How do you feel when you return from a trip to New York?

I’m back from New York! This trip went wonderfully—great weather, plenty of new discoveries, and experiences off the usual tourist path. I’ll share everything with you here on the site as I go. This visit was also the perfect time to officially launch our new New York tours with Laurène, who just joined our team! 🙂
Being back in Europe is a good moment to tell you what to expect when you return from New York:

1/ The dreaded jet lag!

• Here’s what you need to know: if you live in Europe, you’ll feel jet lag on the way back too. It’s much worse than on the way there because now you’re losing 6 hours. When it’s 9 am in France or Belgium, it’s 3 am in New York. I can tell you I wasn’t fresh this morning… the return is tough! 🙂
• One tip: during your last few days in New York, wake up very early—around 6 am. This helps you start adjusting to European time. You’ll also get to see more before you leave.

2/ The silence…

• Even if you live in a major city like Paris, Lyon, Marseille or Brussels, you’ll quickly notice that New York is far louder than anywhere else in the world. New York runs 24/7, with constant traffic in the streets and sirens wailing through the night!
• Every New York building has huge air conditioning units that hum 24 hours a day. When you get back from New York, you’re struck by the quiet. I was actually surprised to hear birds this morning…

3/ Where are New York’s skyscrapers?

• Looking out the window this morning, I found myself searching for the One World Trade Center, which stands 541 m (1,775 ft) tall! 🙂 It feels strange not to have that skyline on the horizon anymore…
• If you live in Paris, it’s even stranger to think that the Eiffel Tower, Paris’s tallest structure, would be dwarfed if you placed it next to the buildings in Midtown. Where are all those giant towers?

4/ The urge to go back!

• Even though I’ve explored New York thoroughly, I’m already itching to return. There’s still so much to see that I didn’t have time for! I wanted to explore the Bronx more and didn’t manage it. Same with Coney Island—it’s so far from Manhattan that getting there eats up your whole day. That’ll have to wait for next time.
• You should know that New York is a massive metropolis. Go in knowing you’ll only see a fraction of it. Choose what interests you most—whether that’s New York’s landmarks and monuments or New York’s museums.

5/ The irresistible urge to talk about New York

• Another effect of returning from New York: you want to tell everyone about it! I have so many new things to share and stories to tell, hoping to inspire you to make the trip and discover this amazing city! 🙂
• I look forward to connecting with you here on the site, on the New York forum, on the cnewyork Facebook page, and in the Destination New York guidebook group. I’m happy to help you plan your trip.
• I also want to mention my Destination New York guidebook—248 pages with a large New York subway map. You’ll find everything you need to see and know to have an unforgettable New York experience! 🙂