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Father & Daugther New York! 🇺🇸🗽
Most of you who follow me on Instagram or Snapchat probably saw that I went on a trip to New York City back in September 2019. Visiting New York had always been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, and I finally made it happen!
I was checking flights for the dates September 19–22, 2019 when I came across a crazy deal—two round-trip tickets for only $599. You already know I wasn’t passing that up. I immediately turned to my dad and asked,
“If I paid for your ticket to New York, would you go with me?”
He hesitated for a second but eventually said, “Of course.”
I bought the tickets right then and there and said, “Papi, we’re going to New York!”
I had always wanted to experience a father-daughter trip, and this felt like the perfect opportunity. Plus, my dad had never been to New York either, so this was a first for both of us. I was beyond excited—
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I was finally going to freaking New York, and
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I was taking my dad with me.
Travel Day: Delays & Detours ✈️
The day finally arrived! We were up and moving by 4:30 AM, aiming to be at the airport by 5:15. Originally, we had a non-stop flight from San Diego to New York, but that got changed last minute. Now, we had to stop in Los Angeles to catch another plane.
The first flight to LAX was quick—about 45 minutes. Once we boarded our connecting flight to New York, we were ready to go. But just before takeoff, the pilot announced:
“We’re having technical difficulties with the plane. The left engine isn’t working. We’ll get it fixed and be on our way to New York in no time.”
Yeah… about that.
Two hours passed, and we were still sitting on the plane.
Finally, around 10:00 AM, the issue was fixed and we were cleared for takeoff.
We were supposed to land at 4:30 PM, but we didn’t arrive in NYC until 8:30 PM. Not exactly how we planned to start the trip, but hey—we made it. And that’s what counts.
First Stop Exploring the Big Apple 🍎👟
Since our flight landed later we checked out Time Square. Let me tell you, no matter how many pictures or movies you’ve seen, Times Square in real life is a whole different vibe. The lights, the screens, the people, the chaos—it was electric. We stood there just soaking it all in. My dad was amazed too, just looking around at all the movement. You could tell he was in awe. It felt surreal being there, like I had stepped straight into a movie scene.
We started the next morning by walking to the Empire State Building, which was only an 8-minute walk from our hotel. And speaking of our hotel—it had a direct view of the Empire State Building! That was such a cool surprise.
Standing at 107 stories, the Empire State Building is one of those things you can’t really appreciate until you’re right in front of it. Pictures don’t do it justice. Seeing it in person gave me chills—it was everything I imagined and more.
Nature in the City: A Walk Through Central Park 🌳🚶♂️🚶♀️
At one point during our trip, we made our way to Central Park—and let me just say, it was like stepping into a completely different world. After all the chaos and noise of the city, Central Park gave us a quiet moment to slow down, breathe, and just enjoy being present.
We strolled through the winding paths, watched street performers, and took in the beautiful greenery. It was peaceful and refreshing—something I didn’t realize I needed until I was right in the middle of it. Sharing that quiet space with my dad made it even more special.
Later that day, we made our way to the Yankees game—something I was so excited for. You already know how much I love baseball, and checking Yankee Stadium off my MLB list was a must. The atmosphere? Insane. The fans are passionate, loud, and so fun to be around. I was living my best life with a hot dog in one hand and my dad by my side watching one of the most iconic teams in the league. Another unforgettable moment.
Our day was packed—with walking and exploring. We walked not just a few blocks… we’re talking 3+ miles around the city. By the end of the day, our fitness trackers said 27,000+ steps. My feet were done, but my heart was so full.
The Statue of Liberty 🗽
The next morning we took a ferry to visit The Statue of Liberty. Being that close to such a powerful symbol of freedom and opportunity gave me chills. It’s one of those sights that just hits different when you’re standing in front of it. Seeing it with my dad made the moment even more special.
Honoring Lives at the World Trade Center & 9/11 Museum 🕊️🇺🇸
The next morning we went to the World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the most emotional parts of the trip.
No words can truly describe the feeling of standing at the memorial pools, seeing the names engraved of all the lives lost that day. It’s humbling. Heavy. Powerful. Walking through the museum, reading the stories, seeing the artifacts, and hearing the voices of survivors—it really puts things in perspective. It made me feel grateful for every single moment of life and reminded me of the strength this city has.
SoHo Vibes & Good Eats 🍽️✨
To wrap up our trip, we checked out a cozy restaurant in SoHo. It had those chic NYC vibes—brick walls, dim lighting, and food that made your taste buds dance. It was nice to just sit, talk, and reflect on everything we had done over the past few days. From sightseeing to baseball to moments of deep reflection—this trip had it all.
A Trip I’ll Never Forget
Taking this trip with my dad was something I’ll cherish forever. Not only did I get to check New York off my bucket list, but I also got to do it with one of the most important people in my life. We made memories that will last a lifetime. And honestly? I’d do it all over again—delays, sore feet and all.
So if you ever get the chance to take a parent on a trip… do it. You’ll be surprised at how deeply those moments will stay with you.