I had only been to New York once prior to last year and I don't really count it because I was 16 and clueless to what I was experiencing. All I remember about the trip was being distracted by the amount of homeless people (I had never seen so many before) and the odd smells and dirtiness of the city. I was the typical self-absorbed and immature teenager that was antsy to get back to "my friends and life in CA." So embarrassing! Thankfully, I've been able to redeem myself and had opportunities to appreciate New York how I should. And there's no better time to really appreciate the city than over the holidays. We have been blown away by "Christmas in the City" both years!
Last year in particular was fun because Daron had never been. It was really fun for me to get to see him experience the energy of the city for the first time. Both years, our itinerary revolved completely around food. We hardly sightsee at all (is that bad!?) We go from one restaurant and dessert place to the next and if there is something to see near by we will maybe make our way there, but food is definitely the priority.
Last year, we stayed in the heart of time square. This year, we decided to stay in a more quiet part of town and stayed in SoHo.
(The charming entrance of our hotel. ^^)
Our first day, we hit up Bubby's. I had been dreaming about their pancakes for a year. Daron's sister recommended Bubby's to us last year and the place exceeded my expectations. It's pancake heaven.
After some shopping and taking in the city, we made our way to some famous NYC pizza, ran into carolers outside the NYC temple, and then walked completely out of the way to Levain Bakery for cookies because they are that good. We ate the cookies outside the Lincoln center where we saw the ballet! A few weeks before our trip, Daron surprised me with tickets to the Nutcracker. I had always wanted to see a ballet and spent hours before our trip watching every documentary I could find on the NYC ballet. The nutcracker was even better that I'd thought it would be. I was really sad the show had to end! I'll never forget the partnered scene, it was magical.
(Daron bought me this skirt for the ballet. ^^ I'm wearing a pajama top with it because that was the best and only option I had but I don't think (hope) anyone noticed. I also only brought one nicer jacket and it happened to be green. I felt like a walking Christmas tree at the beginning, but by the end of the night, I sort of loved it.)
(said walking Christmas tree^^ ;)
The next day, we attended church in the morning and then had lunch at The Smith. Daron was obsessed with the potato chip bleu cheese fondue. We ate until we couldn't move and then ventured to see a tourist sight, the Love sculpture. After that, we went to Central Park and "ooo" and "awed" at the bright, colorful fall-looking leaves everywhere, a very unexpected but welcomed surprise for a December trip!
The flat iron building ^^ this building stopped me in my tracks every time!
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at the City Bakery for a chocolate chip cookie and then changed for dinner and a little trip to Brooklyn. We ate at the restaurant Frankies 457 Spuntino. It was the best meal of the trip. The restaurant is tiny, tiny and really dark. The food was so good though. I took a picture of my pasta dish but it looked like worms on a plate so I'll spare you but for the first time ever, Daron was jealous of what I ordered!
After dinner, the plan was to walk the Brooklyn bridge. We almost backed out because we were stuffed to the brim (are we gross?) and the thought of walking 30 minutes was daunting. But thankfully, we stuck to the plan because that was our favorite thing we did the whole trip. The views walking the Brooklyn Bridge were breathtaking. Lady liberty was on our left, the new One World Trade Center building in front of us, and the rest of the city's skyline to our right. I felt so proud to be an American while walking that bridge!
The final two days of the trip, Daron goes to his conference in the day and then we meet up at night. When we went last year, I was really nervous to be alone in New York and wondered what I would do all day. But then, Daron left for his conference and I went to all the stores I wanted without having to accomodate anyone else... and I realized being alone was not going to be hard. I remember Daron texting me last year to meet up and I was like, "Oh no, already!?"
This year I did some shopping and checked out Christmas markets finding some gifts for family. I also ate some delicious Christmas market food and watched ice-skaters in Bryant Park. Some good people-watching-alone-time is a rare treat these days. This year, when we met up we saw the Rockefeller center's Christmas tree and light show and then I dragged Daron to time square. He didn't feel like going but it felt wrong to not take a peek. That night we ate at shake shack and rolled ourselves home.
Our last day/night I took Daron to the Christmas Market in Bryant Park so he too could experience some of the delicious food and we could ice skate. Ice skating in Bryant Park is almost a tie with walking the Brooklyn Bridge. The rink was overflowing with Christmas cheer and it was an absolute gorgeous day. Have I mentioned the weather while we were there? It felt like fall, it was 50 degrees! I had on a hat and a sweater and was golden. Last year, we trudged around in 30 degrees and pouring rain. We're not sure if New York will ever be like that again in December so we made sure to soak it in!
(Daron lookin' all New Yorker!^^)
(Delicious mozarella arepas from the Christmas market. I saw a girl eating this and awkwardly followed her until I finally got her attention to ask her what she was eating. I''m so glad I did because they were worth it!)
(More fall! ^^)
Our final night was spent touring the 9/11 museum and eating our weight in scrumptious tacos at Chelsea's market.
We walked our legs off and every night, our tired bodies couldn't wait to plop in bed. I was always amazed at how much energy I had to keep going though. The city does something to you. We felt lucky once again to be able to experience another year of Christmas in the City and can't wait/hope we can do it again next year.
And the next morning, we woke up for our 7 o' clock flight and I looked like this...
This picture is actually the good version of my traveling self. You should see the video Daron took of me... my eyes were watering because I was so tired from staying up way too late watching a chic flick (by myself) in bed and it hurt so bad to keep them open. Why don't I rest when I'm away from my kids!? Instead it's like this weird "you have freedom" spell comes over me and I do all the things I can't do with them and then pay for it. Daron sent the video to my family via direct instagram and they had a great laugh at my expense.
(Crossing our fingers) See you next year, New York!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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