Travel Talk | Eight Hours in NYC
What’s the craziest trip you’ve ever been on? Did you book a last-minute flight to see a friend? Go to a game? Attend a wedding? I’ve taken a few last-minute trips like I’m Julien Solomita + it’s been a whirlwind! I’m sharing three of those with you this week on the blog. The three I’m sharing this week might be tied for the craziest trips I’ve ever taken. I don’t mean that crazy things happened, I just mean my reasoning behind taking these trips have been deemed crazy by my circle, but it’s been so worth it.
A few weeks ago, I flew to NYC for the day. “I’m sorry, what?” I’ve been asked several times. “Why would you only spend one day in NYC? There’s so much to do!” I know! But this was my third visit this year and with it being the holiday season, I have so much going on at home that being gone for more than one day takes much planning. Not to mention, I’m completely out of PTO for the year. That’s totally fine though because, by my count, aside from a bereavement day, I’ve used all my days for travel and or time with loved ones. There was no time to be sick this year and high five to my immune system for hanging in there with me, especially these last few weeks.
So I went to NYC for the day. There’s another why. My friend Nina, currently in school at Columbia for her masters, wasn’t coming home for Thanksgiving. The flights were too expensive. I happened to find a deal with my preferred airline, Southwest, + booked a day trip to see her. A day in NYC! What could be more perfect? Well, it might have been more perfect had I remembered that it takes an hour to get anywhere in NYC. So rather than the 12 hours I thought I had, it was more like eight. But Nina and I made the most of it.
Nina lives in the Bronx + initially suggested I come to her but I suggested we meet somewhere in Manhattan thinking it might be quicker + we could hit the ground running. But then I had a better idea: my favorite place for bagels, The Bagel Store in Brooklyn! Because I was taking several trips back to back and was on a budget, I opted to take public transit (by myself, thank you very much!) instead of a Lyft. I consulted Google Maps, sent the route to Nina to ensure it made sense + was on my way. I took the M60 bus from LaGuardia to Astoria, transferred to the N train, took that to the L, transferred to the L + got off at Graham Ave. The Bagel Store is in sight distance from the Graham Ave stop. Are you confused? Don’t worry, I was a little nervous, too. But as soon as I came up the stairs at Graham + Metropolitan Avenues, I knew exactly where I was. A few minutes later I was hugging Nina + we headed inside for breakfast. My go-to order is a Unicorn Bagel toasted with easy cream cheese, but it’s never really easy. But I walked eight and a half miles that day so I’m sure it averaged out. Nina had bacon, egg and cheese on a rainbow bagel. We quickly ate our bagels because we had big plans that day!
We boarded the train back to Manhattan + took some photos in Times Square before walking over to Rockefeller Center. We charged phones, browsed in a few shops + then it was time. Time for what? Time for one of the biggest dreams I’d had since childhood to come true: we got to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes! My papa + I used to watch them on TV at Christmas + I was so excited that I was finally at Radio City to see them live. Of course, I wished he’d been able to be there with me. Nina, the angel that she was, waited at TKTS at Lincoln Center the day before for next day matinee tickets for us. We were seated in row KK, which is 11th row Orchestra, + our seats were only $90! If you’re looking for a deal on tickets in NYC, TKTS is the place to go! Says me, who’s never once actually waited in line. I’m just lucky Nina knows which TKTS stands sell next day matinee shows. I was lucky enough to enjoy Waitress in the second row with Nina in July thanks to her TKTS savvy.
The show was everything I’d dreamed of + more. The formations were fantastic, the singing was beautiful + the wall to ceiling projections were amazing. The term “spectacular” is not wasted on this show. Of course, I found myself noting how many not white Rockettes there were + wishing for more diversity. I’m sure we’ve made strides, but there are always ways to do better. I found myself tearing up with happy tears several times throughout the show + gushed about how much I loved the show for the rest of my time in NYC.
After the show, Nina picked our spot for dinner + she chose Melt Shop, a delicious fast casual chain specializing in melty comfort food. We’d attempted to order their patty melt however they happened to be out of beef that night. I ended up ordering the buffalo chicken melt with shop tots + a lemonade. I almost never eat fried chicken, but that sandwich was delicious! Of course, I would have loved a milkshake, but since I can’t have sweets, I was happy with my very tart lemonade.
All too soon it was time for me to head to the airport. When I visited NYC for the first time in college, there was a place I remembered grabbing a smoothie with the friend I was visiting, but there isn’t a smoothie to be found prior to security at LGA anymore. So Nina + I each grabbed a bottle of iced tea to sip on + prolong saying good bye. But soon, we couldn’t wait any longer because there isn’t a separate line for TSA PreCheck at LGA so I needed time to get through security.
Was the trip easy? Not really. Was it worth it? Definitely! Keep an eye out for the next two installments of my crazy recent trips!
xo.
