emd's NYC Trip Report, August 2006
Sep 6th, 2006, 06:20 AM
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emd's NYC Trip Report, August 2006
I traveled to NYC the weekend of August 24-27 w/my 13 yr old daughter. Many thanks to everyone who helped here, esp. the New Yorkers like Howard, mclaurie, bugswife, and the rest of you. I travel to NYC for work a lot but this was only our third time for pleasure. This trip focused on some of the mid to lower neighborhoods, shopping, the Fire Museum, and theater. We take our time in NYC and do not run around seeing everything as we have the luxury of living in D.C. and can always go back.
1) Muse Hotel: I got this hotel (46th St btwn. 6th and 7th, less than one block off Times Square) on Travelzoo for an amazing deal of $189 a night for a King Superior rm. We decided to stay in Times Square because we had a Broadway play each of our 3 nights. Although the Muse is so close to Times Square, 46th street on this side is fairly quiet. I am a light sleeper and I had no troubles at this hotel. I requested and got a room on a quiet room on a high floor (17th), not on 16th street but w/a decent view overlooking a side street. Whatever street noise there was (potentially only garbage trucks in the a.m.) was completely drowned out by running the fan in the room, which was not loud by any means but enough to cover whatever we might have otherwise heard. And the AC control was great, as cool as we wanted it.
I really liked this hotel, and I am picky on hotels. The lobby is small, and there are only two desk clerk/concierges (they function as both) but I got great service and all my questions were answered. The room was spacious by NYC standards. Modern but comfortable décor w/very comfortable bedding.
A few quirks in our rm.- no fan in the bathroom which was a bummer for me, trying to blow dry my hair in the early a.m. while daughter slept, as I almost suffocated keeping that bathroom door closed, it got so hot without a fan running. That was my biggest complaint. Another inconvenience was that our closet door was right behind the room door so you couldn’t be getting something out of the closet if someone was at the door. Also the closet door wouldn’t stay open, it closed every time you let it go. But those were tolerable and I would definitely stay there again at that rate!
Also liked the evening wine reception from 5-6pm which I made one evening (and took the glass of wine up to the room), and the little tucked away bar behind the check in area where I snuck off for a drink one evening. I liked it better than the Michaelangelo where we stayed last time, because it was so much closer to the theaters and the service was much friendlier and better at Muse. I called down for service twice (once for a bandaid and once for ice, as the machine didn’t work on our floor) and they responded promptly both times.
Other than the convenient location for the plays, I hated being in Times Square. It was crowded and dirty and just a mass of crazy people. But of course my daughter loved being close to the Virgin Megastore and MTV, etc.
2) The Plays:
A. Phantom: We had discounted $66 tickets from broadwaybox.com, and great middle orchestra seats. Have never seen this one before and figured it was time, as daughter is getting serious about theater arts in school. Music was great, costumes and sets great, but aside from the Phantom there was little charisma between the actors (like they were up there singing but not that interested in each other) and truthfully it seemed stale.
B. Wedding Singer: Also discounted seats from broadwaybox.com for $66, left orchestra about 2/3 of the way back., could see entire stage well. Very fun show, we both loved it, and we laughed through much of it, esp. that late scene in the Vegas wedding chapel (although I had to explain to daughter who I. Marcus was, but she knew the rest of the people in that scene). We liked this much better than Hairspray, the musical comedy of the last trip. I think most people would enjoy the 80s references. I am booking this show for my son and husband when we return to NYC in late Dec.
C. Drowsy Chaperone: WE LOVED this one! Such a clever plot. Very fun. Daughter especially loved it, which surprised me, I would have thought it might be a little too mature for her and would have guessed that Wedding Singer would have been her favorite. We paid full price and had seats in right orchestra on the far side (4tha dn 5th seats in from far right aisle). Could see almost the whole stage except far right and not much action took place there. I would not sit on far left side though, as more happens on that side (the man in chair is there for most of the play).
3) The NYC Fire Dept. Museum, along w/Jacques Torres Chocolate factory: These two places are a great combination as they are within a few blocks of each other in Soho. We went to Jacque Torres first and watched some chocolate making going on, had a frozen hot chocolate (WAY too rich for us) and bought some very good and expensive chocolate, then made our way two blocks to the fire Museum.
