NYC Nostalgia
December 2018
A little over a year ago, I went on a girls trip to New York with my mom, aunt and two cousins. It was my fourth time to New York, and the hundredth for my mom, but my aunt and cousins had never been. We had spent several months talking about where all we wanted to go, and what all we wanted to see, including some of the cities most iconic tourists spots.
Our trip derailed early on the day we were supposed to leave, as our flight was cancelled due to bad weather. Many phone calls (and plenty of sarcastic complaints later), we were able to find a flight out of Dallas that afternoon. We did not know it was going to literally take planes, trains and automobiles to get us from Dallas (through Dayton, OH, Charlotte, NC, and Newark, NJ) to New York City, but we finally got there! With our trip cut down a day, we had to rethink our plan. Two and a half days and 50 miles later, we still managed to have one heck of a girls trip!
I hope you enjoy my recommendations of sites, smells and experiences below!
Where we stayed
Finding a hotel in central Manhattan was a must, as we wanted to be in walking distance of a few sites! We chose the Residence Inn at New York Manhattan/ Times Square. IT WAS PERFECT! We were a couple blocks from Times Square one way, Macy’s another, and Bryant Park was literally outside the lobby! The staff was friendly and accommodating, and we lucked out with an awesome breakfast buffet (no Texas shaped waffles, but plenty of options nonetheless!).
*During previous trips to NYC, I have also stayed at the Hilton Midtown (definitely on the pricier end, but closer to Central Park and shopping on 5th Avenue!).
What we did
Times Square
Definitely a must when you visit. There really isn’t a good time of day to go to beat the crowds (as it is always crowded) but that is part of the experience! Lots of great shops and restaurants, and plenty of good people watching too! If you are a shopper, definitely pop in Forever 21, its huge! If you enjoy musicals, make sure to take a walk down Broadway, and try to catch a show if you can (my personal favorite is Hamilton, but Aladdin and Newsies are a close second and third!). If you aren’t in walking distance, there is a subway stop at 42nd and Broadway that’s a great place to get off at!
Grand Central Station
In the wise words of Marty, “it’s grand, and it’s central”. This station is gorgeous; wonderful architecture and beautifully painted ceilings. There are a handful of fun restaurants and cute shops in the terminals to get lost in before you depart, including the Apple Store, Vineyard Vines and Central Cellars. I have walked through Grand Central 3 of the 4 times I have visited New York, and each time I was there, I either witnessed a proposal or a couple taking engagement photos!
Bryant Park
One of my favorite places in NYC for sure! During the winter, Bryant Park turns into a Winter Village, filled with outdoor shops, restaurants, a couple bars, a beautiful tree and ice rink. Throughout the rest of the year, Bryant Park host all kinds of music and fitness events, and it’s a great place to relax, read a book or enjoy a quick bite!
Macy’s at Herald Square
The one and only! Famed as being the world’s largest department store, Macy’s at Herald Square opened in 1858! It has 8 floors full of designer clothing, accessories, shoes, home goods, and a bridal shop. During the holidays, the store turns into a winter wonderland with beautiful decorations and lights! It’s so pretty! My favorite part: a few of the original wooden escalators are still operating! It’s like being in an old black and white classic on TCM! Definitely Miracle on 34th Street vibes!
Central Park
What a beautiful place! Miles of trails for walking, running or biking, street musicians will play their music or sing songs along the paths, and tourists groups are a common site. Every time I have walked through Central Park I find myself thinking about the old boat house scene in 27 Dresses with Katherine Heigl! This is a great place to take the kids if you are taking a family vacation!
American Museum of Natural History
While Rex and Teddy Roosevelt don’t really come to life as they do in Night at the Museum the American Museum of Natural History is full of life-like encounters. And yes, you can see the Easter Island head in person (so bring gum)! Tickets are sold in advance online for set prices, or you can “pay-what-you-wish” at the counter. General admission tickets get you access to everything but the Space Show, the giant film screen, and any specialty exhibits the museum might have at that time. You have the option to tour the museum with a group, complete self guided tours through the museum’s Explorer App, or wing it and just roam!
5th Avenue Shopping
Bloomingdale’s, Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton, Sak’s and more, 5th Avenue in Manhattan boasts some of the best shopping in the country. Most stores have their windows decorated year round, but they really dress up their windows with glitz and glamour at the holidays. Sak’s is known for their window displays at Christmas time, so make that a must on your list of sites to see during the holidays!
*There are also several neat tourist stops right around 5th avenue include the Plaza (where are my Gossip Girl fans ?), St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Museum of Modern Art, and the New York Public Library.
