New York City in Less Than 72 Hours

In my own little mind, I am a travel blogger. Laughable, I am sure, so maybe these travel chronicles should be more of a memory book for me and my people. I guess we shall see. All opinions are my own and I do not receive any compensation or promotional items for the use of links.

Here is my first attempt at writing down an epic trip that I never want to forget.

Back in March of this year, we took our very first girl’s trip; my sister-in-law, niece, and mom went with me and the girls for a world wind trip to New York City.

We left before the sun came up and headed to the Jackson airport to catch our flight. Booked on our favorite airline, Delta, I knew we would be taken care of. Sure enough, as the girls entered the plane, the first-class attendant handed them a plethora of super snacks to keep them busy during flight. We met Kendal and Caroline in the Atlanta airport and after fueling with donuts (and coffee) hopped on the last leg of the trip. We landed at LaGuardia just before lunch; it was my first time in the brand-new terminal there. SO NICE! Check out the photo op at baggage claim.

As a side note, one of the reasons I prefer Delta over other airlines is for sure the in-flight entertainment. With built in monitors, there is no reason my device is out of battery before I ever arrive at my destination. And when traveling with kids, it is SO much nicer for them to be able to plug in and go. I will say that it is necessary to remember that they need headphones with jack capabilities.

The girls experienced their very first Uber ride- insert all the conversations about not getting in the car with strangers and how this is “different”- and were interested to realize that it was not much different than riding in their own vehicle back home. It takes around 45 minutes to an hour to get from any of the local airports to the Financial District. The Conrad had one of our rooms ready so we checked into that room and headed out to find something to eat for a late lunch. After wandering around for longer than I care to admit looking for a specific place that yours truly had a hard time locating, we landed in Hudson Eats on the second floor of Brookfield Place. It is a food hall with a variety of amazing cuisines all in one place. A little something for everyone. I landed on Ani Ramen and enjoyed a bowl of ramen that all the kids tried to take away from me. I will say, I find NYC a bit hard for kids who eat in a box (i.e., macaroni and cheese & chicken strips). The other good thing about Hudson Eats is that it has a large area of tables to find a place to sit; many with a view of the river.

After our late lunch we explored. We headed to the river front and walked until we reached Rockefeller Park (not to be confused with Rockefeller Center) which includes a playground and Lily Pond. The girls played and poured out some pent-up energy. The playground age was probably a bit below my girls ages at the time (11 & 9), but they still enjoyed exploring. We left there and went to the Irish Hunger Memorial. A beautifully well-done commemoration of the great Irish Famine. There were stones from each of the Irish counties and was populated with native Irish plants. A beautiful place to explore and has an amazing view of the river. By this time, both rooms were ready so we headed into the hotel to get ready for the night’s adventure.

It was time for Broadway! After changing clothes and getting the room settled for our return, we were off. First stop, the subway station for unlimited ride passes. - Side note about the subway: Not all subway stations have card machines, most do. We walked up to the Chambers Street station to get ours. It does take some time to work the machine, but within just a few minutes we had the cards we needed. The 7-day unlimited ride is $33 per person; my suggestion is by the pass, ride the subway. Find more about NYC Transit. – Cards in hand, we boarded the 5 o’clock subway. IT WAS PACKED! The kids were shocked.

It was HILARIOUS. Picture standing room only packed in like sardines trying not to stand

on the tail of the dog behind us. Pure NYC magic. We made it to our destination within 15 minutes and disembarked the subway. I had already decided we were going to eat before the show at a local taco joint that does all the things right. Los Tacos is always standing room only, limited menu, legit Mexican street food. There are several locations throughout the city; but I really think my favorite is the Times Square location.

We walked right through Times Square in the daylight. I would like to mention that Times Square is NOT my favorite place to visit in the city. I spend as little time here as possible. It is dirty, crowded, loud and full of chain restaurants and shopping. The ONLY think cool about it is the bill boards . . . at night. Back to tacos, Los Tacos is a hole in the wall. Order anything on the menu. It is delicious, but do not lose your ticket. After enjoying amazing tacos and guac we headed to Minskoff Theatre for The Lion King.

