On top of the Empire State Building looking south
Anna has always really wanted to go to New York City and around the dinner table a few weeks ago we were wondering if we could go on a trip to celebrate Marcy’s birthday. With cheerleading taking up so many weekends we saw there was a window in the week before Christmas. So, we cashed in a bunch of points for free flights and a free hotel room at the Sheraton Hotel just a few blocks north of Times Square.
With “Fearless Girl” outside the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street
We arrived Monday night and went straight down to Target in Times Square because we forgot the air mattress for Anna. Then the first morning we walked around Times Square, went to the New York Public Library and then brought in Joe’s Pizza for lunch at the office (the Fintech Nexus office is right in Times Square). Then it was on to the Empire State Building, still a beautiful and imposing building at almost 90 years old. That night we had dinner at a Peruvian restaurant in Hells Kitchen.
Getting their first taste of the NYC subway
Marcy booked a walking tour of Lower Manhattan on Wednesday so we all jumped on the subway to get the train downtown. We had a wonderful guide, Megan, who showed us all the high spots of Lower Manhattan including the City Hall, Seaport, Battery Park, Wall Street, the 9-11 memorial and more. It was one of the highlights of the trip. After another pizza lunch we decided to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and explore Brooklyn. We walked along the East River promenade and then to the Dekalb Market for an early dinner. Then it was back to Times Square where we bought tickets to see & Juliet, one of the popular new musicals. It was great.
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge
Thursday we walked through Central Park and on to Columbia University which is just a few blocks northeast of the park. We walked around the campus a little and tried to get into the library but it was closed. Not to worry we enjoyed taking in the beautiful campus. After lunch at Pret it was another subway ride to the pier for our Circle Line cruise. This was a cruise around Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. It was a gorgeous day but a little cold. That night we went to Grand Central station and caught a train to have dinner at our work friend Joy’s house in New Rochelle.
On the cruise to see the Statue of Liberty
Friday was more walking (we walked around 13 miles each day). We started off at the Intrepid Museum which is on the Intrepid aircraft carrier that is moored in midtown Manhattan. Marcy and I have been there twice before for Fintech Nexus functions but we thought the kids would really enjoy it, which they did. We got to see a ton of old planes, including the one from the Top Gun movie. We also toured the bridge and the officers’ quarters and learned about life on an aircraft carrier during times of war.
At the Intrepid Museum on the aircraft carrier
From there we walked down the High Line to Chelsea Markets for a delicious lunch.
Walking through Chelsea Markets
Then we happened to be walking past Cornelia Street and we had to stop to get a picture of Taylor Swift’s old house.
Outside Taylor Swift’s old house on Cornelia Street
Then we walked through Little Italy where we stopped for some dessert at the Cannoli King. Next we walked through Chinatown before returning to the hotel. That night we went our separate ways with Marcy and Anna going to see Chicago while Jude and I went to see the Nuggets play the Brooklyn Nets – just a fluke they were in town while we were there. It was Jude’s first NBA game ever.
Outside the United Nations building
Saturday was our last day and we split up again. Jude and I wanted to watch the Arsenal game in one of New York’s bars devoted to Arsenal, so we chose Olde City in Chelsea. We had a great time, it was a very rowdy but friendly bar with lots of singing and drumming and yelling at the TVs. Meanwhile, Marcy and Anna rented bikes and rode to Holly Golightly’s apartment, from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Then they walked through Central Park to Columbus Circle to visit the Taylor Swift exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design.
Our last walk through Times Square
We then walked back to our hotel and headed to the airport. Our plane was a little early but it was still 11:30pm by the time we got home.
Yesterday was spent unpacking and doing laundry and, of course, getting ready for Christmas. It is a little easier now the kids are older but Marcy still puts in a big effort to make the day special for everyone.
Christmas Day lunch at Little India’s restaurant, a family tradition
Christmas morning began with the sharing of presents, and Marcy and Anna made cinnamon rolls. After a quiet morning we headed to Little India’s for lunch. We usually get takeout but this year we decided to dine in. It was a delicious meal and we had lots of leftovers to enjoy. This afternoon Marcy baked her nut rolls and I made a fruit salad, just like my mum used to make on Christmas Day in Sydney.
