Christmas in the City

Our first Christmas in New York! We were sad not to be able to come home to see family and friends, but we decided to make the most of it and enjoy the sights of New York during the holidays.  The crowds were massive!!  We waited until Christmas Eve to see most of the sights, because we thought the crowds might not be as big.  We were wrong!!  I was glad we fought the crowds to have another one of my "pinch me I'm in New York City" outings!  

Hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season and staying warm!    

Disney Inspired Windows at Barneys New York

Bergdorf Goodman

5th Avenue

Christmas Eve- Rockefeller Center

Bryant Park

Thanksgiving Day Parade

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2012

I've watched the Macy's Parade on TV every Thanksgiving Day for as long as I can remember.  It was absolutely surreal to be there in person.  I felt like a little kid as I anxiously waited for the next big balloon to sneak out from behind the building.  The parade routes were packed, but we managed to push our way up close enough to have a great view.  People were watching from office buildings and apartment windows all up and down the parade route.  Spectators even put up ladders in the back of the crowds to get a good view.  Kids crawled up on phone booths and the tops of bus stops for a bird's eye view.  Can't wait to continue this tradition again next year!    

My first glimpse of a balloon!  Charlie Brown making his way past Central Park.

My favorite!  Looks like she was looking right at us!

The guest of honor!

The New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden

Monet's Gardens Exhibit

October 2012

Staten Island Ferry

This city never ceases to amaze me.  Just when it seems like you are pouring your whole paycheck into the city each month, you stumble across something free and just as moving as an expensive Broadway show.  On a cloudy weekend in October, we took the subway down to the tip of Manhattan and hopped on the Staten Island Ferry.  I had read about the great views the ride provided, so we decided to give it a try.  I kept waiting to pay for my fare, or at least swipe my metrocard.  Neither.  We rode from the tip of Manhattan, past the Statue of Liberty and over to Staten Island.  The views were incredible, and very moving.  You can move freely around the 4 story vessel, inside and outside giving you panoramic views.

We took this ride just a few weeks before Hurricane Sandy tore through the region.  Last I read, Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty are closed for the rest of this year.  No date has been set to reopen the monument.