Goodbye Empire State!

Farewell New York!

Well without further delay, here is the final New York post. It's sad, but true. I am just as heartbroken about it as you, because it means that New York is really over (my trip...not that the actual city is over...). That my small time in the big city has run its course.

But alas, let's save our tears until the end! Right now we still have an adventure to finish!

So, to pick up where we left off, lets journey back to the beginning of October. After we hit some of the sites and partied like it was 1999, it was time for a family reunion. My cousins Lexie and her husband moved to the Empire State about 6 months ago so she could go to school. And I am sure you know where this is heading...

Yep, we met up in the big city! It was like a scene from a movie! She took the in train in from Long Island, I took the subway in from Queens. We meet in the middle of Times Square, just across from The Naked Cowboy (true story). Our eyes met, and we embraced on the corner of 48th and Broadway! (Once again, true story!)

While it was a struggle to navigate the subway to Brooklyn, we eventually made it there like old pros! She took me to an awesome nyc experience of a food truck festival. It was right on the pier at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, and let me just tell you, the food was to DIE for! 

Food Truck Heaven!

I had a 3 cheese grilled cheese on rosemary bread with caramelized apples. It was heavenly. Don't forget the fresh squeezed lemonade with chia seeds! And to top off our deliciousness, home made ice cream sandwiches made with oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and a dash of salt. O.M.G. Please excuse me while my taste buds explode. De-vine!

Eating lunch with Brooklyn on my mind!

Me and Lex

Trust me, we finished it all!

People think this is what SLC looks like...?

After we headed for a nice walk along the water and another jaunt across the Brooklyn Bridge, we went shopping in Soho. It was aamazing. I literally wanted one of everything. If only I had money...

NYC from Brooklyn

Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan Bridge.

Empire State!

Another leisurely jaunt across the bridge.

Cousins in the city!

After some souvenir shopping and phone charging we headed back to meet my girls. (The had ventured on out to Coney Island for the day without me. Trust me, I made sure they knew exactly what subway line to take and when to get off. I was worried they wouldn't make it without me! I'm not even kidding...)

We wanted to see the Friends Couch from the TV show, but the line was too long. So I bid my lovely Lexie adieu, and the rest of us headed back to Brooklyn for some real life NYC pizza. One word, Grimaldi's.

Totally worth the wait! (Thanks Rach Smith

 for the suggestion!)

Cheesy goodness!

Pizza pizza pizza. Remember how I said New York food was amazing? It's still true. This little place was right under the Brooklyn Bridge, so it was an awesome setting too. What's even better, when we finished with our lavish pizza filled meal, there was a nice firework show over the water! It was really romantic!

The next morning we headed back to 8 o'clock coffee, aka Central Perk to relive our favorite Friends memories. (the line was not 3 hours long this time!) It was magical. We got to see real props from the show and see our favorite Friends moments! Not to mention sit on the infamous orange couch! It was almost like Ross, Rachel, Monica and the gang were there with us!

Central Perk! 

Memorable wardrobe from the show!

Who could forget the Big White Dog?

Friends! 

One of my favorite Friends moments!

Just hanging out at Central Perk!

We then headed up to NYU and walked around campus a bit, as we headed over to Washington Square Park. Look at that arch! Reminds me of the one in Paris! (Ok NYC and Paris really aren't that similar, but they're both awesome...?)

My first thought when I saw this street...

Selena was no where to be found. :(

Washington Square Park!

Since I met up with my cousin the day before, it was only appropriate to meet up with another NYC friend of mine the next day, right? So we headed up to the Upper West Side and met my buddy Heather Roberts. We worked at the spa together years ago, and she moved out to the city awhile back. I kept telling her I would come visit, but never did. Now I kept my promise!

My friends were good sports and tagged along for our lunch date, but we all had a good time.

Me and Hets! Yay!

After we devoured more good food, we head over the the CP. That's right, Central Park! It still amazes me how they have this huge awesome park in the middle of the city. It makes me so happy. We rented bikes, went for a row on the boats, and were able to Imagine with John Lennon. Also, we saw a TV show being filmed, which, for the movie and TV buff that I am, made me extremely happy!

