I want to wake up, in the city, that doesn't sleep...

Today I want to introduce to you: My favorite city in the world - NYC.
I've been there 7 times during the last year - and I'm pretty sure it's not gonna be the last time.

For me, growing up in a tiny village, big cities have always been fascinating – and NYC is the most fascinating of them all.

I guess all of you know the major sights of NYC (like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Central Park, …) so I don’t want to bore you and list all of them, but want to give you some “insider tips”:

1. Top of the Rocks or Empire State Building?
Most people want to see NYC from above. Therefore they go on top of the Empire State Building or/and Rockefeller Center. So did I. But where to go at day and where at nighttime? Both are pretty awesome, but in my opinion you should enjoy the “Top of the Rock” view at daytime (and/or sunset) and Empire State Building at night. Why? Because Rockefeller Center is super close to Central Park, which looks really nice from above – and at nighttime all the lights look kind of the same anyway.

2. Half Price Musical Tickets
If you like musicals it’s probably on your to-do-list anyway, but you should watch a Broadway musical. If you are particular about what show you want to see (e.g. you only want to see Lion King) you should probably book your tickets in advance. But if you are more like “well, Lion King would be cool, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Sister Act, Rent, Wicked,… instead” you should get your tickets at the TKTS – Half Price Ticket Booths, which are located on Times Square, South Street Seaport and Downtown Brooklyn. The most convenient for tourists is probably the one at Times Square. They offer tickets to Broadway and Off Broadway musicals and plays up to 50% off – which means more money for shopping ;)

3. Statue of Liberty & Manhattan Skyline
Of course another must see is the Statue of Liberty. But if you aren’t really into architecture or sculptures, you might consider taking the free ferry to Staten Island and back instead of spending a lot of money on the one which takes you to Ellis Island. You have a really good view and can take great pictures from the free ferry – but consider that you won’t get super close. For me it was totally enough seeing the Statue from the free ferry.
Another tip: If you are on the way TO Staten Island, stay at the right side in the back of the ferry. Most of the people will probably run to the front – they’ll miss a great view of the Manhattan skyline. You can see the Statue as good from the back as you would from the front, and once the ferry moves you can go outside in the back – and will see this:

I wouldn’t want to miss it. On the way back do it the other way around – left side in the front, so you can see the Statue & the skyline again.

4. 9/11 Memorial
You can get tickets for free (and if you want to you can donate) here: http://www.911memorial.org/memorial
Make sure you book your tickets in advance. You can print them at home or pick them up at the self check-in at the memorial shop (if you want to put them in an album print them at the shop, they look way nicer, plus the shop is worth a visit as well) and don’t forget your ID – they’ll check it at the entrance.

5. Christmas in NYC
If possible – return to NYC in the wintertime. I’ve seen the city in December – and it’s like in the Christmas movies we all love so much – the big Christmas tree in front of Rockefeller Center & Ice Skating in Central Park - although it’s super expensive and smaller than expected totally worth the money! Look at the beautiful decorated shop windows of the big department stores and just be enchanted how different the city looks in the most wonderful time of the year.