A tip about Broadway shows: always show up when they open the doors. There will be merchandise, food, drinks, bathrooms, and you will want to do all of them. I am always impressed with the attendants at shows; they are always helpful and direct you expediently to your seat. The attendants here were no exception. After checking out the merchandise and bathrooms we headed to our seats. Because we had just eaten, we did not order food or drinks for the first part of the show. We DID however pay for them to be ready after intermission. If you want to do this, DO NOT wait until the last minute. If you are not in your seat before the show starts, you are held outside the theatre. It was worth it to prepay as we had time to go to the bathroom and get the kids settled with treats during the short intermission. We had amazing seats on the left side of the mezzanine level. I could not have picked a better spot for the kids to be able to see things (booster seats are available for smaller guests). There were even times during the show that actors were standing in the aisle directly to our left. Birds were “flying” over our heads! The girls sat with their mouths open probably 90% of the show. It. Was. Incredible. Even if you do know the story, the theatrics, actors, costumes, just amazing. We made our way out of the theatre and headed out to see the lights of Times Square by night. This didn’t take long. Have I mentioned that I am not a fan of Times Square? We snapped a couple of pictures and then headed for a local hotel to send for an Uber.

Uber isn’t the fastest way to get around the city, but we did not want to ride the subway that late at night with the kids. We got lucky and reserved a van so all six of us were able to ride together. Before our ride could get there, a limo driver pulled up, rolled down the window and called to us. “You ladies waiting on a ride?! I’ll take you anywhere you want to go in the city for $50.” Um, no. It did take assuring him that we were waiting on a ride several times before he looked at us like we were crazy and drove on. This is where I tell you that it is NOT ever a good idea to take someone up on an offer like this, but maybe I watch too many movies. Another tip, go to a nearby hotel to reserve your rideshare. They have a lobby you can duck inside should you feel unsafe and it's a common place to be picked up. We used the Marriott Marquis which is just a short distance from the theater.

We tucked in for the night at our hotel and got some amazing QUIET sleep. The Conrad might just be at the quietest corner in the city. No joke. Complimentary breakfast isn’t served at the hotel, but we were allowed $25 room credit each day. We used this on room service breakfast for the kids. An EXCELLENT idea. We had assorted fruits, chocolate croissants, bacon, hot chocolate, and milk delivered both mornings so their stomachs were full before we ever left the building. BONUS: they felt like they were really something getting fancy room service. Ready for the day, we hit Zucker’s Bagels on Chambers Street on the way to the subway. The girls felt like old pros at the subway on this morning and were delighted to find that it wasn’t as crowded as the previous night. We headed up town to the Empire State Building.

Here is where I am going to throw in my pitch for purchasing the NYC City Pass. If you are planning to do more than three of the big attractions in town, it’s worth the money. There are several different tiers you can choose from. We have always purchased the one that allows 5 attractions. A perk of the City Pass is that you are allowed to visit the Empire State Building twice. Once during the day and a return after dark that day to see the city lit up. We didn’t do that this time, but I do love the option! Once you purchase your City Pass you will need to make individual reservations for any attractions that require this step. Save all of those QR codes to the wallet on your phone for easy access during your trip.

The museum at the Empire State Building is fascinating. The girls had a great time exploring and looking through all of the spy glasses. It’s beautifully done and walks you through the history of the building and what the city was like during its construction. We also enjoyed the section on movies and literature that have featured the building. It was lunch time by the time we finished up here. We ended up at Panera just because it was something we knew the kids would eat well. Be prepared . . . no free refills.

We hopped the subway back downtown to Battery Park for the afternoon. First stop, the Sea Glass Carousel. I have wanted to ride this carousel since the first time I saw it. It’s just beautiful! They’ve put in a brand-new playground across the sidewalk; I wish we had been able to play there for a little bit.

