Trip East Makes for Memorable Summer

Let me ask you this: what is America’s most recognizable symbol across the world? Yes, the Statue of Liberty; the Empire State building and Niagara Falls would surely rank among the iconic landmarks as well. This summer, I took a memorable trip to New York—possibly the most well-known of America’s thirteen original colonies—and explored some of the East Coast’s most celebrated destinations.

Taking a flight to Buffalo, NY ,the majestic Niagara Falls was our first destination. Almost 1,204 meters, the breadth of the grand falls astonished me! 3160 tons of water plunge over the edge and fall each second. In the nerve-wrecking Maid of the Mist tour, the boat got so close to the roaring cascade that we all got drenched.

We also witnessed the night time illumination and dazzling fireworks over the USA-Canada border. Next morning we boarded an Amtrak train to NYC Penn station which traced alongside the Hudson river. In the afternoon we headed towards the World Trade Center and the 9/11 memorial. It was an emotional experience to see the poignant memories left out from that tragic day. At sunset we walked across the historic Brooklyn Bridge, taking in breathtaking views of Manhattan’s skyline. Towering skyscrapers define
New York City’s iconic silhouette, the Hudson River and the vast greenery of Central Park add a refreshing natural charm to the bustling metropolis.

The next morning we walked through the heart of Central Park and headed to the American Museum of Natural History. Even spending four hours seemed like not enough in the huge exhibit of the grand museum
along with the breathtaking planetarium show.

Later we walked to Times Square and Rockefeller Center. In New York, not only the tourist sites were amazing, but the regular hustle and bustle was new to me! Many locals and tourists were enjoying
their time in the coffee shops, streets and theaters. So many people make a living in the Empire State with opulent cultural diversity and professions. Food trucks, gift shops, street vendors adorned roadsides.
People are always bursting with energy even at midnight!

My favorite part of the trip was watching my first ever Broadway show, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” in the Lyric Theatre. Tom Felton himself was portraying the role of Draco Malfoy and watching all of them
was truly a magical experience for a Potter fan like me!

On our last day in New York, we took a ferry to Liberty Island. We posed with the humongous Statue of Liberty and witnessed its profound significance through documentaries and the museum. During
the 19th century thousands of immigrants looked at the statue in awe and hope at their first glimpse of America. We also visited Ellis Island and enjoyed the rich immigrant history there.

At the end of our trip we spent a day in New Jersey. At the Princeton University campus, stately trees lined every pathway and the gothic structure of the buildings retained a charming colonial aura. Our final stop was the magnificent BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville. Its intricate craftsmanship and grandeur provided a fitting conclusion to our East Coast adventure.

I truly believe that a trip to America’s East Coast is always worthwhile. Family vacations offer
more than sightseeing—they provide a welcome break from everyday routines, refresh our minds,
and strengthen family bonds through shared experiences and lasting memories. This journey gave us all of that and more. It is a trip I will always cherish, and one day I would gladly take again.