NYC Off the Bucket List

I survived New York. I can officially mark that off the list of places to see.  I've had the privilege of seeing some great cities here recently - Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and NYC.  It's hard to pick a favorite - big cities are exciting and fun.  We, Bowling Green-ians, are actually lucky to be tucked between two pretty great cities, Nashville and Louisville.  There are a couple of cities I'd still like to visit though - Las Vegas being at the top of that list (heck, anywhere out west will be fine with me).  Back to my NYC trip, it happened last week.  My sister celebrated her 40th birthday last Saturday and months earlier had expressed to some of our closest friends that she'd like to go to NYC on a girls trip.  Trust me, with our group (me, Shannon, sister-in-law Lisa, cousin Jennifer and our friends Larie and Shana) - combined total 13 kids 7th grade and under - this is not an easy task to pull off.  We made it happen though and put money down on our plane tickets and hotel accommodations back in the spring.

I felt like a team of six with all hands stacked in the center, like 'yes', this is going to happen.  Break!  After a planning session or two, we narrowed down our list of things we all wanted to do while on the trip, most of which were major tourist attractions. 

The Captain was sweet enough to recognize Shannon's birthday on the flight and invited her to come into the cockpit for a photo.

DAY 1: Left for Nashville bright in early and headed to Fly Away parking garage for car storage for the weekend =).  Took a shuttle to BNA where I was introduced to word "hangry" - a combination of the words hungry and angry by a lady on the shuttle.  Interesting.  The plane ride was smooth and quick but we didn't get to sit together.  Southwest likes to pack their flights full and stuff us all into our chicken coops seats.  I somehow snagged a seat next to two college-aged kids who basically took selfies and snap-chatted the entire time while gnawing on Twizzlers.  Eye roll.  Oh to be young and have social media!  Lisa did manage to snag the Captain before the plane ride and make sure he'd announce Shannon's birthday.  She also got to have her picture made with him (above).  Super cool!  We arrived at LaGuardia a little after 2 p.m. ready to take on NYC.  You don't realize how nice the BNA airport is until you arrive in LaGuardia.  Imagine the first scene of the Walking Dead when Rick Grimes wakes up and is stuck in that nasty hospital, smattered with trash, dirt and dead bodies - well, that's LaGuardia, minus the dead bodies - it's pretty rough.


I felt like I needed to bathe in Germ-X once we got to our baggage claim.  Lisa quickly realized that she'd left her carry on bag on the plane and made a mad dash back to the terminal.  Fortunately, the stewardess had noticed and placed in with airplane security which meant she had to go through customs and get permission to claim her back.  Once we had all of our stuff, we were ready to take our shuttle transfer to our hotel.  If you've ever been in a car in Central America, that's how New Yorkers drive.  Apparently, road lines are optional, driving as close as you can to other motorists and cutting them off is normal, and 100 MPH is way too slow- you don't need Dramamine for the plane ride but definitely the car ride. I'm not sure how we made it to Hilton Midtown in one piece, but we did.  We knew we wouldn't be able to do much Thursday evening since we arrived mid-afternoon.  However, we wanted to make the most of the day.

We made it to NYC, got settled into our hotel, and HIT THE TOWN!

 Because we were all starving, food was the first thing on the agenda.  The concierge recommended a little burger dive tucked away in LeParker Meridian Hotel.  You walk in this beautiful hotel and think - this can't be right.  And, then, there it is behind a long black curtain, hidden in a corner.  Best.burger.ever!  Burger Joint Menu

 We headed over to Central Park after our meal and were swarmed by tour people.  Originally, we had planned to take a carriage ride around the park, but because it was a limited tour (main streets and not much park) and we couldn't all stay together.  We opted for the bike tour so we could ride together and see more of the park.

I'd hardly call our Central Park excursion a tour.  I think one of bikers didn't even speak English, and the other one was too busy flirting with us to tell us any relevant information - mainly fun facts and movie trivia.  Central Park is quite possibly one of the most beautiful places I've seen, especially the area around Bethesda  Terrace and Fountain (Breakfast at Tiffany's, thanks tour guide - he was high on movie trivia).  I could have spent the rest of the night there.  Absolutely, breathtaking!

Selfie sticks come in handy!

We continued our tour with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle No-English and landed at the fountain from the TV Show friends, also known as the Cherry Hill Fountain.  We had to take some F.R.I.E.N.D.S. shots while were there.  Lisa also managed to steal the bike from our tour guide.  GO LISA!  This area also featured the popular Bow Bridge (second oldest cast iron bridge in America) and...people making out session.

Lisa, the Central Park, tour bike thief!

The last part of our tour was at Strawberry Fields along with Dakota Building where John Lennon and Yoko Ono lived (and where she still lives).  The garden was designed as a living memorial and initially was in front of the apartment building where Lennon's life was taken.  However because of large amounts of fans and tourists, it was eventually moved across the street into Central Park.  Beautiful tribute.