Bethesda Fountain!

Bike rental! 

Row, row, row your boat!

Me and Stac!

Strawberry Fields Forever!

Let me just say, this was MUCH harder than it looks! I struggled 

for a good 5 mins before I got in the groove. 

Bless you Cristi for being my navigator! 

We worked up quite the appetite on our adventures in the park, so we once again headed to the best burger joint in the whole wide world. Hello Shake Shake! It's nice to see you again. This time we were at the Grand Central Station location, which was still just as yummy as the other one. Sigh. Oh Shake Shake. I still miss you everyday.

Shake Shack round two!

Well, now. The time had come. It was time to say goodbye. It was time to leave my city. But not before a few more stops along the way! 

The next morning, we headed back into Times Square to finish our souvenir shopping. And we did, a lot!! We also stopped by the LOVE Statue, which was pretty cool. I hid a note in Central Park for my cousin to find. (True story. It's like a treasure hunt!) and we hit Ellen's Stardust Diner, which I have to admit was mostly for my benefit. You see, the whole waitstaff sings! That's right, SINGS! Basically it's like being in the middle of a live Broadway show. Haha so I pretty much loved it.I went with my pop to this place the last time I was in the city. So it'll now be a tradition!

Saying goodbye to Times Square!

Loving the Love Statue!

Ellen's Stardust Diner sing Bang, Bang!

After we said farewell to my city, we headed to the airport. It was almost time to take off, but I had to do one more thing before I left. That's right, shake shack one more time! ;) haha it was the prefect send off!

Third times the charm!

It was so hard to say goodbye. The city still calls to me. Literally! I can hear it say my name. (But that could just be Lexie trying to convince me to move out there...) So there you have it my friends, my week in the city. I hope you all enjoyed reliving the experience as much as I did! I honestly can't wait to head back. I can guarantee you it will not be long before I head East again. It was a blast and so fun to experience it with my friends. Adieu New York! 

Here are a few photo extras to enjoy! 

Staten Island Ferry!

Goofing off in Chelsea. 

Just a model posing at The High Line

Rockefeller Center! Still no Tina Fey... :(

How I spent the whole trip, navigating on my phone while 

they goof off! ;) Sorry for posting Cristi.

Found my Minion buddy!

Radio City!

I will actually miss this a lot! 

Favorite Subway moment!

New York, New York Part Dos!

Alright, are you still with me? Can you handle more? Now that you all have had time to really dive into day one and two on NYC time with us, here are the next few days! Make sure to hold on to your buckets, it's going to be a bumpy ride!! 

After our Brookyln Bridge adventure the previous day, we decided to do more walking! I know, crazy idea, right? 

So we started off our morning at Ms. Liberty herself in all her green glory! On the boat ride over we were able to see the awesome view of the Manhattan skyline. That view is just one of many many reasons I love the city! Love, love, love it!

The Sphere once stood between the World Trade Center Towers. 

It now calls Battery Park home and the eternal flame burns in remembrance. 

 Manhattan skyline!

New Jersey, Manhattan, and Brooklyn!  

Once again the 4 person selfie is hard...

 Good 'ol Lady Liberty! 

I was meant for this city!  

Cristi and Tatum aka Tasti. True Love!

We walked around, learned a bit, headed up to the pedestal of the lady, and took a little tour. Afterwards, we headed to Ellis Island to learn a little more, and then we headed back! All in all it was a successful and educational experience! Did you know there are more Lady Liberty replicas around the world?? AND did you know she wasn't always green?? CRAZY!! (Ok, I already knew both of these facts, but I had to make it sound like I learned something...)

Once we left the lady to her touch holding, we headed to up to Wall Street where I was determined to find a husband! Rich Wall Street broker?? Sign me up! During my search for Prince Charming, we decided to make a few stops along the way. So we grabbed the bull by the horns! 

Wall Street Bull

And then, since I am obsessed with the movie National Treasure, we stopped at a little establishment by the name of Trinity Church! For those of you who have seen the movie, you know why this church is important! (Hint: there is treasure underneath!!)

