain, just before the evening rush, Times Square transformed into a place of beauty. The

bright signs reflected in the water and there were only a smattering of cagoule-clad tourists around. The same can be said for most tourist spots in New York, the fewer people there are, the

more special it feels. DAY TWO EAT LIKE A LOCAL My second day started once again in search of food, so this time I went to a very different kind of Deli to Katz, the Amish Market. There are

two branches (slightly different from each other) in New York, one on the East Side and one on the West Side - the one I went to. I love visiting supermarkets abroad and examining all the

different products; and The Amish Market (best described as an upmarket deli-cum-grocery store) certainly delivers. There’s piles of fresh fruits and vegetables, pastas of every kind, dried

produce, tins, packs of Jell-o, cereal boxes of every colour of the rainbow. Truly a feast for the senses. I placed an order for a cheese and roasted vegetable sandwich (I’d met my meat

quota with Katz’s pastrami) at the deli counter, which was assembled before my eyes. Chatting to the man behind the counter, he informed me that his pastrami is better than Katz's, and

half the price. I’d just have to take his word for it. After it was toasted, I took my hefty, foil-wrapped package to the tables outside. I unwrapped the top and took a bite. Just like

Katz’s sandwich it was perfect, with melted cheese, a hint of pesto, juicy vegetables, all encased in crisp, hot bread. A group of Americans walked past me and one guy asked where I got my

sandwich from. Mouth full, I just pointed inside ‘ah that figures’ he said. If I felt like a tourist in Katz, I felt like a local here. The best part? It was a third of the price, just

$10.99. THE EDGE A 30-minute walk took me to my next destination, The Edge, one of New York’s newest operating decks and the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, located 100

stories high in a skyscraper at Hudson Yards, a new development in the east of the city. Unlike other viewing decks, it's suspended off the side of the building and there’s even a

section of glass floor where you can bravely look down at the streets below. The view is incredible and gives you a completely different perspective on the city, the ginganitic towers

suddenly resembling tiny lego blocks. I did Top of the Rock on a previous visit and I’d say if you’re in it for the views, do The Edge, but if you’re after the history factor of the

Rockefeller building then Top of the Rock is better. I bought my ticket only two hours before my entry time, and it cost $50. THE HIGH LINE, CHELSEA MARKET AND LITTLE ISLAND From Hudson

Yards you can pick up The High Line, a 1.45-mile-long linear park which follows the route of the former New York Centre Railroad spur. It's beautifully designed with flower beds,

greenery, benches and packed full of original features. Elevated on the viaduct, it’s above the hustle and bustle of the streets below where you can watch yellow cabs zooming around and it

weaves directly past apartment and office buildings. Towards the end of the High Line is Chelsea Market, once the site of the National Biscuit Company, where the Oreo cookie was invented and

produced. Today it's owned by Google, and the higher floors are occupied by media firms including YouTube. In the ground floor and basement is the market, with an array of food stalls

and shops. I grabbed a stool at Takumi Taco, a fusion Mexican-Japanese stall. From the advice of the owner, I selected the Bento Box meal deal, which includes two tacos and one side for $15,

with a beer ($8) to accompany it . I chose one pork and one chicken taco and both were delicious, and the accompanying tortilla chips were crisp with a zingy salsa to go with them. Across

the road from Chelsea Market is Little Island, an artificial island created at Pier 44 at the Hudson River. Covering 2.4 acres, it sits on tulip-shaped pillars which rise above the water.

The beautifully designed undulating space features paths, lawns and plants, along with an open-air amphitheatre. It offers excellent view points to admire the skyscrapers of lower Manhattan

from. A BROADWAY SHOW AND PIZZA A Broadway Show is high up on the list for any tourist in New York. The Lion King, Sunset Boulevard and Chicago are among the iconic shows, while there are

also newer productions such as Death Becomes Her, the adaptation of the 1992 film. If you don’t book tickets in advance before you go, there are last minute deals available which are sold at

booths in Times Square, or you can direct to the box office. However it can still be expensive. Prices at the Broadway Tickets stall started from around $79 for the cheapest seats at

discounted shows, going up to $269. Meanwhile tickets for ‘Premium shows’ such as Hamilton start from $149 and go up to $459. On a budget? Bag a comedy club ticket for just $20. I was

invited to see Operation Mincemeat, starring an all British cast and hilariously telling the story of the World War Two operation to disguise the allied invasion of Sicily. I don’t think

I’ve ever laughed so much at a musical. So how do you round off a Broadway show on a Friday night in New York City? With a pizza slice of course. I think the key thing about the NYC pizza

slice experience is not to fret about choosing the best place or forcing it into your schedule; the city will provide you with the pizza slice when you need it most. In this case it was

located perfectly between the theatre and my hotel. My generous slice of margherita cost $5.95. DAY THREE A BAGEL FOR BREAKFAST No trip to New York is complete without a bagel. There’s so

many stalls to choose from that it can be hard to decide which one. Yet why not munch on your bagel next to one of the city’s most famous buildings? In the basement of the Art Deco

Rockefeller Centre you’ll find several food spots, including Black Seed Bagels. I ordered a cream cheese and hot honey ‘everything bagel’ which was swiftly prepared and handed over in a

paper bag, costing $5.60. Clutching my goods, I exited the Rockefeller Centre and sat by the fountain overlooked by the iconic skyscraper, just metres away from where the iconic ice rink and

Christmas tree is installed over the festive period. Biting into my bagel, the bread had a good crust with just the right amount of chew inside, while the hot honey-infused cream cheese

oozed out of the sides. Once again, many napkins were deployed but that’s a necessity with food in New York, it's unashamedly indulgent, bold and messy. BROOKLYN - ANOTHER SIDE TO THE

CITY Energy levels replenished, it was time to hop on the subway and traverse Manhattan, arriving at Brooklyn, home to one of the city’s most famous views. Standing on Washington Street in

Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) you can see Manhattan Bridge between two warehouses and if you get the angle just right the Empire State Building is perfectly framed in the

middle. Calmer than Manhattan, Dumbo offers some respite from the tourist crowds with green parks lining the water with views of the Manhattan skyline. In an old warehouse you’ll find the

Time Out Market, offering a range of food and drink options and visit Dumbo on a weekend and you’ll discover the Brooklyn Flea Market, packed full of vintage goodies and second-hand

treasures. Dumbo may be what you see in all the photos, yet it’s just a fraction of what Brooklyn has to offer. I caught the East River Ferry to North Williamsburg, an area known for its

vintage shops, bars, and laidback atmosphere. A bit like the Northern Quarter, if you will. It’s actually hard to believe you’re still in New York City walking around Williamsburg. The

buildings are shorter, the sky is bigger and there’s less sense of urgency. I nipped in and out of second hand shops, and grabbed a beer in a bar that gives you a discount if you pay in cash

- very much a different city to the world of Fifth Avenue, Broadway and Wall Street. "IT'S JUST LIKE A MOVIE" Returning to Midtown, I once again headed to Restaurant Row for

an evening meal before packing up my suitcase. I selected a Thai restaurant on the corner, taking my seat next to a British couple who happened to be from Burnley. We talked about our

impressions of the city; it was their first visit and they were there for three nights before heading to Orlando for a cruise. As we chatted, a firetruck whizzed past, almost cartoon-like.

“It’s just like a movie, it doesn’t feel real,” we commented. That’s the thing with New York, it really is like the movies and you have to keep pinching yourself to remind you that it’s

real. FOR MORE OF THE LATEST WHAT'S ON NEWS, CLICK HERE.