New York - Day 3

Our last day in NY started by jumping into a taxi bound for The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Now tourists are always told to use the subways and yes it’s cheaper, probably quicker but I prefer taxis. You are able to admire the scenery like The Palace Hotel (as seen in season one of Gossip Girl)

  

and even better the new home of Carrie & Big!

So back to my Gossip Girl moment

From The Met we walked over to Central Park heading first for the Alice in Wonderland statue

I couldn’t believe how big it was!

We had the perfect day for our stroll through Central Park and it was fantastic watching all the New Yorkers out for their runs and taking part in exercise classes

Sadly the fountain from films like Enchanted (and SATC!) was boarded up

But I enjoyed my walk down The Mall seen in films like Maid in Manhattan

We left Central Park to be met by The Plaza 

where I visited the Eloise shop

I wanted to have a tea party here!

Another SATC moment outside the Paris cinema

and the fountains where Carrie sends Big off to his engagement party with Natasha

Then it was time to hit the shops on Fifth Avenue such as

FAO Schwartz

Tiffany’s

Where I brought these gorgeous sunglasses

And mum brought me the pretzel charm for my bracelet

(more on my charm bracelets coming soon)

After a coffee break in Trump Towers we worked our way to St Patricks Cathedral and lit candles for my nan and great aunt

And then onto Rockfeller Centre for lunch in the Rock Centre Café

Next it was time to climb to Top of the Rock

If you have to choose between this and ESB I’d go for here every time. It’s a much more pleasant experience and easier viewing from Perspex screens rather than the grills of ESB

There was one all important job left to do – my dad’s cigar shopping at the famous Nat Sherman’s on 42^nd Street but this is what we met on our arrival

Oh dear!

With feet now aching and loaded down with shopping bags mum and I decided that it would be quicker to walk the last few blocks to our hotel than trying to find a taxi

This happened to be a great idea when we passed the HBO shop and I got this:

Hmmm I’m starting to come across as a bit of SATC freak now aren’t I!

And finally literally round the corner to our hotel was a branch of David Z’s were we did a little UGG shopping – one thing that is far cheaper in the US than here

Then we spotted the Flatiron Building

We ended our day with a meal at Planet Hollywood in Times Square where there was a display of Twilight costumes

Phew... what a good day!

New York - Day 2

Day 3 in New York was spent doing one of my mum’s favourite hobbies, ok and mine – Shopping!

Those of you that visit the US and enjoy shopping may be familiar with Premium Outlet shopping malls and Woodbury Common outside of NYC is one of the larger branches

Our excesses of the day before saw us sleeping in later than expected but once again the lighter crowds compared with December meant once again everything went smoothly.

We caught a coach from Port Authority and mum was pleased we had a chatty driver who pointed out various landmarks on the way

A trip to Woodbury Common also provides an opportunity to visit supermarkets Wal-mart and Target. On our last trip we allowed ourselves an hour in each but this time decided to do just one of the stores, choosing Target

Many bargains were had although sadly not like in the days of $2 to the £1

Carrying all those shopping bags was tiring work so we enjoyed dinner at the restaurant across the road from our hotel. Mum made sure that included a large glass of wine

One more day of my New York trip to come!

Back to New York Again!

So how do you follow up your first day in New York when it started with seeing your idol in person? You move on to the home of another idol of course!

Here I am outside the beautiful brownstone in Greenwich Village TV home of Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw

I must admit I felt naughty approaching the “No Trespassers” sign and was waiting for someone to come and tell me off but it was worth it!

Greenwich Village is a lovely part of NY and literally round the corner was Magnolia Bakery

The stories of queue’s of people outside were unfounded (it seems they’ve all moved on to the Rockefeller location) and we were able to take photos and make our purchases in comfort

We jumped into a cab destination Serendipity 3 where we had a lunch reservation

I made the booking to avoid the long queue’s I’d heard about but as it happened it wasn’t necessary. I will admit the food wasn’t great in part due to my choice - sour dough bread will not be something I choose again! Mum had shepherds pie which was nice but did say she needed some gravy

As we browsed the shelves for trinkets to buy a kind gentleman told us if we brought the cookbooks he’d happily sign them for us… yes none other than one of the founding Princes (as the story goes!) of Serendipity, Stephen Bruce

The heavens had opened as we left there so it was a quick run to Dylan’s Candy Store

and if you're feeling homesick whilst in NY there are some British treats to enjoy

And then another quick run to Bloomingdales

After dropping our shopping off at the hotel 

and resting our weary feet for a short while it was then onto the Empire State Building

I first visited the ESB with Kelly on our first visit to NYC but mum has never been yet something she’s always wanted to do. Unfortunately visiting in December see’s crowds around the block but not this time – not a queue to be seen!

Our tickets included the Sky Ride (a simulator style trip around Manhattan), not really worth the extra money but still fun to do and something I’d not done before

We ended our day with a visit to the diner at the hotel we usually stay at

Review of the trip so far – April is definitely a better time to visit! Usually we’re weighed down with shopping, fighting with shoppers and loose most of our day in queues