Trinity Church

While my search for true love and buried treasure were unsuccessful, I decided to drown my sorrows in food! Oh my oh my the food of New York! (Cue salivating now!) My BFF Rach Smith, an avid New Yorker, gave me a TON of excellent food recommendations prior to our departure. And let me just say, she did NOT disappoint! After we found a delightful little Italian place in Little Italy, we went to good recommendation #1. Ferraras!! Holy canolis! Let me just say, Italians know how to make deliciousness! For reals though...

Holy Canoli! 

After more walking and subway riding (surprise, surprise) we decided to top off a top day, with a top night! We headed on over to Rockefeller Center to see the sights of the city! (I was also hoping to run into Tina Fey and convince her that we are long lost bff's, but was once again, unsuccessful.) It was dark when we got to The Top of the Rock, but let me just say, the view was incredible! 

Tina Fey was no where to be found.

On my last venture to NYC, my dad and I went to the top of the Empire State Building. Which was super fun, but this was actually so much better! No lie. The ESB is awesome in and of itself, but it is very difficult to see on account of the huge metal bars they have to keep you locked in. Top of the Rock on the other hand, had plexiglass glass! Which means you could see 360 degrees with no obstructed view! Awesome sauce!! 

I could get used to that view!

On top of the world!

Chrysler Building, Empire State, and Times Square! 

Don't worry, Superman caught me!

The next morning, we woke up to this...rain rain rain. Man, go away! Luckily, we had a plan! Head to the Museum of Natural History! Yay!! It seemed like a good idea... Until we realized that was everyone else's plan too. It was CROWDED! But it still worked out. We ended up seeing about half the museum when we called it quits. 

And so it begins...

One the way to the Museum! We are subway pros. I mean, 

look how thug Tatum is!

AHHH Jaws! 

I like dinosaurs! I DO NOT like Jurassic Park!

Just the girls! I was halfway expecting this thing to come to life!

 This is what people think Utah looks like...

I think there is something behind me...

Afterwards, MORE FOOD! This time the food literally changed my life! For reals though. On this day I was introduced to the Shake Shack. Oh behold all the glory of the Shake Shack! I may or may not have sampled it THREE times while in the city! I swear they have crack in their burgers. Needless to say, it was beyond amazing. Sigh... I need more! 

THE SHAKE SHACK!!

Then we trekked to another food establishment! Levain Bakery. Oh the sugary goodness of the cookies of Levain Bakery. It's this little place on the Upper West Side that has the most delicious cookies that will change your life! I made this stop for my girl, Makenna! I even brought her a cookie back to the UT. It may have been a few days old, but it was the thought that counts, right? I lugged that deliciousness around the whole city. And I tell you what, resisting the urge to eat that cookie took every fiber of my being. It was a struggle.

Wow! Just wow! 

While I was lugging around the cookie of all cookies we also hit Lincoln Center to see the Manhattan Temple and went to the High Line, which is awesome! It's an old high rise subway line in Chelsea that they turned into a park. It's totes a hipster neighborhood that Tatum and I totally want to move to! So keep an eye out for us in Chelsea district! You think I am kidding...

Manhattan Temple!

This pic looks fake, but it is so real! I love it!

At the High Line! 

Photo Bomb! 

Creeper bomb!

                                                            

We ended the cold raining Saturday with a trip to Broadway. Now, those who know me know that I am pretty into musical theater. Like, I am a total Broadway nerd. So I was pretty stoked about this part. We had a bit of a hard time deciding on a show to see, but ended up choosing Matilda. Not my first choice, but I still really enjoyed it! Music was fun and whimsical, and the sets were super cool! Next time I will only come to NYC to see shows! They are amazing! 

The girls go see a show! 

You best believe I kept that Playbill! 

Ready for the show! 

Wow, we sure did cram a lot into the first couple of days, and we still aren't even done yet! No wonder we were so tired... Coming up next, more food (duh!), meeting some friends and meeting some FRIENDS. Row, row, rowing the boat, Central Park and Central Perk. Plus, bonus pics! Stay tuned next time. Same bat time, same bat channel!