Things I Miss about the Big Apple.

It has been more than a year since I got back to Singapore and the best times of my independent life was the seven month I spent in USA for school. Despite the three weeks spent in it, New York City always manages to leave a trail in your heart. Whether it is the lights, the food, the culture or even the magical feeling that you can accomplish anything, the Big Apple never cease to amaze anyone.

Here are the list of six things I miss in NYC:

1) Georgetown Cupcakes

You want a cupcake? 

Maybe the best cupcakes I ever had! Georgetown cupcakes originate from Georgetown in Washington DC. My first ever time having it was in NYC and I fell in love with Georgetown Cupcakes instantly. I know people have different opinion on their best cupcakes, but I am the sort of person that does not have a favourite cupcake place in Singapore and when I am in NYC, I have tried Magnolia Bakery and Crumbs.

I love Georgetown Cupcakes to the extend that my housemate and I were craving for it during our semester (Georgetown Cupcakes are not available in Buffalo, WHY!!!), I even considered flying it in just cause I miss it so much. The good thing is that Georgetown Cupcakes are also available in Boston and I took two road trips to Boston (8 hours drive), both times packing at least 2 dozen boxes of Georgetown Cupcakes back home.

2) Shake Shack

Shack Stack and a Shake

My first meal in NYC, the moment I touch down, checked into the hotel (near Grand Central Station), my friends and I headed for Grand Central Station to try Shake Shack for the first time. I love how the buns are soft, the beef feels clean and the cheese and fried Shitake mushroom melts in your mouth, be careful when eating the fried Shitake Mushroom because it has melted cheese inside and it might spurt out when you bite on it, it can burn your tongue. The good news is that Shake Shack is available in other states, so if you are interested in trying great american burger (minus the greasy feeling), Shake Shack is for you.

3)The view of Times Square

Panoramic view of Times Square (Day Time)

 View of Times Square (Night Time)

Times square is beautiful in the day and night, I guess it is the feeling of being part of a crowd that I love and miss. Just the feeling of being in the center of NYC makes you feel like a true blue tourist, the night lights at Times Square are so popular that they have open top tour buses for tourist to enjoy the lights from the top of the bus.

4) Food truck

Food trucks are available all over the city and they are a great source of cheap food, well the cheapest in the city. With a fast food meal costing about $10- $15, these food trucks charge about $6-$8 for a simple chicken over rice (there are other things. They are just one of the few cheaper options for a meal, the food truck brand Halal Guys is also quite famous. I had Halal Guys once and despite the long queue, the food felt satisfying in the cold and sharing it with friends made the experience more awesome.

5) Empire State Building

View from the top of the Empire State

The Empire State Building gets as touristy as it can be, the view up there is just like most tall buildings in the world, however it is one of monuments the big apple is represented by. On the special festive events, such as independence day, the view on the Empire State Building is spectacular, not only does the Empire State has its own celebration (tickets for this event are very expensive, I went after the event). Standing at the top of the Empire State on 4th July, you can see that different celebrations going on in each part of the city, it makes you remember that despite the large area, everyone gathers together to celebrate Independence Day.

The wind is especially challenging up there and only the best hair spray can keep you hair intact. On the other hand, the gift shop does sell merchandises with Empire State Building references, they had a little plushie of King Kong.

6) Central Park

Ice Skating in Central Park

I had the pleasure of seeing Central Park during the colder season. It is chilly and cool, the trees are bare, but the place is beautiful for ice skating. It is the feeling of skating in the middle of the city lights that gets me excited (plus I can skate). 

Living in Singapore, I like to compare each city I go to with my home, NYC might have its similarity with this Red Dot, but every city has it's difference. I look forward to going back to the Big Apple soon.