Weekend Adventures: NYC

Due to the fact that Ryan was going to be stuck in Syracuse for about 3 months, we decided it was a great opportunity to get us to New York City for the weekend.

Syracuse is about a 4-5 hour drive, so we ended up meeting in NYC for President's Day weekend.

I'm going to let the pictures do most of the talking here.

Miraculously we get to our hotel about 20 minutes of each other. Ryan had to take a bus (long story). And I obviously flew, and took the Subway. (FYI - Google maps was the best way of figuring out the subway system!!)

We got freshened up, and headed out for some exploring. Our hotel was the Marriot Residence Inn - which was wedged between Times Square and Central Park. Great destination!! We walked around Times Square for a bit, bought broadway tickets for Saturday night, and asked our guy where a local goes for the best Thai food.

Times Square is a lot like Vegas. Too people-y. But pretty cool to see. Once ;) Ha!

We headed a few blocks north to "Yum Yum Bangkok". This place did NOT disappoint. Ryan and I usually get different things to order, and share. But we both wanted their green curry so bad. It was incredible. I wanted to lick the bowl. Prices were really good for Manhattan, too!

I could have gone back to this place again and again...but you aren't supposed to do that on vacation ;)

Saturday morning, we got up early for a big day of sight seeing. This was the sunrise that greeted us from our hotel window.....

Not bad, NYC, not bad!

We took the subway to Battery Park, and got in line for our ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I think our favorite part of this was the ferry ride. We are such view-lovers.....

I think this one will have to make our 2017 Christmas card, what do you think?

There she stands - so proud! It was surreal seeing that Statue of Liberty in person. Seen so many pictures of it. It's cool to be there. And if you remember from my 2017 "Bucket List Post" -- I wanted to touch the statue. Well, here you have it!!:

Me. Touching Lady Liberty. Pretty fun. We only made it this far up. Tickets to the crown you much buy in advance. And we aren't "buy in advance" people. I don't even know where I'm going to be living in 1 month. How could I possible plan months in advance for a trip??

Our next stop was very sombering, but also incredible. The 911 Museum. If you are every in NYC, this is a MUST SEE. Picured above is the new WTC they are building. Very impressive architecture.

I'm didn't take pictures of what laid within the museum out of respect. But it was truly a sight. They kept the original foundation of the WTC, and build the museum around it. There were melted pieces of steel, concrete stair cases covered in blood from the resuces that when on that day, and a room filled with the 3000 people who died on 9.11. I was tearful, heartbroken, nauseated, angry at times - but also in awe.

Above is a quilt that 4 women from Pennsylvania got together and made after 9.11. Each square is about a person who's life we lost during the attacks. Something about this quilt really touched me. The quilt squares were so personalized. Some squares had apples for teachers, a stethoscope, a pair of running shoes. Just unreal....

This is the actual memorial they have created. Also incredible. 

We also got to stop at Ellis Island. Pretty impressive - felt neat to "walk the floors" where our ancestors came to America on. 

This is where they would have to enter and go through "customs". 

It was about 2 pm, and we had seen the statue, Ellis Island, and every hours at the 911 Museum. We were hungry. We hit up a bar/burger in the Fidi that was definitely a firefighter haven. The walls were covered in patches. And our table happened to be next to the Mesa, AZ one. Kind of fun!

Next up was the Financial District. Anyone who knows Ryan well, knows how much he has followed and taken quite an interest in the stock market since he first started working at age 14 ;) So he really enjoyed seeing where the magic happens. 

He wasn't excited that I had to take his picture by the Wall Street sign ;) 

George Washington overlooking the New York Stock Exchange Building....

And I just loved this view. The tall buildings of the Financial Distict, with the cathedral in the distance. Beautiful! 

We headed back to our hotel, actually vegged out for about 2 hours to regain our energy (with coffee, of course). And then headed out for a Broadway Show.

I really, really, really wanted to see Chicago. And that is what we saw! Definitely enjoyed every second of the show!

Here we are all fancied up. Ryan shaved this mustache Saturday morning that he had been growing as a "pact" with his training buddies. I was so pleased!! 

Sunday morning we slept in a little, and headed to Central Park for a run. I was officially in "taper mode" for my marathon (I planned that). So did a nice 3 mile jaunt through the park! 

Such a beautiful place!! 

After our run, we were hungy and I was ready for some carbs and calories (I've been 80/20 paleo lately...and that went out the door on our weekend!!) This was Maison Kayser. Delicious pastries. We had the pain au chocolat and americanos. So good! 

Then we headed out to explore the city. We checked out Chelsea Market, High Line, East Village, and had dinner in Little Italy. 

It was a wonderful day and evening!! 

Sunday morning I had to squeeze one more Central Park run in! So we headed back for another nice 3 miler. Then we just walked around Central Park and enjoyed the sights. And soon thereafter had to part ways again....

Goodbye, New York City! 

Such a fun place and  wonderful memories.