All Aboard and Welcome to New York City

Central Park in the spring. Alas, it doesn't look quite as colorful yet, but by the end of the month everything will be in blossom.  

 

Welcome to New York City and welcome, as well, to the A to Z Blogging Challenge.

 

Each April bloggers around the world choose a theme and post daily from literally A to Z. We begin on April 1 with "A" and will conclude at the end of April. In the next four weeks I'm going to answer the questions I hear at least once a week about visiting New York City, beginning with "Where do I start?"

 

I moved to New York over forty years ago expecting to live here for at most two years. Though I'd visited often I was still overwhelmed by the noise, congestion and the crowds. Sometimes all three of those things still overwhelm me, but I've found so much that's interesting, beautiful and stimulating that I can overlook noise and crowds. I'm going to write about some of the top New York attractions -- can't skip Times Square -- but since the choices reflect my experiences I'm going to encourage going off the beaten path and experiencing some of New York's hundreds of neighborhoods. There will be posts on restaurants, stores, museums and places to get coffee and pizza. We'll take the Staten Island ferry, ride the subway and walk miles while we get acquainted with the city.  

 

Whether it's your first trip to New York or you live here, I hope you will find some new ideas about New York. There will be history, food, fun and a guest visit from Alexander Hamilton. Sit back and enjoy springtime in New York. An especial big welcome to blogger friends visiting for the first time as part of the A to Z Challenge. 

 

Please stop by on Monday for "B," when we'll whirl through Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. Signing off from Buttercupland, the friendliest neighborhood in New York City.