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Travel Guide #1: Two Days in NYC

Many people have asked for me to share a more detailed outline of suggestions for a New York City weekend. I am going to do this over a few posts, with tonight’s being the first. Each will address a different type of guest, the first being parents who are experienced New York City travelers. This agenda can work with anyone who has been to the city over the past couple of years and wants to see some fresh sites.

006 012 015Day 1

  • Morning walk through your favorite part of the city
  • A New York City breakfast at Murray’s Bagels
  • Check out the new American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Walk a few blocks over to Luke’s Lobsters for a delicious and inexpensive lunch, where each roll is filled with a full 1/4 pound of lobster meat.
  • Walk north Two Little Red Hens for a delicious, off the radar, bakery visit
  • Head south a few blocks and burn some calories shopping in the neighborhood, heading down to your choice of Saks, Bloomingdales, or one of the Park Avenue boutiques.
  • If shopping isn’t your thing, reserve tickets in advance for the World Trade Center memorial which has now opened down at Ground Zero. It takes each family and person a different amount of time,  but an hour should be plenty.
  • Hydrate with an evening cocktail at Tipsy Parsons before enjoying one of their Southern blue plate specials for dinner

006 019038Day 2

  • Venture outside of Manhattan to Williamsburg where you can explore the quaint streets before a delicious brunch at Egg
  • Hail a cab over to downtown Brooklyn’s TKTS booth where the lines are always shorter than either Manhattan locations even though they offer the same tickets.
  • Head back over the bridge to the Lower East Side for 1-2 hours of history at the Tennement Museum
  • Subdue your hunger at either the Essex Market’s taco stand or deli sandwich stand
  • With full bellies, walk North to SoHo and explore some of their recent additions including a 3 store REI and multiple shops and boutiques. If shopping isn’t your thing, head up to the Highline and check out the newest extension.
  • If you were able to plan your trip in advance, hopefully you booked pre-theatre table at either ABC Kitchen or Gramercy Tavern, two amazing restaurants in the city which serve seasonal, farm to table meals with wonderful service.
  • Finish your evening with your Broadway show for which you bought tickets earlier in Brooklyn. Our favorites right now are Anything Goes, Wicked, Jersey Boys, or Phantom.

I’ll be doing more installments over the next few weeks and adding them to the travel section of this blog. As always, feel free to email with any New York City questions if you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple!

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Saturday in Pictures

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Bagels and Art: New York City Style

This morning started bright and early with a walk through Gramercy, Chelsea, SoHo, and Greenwich with my mom. The sun came out to greet us bright and early over the East River, warming the cool 18 degree air.

001 We were the only crazy people power walking around the quiet city blocks due to the cold. We were passed by commuters and students but loved the time together. I miss our morning walks together when we’re not together as it’s a great chance to catch up and chat. We even passed a beautiful church that I’ve passed a million times and never realized it was Episcopal. Due to it’s beautiful architecture, I always assumed it was Catholic.

002 003 Bo and I will have to try this church out sometime soon!

After our walk, we came back home to wake my dad up and start our day exploring the city. Since my parents have both been to New York numerous times our trips revolve less around the tourist sites and more around restaurants, Broadway shows, and long walks exploring the city. However, it’s been over ten years since my parents visited in the winter so the chilly weather has been a fun twist.

We started our day at Murray’s Bagels in the Greenwich Village. My dad did his research in advance and knew exactly where he wanted to go for breakfast this morning. He’s adorable like that whenever he travels and finds the “best New York City lunch” or “best bagel place in New York City.” Needless to say, I think SIRI is his best friend sometimes.

Even though our friends lived above Murray’s Bagels for three years, this was my first time going there for breakfast. It was definitely a better experience than last week’s Ess-A-Bagel due to the fact that the service was faster and there was plenty of space to sit and enjoy. This is a step above your true NYC bagel place because they don’t just serve fresh bagels and spread. They have multiple breakfast sandwiches in addition to the bagels and spreads.

004 005 Three bagel sandwiches for three hungry people.

009 My dad indulged with a cinnamon raisin bagel egg sausage sandwich.  While it was delicious, he could only eat half the rich sandwich filled with gooey cheese and spicy sausage.

010Mom and I shared An everything whole wheat bagel, our absolute favorite, especially when paired with egg whites, veggies, and a splash of hot sauce!

011

If you’re looking for an authentic bagel experience which allows you the option for sandwiches, Murray’s Bagels is a perfect spot.

015After breakfast we headed up to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in hopes of beating the tourists and school crowds. Arriving at 10am on a Friday gives one an ample amount of time to enjoy the museum without being crowded, shoved, or annoyed by squealing children.

040In fact, we felt like we had the New American Wing to ourselves for the first hour!016

Also, if you live in New York City and enjoy art, I discovered a little known fact today. For only $60 per year, you can become a member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art which allows for free admission, special preview events, and more! In addition, by joining today, I was able to apply the amount I’d paid for admission to the annual membership fee.

030 We spent 2.5 hours exploring the New American Wing in all it’s renovated glory!

018 We saw beautiful paintings including our boy George crossing the Delaware.

026 On our way out the bears said goodbye and the knights in shining armor tried to lure my dad back in the exhibits.

033 034 Outside the museum we spent a few minutes basking in the bright sunshine and blue skies before heading to lunch.

044043 047 Oh and in case you were wondering, the perfect shoes for a day like today are definitely UGGs!

048 Now these boots are heading further north for lunch at Luke’s Lobsters and a sweet treat from Two Little Red Hens.

Question: Who is your favorite painter or photographer? Why?

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