Back from NYC Trip Report: Didn't Kill Gram and Conquered the Subway!
Dec 19th, 2006, 05:14 PM
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Back from NYC Trip Report: Didn't Kill Gram and Conquered the Subway!
Just returned from our trip to New York. Remember me? Gal leading group consisting of mom, sister, and 80 year old gram with the jam-packed itinerary. . . we did it!
I'm too pooped to do my entire trip report tonight, but I'll start off with Sunday.
Arrived at LGA, met up with the rest of my family near baggage claim. Everyone immediately said, "Where to, fearless leader??" Which of course made me realize that it was a very good thing I did so much planning with help from the trusty Fodorites!
We jumped in a cab and arrived at the Ameritania by 11:30 am. They put us in a non-smoking room with double-beds. . . although it was non-smoking, it was clear that previous guests used the bathroom as a smoking lounge. It was awful. My sister called the front desk to complain and they promised us a new room the following day.
Based on a suggestion from a Fodorite, we headed to Eatery on 9th ave. for Sunday brunch. It was a perfect suggestion! We had to wait for about 10-15 minutes, but it was fine. . . we just people watched and drooled over the food served to the tables around us. We really enjoyed our mimosas and our meals (I had a sweet potato pancake with scrambled egg whites and mango salsa, although I wanted to try the cornflake encrusted french toast!). Our only complaint was that the music was a bit too loud for conversation. . . but gram didn't mind it too much and we managed to catch up and talk about our plans for the trip.
The funny thing at this meal was that my mom just bought a new coat for our trip and realized that she forgot to cut the brand lable off the sleeve. She was very paranoid that people would notice this and obsessed about it from the time we left the airport until we sat down to eat. We kept reassuring her that no one would notice. Well, it turns out that as we were walking to our table my sister overheard a woman sitting at a table as we passed by say, "Can you beeelieve that woman still has that tag on her coat?!?" My mom about died when my sister told her and we asked the waiter for a pair of scissors immediately. My sister wanted to drop the cut lable on the woman's table as we left the restaurant to let her know that her remark was heard. . . I begged them not to do anything like that and stoop to her level. Luckily, she had left as we left the restaurant. We really enjoyed Eatery's brunch and would recommend this place!
We left and walked down 9th toward the New Amsterdam theatre where we would see Mary Poppins at 3. Stopped into Ricky's (one of my NYC favs) and then into Delphinium gifts and home stores to look for Christmas gifts. Streets were very crowded as we approached the theatre. I really don't love this part of New York with the massive lit up stores -- feels so "tourist trappy."
We made our way into the theater -- which is beautiful! So art deco and ornate. We had first row balcony seats on the right -- anyone seeing this show should try to get these seats for the special treat at the end of the production. Mary Poppins was wonderful -- amazing sets, costumes, dancing. We loved the story that differed from the movie, but still had the favs from the movie. Seats in this theater are cramped, so long-legged theater-goers should beware!!
After the show, we walked to the Empire State Building and to Macy's to check out the windows. My mom was thoroughly impressed! I thought they were beautiful, too, but I didn't like the congested sidewalks.
By 7 or so we decided to try Jules Bistro in the East Village for dinner. We jumped into a cab and headed over to St. Marks Place, passing Union Square and Bamn (the new fangled automat -- very 1940s meets the Jetsons. . . maybe you saw a story about it recently on the Today Show like I did!).
Jules wasn't busy when we arrived, but it certainly filled up as the night progressed. We LOVED this spot and named it our favorite restaurant of the trip. Great food and atmosphere. We told everyone it was my gram's 80th birthday and they were so sweet to her. . . the cuban jazz band playing there that night had everyone sing Happy Birthday to her. It was wonderful.
After that, we grabbed another cab and headed back to the Ameritania. We were in bed by 10:30 -- everyone weary from early travels that day (I had gone to bed at 4 am due to a late-night work project and they all got up at 4 am to drive to the airport in Detroit).
