Never mind talking about visiting New York City, just do it. Pick a date and go.

Ever since my son was a boy, enamored with Marvel and DC superheroes, or those of his own imagination, he has talked about a trip to the city he’s come to know through movies. Being a writer awed by the wonderful stories inspired by the city’s history, iconic landmarks and culture, I, too, have joined in these wishful conversations.

So, when he and his fiance invited me to join their pilgrimage to New York City, I jumped at the chance to join them.

New York or bust

Our first choice would have been to fly there, but it’s costly. We also looked into taking the train and though not as much, it would have taken longer to get there. Twice as long in fact, being a milk route that stops at every city along the way.

Instead, we chose to drive and I have to say it was not as bad as I imagined.

Gas prices were about the same as in Michigan, between $2.99 and $3.09 per gallon through Ohio and Pennsylvania. We made sure to fill up before crossing into New Jersey and New York, expecting gas prices there to be sky-high, but surprisingly, they averaged about the same as in Michigan.

It’s 615 miles one way.

We estimated our travel time through Ohio and Pennsylvania during rush hour and the pouring rain to take about 9 hours and 31 minutes. We stopped a few times to get fuel, for both car and passengers.

Even still, by 8 p.m. we reached the Lincoln Tunnel and within minutes of the rain stopping and hearing Frank Sinatra singing “New York, New York,” were gazing at the city’s bright lights and illuminated billboards.

That alone was a spectacular experience although just a taste of what awaited us in Times Square.

Savor the moments

Prior to our journey, I made a list of things I wanted to see and do, but we only had three days. Besides, my son had his own list and it was really for him that I was going.

So, I pitched the list.

That would be among the tips I would offer to others visiting a city for the first time. Instead of filling up our day with a heavy schedule, pick a couple of things to do each day.

This allows for more time between attractions and the opportunity to savor the unexpected joys that are bound to happen along the way, like:

• Dancing under the stars in Central Park where a street musician couldn’t be happier to see the dollar tossed in his guitar case and someone enjoying his music.

• Talking to other tourists riding the ferry to the Statue of Liberty or imagining what the immigrants must have felt upon arriving at Ellis Island.

• Eating a hot dog from a street vendor on Wall Street or any other street.

• Discovering a comic book shop that carries rare editions that you might not have, at a cost you might not imagine.

• Stopping by O’Hara’s near Ground Zero. The little Irish pub is covered with city patches, flags and other memorabilia left by first responders from around the world who came to honor the 343 NYC firefighters who died at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

• Enjoying a latte or fruit drink while observing the talent of a chef in an international marketplace preparing a batch of Chinese tarts (tang yuan) for the lunch crowd.

• Taking selfies of the iconic arch in Washington Square Park, modeled after the Parisian Arc du Triomphe, while NYU students gather for impromptu musical performances or skateboard follies on the fountain.

• Walking the steps of the Beaver Building at 1 Wall Street Court that served as the exterior location for the iconic Continental Hotel in all of the “John Wick” movies.

Had we been in a rush to complete our list of things to do, we might not have enjoyed any of these things that really added to our experience.

Even on the way to one of the events we did schedule, that being a tour of the Rockefeller Center, we had time to stop at Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe. I loved the movie, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” starring Audrey Hepburn and James Patterson’s novel, “Sundays at Tiffany’s.” However, it was nothing like I imagined. There was no pastry counter or ice cream sundaes being dished out to go. They did have scones with clotted cream and other petite treats to eat, but they were served at tables for two and four with reservations. However, knowing of our pilgrimage from Detroit, the hostess offered us seats at the bar and suggested at the very least, enjoy a cup of tea, which I did. We also tried the $14 French fries and I don’t know if it was the beautiful presentation or the potatoes, but they too were divine.

Then it was off to the Rockefeller Center to get a bird’s eye view of the city.

This stop along with our tour of the Empire State Building Observatory, 911 Memorial/Museum and American Museum of Natural History were all attractions covered by NYC’s CityPass. These passes purchased in advance save you about 40% on ticket prices. Plus, you don’t have to wait in line with everyone else to get in.

Before our tour of the 911 Memorial, we were able to take in some of the surrounding buildings, including the Westfield World Trade Center. What looks like the hull of a giant white ship on the inside features a variety of shops and subway stations. While enjoying a break from the walking — and you will walk a lot in New York — I found myself mesmerized by an older Asian woman and her grandson entertaining shoppers on a funky piano set up in the middle of the mall. The woman said her grandson was 9 years old and by the time he finished playing several pieces, a woman claiming to be a music producer was trying to convince the family that she could make the child a star.

If it was anywhere else I might not have believed her, but a walk past NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall or the many theaters surrounding Times Square gives you a pretty good idea of how many movie stars, musicians, comedians, talk-show hosts and other successful entertainers got their start in NYC. It’s more than a bunch of city blocks where the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. It’s a city within the city that seeks to entertain the world. Even the people camped out on the sidewalks, waiting for tickets to SNL and other TV shows, seemed to enjoy the nightlife that existed no matter what time it was.

“You got to love New York,” said Dino Reolzicki, who immigrated from Bosnia to the United States as a young man and opened a pizzeria on Vanderbilt Avenue. I saw him reading the New York Times while getting his shoes shined and just had to stop.

“It’s the only gift I give myself,” he said, while looking up from his paper.

During our chat, I mentioned that we had lunch at Joe’s Pizza. There are several, but this is the one on Carmine Street in Greenwich Village known as a shooting location for “Spider-Man.” It’s a tiny place that’s always busy with tourists or visiting celebrities, who stop by for pizza and shots, as in celebrity photographs that cover the walls of the little pizzeria.

The pizza there was good (you had to fold it to eat it) but Reolzicki insisted that the pie he serves at Uncle Paul’s Pizza is just as good or better. So, we gave it a try as well if only because we wanted to patronize one of the many New Yorkers we had the pleasure of meeting.

We didn’t see everything that NYC has to offer, but what we took in left us excited to return.

Travel tips

Shoestring budget: There are lots of free things to do in NYC. Pack a lunch and take a walk through Central Park or ride the ferry to Staten Island. NYC Tourism also has a page that’s dedicated to free things to do while visiting, including museums, seasonal events and local fun like joining the live audience of TV shows you love.

Tolled crossings: There are several tolled crossings between Detroit and NYC. You can pay in cash, credit or debit, but an EZ-Pass transponder purchased in advance saves you time and money. Be aware, however, there is a scam alert involving texts being sent to travelers claiming they owe money. The Ohio or Pennsylvania Turnpike authorities would never send you a text regarding a toll payment.

CityPass: For the sites you really want to see, plan ahead and consider making reservations using a CityPass, which provides a discount on many of the ticketed attractions including the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, American Museum of Natural History, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and 911 Memorial and Museum.

Subways and buses: The subway is one way to get around NYC. The fare for most riders is $2.90. You can pay your fare with a credit/debit card, smartphone or with a MetroCard that you can purchase through a vending machine in the subway. The MetroCard can be loaded with enough funds to cover several trips and makes things easier.

For more information and tips, visit nyctourism.com.