Let’s face it: I’ve been pretty delinquent about posting to this blog. Honestly, I’m not sure how much I can commit to consistently or what I want this blog to become, but I do know that I would like to keep a more public record of my adventures, favorite memories, and things on my mind.
People are always asking me for NYC travel tips, so I thought I would share the itinerary for my last weekend trip to the city - all the way back in March! There is so much to do in New York, but this is a good place to start.
DAY ONE
Bibble & Sip - My favorite coffee shop in the city is at 51st St. and 8th Ave. Their lavender latte is divine, and in the summer they have a delicious rose lychee iced drink. All of the treats are delectable. The cream puffs are especially life-changing.
Junior’s Cheesecake - The 45th St. location is Times Square is my preferred spot. Get a bowl of matzoh ball soup and the devil’s food cheesecake (if you like decadent chocolate.) You can thank me later. Their turkey sandwiches and challah grilled cheese are also personal favorites.
The Disney Store - When I lived in the city and was having a bad day, I would pop into this Times Square shop for a pick-me-up. Taking the escalator through the Tangled lanterns, hearing the sing-along soundtracks, and engaging in a little retail therapy always brightened my mood.
Funny Girl - This revival is closing in a couple of weeks, but, if you have the opportunity to see it before it does, run and enjoy your bagel on a plate full of onion rolls! Lea Michele is on for most performances, and my friend, Julie Benko, is the Fanny alternate, performing every Thursday and select additional performances. We specifically went to see Julie, and her performance is a tour de force - a great star, indeed!
DAY TWO
The Broadway Museum - Get your tickets in advance, if you can, because the museum is small and tour groups can lead to ticket sell outs. This new-ish museum is a bit pricy, but a must-see for the Broadway lover. It’s full of beautiful costumes, musical theatre history lessons, and Instagram-worthy photo spots.
Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue - Take some photos at Rock Center and enjoy plenty of shopping in the area. The Free People store on 49th Street and Anthropologie on 50th are my favorite. Of course, stopping in Saks 5th Avenue is a must! There’s also the American Girl Store, FAO Schwarz, and plenty of designer stores in the vicinity.
Maman - There are several Maman locations throughout the city, and they have delicious coffees, salads, and pastries. It’s a great place for a quick and trendy bite!
The Met Store - Even when I don’t have time to tour the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I love perusing their gift shop. In addition to the main store, there is a smaller store at the members and educational entrance that has a small but mighty selection of sale items.
Madison Avenue Shopping - Is there anything like strolling along Madison Avenue? My favorites are LoveShackFancy and E.A.T Gifts on 80th, Ralph Lauren on 72nd, and Ladurée (for macarons) between 70th and 71st.
Patsy’s Italian Restaurant - A New York staple on W. 56th that Frank Sinatra loved, Patsy’s is a must for a great Italian, pre-show meal. Be sure to make a reservation!
Lincoln Center - We saw Camelot at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, but it has since closed. There are a plethora of entertainment options at Lincoln Center, which is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world. Check out Lincoln Center Theater for plays and musicals, the Metropolitan Opera during the academic year (or the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in the summer), the New York Philharmonic, the David H. Koch Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, the Juilliard School, the New York Library for the Performing Arts and more. The gift shop at the Metropolitan Opera is definitely worth a peek, even if you’re not seeing an opera.
DAY THREE
The Drama Book Shop - This NYC treasure is now on W. 39th St. It features incredible bookish decor, a lovely coffee shop, reading nooks, and (shh…) restrooms. Full of scripts, books on craft, artist memoirs and more, this book store is a drama nerd and bookworm’s dream. I always make it a point to buy something here whenever I’m in town because I want to do my small part to support it.
The Morgan Shop - The Morgan Library & Museum is one of my favorite museums in New York. Legend has it that the library in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast was inspired by the Morgan - enough said. But, also, the collection features rare first editions of classics - A Christmas Carol, the Gutenberg Bible, handwritten sheet music by Mozart, etc. Even if you don’t have time to visit the museum or library, this is another gift shop that is worth a stop on your shopping adventures.
Angelina Paris Bryant Park - Angelina is a famous Parisian tearoom that has a location at Versailles and now has one in New York. They are known for their rich hot chocolate (a must!) and chestnut cream. They don’t take reservations, but I feel like this spot is still a bit under-the-radar. It’s better, more reasonable, and has less of a wait than a lot of the more well-known brunch places.
Parade - Alas, this brilliant show by Jason Robert Brown has since closed, but this is your friendly reminder to make sure you see a Broadway show while in New York. My best tip is to follow your interests versus following all of the hype and reviews. Ask people in-the-know if you’re deciding between a few. There are always so many to choose from. Sometimes it’s worth paying whatever you must to to see a particular show before it closes (I’ve regretted not spending the money on a few), and sometimes the best shows fly under-the-radar and are not necessarily the most hard-to-get ticket. Be informed and do your best to make an educated decision. You can always ask me to help guide your show choice(s!)
Balthazar - Okay, I’m going to be honest. I was underwhelmed. This Soho staple had been on my list forever, but I thought the food was mediocre and way over-priced. There are a lot of better options for the money. That said, I do not eat seafood, and their seafood towers looked spectacular. If you’re a seafood eater willing to really splurge, it might be worth trying for the experience.
Bemelman’s Bar at The Carlyle - I am generally not a bar person, but this my favorite bar period. Definitely go if the David Budway Trio is playing! The walls feature Madeline murals painted by illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans, and there are table lamps to match. The complimentary snacks are yummy, and the Shirley Temples have the perfect ratio of grenadine. I crave their Shirley Temples. (The cocktails are good, too, haha!) This intimate space has gained traction from recent press, so get there early and be prepared to wait. Sit at the bar, if you can’t get a table. You never know who you’re going to see here. It’s quite an eclectic mix.
DAY FOUR
St. Patrick’s Cathedral - Go to the 10:15 Sunday Mass to hear the choir. I used to sub frequently with this choir, and it is quite magical to hear their glorious singing along with the organ. Despite - or maybe because of - all the tourists, there is an energy in this church that feels truly transcendent and God-inspired. Be sure to check out the St. Sharbel mosaic before you leave, and head across the street to the gift shop.
Bryant Park Grill - This is a lovely, convenient spot to eat a nice sit-down meal. I especially enjoy lunch in the garden room.
The New York Public Library - Be sure to take some pictures with the famous lions outside, and bring a book to study in order to gain access to the famous Rose Reading Room. If you only have a few minutes, check out the exhibit of treasures on the first floor. From Shakespeare’s First Folio to the teddy bear that inspired Winnie the Pooh, the collection is utterly awe inspiring.
