Trip Report........can't belive it's already over.......:-(

My sister and I planned our trip for so long, I was worried it wouldn’t measure up to our expectations. I was wrong!

Day One:

Almost missed our plane in Atlanta because of baggage lines and security. We actually ended up running through the terminal and up to the gate with the flight personnel yelling at us that it was about to close! It was just like in the movies! Very exciting.

Arrived at the Lucerne at 1:00. Rooms not ready, but they checked our bags. We explored the upper west side. Had our first real New York Pizza! Went to Zabars and looked in all the other shops. Really liked Fish Eddies. Don’t know if it’s a chain. I’ve never seen one. One thing that surprised, and tickled me, were all the Christmas tree lots on the corners, and people walking the streets, carrying their Christmas trees. I don’t know why that surprised me. I guess people in the city have Christmas trees too, I just never really thought about it! Went back to our room. It was great! Will post more about the Lucerne on the hotel page. Took subway to Times Square. Walked from there up to Bloomies. It was so crowed, we didn’t see many windows. The best think about the walk was St. Patrick’s Cathedral. We went in right before the 5:30 mass and as we were leaving, the bells started chiming. To me, that was better than any of the windows. Walked some more and saw carriages riding in Central Park and briefly went through the Christmas Market at Columbus Circle. Took subway back to hotel. Ate dinner at Blondies Sports bar across from the hotel. Good wings. About $10 a person. Very reasonable.

Day Two:

Headed to Zabar’s for breakfast. When we went in there was a dog tied to the fire hydrant. I was worried it would get stolen. He was barking like crazy. I noticed he stopped while we were inside. I was worried someone had snatched him. When we came out I realized he was fine. He’d stopped barking because there were 4 more of his “buddies” tied up beside him. (Another one of those things I never thought about in the city!), The Boys headed to Yankee Stadium and then to Empire State Building. My sister and I walked over to the Park and walked along Central Park West past the Dakota (amazing building!), Strawberry fields and Tavern on the Green. Ended up back at Columbus Circle and spent more time at the market. Took subway to Nederlander Theater and saw rent. Wasn’t sure if it would be good, since it had had such a long run, but really liked it. Singing was amazing. Wasn’t expecting such a crowd since it had been out so long. It wrapped around the block, but once it started moving, got right in. Meet up with the boys and went to Pappardella’s on Upper West Side. Very, very good. Neighborhood restaurant, very friendly feel and excellent food (will post more on the dining pages). Walked back home and went to Barnes and Nobel and just looked around.

Day Three:

Got up and took subway to World Trade Center site. Stopped at a great Amish market close by. Half of us got breakfast and half lunch. It was really good. Excellent prices and neat Christmas and New York cookies. Looked at ground zero for a little while and then went to Century 21 to shop. Wasn’t too crowded. Found some good deals. Walked to the Strand Book Store. Boys took subway to Staten Island to look at Statue of Liberty and girls walked past Brooklyn Bridge to Canal Street to look at hand bags. Ate at a small café and then walked around Soho. Really liked how you turn a corner and the whole atmosphere of the neighborhood suddenly changes. Meet back at the hotel and crashed. Took a nap then got up and went to Grand Central. Saw the Christmas laser light display, the Christmas market and had Juniors Cheesecake. It wasn’t as good as I was expecting. Was a little disappointed in it. But loved Grand Central! Took subway home and crashed.

Day Four:

Woke up to a madhouse because of transit strike. Counted our blessings that we had booked a car the day before. Was stressing out but managed to walk around the corner to H%26amp;H bagels to take home the bagels I had promised to everyone! Car came on time and we left. The cab ride was just like in the movies. The driver was wild!!!!! Be careful crossing streets! The cabs honk at you, but I don’t think they stop. Shared the car with a couple who missed their car and were waiting in the lobby. Once we started talking realized they lived in the same neighborhood I grew up in West Virginia. Big, big city, but a very small world!

Couple notes:

Everyone we met was very, very friendly. Everyone we asked for directions tried to help us. One time we got turned around and couldn’t figure out which way the park was. I gave up with the map and just hollered out, “which way is Cental Park”. About 10 people pointed for me! My husband actually asked everyone on the subway to sing happy birthday to my sister. They all did it and everyone was laughing. I’m sure they were shaking their heads at the crazy tourists. It was a great trip. Thanks to everyone on here who helped us with all the information. I could have spent two weeks and needed more time!

Thanks again!

Trip Report........can't belive it's already over.......:-(

loved your trip report! It%26#39;s great to hear of someone else who loves Fishes Eddy! I had a whole bunch of stuff shipped home while I was there. Your subway story was great too! Thanks for sharing!

Trip Report........can't belive it's already over.......:-(

Excellent, you will have to come back again, that%26#39;s all!

Happy Holidays!

Liked your report. It sounds like you got a good feel for the City by going to the neighborhoods and local shops. Glad you liked the UWS which is my part of town and that you had only one day of the strike when it didn%26#39;t matter.

subway story was too cute wish i%26#39;d seen it! How did you know to holler out your central park question, that%26#39;s the perfect way to ask a question, nobody answers to ';excuse me...';?

Excellent! Fishs Eddy is great! Glad you found it. our report was fun to read and very thorough. What did the guys think about yankee Stadium and the Staten Island Ferry?

I was smiling reading about your trip. The things you noticed, like the trees and the dogs are the things I like about staying in a neighbourhood. Wish I%26#39;d been on the subway at the same time, sounds a hoot.

Sounds like you had a ball! Something you said reminded me why I like NY so much (not that I needed reminding lol!) it%26#39;s that how you can turn a corner and the whole atomsphere of the area can change :)

Sounds like the planets really were in alignment for you with strike starting just as you were leaving. Great report.

All my everyday dishes come from Fishs Eddy. They used to carry great umbrellas with the 212 skyline design but they don%26#39;t have them any more. For those reading who don%26#39;t know the store, it%26#39;s sells mostly dishes and glass ware. Their 212 skyline pattern makes a nice remembrance.

http://www.fishseddy.com/browse.cfm/2,34.html

If you%26#39;re open to serendipitous experiences, you%26#39;ll surely find them. I love that you find pleasure in the small moments that make exploring the city so much fun.

I also wish I could%26#39;ve joined in the happy birthday chorus on the subway! Good for you, I%26#39;ll bet you made everyone on that subway car smile for the rest of the day.

Glad you liked Pappardella%26#39;s too. And, of course, Zabar%26#39;s!

Thanks for that link Whiz...think I might just nip in to pick up a few pieces, they are lovely.