A Trip to the Big Apple

New York City- a.k.a the Big Apple, concrete jungle, and a really busy city. Summer of 25', I visited this place and many other capitals of Northwestern America, including New England, even passing through the border to Canada. And first things first-I should say that it was a very interesting trip.

📍New York, NY (21-25 June)

After a long flight of more or less 22 hours

, I finally arrived in New York City—buzzing with life even before I stepped out of JFK. A yellow cab ride later, I checked into my hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The receptionist greeted me with a warm smile, and the view from my room? Unreal. Skyscrapers stretched high into the clouds, and I could faintly hear the hum of traffic below. I unpacked quickly, eager to start exploring the city I’d dreamed about for years.

Skyscrapers stretched high into the clouds, and I could faintly hear the hum of traffic below. I unpacked quickly, eager to start exploring the city I’d dreamed about for years.

The next morning, I headed downtown to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. As I stood in front of the massive reflecting pools, silence seemed to blanket the space despite the usual city noise. 

Inside the museum, stories of survivors, rescuers, and victims were laid out with raw honesty. Personal items, twisted steel beams, and recorded phone calls—it was heartbreaking, powerful, and deeply moving. I left with a heavier heart, but also a renewed appreciation for resilience.

Later that afternoon, I crossed the East River to Brooklyn and found myself in DUMBO—Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. Cobblestone streets, trendy coffee shops, and a perfect view of the Manhattan skyline made it a photographer’s paradise. 

I grabbed a slice from a local pizzeria and wandered down to Pebble Beach. Watching the sunset cast golden hues over the Brooklyn Bridge was one of those moments that felt straight out of a movie.

The next day, I ventured back to Midtown to see the famous Rockefeller Center. I stayed long enough to watch the city light up for the evening.

Art lovers, this one’s for you. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) was my next stop, and it blew me away. From Van Gogh’s Starry Night to Warhol’s soup cans, each floor had something unexpected. 

But it wasn’t just paintings—the interactive exhibits, video art, and sculptures gave me a new perspective on what "modern" really means. I spent hours there and still felt like I barely scratched the surface.

   

📍Boston, MA (25-28 June)

Before hitting the buzz of Boston, I made a delicious detour up the coast to Maine. The drive was peaceful—rolling hills, quaint towns, and that salty Atlantic breeze drifting through the window. I stopped in Portland for one reason: lobster rolls. Crispy on the outside, buttery on the inside, and overflowing with sweet, tender lobster.

Honestly, it was perfection. I walked along the harbor after lunch, watching the fishing boats sway gently in the tide, already glad I made the stop.

The next day, curiosity pulled me toward Salem. Famous for its 1692 witch trials, the town has a strange mix of spooky and charming. I wandered through cobblestone streets lined with old colonial houses, browsed quirky witchcraft shops, and visited the Salem Witch Museum. It was part history lesson, part theater, and totally fascinating. But Salem isn’t just about witches—it’s also full of art, sea views, and warm locals. With the wind off the bay and the sound of gulls in the air, it felt like I had stepped back in time.

My final stop was wonderful, where the city’s waterfront brought the perfect ending to the trip. I strolled along the Harborwalk, watched ferries glide by. I found a bench near Christopher Columbus Park and watched the sun sink over the water, casting a golden shimmer across the harbor. It was peaceful, reflective, and the kind of moment that makes a trip stick with you long after you're home.

📍Quebec City, Canada (28-30 June)

Québec City felt like I had landed in Europe without leaving North America. I started my trip wandering through Old Québec, where narrow cobblestone streets, stone buildings, and flower-covered balconies make every corner feel like a postcard. Château Frontenac towered above the skyline like a castle from a storybook.

 I grabbed a maple latte from a cozy café on Rue du Trésor and people-watched in Place Royale. Street performers played violins and painted artists sketched under the shade. The city walls, centuries-old churches, and French signs everywhere gave it a timeless charm. At sunset, I walked along Dufferin Terrace, overlooking the St. Lawrence River, and felt completely enchanted.

The same afternoon, I visited the Québec Aquarium, and it turned out to be way more than just fish tanks. It’s set on a hill with views of the river, and the whole place is spread across indoor pavilions and outdoor trails.

 I saw jellyfish glowing under blue lights, playful polar bears diving in their pool, and seals showing off tricks. The Arctic exhibit was especially cool (literally and figuratively), with immersive environments and up-close views of northern wildlife. 

Families were everywhere, kids wide-eyed with wonder—and honestly, so was I. It’s a perfect spot to slow down and reconnect with nature.

For my last day, I made the short trip to Montmorency Falls—just about 15 minutes from the city, but it felt like a whole new world. The falls are even taller than Niagara, crashing down with a roar that you can hear from the parking lot. I took the cable car up to the top, walked across the suspension bridge right above the water, and felt the spray on my face. There’s something humbling about being that close to something so powerful. On the way down, I took the stairs (over 480 of them!) and stopped every few minutes just to stare.

📍Montréal, Canada (30 June-3 July)

Montréal greeted me with crisp air and a skyline dotted with church spires and modern glass towers. I started my day by heading up to Mount Royal, the iconic hill in the heart of the city. Locals were out jogging, cycling, and walking their dogs, all moving under a canopy of green. 

Montréal greeted me with crisp air and a skyline dotted with church spires and modern glass towers. I started my day by heading up to Mount Royal, the iconic hill in the heart of the city. Locals were out jogging, cycling, and walking their dogs, all moving under a canopy of green. 

