Starting off summer vacation with a trip to New York City is becoming something of a tradition for me. Two days was plenty of time to explore the city and see a few of the sights on my list. And of course, enjoy some delicious food while I was there!
Where to go for a long weekend in June? Since I hadn’t thought this one out too far in advance, and given that summer vacation starts in less than a week, I settled for a quick trip to New York City this weekend. I’ve been to NYC several times in the last few years, each time seeing a different part of the city and doing different things (for the most part). I can handle the city in small doses and having just a few places to visit each time has made for some great trips. This one was no exception.
So, just what can you accomplish with a mere 48 hours (or less) in the Big Apple? As it turns out, quite a lot. You can enjoy an indulgent Italian dinner, have a leisurely breakfast/brunch, tour the largest art museum in the United States, visit an iconic holiday market, eat a Neapolitan pizza, have another leisurely breakfast/brunch, and wander aimlessly through Central Park.
Survivable. If there’s one take away from what I’ve seen over the last two days, it’s that people are capable of surviving seemingly impossible situations and coming out of it on the other side. I saw that in the survivors of Auschwitz and in Maddie Corman’s unbelievable story in Accidentally Brave yesterday. And I saw it again today.
The weather was uncooperative again today, but the sun managed to peek out for a few minutes this afternoon in between rain and thunderstorms. I think I will have a permanent indentation on my waist from tying my raincoat there every day. The highlight of today was definitely seeing Accidentally Brave tonight. Here are the rest of the day’s adventures:
I certainly didn’t plan for my summer excursion to New York City to coincide with a week of damp, cloudy weather. But such is life. After an early morning drive to New Haven and a train ride from there to Grand Central, I’m here to enjoy a couple of days of sights in the big city. Here are today’s highlights:
First, the two highlights of the day…
Clinton Street Baking Company: So I gave in and actually waited until 9AM for breakfast this morning, and stood outside in the cold for 30 minutes, all to have what have been called the “best pancakes in New York City”. Since they are also the only pancakes I’ve had here, they lived up to their reputation. They were also some of the best pancakes I’ve had anywhere. With my sweet tooth for breakfast, that’s saying a lot. They were perfectly crispy on the outside and perfectly fluffy inside. And they were served with… wait for it… maple butter syrup. I had mine with blueberries, which not only had blueberries baked in but also had a hearty ladleful of blueberry compote on top. Scrumptious!
I’m just going to stick to the highlights today:
The Met Cloisters: The Cloisters has been on my NYC bucket list since I first saw pictures of it a few years ago. The reconstructed cloisters were originally from French monasteries and abbeys. The museum contains hundreds of decorative arts and sculptures from medieval Europe. It was one of those places where a picture can never do it justice. I stopped several times to just sit and enjoy the surroundings. If you want to feel like you’re in Europe right in New York City, this is the place. It was definitely a highlight of not just the day, but the whole trip, and well worth the 30 minute subway ride and walk across Fort Tyron Park to get to.
First things first… it’s COLD in New York City this weekend! After weeks and weeks of abnormally warm temperatures in the northeast this fall, the weathermen have been warning of the oncoming arctic blast for days. And of course, today was the day I planned all of my outdoor activities. But the cold didn’t prevent me from enjoying the sites.
If you know me at all, it’s safe to say you’re probably wondering what exactly the person who hates cities is doing spending a weekend in the busiest of them all: New York City. Well, let me enlighten you. I’ve officially dubbed this my “Year of Travel”, and intend to go somewhere every month from now until August. But why New York? Growing up in Connecticut, I’ve visited NYC several times on day trips. My stepmother and I used to come here every December for a day of checking out the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and seeing the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. I’ve seen Central Park and Times Square. But I’ve never actually done the full tourist thing in the Big Apple. I’ve contemplated a day trip the last couple of summers, but for some reason never actually made it happen. So now I’m making it happen.
Traveling with Laura 