What a whirlwind of a trip! I can’t believe how much we were able to pack into a two day trip. Whew. I want to say thank you so much to all of you who left me comments with things to see and do. Also thank you to the gal who told me we needed tickets to get into the 9/11 memorials (I had no idea!). The 9/11 online memorial site is quite booked ahead but thankfully we were able to get tickets and visit the site with a tour company instead.
Also a big thank you shout out to the ladies who guest posted for me while I was away. You are all awesome and I so appreciate it!!!
Okay so like I did with my trip to Florida, here, in no particular order, is a list of some of the highlights of my trip and a few other things that fascinated me 🙂
1. Considering how many people live in such a small space, I absolutely could not get over how clean the streets were.
2. What fascinated me even more was trying to figure out how those streets stayed so clean because I never saw anyone picking up garbage. I’m guessing there aren’t that many litter bugs, impressive.
3. I also never once saw any panhandlers.
4. The architecture in the city is absolutely incredible. I couldn’t get over how old many of the buildings are and what unbelievable character they have.
5. I can’t find the right words to describe how moving seeing the 9/11 memorials in person was. The magnitude of standing in the very spot where so many lost their lives was too much. I am so thankful that they will be remembered forever with these stunning memorials dedicated to them in such a grand manner. The pools are absolutely majestic and I simply can’t imagine a more beautiful and thoughtful tribute.
6. The new One World Trade Center is only half way built and yet will be 1,776 feet when complete. Wow!
7. We found people in the city to be very friendly. I can only imagine how annoying tourists can be but not once did anyone make me feel like a pain for asking directions.
8. There are a LOT of taxi’s in NYC (one cab driver told us over 13,000!) and they are all yellow. I thought that meant they were all owned by the same company but it turns out that isn’t true. They are privately owned and operated and from what we learned it’s not cheap for the privilege to do so either.
9. When driving in a taxi in NYC let me recommend you don’t look. Wow, is it ever scary…they move fast and the way they dart in and out of traffic…yikes! I don’t think I could ever get use to something like that.
10. I was surprised that taxi fares seemed to be not nearly as expensive as they are in the city here in Canada.
11. I let my girlfriend hail all the cabs, I was a scaredy cat.
12. Tripping and falling in the middle of Times Square is just as embarrassing as it sounds. Ouch.
13. Radio City Music Hall is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. We purchased last minute tickets at the booth in Times Square and watched the Cirque De Soleil show Zarkana, which really isn’t my cup of tea but still spectacular nonetheless.
14. Waking up early to stand in the stand-by line for the Regis and Kelly show was absolutely worth it. I was # 9 in line and they only let 11 from the stand-by line in on that particular day. Talk about cutting it close! I was beyond excited to be sitting in the studio of a show I’ve watched everyday for 20 years, so surreal!! And you have no idea how thrilled I am with my Regis and Kelly mug and apron souvenirs!! 🙂
15. I was surprised by how I clammed up in the studio. Regis and Kelly talk to the audience during commercial breaks and I didn’t say a word. What’s with that??? Obviously I was in a state of shock…I’m never one to be at a loss for words!
16. Seeing my black and white head shot on the wall at the Opensky offices was really special. What an amazing group of people and it made me so happy to finally meet them in person after almost two years of working together.
Here I am signing my picture:
17. The table of organizing products put together for me to review and approve made me as giddy as a kid in a candy store. I’m pretty sure the drool coming out of my mouth wasn’t attractive but I was having way too much fun to care. I can’t wait to share with you all the items that made the cut.
18. Our room at the Dream Downtown hotel was by far the trendiest hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I’m pretty sure it is geared for young 20 somethings though with no cares in the world. Me, a 40 year old small town mom of three, longed for a tub (there was only a shower) to soak my sore feet in after a long day.
19. Speaking of sore feet, if you plan on visiting NYC ignore all fashion trends and wear flats. Trust me when I say that no matter how short you think your walk will be, it will be longer. If you ignore all logic and wear heels, your feet will swell to ginormous freak like proportions that will make you scream in horror and pain. So not worth it!!!
20. I had my very first visit to a Container Store and while there I purchased, are you ready for this? NOTHING. Can you believe it? I’m still in shock about it but it’s costly and my luggage space was limited. I took lots of pictures though and will do a whole separate post about my experience.
NY truly was a magical place to visit and I’m very thankful to have had the opportunity.
