My Love Affair with New York City

My love affair with New York City started about 5 years ago. A friend casually mentioned that she was taking her son to see the Empire State Building and wondered if I would like to come along with my kids. I said yes and we left the next morning. Since that first trip, I've been returned well over two dozen times and I can never get enough. I have visited during all four seasons and it's a great city to visit no matter what the weather. I happen to love it best in the summer.  Below I am going to list some of my favorite things to do in New York City.

                                                

Times Square. If you are going to visit Time Square you have to see it for the first time at night. There is nothing like walking down Broadway with your head tilted up and your jaw wide open as you take in all of the bright lights and neon signs. Simply spectacular. Visit the ESPN Zone, Toys R US (there is a ferris wheel inside!), The Hershey Store, The M & M store.  Take the shuttle over to Grand Central. 

Chinatown. I love going to Chinatown to shop for all of that fun contraband! Oh, people will tell you to avoid it or not to buy the purses and perfumes, but I'm sorry, you have to.  Come up out of the subway at Canal and Lafayette and it is just MOBS of people. I love to buy my Versace cologne here.  Shop for jewelry, cologne, perfume, sunglasses, clothing, t-shirts, souvenirs, purses....Just beware..there are things to watch out for. (pictured right is Chinatown in January..brr...)

Little Italy.  This is a total tourist trap but it's a must do. I would say after a few hours of shopping in Chinatown, head down to Mulberry Street and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of Little Italy. It's true that there is better Italian food in NYC, however you have to come here for the experience. Sit outside and dine alfresco, order some ravioli and a nice glass of wine and watch the people walk by. If you're lucky the music will be playing and the streets will be filled.  (at right is a picture of Sara and I in Little Italy)

Brooklyn Bridge/Grimaldi's Pizza. Take the Subway to Brooklyn and get off at High Street. Walk down the hill to Grimaldi's Pizza. (pictured below) You can expect to wait an hour in line, but it's so worth it. It's one of the most famous pizzerias in New York City.

  

After you've eaten your pizza and have had a glass of wine, walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan and enjoy the spectacular views!  (pictured right is  Sara and I on the bridge)

                                                                   

                                                                                                  

Central Park.
I love to take a blanket, a book and something to drink and head to the Sheep's Meadow in Central Park. It is very cool to go there on a weekend and watch all of the locals and their families enjoying their day off. People are laying on blankets, playing soccer, tossing a football, playing a pickup kickball game, picnicing, walking dogs all in this GIANT open space surrounded with trees, and just beyond the trees are the skyscrapers of Upper Manhattan. It is the neatest thing and one of my most favorite things to do. Visit Strawberry Fields, The Central Park Zoo, Wollman Skating Rink, The Great Lawn, or take a boat ride on the Lake. There is also biking, roller  blading and of course New York's famous carriage rides.

Rockefeller Plaza.

Wake up early and head down to Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan. If you're visiting in the summer you may luck out and catch one of the Summer Concerts in action. I like to duck into a deli and grab breakfast to go, then head to the Plaza and sit on one of the many benches and watch the hustle and bustle of the morning while I eat.

It's very easy to walk in front of the studios and become part of the "show". They don't charge admission, you just find a spot and wait for Matt, Meredith, Ann or Al to come outside. They do try to shoot the crowd for the cameras. (pictured right is my friend Michelle and I)

Fifth Ave and Upper Manhattan.  

  

Starting at about Madison and about E. 50th. Street, head north up Fifth Avenue. To you right you'll see St. Pat's Cathedral and shortly after that you will be immersed in one of the wealthiest shopping districts in the world.



Versace! Dior! Prada! Fendi! Louis Vuitton! Tiffany and Co.....I love to pop into Versace, say hello and then try on a pair of $800.00 sun glasses. Then I walk over to the perfumes and give myself a squirt, all the while acting like I belong there. Nod goodbye to the armed guards and head out the door.  What a trip. (pictured right is my Cousin, Jen)

If you can't afford to shop, so what? Window shopping is just as fun. Stroll into FAO Schwartz and check out the  piano from the movie Big. Do a tap dance!  (below right is my Sister, Lisa and her hubby, Jamie)

                                                      

                                                 

When you're tired of window shopping and walking. Duck into the Trump Tower and stroll around a little while, or shop in the Apple store. Grab an ice cream from a street vendor, pull up a piece of concrete and watch the world go by. Right across the street from the Apple store is The Plaza Hotel and Central Park. (pictured left is my Sister and Mom relaxing on a bench outside of the Apple Store)