New York was exciting—but I am not going to pretend it was relaxing.
Our New York City visit came at the end of a family-wedding trip to Nanuet. With only about 48 hours in Manhattan, we packed in a Yankees game, two observation decks, the 9/11 Memorial, the Oculus, Katz’s Deli and more subway rides and walking than I expected.
New Yorkers move fast, the city has a rhythm all its own, and my younger siblings—who are both still in their 50s—can keep a much quicker pace than Doug and I can. By the time we returned to our hotel each evening, I was pooped.
But we also made some wonderful memories. This is not an impossible “see all of New York in one weekend” itinerary. It is what we actually did, what worked, what wore us out and how I would make the same trip more comfortable next time.
The view from One World Observatory stretched so far that I told Doug it almost felt like I could see the curve of the Earth.
First Stop: A Family Wedding in Nanuet
We flew from Phoenix to JFK and headed to Nanuet for Luke and Maggie’s wedding. Their wedding was the reason for the trip, and it was fun spending the day celebrating with everyone. I am keeping that part of the story brief because it was their special day.
Out of respect for the couple and their guests, I am also keeping the wedding photos private. Instead, I will share a family photo of Doug and me with my brother Peter and sister Danielle. It still shows the family reason behind the trip without turning someone else’s wedding into our content.
Getting there taught us our first transportation lesson. A Budget rental was quoted at about $375 for two days, plus a $200 deposit. Since we would not need a car once we reached Manhattan, we skipped it and took an Uber XL from JFK to Nanuet for about $196.
The roughly 40-mile ride took about two and a half hours in heavy Friday-evening traffic. We could not know the exact cause; it may simply have been Friday traffic, with a Yankees home game and activity surrounding the September 11 anniversary possibly adding to it. If Nanuet is your first destination, compare flights into Newark before booking; crossing from JFK can add a lot of time. The Uber was expensive, but it saved us from driving in unfamiliar traffic and returning a car before Manhattan.
By the time we arrived, the Windsor Grille outside the DoubleTree was closed. Pie Bird, located inside the hotel, saved the evening. A long flight, New York traffic and a late dinner were plenty for one day.
Doug and me outside the church in Nanuet—the family wedding that brought us to New York.
Getting From Nanuet Back to Manhattan
It was pouring rain in Nanuet, but the weather cleared as we headed back toward the city. My sister had rented a car for the wedding, so Doug and I rode back with my brother and sister instead of taking the Coach USA bus.
That worked well for this part of the trip, and once we were in Manhattan we had plenty of other choices: subway, Uber, taxis, walking and even rental bikes. We did not need to keep a car or worry about Manhattan parking.
The biggest lesson was that transportation takes longer than it looks on a map. Whether you are riding with family, using the subway or calling a car, traffic, station entrances, transfers and extra walking all add time. Those extra steps matter when you have luggage or cannot walk far.
The Subway Wasn’t as Scary as It Looked
The subway map looks intimidating, but the apps make it manageable. Lines are identified by letters or numbers. Several lines can share the same color through part of Manhattan and then split, so do not choose by color alone. Also check whether the train is local or express—an express train can skip the stop you need.
We used live directions to see the train, direction and transfers. Weekend changes happen, so check again before stepping onto the platform.
Paying was the easy part. The subway fare was $3, and we could tap a contactless credit or debit card, phone or smartwatch at the OMNY reader. If you use the same card or device every time, OMNY’s seven-day cap provides free rides after you have paid $35 in eligible fares. Check the official MTA fare page before your trip because prices and policies can change.
We paid for our rides, although we did see several people duck under the turnstiles without paying. We did not notice any transit staff nearby at the time. That was simply what we observed—not a reason to skip tapping in properly.
One thing we did not expect was the heat underground. The weather outside was pleasant, but some platforms felt much warmer with little airflow. The train itself felt better once the air conditioning kicked in.
Even getting from the subway to our next stop, we had trouble keeping up with my brother and sister. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable, and my best advice is to allow time to sit, eat and catch your breath.
It was pouring in Nanuet, but the weather began clearing as we headed toward Manhattan.
A Yankees Game Changed Our Sunday Plans
Yankees tickets from my brother were added to our Sunday plans at the last minute. The forecast had called for rain, and we already had a Top of the Rock reservation, so something had to change.
We chose the game and canceled our original Top of the Rock tickets. The weather cleared, there was no rain in sight, and it turned into a fun afternoon at Yankee Stadium instead of the soggy game we had expected.
Later, Doug and I had Italian dinner at the trattoria near our hotel. After dinner, we walked to Rockefeller Center and went to Top of the Rock around 7:00 p.m. We ended up doing both—just not according to the original schedule.
The lesson was simple: leave room for a special opportunity, weather change or family plan. Trying to preserve every original stop is how a fun day turns into an exhausting race.
Top of the Rock vs. One World Observatory
We visited both, and they offer two very different views.
One World Observatory is in Lower Manhattan, 1,250 feet above the city. The enclosed observation area gives you wide 360-degree views of the harbor, Brooklyn, New Jersey and the Manhattan skyline. We could see the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island, and we could look down toward the 9/11 Memorial and Oculus. The elevator and presentation also make it feel like a complete New York experience, not just a view. See the official One World Observatory experience.
