New York City - Day One!

When you spend FIVE full days in NYC, does it get one post or 20 posts?

There is SO MUCH to do in the Big Apple. My husband and I recently spent five glorious days (jamming in as much as possible) exploring the city. It was our first time back to NYC in over TWENTY years! Our last time there together was the very first day we met, July 1st, 1999!

So What Did We Do?

We took a red eye flight so arrived at New York’s JFK airport first thing in the morning. The Lyft to our hotel (one block north of Times Square) was an hour in morning traffic. Luckily we got an early checkin, so started adventuring straight away.

Out first stop after buzzing through Times Square… PIZZA!

^{Me and hubs at Lazzara’s Pizza.}

We picked this spot because it got a HIGH score from Barstool Sports. Have you watched the pizza review guy? If you do… “One bite. You know the rules!”

Here is his review of Lazzara’s.

My review: Cool atmosphere, pizza not my style, salad was tasty.

From the pizza spot we walked over to the Empire State Building.

^{Street level view of the Empire State Building}

The Empire State Building is one of New York’s and America’s most iconic buildings. Completed in 1931, the building’s 102 stories and 1454 feet (base to spire) made it the tallest building in the world for 40 years. Today it is still the fourth tallest skyscraper in New York City, and its observation decks provide impressive views over all of Manhattan.

Typically reservations are required to ascend the building. However, we were lucky to show up on a quiet Monday afternoon. We bought tickets ($79 EACH), and were able to begin our self guided tour right away.

^{Obligatory selfie in front of a photo of the building we were inside.}

Now, $79 per person is a STEEP entry fee. Luckily there was more involved than just an elevator ride. The second and 80th floors house exhibits on the building’s construction and opening day. There is also an area devoted to the Empire State Building’s pop culture (television, comic, commercial and cinema) appearances. Additional exhibits include art displays, a gallery of photos from celebrity visits, the history of Otis Elevators and their role in making skyscrapers possible, and a few interactive displays.

^{Look, it’s hubby with the construction crew.}

^{And here he is again in the clutches of King Kong!}

From the 80th floor guests board another elevator to floor 86. The 86th floor is the main observation level with both indoor and outdoor viewing platforms. If you saw the movie Sleepless in Seattle, the characters played by Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan famously meet for the first time on the Empire State Building’s 86th floor.

^{Looking towards the Chrysler Building, another if New York’s most iconic skyscrapers.}

^{Us outdoors on 86. You can just see the spire on top on One World Trade Center behind my head on the right.}

^{Looking south towards lower Manhattan and the city’s financial district.}

Our final stop (excluding the gift shop) was the building’s 102nd floor! Newly opened to the public the observation deck at this level offered floor to ceiling windows and 360 degree views. They say you can see six states from one vantage point from this floor on a clear day. I don’t know about that. I was too busy looking down, down, down towards the ground.

^{The view from this height made my belly do little flips.}

After Empire State we made our way towards the Flatiron.

^{The famous triangular shaped Flatiron Building has anchored the corner of 5th and Broadway since 1902.}

New York’s Flatiron is a district as well as a famous building. Coming here was a nice opportunity to snap a pic of a New York architectural landmark. But… I had ulterior motives. My main reason for directing us to the Flatiron… EATALY!

^{So much food.}

I have posted about Eataly before. It is a chain Italian food hall. I’ve visited the ones in Boston and Las Vegas. There are TWO in Manhattan. The Flatiron location is the company’s original.

Inside there are restaurants, bars, pastry shops, gelato stands, CANOLLI! You can find wine, freshly made sandwiches, a green grocer, giant wheels of Parmesan and imported Italian canned goods. Each Eataly is an amazing sensory overload and I yearn for one to open in my city.

Just next door to Eataly was a giant Lego store. Of course we popped in. I am dangerously close to turning 50, but I still love Legos. Each store basically stocks the same merchandise. What set this location apart was its large scale New York themed displays.

^{Statue of Liberty Torch - Lego style.}

SO FUN!

After the flying, walking and shopping it was time to take a little rest. Lucky us. Madison Square Park was directly across the street. The park had a lovely fountain, some cool artwork, a seating area surrounding a Shake Shack, and a DOG PARK!!! We spent a lot of time watching the city dogs frolicking at the park. There was even one dachshund! (My favorite dog of course.)

^Fountain.

^Sculpture.

^{The majestic dachshund.}

After the dachshund went home, we decided it was time to make the 27 block trek back to our hotel. Our first few days in New York we walked EVERYWHERE. Not the most efficient way to get around. However, it allowed us to experience the nuances and sights of the city. Plus, walking 50 miles… certainly a healthy choice.

^{Would have missed this place if we’d hopped on the subway.}

As I mentioned earlier, our hotel was just steps away from Times Square. This meant we passed through the chaos everyday. The area is intense, crowded and touristy, but lots of fun. The vibe of the place reminded me a lot of the Las Vegas strip - Neon Billboards everywhere, buskers, loud music, chain restaurants/stores and everyone with their cameras out to capture the scene.

^{A glimpse of the famous ball used to welcome in the New Year at the city’s annual New Year’s Eve from Times Square celebration.}

^{Times Square at night is superior to Times Square during the day, but at all hours it is a spectacle.}

It was a relief to make it back to our hotel! Our room was on the 36th floor of the Crown Plaza Times Square. Aside from being basically in Times Square, the hotel was also in the midst of New York’s theater district and only a short walk away from Rockerfellor Center and Central Park. Multiple nearby subway lines made this a great location for exploring all of Manhattan. Plus, the views from our room weren’t too shabby.

^{Looking west across the Hudson River to New Jersey.}

^{And our view looking to the north}

After a long sleepless flight, and a big walk across the city, we decided crashed and were in bed before 7pm. With a huge week ahead the early bedtime was a smart (even if unavoidable) move. Who needs nightlife? 😄

Stay tuned for more adventures.

🍎

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All photos are my own. Taken May 15, 2023 on an iPhone 13.

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