This museum was a highlight of the trip. It is in what used to be a fire station back when horse drawn carriages were used. We have an interest in fire fighting work because my husband’s great grandfather was chief of the fire dept. in Boston and oversaw the conversion from horse drawn to motorized carriages. This was a fascinating and very colorful museum for us. It is two stories and they have several full size carriages from the horse drawn era, parade carriages, etc. and the walls are filled w/colorful history (we loved the exhibit on the famous fire dog from the Brooklyn station).
There is a two room exhibit (some of it interactive on touch driven screens) on 9/11. There were photographers from Paris Match there photographing those exhibits for a tribute that should be out on the newsstands in a few days. I spent a great deal of time talking w/the woman in charge of the museum, who was knowledgeable and very friendly, and we bought a book on the history of the NYC fire dept. If you have any inclination that you might like this museum, I encourage you to GO.
4) Union Square Greenmarket, The Village and shopping: We spent a full day on Sat. walking through these areas. Started at Union Square and the Greenmarket which was fun and we bought breakfast there. I spent more time at the market and daughter shopped at Filene’s (which she liked) right on the square, staying in touch by cell phone.
We then walked down 17th street to a great thrift shop called Angel Street at 118 W 17th. We both found several cool things there, and a woman next to me in line got a very cool new pair of Prada shoes (looked unworn) for $50. We made our way to one of the Housingworks stores at 143 W. 17th street, second hand store which gives proceeds AIDs needs in the community. Thanks to mclaurie for info on this organization. This large store was great, lots of upscale clothes but also some bargains for both of us.
We walked by Loehman’s and had never been there so we ducked in. Great jewelry counter where I found some nice items. We did not clothes shop here, although I did talk to a woman who had found a great designer evening dress that she was trying to match jewelry to. If I was to go back to NYC to shop, I’d spend more time at Loehman’s as the quality looked very good, prices were very good, it was not crazy crowded like Century 21 and it is more organized.
Next we went to the Village. There was a street fair on Bleeker btwn. 6th and 7th that we took some time at, and then we just weaved around and walked for a few hours, ducking into shops and people watching. We found another location of HousingWorks at 245 West 10th. This is a smaller location than the W. 17th one, and has opened more recently, but also had some nice items and I added to my beaded jewelry collection here. My daughter enjoyed their book section.
This was a very enjoyable day, just walking and browsing.
On Friday, before going to Soho to the Fire Museum we had visited Trinity Church in lower Manhattan and then went to Century 21. My daughter wanted to go here; we had been before on the last trip and I knew it would be crowded. I had an enjoyable time in the sock and slipper section as I shopped for my sister who has recently had a bad stroke. I ended up talking at length w/two sisters about womens’ health issues, heart disease, stroke, etc., just a spontaneous discussion that started as we all shopped for slippers. My daughter wanted to shop for handbags and it was such a madhouse there. As you can see from above, I am a jewelry person but I would not go near the jewelry section at Century 21 as it is so unorganized and it is right in the madhouse handbag section- forget it. However I did end up talking to a nice British man who wanted my opinion on which sunglasses to buy. So Century 21 was enjoyable to the conversations w/fellow shoppers, not so much for the shopping.
5) Meeting up with a few fellow Fodorites, and food:
On Friday evening we met up a Fodorite from this board who has helped me plan two NYC trips w/my daughter. We met at the Broadway Bar at the Marriott Marquis as a rain storm blew in. It was a pleasure meeting up w/someone whose posts I have admired and who has helped me so much. We had a nice visit, and what I thought would be a one hour drink time stretched into two hours. I don’t want to identify her without her permission but if she sees this and wants to post and reveal who she is, that is fine.
On Sat. evening we met up w/a lovely lady. Mara, from the Asia board who has also traveled to Japan, where I have gone twice and on my most recent trip my daughter came with me. We had a very good fixed prix dinner at Le Rivage on W 46th st. btwn 8th and 9th, Restaurant Row. I would recommend this restaurant- a bit tight on space but very good four course dinner (appetizer, salad, entrée from a very extensive selection of meat, poultry, fish, and a few pastas, and dessert w/coffee or tea included for $32). We lingered and talked, and perhaps we will end up eating a dinner in Japan together at some point in the future.