Top of the Rock puts you in the middle of Midtown. It has three levels of panoramic views, including open-air areas, with a close view of the Empire State Building and a look toward Central Park. The Beam and SKYLIFT are optional add-on experiences; you do not need them to enjoy the regular observation-deck views. Compare current Top of the Rock tickets.
If you want harbor views, Lower Manhattan and a stronger connection to the 9/11 story, I would choose One World. If you want the classic Midtown skyline, the Empire State Building and Central Park, I would choose Top of the Rock.
Our original Top of the Rock tickets were booked through Viator. When the Yankees game changed our schedule, we canceled and later bought direct tickets for that evening. The later tickets cost more, so compare the cancellation rules, time slots and add-ons before booking. Basic timed admission includes the same main skyline views; premium tickets are mainly for faster entry or extra experiences.
From a last-minute Yankees game to evening views from Top of the Rock—we managed to fit in both.
One World, the 9/11 Memorial and the Oculus
The next day, Doug and I went downtown and met my sister Danielle, my brother Peter and my nephew Kawai at One World Observatory at about 1:30 p.m.
I recorded commentary about the boroughs to go with our photos and video. Those little observations will make our memories more personal than skyline footage alone.
We also spent a quiet moment beside one of the 9/11 Memorial reflecting pools. Our visit came only three days after the 25th anniversary of September 11, which made the timing especially meaningful. We did not see both pools, but I am glad we stopped. This is not a place I would rush through just to check it off a list.
A quiet moment at the 9/11 Memorial, just days after the 25th anniversary.
Nearby, the Oculus is striking from the outside and even more interesting once you step inside. It is part transportation hub, part shopping center and one of those New York buildings that makes you stop and look up.
From the striking Oculus to the sweeping views from One World Observatory, our downtown day gave us two very different perspectives of New York.
Katz’s Deli: Keep That Paper Ticket
After One World Observatory, we went to Katz’s Deli for lunch. Katz’s can draw a line down the block, but it was one of those classic New York experiences we wanted to try. We ordered pastrami and a turkey sandwich.
Here is something useful to know: Katz’s gives each person a paper ticket at the entrance. Keep it until you leave, even if you do not order on it. A missing ticket can mean an extra charge, so put it somewhere safe instead of carrying it loose in your hand.
Katz’s Delicatessen was one of the classic New York stops we wanted to experience.Our pastrami and turkey sandwiches at Katz’s—and yes, remember to keep that paper ticket!
From Katz’s, we walked until we reached the NYU store. By that point, I had reached my limit. We caught the subway back to the hotel and spent the rest of the afternoon resting. When we were ready for dinner, we went to Angelo’s Coal Oven Pizzeria near the hotel. The pizza was very good, and an easy dinner close by was exactly what we needed.
After a full day of sightseeing and walking, an easy dinner at Angelo’s near our hotel was exactly what we needed.
This is what polished itineraries often leave out: even when places look close together, the walking adds up. Subway stations can involve stairs and long corridors, and you still walk at both ends of the ride.
If you cannot walk far, plan a seated meal before your energy runs out. Use the subway for longer stretches, and take an Uber when the extra walking would spoil the rest of your day.
Our JFK Shuttle and Terminal Lesson
For our return to JFK, we met a shared airport shuttle at 8:15 a.m. near 55th Street and Sixth Avenue. After picking up more passengers and making our way through traffic, we arrived around 10:50 a.m.
Our flight was scheduled for 12:29 p.m., so leaving early was the right decision. Then came one more surprise: our flight was in Terminal 8, but the shuttle dropped us at Terminal 4. We had to take the AirTrain to the correct terminal.
Do not plan your airport ride using driving time alone. Allow time for traffic, other shuttle pickups, security, terminal changes and the AirTrain. Our flight was later delayed until about 2:00 p.m., but we could not have counted on that.
After being dropped at Terminal 4, we took the AirTrain to Terminal 8, where we saw this September 11 memorial display.
What I Would Do Differently Next Time
New York rewards energy, but it punishes an overpacked schedule. Next time, I would:
Plan no more than one major attraction in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Build in a real hotel break instead of treating rest as wasted time.
Check the walking distance inside stations, not only the distance on the street.
Use a car when it protects the rest of the day, even if the subway is cheaper.
Keep the arrival and departure days intentionally light.
Leave room for family changes, weather and last-minute opportunities.
Compare JFK and Newark based on the first stop of the trip, not just the airfare.
Stay longer if possible, so every day does not have to carry so much.
Was the Trip Worth It?
Absolutely.
We celebrated a family wedding, spent time with my siblings and nephew, enjoyed a Yankees game, saw the city from two very different observation decks, visited the 9/11 Memorial, walked through the Oculus, ate at Katz’s and learned how to move through New York with a little more confidence.
Would I call it a relaxing getaway? Not even close.
But it was memorable, and sometimes that is the better story.
Call to action: Save this post if you are planning a New York weekend and want a realistic reminder to leave room for transportation, rest and the unexpected.