Next time. It was time for Liberty and Ellis Islands. Every time I visit here, I say that it needs a whole day. One day I’m going to give it its due. The islands are a national park so be prepared to go through security. On Liberty Island you will find the Statue of Liberty and the museum. The museum has opened since my last visit, so I did not know it was there. Another reason we needed a whole day! We basically skipped it. So sad. There are some tours on the island, some guided, some not and a free audio tour. We’ve never taken the time to do any of these things but probably should. The ferry ride is included in your City Pass if you choose to purchase this but does not include access to the pedestal or crown. Those tickets must be bought WAY in advance and may be purchased here. I encourage you to plan ahead much further than you think you should if you want to do either of these. We boarded the ferry and headed to Ellis Island home of the National Museum of Immigration. I LOVE this place and have yet to be able to explore it in its entirety. Just plan on taking your whole day for the Battery Park area. There are food options on Liberty and Ellis Islands as well as on the ferries so no need to plan ahead for meals and snacks. We finished up here right around 5 as the last ferry returns from the islands at 4:30 pm.

Back on the subway to Oculus Place and walked through Brookfield to the hotel. Kendal and I got the girls and mom settled and then headed out to pick up pizza and dessert. There is an amazing pizza joint just a few blocks away. Joe’s Pizza is a staple every time we are in town. We ordered our slices (HUGE) and headed back toward the hotel with a quick stop at Brookfield for macaroons and other French pastries at Le District. It was a hotel floor picnic and the people were satisfied. After the previous late night, there were no complaints about going to bed a bit early.

Saturday morning the adults grabbed bagels at Pick-A-Bagel on the first floor of the hotel building and coffee at Blue Bottle (a personal favorite). It is a bit of a walk between, but it is right through the 9/11 Memorial. I grabbed coffees and caught up with the others as they explored the memorial. It is truly breathtaking and that early in the morning it is not very crowded. I find this whole scene just heavy; it always brings me to tears. We talked about what it all meant to the girls and walked around. The decision was made before the trip to not do the museum. Justin and I did it on a previous visit; it is incredibly overwhelming, so we didn’t think the kids were ready for something quite that intense. After spending some time at the memorial, we wandered up to Liberty Park. It is an elevated park developed in remembrance of 9/11. There are a few sculptures and shaded seating. It is beautifully done and well worth the time it took to explore. After exploring, we stepped into Oculus Place. That early in the morning, it’s practically deserted. SO COOL! If you purchased the City Pass, the 9/11 Museum is one of your available options.

Then it was back to the subway to head Uptown. This is the day the girls had been waiting on! Shopping day! We exited the subway and walked right by Radio City Music Hall on our way to Rockefeller Center. The City Pass includes Top of the Rock which is an observation deck. There are several levels here to explore so we took in the sights from this angle and then headed down to the first floor for lunch. Rockefeller Center is worth the time to walk around and observe. So many iconic spots within just a few yards of one another. There are not a ton of kid friendly options here so the kids went with Chicago style pizza while the ladies opted for an amazing salad place. Also noteworthy, seating here is VERY limited. I don’t know that I would have made a different choice regarding meal time but something to think about. Another stop at Blue Bottle for an afternoon pick me up, and it was off to shopping till you drop. We headed just outside to FAO Schwartz; if you have never heard of this amazing toy store, it is worth the stop whether you have kids with you or not. After browsing all three floors, we narrowed down our purchases (NOTE: you pay for bags at all NYC locations. If you don’t want to drop the $.05 or $.10 cents, be sure to have your own) and headed for the check out. Then it was just down the street to American Girl. This store is just GORGEOUS. The girls checked everything out at least twice. With their arms loaded down, we headed to the Lego store. When we discovered that the line was wrapped around the building, we decided against waiting. The short walk did allow everyone to say that they had been on 5th Avenue, though. (Another location that is not my favorite in the city.) We opted for snack time instead, and as luck would have it, one of the most famous bakeries in the city had zero line! Magnolia Bakery hooked us up with amazing cupcakes, cheesecakes, and coffee to sustain us for the next haul across the city. This time we were headed for Harry Potter New York. When we found the subway entrance that we needed was closed, I ended up sending for an Uber. How else were we supposed to get to the Flatiron District? Thankfully our driver dropped us off right at the door! We spent FOREVER here. My girls are completely obsessed with all things Harry Potter (they come by it honestly) so they browsed and looked and examined all the things. We ended our visit with Butterbeer, ice cream, and cupcakes, of course. Be sure to take in the Flatiron Building and its surroundings while you are here. When it's time to head back take note that the downtown subway entrance is slightly hidden on one side of the building; your trip back to the Financial District will also require a transfer.

