I have lived in the US all my life, but still have not been to New York City, the cultural, financial, and media capital of the world.
I went years ago and its an amazing experience, everyone should go at least once.
I'm from a rural area, so hearing that New York City has 23.7 million residents is kinda scary to me.
I am from a rural area and it was a culture shock to see so many people, so many varieties of food and people on the streets all hours of the night.
I guess I'd be in culture shock, because it would feel like a foreign environment.  I can't imagine how there's even room for that many people!
I was shocked at how small the homes and apartments were there are just more people packed into every block!
Do you think the housing is public housing where the government owns it, or do people own them?
Most of what I saw was owned privately by companies and rented by individuals. You can order takeout at 3 am in NY.
Did you take New York State Route 31 to NY 104 to see the city of Niagara Falls?  I think I would LOVE that.