My First Trip To New York City

Biggie or 2Pac?
New York or Los Angeles?
East coast or west coast?

Through and through, without a shadow of a doubt, New York has my heart. I’ve got plenty of love for 2Pac, but it’s East Coast over here — and honestly, Pac still counts, considering he was born in Harlem.

But that’s neither here nor there.

In March 2025, my husband and I landed at JFK. Even as an American who already knew plenty about what NYC has to offer, I was completely blown away. The subway, the brownstones, the energy, the diversity, the culture, the history—everything. I couldn’t get enough.

Like always, God showed up in a big way — here’s how.

After our Airbnb fell through, a good friend connected us with one of her friends on the outskirts of Brooklyn. We ended up with homemade Caribbean food, rich history lessons about New York City, a beautiful tour around Brooklyn, and the chance to experience a historically Black community. Absolutely the best.

MY TOP 3 BEST EXPERIENCES IN NEW YORK CITY

Times Square

Simply a must‑see. After living in Europe for nearly a decade, I’d almost forgotten what true skyscrapers feel like, so stepping into NYC was full‑on reverse culture shock. The massive billboards, the towering skyline, the nonstop entertainment — all of it shook me in the best possible way.

2. Kat’s Deli

I married a foodie and low-keyyyyy became a foodie too. With that being said, it’s only right that we ate at the infamous Kat’s Delicacy. When I tell you that was the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten in my life! A little over a year later, and I’m still dreaming of that sandwich.

In classic Tina fashion, I left my phone sitting right on our table at Katz’s. It wasn’t until we tried to grab Wi‑Fi at a nearby McDonald’s that I realized it was missing. And of course, it was pouring rain outside. We rushed back to Katz’s, found a new couple sitting at our old table, and—by the grace of God—my phone was still right there exactly where I left it.

3. Exploring – Rich History – Beautiful Architecture

One of my college friends lives just an eight‑minute walk from Times Square, so he took us around his neighborhood and gave us the full local experience. We had the best tacos, got a taste of true bodega life, and — in perfect New York fashion — he even touched up my makeup before we headed to his rooftop. That’s where he snapped this adorable photo of my husband and me, with the city buzzing behind us.

Thank you, Cyle!

There is so much to see in New York City. From the Statue of Liberty to DUMBO, to Central Park, to Harlem, to Biggie’s old neighborhood — the list truly never ends. We averaged about 18K steps per day, and every single one felt like stepping deeper into a living, breathing story.

What struck me most was how alive the city feels when you’re moving through it on foot. One minute you’re surrounded by historic brownstones that whisper stories from the 1800s, and the next you’re standing beneath skyscrapers that make you crane your neck just to take them all in. Walking through Harlem, you feel the pulse of Black history in every block — jazz, activism, art, culture — all woven into the architecture itself.

Then you cross the bridge into Brooklyn and suddenly you’re in DUMBO, where cobblestone streets meet the Manhattan skyline in a way that feels almost cinematic. Every neighborhood has its own personality, its own rhythm, its own history layered into the buildings, murals, and people.

New York doesn’t just show you its history — it makes you walk through it, one step at a time. And with 18,000 steps a day, we definitely did.