Jennifer, Madison and Grayson accompanied Grandpa and I on an incredible Thanksgiving Week in the BIG APPLE!  Although Jen had been before, it was awesome seeing wondrous sites through Madison and Gracie’s eyes.Even though we arrived in the evening, we still had time to

Visit BLOOMINGDALE’S

And ride the ROOSEVELT TRAM with an incredible view, and visit DYLAN’S CANDY BAR  before having a 9:30 p.m. dinner at

SERENDIPITY which was magnificently decked out for the Holidays!  (Wish I had a pic of the their famed fabulous frozen hot chocolate!  We ordered four!)

So next it was back to home base in TIMES SQUARE where it looked like daylight, of course, and shopping ensued.  Did you realize that the TOYS R US store in Times Square has a huge Ferris Wheel inside the store?

Apparently, we were still living on Central Time (and more than a little NYC adrenaline) so we opted to taxi over to the

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Last elevator to the top is at 1:15 a.m. 🙂

Finally, ready for rest, we headed for our rooms that someone is going to LOVE on New Year’s Eve, because we faced the crystal ball that will be dropping at midnight.  Rick and I witnessed this magnificent spectacle in Times Square at the Millennium!  So exciting!

The following day we had the daylight city view from the TOP OF THE ROCK in ROCKEFELLER CENTER.  After visiting AMERICAN GIRL, Gracie watched scaffolding being placed for The Tree decorating.  And then Jen and I (like so many others) took our turn at posing with New York City’s Finest!

Then it was off to the AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY…

 

Posing with Theodore, just like Night at the Museum!

Later in the afternoon, we hopped over to F.A.O SCHWARZ and spied some awesome window decorations on FIFTH AVENUE.

Here’s an example of the intricacies from BERGDORF GOODMAN.  Just amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes a drizzle creates a dreamy effect, as in this example of contemporary meets classic: The Apple Store with THE PLAZA HOTEL in the background.

That evening we attended the musical, ANNIE, which was utterly charming, even for adults.  The scenery and costumes were magical, the dialogue was witty, and the dog all but stole the show! 🙂  Afterward we hurried over to Grand Central Terminal for a late dinner in the balcony of CIPRIANI DOLCI overlooking the terminal.  What a view!

On Wednesday morning it was still drizzling and cold so we experienced the STATUE OF LIBERTY from the STATEN ISLAND FERRY. 🙂

By evening the rain had stopped and we were invited to a Blowing Up the Balloons cocktail party on the Upper West Side.  The THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE floats were anchored all around the block like elephants on parade.  Here are a few you’ll recognize.

On Thursday, after the parade, we had our Thanksgiving Dinner atop the MARRIOTT MARQUIS  at a restaurant that revolves, hence its name, the VIEW.  The never-ending buffet was simply scrumptious.  I started with dessert and ended with dessert!

After dinner we visited the CENTRAL PARK ZOO.  It was delightful but mighty chilly.  We wimpy Texans entered the tropical bird zone, then saw other animals, then tropical bird zone, then other animals, for our off-and-on-again heating system! Beautiful but Brrrr…

For an evening of fun, we boarded THE RIDE, a sightseeing bus that interacts with entertainers on the street.  It’s like Gray Line Tours meets Saturday Night Live. 🙂

So did I ever shop for fabric you ask?  Why, yes.  Friday was our last day, so after encouraging the others to sleep in, I headed to MOOD FABRICS!  Project Runway!!!  Times Square isn’t far from the GARMENT DISTRICT so I taxied over and fell in love!  After reminding myself that I didn’t have to choose my fabric in 30 minutes or less (ala Project Runway show) I let my heart browse and selected the most delectable pin dot velvet.  You’ll see it in future purses!  Some hand-painted buttons, heavily pleated bright orange polyester for flowers, and I just had time to snap a pic before heading back.  You know how they always show the stairway when the contestants walk in the door?    Here it is…right under the Mood sign…

The clerk said filming is in the summer, their slower season.  An elevator attendant takes you up to the third floor and then you enter MOOD!  So classy!  I was so pumped, I walked back to the hotel.

We almost didn’t take time to visit the METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART but I’m so thankful we did.  We all enjoyed it, from the Egyptian Exhibit, to suits of armor, to Washington Crossing the Delaware!

Our next stop was the 911 MEMORIAL.  Very, very touching and beautiful.  Dress warmly!

We couldn’t leave New York without a visit to LITTLE ITALY.  We had a lovely dinner at CAFE NAPOLI, then a few doors down, visited The Cannoli King of New York City at CAFE PALERMO!  Um, um, good!!  Cannoli and Hot Chocolate completes the evening!