New York has a way of tiring you out. When you're like me and on vacation here you constantly want to be on the move and getting in as much as is humanly possible. There is just so much to see and do that a week is nowhere near enough time to clear your check list. This happened in my 2011 visit and even coming in to New York City via some stunning sunset images from upstate along the Hudson River I knew it would be the same case again.

So far we've walked most of Manhattan which in itself is an experience. Just taking in locals' attitudes towards each other is interesting. We've decided street signs asking pedestrians and cars to slow and stop is a mere suggestion rather than a demand. You have to look to make sure cars aren't zooming through red lights as you cross on foot and vice versa for those pedestrians that fearlessly and stupidly cut in front of cabs and even trucks. Not hearing car honking for thirty seconds would have you wandering what was wrong, we even saw a little Italian lady abuse a honking cab driver at a street corner. Basically which ever your mode of movement around the city you need to do it with authority yet at the same time have patience. Luckily I walk fast and direct and have a knack for ducking and weaving. I even managed to duck and weave a little, homeless and severely grumpy old lady who wielded her cane at me as we walked out of a 5th avenue store. It provided us with some laughter if nothing else. "Don't you talk to me." she yells with fury in her eyes and I see her for the first time in my life. I want to laugh but I also feel bad. I'd never want to be in her shoes, or the shoes of those many, many homeless that call subway drains, harsh concrete steps and shopping trolleys home.

Central Park provides a stunning collection of photo opportunities that can make somebody as average as me into a professional photographer. Like three years ago it was not exactly the best time of year for the park to thrive with colour and activities but it's still provided fantastic scenery and atmosphere. The sun shone brightly and bounced off the water and the tourists were aplenty on a chilly afternoon.

The Rockefeller Center observatory is not as high as the one at the Empire State building but what it does have is a view of the Empire State itself. We timed our visit to be at sunset and fortunately Mother Nature delivered in spades for our picture taking opportunities. A twist of orange mixed in with the shades of blue and grey had hundreds battling for the best positions by the glass corners of the observatory to get their pictures. Sure, we had to wait in about five different lines, get scanned like we were about to board a plane and I had an epic search for a toilet but it was well worth it for the views. The Empire State building observatory visit was accompanied by a dull grey and bitterly cold morning but again the views were incredible.

A trip to New York without taking in a Broadway show is like going to the public pool and not going in the water. You have to do it. After having our suggested show sold out our second preference was for a play called 'Kinky Boots'. It's a Tony award winning show based on a son who takes over his father's shoe business and faces the challenges of what to do with it and ramifications it has for his personal life. It was a fantastic show and a timely reminder of my love for quality theatre. The actual theatre itself was a beautiful old building with seats so comfy you could fall asleep. I almost did during the first act, no thanks to anything other than the sheer coziness of the place.

We've eaten too many burgers and fries to count while staying here, which is not at all surprising, but one such set of fries was consumed in the most interesting of settings at the Ellen's Stardust diner. What started as a suggestion from a work colleague turned into a few photo opportunities with the singing, Broadway aspirant waitresses. In this 1950's setting you get the typical American diner comfort foods with a touch of live music. In between taking your order the waitresses take to the aisles and seating with a microphone to sing their hearts out to a wide variety of pop songs. Everything from Taylor Swift to Tony Bennett is on the music menu. So there I am minding my own business waiting for my food when a microphone is suddenly infront of my mouth and I'm singing Mustang Sally with a pretty waitress. Well, singing is probably a truth stretcher but in any event it was a unique and fun experience. I'd have no problem recommending this place to anybody who enjoys live music and traditional diner menus.

And another thing New Yorkers are certainly not shy about is their sports bars, which for two people like Maddi and myself is certainly a good thing. The Redd's sport bar just out of Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford was shoulder to shoulder before the college basketball on Wednesday night and one small group even had their own keg at their table provided by the bar at the moderate price of $35. We just have to make sure the bar staff are up to par with Maddi's demand for the Mavericks game to replace the NFL and we'll be fine.

We've began closing out our New York experience in true tourist style by getting lost on the Subway and needing a bail out cab to get us from China Town, which is like a completely different world to the Times Square part of Manhattan as Maddi said, to Battery Park to go out to the Statue of Liberty island. I was a little disappointed in myself given how easily I took to the New York subway system last time. But with the need to transfer at 14th onto the 5, 6, R or N train to get to South Ferry, making sure you don't take the Coney Island Express R train because it'll go right past your stop, I can see how easy it could be to mess up. Like most things NYC though, it was fascinating and not as dangerous as you may think.

Our time here concludes with a sporting double header, starting with the Jets-Patriots NFL game at Metlife Stadium. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into this one given how much of a Patriots fan I have become. Wish me luck in my recently acquired Tom Brady jersey and Patriots hat in enemy territory. We close it out by heading back into downtown and Madison Square Garden to see the NHL with the Rangers-Hurricanes, our first ever pro ice hockey experience. On Monday where making the journey south, all-be-it slowly, with the next stop in Philadelphia. Deep breath.