I had done a lot of research on vegetarian restaurants before I went as my daughter is a vegetarian and we have no good veg. restaurants in the D.C. area where we live. I thought we would get to eat at ZeNith or Vynl (which were both so close to our hotel), or Candle Café (although it seemed too far to go to the upper east side for this one), or one of the ones suggested to me on this board in the Village/Soho areas (Spring St. Natural, Angelica Kitchen, Rice) but we just didn’t get to do it. As usual, we grabbed food here and there as we made our way around the city. However, we did grab dinner from the food bar at Green Symphony (255 W. 43rd) on the way to the show on Friday night, and I would recommend this place for a quick vegetarian meal. I am keeping all of the other research for our Dec. trip when we will have almost a week as a family back in NYC to finally go to the museums.
6) Top of the Rock: We went there after the show on Sat. night. Went up to the observation floors at about 10:30. My daughter loved this. One nice thing on doing this over Empire State Bldg. is that you can SEE the ESB from Top of the Rock. It was very windy and cool (yes, at end of August) at the top. I’d love to go back and do this at sunset when we return in Dec., but we loved the night lights of the bldgs and bridges and seeing the ESB in color – it was green that night.
7) Chihuly at the New York Botanical Gardens: We went there on Sunday, in the rain. I have reported on this on another post on this topic, but will copy that post here for ease of reference. We took the Metro North line from Grand Central Station ($3 each way on the special weekend deal) 4 stops to this :
Saw the Chiluly exhibit at NYBG today in the rain. And believe it or not, it was REALLY COLD in late August there!
This of course meant no crowds (an understatement), and we just did it a la Gene Kelley w/our umbrellas and singing in the rain on those l-o-n-g paths between the main exhibits btwn. the Conservatory and the Rose Garden and the Greenhouses and Children's Garden, etc. If you only have a limited amt. of time, there are a good amt. of Chihluy exhibits concentrated in the Conservatory.
This was a magical exhibit and we loved the NYBG. What a great place to go to escape from the city. I will be posting a fuller report next weekend, as I am only home for one night tonight and leaving tomorrow for a few more days of beach vacation.
Definitely worth it. After spending 3 days in NYC, we really enjoyed getting out to this exhibit. It is only 4 quick stops from Grand Central Station to the Botanical Gardens stop.
And the glass work defies written description. I would really like to see the exhibits lit up at night at one of the night time openings (check the NYBG website for that).
I LOVE NEW YORK!!!!!
1) Muse Hotel: I got this hotel (46th St btwn. 6th and 7th, less than one block off Times Square) on Travelzoo for an amazing deal of $189 a night for a King Superior rm. We decided to stay in Times Square because we had a Broadway play each of our 3 nights. Although the Muse is so close to Times Square, 46th street on this side is fairly quiet. I am a light sleeper and I had no troubles at this hotel. I requested and got a room on a quiet room on a high floor (17th), not on 16th street but w/a decent view overlooking a side street. Whatever street noise there was (potentially only garbage trucks in the a.m.) was completely drowned out by running the fan in the room, which was not loud by any means but enough to cover whatever we might have otherwise heard. And the AC control was great, as cool as we wanted it.
I really liked this hotel, and I am picky on hotels. The lobby is small, and there are only two desk clerk/concierges (they function as both) but I got great service and all my questions were answered. The room was spacious by NYC standards. Modern but comfortable décor w/very comfortable bedding.
A few quirks in our rm.- no fan in the bathroom which was a bummer for me, trying to blow dry my hair in the early a.m. while daughter slept, as I almost suffocated keeping that bathroom door closed, it got so hot without a fan running. That was my biggest complaint. Another inconvenience was that our closet door was right behind the room door so you couldn’t be getting something out of the closet if someone was at the door. Also the closet door wouldn’t stay open, it closed every time you let it go. But those were tolerable and I would definitely stay there again at that rate!
Also liked the evening wine reception from 5-6pm which I made one evening (and took the glass of wine up to the room), and the little tucked away bar behind the check in area where I snuck off for a drink one evening. I liked it better than the Michaelangelo where we stayed last time, because it was so much closer to the theaters and the service was much friendlier and better at Muse. I called down for service twice (once for a bandaid and once for ice, as the machine didn’t work on our floor) and they responded promptly both times.
