For our final day in New York City, we traded museums and park paths for a different side of Manhattan. We started with brunch at The View Restaurant & Lounge, then headed downtown to walk the High Line—one of the best ways to see how old New York and new New York overlap. From there, we made our way to Hudson Yards and Vessel before ending the trip with dinner and a night at Broadway seeing Chicago. It was the perfect final day—part relaxed wandering, part classic New York ending.

To see our other stops in The Big Apple click: HERE and also HERE

Brunch On Times Square

It was our last full day in New York—a Sunday—and with no brunch reservations and only dinner and Broadway plans later that evening, we kept the morning flexible. Staying near Times Square made it easy to look nearby, and after a few minutes of searching, we found The View Restaurant & Lounge, a revolving rooftop restaurant where we could still grab a last-minute reservation.

Arriving, we saw it was atop the New York Marriott Marquis and felt skeptical. Upstairs, we were pleasantly surprised: the food was very good, prices reasonable for NYC, and on a bright spring morning the city views made for a fun start to our final day. A few buildings blocked parts of the skyline, but the rotating restaurant still offered a fresh perspective.

Walking The High Line

After brunch, we were ready to get outside and explore. Our destination was the High Line. Even though it was a chilly morning, we set off on foot for the mile walk from Times Square.

The High Line

The High Line is one of those places that feels very New York—an old elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park running above the streets of Manhattan’s west side. Opened in sections beginning in 2009, it stretches for about 1.5 miles from the Meatpacking District up to Hudson Yards.

Parts of the original rail tracks from the 1930’s are still built right into the High Line, a reminder of what this space used to be. With the tracks, greenery, and tall buildings all around, it feels like a perfect blend of old New York and new. The park itself was complete in sections between 2009-2014.

Walking it feels less like being in a park and more like discovering a hidden path through the city, with gardens, art installations, and views of both the streets below and the Hudson River nearby.

It was a beautiful walk, especially in the spring, with flowers blooming and the city waking up around us. There is something about being slightly above street level that makes you notice New York differently—less rushed, a little quieter, and full of unexpected views.

Since the High Line is a park, with gates that closes at night, making the bright, colorful space feel safe and welcoming for all in the middle of a very busy city. It’s definitely worth a stroll should you find yourself in New York City on a sunny day.

Vessel

After finishing the High Line, we wandered over to Vessel at Hudson Yards. With its honeycomb-like design of interconnected staircases, it is hard to miss. Originally opened in 2019, Vessel quickly became one of the most recognizable new landmarks in Manhattan.

Tickets can be purchased on site but they are timed. We bought our tickets that morning, online while at brunch. It was not a very busy day so we did not feel the crunch of any crowds.

Don’t look down! The structure is made up of nearly 2,500 steps, all connected through a maze of staircases and platforms.

We took the elevator up and then made our way down, which turned out to be the perfect way to experience it. Each level gave a slightly different view—of the Hudson River, the surrounding buildings, and the activity below. It is less about getting to the top and more about the different perspectives along the way.

Vessel has also drawn its share of attention over the years—both for its bold design and some of the controversy around access and safety. Even so, it is hard to deny that it offers a unique way to experience the city from a different angle. We thoroughly enjoyed ever bit of it.

Somewhere in the middle of all those stairs.

We loved our Vessel stop and would recommend it to anyone as a unique site in New York.

A Night On Broadway

We ended our trip with a Broadway night, seeing Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre. And yes, two of our favorites from a recent season of “Dancing with the Starts” were playing Roxy Hart and Billy Flynn, making it an extra special night for us.

Chicago At the Ambassador Theatre

First opening on Broadway in 1975 and revived in 1996, Chicago is now the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Even if you know the story, seeing it live—with its minimalist staging, live orchestra, and incredible choreography—felt like the perfect New York experience.

The Ambassador Theatre itself is one of the smaller Broadway venues, which made it feel more intimate and close to the action. It was a fun contrast to the scale of everything we had seen earlier in the trip. The show was excellent and we were so glad we had a chance to see it.

Looking back, what stood out most about our time in New York was the variety. From iconic landmarks and world-class museums to quiet neighborhood streets and unexpected moments along the way, each day felt completely different. It is a city that never really slows down—but somehow, we found our own pace within it. And like most trips to New York, we left already thinking about what we would do next time