5 Things I Miss About Pre-Lockdown New York City
I've been to New York City (NYC) 15 times. I had no idea the 15th time would not only be my last trip to NYC for a long time, but my last trip anywhere for a long time. Living in Toronto makes quick NYC weekend excursions a breeze. Whether by plane, train or bus (I've done them all), a trip to NYC was always a welcome break from the monotony of daily life here in Toronto.
I've had several people want to visit NYC with me over the years. When I acquired my travel agent license last year, creating and booking group NYC excursions was high on my to-do list.
Conan at the original NBC store in 1999
TV Show Tapings
The very first thing I did when I got off the bus in Manhattan for my first-ever trip to NYC, was head over to Rockefeller Center to see a taping of Late Night With Conan O'Brien. Eventually, I saw tapings of SNL, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers and more Conan. If you are a comedy and TV fan, it's one of the most fun things you can do in NYC for free.
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge into ManhattanYes, I can walk anywhere. But walking in NYC is an experience within itself. The energy and bustling of one of the biggest cities in the world can be overwhelming for some, but I loved it. I could walk for hours, with no end destination. There is always something to do or see in New York City. Don't make rhe rookie shoe mistake I made: Comfy shoes in NYC are an absolute must!
Day or night, Broadway offers the best plays in the world
Broadway
How many cities can you go to at the last minute, walk a few blocks and see some of the most famous actors in the world on stage, just a few feet away? Broadway shows are fun to plan for in advance, but even more fun when you end up seeing a play on a Sunday afternoon that you didn't even know existed. Pro tip: Check the TKTS booth in Times Square for discount tickets, or better yet, just show up at the theatre a few hours earlier and see if they have any rush tickets for sale (usually cheaper than the TKTS booth and with better seats!)
Live Entertainment (Music/Comedy)
Before the lockdown, there were endless music and comedy shows to be seen every day of the year, featuring acts you just can't get anywhere else. This is the city where you can see some of the world's most famous musicians at small or large venues, and where you may just catch a legendary comedian trying out new material on an unsuspecting crowd. The late Garry Shandling, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Janeane Garofalo and on and on... I will always love NYC so much for its one-of-a-kind music and comedy scene and can't wait for it to return.
Pizza
Honestly, I don't know what makes pizza slices in NYC so delicious, but it just is. Discovering the $1 pizza slice joints scattered around the city was a lifesaver as money goes fast on your vacation here if you are spending most of it on food.
Do you miss New York City? There are several new products in the store that inspired by my NYC-missing soul. More to come soon!
