Woven Words

Growing up, I always wanted to visit New York City. I visited family in Upstate New York several times as a kid and I loved everything about it, from the changing of the trees in the Fall to the fresh air to the deer that freely wandered in my grandparents’ yard. I always longed to make a trip to the Big Apple, but it was too far to visit during one of our family trips.

As I grew older, this longing inside me to visit New York City only grew stronger. With so many movies and television shows taking place in Manhattan, the feeling became intense and I was determined to finally plan my first trip. It was just a matter of time and money. So in early 2018, Mike and I decided this was it—this was the year we were finally going on vacation in New York!

We had initially booked the trip for my birthday last September, but that plan quickly changed when it interfered with my brother-in-law’s wedding. However, the change in plan could not have worked out any better, as this meant we could reschedule our trip for our first wedding anniversary.

So on November 7, 2018, we left LA for NYC.

Day One – November 7

• We arrived in Newark late afternoon, took the AirTrain to Penn Station and walked to our Airbnb in Chelsea
• We changed and headed for dinner at Chelsea Market down the street

Day Two – November 8

 

 

• Grabbed breakfast at Matto Espresso, a coffee shop next to our Airbnb
• Took the subway to Battery Park and boarded a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• Returned to Battery Park and took the subway to Brooklyn.
• Ate pizza at Grimaldi’s for lunch
• Walked around DUMBO and visited the Humphrey Loft exterior filming location from Gossip Girl, then crossed the Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhattan
• Visited Trinity Church and the grave of Alexander Hamilton
• Walked to the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall
• Toured the One World Trade Center and National September 11 Museum
• Ate dinner at 1803 restaurant in Tribeca

Day Three – November 9

• After stopping for breakfast at Matto Espresso, took the subway to the Upper West Side. Walked through Central Park to The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Walked to lunch, then took a bus to the American Museum of Natural History
• Changed clothes at the Airbnb and ate dinner at Hunt & Fish Club
• Watched Anastasia on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theater
• Grabbed post-show drinks at Dutch Fred’s

Day Four – November 10

• Picked up bagels at Murray’s Bagels in Chelsea
• Took the subway Midtown and walked through St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Visited Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock, and Radio City Music Hall
• Walked along Fifth Avenue, where we admired Saks, Tiffany, and more
• Arrived at The Plaza and visited The Eloise Boutique
• Ate pizza at Luigi’s Pizza, then walked to Columbus Circle
• Walked through Central Park to Strawberry Fields, Bow Bridge, and Bethesda Fountain
• Grabbed drinks at the Empire Hotel, another filming location from Gossip Girl
• Enjoyed the view of the New York Philharmonic
• Visited Times Square again and stopped in the Disney Store
• Grabbed a calzone for dinner from Lombardi’s

Day Five – November 11 (Our Wedding Anniversary)

• Grabbed donuts at Doughnut Plant and headed for Macy’s in Herald Square
• Visited the top of the Empire State Building
• Walked to the Flat Iron Building and ate at Eataly for lunch
• Walked to Strand Book Store and admired the 18 miles of books
• Took pictures outside Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment from Sex and the City in West Village
• Ate dinner at Raoul’s, a French bistro, for our wedding anniversary

Day Six – November 12

• Took the subway to Grand Central Station and  boarded a train for Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow
• Met my Papa and Grandma Mary at the train station and ate lunch at Tarry Tavern
• Headed back to Grand Central and walked to the New York Public Library (closed for Veteran’s Day)
• Headed back to The Plaza to shop at The Eloise Boutique again
• Took the subway to East Village and ate dinner at Katz Delicatessen
• Ended the night at Death and Co. cocktail lounge for drinks

Day Seven – November 13

• Left the Airbnb early, grabbed a pastry at Matto Espresso, and walked to the subway. Took the subway East, then got on the AirTrain to JFK

We spent seven wonderful days in New York City and I couldn’t have asked for a better first visit. Not only did we see and do everything we were hoping to, but we did it together in celebration of our first wedding anniversary. As if the trip wasn’t special enough, I got to spend time with my grandparents who I hadn’t seen in over ten years. Having lunch with them and introducing Mike to them was the cherry on top of an amazing vacation.

Mike and I have thrown around a few ideas for our next vacation and we’re so anxious to start planning. After France and New York City, we’re thinking we’d like to go somewhere warm 🙂

Stay tuned!

xoxo Ciara