✈️ My Beloved New York... A Winter Holiday to Remember 🇺🇸❄️

Let’s start by saying that this was my third time visiting New York, and somehow, it just never disappoints. I don’t know exactly why, but this city is my kind of kryptonite — no matter how many times I visit, I leave feeling inspired, recharged, and always wanting more. And this time, visiting over New Year’s made it even more magical. 🎆

How It All Started 🛫🛁

For the longest time, my cousin and I had been dreaming of experiencing a proper New York winter — Christmas lights, icy streets, towering trees, the works. I had been checking flights regularly, but eventually gave up, thinking I’d missed all the good deals for winter 2024/25.

Then one evening, while soaking in the bath (as one does 🛁), I randomly checked again — and there it was. A £300 return direct flight from London to JFK. Without hesitation, I messaged my cousin, and since she was just as keen, I went ahead and booked the tickets. As I stepped out of the bath, I told my mum — who happened to be visiting at the time — and she suggested we ask my dad if they might want to come along too.

Here’s a little side story...

I still remember my parents’ first visit to the UK during my university years. They came to Birmingham just as the Christmas markets opened. While we did travel when I was younger, it was always the usual Slovakian holiday destinations — Croatia or Italy. My parents grew up during communism, and I’ll never forget my dad's comments every time we travelled: how, when he was young, he wasn’t even allowed to dream about crossing borders, and now here he was, flying across the world. During that Birmingham trip, he said, “You’ve shown me the UK... One day, you’ll show me the USA.” At the time, I hadn’t even visited America myself — but those words stuck with me.

So, when I called Dad that night and told him about the flights, he simply said: “I’d like to come.” Just like that, this turned into a family holiday — seven of us in total, including little Alice who was only 18 months old at the time. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🇺🇸

🗽 Our Winter New York Itinerary

🗓 Day 1: New Year’s Eve Arrival 🎉

It’s 31st December and we’re boarding our flight from Heathrow to JFK. ✈️ Travelling with a toddler is no small feat — but having extra hands with us made it so much easier. Alice happily went to play with grandma and Ema, giving Nath and me a rare chance to grab a bite at Wagamama before boarding.

We landed at 6pm, just in time to check in at our hotel — Aloft Manhattan Downtown, located in the Financial District— and squeeze in a quick nap. We'd pre-booked a taxi through Booking.com for £78 for all of us, which we found reasonable for a group that size.

At 11:30pm, my alarm went off. I called Ema to see if we were heading out to watch the fireworks... but everyone felt exhausted and honestly, so did I! We all agreed to stay in and start the New Year well-rested. 🎆💤

🗓 Day 2: Lower Manhattan – Fearless Girl, 9/11, Statue of Liberty 🗽🇺🇸

Thanks to the time difference, Alice woke up super early — around 5:30am! I messaged the family, and by 6am we were all dressed and walking the streets of Lower Manhattan. Thankfully, the hotel location was perfect. First stop: Charging Bull and Fearless Girl. I even tried to capture a picture of Alice standing in front of the bull — just like the Fearless Girl herself. That statue really symbolises what I wish for my daughter: bravery, strength, and presence. 💪👧

From there, we passed the beautifully decorated New York Stock Exchange before grabbing breakfast at Leo’s Bagels— highly recommended! So good, in fact, that we went back later in the week. 🥯

Next stop: the 9/11 Memorial. Just a note — it’s shut and guarded until 8am, so we waited. This was my third time visiting, and the emotions still hit just as hard. The minimalist fountains are a powerful and dignified tribute to an unimaginable tragedy.

We then boarded the ferry to visit Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. A tip: book early if you want access to the crown or pedestal — same price, but limited availability. I was thrilled to have finally secured crown tickets! However, kids under 1.1m aren't allowed, so my parents stayed with Alice at the pedestal while the rest of us climbed to the top. The view — and the stories told by the staff up there — were incredible.

Ellis Island was our next stop — once the busiest immigration station in the US. The audio-guided tour here is brilliant and offers great historical context. 🎧

After heading back to Manhattan, we ended our long day with a slice at the famous Joe’s Pizza, just around the corner from our hotel. Yes, there’s a long queue. Yes, it’s worth it. 🍕

🗓 Day 3: Midtown Magic – Times Sq, The Plaza, Central Park & The Edge 🌆🎄

Up and out early again — 5:30am, heading straight for Times Square. It's iconic, of course, but I’ve never been particularly taken by it. That said, seeing the New Year's confetti still fluttering around on 2nd January was a cool touch. 🎊

Then came a highlight: The Rockefeller Centre, with its breathtaking Christmas tree — just like in Home Alone 2! So dreamy. I recommend going early to beat the crowds and get great photos. 📸🌟

We made our way to The Plaza Hotel (yes, Kevin's hotel!) and, after a little courage boost, I asked the staff if we could have a look inside. Not only did they say yes, but they even helped us bring Alice and her stroller in. A heartwarming moment. 🏨🎄

Next up: Central Park, followed by a visit to Grand Central Terminal, famous for its beautiful architecture and film appearances. After some rest back at the hotel, we headed to The Edge at Hudson Yards. I’d already done the Empire State and Rockefeller views on previous visits, so this was new — and wow. The glass floor and panoramic views were amazing, despite the strong wind.

🗓 Day 4: Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO & Chinatown 🌉🥢

By now, the tiredness was setting in, so we kept it light. We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, which was only 4 minutes from the hotel, and headed into DUMBO for those famous Manhattan Bridge views. 😍

Lunch was in Chinatown, just around the corner — a perfect and tasty break. In the afternoon, the grandparents watched Alice, and we snuck in a cheeky little shopping trip. (Guilty as charged. 🛍)

🗓 Day 5: Roosevelt Island 🚡✨

One last adventure before heading home — Roosevelt Island by cable car. An underrated gem with spectacular views. We arrived early, had the entire cabin almost to ourselves, and by the time we were leaving, the queue was absolutely massive. Early bird wins again! 🐦🌇

We stopped by TK Maxx nearby (obviously), returned to the hotel, packed, and got some rest. In the evening, Nath and I sneaked in a romantic dinner — just the two of us. A rare and cherished moment. ❤️🍷

💼 Time to Go Home

We ordered a taxi to JFK and had a smooth flight home. Alice was an absolute angel on the plane. After landing at Heathrow, we grabbed the shuttle to our cars, and everyone stayed at ours for one final night before heading back to Slovakia.

👶 8 Months Later… A Family of Four

This trip marked a pause in our travels, as I reached a stage in my pregnancy where long-haul flights weren’t ideal. While travel means a lot to me, health and safety always come first. But now, here we are — eight months later, as a family of four, already planning our next adventures. 🍼🌍

Next stop? A smaller getaway to Italy, followed by Slovakia. But… stay tuned, because something big is in the works. 😉✨

📍 New York, you’ve done it again. Until next time...