New York here we come!

We wrapped up the day with a cozy dinner at the Hard Rock Café, soaking in the lively atmosphere.

First impressions of New York? A bustling, vibrant city full of charm—but no matter where you go, there’s a distinct hint of weed in the air!

After another underwhelming breakfast this morning, we’re shaking off the exhaustion and gearing up for today’s adventures. New York doesn’t wait, so neither will we!

For lunch, we hit Chick-fil-A, because when in America, fried chicken is practically a cultural experience. And yes, the waffle fries were life-changing.

In the afternoon, we braved the winter chill for a crisp but sunny walk along the High Line. The city views, urban art, and quiet moments above the bustling streets were worth every shiver!

To wrap up the day, we headed to The Edge for sunset. Standing 100 floors above the city was nothing short of magical—the cold air just added to the thrill. Watching the city lights come alive as the sun dipped below the skyline? A perfect ending to another day of New York magic!

On the way to lunch, we strolled through Wall Street, feeling tiny among the towering buildings and soaking in the financial district vibes.

Lunch itself? The legendary Joe’s Pizza. The slices lived up to every bit of the hype—simple, cheesy perfection. It’s a New York classic for a reason.

Afterwards, we spent the afternoon at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. It was an incredibly moving experience, a space that truly captures both the tragedy and resilience of the city.

the time we left, we were starving again, so we grabbed a cookie that turned out to be enormous. Calling it a snack would be a lie—it was practically a meal.

To end the day, we embraced our inner NYPD and had donuts for dinner. Because really, what better way to wrap up another day in the city than with sugary goodness?

For lunch, we stayed at the museum and enjoyed a delicious pasta dish before setting off on foot again.

Our next stop was Grand Central Terminal, where we couldn’t resist channeling our inner Gossip Girl—it’s every bit as grand and iconic as you’d imagine.

Just a short walk from there, we visited the New York Public Library. The architecture was incredible, and wandering through its halls made us feel like we’d stepped onto a movie set.

The rest of the afternoon involved a few stops at nearby stores (because who can resist a little shopping in NYC?). By the time dinner rolled around, we made our way to Dallas BBQ. Let’s just say their portions are no joke—I nearly drowned in my giant glass of cola! A full day, both in sights and stomachs!

Next stop was the Central Park Zoo! We watched the sea lions enthusiastically devour their lunch and saw plenty of amazing animals. The snow leopards were majestic, and the penguins? Let’s just say they’ve mastered winter fashion better than we ever could.

After a scenic walk through the park, we made our way to Shake Shack for a much-needed lunch. Burgers and fries hit the spot, giving us just enough fuel to keep exploring.

In the afternoon, we headed to SoHo for a brief stroll (our legs and feet are officially protesting), where we visited the Color Factory. Between the vibrant photo ops and creative exhibits, it was a colorful pick-me-up and just the right balance of fun and relaxation.

Dinner was back at Times Square at The Carnegie Diner, but the real magic happened at 11:57 PM. Standing in the heart of Times Square, we watched the billboards switch from ads to art in a synchronized digital display. For a few moments, the chaos of the city faded, and it felt like we were in the middle of something truly extraordinary. What a way to end the day!

For lunch, we went all out with a visit to Ellen’s Stardust Diner, a place like no other. The singing waitstaff performed Broadway classics with so much energy and talent that it felt like we were watching a mini-musical while digging into our mac-n-cheese and sandwicht. It was the perfect mix of entertainment and nostalgia, reminding us of the incredible performance we had seen this week.

With full stomachs and a mix of excitement and reluctance, we made our way to the airport to begin the long journey home. The flight from New York to Amsterdam was a quiet reflection of the amazing week we’d had. Watching the city lights fade from the window felt surreal—it was hard to believe the trip was already over.

We landed in Amsterdam on the morning of January 28, groggy but grateful, and transferred to our final flight back to Brussels. Arriving home later that day, we were met with a mix of exhaustion and joy. Though our adventure in New York had come to an end, the memories we made—of snowy walks in Central Park, incredible views from The Edge, late-night magic in Times Square, and Broadway-worthy lunches—will stay with us forever. And no matter how many showers we take, we’ll probably be smelling New York’s signature weed-scented air for days to come!