We ended this day a little earlier than the others. There is SO much walking in New York, even if you take the subway! We headed up to the room to rest a bit and chill before dinner right next door at Del Frisco’s Grille. It was the only fancy, sit down restaurant of the trip and the girls LOVED it. The menu is simple and the food is great. BONUS that we didn’t have far to go. Mom took the kids up to the room after dinner for showers and bed time, so Kendal and I wandered around Brookfield and Oculus Place for a little mom shopping. We made our way to Eataly for dessert followed by a walk down the waterfront to see the Jersey lights.

We were up early to catch our preplanned Ubers to the airport for the flight home. An epic trip the girls are sure to not forget.

Some notes:

I prefer to stay in the Financial District when in NYC. Yes, it’s further from all the things. BUT, it’s quieter, less crowded, and I LOVE it. This time we stayed at The Conrad. I was so impressed with the hotel. It was secure and clean. The rooms were amazingly appointed; even the couch bed was comfortable. Further, the location of this hotel can’t be beat. There are literally dozens of things to do and places to explore within walking distance of the hotel.

• Walk across the street (west) to Brookfield Place for all the shopping (luxury and otherwise) and dining you could want. Brookfield Place connects underground to Oculus Place which houses a major subway station as well as more shopping and dining.

• Ground Zero, the Tower Pools, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum are just around the corner (north).

• You can see the Hudson River from the hotel lobby.

• The Irish Hunger Memorial and Rockefeller Park and Playground are across the street on the river (east) side of the hotel.

• Up for a longer walks:

  • Head to Battery Park for a look at the Statue of Liberty. This is also where you catch the ferry to Ellis and Liberty Islands.

  • Watch the opening of the New York Stock Exchange

  • See the Charging Bull.

  • Visit Brooklyn Bridge

Let’s talk about eating close to the hotel in NYC. I certainly didn’t get to eat all the things I wanted this trip. That just means that Justin will have to take me back soon. Because I’ve stayed on this end of town on more than one trip, I am familiar with the area and have some favorite spots and these are the ones we hit on this trip. I’ll have to do an exhaustive list of NYC eateries I recommend another time.

• Bagels. My favorite is Zucker’s Bagels and Smoked Fish. The location on Chambers Street is conveniently on your way to the Chambers Street station if you are heading Uptown. Use online ordering to have your order ready when you get there. (Be sure you choose the correct location, though, or you’ll be in a mess. Speaking from experience, HA.) The people who work here are amazing but be prepared for them to chuckle when you “order it all wrong.” I still don’t know what the right way is; what I DO know is that you should order The Classic BEC with an Everything Bagel. You won’t be disappointed.

Downstairs on the corner of The Conrad is Pick A Bagel. Worth a visit, but Zucker’s is still my favorite. This is convenient if you are heading toward Battery Park or the 9/11 Memorial for the morning. There is also an online order option here that makes picking it up and heading to the Memorial for a quiet breakfast one of the top things on my To Do list.

• Coffee. I never pass up a chance for Blue Bottle Coffee. This time we visited the location at Greenwich Street. It can be a little elusive on the inside corner of Westfield World Trade, but it is my “home” location. Take your coffee and your bagels across the street to the Memorial and have a reflective breakfast. More Blue Bottle Coffee was had at the Rockefeller Center location . . . this time iced tea. Download the app for easy mobile ordering.

• Pizza. I’m obsessed with the White Pie at Joe’s Pizza. True NY pizza; I love this place. Out late in the city? Stop by Joe’s because they are open until 3am. Or, do like us and pick it up and head back to the room for an early night with the kiddos.

That's it. My first installment of travel blogging. I have SO much more to say about NYC, especially where to eat. But, I'll save that for another installment. I'd love to know your favorite thing about visiting the City.

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