Alabama Girl's NYC Report

My trip was Dec. 23-28th. As this was my first time in NYC I posted a few questions and read many suggestions before the trip. Everyone was so helpful and I left with an abundance of information and tips. Thanks everyone! Here%26#39;s the scoop:

12/23: It was SO cold when we arrived that afternoon. Our hotel (The Iroquois on 44th Street) was SUPER. We were starving and our bellhop recommended ';Little Italy Pizza'; just 2 blocks away on 46th Street. Yummy and cheap! (try the garlic knots...mmm...) Then we just walked around to become familiar with the area. We walked through Times Square... touristy as I knew it would be, but neat to see the towering buildings and flashy lights at night. (once is enough) We had dinner at our hotel restaurant ';Triomphe';. Fabulous food! ($$$$ though)

12/24: Food Tasting Tour through Greenwich Village. Best decision we made! Sampled yummy food, learned a little history, became well acquainted with the area. I fell in love with the village! Joe%26#39;s pizza... delish. Murray%26#39;s cheese shop, my new favorite place. The shop owners and locals were very gracious in accommodating our group. Saw Chris Botti at the Blue Note that evening. Arrived early and got a perfect seat. Thanks for the advice there. Very small place, but the show was amazing. Enjoyed cappuccino at Cafe Reggio after the show. Fun little cafe. Really like the village at night.

12/25: Took the subway to Central Park. One of my favorite spots in NYC. We walked around, enjoyed the beauty, nature. Huge... only saw a small part. Must explore more next time! Walked back down 5th Ave. Stopped in FAO Schwarz, ate my fill of gummies and chocolate, played with muppets, remembered being a kid. Fun! Visited St. Patrick%26#39;s and explored shop windows, etc. on a slow walk back to the hotel. Had Christmas dinner (pre fixe menu) at Cornelia Street Cafe in the village. Yummo! Cutest little cafe with funky nightly jazz in the basement. Rode the subway home. It was empty and quiet on Christmas Day!

12/26: Subway to Battery Park. Admired the SOL from there as the line for the ferry wrapped around a city block! The rest of the day was total exploration... just us and a map! Walked to Wall St., Ground Zero (wow), Trinity Church, St. Paul%26#39;s, Chinatown (eh), Little Italy (ate cannolis and napoleons at Ferrara%26#39;s...mmm...) It was suggested that we eat pizza at Lombardi%26#39;s, but the wait was crazy and I figured it%26#39;s NY, there%26#39;e more good pizza (Little Italy on 46th). Found my way to the Lower East Side and the Tenement Museum. Interestingly cool! It was dark by then, but we felt completely safe walking around. Hopped on the subway and came out in Grand Central. So much more than I expected. Enjoyed the holiday market and the food market...wow! Actually ate a street vendor hot dog for supper.

12/27: MOMA/Van Gogh Exhibit. Museum exhibit was ok, but the special exhibit was great. Surreal to stand in front of Starry Night. Shopped along 5th Ave. then on to Bryant Park. Cute area amidst the towering buildings. Fun to explore the holiday market, watch skaters... Dark chocolate hot chocolate malted is a MUST! Ended the night at the NY Public Library. Stunning. Could spend hours there.

12/28: TOTR and ice skating at Rockefeller Center. I had to skate alone as my husband was chicken. :) We got there early and there was no wait. Skating became crowded quickly! Hopped on the subway for one last visit to the village before leaving. Ate lunch at Home Restaurant. Cozy and delicious. Burger, onion rings, and homemade ketchup...mmm... Made a few purchases at Murray%26#39;s and filled a box at Rocco%26#39;s bakery with cannolis, cookies, etc. for the ride home!

NYC was even better than I imagined. I have a new favorite place!! I must return as it is impossible to do, see, and eat everything in one trip. :)

Alabama Girl's NYC Report

You did amazingly well for a first trip. Come back at a different season and do new things. You%26#39;ll never run out of things to do. Great report!!

Alabama Girl's NYC Report

Agreed, you can never run out of things to do, so many other areas to explore.

Glad you got to Rocco%26#39;s, one of my favorite places!

Thanks for the trip report. It sounds like you had a great time.

Wonderful report. You really did get a good taste of NYC on your first visit!

I got a bit misty-eyed when you mentioned Cafe Reggio on Xmas eve because my husband and I spent a lot of time there when we were first together and he actually proposed to me there....sigh....after 31 years with the guy I still remember those special little NYC places we used to haunt, like Reggio. BTW, if you ever catch a rerun of the classic, ';Next Stop, Greenwich Village'; with Shirley Winters, you%26#39;ll see that many of the scenes are shot there. It was the hangout for the main characters and got lots of lens time! (Still looks the same!! It%26#39;s really cool';)

Thanks again for sharing your report and glad you enjoyed yourselves so much.

I like your style, bama.

Looks like you used all your senses here. Sounds like you had a blast. When you return, you%26#39;ll be able to get further afield [like Brooklyn] and love NYC even more.

Glad to hear you had an enjoyable trip and boy did you get a lot done!

Good to hear the Blue Note worked out for you guys.

So, when is your next trip to the Big Apple =)