Goldfish for Dinner: NYC Day One!

We flew into NYC on Wednesday evening at the WORST time, 5:30pm. It took an HOUR and FIFTEEN minutes to travel about fifteen miles. And that drive has to be one the worst experiences of my life. I went between praying for my life to praying my lunch didn't end up on his floorboards. He literally laughed at me at one point.
...I didn't laugh back....

We went straight to get something to drink. And then some more to drink. And possibly some food. :)

We went over to Madison Square Park after dinner. There I saw how magical NYC is at Christmas time.

My first full day in NYC was spent walking over ten miles. I didn't shop as much as I thought I would because most of the stores I passed were either cheap souvenir stores or stores we have at home. So I sat at Gregory's coffee shop and planned my day. Since I knew I was walking, I chose to stay between the hotel at W 24th street and 40th. As I mapped my day I realized there was SO much to see in a very short time.

I started out at the Empire State Building. I didn't go to the top but instead decided to hang out in the lobby. It's much smaller than I expected, but still quite beautiful.

On my way to the next stop, I saw this amazing store front. After a little more investigation, I discovered it was Lord and Taylor. I spent at least 20 minutes in front of these windows and under this beautiful covering! It was like I was transported into a magical garden while still in the middle of the city!

And their store windows rivaled Macy's. I know the videos won't make the book, but I have to include them on the blog!

I then headed over to the New York City library. I'm going to be honest. I wasn't there for the books. I love to read, don't get me wrong, but my 'show' in my 20's was Sex and the City. I loved it. I own every season. I've done the "which SATC character are you" quiz. I still watch episodes if I catch a re-run. So you ask, 'what does SATC have to do with the library?" Well, that is where Carrie Bradshaw planned her wedding to Big. I won't spoil anything for you, but it was a pivotal point in their relationship.

But I digress...

What I wasn't expecting was the grandeur...the breathtaking beauty, of the inside. I probably walked around the library for over an hour.

Video of the library

I then made by way over to Grand Central Station. Again, just to walk around. There were rows and rows of shops set up where I walked around feeling $400 scarves and picking up $700 clutches and admiring blown glass Christmas ornaments that cost more than my entire tree.

I met this tall drink of water for lunch.

After lunch, I went back out on my own. I decided I needed to visit the destination of my all time favorite Christmas movie, "Miracle on 34th Street". I went to Macy's.

The outside was everything I could imagine and MORE. Pictures, videos, none of it does it any justice. The place is amazing.

After some NYC pizza, we took off to Times Square. It was so bright...it looked like daytime! Plus it was smaller that I envisioned. Now when I see all those people on New Year's eve while sitting on my cozy comfy couch, I can say, "Hey! I've been there!"