Well it’s been a crazy journey and you might have read that I made my way back to the good old USA for the first time in 7 years when I flew from San Jose in Costa Rica back into Atlanta, Georgia.

Backpacking in NYC, USA: 5 Tips in One Day

I had a marvellous time in Atlanta including some food and drink and then I headed on my flight to New York City. It was an emotional return to NYC for me. My journey as a big time traveller there back in 2007 kick started my hardcore backpacking days and helped launch Don’t Stop Living so I was buzzing and ready for it. In terms of planning I was pushed for time and without a USA guidebook or even information on hand, I did my own thing and quickly made my way round the main sights of New York in a day and loved it.

Backpacking in NYC

Mostly I went to the sights I hadn’t seen before though. If you’re stuck for ideas be sure to check out the Multi Centre USA holidays page on Eshores as they specialise in creating US itineraries. I got off my flight in La Guardia airport (as I did in 2007) and headed on a bus to Manhattan to explore again, as a 34 year old. It was so nice to be back in the Big Apple and here are five cool things I did that you could try too!

1. Afternoon Tea With Nomadic Matt!

I met up with the equally nomadic Nomadic Matt AKA Matt Kepnes, who is probably the most loved and respected travel blogger on the planet and I got to meet him early afternoon in the sweet Chocolate Bar in NYC. Check out and buy Matt’s book on How to Make Money from your Travel Blog.

Tea with Nomadic Matt

2. Crossing Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge is totally free to walk across and you get some great views and watch the world go by as you walk. Back in 2007 I had signed my name on the bridge in black ink with my backpacking buddies Cassiano and Nina. This time, I couldn’t find the place I had signed though.

Crossing Brooklyn Bridge

3. Morning Beer and Pizza
New York never sleeps and it is a 24 Hour City as they say so I love the way you can just wander into a bar early morning for a beer and a pizza. As a bonus they had live sports on. I had my beer in the Beer Authority Bar in Times Square.

Morning beer and pizza, NYC

4. Empire State Building
This time I didn’t go back to the top of the Empire State Building on my second visit to the city but I sure did check it out from the bottom and admired the nearby streets.

Touring New York, USA

5. One World Trade Centre
Back in 2007 on my visit I visited the sad site of the 9/11 tragedy –  Ground Zero where the two twin towers once stood. This time in 2014 there was a new building in NYC – Freedom Tower, mostly known as One World Trade Centre. I didn’t go to the top – I didn’t feel the need to do so many touristy things this time, which I personally loved.

One World Trade Centre

From New York to Barcelona where I headed next it was a busy time. I can’t wait to get more on the spot travel articles typed up!