We knew Monday was going to be extremely busy and that we needed to rest up. I fell asleep in my clothes on the bed and could barely move. . . and was not looking forward to brushing my teeth in our stinky smoking-lounge bathroom.
The goal was to get up early to hit the Today Show. . . . but could we do it. . . to be continued. . . .
I'm too pooped to do my entire trip report tonight, but I'll start off with Sunday.
Arrived at LGA, met up with the rest of my family near baggage claim. Everyone immediately said, "Where to, fearless leader??" Which of course made me realize that it was a very good thing I did so much planning with help from the trusty Fodorites!
We jumped in a cab and arrived at the Ameritania by 11:30 am. They put us in a non-smoking room with double-beds. . . although it was non-smoking, it was clear that previous guests used the bathroom as a smoking lounge. It was awful. My sister called the front desk to complain and they promised us a new room the following day.
Based on a suggestion from a Fodorite, we headed to Eatery on 9th ave. for Sunday brunch. It was a perfect suggestion! We had to wait for about 10-15 minutes, but it was fine. . . we just people watched and drooled over the food served to the tables around us. We really enjoyed our mimosas and our meals (I had a sweet potato pancake with scrambled egg whites and mango salsa, although I wanted to try the cornflake encrusted french toast!). Our only complaint was that the music was a bit too loud for conversation. . . but gram didn't mind it too much and we managed to catch up and talk about our plans for the trip.
The funny thing at this meal was that my mom just bought a new coat for our trip and realized that she forgot to cut the brand lable off the sleeve. She was very paranoid that people would notice this and obsessed about it from the time we left the airport until we sat down to eat. We kept reassuring her that no one would notice. Well, it turns out that as we were walking to our table my sister overheard a woman sitting at a table as we passed by say, "Can you beeelieve that woman still has that tag on her coat?!?" My mom about died when my sister told her and we asked the waiter for a pair of scissors immediately. My sister wanted to drop the cut lable on the woman's table as we left the restaurant to let her know that her remark was heard. . . I begged them not to do anything like that and stoop to her level. Luckily, she had left as we left the restaurant. We really enjoyed Eatery's brunch and would recommend this place!
We left and walked down 9th toward the New Amsterdam theatre where we would see Mary Poppins at 3. Stopped into Ricky's (one of my NYC favs) and then into Delphinium gifts and home stores to look for Christmas gifts. Streets were very crowded as we approached the theatre. I really don't love this part of New York with the massive lit up stores -- feels so "tourist trappy."
We made our way into the theater -- which is beautiful! So art deco and ornate. We had first row balcony seats on the right -- anyone seeing this show should try to get these seats for the special treat at the end of the production. Mary Poppins was wonderful -- amazing sets, costumes, dancing. We loved the story that differed from the movie, but still had the favs from the movie. Seats in this theater are cramped, so long-legged theater-goers should beware!!
After the show, we walked to the Empire State Building and to Macy's to check out the windows. My mom was thoroughly impressed! I thought they were beautiful, too, but I didn't like the congested sidewalks.
By 7 or so we decided to try Jules Bistro in the East Village for dinner. We jumped into a cab and headed over to St. Marks Place, passing Union Square and Bamn (the new fangled automat -- very 1940s meets the Jetsons. . . maybe you saw a story about it recently on the Today Show like I did!).
Jules wasn't busy when we arrived, but it certainly filled up as the night progressed. We LOVED this spot and named it our favorite restaurant of the trip. Great food and atmosphere. We told everyone it was my gram's 80th birthday and they were so sweet to her. . . the cuban jazz band playing there that night had everyone sing Happy Birthday to her. It was wonderful.
After that, we grabbed another cab and headed back to the Ameritania. We were in bed by 10:30 -- everyone weary from early travels that day (I had gone to bed at 4 am due to a late-night work project and they all got up at 4 am to drive to the airport in Detroit).
