It's Sunday morning and we are back from our adventure to NYC. What a whirlwind trip this was!
We took the 8:20 a.m. train from Union Station, Washington, DC to Penn Station, NYC, which of course meant getting up at 5:00 a.m. It was not difficult for me, but we are talking about a 16 year old teenager and a very tired graduate student...
I was up in time to eat breakfast, but my chick-a-dees were not. Thankfully we got to the train station about 45 minutes early, so they were able to grab a quick bite to eat!
We took the 8:20 a.m. train from Union Station, Washington, DC to Penn Station, NYC, which of course meant getting up at 5:00 a.m. It was not difficult for me, but we are talking about a 16 year old teenager and a very tired graduate student...
I was up in time to eat breakfast, but my chick-a-dees were not. Thankfully we got to the train station about 45 minutes early, so they were able to grab a quick bite to eat!
We were able to find three seats together on the train too!
We arrived at Penn Station right on time (about 11:45 a.m.). As soon as we got outside, the energy from NYC was palpable..we were so excited to start our day! We walked the 10 blocks to Times Square where the theatre was. There were also plenty of shops, street vendors, and lots and lots of people (mostly tourists, I imagine). We ended up staying in the general vicinity and browsed in various shops including The Hershey Store (YUM!) and The Disney Store. We also tried our hand at haggling with the street vendors for T-shirts and Broadway pictures (with frames). Because this was a day trip and we were seeing a Broadway Show, we weren't able to visit all the cool sights of New York (i.e. The Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, etc.)...I guess that's for another time!
The weather was a balmy 50 degrees, which probably accounted for the huge crowds of people. The sights and smells of Times Square were overwhelming at times, but we were game for the whole experience!
After we shopped a bit, and had some street vendor food (i.e. hotdogs, pretzels, and Italian sausage), we headed for our 2:00 p.m. matinee.
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| (This was right after the show. See, I was there too!) |
After the show, we came out to see all the bright lights in Times Square! It was magnificent!
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| Okay, so I was a bit obsessed with the chocolate store... |
After trying unsuccessfully to find a place to eat (there were 30-40 minute waits), we walked the 10 blocks back to the train station to catch a bite at one of their kiosks. (I was paranoid about missing our train if we were at a restaurant 10 blocks away!) At around 7:45 p.m. we boarded our train back to D.C. We.were.exhausted.
My husband picked us up at the train station at 11:30 p.m. and I was in bed, lights out by 12:30 a.m.
It was a good day.
22 comments:
Wow! It looks like a wonderful day. Glad you got to spend time with your daughters.
What a great fun day! Your daughters are adorable.
Looks like it was an awesome day!! Don't you love the days like this?! They're worth every penny! Thanks for sharing the great pics!! :)
Glad you had a great time.
When we go to a Broadway show, I usually make reservations at our favorite restaurant. Our #1 choice is Becco's which is in the theater district. It's an Italian restaurant owned by Lidia Bastianich, my most favorite chef! They are adept at serving you quickly and promptly and getting you out in time to either catch a show or a train (just tell your waiter). The restaurant is known for their endless fresh pasta dishes (choice of 3....I have ALL 3), salad etc. for a fixed price of $17 per person. It's the best!
Put it on your lists of things to do, next time you're in NYC!
Also, when I do go to NYC, I sometimes pack a lunch. Times Square has been cleaned up by Bloomberg and now boasts tables and chairs where traffic once honked. Since the weather was so warm, you all could have sat outside and taken in the people watching. We never eat from cart vendors. You were lucky you didn't get sick. FYI.
Oh, that looks like so much fun. I definitly need to visit my sister there.
Oh I didn't realize you were close enough to do it as a day trip... Sounds like so much fun!!
@Morrison,
I LOVE Lidia too! I wish I would have thought of that because that would have been delicious.
Nope, won't eat from street vendors again...not very good. We actually spent very little on food. I probably would bring a backpack next time I went, and have been a bit more prepared.
Time Square was cleaned up, for sure, and we did sit in those chairs to eat our vendor food. I wish I had known about Lidia's before I went, although I remember my sister telling me about that. We planned the trip on Dec. 31st, so not a lot of prep time. Next time I'll know!
Sounds like a great day!
Your girls are beautiful! I love taking trips in to New York with the kids. We are lucky because we can catch a bus from China town in philly and it drops us in China town in New York.
Lion king was a great show. Beccos is a great place to eat!!!
Love it! Sounds like a great day for you and your girls. Another memory in the book!
Your girls are so pretty, just like their Momma!!! Sounds like you guys had a great time, your girls will remember it forever, what a nice treat.
It all looks wonderful Sharon - I love the energy of Times Square (despite all the tourists and despite the fact that I'm one of them lol). You've made me so excited for my trip now, 97 days and counting :)
Sharon, there's ALWAYS a next time. NYC isn't going anywhere and neither is Becco's, Maybe my daughters and I will join you! Wouldn't that be keen!(you too, Judy!)
I learned from Nigella (Nigella Express....cooking show) Every time she took the train into London, she packed a lunch. She made herself creme cheese sandwiches on healthy, whole grain breads. I've been doing the same thing ever since I saw her show. The sandwiches are perfect!
Live and learn. Each day, all of us get better and better!
NYC has made great strides (as they have in Europe) to have people enjoy their packed lunches outside. Think London gardens, Paris parks, Rome fountains.....well, you get the idea.
@Everyone!
Thanks for your kind comments! We had a wonderful time!
@Morrison..
I would LOVE to meet you for lunch/dinner sometime...sounds like a great plan! ;)!
Sounds like a perfect day. I have some theatre vouchers to spend and the Lion King might be the show to chose!
Sft x
How fun! I'm sure that day will be a fond memory for all of you!
Sounds like an AWESOME day! So glad you all enjoyed it... you SO deserved that!
oh wow - I can't believe you did all that in one day!! Looks like a really fun day though for sure. So glad you got to go. Yes, your daughters are adorable.
Sounds like a wonderful time. The Lion King Music is incredible. My girls love New York. I have yet to go there. Someday!
New York is such a fun place to visit. And you can't beat the train as transport to NYC--it's relatively quick, hassle-free, and always has interesting views.
I am SO jealous! Of everything, including your two lovely daughters and eating from food carts. Hot dogs with spicy mustard? The only way to eat them is from a cart in NYC--they just don't taste the same any other way. I'm glad a good time was had by all.
What a wonderful, whirlwind trip. My family saw Lion King on Broadway about five years ago and loved it too. Thanks for sharing your report and pics.
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