The purpose of this trip was to celebrate my sister’s birthday. It was the second of our Sister! Sister! Annual Trips. After getting worried about what to do, I decided to let Airbnb decide and named our entire trip the Sister! Sister! New York City Airbnb Experiences Tour.
(We LOOOOOVE Tia and Tamara Mowry, and if you were around when I was around, you watched their sitcom. We still answer the phone with the catchy Sister! Sister! refrain that opened the show!)
Getting together with NO KIDS!
We decided some years ago to intentionally plan trips alone together at least every other year. She is an army wife, so we never knew where she would be or when we would see each other again! I got lucky and she’s permanently much closer, so we can see each other more often!
Sister still hadn’t been to New York City, so that was an obvious choice as her birthday falls in the beautiful month of September.
Looking for something different…
I wasn’t sure what to do when we got there (except go to Serendipity’s) and it was really bugging me. Having been to NYC several times already, I didn’t want to do the same old tourist thing. However, of course, Sister had to do the tourist thing!!
Then I remembered that AirBnB began offering experiences! There is a plethora of really cool experiences that people are offering there!
Here is a link to some awesome ones that might interest you!
New York City Airbnb Experiences | except…..
I really wanted this to be a total New York City Airbnb experience and actually STAY in one of their listings, as I have many times. After giving it some thought, I decided I wasn’t feeling brave enough to navigate coming into NYC from one of the boroughs.
Also, this was my first time as the veteran traveler, so I wanted to be able to rely on an expert and have a concierge!! Having access to amazing Marriott locations, we were able to be stone’s throw from Times Square. We only had a long weekend and I didn’t want to spend it commuting!
NYC…we have a problem…
There was already a big disappointment early in the planning stages.
Initially, we wanted to see Wendy Williams live! We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her!! I thought we would be okay staying in NYC from Thursday night to Monday night, so we would have Thursday and Monday as options to attend show tapings.
However, I learned most shows don’t tape on Fridays!! Our Monday option also wasn’t going to work because the taping interfered with our flight schedule!
Instead, we booked The View because they are live on Friday’s. Not a bad second choice.
CHANDRA SAYS
If you definitely want to see something specific, schedule your trip for a Friday – Tuesday. Then you can take advantage of Monday show tapings!
We Finally Made It!
We booked flights from our respective cities and met in LaGuardia’s JetBlue terminal.
Sister didn’t know what was in store for her! I couldn’t wait to surprise her with these amazing experiences. Upon arrival, we exhaustedly went for pizza and went to eat it on the red steps.
No moment could be wasted. She couldn’t believe how alive it was at that hour…it was around 2 AM!
New York City Airbnb Experiences | FRIDAY
- THE VIEW
- HOP ON/HOP OFF BUS
- HARLEM JAZZ EXPERIENCE
We had reservations for The View early Friday morning.
We got up, got dressed, took the subway, got off at the wrong stop, got back on the subway, and made it just in time to be the first ones cut off in the line.
Yes, Y’all!
I.
Was.
Late to something
Thankfully the girl who worked the door was from the Orlando area and took pity on the birthday girl!
She got us in the priority line for Monday morning’s taping of GMA Day.
This brand new show debuted days earlier and featured co-hosts Michael Strahan and Sara Haines!
NYC Change of Plans
We got back on the subway, changed clothes and went out to explore NYC.
The first thing we found was a park with a carousel. I think it was called Bryant Park. We had to go on it to set the tone for the weekend!
Today was the planned day for the Hop ON Hop OFF bus. We always do these whenever a city offers. It’s a great way to see the entire city and learn some historical facts at the same time.
Learning on top of the bus! 
Ewww….so much gum! 
The Flatiron: a favorite of mine
I got turned around on a subway again!!
After resting and changing for our final activity we took the subway to Harlem. We exited the subway too early, (I know…I’m apparently directionally challenged…but I get there eventually). But I’m glad because I got to see the most unusual thing.
There are pop-up stores on the corner of the streets. Like little store shelves set up with typical home supplies of the type you would see at a dollar store. I was so astounded I didn’t even take a picture!
The Harlem Jazz night Airbnb Experience was amazing!
We made sure to arrive early so we could get a seat close to the stage. It did take a while to get food and drinks that night. And come to think of it, I would have rather eaten somewhere else so I could really concentrate on the act. It also has tiny tables really only meant for drinking on!
But I was so blown away by the entertainment on stage that nothing really mattered. I was so in love with every single musician! To see young people caress the notes the way they did and love this genre the way they do was inspiring.
New York City Airbnb Experiences | Saturday | OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY
- SERENDIPITY
- ABRACADABRA EXPERIENCE
- DINNER AT PALMS
We decided to skip Serendipity in lieu of sleeping in! We were so tired and loving the quiet, dark room with no exclamations of, “Mommy!” coming from everywhere, all the time. We actually stayed in bed and took our time getting up.
