New York City can feel overwhelming if you have never been here before. It is loud, fast, crowded, and full of options. But it is also incredibly navigable once you understand a few basics. These are not secret hacks or tourist shortcuts. These are the things we wish every visitor knew before arriving, especially if this is your first trip or you are visiting in the summer.

New York in the summer is not the place for overpacking. It is hot, crowded, loud, and walk-heavy. You move through airports, trains, apartments, sidewalks, stairs, ferries, museums, and restaurants, often all in the same day. What you bring with you should support that, not slow you down. For this trip, we traveled backpack only, which is how we typically travel. One backpack per person for the entire trip. No rolling suitcases. No extras packed out of anxiety...

There’s something quietly powerful about watching people you love experience a place you already know by heart. Rick and I live here. New York is our everyday. Errands, routines, favorite corners we don’t think twice about anymore. But for five summer days, the city shifted. It slowed down just enough for us to notice it again.

Based on a real trip hosting our nieces in New York City. Walking times assume an easy pace with stops. This itinerary is designed for first-time NYC visitors, especially families traveling with teens during the summer. It balances walking, iconic sights, museums, food, and strategic air-conditioning breaks so the days feel full — but not exhausting.

What happens when two New Yorkers host two of their nieces for five packed days in the city that never sleeps… during one of the hottest weeks of the summer? Walking. Ferry rides. Museums. Food. Strategic air-conditioning breaks. And memories we’ll never forget. From a flight into Newark to skyline views, Central Park adventures, classic NYC landmarks, and a last-minute escape into a movie theater when the heat finally won — this trip was about seeing New York through f

A short video of all 40 locations we went to over the past year to celebrate me turning 40 this year!  We work hard to get to travel and are so fortunate to be able to do so! https://youtu.be/TOAiJbosjgI?si=lb4xinSQbewNK2iG   I joke about being surprised that I made it to 40. But in reality there have been moments and decisions that do make this feel lucky or fortunate at times. Not only to have made it - but to have made it to where I am - happy, successful, whole, and loved

12 of 40 Birthday Experiences! September 2023 - An amazing long weekend in Bermuda with our close friends, Brad and Elizabeth! Day 1: We took an early flight out of NYC - and ended up in Bermuda before lunch! The Airbnb that we stayed at - included the ability to schedule a ride from the airport - and since the Airbnb was in Sandy’s Parish which is closer to the Royal Dockyard. We settled in then walked a bit to grab some lunch before getting a taxi to the Dockyard to pick up

11 of 40 Birthday Experiences! August 2023 - Wichita Kansas with the Runyans! Celebrating birthdays and more with a surprise weekend in the heart of the midwest. During one of the hottest weekends of the year (past years) ewww! After letting Rick’s folks know that they need to pack an overnight bag and hustling them into their car - we drove first to breakfast at Cracker Barrel before heading out of town. A few pit stops at the painted silos - one was painted like a coke bott

9 of 40 Birthday Experiences! July 2023 - Playing, Laughing, Picking Fruit, Playing Disc Golf, Watching Fireworks, and MORE! A great work-cation and vacation! Day One: We made it into Spokane and joined Kassie’s family at the rental house in Spokane, Washington. Relaxing family time was the goal of this trip! Day Two: After a few rousing games of foosball and ping-pong, we headed to pick strawberries, raspberries, and cherries at two places in Green Bluff: Knapp’s on Green Bl

8 of 40 Birthday Experiences! June 2023 - Celebrating Rick’s Birthday in Newport, Rhode Island. An easy train ride to Providence And an uber out to Newport for a weekend of exploring, eating, and relaxing. Day One: Made it to Providence early - around 10am - after an easy Acela ride from New York City. We walked around Providence for a bit until we were ready for a lunch and a beer at The Malted Barley (Craft Beer + Pretzel Sandwiches). Then an uber out to Newport for the wee

5 of 40 Birthday Experiences! April 2023 - We spent a long weekend upstate New York near Watkins Glen - in a tiny house at the Farm Sanctuary! We rented a car and drove the 4+ hours upstate to the amazing Farm Sanctuary. This was our third time there and we stayed again in one of their beautiful tiny houses. They have three tiny houses and three cabins. The tiny houses each have their own kitchen, bathroom, and a little porch to sit and watch the sunset over the farm. Our dri

4 of 40 Birthday Experiences! April 2023 - We spent a long weekend in Mystic, Connecticut! One of the wonderful things of living in NYC - is the ability to get to places on the train. We hopped on Amtrak and a few hours later - we stepped off for a half mile walk into the historic district of Mystic. We stayed at the fabulous Whaler’s Inn: https://www.whalersinnmystic.com/ We’ve walked by this hotel every time we’ve stayed in Mystic - but seem to always plan our trip on a whi

3 of 40 Birthday Experiences! March 2023 - we headed to Central America with a group of friends to celebrate Allie's Birthday! We stayed at the Occidental at Xcaret - a resort in Playa del Carmen, along the Yucatán Peninsula's Riviera Maya strip of the Caribbean shoreline. Details and links: The hotel is spread out quite a ways - and has a central area (get a room there if you can!) with a river, restaurants, trails, lots of animals, ruins, and a beach, a gym, and plenty of s

This is 40: Location #2! Far out trip to a swinging hotel in the burbs. It was completely groovy. Full of hip cats and not a square in sight. Listening to jams full of the Fab Four and libations were free flowing. Dig it. Details and links: We celebrated the 60’s with https://www.twahotel.com/ We stayed in a Deluxe King with a historic TWA view. Which was perfect for our one night. We got there about 4pm from the city - which was right on time to check in! First things first

We spent 7 days on St. George Island in the panhandle of Florida. Snuck up near Apalachicola. We stayed in a beautiful rental that Kassie's amazing parents rented for a full month. We timed our visit perfectly to be able to see Kassie's Brother and Sister-in-Law, friends of Kassie's parents, and Rick's parents. We worked during the week days - but were able to enjoy the sunrise each morning and more! We explored the St,. George state park, ate too much food, drank (not enough