Background: My husband (29) and I (turning 26 next week) decided that we wanted to go on a last minute vacation. My husband works in the restaurant business and NEVER has weekends off except for when he is on vacation. He found out that he would be taking his vacation with only a week%26#39;s notice, hence our last minute decision. I lived in the city for two years while attending grad school at NYU and my husband (boyfriend at the time) lived with me there for a year. We both are familiar with the city, public transportation, etc. Although we did plan a loose itinerary (there are things we got to and things we didn%26#39;t), the main purpose of our trip was to enjoy the city and spend some quality time together.
Hotel: We looked through the specials on quickbook.com and found a really great price on the Bentley Hotel at 62nd and York Ave. We checked their website (prices were actually a few dollars cheaper), looked at the reviews on tripadvisor (they were mixed) and decided to book since the price seemed right.
Pros: Although we reserved a standard room through the hotel%26#39;s website, we were given a huge suite on the 11th floor. It was two rooms-a large sitting room with double glass doors leading into a large bedroom with a king sized bed. There were windows (from the ceiling down to our knees) on two sides overlooking York Avenue with a partial view of the Queensborough Bridge. It was impeccabley clean and larger than my studio apartment when I lived in the city. We could not have been happier. And at an average of $120 a night, we got an amazing deal. Another draw about the hotel is that they have parking for $20 a night. Since we were driving into the city, this was important for us.
Cons: The hotel is located a good ten or fifteen minute walk from the nearest train station at 60th and Lexington. For us, this wasn%26#39;t that big of a deal since we were familiar with the city and we were lucky to have mild weather. Also, York Avenue is very busy with heavy traffic noise. However, since we were on the eleventh floor, this did not bother us. I would not have wanted to be on a lower floor though as I think the noise would have bothered us then.
Day One: Thursday, January 11
We left Virginia at 8:00 am with the intention of missing rush hour around D.C. My husband did most of the driving while I was supposed to be the navigator. We were enjoying the drive, listening to our new I-pod and talking about what we wanted to do first when we got to the city. My husband then made the casual remark that he didn%26#39;t realize we would be going through Philadelphia, to which I replied that we would not be going through Philly. Then why are we driving through it now he wanted to know. Oops. So much for my navigation skills. Luckily, we got off at the next exit, found our way to the PA turnpike which led to the NJ turnpike and we were back on track.
We arrived at the hotel, checked in without any problems, and as stated before, we were ecstatic about our room. After changing clothes we decided that we would try to find Chumley%26#39;s, a bar we had heard a lot about but had never visited. By this point, we were tired from our drive and we were both looking forward to a beer. We took the train to the Village, and promptly got turned around in the maze of streets. After circling a few times, we finally found it. However, as we walked to the door we read the sign: Sorry, closed for a private party. Ugh!!! All we wanted was a beer! At this point we decided to head to our old stomping ground at 14th and 1st ave where we knew we wouldn%26#39;t be disappointed. We ordered a few slices of pizza at our favorite pizza place Vinnie Vincenz (spelling?) Pizzeria and took it to our favorite bar in the area where we spent many evenings while I was in school, O%26#39;Hanlons. The bartender working that night worked when we used to go and he remembered us, so it was a great time. After enjoying our pizza and a few pints, and trying our hand at darts, we decided to call it a night.
After arriving back at the hotel, we went to the bar on the top floor of the hotel. Beautiful views of the river, Queensborough Bridge, and the tram to Roosevelt Island. After a nightcap, we headed to bed.
Day Two: Friday, January 12
We were up by 7:30 and ready to start our day. We walked from the hotel to Ess-A-Bagel at 51st and 3rd. The bagels with vegetable cream cheese were delicious and filling. A great start to the day.
After that we walked to the Museum of S*x at 27th and 5th Ave. The walk was invigorating. It was so wonderful to be back in the city! We both thought the museum was interesting to say the least. Some parts were a bit shocking, some a bit disturbing, others funny, and others erotic. I suggest this museum for couples or friends who want something a little off the beaten path and for those who are open minded and not in the least shy or prudish. It was $14.95 for each of us to enter and they had a gift shop (although we didn%26#39;t purchase anything.)