Other than the convenient location for the plays, I hated being in Times Square. It was crowded and dirty and just a mass of crazy people. But of course my daughter loved being close to the Virgin Megastore and MTV, etc.
2) The Plays:
A. Phantom: We had discounted $66 tickets from broadwaybox.com, and great middle orchestra seats. Have never seen this one before and figured it was time, as daughter is getting serious about theater arts in school. Music was great, costumes and sets great, but aside from the Phantom there was little charisma between the actors (like they were up there singing but not that interested in each other) and truthfully it seemed stale.
B. Wedding Singer: Also discounted seats from broadwaybox.com for $66, left orchestra about 2/3 of the way back., could see entire stage well. Very fun show, we both loved it, and we laughed through much of it, esp. that late scene in the Vegas wedding chapel (although I had to explain to daughter who I. Marcus was, but she knew the rest of the people in that scene). We liked this much better than Hairspray, the musical comedy of the last trip. I think most people would enjoy the 80s references. I am booking this show for my son and husband when we return to NYC in late Dec.
C. Drowsy Chaperone: WE LOVED this one! Such a clever plot. Very fun. Daughter especially loved it, which surprised me, I would have thought it might be a little too mature for her and would have guessed that Wedding Singer would have been her favorite. We paid full price and had seats in right orchestra on the far side (4tha dn 5th seats in from far right aisle). Could see almost the whole stage except far right and not much action took place there. I would not sit on far left side though, as more happens on that side (the man in chair is there for most of the play).
3) The NYC Fire Dept. Museum, along w/Jacques Torres Chocolate factory: These two places are a great combination as they are within a few blocks of each other in Soho. We went to Jacque Torres first and watched some chocolate making going on, had a frozen hot chocolate (WAY too rich for us) and bought some very good and expensive chocolate, then made our way two blocks to the fire Museum.
This museum was a highlight of the trip. It is in what used to be a fire station back when horse drawn carriages were used. We have an interest in fire fighting work because my husband’s great grandfather was chief of the fire dept. in Boston and oversaw the conversion from horse drawn to motorized carriages. This was a fascinating and very colorful museum for us. It is two stories and they have several full size carriages from the horse drawn era, parade carriages, etc. and the walls are filled w/colorful history (we loved the exhibit on the famous fire dog from the Brooklyn station).
There is a two room exhibit (some of it interactive on touch driven screens) on 9/11. There were photographers from Paris Match there photographing those exhibits for a tribute that should be out on the newsstands in a few days. I spent a great deal of time talking w/the woman in charge of the museum, who was knowledgeable and very friendly, and we bought a book on the history of the NYC fire dept. If you have any inclination that you might like this museum, I encourage you to GO.
4) Union Square Greenmarket, The Village and shopping: We spent a full day on Sat. walking through these areas. Started at Union Square and the Greenmarket which was fun and we bought breakfast there. I spent more time at the market and daughter shopped at Filene’s (which she liked) right on the square, staying in touch by cell phone.
We then walked down 17th street to a great thrift shop called Angel Street at 118 W 17th. We both found several cool things there, and a woman next to me in line got a very cool new pair of Prada shoes (looked unworn) for $50. We made our way to one of the Housingworks stores at 143 W. 17th street, second hand store which gives proceeds AIDs needs in the community. Thanks to mclaurie for info on this organization. This large store was great, lots of upscale clothes but also some bargains for both of us.
We walked by Loehman’s and had never been there so we ducked in. Great jewelry counter where I found some nice items. We did not clothes shop here, although I did talk to a woman who had found a great designer evening dress that she was trying to match jewelry to. If I was to go back to NYC to shop, I’d spend more time at Loehman’s as the quality looked very good, prices were very good, it was not crazy crowded like Century 21 and it is more organized.
Next we went to the Village. There was a street fair on Bleeker btwn. 6th and 7th that we took some time at, and then we just weaved around and walked for a few hours, ducking into shops and people watching. We found another location of HousingWorks at 245 West 10th. This is a smaller location than the W. 17th one, and has opened more recently, but also had some nice items and I added to my beaded jewelry collection here. My daughter enjoyed their book section.
This was a very enjoyable day, just walking and browsing.