Later that afternoon, I wandered into Jean-Talon Market, one of the oldest public markets in North America. It was bursting with color—heaps of fresh berries, rainbow-colored peppers, bundles of herbs, rows of pastries, and stalls with cheeses I couldn’t pronounce but definitely tasted. 

Everything felt local and personal. People were laughing, shopping with baskets in hand, kids were licking popsicles, and the whole place smelled like summer. 

That night, the city transformed. The Montréal International Jazz Festival lit up the downtown with rhythm, lights, and crowds. Streets were closed off, and music spilled from every corner—big stages, pop-up performances, even musicians busking between venues. 

I caught a set from a rising jazz trio at an outdoor stage, and the crowd was totally locked in—people dancing, swaying, and clapping along under strings of lights. What struck me most was the vibe: laid-back but electric. Everyone was welcome. I ended the night sitting on the steps of Place des Arts, ice cream in hand, watching strangers turn into dancers as the music carried on into the night.

📍Lincoln, VT (3-5 July)

Tucked away in the Green Mountains, Lincoln, Vermont felt like a hidden gem. I stayed in a cozy Airbnb cabin surrounded by trees, with a porch perfect for morning coffee and stargazing at night. The air was crisp, the silence peaceful—exactly what I needed. On my second day, I hiked the Emily Procter Trail, a scenic path that winds through lush forest and climbs steadily toward a rustic shelter nestled deep in the wilderness. Along the way, I crossed wooden bridges over bubbling streams and passed pockets of wildflowers blooming between mossy rocks. At the top, I rested at the shelter and took in the quiet stillness of the woods. It wasn’t a loud or flashy adventure—just pure, grounding nature.

📍Philadelphia, PA (5-8 July)

My visit to Philadelphia began with a step into its darker, more mysterious past—the Eastern State Penitentiary. The crumbling stone walls, long echoing hallways, and rusted cell doors made it feel like I had walked into a movie set.

 But this wasn’t fiction—it was once one of the most famous (and expensive) prisons in the world. I took the self-guided audio tour, narrated in part by Steve Buscemi, and wandered through the eerie silence of old cell blocks. 

Some were untouched and decaying, others preserved to tell powerful stories of the inmates who once lived there. Al Capone’s cell, surprisingly furnished and almost cozy, stood out. It was haunting, fascinating, and deeply human all at once.

The next morning, I hopped on an early train and made a day trip to Washington, D.C.—a few hours away, but it felt like an entirely different world. I started at the National Mall, walking past the towering Washington Monument and spending quiet time at the Lincoln Memorial, where people from around the world sat on the steps in awe. 

As the sun set behind the Capitol dome, I realized how lucky I was to experience two iconic cities in one short trip.

📍New York, NY (8-10 July)

Coming back to New York felt like re-entering a dream, and where better to start than Times Square? It was buzzing with energy—giant billboards flashing, street performers drawing crowds, and yellow taxis weaving through the chaos. 

I grabbed a quick bite from a food cart and made my way to a Broadway theater, ticket in hand and heart racing. The show was magical—perfect choreography, live music, and a cast that held the audience spellbound. 

As the curtain fell and the crowd erupted in applause, I felt that unmistakable New York rush—the feeling that anything can happen here.

The next morning, I traded neon lights for nature and spent a few peaceful hours wandering through Central Park. It’s hard to believe such a calm, green space exists in the middle of Manhattan. 

I rented a bike, looped around the reservoir, and stopped by Bethesda Terrace, where a cellist was playing under the arches. Families picnicked on the grass, couples rowed boats in the lake, and kids chased bubbles near Sheep Meadow.

 I grabbed a pretzel from a vendor and sat on a bench, just watching life go by. It was the perfect reminder that New York’s beauty isn’t only in its buildings, but in its balance.

I ended the day with some retail therapy along Fifth Avenue—New York’s shopping paradise. Window displays looked like mini art galleries, from designer fashion houses to iconic department stores. Tourists and locals wove in and out of stores, shopping bags in hand and iced coffees in the other. By the time I returned to my hotel, my feet were tired, my wallet was lighter, and I was smiling from ear to ear.

Top 3 restaurants 😋

1. Portland, ME- Highroller Lobster Co.

The lobster was absolutely mouthwatering and fresh, caught off the coast of Portland. The bun was also very soft and was grilled with butter. The lobster bisque was the best I'd ever had, and the 4-cheese lobster mac had a very satisfying cheese pull.

2. Brooklyn, NY- Juliana's

Among all of the pizza places I tried on this trip- Bleeker St, L'industrie, Mike's- this easily wins by quite a large margin. The crust was just the right amount of crispy, the cheese was creamy, the pepperonis were large and beefy. Plus, the olive oil baked onto the 

top was the icing on the cake.

3. Montreal, Canada- Dandy

This restaurant specializes in pancakes. They were extremely fluffy and the maple syrup sauce had just the right amount of sweetness. The restaurant also had a pleasant vibe and it was a good place to relax and eat some pancakes.

📍Home

After 21 unforgettable days exploring the Northeast—New York’s bright lights, Vermont’s quiet trails, Montréal’s vibrant jazz, Québec’s old-world charm, and the rich history of Philadelphia and D.C.—it was finally time to return home to Indonesia. I boarded my Qatar Airways flight at JFK, tired but full of memories. As the plane took off into the night sky, I watched the city shrink below me, feeling both a little sad to leave and incredibly grateful for the journey. With a layover in Doha ahead, I settled into my seat, wrapped in a soft blanket, and let the hum of the aircraft lull me to sleep—already dreaming of sharing stories, photos, and souvenirs with friends and family back home.