New York City: April 2022
- dolliemcdonald
- Jan 8, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 19, 2023
My kids were sick and tired of me bragging about my past travels to New York City! So, it was "Mama, please take us to New York City on our next family trip!" CAN DO! You don't have to twist my arm to visit this wonderful city. If your family is anything like mine, we combed through our busy schedules, which is like aligning all of the planets to find a time where we can book our travels,
We decided on April, the week of Easter. It was literally the first weekend since New Year's weekend that we did not have an obligation with one of our schedules. Booked! Luckily, we booked flights before the big flight price increase in 2022 and we found affordable flights with Southwest Airlines. We decided on 5 days for this trip, enough time to scratch the surface of NYC as a family and then get back to our busy schedules. Our first stop from the airport, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET). We had scheduled a tour (we know a guy) and we spent the afternoon exploring The MET. This was a whole new world for all 4 of us, being our first time visiting The MET. Our girls LOVED The MET! It was such an incredible experience seeing the museum through their eyes.
If you haven't visited The MET, add it to your list, you won't regret it! After The MET, we hopped in a NYC cab, headed to our hotel in Chelsea, and dropped our luggage at our hotel. Next, we jumped on the subway to China Town for dumplings for dinner. Ya'll, the best dumplings ever! My kids still talk about those dumplings. After a good night sleep, the next day was a fully packed day: Downtown! This day was scheduled full of seeing the sites, lumped together in sort of an ambitious schedule, but we did it! Barely! Ferry to Statue of Liberty, One World Trade tower, and the 9/11 Museum. We started with breakfast down the street from our hotel in Chelsea at Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee Company. OMG so yummy!
BB&CC was sooo delicious, we ended up going here like 3 times during our trip for breakfast. Next stop, downtown. It was a gorgeous spring day to take the ferry to The Statue of Liberty. The weather was perfect, and we spent half the day of visiting Lady Liberty and going to Ellis Island. They have a cafe at the Statue of Liberty, so we were able to catch a quick lunch in between island hopping to Ellis Island and then back to Battery Park for drop off.
Next stop was the 9/11 Museum, which again was even a new visit even for me. We spent about 2 and 1/2 hours and I am here to tell you, that is not enough time to visit this incredible museum. You should plan for at least half a day, if not longer. This is one of the most moving museums I have visited. It is emotional, raw, sad, and important. You are transported back to that day and it is a powerful experience.
Since we didn't feel this visit was enough time, our family has vowed to go back and spend more time at this museum. After we closed the 9/11 Museum, we were off to the One World Trade Tower. I went up this beautiful tower in 2016, and I was excited to get my family up the tower and see the remarkable views at the top. And the elevator ride! Let me tell you, it will be one of the best elevators rides you ever take! You are surround by television screens as the walls in the elevator and as you go up, you watch NYC being built and morph into the great city it is today. Once you make it to the top, you are greeted with 360 degree views of NYC! There is a restaurant and bar on top, which we did not opt for, but good to know if interested in making a reservation.
After our visit at the One World Trade Tower, we made our way to Greenwich Village to Bleecker Street Pizza. So yummy! This pizza place was perfect after a long day of taking in the sites. After our NY style pizza, we walked in a misty rain back to our hotel in Chelsea, which was a nice 30-minute leisurely walk, checking out the lights and streets of the city. After dinner, it was early to bed, as we have another full day of exploring ahead of us.
For Friday, we walked from our hotel in Chelsea was just a few blocks from the Flat Iron building. Next to the Flat Iron is a cute little outdoor coffee shop, Flatiron Cafe for great coffee and a quick breakfast. Oh, and right across the street from the Flat Iron building is the Harry Potter store! Coincidence?! I think NOT! Of course, that is our next stop! For my eldest daughter, this was the mothership and she just floated
on through the entrance, like she owned the place. I must admit, this store is pretty awesome. It's beautiful, a large two stories, and if you can think of any and every aspect out of the Harry Potter movie, they got it, and well stocked. The wand section was intense and overwhelming, and I don't see how anyone walks out with just one wand. We walked out buying two. Resistance to buy more was certainly tested.
After Harry Potter, we made our way to Bryant Park, which was a gorgeous spring day to stop at a Whole Foods, grab deli lunch items and have a picnic lunch in the park. It was so fun and perfect! There were tulips, lilacs and daffodils blooming everywhere. I loved being in NYC this time of year, it provided that extra sprinkle of magic. Make sure to add Bryant Park on your list, you won't be disappointed.