How about you? Is NY somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit?
Pip says
Great journaling of your trip! I would LOVE to go to NY, but Calgary is overwhelming for me. I can’t imagine how overwhelming NYC would be!
Laura says
I’m definitely a small town girl and my eyes were certainly bug-eyed the whole time trying to take it all in. Very overwhelming!
ter@waaoms says
sounds like you had fun!! and I find it interestingly not surprising to see you are left handed… I seem to think that lefhanded people are very organized! I wonder if that’s true.
Laura says
Great catch! I don’t know too many other lefties but I’m going to have to pay attention to that theory, interesting 🙂
Christine says
Hubby and I went a couple years ago. I also found everyone to be nice and the city to be clean. And ditto on the taxis. Our drive from the airport to Mahattan was pretty scary and our driver seemed to be falling asleep. I tried talking really loud but not sure that helped…lol! We can’t wait to go back!
Laura says
My hubby unfortunately has no desire to ever go but eventually I’d love to go back on another girl’s getaway 🙂
Janmary, N Ireland says
Loved your post – while you do the most amazing organising tips, it was lovely to see the city through your eyes!
I visited as a 16 year old, and remember being petrified on the busy streets! We went up to the viewing platform of World Trade Center so incredible to believe it’s gone.
If/when I return I want to visit Ellis Island – a number of relatives came through here from Ireland but most dramatically my granny was DEPORTED from there!!! 🙂
I’m visiting US next week to promote my Irish jewelry – Atlanta not New York but very excited about it and as a mum of 3 can’t wait to have a hotel room and hotel bathroom all to myself!
I’ll be hoping to visit the Container Store for the first so keen to hear you thoughts.
Kari says
I’m so glad you had a great visit to NYC! Like I said before, it’s my favorite in the world! I have always thought it’s pretty clean too, but no panhandlers…you must have been there at a good time! lol..and I loved your advice about the taxi cabs, just don’t look! It’s so true! If you watch out the window you will die of a heart attack! And I’m so glad you were able to get to the WTC memorial with a tour group! I would have hated for you to get there and expect to walk right in and be disappointed! Glad that tip helped! And yes, it a great place for a girls weekend! I’d like to do one with my friends soon!
Marianne says
It sounds like you had a great time! Good for you! I’ve always wanted to visit NYC; it seems so vibrant and interesting.
Andrea says
Thank you so much for sharing this! How dreamy..!
I can’t imagine the shock for you at the studio for Regis&Kelly! Did you get to touch them? lol
So happy for you!!
🙂
Laura says
I didn’t but my girlfriend got to shake Regis’ hand!!
Linda Stoll says
I love a good visit to NYC with my energetic, adventurous friends! Entranced by Grand Central Station, throngs of people, noise, action, delicious food. Like you, I’ve found the city to be clean, the people to be friendly, and the TO-DO list, endless!
But I do love boarding the train and taking that 1 1/2 hour ride back up north to where it’s peaceful and quiet …
Elise says
I’m so glad that you had a wonderful trip to one of my favorite cities. It is quite the thing to see. I’m glad it “came through”.
Mark Anthony Morales says
Seems like you had so much fun, and you really did do a lot in two days, I even got tired.
I can’t wait for my first trip to the NYC, I’m going to do everything you did…okay no, I’m pretty sure not everything.
Here in AZ there is one container store and I have yet to be in it, I was surprised it was your first visit to the store. Now that I know it is pricey, I doubt I will be making an appearance there any time soon.
Loved this post!
Abby says
I love the Container Store! I’ve only been to one once (in Ohio….I’m originally from Central Pennsylvania), but I absolutely loved it. Now they’re putting one in just a mile away from where I live in Nashville, TN, and it opens in less than a month! I’m so glad you were able to go to one (and that you’ve been able to organize just fine without it).
Brodsky Organization says
It seems like you had a great trip to New York! Sometimes, the allure of city life can be lost on those fortunate enough to live in a Upper West Side Apartment but you really captured it with fresh eyes!
Dee says
I’m a New Yawka and am so glad you loved our city!!! Hope you took my advice and ate pizza and a cannoli.
Laura says
Ack, can you believe we didn’t have pizza. So sad 🙁
Living the Balanced Life says
Oh wow you did cram a lot into 2 days! So glad you got to make it onto Regis and Kelly! That is amazing! I can only imagine how visiting the 9/11 memorial would be. Did everyone seem to be quiet, hushed like?