We knew Monday was going to be extremely busy and that we needed to rest up. I fell asleep in my clothes on the bed and could barely move. . . and was not looking forward to brushing my teeth in our stinky smoking-lounge bathroom.
The goal was to get up early to hit the Today Show. . . . but could we do it. . . to be continued. . . .
Dec 19th, 2006, 05:22 PM
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Great to hear so quickly about your trip! Really enjoying your report. We are probably going to brave the crowded sidewalks next week to see the windows. Yikes! Get some rest so we can hear more about your trip!
Dec 19th, 2006, 05:24 PM
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Oh, just wanted to add that McLaurie had suggested Jules Bistro. Have to give credit where credit is due!
Have to go back and look who suggested Eatery. . . but it was spot on!
Ok, off to drink wine and gush to husband about trip (who did single dad duty so I could go play for three days!)
Day two is pretty funny, so be sure to check back. . .
Have to go back and look who suggested Eatery. . . but it was spot on!
Ok, off to drink wine and gush to husband about trip (who did single dad duty so I could go play for three days!)
Day two is pretty funny, so be sure to check back. . .
Dec 19th, 2006, 07:13 PM
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That's right. I thought I knew what this city was about until I saw Mclaurie's answers to various queries. He/she really seems to know this place inside & out, amongst a handful of others on this forum. When in doubt, go with Mclaurie, I say! 
Dec 19th, 2006, 07:39 PM
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Fun report kellbell! And tell your Mom she couldn't have been as embarrased as I was when I discovered I had shopped for hours in a new pair of jeans that still had the size label on the rear of the right leg..about one foot long LOL.
Dec 20th, 2006, 04:27 AM
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http://bamnfood.com/
Here's the automat link.
You'll find the Today show video under the media link.
How very retro cool!
Here's the automat link.
You'll find the Today show video under the media link.
How very retro cool!
Dec 20th, 2006, 05:33 AM
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Love this report. Thanks for the compliment. 
quot;> Look forward to the rest.
And yes, tell Mom I regularly walk out the door with tags hanging, some price tags, even more embarrassing. So what?
quot;> Look forward to the rest.And yes, tell Mom I regularly walk out the door with tags hanging, some price tags, even more embarrassing. So what?
Dec 20th, 2006, 08:01 AM
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Installment #2. Day Two, Monday.
A cell phone rings in the dark hotel room of the Ameritania where four weary travelers are sleeping. For me, it is the best/longest sleep I've had in about 19 months (with no baby monitor at my head!) I jump up at the sound of my cell phone (thinking maybe it is a baby crying. . . .) It is my husband. "Are you in the Today Show crowd??? I don't hear a crowd. I hear your gram snoring. . . " Ok, so we missed the Today Show. At least for now. Funny how priorities and itineraries change when you are actually in the midst of the trip.
We get up at about 7:30 am. Pack up our bags because the hotel is going to move them to our new room this morning. No one can seem to figure out how to get the shower to run hot. (Which is fine, because no one wants to stay in there long -- it is STILL smokey!)
We hit the Starbucks kiddie corner from our hotel and head east on 54th Street toward 5th Ave. (I'm amazed at my navigation abilities!) My mom, who you may recall is recovering from a broken toe sustained at my house a month earlier, is clearly limping. She looks down at my feet and sees very flat, very brown, very comfortable looking boots (purchased nearly 2 years ago when pregnant and I still wear them). "I want those boots. I need those boots." We are far enough from the hotel that I don't want to go back. She wants to switch shoes -- although she wears about 2 sizes smaller than me. I tell her that I will buy a new pair of shoes (a good excuse, right??) and let her wear mine. We camp out in front of the 9 West on 5th Ave. and wait for the church bells across the street (which church is this, New Yorkers???) to ring out that it is 10 am. As we are waiting, we meet a very nice young couple from Ireland and chat about their time in New York. Turns out that the guy has been to a small town in Michigan near our hometown. Small world!
