NYC with my BFF - Day 2

We woke up Friday morning with no plans, again.

It was nice to wake up to sun! 

It was going to be a very nice day and we were ready for it. Mid 50's and sunny? Yes, please!

We didn't have any plans for the day and didn't exactly know what to do. Nikki suggested we be tourists for the day and take a rickshaw ride through Central Park. I had actually never walked through Central Park, so I was all for it. 

We decided to be tourists and went for a Rickshaw ride through Central Park

We had checked out of the hotel already so I had to hoof it with this huge backpack.

Friends Fountain! 

The tour was just about 2 hours and it was lovely. The kid who took us around was such a nice kid. The weather was perfect, we had a coffee and a blanket. Loved every part of it.

We weren't sure what to do next. We had wanted to get tattoos originally, but the shop I found wanted a $200 nonrefundable deposit, each. We didn't want to be so committed to something, but we still wanted tattoos!

I Googled to find whatever places were nearby. I mean, we're in Manhatten so there's gotta be good places all over. 

The first place was a bust. We couldn't figure out how to get into the door. LOL. We took it as a sign to move on.

Next up was Art Ink Tattoo right in Times Square. 

Ok. 

We go in and there's a girl passed out on the floor. But other than her? No one. 

We picked out what we wanted pretty quickly, and based on the pictures and reviews...this little Italian lady was legit.

I'm hoping the new tattoo distracts from the terrible bracelet tattoo I have. I want to go back and have her do a cover-up. 

One of the best experiences of my life and I'm so glad I did it with her. We have also found "our" tattoo person now and we're excited to have a reason to go back to NYC.

Also, I can't walk past a Citizens and not make note of it. 

What a lovely evening. I love NYC. In short bursts. 

After tattoos, we had only 30 minutes to hit up the Thai place before they closed (before opening again for dinner). We weren't sure if we'd make it.

But alas, if you wish good things to happen, they just might. 

We made it with plenty of time, it was just a short 6 minute walk from the Tattoo place. 

We knew what we were going to order before we walked in there, so we were able to place our order right away. 

We ate and headed back to the train station to catch the 5:15pm train. 

After a few stops, we got back to the truck in Ramsey, NJ and prepared for the 2 hour drive back to Binghamton. I was going to spend the night again and head home early the next morning. I did NOT want to drive another 2+ hours after making it to Binghamton. 

Till next time, NYC. I had the best time. 

NYC with my BFF - Day One

You know I've never been to the city during the holidays? 

When it's the most spectacular?

I'm not sure why I've never been. 

So for Nikki's 40th (which is in January), I wanted to do something for and with her! But neither of us wanted to spend a ton of money, since it's right after Christmas. I didn't want to take more time off of work than I already was. 

NYC during the holidays seemed like a good idea! It's relatively close and there's ALWAYS something to do there. 

Not like it really matters. Just spending time with someone who truly gets me....I cannot wait. 

So I booked us a room right near Times Square and figured we'd just go from there.

No plans. 

Just us and the city.

I headed down Wednesday to Binghamton. We were planning to leave relatively early the next morning to catch the train into the city. We drove two hours into NJ to grab the train there.

We truly didn't have any plans as we walked into the city. Nikki mentioned seeing the Rockette's Christmas Spectacular and I was DOWN with that idea. We were having issues on Ticketmaster (what's new) so we opted to just walk down and get tickets from the window. 

We walked around a bit before heading to Radio City Music Hall

It was stunning to see it in person

our hotel! It was the dreariest, foggiest day...

Not gonna lie, these pictures were creepy!

Gorgeous hotel though

The view from our suite :)

Stalking the neighbors

After purchasing our tickets, we had a few hours to burn before the actual show. So we walked. And looked for food. 

This is the same little bakery Steve and I went to when we were here last. Still so good. 

Ok, you guys. YOU GUYS. 

We found legit THE BEST THAI FOOD EVER. Literally just by Googling. 

We found Mitr Thai and omg, omg, omg it was unbelievable. It was also FULL of people at like 2:30 in the afternoon.

Pork belly with sauteed rice noodle. SPICY.

We also ordered these amazing curry puffs, but we inhaled them so quickly I failed to get a photo. The curry puffs were SO good that I ordered takeout for after the show. 

Ok, so on to the Rockette's show. 

Now, I saw a version of a Christmas show waaaaay back when. I lived in Buffalo at the time and they were performing at Shea's. So I asked my mom to come with me. This was way different. The entire show was much longer, much more involved and had so many dancers! It blew my mind. It was stunning. 

They even had little fairy drones flying around during of of the performances. 

It truly was spectacular! The ladies are all so beautiful and in sync. The dancers looked so happy. I cannot wait to bring the girls - we are hoping to do it Christmas 2024. 

Just walking out after the show, it always fascinates me that shows like this just have studios there and celebrities are like...in there. 

My view as I was deciding which pizza to order

We had eaten so much food we were STUFFED by the time this pizza arrived. I'll be honest, I've had better NYC pizza. It wasn't bad by ANY means....but it could've been better.

I'll go back just to eat that Thai food again. 

Anyway, we both passed out filled to the brim with food. 

Till tomorrow, my friends.