How We Did New York City in One Day
This past weekend, I finally had the opportunity to visit New York City. It's been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and it's just as magical as I always imagined it. The extraordinary buildings that disappear into the sky, the busy sidewalks and whirlwind of people--I stood in awe the moment I walked out of the subway into Times Square, gazing up at the lights all around me. The atmosphere was surreal, and like nothing else I've ever experienced. The city stole my heart in the blink of an eye.
Our morning started early, as we knew we only had one day in the city and were determined to make the most of it. We rode the train into Penn Station and hopped on the subway towards Downtown. Here, we visited the 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial. This was an emotional way to start the day, but was very high on my list of must-sees. The memorial features two enormous waterfalls and reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, that sit directly within the original footprints of where the Twin Towers used to stand. Around these two massive holes in the ground, are the 2,997 names that fell victim to the attack on September 11, 2001. Another feature includes the One World Trade Center. The building appears unending because of its unique architecture near the top. The memorial serves as a place of remembrance, and also a place for families and friends to visit lost loved ones. It's really a lot to digest, but an experience like no other.
Next, we got back on the subway towards Uptown so we could get the infamous Gossip Girl picture on the steps of the Met. For those who aren't familiar with the show, the steps at the Metropolitan Museum of Art are where Queen B and her posse of friends would eat lunch everyday during school. I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to channel my inner Blair Waldorf, though it would be much too cold to actually sit there and enjoy lunch. I suppose that's why they call it acting.
A quick walk through Central Park led us back to the subway that we took into Times Square. I literally had butterflies in my stomach and T Swift's "Welcome to New York" playing in my head as I emerged from the subway into the most extraordinary city I've ever laid eyes on. Nothing ever stops moving, and you quickly fall into the hustle and bustle of everyone around you. Our first mission was finding somewhere to use the bathroom. For those of you who know NYC, you know public restrooms are almost impossible to locate. There are a few Starbucks and McDonald's that offer a code to their bathrooms on the receipt of your purchase, but I had a better idea.
So here I am, on vacation, trying everything I can to get away from work for a little while. And what do we stumble upon? A Dave & Buster's. Being a fellow employee of the establishment, I know that you in fact, do not have to purchase food to play games in the arcade. I had this whole elaborate plan on what I was going to say if we got stopped on our way in, but we went up the escalator, walked through the entrance, and went straight into the arcade and found the bathrooms almost immediately. Clean public restroom plus empty bladders, equals happy Alex and Rachel!
For the rest of the afternoon, we explored the ins and outs of Times Square. We went to M&M World, ventured over to Radio City Music Hall, did some shopping at various stores, and really just spent a lot of time taking in all the sights and sounds around us.
After our adventures up and down Broadway St, we had definitely worked up an appetite. Our plan was to eat dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner, so we headed there to get in line. If you go to NYC and decide to eat at the Stardust Diner, be prepared to wait outside for about one to two hours. The wait is long, but worth every second. Once inside, you are sat at either a table or booth. We got such a great seat and had a perfect view of almost the entire diner. Why is the view important? While enjoying your meal at Stardust Diner, you are constantly entertained by the singing waitstaff. From 80s hits to songs straight form Broadway, there is something in their repertoire for everyone. The retro 1950s diner has great food and even better singing. It was honestly the highlight of our trip, and made me feel so much better about not being able to see a Broadway show. We stayed for over two hours and would have stayed all night if we could. I highly recommend adding this restaurant to your itinerary if you plan on visiting. You really can't beat dinner and a show in NYC for under $30 a person.
We said, "one more song" about eight times, and finally gave up our seat. We ventured back down Broadway one more time and got on the subway to head to our last stop of the night: The Museum of Sex. While we didn't think the $20 admission was quite worth it, the exhibits were interesting, to say the least. Overall, it was a very entertaining end to our night.
New York City gives off a magic like no other, stimulates all your senses at once, and leaves you breathless in fascinated admiration. We headed to the train station and said goodbye to the city that never sleeps. Because unlike the city, we were exhausted and in dire need of a night's rest. We barely scratched the surface of everything you can do in NYC, but now I just have an excuse to go back. And that's what is so special about New York City--no matter how much you see and do, there is always something else waiting around the corner.
Until next time.
xo, Alex
Next, we got back on the subway towards Uptown so we could get the infamous Gossip Girl picture on the steps of the Met. For those who aren't familiar with the show, the steps at the Metropolitan Museum of Art are where Queen B and her posse of friends would eat lunch everyday during school. I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to channel my inner Blair Waldorf, though it would be much too cold to actually sit there and enjoy lunch. I suppose that's why they call it acting.
A quick walk through Central Park led us back to the subway that we took into Times Square. I literally had butterflies in my stomach and T Swift's "Welcome to New York" playing in my head as I emerged from the subway into the most extraordinary city I've ever laid eyes on. Nothing ever stops moving, and you quickly fall into the hustle and bustle of everyone around you. Our first mission was finding somewhere to use the bathroom. For those of you who know NYC, you know public restrooms are almost impossible to locate. There are a few Starbucks and McDonald's that offer a code to their bathrooms on the receipt of your purchase, but I had a better idea.
So here I am, on vacation, trying everything I can to get away from work for a little while. And what do we stumble upon? A Dave & Buster's. Being a fellow employee of the establishment, I know that you in fact, do not have to purchase food to play games in the arcade. I had this whole elaborate plan on what I was going to say if we got stopped on our way in, but we went up the escalator, walked through the entrance, and went straight into the arcade and found the bathrooms almost immediately. Clean public restroom plus empty bladders, equals happy Alex and Rachel!
For the rest of the afternoon, we explored the ins and outs of Times Square. We went to M&M World, ventured over to Radio City Music Hall, did some shopping at various stores, and really just spent a lot of time taking in all the sights and sounds around us.
After our adventures up and down Broadway St, we had definitely worked up an appetite. Our plan was to eat dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner, so we headed there to get in line. If you go to NYC and decide to eat at the Stardust Diner, be prepared to wait outside for about one to two hours. The wait is long, but worth every second. Once inside, you are sat at either a table or booth. We got such a great seat and had a perfect view of almost the entire diner. Why is the view important? While enjoying your meal at Stardust Diner, you are constantly entertained by the singing waitstaff. From 80s hits to songs straight form Broadway, there is something in their repertoire for everyone. The retro 1950s diner has great food and even better singing. It was honestly the highlight of our trip, and made me feel so much better about not being able to see a Broadway show. We stayed for over two hours and would have stayed all night if we could. I highly recommend adding this restaurant to your itinerary if you plan on visiting. You really can't beat dinner and a show in NYC for under $30 a person.
We said, "one more song" about eight times, and finally gave up our seat. We ventured back down Broadway one more time and got on the subway to head to our last stop of the night: The Museum of Sex. While we didn't think the $20 admission was quite worth it, the exhibits were interesting, to say the least. Overall, it was a very entertaining end to our night.
New York City gives off a magic like no other, stimulates all your senses at once, and leaves you breathless in fascinated admiration. We headed to the train station and said goodbye to the city that never sleeps. Because unlike the city, we were exhausted and in dire need of a night's rest. We barely scratched the surface of everything you can do in NYC, but now I just have an excuse to go back. And that's what is so special about New York City--no matter how much you see and do, there is always something else waiting around the corner.
Until next time.
xo, Alex
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