On Friday, before going to Soho to the Fire Museum we had visited Trinity Church in lower Manhattan and then went to Century 21. My daughter wanted to go here; we had been before on the last trip and I knew it would be crowded. I had an enjoyable time in the sock and slipper section as I shopped for my sister who has recently had a bad stroke. I ended up talking at length w/two sisters about womens’ health issues, heart disease, stroke, etc., just a spontaneous discussion that started as we all shopped for slippers. My daughter wanted to shop for handbags and it was such a madhouse there. As you can see from above, I am a jewelry person but I would not go near the jewelry section at Century 21 as it is so unorganized and it is right in the madhouse handbag section- forget it. However I did end up talking to a nice British man who wanted my opinion on which sunglasses to buy. So Century 21 was enjoyable to the conversations w/fellow shoppers, not so much for the shopping.
5) Meeting up with a few fellow Fodorites, and food:
On Friday evening we met up a Fodorite from this board who has helped me plan two NYC trips w/my daughter. We met at the Broadway Bar at the Marriott Marquis as a rain storm blew in. It was a pleasure meeting up w/someone whose posts I have admired and who has helped me so much. We had a nice visit, and what I thought would be a one hour drink time stretched into two hours. I don’t want to identify her without her permission but if she sees this and wants to post and reveal who she is, that is fine.
On Sat. evening we met up w/a lovely lady. Mara, from the Asia board who has also traveled to Japan, where I have gone twice and on my most recent trip my daughter came with me. We had a very good fixed prix dinner at Le Rivage on W 46th st. btwn 8th and 9th, Restaurant Row. I would recommend this restaurant- a bit tight on space but very good four course dinner (appetizer, salad, entrée from a very extensive selection of meat, poultry, fish, and a few pastas, and dessert w/coffee or tea included for $32). We lingered and talked, and perhaps we will end up eating a dinner in Japan together at some point in the future.
I had done a lot of research on vegetarian restaurants before I went as my daughter is a vegetarian and we have no good veg. restaurants in the D.C. area where we live. I thought we would get to eat at ZeNith or Vynl (which were both so close to our hotel), or Candle Café (although it seemed too far to go to the upper east side for this one), or one of the ones suggested to me on this board in the Village/Soho areas (Spring St. Natural, Angelica Kitchen, Rice) but we just didn’t get to do it. As usual, we grabbed food here and there as we made our way around the city. However, we did grab dinner from the food bar at Green Symphony (255 W. 43rd) on the way to the show on Friday night, and I would recommend this place for a quick vegetarian meal. I am keeping all of the other research for our Dec. trip when we will have almost a week as a family back in NYC to finally go to the museums.
6) Top of the Rock: We went there after the show on Sat. night. Went up to the observation floors at about 10:30. My daughter loved this. One nice thing on doing this over Empire State Bldg. is that you can SEE the ESB from Top of the Rock. It was very windy and cool (yes, at end of August) at the top. I’d love to go back and do this at sunset when we return in Dec., but we loved the night lights of the bldgs and bridges and seeing the ESB in color – it was green that night.
7) Chihuly at the New York Botanical Gardens: We went there on Sunday, in the rain. I have reported on this on another post on this topic, but will copy that post here for ease of reference. We took the Metro North line from Grand Central Station ($3 each way on the special weekend deal) 4 stops to this :
Saw the Chiluly exhibit at NYBG today in the rain. And believe it or not, it was REALLY COLD in late August there!
This of course meant no crowds (an understatement), and we just did it a la Gene Kelley w/our umbrellas and singing in the rain on those l-o-n-g paths between the main exhibits btwn. the Conservatory and the Rose Garden and the Greenhouses and Children's Garden, etc. If you only have a limited amt. of time, there are a good amt. of Chihluy exhibits concentrated in the Conservatory.
This was a magical exhibit and we loved the NYBG. What a great place to go to escape from the city. I will be posting a fuller report next weekend, as I am only home for one night tonight and leaving tomorrow for a few more days of beach vacation.
Definitely worth it. After spending 3 days in NYC, we really enjoyed getting out to this exhibit. It is only 4 quick stops from Grand Central Station to the Botanical Gardens stop.
And the glass work defies written description. I would really like to see the exhibits lit up at night at one of the night time openings (check the NYBG website for that).