We go in, I find boots, and the switch is made. My mother seems much happier, although I can tell that my feet are going to suffer for the remainder of the day. Think high wedge platform boots. I've been looking for some, but intend to trek the streets of New York in them on the day of purchase!!!
We continue down 5th Ave and head into St. Patrick's Cathedral. I light a candle for a friend going through a difficult pregnancy. We head across the street to Rockefeller Center and watch the skaters. My mother is thoroughly impressed with the christmas tree, the lights, and various other holiday decor. I buy tickets for the Top of the Rock and we head in. No lines. Wonderful set up. Get our picture taken on the construction beam and head into the elevators. Dizzying ride with the transparent topped elevators, flashing lights, and projected images on the elevator ceiling. We get off the elevators and immediately are blown away by the amazing view of Central Park to the north and the Empire State Building to the south. Not exactly a clear day, but still the views made an impact. Amazing how many tourists WEREN'T there. I loved it! Chilly, but not cold. We take in the views from all of the observation decks. My mom doesn't want to leave and tells us that she plans to go back -- by herself, if she has to -- to take in the view of the lights at night. (We tell her there is NO WAY that is going to happen b/c my father would KILL me.)
We head down, get sucked into buying our group photo on the construction beam (it is cute, despite being hokey) and make our way through Rockefeller Center and into Anthropologie (one of my favorite stores -- although it is a chain and I can visit it at home). Amazingly beautiful displays and lay out. Best Anthro I've seen. I don't buy anything, but my sister gets my son a stuffed lion for Christmas.
It is nearing lunch time and we've still a lot to do. . . next on the agenda is Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty from afar. I know that the view isn't going to be great because it is so overcast, but we have to go to say we've been. Now is my first attempt at getting us on the subway. I figure this should be easy because it is a straight shot south -- no transfers. I just need to figure out where to get on the 1 train downtown. I ask a doorman standing near one of the stores and he tells us to continue walking up 50th Street toward 7th Ave. to get the 1 train downtown. Easy enough, right? We head out. . . I go into Au Bon Pain to get some water and change. My mom and gram stare at the moving soldiers on top of Radio City Music Hall and watch the cannon go off and the soliders fall. They also really love the giant red Christmas balls in the fountain on the corner. We find the subway entrance for the 1 heading uptown, but can't find the downtown entrance. We cross the street, figuring it has to be on the other side, but what we think is the entrance is really the entrance to a fitness club. We are stumped. Then a nice couple from Lancaster, PA says, "Excuse us. . . the entrance is across the street. We were following you, thinking you had found it, but then we saw it. Follow us." Funny how tourists will bond in the matter of minutes and help each other out -- we had no idea that they were looking to us for guidance!
We buy our tickets. . . debating over how much to put on the ticket and whether or not riders can share one ticket ($10 on two tickets and yes, up to four riders can share). We get on the train, which is really full, and grab on. Two guys in santa hats get on the train and start singing Christmas carols (Santa Clause is Coming to Town) in amazing harmony and acapella -- Temptations style. Everyone starts clapping along and singing. My mom and gram get out their wallets (much to my chagrin -- I've learned never to pull out your wallet on a crowded bus or subway!) and give the guys a contribution to their bucket. I'm glad that they did. . . just wish that they could have been a tad more discreet! Anyway, the train stops at Rector Street and their is an announcment made that only the first five cars will be able to get off at South Ferry, so riders should move up cars if they intend to get off at the last stop. I still don't really understand why, but it turns out we were on the 2nd car, so it was fine. (Anyone know why this is?)
We get off and head over to Battery Park. We see Lady Liberty in the distance, but she is really just a silhouette and we say that if we had more time we definitely would take the ferry over to get a better view. We put this activity on our list for next time and decide at this moment that we are going to make this trip an annual outing. Gram has requested that we go to Fraunces Tavern for lunch. While this isn't on my list of Fodorite suggestions or my itinerary, I say, "You are the birthday girl!" and we go. . . . she tells us this is where George Washington said farewell to his troops. (My question was, "Where were they going???" and everyone laughs.) We sit in the Tavern and enjoy a beer, corned beef, a hamburger, and a po boy with pineapple (much to my mother's delight).
