New York City to Vancouver by Train
I have been fortunate to take many mesmerising train journeys over the years. The ones that have stood out have been journeys in India, China, Thailand, Japan, Peru, Brazil, and Madagascar. So, a mammoth train journey across Canada was a natural choice. An affordable and easy point of access from home, in Spain, was via New York. I would travel from New York City to Vancouver by train.
Outline of the Journey
I had allowed seven weeks to travel from New York City to Vancouver by train. It was enough time to travel and explore at a comfortable pace. The first train journey was from New York to Montreal. I deviated east to Quebec and then stopped at Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton to access the Rockies, and finally Vancouver. I had booked up a fortnight trek and canoe trip in the Rockies. As I would be travelling alone, it seemed to be the best and safest option.
New York
For years I have travelled the World, especially throughout Asia and Latin America, but I have always shied away from visiting the USA. I must admit that nothing appealed less than a visit to New York; how wrong I was!
Independence Day
I arrived in New York on July 4th in the afternoon. I had found a cosy guesthouse in Harlem with a small but adequate room and a good breakfast spread. It was just what I needed to set me off each day, and keep me on the streets to see the most I could of what is an expensive city. Harlem is a good base and an area that still has its raw parts despite its move towards gentrification.
After dumping my luggage, I made my way to see the last of the Independence Day celebrations. I just caught the Macy’s firework display – spectacular! It was an intense and fast-moving start to my stay in New York, and I kept that pace up all the while I was there.
Around New York City
The following days I walked myself off my feet, took the occasional bus and metro in and out of Harlem, and rode the Staten Island ferry. The bus is a comfortable option, and the metro from Harlem is dank but manageable.
With the pace, vastness, and array of amazing places to visit in New York, where I went reads a bit like a travel tick list:
- The noise and glare of Times Square
- The haunting 9/11 memorial
- South Central Park – a green and peaceful corner away from the crowds
- Strolling around leafy Brooklyn
- The fresh breeze on the ferry ride to Staten Island
- The American Museum of Natural History – great dinosaurs!
- “A Starry Night” at the MoMA
- The Met – loved the Ancient Greek and Roman displays
- Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Carnegie Hall, World Trade Centre – colossal
- Eileen’s for cheesecake – still dreaming about it now!
- “Mucho ambiente” on Christopher Street
- Macy’s – Perhaps no longer the World’s largest store – but impressive and historical
- Bloomingdales – in search of summer-sale bargains
- A sundowner at the snotty Bar SixtyFive in the Rockefeller Centre – great views!
The buzz of New York City set me off on a good footing to make my way across the continent. I could have spent so much longer in New York City, but the journey was beckoning.
