Road Trip

One of the great things about living in Northern VA is it's proximity to just about any where on the east coast. Tomorrow, my daughters and I are heading to NYC for the day. I have my ez-pass fully loaded and we are ready to go. We've been many times and my husband and I were actually stationed at the Military Ocean Terminal in Bayonne, NJ (that's right behind the Stature of Liberty) for a couple of years so I know how to get around.

My question is if you had one day in NYC what would you see and do? We have reservations at one of our favorite restaurant, John's Pizza, just off Times Square. Funny, I can't specifically recommend the pizza, never had it, but the calzone is to die for. The same can be said for the lasagna. We also plan to walk 5th Ave and take in the stores' Christmas windows, Rockefeller Square and at Macy's. The last time we were there Macy’s was giving out of state shoppers an additional 10% on all their purchases; the clerks were volunteering that information and we took advantage of it. I expect we’ll see if that offer still stands and do some shopping either way. Since this is a spur of the moment trip - low budget - a Broadway show is out.

So if you had one day, 10 or 12 hours in NYC what would you see and do? Lisa

I'D leave by the fastest way out! I hate big cities, I'd head for Northern Va, someplace quiet and pretty.

Went through there once, (once was enough) on the way back from England on the QEII, we docked and I caught a taxi to the airport!

That's just me.

I hope you have a wonderful time and a safe trip.

Bk

Yeahhhh, we love the country better than the cities. If I can't see trees, grass, open spaces, I get kinda clausterphobic. If someone else is doing the driving, then I'll grudgingly go along.

Have a safe trip! ya cant bring the 870 tho. dang. My fav is always the museam of natural history or botanical gardens or art museam...

be safe!

The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine.
1047 Amsterdam Ave.
at 112th Street

www.stjohndivine.org

I dunno! I've "done the city" a few times, but always had my NY cousin as a guide. One thing....if you take the subways, some have police cameras watching, some don't. The ones that do have a way to tell you...and I can't remember exactly, but it's a light on a post above ground at the entrance. Red, blue, green? Can't recall, but, light: cameras, no light: no cameras. Statistics show the ones with cameras are safer.

Once we made our way to the west side waterfront of the Hudson river and went to the Intrepid air and space museum. It was well worth the trip. I'd do that again if I had the chance.
Another time we went up the Empire State building, and another the World Trade centers, but sadly you won't be doing that.

Good lock, have fun!

Lisa:

Food: The best cooking school in NYC has a (relatively secret) restaurant that is inexpensive. If you like high cuisine, this is it for we mortals. Reservations and directions: http://www.frenchculinary.com/lecole.htm

Oyster Bar in Grand Central. If you like oysters, here you can compare them from around the world. A rare thing. I go to the counter. http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/oyster_bar/

McSorley's is kind a tourist attraction, but it depends on the time of day you go. It IS authentic (women are now tolerated). http://www.mcsorleysnewyork.com/

Shopping: Beretta Gallery (http://www.berettagallery.com/index.aspx?m=53&did=355) has high end italian 'country' clothes that you will not find in Georgetown. I go up to the gunroom, while melady shops amongst the Gulfstream daytripping ladies from Houston.

FAO Schwarz is amazing in the Christmas season. http://www.fao.com

Since you don't have much time, a simple stroll up 5th Ave and down Park Ave will give you plenty of adventure watching people and finding great shops. Duck into a hotel lobby for a comfortable rest and sip of something (yes, coffee and a snack will cost as much as lunch, elsewhere.) Falafel in a pita from a street vendor is a great $4 `snack.

- Charlie