We've only been home from New York for a little over three weeks but it seems like forever ago. This usually happens when you get back from holidays and back into the daily grind but moving house seems to have stretched it out even further (is it holiday time again yet?).
This is a little bit of a tour of what we did and what I'd say you have to do should you visit. We got a great tip to ditch going up the Empire State Building and instead go to Top of the Rock. It has a much better, 360 degree view of the city and there isn't too much of a queue. We pre-booked some tickets online (just Google New York attractions - buy tickets online to see the options).
It is truly amazing just how big the city is. I think you could be there for years and not get to every corner.
We tend to steer clear of the really touristy things like the sight seeing bus. These people were especially keen out on the open-top bus in the rain and freezing cold. I'm not kidding - I had quite a large portion of my suitcase contents on and we were on the hunt for a jumper to warm me up when we passed these brave people.
Of course a trip to New York isn't complete without catching a Broadway show. We chose Matilda on recommendations of a family friend and loved it. Even in our terrible seats down the back it was fantastic. Charlie later told me that the screen play was written by an Aussie. Well done Aussie!
Forget people watching, we had quite a bit of fun dog watching. In fact one afternoon we sat in Madison Square Park for nearly an hour admiring all the dogs which probably didn't help my case against getting a dog... it just convinced Will even more! If you're a Sex and the City fan you might remember the scene where Charlotte's dog Elizabeth Taylor gets 'roughed up' in the dog park? That's the park.
This one was probably my favourite - pretty in pink in a fake Louis Vuitton bag. Does it get more NY?
Just when you thought it couldn't get stranger we spotted this guy chilling in the park with his lizard by his side sunning himself.
The dog walkers fascinated me too. I still can't believe that so many dogs can just stroll along together so happily.
Being a mad Seinfeld fan, Will booked us on the tour as soon as he discovered there was such a thing. Even I, not a Seinfeld fan, quite enjoyed the tour. We were a bit disappointed that the show was filmed in LA so there were just a few actual sites to see. The rest of the tour was more of a background of the show and how certain episodes were inspired.
Funnily enough most of them were actually true stories with a little embellishment. It shut me right up because the reason I claim not to like the show is that it's so unrealistic!
We had to balance that out with a Sex and the City tour right? I loved it. We went all around New York spotting sites where different episodes were shot including the 'your girl is lovely Hubble' moment between Carrie and Big and got to pop into the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner was held in the first movie.
There were cosmos at Scout's bar (I can't remember what it's actually called) and of course there were cupcakes in the East Village (or was it the West Village?). There was a Magnolia Bakery a block away from where our guide handed out our cupcakes so I assumed they were from there but no, oh no, these were a new level of cupcake heaven.
I couldn't stop thinking about them and on the second last day, dragged Will to the Chelsea Market to find Eleni's and have one last cupcake. I did try a red velvet from Crumbs a few days before but it was not great. I found it really heavy and sweet and left me feeling rather ill.
Perhaps one of the reasons I love the Eleni's cake was the cake to frosting ratio? It looks unbelievably rich and sweet but the cupcake was light and fluffy and the icing just the right amount of richness and sweetness.
New York City Council has done some pretty cool things to the city like converting an old railway line into a park/walkway about 3 stories above the road. We had a lovely little stroll to lunch one day through the greenery of The Highline which was a nice change from walking the streets.
I loved a lot about New York but definitely one of the highlights was meeting one of my American blogging buddies Jenn aka Mother Thyme. She just happened to be in New York for one night for a conference and the day after, on our last day we met up for 10 minutes while both doing the tourist thing down town. Do we look a little excited to see each other?
I only have a handful of American blogging friends so I was oh so very excited to be able to meet Jenn. I only wish we'd had more time to catch up, although we did manage to squeeze quite a few words into those 10 minutes. It was so lovely to meet you!
Of course we did a whole lot more than that but that's just a little overview for you. If you're going to New York and have any questions just ask, I'd be happy to try to help.
Megan says
We must have been in NYC at the same time! My fiancé proposed whilst we were there so it's a very special city for us! Elinis must have been the only place I didn't try a cupcake! We'll have to go back :)
Claire says
Congratulations Megan! That's so exciting!
Stephanie@Henry Happened says
I hadn't realized there were tours for Seinfeld & Sex and the city, but of course, that makes sense now! This must have been an amazing trip with all the special New York sites.
Claire says
There are indeed Stephanie! We had a great time!
The Food Sage says
I'm loving reading about other people's travels at the moment. I was in Paris a week ado, and just moved on from San Sebastián ... Both cities made for great pooch watching ... Gorgeous tiny dogs being walked everywhere you looked.
I'm a big fan of red velvet cupcakes and Eleni's look awesome. Cupcake fever hasn't hit Spain, though, but finding plenty of other sweet delights. Great post.
Claire says
Oh how wonderful. I would love to go back to Paris. One day!
Jessica says
That picture of Central Park is stunning - what a view! I always wish I had made it up there to take the SATC tour - Frank is a die-hard Seinfeld fan, so we totally would have needed the same compromise!
Claire says
Isn't it amazing. I still can't get my head around how big it is. That would have worked perfectly Jess. You'll just have to go back.
Lisa the Gourmet Wog says
Oh that pink dog in the LV bag!! Classic! What a great collection of photos Claire, looks like you had a most fabulous trip. It's also wonderful you were able to meet a fellow blogger!
Claire says
Thanks Lisa. I didn't get too many photos. Tend to get distracted by the sites when I'm holidaying but this time I really tried!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I remember Tim Minchin talking about the score during an interview. I love him. I saw him years ago in a show in Wodonga - before he was famous but he wasn't any different back then. :)
I'm thrilled that you enjoyed New York. It's one of my favorite cities in the world and probably top in the US with Chicago and San Francisco close behind.
Loved the dogs. :) The lizard not so much.
Claire says
We will have to visit SanFran and Chicago next. I wasn't so keen on the lizard either!
The Café Sucre Farine says
What super fun photos Claire! I love New York even though I've only been there twice in my life! Once was last Fall and I walked the Highline one afternoon, so cool! You're next visit to the States needs to include a stop in North Carolina, totally different than NYC (in a wonderful way!)
Claire says
I would love to visit North Carolina next time!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Bahahaaa!! I love the guy with the lizard on a cloth! :D
Claire says
Crazy right?!
The Life of Clare says
I'd love to do the sex and the city tour! New York looks wonderful! So glad you guys had fun.
Claire says
It is wonderful Clare. Very different to home though!
Hotly Spiced says
Noooooo, not the screenplay, the musical score! It was written by Tim Minchin. He's a genius. Your holiday to NY looks amazing. I think you certainly made the most of the time you spent there xx
Claire says
Oops!! I shall correct myself! x
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says
I loved our trip to New York.. but I was one of those crazy people on this bus in freezing winter temperatures, lol! I wish I'd known about the bakeries back then, I wasn't blogging and didn't know about these sorts of lovely places. I'd love one of those cupcakes!! xx Oh.. and I'd love that pink doggie!!
Claire says
Oh dear Barbara. I'm way too big a wimp for that.