I realize I am skipping right over our Disney trip in doing this post, but the Disney one overwhelms me so I'm checking this one off my list. We were only back from Disney for a week and it was time to head out again.
We drove to Nashville to drop of Henry with Aunt Kristy and the next morning (EARLY!!!) we were on our way to New York. Sally was tired but excited!
We took a shuttle from the airport to the car rental place. I will tell you too that this was the first time we have ever checked a car seat and it was very easy. Sally was excited about the rental car.
We made the 1.5 hour drive across Long Island to Southampton. Our rental house was so nice. Here is the VRBO.com link for anyone interested.
Just look at it...so cute!!
We shared with with some friends and I wish we could have stayed a few extra days. We grabbed lunch and Sally was the best babysitter (our friends brought their babies).
Look at that lunch view!!
We spent the afternoon walking around Southampton. Sally and I discovered a graveyard that was very historic and I took this neat picture.
We made a quick stop at Tate's Bake shop...yummy as always!
The rehearsal dinner was so nice....in a historic barn!
The next morning we slept in and then went to a local seafood shack for lobster rolls and clam strips. Sally loves seafood!
We took a walk on Coopers Beach and there were shells everywhere! We came home with a haul!
Sally took a bath whole eating a cookie!!
Then it was wedding time. The wedding was at a small church and was lovely. The reception was at a historic house in Southampton. Sally found a cauldron and was convinced it belonged to the Sanderson Sisters.
My sweet family minus little man!
The wedding was so nice! Great food and dancing and even apple cider and doughnuts at the end! Thats my kind of wedding!!
The next morning we woke up and cleaned up our mess and headed back to the city!
We have been saving up our Hilton points for a few years so I was really excited to use them to stay at the Waldorf-Astoria!
Now Im going to do a little disclaimer here. Before we arrived, they sent us an email telling us they were excited we were coming and asked if we were celebrating anything. I told them it was Sally's first visit to NYC and also we were having a late anniversary celebration. I also want to tell y'all that Joe is a Diamond Hilton Member. All that to say, we had the most amazing experience. Like total VIP!!
When we checked in they gave us several free drink coupons to use in on of the bars and even some for Sally so she could get Shirley Temples. They also told us we could have free water from the mini bar.
The manager that we had been emailing with came down to personally walk us to our room. When we got there, there were more drink coupons for mommy and daddy and a bear, note and jar of honey for Sally. It was such a nice touch and Sally was so excited!!
The Waldorf has their own bee hives on the roof and they make their own honey. So fun!
Next it was time to explore the room. It was very classic and beautiful!! It had a bedroom, a dressing room and a bathroom...nice and big!!
Sally found the mini bar!
This was the view out our window...some weird protest...thats New York for you!!
We pretty much hit the ground running. Sally was obsessed with theses doors....just like Buddy the Elf!!
First we walked over to Rockefeller Center. Sally wanted to go ice skating and I told her we would for sure come back at Christmas in the next few years and skate.
We did a walk through the Lego Store.
We took a picture at NBC Studios. I would LOVE to attend a taping of SNL or Jimmy Fallon one day!
Sally and Joe shared a New York hot dog.
We went to Times Square and to the HUGE Disney store.
Alicia Keys was setting up for a free concert and was doing soundcheck so it was neat to see her....behind this huge wall.
We rode the subway. Sally thought it was crazy that there was a train underground.
I had a mission....
To take a picture in front of Carrie's apartment. LOVE!! Joe made fun of me the whole time.
We got pizza at Bleeker St and it was so yummy!
Back to the hotel for the night and I loved seeing this building all lit up.
When we got back there was a bottle of champagne!! I took a nice bubble bath, put on my Waldorf-Astoria bath robe and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, we met the manager, Jeremy, for a private tour of the hotel.
The lobby is so beautiful and it was really neat to learn a bunch about the hotel. It has a lot of history!
View from one of the lower roofs.
We got to go under the hotel too. This is the train car that FDR used to escape on when we needed to leave the hotel. Its abandoned now and kinda spooky which we loved. This area is NOT open to the public!
We got to tour a few of the suites. I can only imagine how much they are per night!
After the tour, Jeremy surprised us with certificates to use at the fancy breakfast buffet. I'm telling you...we were so overwhelmed with all the perks! The breakfast was so yummy!
After breakfast we decided to take one of the cheesy hop on/hop off bus tours. I would NOT recommend this. It was not easy at all. It took forever to get on a bus. No one was getting off so every time a bus came by it was full. Just when we were about to get really mad, they brought an empty bus. At that point, we were kinda scared to get off.
We ended up riding it for a few hours...taking in a bunch of sites.
We got off and walked over to Chelsea Market and had lunch at a taco stand. We also found Sally some chicken noodle soup since she is not a big taco eater. Chelsea Market was really fun and I wish we had had more time to explore.
After lunch we walked the High Line for a bit. It was a beautiful day!
We had reservations for One World Observatory, so we ended up grabbing a taxi. Sally thought it was fun to sit in the back.
One World Observatory is right next to ground zero. I would recommend buying tickets online earlier. I believe it saves a little money but it also saves a bunch of time!!
I have a fear of heights and I was so nervous that the elevator would be glass and I would be able to see out. I would have freaked. Thankfully it wasn't. It was still a little scary being so high up.
The views were amazing!!
After the tower, we hopped back on the bus and took it to Times Square. I loved passing by this. Its where the Titanic was supposed to dock.
We didnt really have any dinner plans and did not feel like waiting forever so we actually picked up Thai and brought it back to the room and ate on the bed. It was delicious and very stress free. When we got back to the room, there was another bottle of champagne and some cupcakes. We all went to bed with full bellies and happy hearts.
The next morning was our last but we had a few hours before we had to be at the airport so we headed to Central Park. This was the first time we used the stroller. Sally was pretty good about walking but we knew she wouldn't want to walk all the way to the park and then still have the energy to walk though it. Good decision!
I had to get a picture of her with the Alice in Wonderland statue.
This is a famous area seen on Home Alone (and lots of other movies too!).
Sally loved the playground!
"Guests of the new Celebrity Ding-Dang-Dong stay at the world renowned Plaza hotel. New York's most exciting hotel experience. For reservation call...." Y'all know I love me some Home Alone!
It was finally time to leave. We opted to get a town car to bring us to the airport and it was a great decision. Nicer than a taxi and either the same price or cheaper!!
At the airport, I bribed Sally to eat lunch telling her she could choose a treat at the gift shop. She chose a Harry Potter Chocolate frog ($7!!). She liked it so I guess it was worth it.
We flew back to Nashville and then had to go pick up Henry from Aunt Kristy's house and then drive home. We were all so exhausted but what a wonderful trip with my people. It was nice to have a little special time with Sally and Henry had a big time too! This trip made me remember how much I love New York and I cant wait to go back soon!!
I will tell you that the Waldorf-Astoria is closing in March for three years for renovations but if you can stay there before then, I highly recommend it!!
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