We'd heard that the best views of the city were at the Top of the Roc, so we headed that way after our "tour." Since we arrived pretty late in the evening, the only tour we could get was at 10 p.m. and was going to cost around $30.  We thought that seemed a bit steep (fun play on words) and instead, headed over to Times Square.  It's everything you've seen in pictures and movies.  It was LIT UP - no telling how much power it takes to generate those city blocks.  At one point, we were all facetiming our family members so they could see what we were seeing.

Times Square is exactly what you see on TV - I think of the James and the Giant Peach song ... "Bright lights, big city, that's the life for me...."

At some point during the evening, we purchased our Metro Card passes for the subway which is always an experience.  I felt a little more comfortable with the subway from my Boston visit.  It's definitely the least expensive way to get around in NYC if you can figure it out.

DAY 2:  we got up bright and early and headed back to Times Square for GMA.  Lisa had made everyone matching shirts to wear and brought bright, neon posters hoping for some air-time.  Robin Roberts and her security team came out and greeted everyone.  I don't know Robin that well, nor do I watch much of GMA, but she was a class-act and incredibly friendly and kind.  She even took her picture with us.  COOL!

Why yes, that's me and a pirate peeking through - no photo bombers here!

 We quickly learned that ABC didn't film GMA outside on Fridays because of the Summer Concert Series.  However, they would shuttle us over to Central Park for the concert for free, and there would be a good chance we'd get on TV.  Sign us up!  Free concert and a chance to be on TV, we're in!  The Band Perry was performing.  I'm not a huge fan but like them well enough to hear a free concert.  However, I don't think the title Summer Concert is an appropriate name for this segment.

 When I think of a concert, I think of an entire album of songs.  This was a three and done concert, with lots of build up in between.  If you've seen shots of the concert series on GMA, it looks like tons and tons of people and an actual concert.  It's a great facade, but it was truly the HIGHLIGHT of our day.  I'd say there were a couple hundred people there and in between The Band Perry's rehearsal and air-time, there was a guy emceeing the event.  He was doing his best to get the crowd pumped up and ready to cheer loud for the on-air.

 Lisa managed to get his attention shouting out "40th Birthday Over Here."  He came to our side of the stage and started talking with her and my sister, and low and behold, Lisa managed to get on-stage with him.  He proceeded to take her cell phone and called her husband, Daniel, who didn't answer.  He, then, called her mother and told her he had Lisa and Shannon at the NYC Police Department locked up.  It was hilarious, and words cannot capture how awesome the experience was (kind of a "you had to have been there event").  Lisa became an instant celebrity and had numerous facebook friend requests, people asking her to get their picture made with them - we'd be walking down the street and people would stop her and ask her about GMA.  The day before we left, on the Brooklyn Bridge of all places, someone stopped her and said, "Lisa, from GMA."  Crack me up! I don't think we made it on TV, but our group made a mark on GMA =).

Since we were starving because of our early morning, we ate brunch at a tasty restaurant called Juniors.  Shannon and I split the omelet and pancake platter - tons of food.

 Afterwards, we headed over to St. Patrick's Cathedral, built in 1858.  They are currently working to preserve and restore this historic landmark.  Workers peppered the church cleaning ceilings and plaster, working on windows, restoring grout - the main alter was closed off to the public and lots of workers were in that area. I love historic churches!

We headed back to the hotel to get a little rest before heading over to 9/11 Memorial and Museum which we had scheduled to see that afternoon.  I didn't take many pictures during the self-guided tour of the museum.  It was a moving experience and a lot to digest and take in.  I took pictures of both the north and south tour beams where the plane hit, as well what's know as the Survivor Stairs, where people escaped.

One of my favorite parts of the museum was the National 9/11 Flag Crews who were working at Ground Zero had an American Flag hung on a burned-out building adjacent to the towers.  Over time, it became tattered and torn and became a symbol.  The flag started a journey across America beginning at Greensburg, Kansas where a devastating tornado had hit (leveling 96% of the community) and volunteers were still helping to dig people out.  A group of women used American flags that had survived the tornado to repair some of the holes in the Ground Zero flag.  The flag journeyed all across American - where children made stitches, survivors of Columbine made stitches, veterans stitched, pieces of flag draped over Abraham Lincoln's body were added as well as pieces from the flag at Martin Luther King Jr. gravesite, Pearl Harbor and  the Kentucky Derby. The journey allowed everyone the opportunity to come together as a nation.  I thought this tribute was simply amazing! Made me proud of how everyone (even those who had experienced such devastating loss) rallied together!  That's our nation!

