NYC with the fam!

It's the time of year when lots of upstaters head to the big city for a change of scenery and to get in the spirit! A big part of running the shop is spending time in Manhattan seeing all the new collections from our partners and scouting out new ones.  I'm there five times a year for work, and we also make some trips with the kids to see family.  Since I like sharing ideas with friends on where to stay, eat, shop etc when you're in the city I thought this would be a perfect first journal entry.  Of course I'm also hoping you'll lend me your experiences too because there's no doubt we're missing some of your favorite spots!  

 My first ever Instagram post: January 7, 2012 taken from the High Line.  

Getting There:  

I vote driving because all told I think it takes about the same amount of time as flying.  I also like not being tied to the flight schedule if I I can leave early or need to stay in the city longer.  Not to say I never fly.  If I have an early meeting Delta into Laguardia is the way to go.  I've never taken the train to NYC from here...any feedback?

Where to Stay:

When you're brining the family to New York City, the biggest challenge is finding accommodations that can comfortably fit everyone (and in December finding something affordable).  We've zig zagged around trying lots different places, but here is my short list.  

Kid & Co - We've rented apartments through this company before and have been really happy with everything.  It's like Airbnb, but each residence is fully kid friendly; bunk beds, toys, accessibility, and fun!  

JW Marriott Essex House - This is a great uptown option, and their family suites are really nice!  Kids love being so close to Central Park where you have the zoo, lots of playgrounds, and some great museums.  Also, if you're a Marriott person, you can cash in some points here.

The NoMad Hotel - Located on Broadway between 27th and 28th streets.  This is a smaller boutique hotel, but the rooms when connected for a family offer up a great amount of space.  The location is very central for seeing all of the sights.  

Where to Shop:

When it comes to shopping and eating in NYC I mostly like to stay off the avenues and on the little side streets.  It's less overwhelming and definitely more interesting.  Check out the few blocks shown on this map.  I think its a nice cross-section of clothing, jewelry, (also, fancy a$$ soaps) well-known and unknown, up and coming, as well as fast-fashion.  So you get a little bit of everything here.  There must be something special about Prince Street Pizza because people are always lined up for a slice!

 

Here are a few other spots to look up:

Clothing

Oroboro - Mott Street

& Other Stories - Multiple locations

Anine Bing - Multiple locations

Jenni Kayne - Harrison Street

Sea New York (coming soon to Skaneateles300!) Canal Street

Books and Paper

McNally Jackson Books - Prince Street

Goods For the Study - Mulberry Street

Kinokuniya New York - Bryant Park

Flying Tiger Copenhagen - Multiple locations

Children's

Zara (not all locations carry kids)

Les Petite Chapelais - Sullivan Street

Doodle Doo's - Christopher Street

Where to Eat: 

You can spend a lot of time deciding where to have your all important meals in the big city.  I feel like you cannot go wrong with any of these spots, and all are kid friendly!

Via Corata is my favorite by far.  It has received a lot of press over the last couple of years so wait times can be crazy...BUT when the host tells you it will be a three hour wait for a table, you look him square in the eye and say, "Great, we'll wait over here".  They like this level of crazy and will take you seriously.  Most people will turn around and leave when they hear that news.  I've had really good luck being seated within 30 min after being told it was a three hour wait.  If I'm by myself the bar works great too! 

If you never make it to Via Corata you at least have to try to make their green salad for yourself.  A recent NYTimes article called it "The Best Green Salad in the World" recipe is linked at the end of the article.  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/08/magazine/best-green-salad-recipe.html

Breakfast/Brunch:

Oatmeals - You'll never have boring oatmeal again after you see the possibilities at this place! W 3rd Street

Cookshop - Farm to table driven American

Maialino - Italian 

Augustine - French Brasserie 

Locanda Verde - Rustic Italian

Lunch or Dinner:

The Dutch - American

Upland - Classy Californian and Italian influence

Frankie's Spuntino - Italian

Little Owl - Mediterranean

Fairfax - Wine Bar/Mediterranean Small plates

Things to Do:

Of course there are all of the classic sights, but here is a list of things you may not have tried yet.

Pop-up slime museum!  Can't wait to check this one out, get your tickets online here: https://sloomooinstitute.com

Children's Museum of the Arts.  Love this museum!  Make sure you sign up for the Clay Bar Workshop (40 min in length) where kids of all ages are expertly instructed in making their own clay sculpture.  https://cmany.org

Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden!  It's amazing!  All ages will love this!  https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show/

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Play:  I haven't committed to this one yet, though I know it would be a huge hit.  The show comes in two parts so its a big time commitment and also $$$$.

Madeline's Tea! Held in Bemelmans (the author/illustrator of the Madeline series) Bar in the Carlyle Hotel on the UES, https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-carlyle-new-york/media/press/2019/madeline-tea-press-release

 

Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving week! 

G