14 February 2009

Valentine's Day in the Big Apple

Anyone who knows me well, or even remotely, knows that NYC is one of my favorite places in the world. Growing up in DC & Maryland, the Big Apple was a simple three hour train ride away. It is also a great get-a-way for Valentine’s Day! Although NYC has had bitterly cold temps lately, it is well worth it to be in such a beautiful city. We brought the typical winter gear, though the weather gave us a reprieve for a couple of beautiful days. A stay at the Waldorf=Astoria sets the stage for a very romantic stay. As a Junior League member, the Waldorf is a favorite for many of us, especially because of its history and the special relationship the hotel has had with our organization over the years. I don’t often do the tourist sites while in NYC, though I did many times in high school. I like to stick to the boutiques, shops & museums that border the residential neighborhoods. On this trip, it was a typical visit to the “Mecca” pictured above, the RL Mansion on Madison. Ralph Lauren has a few shops along Madison, obviously one of the reasons I love the city that doesn’t sleep! Speaking of not sleeping, after a late meal at Nikki Beach, we did check out one major tourist stop- the Empire State Building at 2A.M.! It was freezing, but at this time of morning, there are no lines and you will only encounter a dozen or so other people. It is as if the ESB is your personal playground this early in the morning. Another great place to visit is The Jewish Museum on Fifth Avenue and 92nd Street. A long walk down Madison Avenue warrants some refueling at Yura On Madison. They have some amazing soup and perfect cup of cocoa, among their laundry list of menu items. It is also a great place to people watch. Don’t forget to take a quiet stroll through Central Park, past the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservior, which is very pretty covered in snow as seen in the above photos showing the Upper East & West Sides.