My First Visit to New York City

My first time in New York City was a memorable one for many reasons. I was a brand-new, 18-year-old graduate of the Navy's Newport, Rhode Island, boot camp in 1943. A group of us stopped off for a day in New York City on the way home on leave, before shipping out to the Pacific during World War II.

Because most of us had never been in a big city before, when we stepped out of Pennsylvania Station, all we could do was strain our necks looking up at the tall, tall Empire State Building and Chrysler Building skyscrapers. It was mid-December, so we buttoned up our peacoats and headed over to Radio City Music Hall for an afternoon show. As we made our way along 34th Street to Sixth Avenue, we saw the colorful Christmas displays in the windows of Macy's and Gimbel's Department Stores.

When we got to the theater, the two-dollar ticket prices were too high for us, but as servicemen, we got in for 50 cents. We saw the first-run movie, then on the big stage. We watched the famous Rockettes in their annual Christmas show, but were disappointed when they did their big dance number dressed totally as uniformed toy soldiers.

Since I and several other sailors in our group had tickets for trains departing later in the evening, we still had enough time to visit the Stage Door Canteen near Times Square. It was an early version of the USO, where off-duty service members could find free entertainment and food.

We had heard that famous Broadway and Hollywood stars performed there, but a more compelling reason was that the Canteen served free dinners. It was a former restaurant and night club, featuring a big stage with continuous performances. As we munched our hamburgers, the Count Basie Band played some of his well-known hits.

I loved walking around the various parts of the city and seeing all the people, everyone working, moving, going somewhere. I would later the visit the city many times, but always remembered that first visit with my buddies. I've always found New York City to be a great place and great travel destination. The city has an energy like nowhere else. It has the best restaurants, the best stores, the best museums, it truly is a world city and gives visitors a real taste of many cultures and people.