Fresh off another trip to NYC, we thought we’d share a few of our favorite “things” from this go round.
First up, Mood.
It’s as awesome as you think and then some. Also, Mayhem has incredibly expensive taste in fabric. Her first choice was a fabric that was a mere $150/yard. After Keith got me off the floor and put the smelling salts away, we moved on to a less expensive area. (And yes, she did indeed pet Swatch!)
Next up, Liquiteria.
I was probably more excited than anyone that we stumbled upon one of the Liquiteria locations early one morning. We hadn’t had breakfast yet and I was REALLY craving juice or something not quite so carb heavy, so we all had smoothies. Keith and I opted for the Mean Green (sans mango) while we ordered Mayhem a Skinny (sans protein and fat burner). I was especially excited that customizing the smoothies (to meet Mayhem’s allergies) was absolutely no big deal. The smoothies were DELICIOUS and the service was incredibly friendly as well. To top it off, these smoothies were more than enough to be a meal themselves and we happily sipped while strolling the streets.
And now onto Patsy’s Pizza.
We discovered on our first trip to NYC that Patsy’s could easily accommodate Mayhem’s allergies and she LOOOOOVES their pizza, so it was an easy choice one day for lunch/dinner. We’re big fans of the margherita pizza … we keep it simple and it’s EXCELLENT! As is the service.
They are clearly two peas in a pod, no?
Something else we’ve done ALL THREE times we’ve been to NYC this year …. A double decker bus tour.
Mayhem thinks it’s about the most fun thing ever to ride on the top of the bus and be able to see everything. And since this trip was a quick one without tons of time to explore, it was easy to appease her and sit back and ride around for a couple hours.
Now, I’ll be the first to tell you that not all hop-on hop-off double decker bus tours are created equal. Somehow we were lucky enough to stumble on the Open Loop Tours on our first trip and it was a fabulous experience. Our second trip we used a different line (well known and well written about) because we happened upon one when we were looking. I’m not a big fan of putting other companies down, but let’s just say it wasn’t nearly as great of an experience. Dirty crowded buses and the service wasn’t as friendly. So this time around, we sought out an Open Loop bus tour. I also found out that we could have purchased our tickets online and simply used mobile tickets to hop on two blocks from our hotel (next time for sure!).
Once again, we had a fabulous experience. Clean new bus with a terrific driver who made it a point to bring us some rain ponchos when it looked like the skies might open up ….
Mayhem found the ponchos to be very fashionable and riding in the rain for a few minutes was definitely one of the highlights for her 🙂
And speaking of transportation, we learned how to ride the subway while we were in town.
So much easier than we thought it would be and it made getting around super easy since we were short on time. As an added bonus, we got to see the subway rats! They really do exist 😉
And finally, coffee ice cream.
Now this is obviously not just an NYC thing, but it came in place of a previous Mayhem favorite. We discovered (much to our horror) on this trip that Mayhem’s beloved Pie Face had closed nearly all it’s locations a mere days before our arrival. (You may recall her love affair with Pie Face from both our first and second trips… )After traipsing across the city to three different locations, we finally gave up. (For the record, their website AND google maps still showed all locations open.) And headed to a little market to pick up some ice cream. Keith and I bought the coffee flavor for us, but after Mayhem had a single bite, she claimed it for her own. And we were left with lemon sorbet ….
We packed a lot into our just over 36 hours in NYC this time around an it was fun to check out some new things while having things that felt “familiar”. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we’re unexpectedly in love with NYC.
So what should we check out on our next visit?
PS – not sponsored, just sharing the love. Over and out.
she looks so grown up in the mood picture, then theres the poncho and ice cream that remind us shes still a little girl. love the pics and posts. is something new coming from mayhem with this quick trip to nyc?
Definitely still a little girl and definitely growing up too fast … where’s the pause button?!?! 🙂
Angie, aka Mayhem’s Mama – My family and I love NYC and think it’s the most exciting city in the world. We live in LA (Los Angeles, and not Lower Alabama as someone once asked me), but visit NYC often. When you go with Mayhem next time, you should take her on the ferris wheel in the Toys R Us in Times Square. Watching Wicked, Matilda, or any of the Disney musicals would also make all of you smile, while your wallet will be crying.