After lunch at Bryant Park, we walked down the street to Grand Central Station to walk in and check out this historical spot and take in the busy travelers coming and going to catch their trains. Then we walked to Rockefeller Center and hung out. We took in the plaza, had tickets to Top of The Rock. We loved hanging out at Rockefeller and visiting some the shops in the bottom floors. After we visited the Top of Rock at sunset, we had dinner at Bills Bar & Burgers. Their burgers and shakes were excellent and a great dinner to reward us for all of our walking around midtown. When you visit Rockefeller Center, leave time for skating and visiting the shops all around, before or after your tour to The Top of The Rock.
Saturday was a day to take in all things Chelsea. In the morning, we were a couple of blocks from the Chelsea Flea Market, open on weekends. In a parking lot with local vintage and antique booths, you can find all sorts of treasures. Then we made our way to the Chelsea Market to check out this multi-story warehouse turned open market full of cool shops and restaurants. We loved visiting both the flea markets and Chelsea markets, seeing all sorts of cool stuff, people watching and grabbing some yummy food. The cool thing about Chelsea Market is right along The High Line. This newly repurposed railroad tracks turned park is a must do on your next visit to NYC!
The High Line is a beautiful walking trail and a great way to take in more views of the city. We walked the entire stretch heading north and it gets us closer to Times Square. Of course, we dip in and then dip out of Times Square, got to see it, at least once, then we are off to The Empire State Building. We had our tickets set for around sunset again to go to the top and check out this beautiful Art Deco landmark in the heart of Manhattan. This would be my 3rd time up The Empire State Building and I love it each time. BTW, regarding our tickets to some of our visits, we used The City Pass and I will share all of the tips and links in my "Trip Itineraries Page."
After The Empire State Building, we found an Italian Bistro, Villa Berulia on 34th Street, East side of Manhattan. The atmosphere, food, and our family time was fantastic. I live for dinners evenings like this and if you find yourself in NYC, I would highly recommend Villa Berulia for a nice meal, you won't be disappointed. The next morning is Easter morning and we wanted to get up early and attend church service and celebrate that "He is Risen!" The gothic and beautiful St. Patrick's Cathedral had several Easter Services all throughout the morning and we opted for the 9am Service, and then have a nice breakfast after the Service. The service was of course special, being Easter and in the beautiful setting of St. Patrick's cathedral.
Afterwards, we had a nice breakfast at The Morning Star Cafe. This cafe is your typical great diner menu, and all members of your family can find appetizing items sure to make everyone happy. After breakfast, we headed to Central Park to spend a nice afternoon exploring the park. All week long we had pretty nice temps, but today the high was only going to get up to 45 degrees, so it was chilly. Luckily the sun was out and the blooms all over the park made up for the chilly temps!
We arrived at Central Park early afternoon and the park was hopping with all sorts enjoying an Easter afternoon. We enjoyed seeing all of the many trees and flowers blooming, all of the dogs on their walks, and families enjoying the day. We started at Strawberry fields and heard a live a musician at the "Imagine" mosaic. Then, we made our way to the Ladies Pavilion,
Shakespeare Garden and Bow Bridge for some fantastic views. Honestly though, there are no "bad views" in Central Park. We roamed around to Belvedere Castle, then made our way down to the Alice In Wonderland statue, which was full of kiddos playing. It was tough to snap a pic of our kiddos, due to all of the kids playing. This was the place to be! Then we strolled over to the Boathouse by the Conservatory Water Pond for some hot chocolate and the splendor of people watching in a busy park. It was great, I almost feel asleep laying on the park bench, LOL! Our girls loved soaking up the park and I highly recommend when you visit this city taking half a day at least to enjoy this park! It will be some of your favorite moments you spend in NYC.
After my cat nap on the park bench, we continue our stroll over to Bethesda Terrace and walk through The Mall. My daughters are easily entertained taking in the beautiful park sites, in addition to the squirrel and dog sightings. Honestly, every dog we saw on our trips sparks conversations. We try to guess the name of the dogs, compliment the leash, vest, collar, etc. LOL!
Then we think of our dogs at home and how we miss them and wish they could have been with us on this trip, enjoying this day in the park. I didn't want to leave this day, and just freeze it in time, it was fabulous. We peel ourselves from the park, finally in the later afternoon and walk over to Gapstow Bridge and make our way over to 5th Ave. We look around for final evening dinner spot.
We locate Bloom's Tavern down the street, and it was a great find for food and drink. After dinner, we slowly make our way to our hotel in Chelsea. Walking part of the way and then finally getting a cab the rest of the way. We pack up our suitcases, set our alarms and get ready for the journey home the next day. NO! It is not time to go home yet! We are sad to come home and leave this great city. My girls still tell me how much they miss NYC and they are already planning our next trip. Maybe my travel brainwashing is starting to rub off on them. Regardless, I am living the ulitimate dream: taking my girls places I have dreamed about my whole life. Sharing the magic, lessons and beauty of travel with them. Walking three steps behind them and seeing things for the first time from their views, is the best experience and priceless.
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