Top of the Rock
So I have done the Empire State Building (three times), and Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Tower is better in my opinion. The Empire State building is gorgeous, and the history of how it was built is fascinating, but the weather can be tricky because you are so high up. Every time I went it was either too windy, too rainy, or both!
I found the views at Top of the Rock to be more clear as you aren’t fighting as many clouds. When we went, we were the first group of the day to go up, so it wasn’t crowded at all. When we got to the top the weather was perfect, and we even lucked out seeing a bit of snow! Talk about perfect timing!
Staten Island Ferry
As a history teacher, I found the Staten Island Ferry and Battery Park to be one of the coolest areas for history nerds. This part of lower Manhattan pays homage to the history of the city and the many people that have lived in, and traveled to, the big apple. The line for the Ferry can be a bit long, so plan accordingly. Also, make sure to bring a jacket as it’s cold on the water!
9/11 Memorial
Hands down, my favorite place to visit in New York. The memorial is absolutely breathtaking; two reflecting ponds were constructed where the original twin towers once stood, and each pond has the names of those lost on its walls. The names light up at night against a back drop of man made waterfalls- it so surreal! You can choose to walk along side the ponds and grounds around the memorial, or tour the museum, but be prepared to wait in line depending on when you go. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time on the museums website here.
*Out of all of the attractions and tourists spots New York has to offer, this tops my list as a ‘must see’.
Washington Square Park
Another fun stop in lower Manhattan, Washington Square Park is fun, dynamic and ever changing. Named after President George Washington, the park hosts a beautifully constructed archway in Washington’s honor, as well as a magnificent fountain. The park is not too far from Greenwich Village and is another great place to take the kids.
* Another cool stop for my history nerds is the Flatiron Building, which is a few blocks uptown from Washington Square Park!
Brooklyn Bridge
First off, the Brooklyn Bridge is much bigger in person than it looks in photos or on TV! Because of the large number of people using the bridge at any given time to travel between Brooklyn and Manhattan, it is difficult to stop, so my best piece of advice on this one is be patient! It is worth it to see the city from the middle of the bridge, especially lit up at night (not to mention a great place to grab a photo or two!).
We only hung out in Brooklyn for a bit, just long enough to explore the shops and restaurants along the river, and take a couple of photos. We put this on our list as a must the next time we end up in NYC together!
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village served as the location of the Beatnik movement in NYC in the 60s and 70s, and the neighborhood has long been connected to aspiring artists, musicians and writers. The homes and apartments are super fun, and the main village area is full of local little bookstores, coffee shops and hole-in-the-wall gems. And of course, in true Friends fashion, we made it a point to stop by the apartment made famous my the popular TV show. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip!
What we ate
Since we got lucky with an awesome hotel breakfast buffet, we splurged a little on fun places to eat for lunch, dinner, and snacks in between!
Bubba Gump
So definitely not a fancy place by any means, but if you know the movie Forest Gump you can’t help but love this place. The atmosphere is really fun, so this would be a great spot to take the kids. Their prices are more reasonable, and some of their plates are big enough to share. If you like fish and chips (one of my favorites), you should definitely give theirs a try!
Parker and Quinn
Parker and Quinn has an industrial, yet chic design; definitely more upscale and trendy, with a bit of vintage flair. With an American themed menu, they offer a variety of food and drink for everyone, however the atmosphere plays more to an adult crowd. A reservation is recommended as it can get busier in the later dinner hours. The grilled cheese: to die for!
Stella
This fun little Italian trattorria and bar is located in Macy’s at Herald Square. Another great place for the whole family, as they have a nice light atmosphere and great menu. Their pizzas are good, and they have a nice wine selection. In terms of price, Stella is definitely more on the reasonable side, so make sure to save room for dessert!
Ray’s Pizza
Of course while in New York, you have to try the pizza! Not far from the Friends apartment is a hole-in-the-wall pizza place called Ray’s. It’s famed for being the pizza place Joey order’s his “Joey Special” from! The wait can be a bit long, bit the pizza is definitely worth it and it’s not expensive.
Juniors
Let’s talk sweets. As cheesecake lovers, we knew getting our hands on a good New York Cheesecake was a must while in NYC. We found our little slices of heaven at Juniors. Their original cheesecake was our favorite, but if you like fruit or specialty cheesecakes, raspberry swirl or brownie marble swirl is the way to go. They offer full size cheesecakes, or you can order just a piece of your flavor of choice! Because of their notoriety, they are a little pricey, but you definitely get your money’s worth here!
Levain Bakery
Not too far from Central Park on the Upper West Side, Levain Bakery has some pretty great treats. Their dark chocolate chip cookie- drool worthy! They have a neat little storefront, but not much room inside to sit. So if you are wanting to walk and snack, you found the perfect cookie drive thru!