Go walk the Highline, visit Bryant Park & the New York Central Library, get high in Dylan’s Candy Bar, get lost in ABC Home Furnishings, buy a cakestand or two or three (like I do) at Fishes Eddy, browse Chelsea Market (maybe using Mayhem’s name will get you into the Food Network Studios?!?), and of course, find loads of fun in Central Park.
My real area of expertise would be in food. I know Mayhem has allergies so I don’t know if these places will work, but here are just a few of the places we love. ‘wichcraft at Bryant Park, Shake Shack at Madison Square Park, Eataly (across from Shake Shack at MSP), Doughnut Plant (tres leche donut), Lady M (green tea crepe cake), Di Fara Pizza (any thin or thick sliced pizza), Cakeman Raven (red velvet cake), Ippudo (ramen), and the Hallal Chicken cart on 53rd and 6th (chicken & rice). I’d be happy to give you fine dining recs, but I figure with Mayhem, you’ll be better off at these places.
Hope you find these recs useful and thanks for bringing a smile to our faces every day. My 12-year-old daughter and I enjoy watching Mayhem’s creativity and “antics.”
Thanks so much for such a thoughtful reply and so many recommendations! Those are all terrific and you’re right, NYC is definitely an exciting city that we very much enjoy. I bet “Lower Alabama” is exciting too 😉 … that’s just too funny! And I will definitely keep your food recos handy … sounds like you ARE an expert!
Angie – Hubby and I travel a lot (with and without the kids) and I create a Word doc. of each vacation. Holler my way if you need recs in and out of the US.
Thank you!!!
I love that you posted this because I’m planning on taking a trip to NYC after Thanksgiving and I just might have to do NYC Mayhem style. One of my favorite NYC places is laduree, best macarons I’ve ever had!
Natalie
I’ve heard about those macarons! Enjoy your trip – our first time around we were so excited and felt like we had to do everything (hey, who knows when we’ll get back, right?). The second trip we knew of a few things we wanted to do, but we felt a bit more relaxed about it. Now, we just feel like, hey, what one or two things do we want to see this time around. It certainly feels like a city that can have new experiences every time 🙂
I live near San Francisco but still get all giddy when I receive fabric my mail-order from Mood. Exceptionally quality and imagination is the only limit.
Yes! They tried to sign me up for a buyer’s card …. can’t handle that quite yet 😉
Not like I don’t get it – they have some really affordable stuff and some stuff that some Parisian designers couldn’t afford. Can’t wait to see what you and Mayhem come up for Halloween!
I saw someone said the Toys R’ Us and I definitely agree. My friend was 18 and had never stepped foot in one so I told him it was a must and we explored! I also love Pinkberry (froyo) and eat it as much as I can when in NYC
So glad you love our city! I’m an off-broadway director with lots of little cousins around Mayhem’s age. Here are some of our favorite things to do with them:
To eat: Max Brenners in union square ( known for the elaborate chocolate menu); ninja (ninjas pop out to surprise you with magic during your meal. Kids and adults love it). Alice’s tea room (girly tea parties). American Girl Place (if they bring their dolls to the restaurant, they get a seat for the doll).
To visit: don’t miss M&J trimming. I shopped here for my wedding stuff… mayhem will love it. Walls and walls of trim, buttons, zippers, lace, fringe, etc.
Also, check out the transit museum in Brooklyn. Little boys AND girls love it. They have vintage trains from early 1900s they can go inside.
Will you return for the holidays? Don’t miss: Bryant park pop-up shops & free ice skating, Rockettes Christmas Show, decorated windows… Etc.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for the great info! We hope to be back around the holidays, sounds like a pretty magical time to be in the city 🙂
It is SO magical around the holidays!
Ps. Forgot to mention that we mourn the closing of PieFace too! A fun substitute is insomnia cookies. Warm baked cookies & milk delivered to your home/ hotel room. So fun.
Looks like a great trip! IL LABORATORIO DEL GELATO is definitely my favorite gelato spot! I bring all my friends who visit NY there, I have friends from (or had been to) Italy who told me their gelato is even better than in Italy!
http://www.laboratoriodelgelato.com/
If you ever have time to visit Brooklyn, Roberta’s and Paulie Gee’s are my absolute favorite pizza spot!
I have a looooooooooong list of food….let me know what types of food you guys are interested in!
Take her to the High Line. It’s beautiful, fun and free!
Great idea! We did the High Line on our first NYC visit and enjoyed it very much! Should definitely go again 🙂