I LOVE NEW YORK!!!!!
Sep 6th, 2006, 06:31 AM
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What a great trip report. I'm going to print to read in detail later - but am very glad you enjoyed the Muse. I love Kimpton Group hotels and cannot wait to stay there! Lucky you to get such a deal!
Sep 6th, 2006, 06:39 AM
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Well, you can never really do it all in NYC, that is what makes it such a great repeat location. for instance, aside from the Fire Museum I have never set foot inside the great museums there in all of my many trips- not proud of that and am going to change that on the next family trip in Dec.
NYC is a great place to take a teen daughter- just make sure to inlvove them in planning or at least run the itinerary by them. I had made plans (and bought the tickets ahead) for the ferry to see Ellis Island and it turned out my daughter really didn't want to go there this time. I know better than to drag her, so we will just do it next time as a family.
Starrs, didn't you just get back from NYC too? Where did you end up staying?
NYC is a great place to take a teen daughter- just make sure to inlvove them in planning or at least run the itinerary by them. I had made plans (and bought the tickets ahead) for the ferry to see Ellis Island and it turned out my daughter really didn't want to go there this time. I know better than to drag her, so we will just do it next time as a family.
Starrs, didn't you just get back from NYC too? Where did you end up staying?
Sep 6th, 2006, 06:42 AM
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I was going up for a combo trip - work/leisure. The work portion was canceled and so I canceled the whole trip. Boo-hoo. Then, AirTran tix dropped two days before the family event and I was able to fly up and back out of White Plains. I didn't even get into the city 
What's worse...I discovered on that trip I'm in the NYC guide - TWICE! At a Barnes and Noble in NY, see my name in the NYC guide, and I'm not going to the city! Bummer. But, it was a great trip anyway!
What's worse...I discovered on that trip I'm in the NYC guide - TWICE! At a Barnes and Noble in NY, see my name in the NYC guide, and I'm not going to the city! Bummer. But, it was a great trip anyway!
Sep 6th, 2006, 07:18 AM
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Great report, emd. I have enjoyed traveling with my teen girl also. I find that I tend to try places and things I wouldn't have because of her. She also went veggie this summer so I know what an adventure it can be to find places while traveling.
Sep 6th, 2006, 07:35 AM
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Hi emd - I must be following you around the world this year. First Japan, now New York City.
I have a four-day weekend coming up there soon with my 13 y/o daughter and my mother. Some similar plans, too. We are seeing The Drowsy Chaperone, as well as 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. And we will go to the Botanic Garden--mom loves Chihuly. They both want to go to Ellis Island; daughter was 9 when we went last and mom has never been. Other than that, I'm still working on ideas, but I will probably stay somewhat flexible to see how the weather turns out. Mom is from AZ and doesn't do so well if it's really cold (to her, "really cold" is barely sweater weather for me). We are staying at the Affinia 50, which will be new for me.
I was in New York for work a few weeks ago for the first time in four years, and it was great to be back. I'm looking forward to this upcoming trip.
Nice report. Thanks for sharing.
I have a four-day weekend coming up there soon with my 13 y/o daughter and my mother. Some similar plans, too. We are seeing The Drowsy Chaperone, as well as 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. And we will go to the Botanic Garden--mom loves Chihuly. They both want to go to Ellis Island; daughter was 9 when we went last and mom has never been. Other than that, I'm still working on ideas, but I will probably stay somewhat flexible to see how the weather turns out. Mom is from AZ and doesn't do so well if it's really cold (to her, "really cold" is barely sweater weather for me). We are staying at the Affinia 50, which will be new for me.
I was in New York for work a few weeks ago for the first time in four years, and it was great to be back. I'm looking forward to this upcoming trip.
Nice report. Thanks for sharing.
Sep 6th, 2006, 07:57 AM
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ms_go, have a great time. I did a report on the last trip w/my daughter, you might want to look it up. We really enjoyed the Lower East Side Tenemant museum on that trip, and shopping in Soho. Spring St. in Soho is a great place to stroll and shop for that age, and I liked it too- great hadnmade jewelry stands on the street and fun shops. We also went back to Spring St. this time, I forgot to put that in the report. My daughter wanted to go to the Paul Frank store on Mulberry and we walked on Spring St. to get there.