On our way back to the hotel, I made a food stop that I was DYING to experience.  It was at a food truck that always had a never ending line.  Since food trucks are on every corner and few of them had lines, I knew this one HAD to be the ONE. The Halel Guys were positioned right next to our hotel, and the food bowls looked UH-mazing and were.  I have to say it was probably my favorite meal in NYC (and from a truck, no less).
Various people had recommended 230-Fifth Roof Top.  We decided to check it out Friday night.  It took us FOREVER to find the place because we aren't the best navigators (geographically challenged), and NYC is big and hard to figure out.  We finally found it.  After waiting in line to enter, you take an elevator to the top floor - the lobby you enter in to is nice and swanky, not real crowded.  However, once we got to the rooftop, it was like the floodwaters opened and people were everywhere (Black Friday, people).  We could barely move, and I quickly noticed that we were older than most of the people there and had more clothes on.  I've never seen so many bra and halter tops in my life. We made our way to the bar, and I somehow found myself in the middle of bar fight between the bar tender and four people who were loitering around the bar where others couldn't be served.  This guy that looked like he belonged on Jersey Shore came up to me and asked if he'd been in my way when I was trying to order.  I wanted to say, "yes, meat head, you were, but instead was kind and said I don't know, I'm just waiting in line."  I didn't get a drink and didn't really want one.  I just felt my level of personal space was being under attack and invaded at every turn.  My only hope was that Fire Marshall Bill would show up because I felt like every code was being violated on that rooftop.  Someone had told us we could go to the other end of the roof top, that there was another bar and a little more space.  Wrong. If there had been a table or area we could've sat down - it would've been more fun because it was a gorgeous view, beautiful evening and neat place.  However, we lasted about 30 minutes before deciding to leave.  It had been a long day.

DAY 3: It's Shannon's 40th birthday y'all!  We started off the morning at the Statue of Liberty.  It takes a little while to get to the Staten Island Ferry and even longer when they are doing construction at your last subway stop.  We had to take a bus transfer from the subway to get to the ferry.  Talk about an uncomfortable bus ride!  It was standing room only and packed super tight and FULL of people.  I'd share a funny story with my readers, but it involves bad language and a girl named Monica.  It's one of those circumstances where someone is having a loud and inappropriate conversation and everyone can HEAR IT.  Ask any of us about it personally - we all thought it was awkward and came off the bus laughing about it.

 A-touring we shall go, A-touring we shall go, heigh-ho-the-derry-o, A-touring we shall go....why, yes, we are NYC tourists, can't you tell!!!  After our visit to the 9/11 Memorial, I truly feel like it's the sort of "one and done" thing.  I don't have any desire to see that again - too many emotions and the sort of thing that doing once is worth it (and something I will always remember).  However, the Statue of Liberty is a completely different experience.  I think she's one of the coolest monuments we have here in the United States.  Something about Lady Liberty right there in the harbor facing the Atlantic - an icon of freedom.  We opted for the pedestal  (which was plenty high) as opposed to the crown.  Inside the base of the statue is a museum about all history, architecture, sculpture, etc.  I snagged some cool souvenirs after our visit.

 We headed over to Ellis Island afterwards and got some lunch before our audio tour.  I think if I hadn't been so worn out, I probably would've enjoyed Ellis Island more.  We'd been on our feet so much that all I wanted to do was sit down.  I did go through most of the tour though.  Almost half of all Americans can trace their roots back to Ellis Island and at least one family member who passed through the port.  It was interesting reading through the history and especially the parts about how people were marked, fed, and housed.  It's definitely the type of place you could spend more than one day at.  However, the people on the ferry ride home reminded me exactly how I felt.


We went back to our hotel and took another rest break before heading out to dinner for Shannon's birthday.  We had reservations at Del Frisco's which I would highly recommend.  It was excellent.

40th Birthday Celebration in STYLE - NYC Del Frisco's!

Lisa decorated both of our rooms

with birthday balloons and banners.

DAY 4:  we hadn't made any concrete plans for our final day but had heard so much about Chinatown and the SOHO district that we wanted to check it out and do some shopping.  If you want a watch or handbag, this is the place to visit =).  You are harassed every few feet and souvenir shops are everywhere! Shannon and Larie scored some cool chopsticks at a little market.  Shanghai Asian Manor was suggested by a friend, and it did not disappoint. It was a small little place, and we waited around an hour to sit down.  The Chinese food was fantastic, but that could have been because we were all so "hangry" by the time we were seated, who knows.

 Fortunately Chinatown is close to the Brooklyn Bridge which we'd all decided was on our NYC bucket list and another historic New York land mark.  We made our way across over to the Brooklyn side and grabbed some ice cream at a little mom and pop shop.  We decided to take the subway back - lots of walking that day!

Yes, someone did stop us on the Brooklyn Bridge and asked about "Lisa from GMA."  She's an NYC Celebrity.

Broadway + New York = a MUST.  We spent our final evening in New York at the Lyric Theater.  Our concierge had recommended the show "On the Town" which was the perfect end to our trip.

We headed back to the hotel and packed up our things and prepared for our trip back home.  There's nothing more special than a girls trip, and it's something we will always remember! Since Matt and I are turning 40 around the same time (next November), we're thinking Las Vegas BABY!  Both of us are really wanting to go out west and turning 40 seems like an appropriate time for that!

Miles was proud of his NYC loot - and Isaac has worn his New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony shirt three times since last Tuesday.