Weekend Getaway to NYC! — Part I

IMG_9152 A few weeks ago, Elliott found out he could go to a two-week training course for veterinarians on Long Island, which is something he’s wanted to do for a very long time. I told him I was coming with him, both kids in tow, and was going to spend every day that I could trucking into the city with my little ones and exploring to our hearts’ content.

He didn’t think that was such a great idea. Crushed!

… because he had a better plan — a much better plan. He bought a plane ticket for his sister Jess to come out and babysit our kids… and then he bought me a plane ticket to come visit him in NYC for the weekend — just the two of us!

IMG_9154 I had the best time on that 4.5-hour flight sitting all by myself and researching what to do in NYC. We’d already decided to stay in Chelsea (south of Times Square and the Upper West Side and Central Park) because I wanted to focus as much as possible on Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. I had barely seen this part of NYC, and I know it is rich with restaurants, shops, outdoor spaces, and urban development.

I printed off Taza’s NYC Guide and a couple of posts from Cup of Jo, got an excellent guidebook from the library, and mapped out our plan for the weekend!

IMG_9361 I arrived at JFK on a Friday afternoon, but Elliott wouldn’t be able to meet me at our hotel in Chelsea until around 11pm. I took the train into the city, finished up some work in our hotel room, and then hit the streets. First stop: Doughnut Plant. Not a bad place to be on National Donut Day!

IMG_9168 I spent the whole afternoon walking from Chelsea all the way down to Soho, stopping to eat and shop along the way.

IMG_9163 As it was getting dark, I slipped into McNally Jackson Books, found the novel I left in my hotel room, and settled down to read for a little while. (This is a great book, by the way!)

IMG_9165 A few minutes later my dear friend and college roommate Sarah found me, and we went around the corner to the delicious bistro called Fanelli’s Cafe. Such a wonderful meal with an old friend! She’s been living in NYC since we graduated from UVA, and I was planning to join her there… until Elliott came along. ;) I still hope we can join her there to live one day instead of just an overnight visit!

After dinner, Elliott arrived in the city, and I was so glad to see that guy. Adventuring alone was fine, but it’s so much more cozy to share it with your best friend.

IMG_9368 The next morning we got up early, eager to make the most of our day in the city. We discovered our hotel is in “the flower district,” which is really just one block of wholesale flower shops. I watched in wonder as dads, daughters, and dogs joined florists and wedding planners in buying flowers that cool Saturday morning.

 

 

IMG_9172 Afterwards we searched unsuccessfully for coffee (New Yorkers do not wake up until after 10am on Saturday mornings, apparently) and then walked up to the High Line. I’d never seen it before and loved that fresh, quiet walk above the cars and crowds. At 9am on a Saturday, everything was so peaceful.

becca-garber-new-york-city-nyc-2 Tipsy Parson for brunch! So delicious. We were given a tiny little marble-top table by a big window, and our heavenly breakfast tasted even better when flooded with light from the little garden outside. Lots of fun people-watching, too.

IMG_9181 Chelsea Market… so dark and beautiful even at noon on a Saturday.

IMG_9182 We popped off the High Line in Greenwich Village and made our way to Bleecker Street, where we discovered this gorgeous old market…

IMG_9376 … and Magnolia Bakery…

IMG_9375 … and this friendly bookstore

IMG_9195 … and Murray’s Cheese!…

IMG_9204 IMG_9205 … and finally Purl Soho, mecca of meccas for the yarn and fabric enthusiast, and a necessary pilgrimage for me on every trip to New York City.

IMG_9352 becca-garber-new-york-city-nyc-1 IMG_9209 Doesn’t all that color make your heart so happy?

I have so many more pictures, so I’ll save the rest for (hopefully) tomorrow. Have you been to any of these wonderful places? What’s your favorite little corner of NYC?

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11 Responses to Weekend Getaway to NYC! — Part I

  1. Lucy Green July 2, 2015 at 7:23 pm #

    You made me feel as if I was on the adventure with you. I do love all the colors at Purl Soho. You must of been eating donuts on one coast while Jess, Lena and Gil were eating donuts on the other coast. Ha ha! And how much fun to see Sarah in New York City. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s installment of your NYC weekend adventure.

  2. Bethany July 3, 2015 at 5:26 am #

    How wonderful!! And what lovely pictures! My favorite little corner would probably be the Cloisters up in Fort Tryon Park. :)

  3. Kelly July 3, 2015 at 6:41 am #

    A much better plan indeed. :) My favorite spot in NYC is the Harney and Sons tea shop in Soho-they are my favorite brand of tea and it is one of their only two storefronts. You can get a free sample of any of their many kinds of loosely af tea to take home, plus a brewed sample to try there at the counter.

  4. Poppy July 3, 2015 at 11:10 am #

    “…those little town blues….just melted away…when you guys made a brand new start of it, right in the heart of it, in old New York.” So delightfully described!

  5. Joy July 4, 2015 at 9:56 am #

    Looks like such a fun trip! I’ve only been to NYC as a kid or with kids, so my favorite place is Central Park. (When kids are with you, it seems to be the only place — besides a cupcake shop — where everyone was happy!) But I think that would be true even if I’d gone alone. So much people-watching to do in such a pretty setting! :-)

  6. Di July 5, 2015 at 2:05 pm #

    Looks like you had an amazing weekend! I would love to see the High-Line – I have seen the Parisien version…but the Highline looks amazing.

  7. Karen July 7, 2015 at 1:32 pm #

    My family moved out of New York City about a year ago and I loved when I had a day to just wander around the city, either by myself, with my husband or my best friend. When I first moved there I lived in Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn and I loved wandering around, getting a coffee, heading up to the Promenade, and just poking my head into all the little shops.

  8. Sarah Boschung July 9, 2015 at 3:34 pm #

    It is always a treat to see YOU, dear friend! I cherish our days of living together in 206 and hope to one day be reunited in the same city. Loved our evening together–come back and visit me soon! Xoxo

  9. Carrie July 9, 2015 at 6:42 pm #

    What a fabulous trip! I love discovering new places. I’ve never been to NYC, but it looks delightful in your pictures!

  10. Esther July 31, 2015 at 10:29 am #

    Now I’m gonna need *your* guide for when I finally get Casey up there!

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    […] Part I of this post, I shared a bit about why and how Elliott and I went to New York. Here is the second […]

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