My husband and I visited New York City in January. It was our first time

My husband and I took a direct flight to LaGuardia Airport. The captain must have known there were first-timers on the plane as he announced that everyone should look left out of the windows to see the Statue of Liberty glowing green in the morning light. I couldn’t believe I was seeing her in real life, even though I had a bird’s-eye view. I felt so proud to be an American.

As we began to descend into LaGuardia, I could see a dusting of snow on the ground. The skyscrapers lined the skyline beside the water, and we were eager to kick off our winter getaway. Since it was our first visit, we planned to stick to one area and explore Manhattan.

We decided to go in January because a friend from Brooklyn told me that it was a great time to visit New York City. It is the off-season, meaning there is less tourist congestion, and hotels and flights are cheaper.

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Where to stay in Manhattan

Cloudy winter day along the High Line Trail in New York City

Upon landing at LaGuardia, we ordered an Uber to take us to our hotel. While the fare was around $100 (both ways), it was a convenient choice for us as first-time visitors to the city. We didn’t want to worry about navigating shuttles and buses with luggage or renting a car.

We wanted to stay near Times Square so we could walk to all the attractions easily. We got a room at the Hyatt Place Times Square, which is only a 15-minute walk to the heart of Times Square. Plus, it came with a complimentary continental breakfast.

Another option is to stay at the recently renovated Hilton New York Times Square. If you are into Broadway shows, they offer Broadway-themed rooms. The hotel is conveniently located near 42nd and 8th Streets. For a first-time visitor to the city, you can easily walk to popular attractions like the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center from there.

Planning tip: January 2nd through February 9th is Hotel Week in New York City. This winter promotion helps some hotels offer visitors the best room rates. The idea is to encourage travelers to visit the city during the off-season and less busy time of year.

Explore the energy and buzz of Times Square

Ashlee & Pablo exploring Times Square in Manhattan — Ashlee & Pablo exploring Times Square

After settling into our hotel, we took out our smartphones and mapped how to walk to Times Square in Midtown Manhattan. The roar of the city overwhelmed my senses. You could hear cars honking, trucks driving by, and the sounds of millions of people living and working. It was everything I had imagined, and I couldn’t wait to immerse myself more.

I’m gluten-free, and I was searching for a place offering gluten-free burger options while we wandered around town — we found Schnipper’s. As we enjoyed our burgers, we noticed that the New York Times building was next door to the restaurant, and as a writer, it was surreal to see it in real life. My husband said, “You should go inside and introduce yourself.” I laughed warmly. He’s always supporting my writing dreams.

After a late lunch, we made our way towards Broadway and browsed around an iconic I Love New York store, took a few selfies in front of the dazzling billboards, and picked a place to grab dessert. We discovered a cute boutique dessert shop, NY Bakery and Desserts, offering gluten-free cheesecake. They had walls of tasty baked goods and a chocolate fountain. I was thrilled to have a few bites of gluten-free cheesecake in the heart of New York City. It’s just what I needed after a long day of travel.

Tips for seeing a Broadway show

Ashlee & Pablo in Times Square / Broadway info booth in Times Square

We did not see a Broadway show on this trip, but we learned that discounted tickets are sold the day of if we want to catch one. To purchase tickets, we would need to go to the red TKTS Booth in Duffy Square, at 47th Street and Broadway.

For everyone who loves Broadway shows, check out the Museum of Broadway.

To top off your Broadway night, visit the piano bar Don’t Tell Mamma. A New York local told me, “It’s a fun piano bar that gets the whole place singing.”

Experience the city on a food tour

Pablo eating a pastry bite/ Ashlee getting ready to eat a taco — Ashlee & Pablo enjoying food in Chelsea Market

Before we arrived in New York City, Like a Local Tours invited us on a hosted food tour of Chelsea Market, the High Line, and Hudson Yards. There’s no better way to experience a destination’s culinary delights or historic tales than with a local guide, and we couldn’t wait to continue eating our way through the city.

Chelsea Market is located in the historic Meat Packing District. The area used to be a slaughterhouse neighborhood where businesses shipped meat via train, which is how it got its name. Chelsea Market is known for its food hall vendors and boutique shops. My favorite was the tacos at Takumi Taco, and my husband loved the pizza at Filaga Pizzeria.

We walked to Pier 57 for our next stop and sampled our way through another indoor food market. From there, we could see the Hudson River — it was beautiful.

On the final part of the tour, we walked the historic High Line Trail. We learned that it was once an active rail system and is now an excellent place for New Yorkers and tourists to wander through the city, admiring architecture, gardens, and art.

When the tour ended, my husband and I headed to the Empire State Building. It started raining, and the clouds were hanging low, so we didn’t go to the top. However, it’s on our bucket list for next time — it’s recognized as Tripadvisor’s #1 attraction in the world.

Other must-see attractions while visiting New York City

Rockefeller Center / Ashlee standing in front of the Empire State Building with a yellow umbrella — Rockefeller Center / Ashlee standing in front of the Empire State Building

We woke up excited to explore more of the city on our last day. We walked to Central Park, Grand Central Station, and Fifth Avenue. Fifth Avenue is known for having one of the most expensive shopping areas in the world. The Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center are also classic places to see. During the winter, the Rockefeller Center even has an outdoor ice rink.

Planning tip: Wear waterproof walking shoes so you can comfortably cover a lot of ground. Be sure to pack an umbrella and a rain jacket. When we visited in January, it rained every day.

A memorable Italian dinner on the last night

Views of New York City along the High Line Trail during the winter

After working up an appetite and walking all over Manhattan, we went to Tavola, an Italian restaurant, for dinner. It was only a few blocks from our hotel and had great reviews. As soon as we walked in, we could tell it was a place locals like to go — it was packed.

We sat down and ordered a glass of white wine, looking over the menu and admiring the decor. I loved seeing the chefs working around the wood-burning oven.

I had the best gluten-free Spaghetti alla Cacio e Pepe. This pasta dish is sauteed in Pecorino Romano Cheese and black butcher pepper. Ever since, I’ve tried to recreate it at home, but I can’t do the dish justice — it is just another reason to return to New York City.

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