Destination Mondays #8

In this week's edition of "Destination Mondays" we're going to pretend-travel to...

...New York City, New York.


One of my all-time favorite destination spots!

Manhattan, New York

There are a host of places you need to go when you visit New York (and I say when, not if, because you definitely need to go - the sheer size alone is enough 'wow' factor, especially if you're from the midwest. Nowhere I've been compares). 

Photographed 2006: The Plaza Hotel 

 Of course, you have to visit places like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Times Square, and the World Trade Center Memorial, etc...

Now, normally my next suggestion would be the Empire State Building, but in light of my last trip to NYC, I have a new suggestion. Go inside the Empire State Building, because the inside is a beautiful homage to art deco, but instead go to The Top of the Rock - an observation deck on top of Rockefeller Center. Not only is it more affordable (and you spend less time in line), but you can still see the entire city (including an awesome view of the Empire State Building). Check it out:

New York City from The Top of the Rock.

The Empire State Building

Isn't this city just amazing? 

Both times I've been to NYC, I've stayed at the Embassy Suites in the Financial District near Battery Park. It has a great location (walking distance to Battery Park, the September 11th Memorial, the Cortlandt Street Subway Station, and Pier 17 and the South Street Seaport). There's also a really good deli located under the hotel.

Photographed 2006: Battery Park.
If you look carefully, you can see the Statue of Liberty.

Also nearby that hotel are Little Italy and Chinatown. I would definitely recommend any restaurants in Little Italy, and none in Chinatown. Do your shopping in Chinatown, especially if you're looking for knock-off purses.

Walking around NYC is one of my favorite things to do, mostly because the buildings are so tall, and the sights are so awesome:

While exploring, you should check out St. Patrick's Cathedral:

St. Patrick's Cathedral.
This Cathedral is massive - but it's dwarfed by the buildings that surround it.

Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios:

Photographed 2006: NBC Studio, 30 Rockefellar Place.

Grand Central Station:

 and of course, Central Park:

Photographed 2006: Central Park.

Photographed 2006: Central Park.

Photographed 2006: Central Park.

There are a million other places you should go while in NYC: Rao's Restaurant (true story - no relation, but great food. Just make sure to make your reservation six months in advance); 5th Avenue (to check out   Bergdorf's, Saks Fifth, and a ton of other places you can't afford); Tiffany's; The Public Library; Lincoln Center; Carnegie Hall; FAO Schwarz (which allegedly has a life-size game of monopoly on the third floor); and The Natural History Museum where according to James, "there were a TON of cool things in the museum...dinosaurs...old instruments...old people...totem poles...and BUTTERFLYS."

Don't forget to go to Broadway and see a musical! I've seen "The Phantom of the Opera," "Fiddler on the Roof," and "The Lion King" - all three were fantastic, and I've heard great things about "Chicago" and "Wicked." And if you're looking for somewhere to eat before hand, check out Carmine's - it's a delicious family-style Italian restaurant right near Broadway.

I love New York. I'm super jealous of my friend, Tracy, who is currently living in Manhattan. The city's so full of things to do, too many to do in just one or two trips, and there's always something going on. You'll never run out of places to go, sights to see, or delicious restaurants to eat at. And the energy of the city is unlike anyplace else.

Photographed 2006: Pier 17, Manhattan.