When I was 22 years old — a month after I graduated from college — I moved to New York City to work at a magazine. It’s funny, whenever people ask me about my time in Manhattan, they always use movie or TV references: “Was working at the magazine like the movie The Devil Wears Prada?” and “Did you and your friends get dressed and go out to clubs and restaurants every night like the girls on Sex and the City?”
The answer to both questions? A clear and resounding no … as any young twenty-something making a pitiful salary and paying an insane amount of rent would attest.
But you know the question no one ever asks? Did you like living in New York City? And that, my friends, is an unequivocal yes. I love the energy and diversity of New York. I love being able to walk anywhere you want and seeing concerts with friends in Central Park and having an endless array of options for, well, anything, whether it’s restaurants or museums or parks or bars or coffee shops or shopping. I love how there is always something to do, something to see, somewhere to go.
And the bagels. I love the bagels.
I’ve only been back a handful of times since I moved away, but this past weekend was the first time I ever took my kids there. I had all these grand, ambitious plans that I was determined to squeeze into a 36-hour window. I wanted them (especially Buddy) to love the city as much as I do, even though we live in the sheltered enclave of our sleepy suburban Boston town. Why? Because in my heart, I’ll always be a city girl and I wanted to share that side of me with them.
We didn’t quite get to, well, most of the things on my list, since traveling with kids can be so unpredictable … and because my itinerary was entirely unrealistic. But in a way, it was better because I feel like I gave them more of an authentic New York weekend. And for a brief moment, when they were splashing around and having fun with my friend’s kids at a little playground in Central Park, I kind of felt like we lived there.
And here’s the proof. On Sunday, as we were making our way back to Midtown, Buddy turned to me and said, “I wish I could live in New York!” And I burst with pride and a sense of comraderie. Because he is clearly a city person, too.
Here’s a brief recap of our experience:
Enjoying his first New York City hot dog.
Lunch on the benches on the southern end of Central Park.
The Tisch Children’s Zoo … which my kiddos loved more than the underwhelming Central Park Zoo (even despite the Madagascar references).
Climbing rocks in Central Park …
… on our way to meet friends by the Sheeps Meadow.
Splashing around at a playground.
Dinner at Bluesmoke BBQ in the Flatiron/Gramercy area (yes, this vegetarian went BBQ with her family, because the menu looked interesting and it came highly recommended as place that was great for kids but also enjoyable for adults). The kids not only got crayons and paper but WikiStix, which I had never heard of, but are wax-coated pipe cleaners that you can mold and shape into pretty much anything. Then came the cookie dough and sprinkles they got to decorate; while they were eating dinner, the cookies would be baked and brought out for dessert. Is that genius, or what?!
I got a tasty beer flight and an incredible homemade lentil/quinoa/hickory veggie burger …
… and finally got to wear my maxi dress!!
We walked a few blocks south to grab mini cupcakes at Baked by Melissa for dessert before finding a bench in Madison Square Park to enjoy our goodies.
In the morning, we grabbed a quickie breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien and hailed a cab (one of Buddy’s favorite NYC activities) for the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, a converted aircraft carrier on the far west side of the city. In what is clearly a case of serendipity, their second annual SpaceFest was happening the very same weekend I was going to be in the city with two very space-obsessed guys.
I have to admit, I never knew the museum even existed! But we had an amazing time. We checked out the USS Enterprise (not to be confused with the Star Trek vessel, although it is named after it, I learned), NASA’s prototype orbiter that was used in the late 1970s for approach and landing tests in the early days of the space shuttle program.
Buddy pretended to be an astronaut.
And got to visit with some friends.
He also created a Lego block tile that became part of a huge Lego mosaic depicting the Enterprise being flown over Manhattan to it’s home on the Intrepid.
We walked back through Times Square (which is just as annoying as I remember), grabbed lunch at Bouchon Bakery in Rockefeller Plaza before jumping in a cab to Dylan’s Candy Bar, which I promised Buddy we would visit before we left (and which I also used as leverage for good behavior while we were there!)
There were so many things we just didn’t have time to do: the High Line, Chelsea Market, Alice’s Tea Cup, Belvedere Castle and the carousel in Central Park, Statue of Liberty (even just going to Battery Park so the kids could see it), Natural History Museum, Top of the Rock, etc. And our dear friends live in Brooklyn, and I am dying to explore more there, too.
However, one thing is or sure: Next time I am definitely bringing my running gear, because it was torture walking past this in Central Park.
Here’s a tip for all my New England friends: I highly recommend driving down to Stamford, Conn. and taking the Metro North commuter train into the city. The tickets are far cheaper than Amtrak, there is a safe long term parking garage attached to the station, the train comes nearly every 30 minutes, and if you take an express train, you can be at Grand Central in less than an hour.
Tell me: Are you a city person? A county person? Maybe a little of both?
Sharon - MomGenerations.com says
I’d say you packed a lot of awesome into your trip to NYC! I never lived in NYC, but both of my daughters did (total – 7+ years), so I kind of know my way around. (I spent lots of time there!) I love that there is always some place to go, something to see, something new to experience (theater, art exhibits, museums, restaurants, etc.), but in my heart I am really not a City girl. I love visiting, but I love the freedoms of my nice big back yard, my car (no parking garage!), my space, my gardens, my trees, my very own place of serenity. I used to love running in the City, too… but I was terrified to ride my bike. It is a great place for kids to soak in all of humanity, but my daughters knew schooling would be tough and prohibitively expensive. I’m in the City a lot now with blog “business”, and as much as I love the action, I always love coming home. My grandkids, of course, LOVE the City and we get them there as often as we can… and like you, give them a slice of life that is quite wonderful, quite different and lots of fun. Thanks for sharing. Your photos as perfect!
Jen says
Wow! You guys did manage to do a ton of stuff! You really haven’t helped my desire to travel to NY! I would say, depending on my mood I’m both a city girl and a country girl. I love the peace and openness of the country, but I could never give up the convenience of things found in the city.
Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Heather @ Kraus House Mom says
I can’t wait to bring my kids to NYC. My son is DYING to ride in a taxi and I know the girls would love the American Girl store. My all time favorite is the Metropolitan Museum of Art (ever since I read From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler). Glad you had a great time.
Kristin Wheeler (Mama Luvs Books) says
I have NEVER been to NYC before! Can you believe it? Your pics are making me want to plan a trip there!
Jessica says
You should go! So easy to get there and such a fun experience for the kiddos, too 🙂