Our First Trip to New York City at Christmas

I can’t believe I am just now sharing a few of our New York City at Christmas pictures! This week has been so much fun and filled with so much — including traveling home, Christmas shopping, picking up groceries and stocking stuffers, and of course P90X3’s release!

New York City at Christmas was absolutely amazing though. We left 2 weeks ago Sunday to see the city for the first time. The trip was a complete surprise to my mom and me. My dad had been wanting to go somewhere, and he knew my mom and I had always wanted to see New York City at Christmas time. Between airline miles and me winning an awesome Hampton Hotel Twitter contest, we were able to go for about $15!!! I couldn’t believe it when he said, “It’s all booked–we’re going!” They even called for snow the night before we left, and I was so scared something would happen. We made it with no problems though. (I guess I was due for an easy flight after California).

Our plane landed about 11 o’clock, and we were starving. My mom and I have had a list of New York pizza places since 2012 after seeing a special on it. We knew we’d only be in town for a few days, and we were going to go all out. The first stop after the hotel was John’s Pizzeria. It was only a few blocks away, and it was in an old church. It was a gorgeous, unique place to eat, and the Hawaiian pizza was amazing. We also tried the pepperoni, but it wasn’t as tasty.

Then we did what any good fitness coach does — we found dessert. We were just walking around the city, and we ran across DC Cupcakes, famous from their TLC television show, in the basement of the Discovery building. It was very random but very good. All three cupcakes were less than $10 too! We all split them, and we couldn’t pick a favorite.

After stuffing our little faces, we walked and walked and walked. We also had to find hats and gloves.

After finding the H&M Flagship store in Times Square, we headed to Rockefeller Center. It was everything I had hoped for and more. The tree, the ice skaters, and the other twinkle lights were breathtaking. I also fell in love with 99% of all the Friends’ television show memorabilia in the NBC store right next to the tree.

The next day was packed. We started by getting our subway tickets. I had stayed up the night before memorizing, or trying to memorize, the map in my hand in the picture above. We figured out our way around the city between a map, Google Maps, and asking nice people to help us.

From our hotel, we took one subway ride before getting to see Grand Central Station. It wasn’t originally on my list of “Things to See in New York City,” but I am so glad we did. It is so gorgeous; there are so many details everywhere inside. Plus, they had vendors set up inside as well which I loved.

I’m sure people could tell we were tourists between the lost looks, pictures, and Southern accents. Everyone was so friendly and helpful; I loved the atmosphere and how everyone was fast-paced but kind to one another.

The only time I felt really lost was in Chinatown. It was so busy!! If you can go though, it is an awesome experience. We got off the subway in Little Italy for guess what …..our 2nd pizza!! … and walked into Chinatown. It was such a cultural area and so different from anything I had ever experienced before.

Getting back to pizza though, Lombardi’s in Little Italy was our absolute favorite. The pizza was so fresh!

After Chinatown, we went even farther downtown to see the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and Wall Street.

Then, in the same day, we took the subway back up to 34th street to go to Macy’s and the Empire State Building. The view was only about 5 miles visibility compared to the normal 25 miles, but it was still very pretty. I don’t think Annie had to take all of those elevators to get to Sam in Sleepless in Seattle though.

We picked out Christmas ornaments and even met Santa. I realize I look like a little kid; can you tell I was excited? Miracle on 24th Street is a classic!

The next day was a little slower paced. We went to do a little shopping, ate at an awesome Thai place, and then found Donna Belle’s Bake Shop. Everything there was wonderful. We got an assortment of goodies and took them to the hotel room and had a picnic on the bed before getting ready for Wicked!

Wicked was everything I wanted in a Broadway play. We had never seen it, and we loved the story, acting, and music. They were all so talented. Lindsay Mendez, who played Elphaba, was so sweet and took the time to take pictures after the show as well.

The whole trip was something I’ll never forget, and the perfect way to spend my last Christmas before getting married. I really want to go back with my parents and Jake again too. We really need to because we still have Bricks Pizza, Don Antonios, and Patsies to try out.

If you are going to New York City at Christmas, I would also make sure you see the Macy’s windows. They are so elaborate and magical.

Have you been to New York City at Christmas? What do you think you have to see?