NYC 2-14-18

So, as I mentioned in my last post, I visited New York City (referred to simply as the City) on Valentine’s Day. And as I mentioned on Instagram it’s been nearly a YEAR since I’ve been in the City. So I checked the weather and my schedule and decided a trip to the City to see the Downton Abbey exhibit was in order. And it happened to be on Valentine’s Day. Of course the Mister had no desire to go with me to see the exhibit so I went by myself. I told him that was probably the best Valentine’s gift he could get me (and I suspect he enjoyed his Kristin-free day as well).

The first order of business was getting to the train station. I guess there was some rain overnight that turned into freezing rain and caught everyone unaware. But I ended up making it and got to Grand Central around 10:45. I needed to renew my NY Public Library card so I walked over to the main branch on 42nd. That’s where the famous lions, Patience and Fortitude, reside. I’m not sure which one this is but they are very photogenic, nonetheless. Funny story. I walked out of Grand Central and went the wrong way. Duh. It took me a couple of blocks to figure that out so I decided to cross the street and walk the opposite direction. Before I started crossing someone asked me for directions! How funny! Of course it was easy. I was on the corner of 42nd and 3rd and they wanted to know where 2nd was.

I couldn’t resist taking this picture of Bryant Park. 

Then I walked to 57th for the Downton Abbey exhibit. I purchased the VIP tickets which allow you in anytime during the day that you purchased. Otherwise you have to purchase timed tickets (i.e. you can only enter during a half hour time slot that you picked when purchasing the tickets). Tickets can sell out quick but the day I visited it wasn’t very crowded, which was good. The exhibit is 3 stories and features lots of costumes used during the series and also the kitchen, butler’s pantry, Mary’s bedroom, the dining room, the staff dining room, and many, many more features about the TV series. It was fun. I’m glad I went. They tell you to take lots of pictures so I took about 150. Most of them didn’t turn out well (I still have lots to learn about photography). Anyway, here are a few that represent the exhibit. I posted them on instagram as well. 

After the exhibit, I decided to walk through Central Park to 68th for coffee (more on why that particular spot for coffee below). I can’t resist the skyline. I got turned around in the park. I’ve never navigated the park by myself before. I knew where I needed to go but couldn’t get there. So I ended up back on Central Park South and had to go through the park again! I certainly got my workout in!

So. Coffee. Yeah. I like coffee. I like ‘fancy’ coffee best. And Bel Ami has the World’s Best Mocha (WBM). I had already decided that that needed to be on my list of things to do since it’s been almost a year since I’ve had a WBM. So I was trying to go through the park and end up on 66th so then I could walk the couple of blocks up and over to 68th. I don’t remember where I came out but it was super close. Bel Ami is on 68th between Park and Madison. And since I’m a creature of habit, once I find something I like, I will keep doing that over and over. So a mocha and a sandwich from Bel Ami and then back to the park to sit for a while. I didn’t have to be anywhere until 4:15PM. I enjoyed my time sitting in the park. 

My final destination was meeting up with friends near the Met and then traveling to their house for dinner. They talked me into staying the night so I did! I love the old subway tiles you find throughout the city, like this one below. 

I feel reenergized after my trip. I’ve only been to the City one other time by myself. This was the first time I didn’t have any solid plans to meet up with anyone at any given time (other than that 4:15 date). I traveled the whole thing by myself (other than meeting up with my friends and getting to their place). Everything else was by myself. It’s a nice sense of accomplishment. Can you relate?

We have plans to meet friends for lunch in a couple of weeks in the City and then a couple weeks after that I’m going back to meet up with another friend and visit a museum. I will definitely get back there more this year. It’s a personal goal of mine! What’s your favorite thing to do in the City? Anything I need to put on my must see list?