New York, New York

When our move eastward became official, the one comment we received from just about everyone we talked to was, "Oh great! I can't wait to come visit you guys in New York!" Never mind that we actually live in New Jersey... the common consensus among our friends and family was that, with New York City in our backyard, we would be fun to visit and could easily engage with all that NYC has to offer. With this knowledge, we decided that we had to check out NYC so that we would prepared when we get visitors to make it up to the city and back.

On Thursday, we hopped the train into the city for a day of adventuring. After a train ride and a subway ride, we started our adventure in Central Park and a quick lunch at the New York staple, Shake Shack. Burgers and fries in tow, we grabbed a bench in Central Park and chowed down. Honest review: Shake Shack is really good and reasonably priced. It reminds me of an east-coast In-n-Out Burger: a somewhat small menu, but everything made its fresh and fabulous. Four stars.

Shake Shack!

Enjoying our lunch on the edge of Central Park.

Making our way through the park...

After lunch, we decided to take a walk through Central Park. It's amazing how quiet and serene the park is. In fact, Kevin and I kept commenting how it did not feel like we were in the middle of one of the most populous cities in the western hemisphere. Of course, that changed pretty quickly when we exited the park and headed for our next stop--Serendipity 3, home of the world's most expensive ice cream sundae (The Golden Opulence--spoiler alert: we did not order this) and the famous frrrrozen hot chocolate (spoiler alert: we DID order this and it was amazing). Between the frrrrrozen hot chocolate and the humble pie sundae, we definitely consumed our fair share of sugar and calories. It was so worth it, though! Best dessert I've had in a looong time. Five stars.

The Humble Pie Sundae--a piece of "humble pie" (peanut butter pie on a graham cracker crust) topped with hot fudge, banana, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and cherry. So decadent!

The famous Frrrrrrozen Hot Chocolate! Like a richer, chocolatier Wendy's frosty... And way more delicious...

From Serendipity 3, we waddled our way down 5th Avenue to Rockefeller Center, with stops to visit FAO Swartz and Trump Tower, and to window shop at Cartier and Tiffany's. Rockefeller center was hopping, and we wandered from there to Times Square. Again, hopping! It was at this moment that we both really began to feel like we were in the heart of New York City.

Kev in Toyland...

Exploring Trump Tower and its bronzy-gold opulence.

Rockefeller Center!

In a weeks, this will be transformed into the iconic winter ice skating rink and giant Christmas tree!

Radio City Music Hall--just across the street from Rockefeller Center.

Times Square! The quintessential NYC experience... Hard to believe that last time we were in Times Square, we were driving though it...

A quick subway ride later, we ended our day with a sobering visit to the World Trade Center Memorial and the Financial District. I was struck by how much development and rebuilding has taken place at Ground Zero. I never had the opportunity to visit the World Trade Center before 9/11, but comparing the footprint pre-9/11 and post-9/11, its amazing how that area has transformed so much in 13 years. Truly phoenix-like how a commercial and economic hub has risen out of the ashes of the Twin Towers.

Memorial in honor of the firemen who died responding to 9/11.

Rebuilding at Ground Zero.

One of the World Trade Center memorials...

Kev and the Wall Street Bull... It was smaller than we'd both imagined.

Enjoying exploring and dining in the Financial District.

One last shot of Kev! Enjoying our BBQ dinner outside in a back alleyway.

We grabbed dinner in the Financial District along with all of the day-traders enjoying a drink after work. It was like a scene from a movie--loud men and women in suits, drinks in hand, rehashing and replaying the vast sums of money lost or gained all in days work. Somewhat surreal. Overall, a successful adventure. Looking forward to hitting up some other New York favorites, like the Empire State Building, Broadway, Battery Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, MoMA, the Museum of Natural History, etc. etc. etc. And for those of you who want to come visit: We're officially open for business and will be happy to provide tour and transportation services to NYC.

-Meara