A New York state of mind: Make Friends with The Big Apple, a city that enchants

Skyline Of New York from the Top of the Rock (Getty Images)

THE Big Apple, the city of dreams, the city that never sleeps, and my personal favourite, the city so good they named it twice.

Can a holiday destination with so many nicknames live up to expectations? Well, New York certainly does.

And if you’ve ever wanted to walk the streets of what really does feel like a movie set then it’s time to book your flight.

The taxi ride (in a yellow cab, of course) from the airport to your accommodation will fill your stomach with butterflies.

Whether you arrive morning, noon or night, you’ll be blown away by that magical skyline, and the New Yorkers’ accents instantly filled me with joy.

Yes, it’s loud and it’s crowded, but there’s nowhere in the world quite like it.

At the core of the apple you have Manhattan, where many visitors choose to stay.

Once in the city, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding on what to see and do.

First on my list was the observation deck at Top of The Rock.

On the 67th floor (don’t worry, no climbing required, the lift will whisk you up in seconds), the deck offers breathtaking views of Manhattan.

Top tip – save this tourist hotspot for a day with good weather, as crisp, clear skies will give you much more bang for your buck.

Then it was on to Central Park.

Having heard so many amazing things about the park, I wondered, how thrilling can a park really be? Quick answer – extremely thrilling. I would advise setting a whole morning or afternoon, possibly even a day if you’ve got the time, to explore Central Park. There are so many aspects to this big, beautiful, leafy, green space.

Depending on the time of year, you’ll either have the summer amusement park or, come winter in the same spot, you’ve got the world-famous ice rink.

Even if you can’t skate, it will be one of the most magical experiences, so give it a try!

There’s also the boating pond, which looks like an easy way to spend your afternoon but requires a good bit of elbow grease.

If you’re after a more chilled-out experience, watch friends and couples row along the 22-acre stretch of water, while enjoying a coffee or something stronger at the Loeb Boathouse.

Within the Strawberry Fields stretch, you’ll also find the Imagine Mosaic, which honours John Lennon who lived across the street in the Dakota Apartments.

There’s also the statue that Monica, Joey and the rest of the Friends gang messed around in in the opening credits of the brilliant comedy series, as well as Central Park Zoo and much more

A quick stroll won’t even scratch the surface when it comes to Central Park.

Now, you can’t visit New York and not head to Broadway.

On my first time in the city I didn’t make it along to a show and, boy, did I regret it, so this time it was a priority.

There are hundreds of shows to choose from, and you don’t need to see a stage staple such as The Lion King or Wicked, there are lots of smaller shows too.

Nothing you see on Broadway will disappoint, they have all made it there for a reason.

By night, find yourself a cosy little spot at one of the many rooftop bars and watch New York come to life. Watching the dazzling twinkly lights of the city come on, one by one, while sipping on something nice is one of the greatest ways to decompress after an action-packed day of exploring this buzzy destination.

To complete your round-up of the city, take a wander through Times Square.

Littered with billboards, buskers and tourists, it’s not particularly a location you want to dedicate a lot of time to, but it’s definitely worth ticking off the “must-see” list.

With so much to see and do, planning your first trip to New York city can be overwhelming and there will always be something new to see or do each time you visit.

But, my advice? Fully immerse yourself in everything it has to offer and simply enjoy the taste of that big, juicy apple.