Ok. . . . have to go to an office lunch right now. Will post the rest of our day two once my BORING webcast meeting ends.
Have to mention. . . . at this point, my new boots are KILLING me, but my mom isn't limping (her quote of the day was, "I'm not limping. . . I'm just walking differently.") and so I feel as if I can endure my new platform boots. After all, they do look better with my outfit than the flat ones did! LOL!
Ok, more later. . . next up, our chance meeting with a man on the street with insights on his 9/11 experience, Trinity Church, Ground Zero, Soho, and my quest to find Matthew Broderick's street. . . . (yes, I'm a closet star stalker). . . .
A cell phone rings in the dark hotel room of the Ameritania where four weary travelers are sleeping. For me, it is the best/longest sleep I've had in about 19 months (with no baby monitor at my head!) I jump up at the sound of my cell phone (thinking maybe it is a baby crying. . . .) It is my husband. "Are you in the Today Show crowd??? I don't hear a crowd. I hear your gram snoring. . . " Ok, so we missed the Today Show. At least for now. Funny how priorities and itineraries change when you are actually in the midst of the trip.
We get up at about 7:30 am. Pack up our bags because the hotel is going to move them to our new room this morning. No one can seem to figure out how to get the shower to run hot. (Which is fine, because no one wants to stay in there long -- it is STILL smokey!)
We hit the Starbucks kiddie corner from our hotel and head east on 54th Street toward 5th Ave. (I'm amazed at my navigation abilities!) My mom, who you may recall is recovering from a broken toe sustained at my house a month earlier, is clearly limping. She looks down at my feet and sees very flat, very brown, very comfortable looking boots (purchased nearly 2 years ago when pregnant and I still wear them). "I want those boots. I need those boots." We are far enough from the hotel that I don't want to go back. She wants to switch shoes -- although she wears about 2 sizes smaller than me. I tell her that I will buy a new pair of shoes (a good excuse, right??) and let her wear mine. We camp out in front of the 9 West on 5th Ave. and wait for the church bells across the street (which church is this, New Yorkers???) to ring out that it is 10 am. As we are waiting, we meet a very nice young couple from Ireland and chat about their time in New York. Turns out that the guy has been to a small town in Michigan near our hometown. Small world!
We go in, I find boots, and the switch is made. My mother seems much happier, although I can tell that my feet are going to suffer for the remainder of the day. Think high wedge platform boots. I've been looking for some, but intend to trek the streets of New York in them on the day of purchase!!!
We continue down 5th Ave and head into St. Patrick's Cathedral. I light a candle for a friend going through a difficult pregnancy. We head across the street to Rockefeller Center and watch the skaters. My mother is thoroughly impressed with the christmas tree, the lights, and various other holiday decor. I buy tickets for the Top of the Rock and we head in. No lines. Wonderful set up. Get our picture taken on the construction beam and head into the elevators. Dizzying ride with the transparent topped elevators, flashing lights, and projected images on the elevator ceiling. We get off the elevators and immediately are blown away by the amazing view of Central Park to the north and the Empire State Building to the south. Not exactly a clear day, but still the views made an impact. Amazing how many tourists WEREN'T there. I loved it! Chilly, but not cold. We take in the views from all of the observation decks. My mom doesn't want to leave and tells us that she plans to go back -- by herself, if she has to -- to take in the view of the lights at night. (We tell her there is NO WAY that is going to happen b/c my father would KILL me.)
We head down, get sucked into buying our group photo on the construction beam (it is cute, despite being hokey) and make our way through Rockefeller Center and into Anthropologie (one of my favorite stores -- although it is a chain and I can visit it at home). Amazingly beautiful displays and lay out. Best Anthro I've seen. I don't buy anything, but my sister gets my son a stuffed lion for Christmas.
