Even though the BA.5 COVID-19 omicron subvariant continues to spike, my life is returning to normal. I decided to accompany my daughter, Channing, on a business trip to the Big Apple. I chalk this trip up to another memorable weekend experience in New York City.
Last weekend’s stay in “The City That Never Sleeps” didn’t disappoint. The goal is to squeeze in as much as possible in 48 hours. Did I succeed? Read on to find out.
No doubt Manhattan’s tourism industry suffered from the pandemic, but back on the path to recovery, there was no shortage of people from what I saw.
After a three-hour drive, we checked into the newly-renovated Westgate New York Grand Central, a historic landmark hotel on 42nd Street with lovely accommodations.
One of the unique treasures of the Big Apple is the Broadway theater district. Who doesn’t welcome the chance to laugh and learn about America then and America now as we did viewing the musical Hamilton?
Lin-Manuel Miranda delivered on the hip-hop concept about the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding founders of the United States. Although not the original performers, the current cast delivered on the clever power of storytelling through rap, hip-hop, and dance.
Miranda created the idea for a musical in 2008, inspired by Ron Chernow’s 2004 award-winning autobiography on Alexander Hamiton. The widely acclaimed Hamilton opened in 2015, receiving 16 Tony nominations and 11 awards.
I realize the Disney Channel captured the live performance of Hamilton with the original Broadway cast, but I purposely chose to wait and experience it in person. There is no shortage of people in Times Square after the theatre lets out at 10:00 p.m.
On my first full day, an Uber ride to the Upper East Side, my first solo pedicab ride, one of the best ways to sightsee and go short distances around Manhattan.
You may recall a personal goal of mine is to adopt sustainable practices. According to The Real Real’s tagline, it’s the best sustainable way to shop for luxury. I’ve shopped online, but this time, at their physical store. The Real Real has two locations in Manhattan, one in Soho and one on the Upper East Side, which I visited. The store is small in size but mighty in luxury goods.
There’s no score at The Real Real for those coveted luxe heels I’m crushing on. So, off to the new Nordstrom flagship store, where I plan to meet my daughter after her photo shoot at the St. Regis Hotel.
The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is still going strong until July 31. The store’s five floors embody why I prefer Nordstrom; it has a great selection and excellent merchandising for a marvelous retail experience.
Taking a breather from the long day, I sat near the fifth-floor Pacific Northwest theme Wolf Restaurant and noticed an extensive designer shoe department; a quick gander, and what do I see, a Gucci display for my lavish spend. Stay tuned for my unboxing for my Gucci shoe crush reveal.
My NYC bucket list weekend experience always includes visiting a museum for fashion or history. I hoped to view the Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech” Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, but I forgot to secure time admission tickets online. The exhibit doesn’t end until January 29, 2023. Nevertheless, It’s time to check out of the hotel, but one last retail stop at Bloomingdale’s.
Why? I amassed many Bloomingdale gift cards from my company’s employee rewards program. I hoped to offset the cost of a pair of lux heels but to no avail at the Bloomies here and recently at the King of Prussia store.
Does anyone else notice the skyrocketing cost of perfume? I understand the legacy of the iconic Chanel #5, with its over 100-year history and masterful blend of over 80 ingredients. Even so, have you discovered the highly sought-after Tom Ford Signature Collections? I did! After a few sniffs and three Bloomie gift cards, I chose the Lost Cherry.
I crossed a few must-dos off my bucket list. What? An attempt at sustainable shopping and a pedicab ride from this New York City weekend experience. If you want a chic boutique hotel, check out the Westgate New York Grand Central in Midtown Manhattan.