Another thing I should have put in the report: Before this trip I finally found the VERY BEST travel map pf NYC I have ever seen (and I've looked at them and had many over the years). It is the vandam. map. I got mine at Barnes and Nobles for $7.95. It is laminated and folds four times to the size of a business letter envelope, very thim, but when you unfold it it has all the streets and neighborhoods in Manhattan and the street names are big enough to read without my glasses! Also has a subway map superimposed on the street map, and a separate subway map also. GREAT purse size map.
Another thing I should have put in the report: Before this trip I finally found the VERY BEST travel map pf NYC I have ever seen (and I've looked at them and had many over the years). It is the vandam. map. I got mine at Barnes and Nobles for $7.95. It is laminated and folds four times to the size of a business letter envelope, very thim, but when you unfold it it has all the streets and neighborhoods in Manhattan and the street names are big enough to read without my glasses! Also has a subway map superimposed on the street map, and a separate subway map also. GREAT purse size map.
Sep 6th, 2006, 08:54 AM
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How funny - I just bought the vandam map a couple of weeks ago, mostly because I could kinda, sorta (but not completely) read it without the glasses. I've also been thinking about the Tenement Museum; good suggestion. I may go ahead and arrange that, and I'll look for your other report when I get a chance.
Sep 6th, 2006, 09:09 AM
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ms_go: My daughter loved the Confino family tour, as it is led by a young woman who is dressed to be a young Confino family member and she gives the tour from her teenaged perspective of coming to America and living in the cramped tenement apartment w/her family.
Sep 6th, 2006, 09:15 AM
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emd - what are you doing over here?
Seriously, great trip report. There are no trips to NYC in the near future, but you sure make me want to take one.
My older sister has 13 year old twin girls and wants to take a NYC trip some time in the next year - with some of her sisters (me included).
I've been a couple of times as a tag along when my DH had business in NYC. I went to lots of museums. Maybe you should take your son to see the dinosaurs. That was my DH's favorite part - guys are never too old for that stuff.
By the way - just thought I'd let you know, my son returned home from Japan last week Thursday. It doesn't look like he'll be going back any time soon. Drat. Guess that means I'll spend more time on this board.
Seriously, great trip report. There are no trips to NYC in the near future, but you sure make me want to take one.
My older sister has 13 year old twin girls and wants to take a NYC trip some time in the next year - with some of her sisters (me included).
I've been a couple of times as a tag along when my DH had business in NYC. I went to lots of museums. Maybe you should take your son to see the dinosaurs. That was my DH's favorite part - guys are never too old for that stuff.
By the way - just thought I'd let you know, my son returned home from Japan last week Thursday. It doesn't look like he'll be going back any time soon. Drat. Guess that means I'll spend more time on this board.
Sep 6th, 2006, 09:33 AM
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Hi ange! Well, maybe you can take your son back to Japan sometime just to travel together. But it must be nice to have him home.
You'll have a great time in NYC w/those twin teenage nieces. My daughter says that other cites seem so boring to her in comparison to NYC- there is always somethign fun and interesting to do no matter what time of year or where you are in the city. She always wants to go back.
You'll have a great time in NYC w/those twin teenage nieces. My daughter says that other cites seem so boring to her in comparison to NYC- there is always somethign fun and interesting to do no matter what time of year or where you are in the city. She always wants to go back.
Sep 6th, 2006, 05:34 PM
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Hi emd! Great report of an awesome trip! You did so much and it sounds like a wonderful, memorable time. I so like your style, and taking trips with each of your kids individually. I thought of you when DD and i did an impromptu trip to LA last month ~ lots of planning from current / recent posts here helped make it a fab trip, also.
Oh and yes, those bathroom fans. Or lack thereof. What is up with that? I can't tell you how many 4* hotels i've stayed in, biz and pleasure, with no BR fans! Anyone know?
Anyway emd, thanks for sharing your trip with us. Where are you going next...possibly the land of gorgeous red rocks??
Oh and yes, those bathroom fans. Or lack thereof. What is up with that? I can't tell you how many 4* hotels i've stayed in, biz and pleasure, with no BR fans! Anyone know?
Anyway emd, thanks for sharing your trip with us. Where are you going next...possibly the land of gorgeous red rocks??