We used the final hours of our HOP ON HOP OFF bus to get to our meeting place for Sister’s next surprise. On the way, we walked through a farmers market. (At which I am known to stop and smell everything!)
Noodle Bars are Essential
We found an extremely popular with the locals Udon restaurant right around the corner from the meeting spot for our next New York City Airbnb experience!
Noodle restaurants are my favorite thing about NYC…and udon dishes are my newest obsession.
Around the Block: A Trip of A Lifetime
Getting on this music bus was an adventure of a lifetime! I was immediate best friends with about 12 other thrill-seeking travelers on a hollowed out bus. Sitting on bench seats built along the windows, we entertained each other with stories as we were driven around New York City with a band playing live on top of the bus!
The funniest thing that happened was a guy who ran 3 blocks after the bus, begging to be let on. He had a tiny dog in his arms..which I guess was the clincher. After getting encouragement from the guests, the driver finally stopped and let him on. He was hilarious!
I couldn’t believe it was possible to surprise a New Yorker!
I think one of the best things about this Airbnb experience was the ability to do something very few would get to do. Watching the looks of utter disbelief or delight on the faces of everyone in the crowds we passed made my heart smile!
Then when we stopped on Washington Square, there was an immediate dance party!
Saying goodbye to this experience was hard. We almost stayed on for the return trip. But this was another group of people and it wouldn’t be the same.
Besides…we were hungry!
A birthday dinner at the Palms was our last stop for these tired ladies!
New York City Airbnb Experiences | Sunday
- BLUSHINGTON MAKEUP APPLICATION
- CENTRAL PARK PHOTO SHOOT
- THE VILLAGE
We started the day early and headed out for our last full day in NYC. Today I had a makeup application and photo shoot planned!
I found this great makeup bar last time I was in New York City and needed to be glammed up. I was excited for another reason to visit. Blushington is a cute company with beauty services available pretty much on demand!
The other experience I found a lot of on AirBnB was photographers offering Central Park Photo Shoots. This was a great option because since it was just the two of us, I wanted some photos together. The photographer was extremely affordable. She was great to talk to for the short time we were together. We got a few great shots of us with some iconic city scenes in the background!
Enjoying our Makeovers!
After the shoot, we headed back toward Times Square. On the way we passed a rooftop bar called The Haven I found on my last visit.
NYC has amazing rooftop bars, which for a southern girl like me is definitely a new perspective!
Dancing in the Village
This was our last night, so we had to go to the Village! I had to show her The Stonewall in the heart of the Gay Rights Movement.
I found an interesting bar with a disco underneath. It was so quiet and unassuming upstairs, then you descend a spiral staircase and then…..
BAM! 1977
I had the most fun of my life twirling around the dance floor with those men and women! The funny thing is Disco is probably my least favorite genre. But it is definitely great for dancing!
We met some great guys and stayed out entirely too late! This time we asked a nice gentleman to push us out of the subway car at the correct stop!
New York City Airbnb Experience | monday
- LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE | GMA DAY
- TRAVEL DAY
I was determined not to be late for the GMA taping. Although, I think I killed Sister last night. She couldn’t move. She wasn’t going!
Well…I dizzily walked the 5 minutes to the studio and made it through the line.
I am so glad I did. It was such a fun experience!
Getting to view the behind the scenes moments of a television show taping is fascinating! You are clapping and screaming for hours (on cue of course).
IF you are lucky, one of your favorite stars is being interviewed.
If you are REALLY lucky, you will get a free gift. It must have been my lucky day because I got both!
Southern royalty to me, and new author Reese Witherspoon was in the same room as me y’all!!
And Robin and I celebrated always being in the tall girl section!
CHANDRA SAYS
Definitely go to a live show taping! It is FREE!!! There are so many to choose from in NYC. With a little planning you too can be in the same room with your Hollywood crush!
And kids are allowed! There was a cute little boy, around 10 years old in there the whole time.
Well, we made it to the airport and even got a sneak peek of myself over Micheal’s shoulder on TV while having a bite to eat! This was a great trip for both of us.
https://vimeo.com/user96193270/review/333977046/7d1f161f4b
And then I had an old friend text…did I just see you on TV?? How random!
I’m so glad I got to be my sister’s first tour guide to the Big Apple.
In my opinion, there are few things that can be just as amazing as your first time when you visit with a first timer.
Disney World is one.
New York City is another.
Until next time NYC!
What city do you love to introduce people to?
Which one of these New York City AirBnB experiences most appeals to you? Why?
Chandra Says: Girl, Get Going!
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