Your New York Trip Told in 20 Emojis

Instead of giving you a long speech about how a New York trip unfolds, I’ve chosen to tell the story through emojis—those little pictograms that express emotions. From trip planning to your return home, here are the feelings you’ll experience in New York:

: You decide to go to New York. This is the moment you finally commit to the trip. Now comes the planning.

: Departure day. After what feels like forever, excitement peaks. New York is just a few hours away by plane.

: Immigration. Arriving in the United States for the first time can feel nerve-wracking. To ease the stress, check out my tips for getting through US immigration.

: Welcome to New York! You’re finally here, and the whole city is yours to explore. Anything is possible.

: The buildings are tall! You’ll definitely make this face when you see the skyscrapers of Manhattan. They’re impressive. Especially One World Trade Center, which rises 546 m (1,792 ft).

: Jet lag hits. Expect to wake up very early your first two mornings. When it’s 8 am in New York, it’s already 1 pm in Europe. Here are my tips for making the most of jet lag when you arrive in New York.

: First visit! You’re walking the streets of New York. Why not start with the Statue of Liberty? You’re free as a bird.

: Love at first sight! After a few hours in New York, you’ll quickly fall in love with this one-of-a-kind city.

: Yum, burgers and cookies! Traveling in New York is also about the food. Try the classic burgers and other American specialties. Don’t miss the 6 must-try desserts in New York.

: It’s crowded! You’ll be struck by New York’s energy and the sheer number of people. I bet you’ll make this face if you visit the Charging Bull in the middle of the afternoon.

: New York is easy! After a few days, you’ll be taking the subway without checking your map. You’ve become a New Yorker.

: Send us a hello! If this site helped you plan your New York trip, reach out to us. Post on the Destination New York Facebook group or the New York Forum. We’d love to hear from you.

: The 9/11 Memorial. During your stay, you’ll likely visit the site of the September 11, 2001 attacks in the heart of the Financial District. You may also visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. A moment of reflection.

: A kiss for the Naked Cowboy. When you pass through Times Square, don’t miss the chance to say hello to this street performer dressed in little more than underwear and a guitar.

: Two days left. Time flies, and you’ll start to feel it two days before you leave.

: The last day. It’s over. Your final day is bittersweet.

: Takeoff. Even though you tell yourself you’ll come back to New York, your heart sinks as the plane leaves the ground.

: Your first morning back. After an intense trip, you’ll need to adjust to the time difference again. When it’s 8 am where you are, it’s 2 am in New York. Waking up is rough.

: New York blues. After a trip like that, you’ll miss New York. It’s normal. On our forum, we even have a name for it: New York blues. Check out the signs you have New York blues.

: You decide to go back to New York! You’ll find plenty of reasons to return, especially to cure your New York blues. Time to start the emojis all over again.