The last time we were all in NYC was January 2020. How the world changed soon after we got home! It was time to get back to the Big Apple, so we headed north as a family for Fall Break.
I'm very proud of this traveling family we've worked really hard to create.
Home Sweet Lotte Palace
The dream of a bellhop even brought her a teddy bear!
When we got to the hotel, we were starving, so we struck out for the familiar restaurant right next door. It's a new-to-us place, Monterey, and very pretty!
St. Patrick's was having mass
We set out for Central Park Zoo. They weren't selling anymore tickets at that time of day (huh?), but the girls were super happy to climb every single rock in the park (and talk to horses).
Granddaddy did a lot of research to find the exact location of Randel's Bolt, but he found it!
They were starting to get the ice skating rink ready at Rockefeller Plaza
She caught me at a weak moment and got me inside FAO Schwarz
John caught us in a happy moment
Practicing taxi strategy
Dinner/ dessert at Serendipity
Most of us passed out immediately after that dinner, but John, GD, and HG headed to Times Square
On Thursday, I really put everyone through the wringer. First. we started off at Little Island. It's actually Pier 55 on the west side of Manhattan in the Meatpacking District. I wasn't quite sure what to expect other than I'd seen lots of cool pics of it online. We were blown away! It's beautifully designed with endless paths and stairs and ramps that go up and down and all around this space with beautiful views and artwork and musical toys at every turn.
Probably the biggest hit of Little Island were these spinny chairs!
Poor John worked his way through the whole park
I spy...
We taxied down to One World Observatory, the highest point in NYC and overlooking the 9/11 Memorial. There are several observatory floors, a quick food place, and a sit down restaurant (Open Table for reservations). As we stood here looking at the Statue of Liberty, I tried to get Cressey to hold up her water bottle like Lady Liberty, but she was embarrassed and this was the best I got.
Looking down on the memorial
Lunch (and wine) at ONE Dine on the 101st Floor
We took a quick ride over to Battery Park for the Sea Glass Carousel, which was a big hit!
The playground just across the sidewalk was great too.
Jeanne and I walked over to the water to see what we could see of the Statue of Liberty. There were a lot of construction fences up, but we were able to find a break in them and catch a quick glance.
Love seeing the parking lots in NYC!
Jeanne, HG, and I took a detour on the ride back to the hotel to go to the MZ Wallace store in Soho.
After a very quick change, we were headed to Broadway! MJ the Musical at Neil Simon Theatre!
We sat down in our seats, and Cressey flopped her head in my lap. I thought she was just playing, but she was snoozing within seconds. She slept for a good hour probably, but she woke up happy and ready to jam before intermission.
Walked back home through Times Square
We weren't able to find any dinner spots with the after-show crowd, but we made it back to the Palace restaurant within 10 minutes of the kitchen closing!
GD, Spiffer, and Cressey explored this park and then...
....took the Roosevelt Island tram over to the island!
How cute is this!
So cool to look back at Manhattan!
On the way to meet the rest of us at John's Pizzeria for lunch as they passed through Times Square, these guys snuck a pic with Cressey and then tried to scam some money out of GD. Cress got to learn some life lessons from that experience!
We usually stop at John's for dinner before or after a show since it's in the Theatre District (it's a family favorite), but we didn't have time around a show this trip. We decided to make a special trip there for lunch on Friday, and NO ONE was there! We basically had it to ourselves, and we were so tickled about it. Everyone leaves happy from John's!
Cabbing to the Museum of Illusions
Ever since we went to the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions in Edinburgh, the girls have been dying to find another illusion museum. Well thank you, NYC, for giving us one! It was much smaller than the Scottish one, but it still had plenty of fun stuff to explore.
We walked a block over to explore Chelsea Market- we'd never been there before, and that was neat! It's right at the High Line too.
Back to the windowsil
Sis bought Cressey this plush horse at FAO Schwarz, and she named it Bashful
Broadway Lounge was a new-to-me spot- our cousin suggested it- and we loved it! You are overlooking Times Square, so the lights are ever changing, the staff were so nice, and the food was delicious but not too fancy that the girls couldn't find something. You can walk outside on a glassed-in patio and look down on Times Square. Such a fun perch!
Is there anything better than room service breakfast? This little bit loved trying all the different flavors of jelly!
And a cake pop from Starbucks across the street...
On Saturday, Cressey and I met up with her friend Julia who moved from Memphis to Massachusetts this year. Julia and her dad took the train in for a day of fun with us, starting at the American Girl Cafe! Not even the cold rain could damper our excitment!
Paused at St. Pat's for a photo opp
REUNITED!
Their dolls got their ears pierced
And then we lunched
Cheers!
Meanwhile, the rest of our group went to brunch at Tiffany's Blue Box Cafe
With their newly blinged out dolls
And now headed to the MET to see MUMMIES!
John and HG went to see SIX that afternoon
And I finally got to see the Flatiron building down by the Harry Potter store! This is the very tip of it
Dinner on our last night at Quality Meats
Afterward, HG and John set off to explore Billionaire's Row
Goodnight, NYC, thanks for being so good to us!
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