As I approached New York City, I felt a tingling excitement. The countless lights of the city that never sleeps seemed to greet me.
Travel report 3 days in New York
While the three-day trip could undoubtedly only provide a small insight into the pulsating heart of the metropolis, I strove to experience as many facets as possible.
Day 1 began with the iconic Statue of Liberty. The ferry glided through the waves as the sun turned the water into a shimmering ribbon. Liberty Island offered a breathtaking view. The statue itself, a commanding symbol of freedom, stood majestically and offered a silent reminder of the history of immigration in America.
Later I visited the pulsating centre of capitalism, the Rockefeller Center. The contrast between the opulent displays of Fifth Avenue and the elaborate Art Deco decorations was a striking contrast to the sober atmosphere of the surrounding office buildings. The highlight was the view from the Top of the Rock: Manhattan stretched out in all directions and the perspective of Central Park from above was stunning. And precisely because the Rockefeller Center is NOT the tallest building, you have a better sense of how tall the building really is because you are closer to the other skyscrapers.
On the second day I walked along the majestic Brooklyn Bridge. It was always a dream of mine to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan at sunrise in the morning, because you see it in so many films. The feeling of space and the fresh wind whistling through the steel cables gave the experience a touch of freedom. The perspective of the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn was incomparable in reality and just as fulfilling.
New York Skyline Coloring Page
Broadway and Times Square at night was a rush for the senses. The colorful neon signs, the hubbub of voices, the energetic crowd - all of this inspired a sense of wonder. I felt like the main character in a movie, every moment was full of life and possibility.
After that I decided Ground Zero - the site where the twin towers of the World Trade Center once stood and which now serves as a memorial and place of remembrance. Upon reaching the 9/11 Memorial, I was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the twin footprints of the towers, now marked by two reflecting pools set in the ground, surrounded by the names of the nearly 3.000 people who lost their lives. The sound of the falls created an almost spiritual atmosphere that invited one to pause and remember.
I touched some of the engraved names, felt the cool bronze, and reflected on the individual fates and the collective tragedy that had occurred at this site. This site of disaster had now become a place of peace and reflection, carefully and respectfully designed to commemorate those who had died and to provide a place for those left behind to honor their loved ones.
I entered the adjacent 9/11 Museum with a mixture of awe and a heavy heart. Walking through the exhibitions, seeing personal items, pieces of debris and shocking historical documents, was deeply moving. It was an intense experience that presented the events of September 11, 2001 in a very direct and human way.
This visit was unlike anything else I had experienced in New York. It was a silent yet so loud part of the city's history that still resonates today and that no one who experienced it is left untouched. When I left Ground Zero, I felt a deep gratitude for being able to make this trip, coupled with a new perspective on the world and the fragility of life. Ground Zero was not only a place of remembrance, but also an educational monument to peace and humanity in a city that never stops teaching and inspiring. You can think what you will about the greatly exaggerated patriotism of Americans, but the way they handled 9/11 was very classy. Chapeau.
Not far away was my next stop: the Trinity Church. This historic church, nestled between the glass facades of the financial world, seemed like a rock in the surf, a piece of eternity in the midst of constant change. The architecture offered a striking contrast to the modern skyline and was a reminder that, despite all the modernity, the city's roots reach deep into the past. I entered the peaceful interior of the church and was immediately enveloped in silence. In this sacred space, surrounded by stunning stained glass and the muted light that filtered through the windows, I found a refuge from the noise of the city.
Afterwards I went to the nearby New York Stock Exchange, a synonym for the world of finance. Although the stock exchange is no longer open to the public, I was still able to experience the impressive facade and the bustling atmosphere on Broad Street. The energy of the place was almost tangible. Stockbrokers hurried past me, animated conversations buzzed through the air, and I felt the pulse of the economy pulsing through these streets.
The Stock Exchange, with its American flag proudly flapping in the wind and the image of the grim but unflappable "Charging Bull" sculpture nearby, embodied both the American dream and the fickle nature of capitalism. It was here that financial fates were sealed - some for good, but many for bad.
Statue of Liberty coloring page
The experiences at Trinity Church and the Stock Exchange gave me a multifaceted view of the city. New York City no longer seemed to me just a colossal backdrop full of life and energy, but also a place where spirituality and business go hand in hand, where tradition stands alongside progress, and where the dynamism of human enterprise is expressed in its fullest. Every place I visited showed me a different side of this multifaceted city.
The High Mile the last day was a completely different type of experience. The former elevated railway line, now a floating green oasis, offered glimpses of modern architecture, elaborate gardens and space to breathe. Stretching along the west side of Manhattan, the High Line offers visitors an unusual perspective of the city and an escape from the hustle and bustle of the ground-level streets. I remember my visit there as a time of quiet, introspective wandering above street life.
I strolled along the well-kept paths, lined with carefully selected wildflowers, bushes and trees. The park also offered innovative art installations and comfortable lounge areas that invited you to linger and relax. Particularly impressive were the well-thought-out seating and viewing areas, which offered a breathtaking view of the Hudson River and the passing trains. What makes the High Line so fascinating is its successful combination of urban nature and contemporary art. It offers a fresh dimension of urban greenery and a contrast to the hectic streets below. There was always something to discover along the way - be it the flowering vegetation or the surrounding skyscrapers, which together created an impressive panorama of old and new.
Finally, I strolled through a small part of the Central Park. Amazing how this vast green space offers peace and nature in the middle of the hectic city. I watched street performers, relaxed by the ponds and admired the skyline peeking out from behind the treetops.
Despite the fascination, there are places in New York City that tourists should probably avoid. Areas with high crime rates, such as certain areas of the Bronx and Brooklyn, or crowded tourist traps with overpriced souvenirs and restaurants, should be visited with caution. In general, a certain level of vigilance is always advisable in such a large metropolis anywhere in the world.
This trip to New York City left a lasting impression. The city felt like a living mosaic, colorful and always in motion - a place where every corner tells its own story. The atmosphere with the taxis at the traffic lights, the background noise of the fire engines driving through the canyons with their sirens blaring, mounted police officers and enjoying disgusting hot dogs at street stalls in between is also part of it. You don't have to visit often, but even if you tend to avoid big cities as a travel destination, New York is definitely worth a visit.