It is nearing lunch time and we've still a lot to do. . . next on the agenda is Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty from afar. I know that the view isn't going to be great because it is so overcast, but we have to go to say we've been. Now is my first attempt at getting us on the subway. I figure this should be easy because it is a straight shot south -- no transfers. I just need to figure out where to get on the 1 train downtown. I ask a doorman standing near one of the stores and he tells us to continue walking up 50th Street toward 7th Ave. to get the 1 train downtown. Easy enough, right? We head out. . . I go into Au Bon Pain to get some water and change. My mom and gram stare at the moving soldiers on top of Radio City Music Hall and watch the cannon go off and the soliders fall. They also really love the giant red Christmas balls in the fountain on the corner. We find the subway entrance for the 1 heading uptown, but can't find the downtown entrance. We cross the street, figuring it has to be on the other side, but what we think is the entrance is really the entrance to a fitness club. We are stumped. Then a nice couple from Lancaster, PA says, "Excuse us. . . the entrance is across the street. We were following you, thinking you had found it, but then we saw it. Follow us." Funny how tourists will bond in the matter of minutes and help each other out -- we had no idea that they were looking to us for guidance!
We buy our tickets. . . debating over how much to put on the ticket and whether or not riders can share one ticket ($10 on two tickets and yes, up to four riders can share). We get on the train, which is really full, and grab on. Two guys in santa hats get on the train and start singing Christmas carols (Santa Clause is Coming to Town) in amazing harmony and acapella -- Temptations style. Everyone starts clapping along and singing. My mom and gram get out their wallets (much to my chagrin -- I've learned never to pull out your wallet on a crowded bus or subway!) and give the guys a contribution to their bucket. I'm glad that they did. . . just wish that they could have been a tad more discreet! Anyway, the train stops at Rector Street and their is an announcment made that only the first five cars will be able to get off at South Ferry, so riders should move up cars if they intend to get off at the last stop. I still don't really understand why, but it turns out we were on the 2nd car, so it was fine. (Anyone know why this is?)
We get off and head over to Battery Park. We see Lady Liberty in the distance, but she is really just a silhouette and we say that if we had more time we definitely would take the ferry over to get a better view. We put this activity on our list for next time and decide at this moment that we are going to make this trip an annual outing. Gram has requested that we go to Fraunces Tavern for lunch. While this isn't on my list of Fodorite suggestions or my itinerary, I say, "You are the birthday girl!" and we go. . . . she tells us this is where George Washington said farewell to his troops. (My question was, "Where were they going???" and everyone laughs.) We sit in the Tavern and enjoy a beer, corned beef, a hamburger, and a po boy with pineapple (much to my mother's delight).
Ok. . . . have to go to an office lunch right now. Will post the rest of our day two once my BORING webcast meeting ends.
Have to mention. . . . at this point, my new boots are KILLING me, but my mom isn't limping (her quote of the day was, "I'm not limping. . . I'm just walking differently.") and so I feel as if I can endure my new platform boots. After all, they do look better with my outfit than the flat ones did! LOL!
Ok, more later. . . next up, our chance meeting with a man on the street with insights on his 9/11 experience, Trinity Church, Ground Zero, Soho, and my quest to find Matthew Broderick's street. . . . (yes, I'm a closet star stalker). . . .
Dec 20th, 2006, 08:03 AM
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Correction:
We go in, I find boots, and the switch is made. My mother seems much happier, although I can tell that my feet are going to suffer for the remainder of the day. Think high wedge platform boots. I've been looking for some, but intend to trek the streets of New York in them on the day of purchase!!!
(Meant to say that I DID NOT intend to trek the streets of NYC on the first day of purchase. . . . )
We go in, I find boots, and the switch is made. My mother seems much happier, although I can tell that my feet are going to suffer for the remainder of the day. Think high wedge platform boots. I've been looking for some, but intend to trek the streets of New York in them on the day of purchase!!!
(Meant to say that I DID NOT intend to trek the streets of NYC on the first day of purchase. . . . )
