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New York, New York

So far I haven't traveled much this season, I recently stayed a couple nights at the gorgeous Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe in Incline Village for a few nights (a post will be up soon) but other than that I have mostly been planning trips for next year. Disneyland in February, Seattle in May, and New York for Christmas 2012! I couldn't be more excited for New York. I've already started looking for fun "local" hang outs and of course making a list of all the necessary attractions. I thought I'd fill you in on some of my research...

Here is a quick glance list of my top to do attractions in midtown Manhattan:

• Empire state building : open 8AM - 2AM, $22 per person
• Rockefeller Center for shopping and dining plus the Top of the Rock Observation, $25 per person
• Central Park, there are so many things to do here! I'm most looking forward to a horse & buggy ride and a ride on the Carosuel
• Rockettes @ Radio City Music Hall
• St Patrick’s Cathedral (donations only)
• Times Square
• Museum of Modern Art (FREE on Friday's between 4PM and 8PM)
• American Museum of Natural History
• The Met (Metropaliton Museum of Art) plus a visit to their rooftop cafe

And some of my top attractions in downtown...

• Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (approximately $20 per person for ferry and admission)
• 9/11 Memorial (must make a reservation online, donations only)
• Little Italy and Chinatown
• Greenwich Village self guided walking tour

Other than the above top tourist destinations here are a few others on my list...

Bryant Park - Right by the New York Public Library (another must see) you can ice skate for FREE in Bryant Park and avoid the high cost and crowds of a skating rink at Rockefeller

Grand Central Terminal, often referred to as Grand Central Station (which is incorrect), is a popular attraction, it has an abundance of shopping and dining... but one place inside I will definitely visit is The Campbell Apartment, the original location of John W. Campbell's office in the 1920s, their motto is "Cocktail's from another era."



Another great stop inside Grand Central is the Biltmore Room, also known as the Kissing Room, this "was where the famous 20th Century Limited train arrived. Celebrities, politicians, and soldiers would get off the trains to meet their loved ones and hug and kiss in the middle of the room before going up stairs into the Biltmore Hotel." Click here for Grand Central's walking tour

While in New York another must see is the Brooklyn Bridge. If it was going to be warm enough when I'm visiting I would take a water taxi over to the River Cafe (this would give you some of the best views). Then have a delectable meal at the River Cafe ($$$$) which also has amazing views of the bridge.



I have a love for music (popular or not) of really any kind, so I had to scope out some places to visit where I might be able to see a Jazz band or local rock band. One place I stumbled upon was Cake Shop, a place in downtown on Ludlow Street (popular for nightlife) that has three floors: one has vinyl records for sale, another has a bakery with cupcakes and snacks, and the bottom basement level floor has a full bar and stage for bands in the evening.

Another good spot for dining I've found, that is famous with the locale's is Halal Chicken and Gyro food cart. Don't let the "food cart" scare you, some of the carts have the most delicious food! And the most economical. Halal is on the corner of 6th and 53rd.

Lastly, I'll leave you with a picture of the 9/11 memorial. There is still construction going on but they are letting visitors see the memorial with a reservation. Visit their website here for information.

I hope you'll get a chance to visit New York City soon, if you haven't already! I'm already counting the days... 365 :)