The
moment I walked up the steps of the subway station, the first building I laid
eyes on was Macy’s Department Store right in the heart of Herald Square. Having grown up faithfully watching “Miracle
on 34th Street” every single Christmas, I must admit that I was a
little awestruck to actually be planting my feet on 34th
Street. For me to be in New York City
during the holiday season made it even more magical and it felt as if they must
have been right when they told Virginia that there was indeed a Santa Claus.
If you
plan your trip to New York during the holidays, you must take a moment to
admire the Christmas window displays outside of Macy’s in particular. This year the windows featured Make-a-Wish
children, so they were not only eye-catching, but also pulled on your
heartstrings as well. Unlike your
average department store windows, these wondrous windows become striking works
of 4D art, complete with an elaborate multimedia experience that will drop your
jaw and raise your eyebrows.
After
your “window shopping,” make sure you saunter inside to merely marvel at the
sheer size of America’s largest department store that spans the length and
width of an entire city block and boasts ten and a half levels of eye-catching
displays filled a wide array of merchandise to appeal to the entire family. At Christmastime, a visit with children means
a visit to Santa Land and the Puppet Theatre.
You’ll also want to check out the seasonal décor department, as it is a
Christmas wonderland in itself! There
are several restaurants inside the store for your convenience as well. If you’re like me, you may choose to shop the
entire time and end up buying a few things, too. Why not?
You’re at Macy’s Herald Square!
So shop till you drop and then get ready for the next adventure in this
concrete jungle!
Has all
of this shopping made you hungry? Head
on over to Lombardi’s Pizza, deemed America’s First Pizzeria. Even at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon, there was
an hour wait. But let me tell you, it
was well worth the wait! Want to taste
the competition? Then head on over to
Grimaldi’s Pizza underneath the Brooklyn Bridge! Both of these pizzerias are among the small
number of restaurants who still bake their pizzas in a coal-fired brick
oven. Having been friendly rivals for
years, they both fire up a scrumptious slice that makes your mouth water! But I am sure you are wondering, which one is
best?
Grimaldi’s
and Lombardi’s both have crust that is perfectly thin and crisp, tomato sauce
made with fresh tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella cheese and basil. And of course, you can add whatever toppings
you like! At Lombardi’s, we chose to add
pepperoni and meatballs to our pie.
Their meatballs are homemade, sliced in half, and laid on top of the
pizza before it is briefly tucked inside the 900 degree oven. The addition of meatballs made the flavor of
this already delicious pizza rocket to the moon and back. At Grimaldi’s, we chose to go simplistic with
a classic pepperoni. Ultimately, though,
there was nothing simple about this pizza.
The complex flavor profile they achieved put them over the top on the
New York thin crust pizza scale. Along
with their out-of-this-world pizza, Grimaldi’s maintains an intimate family
atmosphere paired with the musical talents of Ernie Barry, an accordion player
with vocal talents that will make you think that Sinatra’s back in town. Whichever you choose, Grimaldi’s or
Lombardi’s, your thin crust pizza will have you wondering if you have suddenly
been transported into the heart of Italy!
Your
trip will not be complete without a visit to Rockefeller Center, especially at
Christmastime where you can see the towering tree of lights. From there, feel free to parade down the
center of Times Square as you journey to Broadway. We chose to take in a show on 42nd
Street at the New Amsterdam Theater.
There’s something quite magical about sitting in your very own private
box as you sit back, relax, and enjoy a positively perfect production of Mary
Poppins! It truly was
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! From
the acting to the dancing and the singing to the orchestra, everything was
brilliant. A must-see performance for
young and old alike!
After
the show, drop down into the subway and make your way to Katz’s
Delicatessen. Feast your eyes on the
mountainous peaks of freshly prepared corned beef, pastrami, and anything else your
heart desires! Their sandwiches have even
been featured on the Food Network and rightly so! The meat is tender, juicy, and has
unimaginable flavor oozing out of every bite!
There is a solid crowd even at 3:00 a.m. on a Saturday night, so you
know it has to be good! The perfect
place to chow down on some deliciousness morning, noon, or night!
If you
are in the city on a Sunday, drop by the Brooklyn Tabernacle, the home of the
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. This Grammy
Award-winning choir recently had the opportunity to share their talents at the
Presidential Inauguration. Let me tell
you, their talent is unsurpassed and hearing them in person is an experience
like no other. I had the privilege of
seeing their Christmas program, “Christmas Once Again,” and it was the best
Christmas program I have ever seen in my life.
The music reached down into the depths of my soul. The lyrics spoke to the innermost part of my
heart. Every word spoken, every note
sung, and every move made ministered to my heart and soul in such a special
way. It was one of those days I will
remember for the rest of my life.
Of
course, a visit to New York would still not be complete without a trip to
Central Park, the Empire State Building, Trump Tower, the Statue of Liberty,
Wall Street, and so much more. If all of
this sightseeing is making you hungry, stop by Joe’s Gourmet for an affordable
meal where you can literally get anything your taste buds are begging for from
Italian to Sushi and Philly Cheesesteaks to Salad. A few blocks away, take a moment to wander
through the 9/11 Memorial, remembering those who lost their lives on that
fateful day in 2011. The most touching
aspect of the memorial is the Survivor Tree, a tree that was scorched but has
remained standing as a reminder that Americans will persevere against all odds.
George
Washington referred to it as the “Seat of Empire.” In the 1920’s and 30’s, jazz musicians first
used the term “The Big Apple.” It has
been called the city that never sleeps, the Metropolis, and the financial
capital of the world. Boasting the
largest number of skyscrapers than any other city in the U.S., it could even be
referred to as the City of Skyscrapers. No
matter what you call it, a trip to New York City will exceed your expectations
and inspire you to promptly make plans to return!
What are some of your favorite things to see or do in New York City and the surrounding areas? Please comment below and share your recommendations! May you always have joyful journeys!
Jennifer Campbell
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