Hello, my bookish friends! This review is going to be a bit different. I just returned from an incredible vacation to New York City and Niagara Falls. While packing, I wondered if I should even discuss my trip here on the blog, given that my niche is strictly bookish. However, as soon as my feet hit the pavement in Manhattan, I realized that for a bookworm, a trip to NYC is like walking through the pages of your favorite stories.
I did manage to walk past the famous Strand bookstore, keeping my eyes peeled for a real-life ‘You’ve Got Mail’ moment!
My next stop had to be the iconic New York Public Library. Standing outside this beautiful literary castle, I thought of all the incredible books set in this city, including one of my favorites, Rachael Bloome’s New York, New Year, New You. Walking the streets she describes in her book felt so surreal! This has been on my bucket list for years, and I couldn’t believe my dream was finally coming true. I was walking the very streets I had only read about or seen in a movie.
But the absolute highlight of my trip was walking a very specific route that is near and dear to my heart. Every single year, without fail, I watch the movie Miracle on 34th Street. Years ago, I actually read the original novella by Valentine Davies, and it has remained a deeply nostalgic story for me. Note to self.. I must reread this book!
On this trip, I accidentally retraced the famous Thanksgiving Day Parade route, starting at Central Park where the floats and magic begin.
Then I followed it all the way to the ultimate destination. I even managed to snap a picture of the 34th Street sign and the flagship Macy’s department store itself!
Standing right where Kris Kringle marched and worked felt like stepping directly into the movie and the book. It’s a rare case where I love both the screen and written versions equally, and seeing it in person was pure magic.
Of course, the trip wasn’t just about New York City. We also headed up to Niagara Falls, which felt like stepping onto its own movie set. If you ever go, be sure to visit the Canadian side, which is pure magic. And a trip about 30 minutes down the road to Niagara-on-the-Lake is also a must-see. There is a quaint bookshop there called Old Niagara Bookshop.
Because a book blogger never truly leaves home without a book, my travel companion for the trip—besides my husband—was Denise Grover Swank’s In High Cotton from her Neely Kate Mystery series. It has absolutely nothing to do with New York or massive waterfalls—it’s a fast-paced, gripping Southern mystery—but it was the perfect page-turner to keep me entertained during travel and wind-down time. (Review to come soon)
Going on vacation reminded me that books shape how we see the world, and seeing these famous settings in real life made me appreciate my favorite stories even more.
My trip was definitely 5 stars out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Here is a picture of my husband and me enjoying Central Park.
What about you? Do you have a favorite book set in New York City or Niagara Falls? Have you ever visited a place just because it was the setting of a book or movie you love? I would love to hear your stories Let me know in the comments!
Chapters & Lattes 