Bienvenue to my second edition of Le Journal where I answer your questions, share things I am loving, and what to wear for the week ahead. Have a question? Drop a comment and I will be sure to answer you in upcoming Le Journal.
This week has been lovely, with some warmer weather and bluer skies. I do love winter, and I understand that many do not. I lived in South Florida for work at one point and tired of the weather being the same day in and day out. I prefer a change of seasons, even though I know they can be cold and damp. Which do you prefer?
This week I am sharing one of my favorite ways to see New York City. Read on for details about this below.
New York Minute | Your Questions Answered
I love to answer your questions as part of my Le Journal series. So please keep them coming.
I am routinely asked how to see NYC on a budget. Look, I get it. New York City is not affordable. My husband and I had gone to the Bryant Park Holiday Market, and I ordered a hot chocolate. This little cup, granted it was topped with whipped cream, cost $15.00 with a $3.00 tip. So if you have a family of 4 and everyone wants one, it will set you back $60. Is this necessary? Not at all.
So here is my biggest tip on visiting NYC on a budget: avoid staying and eating in and around Times Square. This is a tourist hotbed, and everyone knows it; prices are significantly higher, except for the rooms (and this is where they get you). You will probably find the most reasonable accommodations in this part of town. You can stay here if the savings are that good, but do not plan your meals in this area. You will definitely be overpaying for everything in this part of town.
Worth noting: if you have never traveled to NYC, don’t expect much in terms of room size; this is especially true if you are in the Village or Soho areas. Midtown and Times Square will offer the most reasonable-sized accommodations. Plan your stay around what you intend to do, minimizing the need for cabs and Ubers. Times Square is a fine place to stay, but beware that this is an easy target area for pickpockets. They know the majority of people in this location are tourists. And plan to shop and dine elsewhere to save money.
My second tip for seeing NYC on a budget: Visit on off times. One of my favorite times to see NYC is right after the New Year. The holiday decorations, even the tree at Rockefeller, will still be on display, and by then, many tourists have returned home. Prices are also some of the best you will find all year, oftentimes allowing you an opportunity to stay at a nicer hotel while visiting. Another time is end of summer, mid September is a great time to visit, with the weather still be fairly moderate. Another great time to visit is late Winter, right before Spring (mid to late March).
Weekly Highlight!
One of my favorite ways to see NYC is on the hop on, hop off bus. Yes, it is touristy; however, I have done it 4 times. And have learned SO much about my fabulous city. This photo to the left was one I took from the upper level of the bus tour as we made our way through New York City on the uptown tour. The thing I love about these tours is that when you are walking around the city, you are NEVER looking up, unless you want to get pushed all over. This is a great way to learn about the architecture and history of the city while having the chance to admire the beautiful skyline and city skyscrapers. If you are visiting, you should put this on your list. They have an uptown and downtown tour, and they also do night tours. I strongly suggest downloading the Get Your Guide App. They offer great discounts on activities and sightseeing excursions. This is not sponsored in any way, just my honest opinion on a great way to see NYC.
New York Minute | What to Wear
This week’s New York Minute look is all about chic comfort. I enjoy being comfortable as I get older, but I still want to look put together. These pieces are effortless, easy to style, and can be worn in multiple ways. If you don’t own a neutral wool coat, I urge you to consider one, as it blends with so many colors. Camel and tan are also colors that look instantly more expensive.
When you visit NYC or Paris, you will be on your feet and walking most of the time, so choosing shoes or sneakers that are super comfortable is key. I am a huge fan of Adidas Sambas and Adidas in general, which are great walking sneakers. Sneakers are a newer fashion trend in NYC. Most women living in Manhattan, until recently, would not wear them unless heading to the gym or for a run. They are becoming more of a fashion statement now.
SHOP THIS LOOK
I hope you all enjoyed this week’s Le Journal post and I wish you all a beautiful weekend, my friends. Please leave comments if you have questions, and I will do my best to answer.