We walked to Outback Steakhouse for lunch. My husband works for the company so we get meals for free which is why we decided to have lunch here.
Next, we decided to do something we had never done --walk the Brooklyn Bridge! We took the train to Brooklyn, walked down Montague Street leisurely checking out the shops (found some great deals at Fishes Eddy which was going out of business at that location), and then to the Promenade. I could not believe I had never been here before! It was so peaceful with amazing views of Manhattan. We then found the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. The walk over the bridge is one of my all time favorite things I have done in the city. Although it was a little cold, we had a wonderful stroll. Halfway across, there are plaques that describe the building of the bridge and other interesting facts. We took our time looking at the plaques and then finished the walk. This is a must do for everyone visiting the city.
We took a train back to our hotel to freshen up, relax, nap, and watch rush hour traffic from our 11th story window (fascinating!). We decided to walk up 1st Ave. to find dinner. We stopped at O%26#39;Flanagan%26#39;s at 1st and 65th, a restaurant and bar. Bad move. The food was bland, somewhat expensive, and there was a group of extremely intoxicated, noisey, and annoying guys also in the restaurant. We quickly ate and left. Two blocks south we found a bar called Becky%26#39;s. It was a fun crowd, and we enjoyed a few beers and a couple of shots before heading back to the hotel.
We stopped at a diner to get dessert to take back to the room. Hubby had cheesecake and I had double chocolate cake. We split a scoop of ice cream. (I thought we deserved it after all that walking!). Lights out.
Day Three - Saturday, January 13
We started out the day by having brunch at a diner on 62nd and 1st. Very good basic breakfast fare--omlettes, eggs, toast, potatoes, etc. From here we walked over to Central Park, one of my favorite spots in the city. We wandered around, watched the joggers and dog walkers and children playing. It was truly wonderful.
My husband had surprised me by buying tickets to see Chicago. This was a huge move for him. He has never been to a Broadway show, and he was very excited to tell me about the tickets. We had tickets for the 2:00 matinee. Bebe Neuwirth (Lilith Crane in Cheers) played the lead of Roxy and was just fantastic. Huey Lewis was supposed to play the male lead but MUCH to my husband%26#39;s disappointment he was not there for the performance. Although the seating was a bit cramped (I am almost six feet tall and my husband is 6%26#39;4';), we thoroughly enjoyed the show.
We stopped at House of Brews to have a beer and a snack (roasted cauliflower and chedder cheese dip--fantastic!) before going to the hotel to clean up for the evening.
I had made reservations at Sushi Yasuda for 9:00 at the sushi bar. There really are no words to sum up this meal. The experience of watching the sushi chef prepare the sushi as you order it and then savoring the melt-in-your-mouth fish was something I will be sure to repeat every time I visit the city. We did not have any appetizers, and only one drink, but we sampled a variety of rolls and sashimi. The bill was $96 plus $20 tip and worth every penny.
We found a small hole-in-the-wall bar called Fubar where we had one last drink (I see a theme of our trip developing here!) before turning in for the night.
Day Four--Sunday, January 14
Today we had brunch reservations at the New Leaf Cafe (thank you to those who suggested this place) all the way up in Fort Tryon park around 190th street. Because the A train was making local stops all the way there, we barely made our reservation time. I am so happy we did! The New Leaf Cafe is part of Bette Midler%26#39;s Restoration Project to restore parks in the city. It is in a small stone building that is simplistic with yellow walls and dark wood. Very quaint and peaceful. I had French toast with strawberries and served with chicken and apple sausage. Trey had steak and eggs served with greens. The price of $17.95 included coffee and juice. We both thoroughly enjoyed the fresh ingredients and surroundings of the cafe.
We walked to the Cloisers after brunch. What a wonderful walk through the park! The Cloisters was a very interesting mueum. Not very crowded and, again, very peaceful. After exploring the museum, we decided to head back downtown. We wanted to explore the area around the Cloisters, but it was so foggy, we couldn%26#39;t see anything beyond our immediate surroundings.
