lovely description.... just fyi, you can actually get a train from JFK to Grand Central Stn in Manhattan for around $11. You have to change trains once (at Jamaica stn) but it was very easy and journey took around 45 mins I think. We used to always take a cab but now it's so much more $$ and might in fact take longer than the train...
It does mean you need to be able to carry your luggage more than in a taxi but I got so sick of sitting in that traffic so the trade off is worth it for me!
I first went to NYC in 1982 with my New Yorker boyfriend, now husband. I was a 19 year old college student from the Midwest. His family had (still has) a huge, beautiful apartment on the upper, upper west side. I wandered and loved shopping for cheap things from the street vendors and got lost all the time and I still remember calling my future MIL on pay phones in the village and describing to her where I was, and she could always tell me where to walk to catch the #1 back to their place. I still get lost and turned around and now my phone tells me where to go and I miss calling my MIL for directions (she passed away 7 years ago). NYC will always be a very special place for me. I remember this really cool black crossbody purse I got that first trip for $7–wonder what happened to it…
I've been to NY three times, each in a different decade and a different era of my life. I first went in 1988 as a 19 year old to live in the States for a year. Started in NY very naive and didn't know that 'L' stood for Lobby in the 'elevator'! Went up the Empire State building and to the theatre on Broadway. The second time, in the 2000's, my husband was playing in the NY Fringe Festival and I went for a long weekend, leaving our small children with my sister. We stayed on the Upper West Side in a dingy hotel but ate bagels on the train to the Hamptons. The third time, in 2016, the children now teenagers, I met my sister for the weekend. She was on a work trip and I stayed in her hotel room with her. We walked from mid town to Brooklyn , took a carriage ride in Central Park and ate lunch at the Plaza - albeit in the basement cafe!! Every time a different experience with different people. I would say that New York has got safer since the 80's but people are ruder, in my opinion. Still enjoyed every trip and felt like I was on a film set every time!
Excellent review of that strange, utterly unique city. My first morning in the one time I’ve been there (1982 so a different era altogether!) I walked from 5th and 51st down to the lower East Side, started at 5 in the morning, had coffee and breakfast on the way and loved every step of the way. If I go back I’ll take your article with me and find that good coffee (the stuff I got at Grand Central was despicable, ersatz, gag!). Thanks for the great read!
Re. The queue at immigration; would you consider flying into Shannon from Britain? You can pre-clear U.S customs there (Dublin too) and consequently are treated as a domestic arrival in JFK. It’s brilliant. Glad you had a nice time!
lovely description.... just fyi, you can actually get a train from JFK to Grand Central Stn in Manhattan for around $11. You have to change trains once (at Jamaica stn) but it was very easy and journey took around 45 mins I think. We used to always take a cab but now it's so much more $$ and might in fact take longer than the train...
I felt sure I must have taken the train when I was younger… this is good to know, thank you!
The train from JFK to Penn is so fast and cheap, I’ll never cab it again!
Done! Thank you!
It does mean you need to be able to carry your luggage more than in a taxi but I got so sick of sitting in that traffic so the trade off is worth it for me!
I first went to NYC in 1982 with my New Yorker boyfriend, now husband. I was a 19 year old college student from the Midwest. His family had (still has) a huge, beautiful apartment on the upper, upper west side. I wandered and loved shopping for cheap things from the street vendors and got lost all the time and I still remember calling my future MIL on pay phones in the village and describing to her where I was, and she could always tell me where to walk to catch the #1 back to their place. I still get lost and turned around and now my phone tells me where to go and I miss calling my MIL for directions (she passed away 7 years ago). NYC will always be a very special place for me. I remember this really cool black crossbody purse I got that first trip for $7–wonder what happened to it…
Lovely memories! Thank you, Bethany.
Enjoyed this very much. Sadly, I fear I am unlikely to ever visit New York but enjoy traveling vicariously through you and others.
I've been to NY three times, each in a different decade and a different era of my life. I first went in 1988 as a 19 year old to live in the States for a year. Started in NY very naive and didn't know that 'L' stood for Lobby in the 'elevator'! Went up the Empire State building and to the theatre on Broadway. The second time, in the 2000's, my husband was playing in the NY Fringe Festival and I went for a long weekend, leaving our small children with my sister. We stayed on the Upper West Side in a dingy hotel but ate bagels on the train to the Hamptons. The third time, in 2016, the children now teenagers, I met my sister for the weekend. She was on a work trip and I stayed in her hotel room with her. We walked from mid town to Brooklyn , took a carriage ride in Central Park and ate lunch at the Plaza - albeit in the basement cafe!! Every time a different experience with different people. I would say that New York has got safer since the 80's but people are ruder, in my opinion. Still enjoyed every trip and felt like I was on a film set every time!
Love this! I still forget the L each time… Thank you, Lynne.
Made we want to go… haven’t been for years
Excellent review of that strange, utterly unique city. My first morning in the one time I’ve been there (1982 so a different era altogether!) I walked from 5th and 51st down to the lower East Side, started at 5 in the morning, had coffee and breakfast on the way and loved every step of the way. If I go back I’ll take your article with me and find that good coffee (the stuff I got at Grand Central was despicable, ersatz, gag!). Thanks for the great read!
I remember the excitement of the presents you brought back - the train that choo choo’d, and my pocket computer game!
I’d forgotten those! 43 years ago! Life can sometimes seem very long indeed! Looking forward to seeing you all in August xOx
Coincidentally, I was also in NYC last week!
Re. The queue at immigration; would you consider flying into Shannon from Britain? You can pre-clear U.S customs there (Dublin too) and consequently are treated as a domestic arrival in JFK. It’s brilliant. Glad you had a nice time!