It would be a crime to live so close to such a beautiful city like New York and not visit it—unless you live in New England, where many of us forget that our neighbor that never sleeps is such a watering hole for a vast array of experiences. I spent the past week in the Big Apple, and while I try to visit every couple of years, the more I visit, the more I uncover. It’s not like Connecticut in ways I can think of—hell, it’s not like any other place in the United States. New York City is like a living, breathing creature that exists on its own will, and while we come and go as the years pass, New York maintains its healthy stature as one of the most significant cities in the world. The people, the culture, the history, and the sheer ability to shift from nature to industry within seconds make this place such a unique landscape for not just creative inspiration but for feeding your soul a healthy dose of fulfillment.

We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel, located in the heart of the theater district and just a stone’s throw away from the tourist trap that is Times Square. The hotel itself was a beautiful dive into the history of music’s biggest names, with many pieces of memorabilia scattered throughout the entire building. Whether it was Springsteen’s iconic jacket or The Beastie Boys’ gold chains, every square inch of this place was caked in colorful memories from music’s rich history. Even the shops around us, like Strand Bookstore (which houses over eighteen miles of books) or its next-door neighbor, Forbidden Planet (a metal and horror nerd’s paradise), had their own story to tell throughout years of stretching their roots in the city. This is another notable observation about New York: the history. You are surrounded by it at every twist and turn. You can’t walk two feet without stepping on some piece of the past that has a story greater than the sum of its parts.

One of those pieces of history we couldn’t ignore was the 9/11 museum, which now exists in the shadow of where the towers once stood. This was an overwhelming place to visit, emotionally and even physically, as the energy there was a complete shift from anywhere else in the city. Seeing the remains of these buildings, the planes, and even keepsakes from all the survivors and victims—it not only sends chills down your spine, but you would be hard-pressed to fight back the tears that come with such an emotional weight. Perhaps that’s why I found such solace in visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral shortly after, as it was a nice dichotomy of witnessing hell and heaven. Seeing one of the worst tragedies in our time, followed by such beautiful and awe-inspiring architecture, was enough to make me forget all the devil music I worshiped as a teenager. And while I’m the last person to discuss religion, being in the presence of this church brought such a warm feeling to me. Perhaps it’s because my mother was close to that stuff, which is why I lit a candle in her memory while I was there. Whatever the reason, it remains one of my favorite places to visit because of these calming vibes.

With many other stops along the way, and of course a nature-filled walk through Central Park, I couldn’t help but think of all the sights and sounds this city has soaked up over the years. All the important bands that came through here, the filmmakers, artists, and creators—it’s such an endless sea of creative legacy that you can’t help but feel its call after you leave. The void it left after we got back to Connecticut was enough to push my own creativity in a new direction. With a burst of influence and inspiration, I now sit at my desk, renewed, restored, and rewarded by such an eye-opening experience. As I said earlier, I’ve been to New York many times in my life, but for whatever reason, as I age, I find more and more beauty within its diverse and complex layers that never cease to amaze me. I look forward to another long visit this Fall, but for the meantime, the city has provided plenty of wonderful memories to hold me over. So until then, thank you, New York, for your gritty, beautiful, timeless, and ever-evolving presence in this chaotic world.