Sep 6th, 2006, 06:16 PM
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Ellen, I am planning a trip w/a close and old friend (who also happens to be my biggest client, how lucky am I- and her name is also Ellen) and we are going to Red Rock Mountain Spa in Utah- to hike, and hopefully take some good fitness, nutrition, stress reduction classes. I was going to go to Sedona in Sept. but am postponing it for the trip to Utah.
I love L.A. and So. Cal also, spend much time there for work because the client/friend Ellen and works and lives there. Glad to hear you and DD had a good trip there.
Personally, I could not live in a house without bathroom fans (not w/my male contingency!) and do not think we should do without them at nice hotels. I stayed at a nice oceanfront Hilton right after the Muse stay and that brand new suite had two flat screen plasma TVs, a rain showerhead and jacuuzzi tub and 5 different light switches for the bathrm, grantie counters in bath and kitchen area, completely professionally decorated, a private hot tub on the oceanfront deck, and guess what-- NO BATHRM. FAN! What is up w/that, indeed!
I love L.A. and So. Cal also, spend much time there for work because the client/friend Ellen and works and lives there. Glad to hear you and DD had a good trip there.
Personally, I could not live in a house without bathroom fans (not w/my male contingency!) and do not think we should do without them at nice hotels. I stayed at a nice oceanfront Hilton right after the Muse stay and that brand new suite had two flat screen plasma TVs, a rain showerhead and jacuuzzi tub and 5 different light switches for the bathrm, grantie counters in bath and kitchen area, completely professionally decorated, a private hot tub on the oceanfront deck, and guess what-- NO BATHRM. FAN! What is up w/that, indeed!
Sep 6th, 2006, 10:55 PM
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emd - Thanks for the tip about the Vandam map, sounds perfect.
I enjoyed reading your report and agree with you about not rushing about.
We will be back the end of this month and very excited about seeing our son and his wife, their new apartment (first time owners) and two kitties since our last visit. Can't wait to experience a little more of what only NYC has to offer. I don't think we are ever going to run out of things to do or see.
Sandy
I enjoyed reading your report and agree with you about not rushing about.
We will be back the end of this month and very excited about seeing our son and his wife, their new apartment (first time owners) and two kitties since our last visit. Can't wait to experience a little more of what only NYC has to offer. I don't think we are ever going to run out of things to do or see.
Sandy
Sep 7th, 2006, 04:14 AM
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Very much enjoyed meeting emd and her lovely (and very grown up) daughter. As mentioned, we met in the Broadway bar of the Marriott Marquis. The views over Times Square are pretty cool and it was quite dramatic as the rainstorm blew in to watch from our perch (I think about 8 floors up). We were going to go to the View, but we discovered it didn't open til 5:30 and we wanted to meet a bit earlier. This worked out well and I thought the appetizers were good and the margaritas potent. Glad it was a good weekend, emd, and thanks again for the flowers. 
Sep 7th, 2006, 04:41 AM
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mclaurie, same back at you. We thoroughly enjoyed the time w/you, and also w/Mara on Sat. night. We always feel like "insiders" in NYC due to the help we get planning our trips here but meeting up w/you and Mara made us feel really welcome and like we now have friends in the area.
Broadway Bar was a great place to meet, and of course it was suggested by mclaurie after we decided to scrap the View. My daughter could see the lighted signs of Broadway as the storm blew in.
The Mariott Marquis is quite a place; I think it has more elevators in one place than I have ever seen. The theater for the Wedding Singer is inside the hotel. Oh, btw, go to the bathroom BEFORE that show starts because there is no bathrm. in the theater, you must exit and go inside to the bathrms in the hotel lobby! There is no intermission for Wedding Singer, and I bet this is why.
Broadway Bar was a great place to meet, and of course it was suggested by mclaurie after we decided to scrap the View. My daughter could see the lighted signs of Broadway as the storm blew in.
The Mariott Marquis is quite a place; I think it has more elevators in one place than I have ever seen. The theater for the Wedding Singer is inside the hotel. Oh, btw, go to the bathroom BEFORE that show starts because there is no bathrm. in the theater, you must exit and go inside to the bathrms in the hotel lobby! There is no intermission for Wedding Singer, and I bet this is why.
