November/December 2023
www.nitravelnews.com FROM NEWPORT TO NEW YORK...
NEWPORT TO NEW YORK | 35
BY ERIN ENGLISH
erin@nitravelnews.com
On NI Travel News’ Erin English’s last trip to New York, she took a trip across the Hudson River to explore all that Newport, Jersey City had to offer...
SOMETIMES it can be nice to experience the hustle and bustle of a city-break but also have a quiet and relaxed place to rest your head. When planning the ultimate city-break to New York, this may seem like an impossible task. Luckily for you, it isn’t.
On my most recent trip to New York back in December 2022, myself and my travel companions decided to look up alternative accommodations close to New York City. What we discovered was a treasure trove of travel and meant we got got to experience both the vibrant and metropolitan New York, along with the historic Jersey City. Travelling to New York City in December 2022 was guaranteed to be busy as many aspire to tick Christmas in New York off the bucket-list, with hotel prices high at such a peak time. Our eyes lingered to Jersey City, easily accessible to travellers via New York’s speedy transport system. Visiting two states with one flight is
a feat I’m quite proud of, we flew into Newark Liberty International Airport which is located around a 35 minute taxi from Newport, Jersey City. Initially, we had expected that Newport, Jersey City would just be a resting place for the duration of our New York trip. However, Newport, Jersey City area is especially stunning, a vibrant community nestled along the banks of the Hudson River. Very soon after our arrival,
it became
imperative that more time was allocated to the exploration
of Jersey
City. Our hotel was located just across the road from the waterfront, meaning an expansive view of the New York skyline could be viewed from the lobby. After catching up on some sleep upon our arrival, the morning came around quick and it was time to take a walk along the waterfront. Although Jersey City is a built up area, it provides an aspect of breathability in
comparison with it’s neighbouring, New York City. Newport,
Jersey City’s waterfront
walkway leads to Newport Green, an area of relaxation and fun. With plenty of seating, and a few coffee houses surrounding the area. It was our ideal breakfast spot before heading off on an exploration of New York City. Located not far from Newport Green is a stunning sculpture named ‘Water’s Soul’ The sculpture is a 80 foot figure head, designed by Jaume Plensa, the sculpture acknowledges the surrounding water of the Hudson River and represents how rivers, oceans and waves come together to create community and build something powerful.
Opening in November right through until March, Newport also boasts a holiday tradition popular amongst many, Newport Skates is an ice-rink located at the River Market. Skate rental is available and is open between 4-9pm on weekdays and from 11am on weekends. This is ideal if heading onto the rink at the Rockefeller Centre or Central Park is too intimidating with the busy Christmas crowds, Newport Skates offers an idyllic place to adhere to winter traditions but also enjoy your own freedom on the rink. Travelling
across from Jersey City
to New York City couldn’t be simpler, right in the heart of Newport is a Metro Subway station with a direct PATH train that leads to you 33rd street. Services run every fifteen minutes and two-trip tickets are reasonably priced at $5.75. Covering you for transport for your journey to and from Manhattan. Right in the heart of Manhattan and located just beside the Empire State Building.
Visiting at Christmas time, one of the first things to tick off the bucket- list was a visit to see Macy’s department store Christmas display. Just a seven minute walk from 33rd street station.
This
was where our Christmas exploration of NYC began. Cascading down Macy’s store front was an array of Christmas lights, even in the daylight the beauty of the decorations could be appreciated. The windows were filled with different Christmas scenes - my personal favourite was a fox family photo - where all the foxes were dressed in tartan pyjamas. The 2022 theme for
Macy’s Christmas display was ‘Give Love,’ with the slogan splayed across the entire store front in warm Christmas lights. Touched by the first glimpse of festive cheer in the Big Apple, we continued on our sight-seeing experience. Passing through Times Square on route to Bryant Park, it was a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of the famous New Years Eve Ball, with a golden 2023 engraved on it. As expected, it was busier
than a previous trip I took a few Februarys ago. However, there was still room to explore and make the most of our trip. As it was a Saturday morning, Bryant Park Market was quite busy with both tourists and locals alike utilising the bakery stands, the trinket stalls and of course- the iconic Bryant Park ice-rink. Bryant Park’s Winter village was a holiday haven. Crisp weather and the smell of mulled-wine lingering in the air. It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
While I didn’t opt to travel up the
Rockefeller centre to gain views of the iconic Rockefeller tree and fifth avenue. We walked from Bryant Park to Rockefeller plaza, catching glimpses of Radio City where queues a first showing of the Rockettes’s Christmas spectacular wrapped right around the corner. If you are looking tickets to the Radio City performance be sure to book them quick! The
Rockefeller
Christmas Tree is the epitome of Christmas in the Big Apple, the backdrop of where Kevin reunites with his mother in the festive film favourite, Home Alone 2: Lost in
New York. The Rockefeller Tree rounded up our Christmas sightseeing in New York - while there were many more festive activities to enjoy. The rest of our holiday was spent enjoying all that New York and Newport, Jersey City had to offer outside of the Christmas rush. After all, with two fabulous American states to Christmas?
explore, who has time for
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