I recently returned from a fall break trip to New York city with my two daughters! These were our five favorites from our time in the Big Apple…
1. Broadway
My 14-year-old daughter LOVES musical theatre, so Broadway was the main motivation behind a trip to New York. It did not disappoint! We saw 4 phenomenal shows while we were there. I loved them all, especially the new stage production of Back to the Future.
2. Liberty Island and Ellis Island
I’ve been to New York several times in the past but I’ve never made the effort to take the boat over to Liberty and Ellis Island. I’m so glad we did that this time. I found both sites fascinating. The free audio tours were superb!
3. The High Line walking path
The city repurposed what was once an elevated train track and made it into a walking path/park/green space. An ingenious renovation! It’s lined with planting beds and benches. Also, it provides a unique view of New York from above street level which–bonus–means you don’t have to hassle with traffic or waiting at intersections. You can simply stroll and enjoy. At 1.5 miles long, it’s also just the right length. Worth the trip, but short enough to easily walk the full distance.
4. The 911 Memorial
I have so much respect and admiration for the thought, care, and artistry that went into the creation of the memorial plaza and pools. I read that the artist who created the pools in the footprints of where the twin towers once stood wanted to communicate the absence of what was. It does that brilliantly. The falling water is beautiful, the names inscribed around the pool are emotional. The whole area has a reverent feel. Powerful and moving.
5. High tea at the Plaza
The Palm Court at the Plaza hotel has been in operation since the hotel opened in 1907. It’s the setting for a scene in The Great Gatsby and has featured in many other novels and films. High tea there was a lovely, memorable, delicious splurge!
We had a fabulous time! Have you enjoyed any of the places mentioned in this post? Do you have other favorites to recommend?
Becky Wade
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I’m a huge Broadway musical fan. Been years now since my last visit. Sigh. I would love to see some of those plays.
My visit to Ellis Island in 1993 or 1994 birthed my Coming to America series. I could have spent days there, just reading the passenger lists. My maternal great-grandparents came to America from Sweden in 1868. They wouldn’t have passed through Ellis (which wasn’t in use until 1892) but seeing those passenger lists still brought their journey to life in my mind and fired my imagination.
I can well imagine that your great grandparents’ journey fired your imagination and that a trip to Ellis Island inspired a series! The idea of bravely moving from one country to another is perfect for storytelling.
I went to New York once several years ago to help my niece celebrate her birthday.
It was an experience for sure. It was early December so the lines to get into anything were SO long! It was nice to go but I’d definitely choose another time of year if I ever go back.
I haven’t visited in December, but I do know that there are a tremendous number of tourists there at that time of year. 🙂
What a fun trip! We love theater, too, and we got to see The Play That Goes Wrong earlier this fall. We loved it! Two solid hours of laughs! Ellis Island is such a wonderful place, too. And I love just hanging out in Central Park when in NYC. So glad y’all had a good time!
The Play that Goes Wrong was hilarious! As you said — “two solid hours of laughs”. Which was good for the soul. 🙂
I’ve been to all of your favorites except tea at the Plaza, and that is still on my wish list for New York!. I walk the High Line every time I visit, because it looks different depending on the season. I also attend one or two musicals on each trip and they have all been wonderful. My nephew is getting married in Brooklyn next spring so that will be my next trip (he is a musical theater actor who has been in some touring shows, so I’m just waiting for him to be on the Broadway stage.) Thank you for sharing!
How wonderful! When my daughter is older, she might like to try to follow in your nephew’s musical theatre actor footsteps. 🙂
I have never been that far east. We live in the PNW and the furthest east I have traveled is Wisconsin/Minnesota. I love getting a glimpse of your adventure. What wonderful memories you made with your girls.
We took our kids to Seaside, Oregon, this summer. It was their first time at the ocean and they loved it. Nothing quite as aweing as the endlessness of the ocean.
I hope to travel to the coast of Oregon this summer, Gena!
Your trip sounds wonderful! Love the pictures!
I have been to New York, many times, starting with family trips when I was a teenager. My husband and I chaparoned the Princess Anne High School Band when our daughter marched with them in the Macy’s Parade in 1985. One highlight was taking the group to the top of the World Trade Center – one of the first things I thought of after the 2001 attack. New York has changed so much over the years. Loved the Broadway shows we saw.
A wish would be to have tea at the Plaza. I will recommend to you A Magical New York Christmas by Anita Hughes, much of which is set at the Plaza.
Thanks for sharing your trip!
A Christmas book that incorporates The Plaza! That sound fabulous.
I have also been to the 9/11 memorial. It is a place of grief, silence, reverence and respect. Also visited Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. If you go to NYC again, go on the Circle Line Tour, a boat trip around Manhattan. Glad you had a great time.
I completely agree at that 9/11 memorial “is a place of grief, silence, reverence and respect”
My mom and I travel to the city every few years and usually try to catch at least one Broadway show and do something different each time. We’ve done everything on your list except the Plaza. Central Park and its zoo are also great places to visit and just relax. The Bronx Zoo is also amazing–and huge! Usually my mom and I travel to NYC in early- to mid-November, so it’s not too cold, but we also see the city being decorated for Christmas (Macy’s has wonderful displays) and the tree in Rockefeller Center. It’s all so pretty! One of my favorite shows was “Come From Away,” the story of how a town in Newfoundland took in a bunch of planes that were re-routed on 9/11 away from NYC and other US cities. I think a recording of the show is still available on Apple+? It was amazing! I would like to visit Ellis & Liberty Islands again, since the last time I was there was for my fifth grade school trip almost 25 years ago.
Mallori, I’ve seen Come From Away! My daughter and I both LOVED it. Fabulous show.