Exploring the Concrete Jungle

Ah…NYC. There really is no other place like it in the world. In fact, shortly after moving to NY we decided that it should be a country in itself. The first year and a half we were in NY, I refused to go “into the city” and we wallowed in our misery, missing DC. Finally, after spouting my hatred for NY to everyone who would listen, one of my friends grabbed the kids & I up & convinced me to do a “City Day” with her & her daughter (who was my daughter’s bff…yes, even at 3). So, we headed out and low & behold…I did enjoy myself. We arrived home dirty, exhausted, & a little giddy at all of the experiences we had managed to fit into one day. Toys R Us Time Square, Dylan’s Candy Bar, and so much more. The highlight of the day, by popular vote, was Dylan’s Candy Bar in Manhattan with its bathtub full of gumballs.

NYC gem: Dylan's Candy Bar

After that first outing, the kids and I were hooked. Since I was still having trouble convincing my husband that the city was a fun adventure, we started having “City Days” with our “City Buddies” every time our schedules meshed and the hubby’s were away working. My children and I first stood on ice-skates & attempted to learn in the famous rink at Rockefeller Center. We took a horse-carriage ride around 5^th Ave when the NYC Marathon pushed them out of Central Park. We explored Time Square, street carnivals, Grand Central, and even ventured into Brooklyn for yummy cupcakes at “The Little Cupcake Bakeshop” & ice-skating at the huge indoor Aviator Sports complex.  Every time coming home exhausted, filthy, & exhilarated.

Ice Skating in Rockefeller Center

Feeding the carriage horse after a ride around 5th Ave

While our many adventures with our “City Buddies” were always fun, there was always an element missing…daddy. So, we started working on him. Slowly, we convinced him to start making small trips for one particular thing…like a BonJovi concert put on for military out by the Today show. Then, once we had him in the city, we started showing him the treasures we had discovered along the way. We explored the Intrepid, attended the Rockettes Christmas Spetacular…twice, saw “White Christmas” on Broadway, got front-row bleacher seats to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and pigged out at places like Bubba Gumps & Juniors. He started to warm up to the city and we also enjoyed dates in the city going to Madame Tussand’s, eating at in a ridiculously expensive Irish Pub near Time Square,  running our first 5k (The Tunnel to Towers 5K, memorializing 9/11), and dressing up and attending dinners  with friends put on by the USO & CG Foundation. While these trips were fun, I also know that they were not easy for my space-loving hubby and that made is participation that much more meaningful and being able to share those moments…priceless.

Front row seats to the greatest parade on Earth...The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Since becoming a “City Girl”, I’ve taken friends & family to explore some of those treasures and even discovered a few more. The kids & I have walked the Brooklyn Bridge 3x, gone to the Top of the Rock (not my fav experience, but my dare-devil kids loved it, lol), explored the West Village, and Lexi even got to experience going to the top of the Empire State Building (I stayed grounded for that one). The kids have fallen in love with Central Park…primarily for the many boulders that the can climb and get filthy on and continually ask for outings there. Seriously, all there is to see & do in NYC and they’d be just fine climbing boulders…lol.

Central Park...rocks!

We have around 3 months or so left in NYC and I plan on squeezing in every bit of adventure I can manage. If nothing else, NY has taught me Carpe Diem (seize the day), choose your attitude, & embark on every adventure available in your given area. NY is not DC, but it has its own offerings. I take this attitude forward and pass it on to my kids…