We took the train down to Zabar%26#39;s at 80th and Broadway. I had never been to this gourmet grocery store and I am so upset that I didn%26#39;t know about it when I lived in the city! It was a wonderful sensation of sights, smells, sounds---yummy, I wanted to eat everything in there! Unfortunately, we didn%26#39;t buy anything this trip, but it will be a must stop for future visits.
Guess what we did next? That%26#39;s right--we stopped for a beer! We went back to House of Brews since we liked the surroundings and were impressed with the appetizer we had the previous day. We found seats at the bar in time for the second half of the San Diego and New England football game. Not really my cup of tea, but it was a fun atmosphere so I actually didn%26#39;t mind watching the game. We ordered dinner at the bar, met some great locals, had a (you guessed it!) few beers, and then called it a night.
Heading Home-Monday, January 15
Today we had to leave :( I was literally depressed. But life goes on. We walked to a bagel place for breakfast and then stopped at a bakery (I think it was called Wings of Angels) for a few treats to take in the car. After checking out without any problems and getting the car, we were on our way. This time we didn%26#39;t take the detour through Philly!
Overall we had a wonderful time in the city and we were able to enjoy some much-needed couple time. We were able to experience some new things (the Cloisters, Brooklyn Bridge, Museum of S*x, Chicago on Broadway), eat some wonderful food (Sushi Yasuda, New Leaf Cafe, Vinnie%26#39;s Pizza), and drink some good beer (O%26#39;Hanlons, House of Brews). I cannot wait to get back. Hopefully one day we%26#39;ll move back for good ;-)
All comments and questions welcome.
Trip Report--Last Minute Getaway
The Museum of S*x is an interesting place isn%26#39;t it? I visited it when I was there. You definitely have to be broad minded!
Trip Report--Last Minute Getaway
Congratulations on a succesful trip and thanks very much for the great report! You sure sampled a wide variety of dining - from diners, to pubs, to fancy sushi, etc, etc, etc...great details! Also, interesting info about the Bentley Hotel.
Hope you can come back again soon! Have you ever tried out Site59.com? It%26#39;s fantastic for last minute trips, esp long weekends. I%26#39;ve used it and gotten great deals, never disappointed.
www.site59.com
Actually, going through Philly is a good way to save on those NJ Turnpike tolls--been there done that. You could have just stayed on I-95 until it becomes the Trenton beltway and follow the signs for the NJ Turnpike. When we drive to the NYC area and New England, we avoid I-95 and the NJ Turnpike all together. I was interested to read your description of what it was like to stay at the Bentley. It sounds like it was a doable walk from there to the subway. Would you stay there again?
Great trip report Comfyjeans,
Its just getting me more and more excited for my first trip to NYC a week tomorrow.
I am happy you enjoyed New Leaf Cafe, worth the trip, and you sure did get around, glad it worked out for you.
See you again soon, I am sure.
You guys covered a lot of ground.
Thanks for posting.
Thank you all for your comments!
GirlFromOz: Yes, the museum is very interesting...!
QB: Thank you for the website. I will keep it in mind for future trips.
SueFee: I hate traveling I-95! Next time we%26#39;ll look into that alternative route.
I would definitely stay at the Bentley Hotel again, especially for that price. I would take into consideration the weather (long walk for very hot and very cold weather) and if I had any first time visitors traveling with me.
NYCgirl: Thank you for your suggestion of the New Leaf Cafe. It was a great experience! I%26#39;m already planning my next trip, although we are saving for a house so I don%26#39;t know when it will be.
TPXB: Yes, we did cover a lot of ground both literally (lots of walking!) and figuratively (we sampled a variety of experiences)! Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the great report. I wish I could drive to NYC over the weekend but that would be kind of hard for me.
Matte75
Comfyjeans--if you should want directions on how to get there by avoiding I-95, please post back.
SueFee, I would love directions! Thank you for any help you can give me.
clear cream
