We Were Lazy For Dinner

We love the pubs in New York! The atmosphere is amazing - dark, wood paneling, beautiful lighting, and have I mentioned the wood paneling? 

Tonight we had plans to go to a Mexican restaurant, but I think all of this walking around the city is starting to make me sleepy, so we stayed close to the hotel and found Ryan Maguire's Ale House. 

Once we got inside, we found out that it was a regular hangout for the NYPD, so we figured that could only mean good things as a recommendation! 

The front of Maguire's

Our table was the one tucked in the corner on the left, against the brick wall. It was loud, but fun! Steve ate spicy short ribs and I had roast beef with mashed potatoes and broccoli. 

Tomorrow is our last night here, so we're going to put our "adventure" pants on again and go see Grand Central Station after dinner!

World Trade Center Memorial

I finally got to the 9/11 Memorial today. I had stopped by this morning to see about tickets, and I went back after the Brooklyn Bridge to see if I could get in before meeting Steve for lunch. 

The security process is pretty extensive, so after getting a ticket and getting through security this morning, I ended up having to turn around and walk back to meet Steve before ever actually seeing the memorial.

This afternoon, I went back for the third time, got a new ticket, walked back through security, and finally got to spend some time inside the gates! The entire memorial is outside, so it was definitely freezing, but also very quiet and peaceful.

Tickets are free, but they give a suggested donation at the door.

Walking through fenced-in lines to get inside security.

The plaza is open and if you look on the left, you can see the raised rim of the North Pool.

Names of first responders, victims who were working in the towers that day, and every passenger of all three flights are engraved into a ledge surrounding the pool.

The first level is made up of massive amounts of water spilling into what used to be the foundations of the two towers.

I found this sign while I was walking around the plaza...

And then I saw this. This was one of my favorite things at the memorial.

In front of the South Pool.

Inside the memorial shop

It was a solemn experience and everyone was very quiet and respectful. I'm really thankful that I got a chance to walk through and see everything.

Lunch At The Financier Patisserie

While Emily and I were walking to meet the guys for lunch yesterday, we walked by a little place called The Financier. It looked really cute and advertised their espresso, which I knew Steve would love! 

He and I walked back to the café today and enjoyed sandwiches, soup, and people watching!

The outside of the cafe...it was right down the street from the Federal Reserve building, so we had plenty of time to eat and talk before he had to go back to work.

So many delicious pastries!

My ham, brie, and arugula sandwich was delicious! Steve had the mushroom bisque soup and a mozzarella and prosciutto sandwich.

People-watching out the window

I have loved these little dates each day! Steve's stuck in conferences all day long and I'm doing little adventures by myself, so we've loved meeting for lunch each day and then getting to plan our bigger adventures when he gets "home" at night!

Meetings On The Brooklyn Bridge

I have been on my own this trip more than ever before in my life! And I'm actually doing okay! I still get turned around at least once, and I have to ask at least three people if I'm headed in the right direction (I even paid a homeless guy a dollar to give me directions to the subway when I got lost), but everyone's been really friendly and I've survived! 

This morning I wanted to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge because it was finally sunny out! It seemed like most of the tourists started on the Manhattan side and walked across towards Brooklyn, but I did the opposite, and I liked it better.

Waiting for the subway at Chambers Street. I took the subway across to Brooklyn and then walked back towards Manhattan.

Welcome to Brooklyn! Just getting to this point on my own felt like a victory!

Walking up to the bridge...

A really nice Swedish couple took my picture! I met so many people on the bridge! Since I was by myself, I kept asking people if they needed me to take a picture of their group, and they were always so appreciative! One man jokingly asked why I had taken so long to get to them, and two ladies didn't even speak English, they just walked up to me and handed me their cell phones! 

Getting closer...

Look at it! Isn't it beautiful! It was so incredible to see up close!

I'm finally here! This was definitely on my bucket list for New York, and it did NOT disappoint!

The view from the bridge. A cell phone just doesn't do it justice. You can see the entire harbor and the Statue of Liberty.

I've read about this tradition where couples in different cities around the world will close a padlock around cables on a bridge to signify their love. I happened to find these as I was walking.

Walking underneath the expanse

The temperature was 27 today, but with the wind-chill factor, it was 17 degrees! I can't even imagine what it was on top of the bridge with all of the wind! I couldn't move my fingers after taking a bunch of pictures without my gloves on!

Now I'm warming up in a Starbucks with a chocolate croissant and an ice tea. (Yes , it's iced. It just tastes better to me.) 

If I can figure out where I'm at, I'm heading next to the World Trade Center Memorial. More pictures to come!

The Christmas Tree At Rockefeller Center

You can't go to New York at Christmastime and not see the huge tree at Rockefeller Center!

It was so cold as we were walking home from dinner at the Plaza, but we roughed it out.

The fountain in front of the tree. Everything was so beautiful with lights and water!

The tree! Each, individual branch was completely wrapped in lights!

In front of the tree (And back to selfies!)

The famous skating rink. Between the price of skates and Steve's (cough...old man) hip, we didn't worry about skating ourselves. But it was still wonderful to be there and watch!

We bought strawberries dipped in dark chocolate from this guy in the Godiva store on 5th Avenue.

It was a great "New York experience" - kind of night!

The Plaza Hotel And FAO Schwartz

Dinner tonight was in the basement of the Plaza Hotel. It's called the Todd English Food Hall and it's designed as a high-end, gourmet food court. It was a great experience! There was an oyster bar, sushi, homemade pasta, a grill, and a wood stove for pizzas. 

The entrance to the Plaza

The Todd English Food Hall

Part of the layout. There were high top tables set up throughout or you could sit at stools in front of the counters.

The cheese display...so amazing!

Lobster macaroni and cheese! It was so rich and decadent! Steve had a chicken and broccoli stir-fry that he loved, too!

 

The entire menu...so many different options and styles!

We finally asked an older couple to take our picture, so we could have a break from selfies!

Outside the Plaza and heading to Rockefeller Center to see the tree!

We walked by FAO Schwartz and had to go in! The amount of toys was staggering! Look at the huge piano from the Big movie with Tom Hanks! I wanted to play on it so badly, but you had to pay to have an "official picture" taken in order to even step on it. 

Steve posing all tough next to a Lego Storm Trooper. We had to send a picture to our nephews!

Me and Batman! This one we had to send to the three Sapp men! They love their superheroes!

After FAO Schwartz, we walked to the Christmas tree!

Not All Who Wander Are Lost

Well, in my case I just might be lost, but I've still had a lot of good opportunities to wander around New York. 

This morning began with a snowstorm, so I decided to wait to visit the Brooklyn Bridge until tomorrow when the weather calms down. 

Here are some pictures of some places we've wandered this week...

Widow shopping in SOHO yesterday 

Christmas decorations are everywhere! We haven't been to Macy's or Rockefeller Center yet, but I can't wait to see what they have in store!

The Hershey's store in Times Square

Emily and I at a bakery in SOHO

The view from our room last night. Isn't it beautiful?

Walking past old churches and great little neighborhoods on our way to meet Steve and Mike for lunch today.

So many great old buildings with "normal" stores and shops inside. New York would be such a great city to live in! Not for the rest of my life maybe, but it would be incredible!

Love all of the huge wreaths!

Harry's Italian Bar for pizza with Steve today

I found Trinity Church on Wall Street today. It was beautiful! I got to walk in and sit in a pew for a few minutes. 

The inside was so peaceful. I love that churches in the city stay open all day.