Thursday, December 13, 2012

Girls' Day Out in New York City

When the month of December arrives, I'm always filled with anticipation. For the past several years, I've traveled up to New York City with friends for a day trip run by our local Parks and Rec department. Always the second Saturday of December. This year, my sister-in-law (SuSu) decided to go with me. I thought I'd share some pics from our trip today. There's nothing like The Big Apple during the holidays!
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now

For just $65, we rode a nice tour bus up to the city with other folks signed up for the special with the P and R Dept. The catch is that it leaves at 4 am, but most of the trip-goers opt to sleep on the way, save for one very obnoxiously loud guy and a pit stop for Starbucks in Delaware. This year, the bus pulled up to 34th Street around 10:30 in the morning, leaving us the rest of the day to explore the city at our leisure.
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now

Our first stop was Macy's, which was just across the street. Tip: find a nice restroom and charge your iPhone while you do your make-up.
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now

While my phone charged, SuSu and I eyed my subway map and decided where to go first. A pair of very sweet New Yorkers saw us trying to decide which subway line to take down to Ground Zero, and offered a few suggestions. Most New Yorkers I've ever encountered have been very kind and quick to help with directions.

Love the old Macy's escalator!
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now


First on our list was to see the Macy's windows, which were nice, but nothing that really blew our minds this year. This may be the first year we didn't walk up 5th Avenue to see all the windows, but we had plenty of other things to do....
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now


SuSu and I opted to ride the subway around town, which is much more cost-effective than taxis, and easier on your feet than walking. We each loaded a subway card with $10 (could not find the ulimited "fun pass" to save our lives!) and it lasted us almost all day.

Our first stop? Ground Zero and St. Paul's Cathedral, which is right across the street. Lots of history! We like to eat in off-the-beaten path spots, so we picked a deli down a side street and munched on subs and fries.
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now

I remembered this same group of street performers from two years ago:
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now

We hopped back on the subway and made a stop on Canal Street to hunt for "treasures." I scored a super-fun J Crew knock-off bubble necklace with matching earrings for $20. I've been wanting one for months, but didn't want to pay shipping from China and also possibly end up with broken bits in a shipping envelope. SuSu picked up a large cowl scarf.

I bought the gold one, SuSu bought the skull top:
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now


Next on the list was to see this year's tree in Rockefeller Center...large and lovely, as always!
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now

Our trip to the Upper East Side for Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate was a bust. 5 hour wait. No, thank you. We hopped back on the subway and bought some of the best popcorn in the world from Garrett's while we waited for our bus to pick us up on 34th street.
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now
New York City Girls' Day Out! from Serenity Now


All in all, it was a great trip. I'm lucky to have a sister-in-law that's fun to hang out with. I can't wait for next year!

Other NYC trip recaps:
2011
2010
2009
2008

Have you ever been to New York City?

Get your party hats on! My Weekend Bloggy Reading link party is scheduled as usual for tomorrow morning (8 am ET), so be sure to swing by with your best post of the week.

Here's the button code for the party if you want to get a head start! Recipes, crafts, home decor, party ideas, tips and tricks, you name it. Come prepared to showcase your blog and find some great weekend reads.
Weekend Bloggy Reading

17 comments:

  1. FUN! I've been to NYC several times, but never at Christmastime! Jack has to be there next week for a meeting, so Will and Lee are flying up to meet him for two days. I'll be at home taking care of Preston after his surgery. Part of me is so jealous, and part of me is just glad for them to get to go.

    That P&R trip is such a good idea! Your city's P&R Department must be run by someone who's got his or her head on straight. Glad you and Susu had such a good time!

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  2. Your trip to NYC always make me jealous! I've only been once and it was in the summer and I was with Jason who isn't really a big fan of shopping! I would love to go around Christmas one year...everything looks so beautiful!

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  3. I must have been there the same time as you! I wish I had seen your previous posts before I went! I would love to live close enough to go each year!!! It is a magical place

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  4. Always enjoy a good little trip to NYC and you can even get a lot done with a day trip. I haven't been in a few years so can't wait to start planning my next trip!

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  5. Hi Amanda
    Looks like you had a great time in NYC! I'm going to San Francisco with my BFF to see all the holiday decor! Can't wait.

    Doreen

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  6. What a fun trip! Thanks for taking us along Amanda! I've never been to NY during Xmas, and I can see now WHY you do this yearly!

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  7. Hi, Amanda

    What a great trip. You made me home sick for NYC. I moved away and still miss it. Maybe one day I will go back. Enjoyed your post.

    Vanessa

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  8. What a fabulous day! Perfect way to get in the holiday mood! Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Living in Kansas, I've never been anywhere close to NY. So jealous!!! It looks beautiful and so fun.
    And a 5 hour wait at Serendipity? I have a Pinterest recipe for home made Serendipity frozen hot chocolate that my daughter's been dying for us to try... maybe we'll break it out this weekend. Glad you had fun, and thanks for sharing!!

    Jeannine @ The Concrete Cottage

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  10. I need to go to NYC to see the tree at Rockefeller center! Jealous! Sounds like you had a fun trip!

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  11. Seeing your pics makes me want to go back to NYC so much! I went for the first time in August and loved it.

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  12. I've never been to New York City, but that's my dream...to visit the Big Apple. What a wonderful trip for you every year, and at Christmas time it must be incredibly beautiful. Your pictures make me want to get there even quicker!
    Debbie :)

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  13. oh my looks so fun lucky girls you are!!

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  14. You are VERY lucky to have a SIL to hang out with (much less knows your kids' names but I digress...) SECONDLY - I TOLD YOU NOT TO BUY A BUBBLE NECKLACE BECAUSE I GOT YOU ONE FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!! Eeeee!

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  15. I am so excited beyond belief to be heading "home" to NYC for Christmas this year! We've lived in Alabama for the last 13 years and I haven't been "home" for Christmas in 5. My 13 year old has been planning our entire itinerary and this year she wants to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. She had Serendipity on her list but I don't think that's going to happen.

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  16. This looks like it was such fun! It's so fun to spend time with family who are also friends! I'm sure NYC is just magical during the holidays.

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  17. Aw, looks like a ball. My best friend lives across from St. Paul's, down in the Financial District... the church and memorial are beautiful!

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