When my mother was here we had a whirlwind trip with barely a moment to breathe. Doesn't sound terribly appealing does it? But I've found that while I often need a vacation-from-my-vacations--and this time was no exception--I never regret packing in the "extras". It is important to have balance. Sitting in a cafe for 2 hours reading a book trumps a second museum in one day almost all the time. With proper planning, you can fit a lot into a day and still have time for an afternoon rest (essential, especially when dealing with jet lag).
Herewith, an itinerary especially suited to moms and grandmas; tho a lot of these activities are universal and can be enjoyed by all ages, this is a great trip for that age group.
Most important however: taking cabs. I cannot emphasize enough how draining taking the subway is unless you are young, and how much it cuts into your time. So taking taxis is essential for this itinerary as there is a lot packed into each day. But it does add up quickly so it only makes sense if you are willing to pay $8-20 for each trip:
Day 1 (arrival)-Dinner at an outdoor cafe (in our case, French Roast at Bway and 84th). Outdoor cafes are a great way to get into the cosmopolitan flavor of NYC, quickly. Dessert at another cafe (on the upper west side, Edgar's for example). Or grab a Tasti-d-Lite at one of its many location (such as Bway and 85th)--a frequent sitcom co-star (Seinfeld and Sex and the City to name 2 off the bat).
Day 2-Boat tour (in our case the yacht brunch with Sail NYC). Evening: Broadway show (in our case the magnificent, moving Billy Elliot...as good as they say, but with far more depth, and relevance, than it's given credit for). Late dinner at one of the many restaurants in the Theater District (try Joe Allen's for a real B'way experience...but there are tons of places to go).
Day 3- Metropolitan Museum. Don't try to do everything. Choose a few special exhibits, then focus on the 19th century Europeans and the well-known pieces--they have a magnificent collection of Rembrandts and Dutch paintings, and the Impressionist collection, with some signifcant Pissaros. Van Goghs, Gaugins, and more, is a must see. Lunch at the absic American Wing Cafe, the pedestrian cafeteria downstairs, or at the lovely Petrie Court Cafe, which faces Central Park (they also serve an afternoon tea here).
Movie at the Paris Cinema on 58th and Fifth. Light dinner at the Plaza Oak Room Bar ( do NOT miss the wonderful paintings!). Grab a babka for the next morning at Hot and Crusty (many locations--Bway and 83rdish being one of them).
Day 4: South Street Seaport. Clipper tall ship ride. Late lunch in the Seaport. Dessert at a cafe such as Cafe Lalo (83rd bet. Amsterdam and B'way--AKA the "You've Got Mail" cafe).
Day 5: Another museum--in our case an eclectic one--the Mt. Vernon Hotel Museum (or try the Frick museum at 70th and Fifth). Dylan's Candy Bar on 60th and 3rd for fun. Serendipity on 60th between 2nd and 3rd for ice cream if you can get in (we couldn't). Or try a "real" NYC diner just for the experience ("real" means at least 2 people have to be speaking Greek--loudly--behind the counter). I love City Diner on 90th and Broadway for the quality of food and friendly service. It is not ancient like a lot of classic NYC diners but it is cleaner and has better food than most...so you give up a little atmosphere for the promise of no food poisoning. Then another Broadway show (in our case "Blithe Spirit" with Angela Lansbury and Rupert Everett-- no longer playing). Dessert in the gracious, old world Algonquin Hotel lobby.
Day 6: Visit Central Park--the Conservatory Garden at 105th and Fifth is always a gentle surprise (don't miss the "Secret Garden" statue) . Tea with finger sandwiches and sweets at Alice's Tea Cup ( a few locaitons--one at 73rd and Columbus). Movie at Lincoln Plaza Cienemas on 62nd and Broadway (for the typical NY independent film experieince). And--in our case--a visit to Midsummer Night's Swing--gone at the end of July but not to be missed if you are here in July. It was tango night when we went. Seeing the mix of dancers, the sheer breadth of "types", is truly enlightening.
Day 7: (leaving-day). Last breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien....in our case the 91st and Broadway location. While it has a lost a bit of its charm as it expands, the baguettes are still to die for as our the croissants and other pastries.
Things I wanted to do in this time but didn't: prepared foods at Zabar's at Bway and 80th (not to be missed...but we did); a grocery trip to Fairway at 74th and Bway (just for the experience of having old ladies crash their carts into you...everyone is actually so nice in NYC lately, that a trip to Fairway will reassure you the NY spirit of "me first" still lives on!). More to come...
