Just back and already planning the next trip, incredible city. Favourite areas were East Village/Lower East Side - felt like authentic New York as opposed to the garish tourist swamp of Times Square. Fantastic street art and record shops down there, and stumbled across a brilliant Italian restaurant around from the Bowery. Loved Little Italy too.
Did all the main tourist stuff. Statue of Liberty on the first morning was surprisingly moving, something about first setting eyes on it from a distance. 9/11 memorials too, though the museum was insufferably busy when we went (Saturday afternoon), would be good to return at a quieter time.
Can confirm the food in Ellen’s Stardust Diner is horrible, overpriced sludge. My daughter enjoyed all the other shenanigans but if you’re there without kids do not go near it.
Was surprised at how friendly the people were, particularly compared to some of the sniders we encountered in Heathrow on the way. Next time will hopefully get along to Greenwich Village, Harlem and Hell’s Kitchen, and see more of Brooklyn.