I am not a good passenger in a car, so riding in a taxi would definitely be an experience for me!
Thanks for sharing!
Bernice
PS. I love going to the Container Store, but mostly just to look at ideas. I’m too much of a cheapskate, lol!
Laura says
You know it was definitely quieter however keep in mind that there is so much construction still going on.
I’m a cheapskate too!! 🙂
Martha (MM) says
So awesome Laura!! NYC is one of the places I dream about visiting one of these days. So glad it was a great trip!
Heather G. says
My husband and I visited NYC this past summer! I fell in love with the city! I want to go back so badly, but dragging the hubby along will be tough (he’s not a city guy at all). Maybe a girl’s trip is in order? I think so!! 🙂 I wanted to visit the 9/11 memorial so badly. But we didn’t want to take a taxi for the reasons you mentioned, darting in and out of traffic. And we had already walked about 5 miles around midtown Manhattan so walking all the way down to Lower Manhattan would be tough.
Julie says
Not sure if you really want to know but . . . The Container Store ships to Canada! I haven’t ordered anything but have drooled over the website.
Ginny says
I live at the western end of New York state and have absolutely no desire to ever visit New York City. Too big, too fast, too loud. But my daughter and son-in-law like to visit.
Annie says
Loved NYC…great time and watching you fall in Times Square was quite entertaining!! You should have seen how busy it was there on the weekend!! I think I`d only plan a weekday trip to the city!
Angie says
Great thoughts to share Laura! I am so very happy for you that you go into the Kelly & Regis show! Good advice about the footwear! I am hoping to go to NYC next summer with Hunter for a birthday trip! You sure did pack a lot into a 2 day trip! Talk soon! Angie xo
Becky L says
I’m glad you had a good time in NYC. I don’t know if I’d go there on purpose. It’s a big city. I love The Container Store as well and would to go back and buy more stuff but so far I don’t really need anything nor can I afford it right now. But I get bit by the bug like you do! :0_
raven says
They are really unobtrusive but there’s a reason the streets are so clean 🙂
(Icky part coming, I know…) DH and I both smoke, and we sat and people watched while taking smoke breaks. There both seem to be people employed by the city who walk around sweeping up and dumping their bins in the trash cans, and store owners come out whenever they’re not busy and check their stoops and sweep if needed. I’ve never seen so much sweeping in my life! But we really didn’t notice till we NOTICED. kwim?
I am so glad you loved your trip, and got to see Cirque!
Betsy says
Thanks for the blog which brought back many, many memories of my own trip there a few years ago with my hubby, on business. Times Square IS a difficult place to walk —-they were doing street and building repairs by our hotel then, so it had scaffolding up and really bad sidewalk in a few places. I didn’t get to the Container Store there but did once in Texas. Brought back really neat stone shaped clear sink mats for the kitchen sink. (Think flat things for adding to an already full suitcase!)
Sooooooooo neat you got to go see “Regis and Kelly!” Like you, riding in a taxi, I found to be a really scary thing!
Sandy @ RE says
Fantastic! Looks like a great time, Laura. Would have been fun to meet there. We had a blast, too. 🙂
Marcia Francois says
I might have mentioned this a time or eleven but it’s on my bucket list, for sure!
I plan to spend lots of time walking so will have to be very fit 🙂
I didn’t know you were a leftie – and you’re looking gorgeous, as always!
Laura says
Yep, does that explain a lot LOL
Food on the Table says
Regis and Kelly?! Cool! New York is the coolest to visit, and I love staying in trendy hotels. But I agree with you, a tub is a Must! Looks like y’all had a great time!
Rosa B. says
Looks like you really had a great time! 🙂 We actually took our family to NYC for the first time a couple weeks ago (Oct. 6) and thoroughly enjoyed it! We went to Times Square, Empire State Building and WTC Memorial Museum (we missed the time slot for the actual memorial). Loved it!
Fun pictures! 🙂
Laura says
We just missed each other!
Susanne says
Looks like it was quite the fun experience. Seeing the memorial would have been so worth the trip!
Julie says
Hi Laura,
I came across your blog while searching for info about Live with Kelly. A couple of my girlfriends And I requested tickets to Live and didn’t get them, so we were hoping to try the stand-by line. How early did you get there? I know it’s firs come first serve, and we would LOVE to see the show! Thanks!!