Dani Central Park[/caption]My husband and I live in a very rural corner of BC Canada, and love it, but my husband has always had some city-mouse in him. So when we got the chance to go to New York for a writer’s conference, I had to take him.
What can I say? I am not a city-mouse. I love my scenery and long walks on quiet country roads, but I can definitely say I Heart New York. What an amazing place!
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Statue of Liberty[/caption]We were there in July, arriving with a heat wave that nearly smothered us with humidity, but we had a little booklet of coupons and were determined to use it as our guide. That put us on a cruise around Manhattan which was probably the most temperate place we could have found for sight-seeing and was the most delightful way to introduce us to the city. We saw the skyline, the Statue of Liberty, all the bridges and the place where Sully landed on the Hudson.
Our little coupon book also sent us up the Empire State Building, which I think is one of those things you have to do at least once, but we’d heard the view was nicer from 30 Rock and that was definitely a less crowded experience, but I wouldn’t say better or worse, just a different perspective.
Of course we went to a Broadway show (Kinky Boots) and ate cheesecake and never had a bad meal anywhere. My
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NY Skyline[/caption]husband is the king of mass transit so we took off to the Village one day, and walked the highline, and visited all the museums, all courtesy of our coupons.
We took a friend’s advice and did parts of Central Park on our way to our daily destinations, rather than trying to ‘do’ Central Park in a single day. This was a great way to see different parts of the park.
I think the walking made this trip such a good fit for me. I love walking and I learned to walk like a local, not pulling up to apologize the way we would here in Canada. You learn very quickly to dodge and weave as part of the whole.
One day we even, by blind luck, watched the President’s motorcade drive by. President Obama was visiting the Daily Show, apparently. We stood at the rails for a couple of hours until the parade zipped past in a matter of seconds, but it was worth it to chat up some locals and we were even directed to a mighty fine pub for our dinner that evening.Our coupon book didn’t save us much money, but it did give us a goal. There is so much to do, I think we could have spent half the trip in our hotel room, researching and deciding. As it was, we no sooner entered our hotel room and we wanted to leave again, simply to be out among the hustle and bustle.
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Dani Collins on top of the Empire State Building[/caption]Go ahead and drink the water from the tap. I did not expect it to be very good, but it was.
Pay the price for a decent comedy club. We bought tickets from a guy on the street and it was fine. I had always wanted to see comedy at a New York club, but it was pretty dingy and they make you buy two drinks. It wasn’t a bad experience, but could have been better.
Do ride the subway. It really is part of the NY experience, but also plan on walking a lot.
Will Farrell in Elf was right. The yellow ones don’t stop. Stay alert when crossing streets.
We were lucky enough to stay at the Marriott in Times Square. It was during a conference so the elevators overloaded during dinner hour, but a concierge escorted a group of us through the service elevators to keep things moving. The hotel had a revolving restaurant which was a nice way to end our stay.
Expect it to be expensive, but worth every penny.
BIO
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Dani Collins[/caption]USA Today Bestselling author Dani Collins has written thirty romances for Harlequin Presents, Montana Born and herself. She lives in Canada with her high school sweetheart. Given they are now empty-nesters, she hopes to have more travel posts soon.
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Dani Collins has new books:
Only In His Sweetest Dreams (Secret Dreams Book 2)
When Mercedes Kimball’s sister abandons her children, Mercedes takes in her confused niece an
d nephew, jeopardizing the job she loves at a retirement community. The sexy new handyman’s bedroom eyes promise to fix anything, but he can’t fix this.L.C. Fogarty is trash, not Father Of The Year, but he’s happy to be Mercedes’s sounding board. Given their white-hot attraction, he’d love to see what they could do to a headboard, but he’s keeping a secret she won’t forgive. Confessing means facing untold heartache and going back to where he never belonged. He’d rather stay with Mercedes and her misfit family.
She might not get to keep that family, though. Which means she’s going to need him.
His Mistress with Two Secrets (The Sauveterre Siblings)
Pregnant with the billionaire's babies!
After the painfully public demise of her intense fling with renowned tycoon Henri Sauveterre, Cinnia Wh
itley discovers she's pregnant…with twins! Cinnia burns with the memory of his touch, but bearing a new generation of the Sauveterre dynasty will bind her to Henri forever—unless she keeps it a secret…Henri is infuriated when he discovers Cinnia's deception. His little sister's abduction ended all his intentions of having a family—but any Sauveterre deserves his full protection. Henri must make Cinnia his wife, and he'll show her just how pleasurable their reunion can be!
Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us Dani! And congratulations on the releases of your books!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this trip to New York! Our experience from Australia was equally awesome. My favourites were the Central Park Zoo and the squirrels in Battery Park! Had great fun on the subway, because everyone was so nice to us. It was party time at our end of the carriages each time. People noticed our accents and were very interested in Aussieland.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing,
Thanks Nas, thanks Diana,
ReplyDeleteYes, I was surprised how friendly and comfortable I was. My husband went out on a night I was tied up and met some guys at a pub who invited us to a bbq the next night! We weren't able to make it, but that's how welcoming people were. I would go back in a heartbeat.
Never been to New York and I have always been okay with that. I really like a place that is more laid back and not so busy with lots of rushing around going on. Beautiful pics by the way. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot to see and do in New York. It sounds like you had a great trip.
ReplyDeleteMy trips to New York have been few, but I loved the hustle and bustle every time I was there. Then again, I enjoy crowds. My husband hates them, so I don't suppose any more trips to any big city are in my future. It sounds like your trip was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI used to take virtual visit of Ny through t.v and my younger sister also told lot about this huge crowded city .
ReplyDeleteLike you I also love living near nature and enjoy my intuitions while surrounding by it but once in a while visiting cities is a healthy and pleasant cha8.Loved all the pics and details you shared friend!
New York is definitely on my bucket list - but I'll have to drag hubby kicking and screaming. He's not a fan of crowds. I'm not a huge fan either but I want to experience the whole crazy, bustling chaos that is NY :)
ReplyDeleteI really need to see New York before I die. ~sigh~ Happy writing!
ReplyDeleteAs a Yankees fan, that is the first place I would love to visit in the States.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
It's definitely an interesting place to explore. It's been probably 15 years since I've visited there, though. Maybe one day again :)
ReplyDeleteI am a country mouse too, but I do enjoy going to NYC every now and then. It is only a few hours away from where I live by train and it is fun to go in for the day and visit museums or other attractions. I have never been up the Empire State Building- but it has been on my list forever. One time I got in line, but the wait was too long. Looks like a great view from the top!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that Dani had such a wonderful trip. Those coupons sound like they helped with the planning of what to do- which is great. Thanks for sharing!
I'm very much like you, Pam, so I was dead shocked that I enjoyed myself so much. It might have been also that the cruise, for instance, was very relaxing. Even though many people were moving around me, I didn't feel rushed myself.
ReplyDeleteIt was Sherry. Have you been?
ReplyDeleteIt was Susan, but may I suggest a girls getaway? My sister went with her girlfriend in winter once, because they both had the time off work and it was on their bucket list. She still raves about it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to go, Jemi. The only time I felt really crammed in was in the Empire State Building, waiting to get to the top. That part was a couple of hours of shuffling between staging areas. It wasn't the best, but it was worth it for the view. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Darla, and you do! :D
ReplyDeleteHi Cuban in London! Sounds like you're no stranger to travel and honestly, even though it's been years since I was in London, I would love to go again. It's also a fabulous city. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Anna,
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to decide isn't it? We have so many places on our bucket list, but once you see the potential in a place, you want to go back! Hopefully...
Hi Jess,
ReplyDeleteI applaud you for taking advantage of your location. I used to live an hour from downtown Vancouver. We always talked about how lucky we were that we could go see a concert or whatever, but we never did it. (Our kids were little and one didn't travel well at all.)
You're smart to take day trips. I'm jealous! :)
I've only briefly been to NY and that was just to land at the airport and then dash off to Penn. I've been to London and I imagine the experience is the same - so much to see and do. I'd avoid the dingy comedy clubs, but I can't say I've ever been to one that DIDN'T have a two drink minimum.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane,
ReplyDeleteI've started watching a show on HBO called Crashing - it's about a comedian starting out and I learned that the guy who sold us the tickets on the street was probably a comedian trying to get people in the door so he would be allowed to perform that night. It's a really tough way to make a living! And yes, I believe the drinks are what keeps the lights on, lol.
New York is on my bucket list. I envy you. Lovely post, Dani, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to visit New York. Thanks for sharing, Dani.
ReplyDeleteI've been to New York City twice, once to see Ground Zero and Times Square and once for a conference, so I still have plenty of sites left to see!
ReplyDeleteA is for Apollo 11 moon landing: Was it real?
That sounds like a really fun trip. I'm no city-mouse either, but New York seems like the kind of place everyone should visit at least once in their lives.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! I'm glad I could add another virtual visit for you :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Maria. I hope you get there one day. <3
ReplyDeleteNo kidding. There is SO MUCH to see. The museums alone would keep a person busy :)
ReplyDeleteIt's very iconic, isn't it? And having been there, now when we see it in movies, we're very excited. "Remember when we were there?!" I feel famous by association, lol.
ReplyDelete