Oh Daisy I wish you could visit the city in December when it's decorated for the holidays. If you're lucky you'd get a dusting of snow which makes all the lights twinkle. The holiday crowds can be infectious and it always puts me in the mood for Christmas. My other favorite time to visit NY is on a crisp fall day. Every now and then I'll catch an early train by myself and be in the city in time for coffee and croissants and then I'll just spend the day walking around, poking into some of the little shops, stopping into a gallery or the best yet - afternoon tea at the Plaza. My girlfriend and I used to sign up for tickets for The View, Regis and Kelly, Rachel Ray and once I even managed to get tickets to David Letterman, although we haven't made it to Saturday Night Live. I feel fortunate to live where we are since NYC, the mountains or the ocean are all within a short drive.

Wow Karen, your pictures are amazing! I am so sorry that we didn't get a chance to meet up, but I feel like I was there with this post. It is so neat to see my "home" from the eyes of a visitor. Right now it is 9am and it is still really foggy. I am heading down to San Juan this afternoon for my brothers wedding rehearsal and tomorrow for the wedding. They are getting married at El Adobe which is a restaurant within walking distance of the mission. Hoping to get there a little early so I can hit the antique mall before going in to the rehearsal. Glad you had a nice trip and made it home safely!

Most has been covered above. Being from NY, just a short drive upstate from the city, and half of my family from Manhattan, perhaps I'm biased but it really is, as rhizo said - and that's what we have always called it - The City. I'm not the most traveled, but I've seen a few things, and when I went to Chicago, and please don't take this as a diss on Chicago - it really is a lovely town - I was like... this is a city? Even Europe, with it's wonderful places, is of course, different. NYC can be overwhelming. So indeed plan ahead. It could be fun if you were a single person or a couple to go with the flow, but with a group... yep, plan well. Personally, I wouldn't stay in the city itself. It would probably be cheaper to stay in Jersey and take the train in each morning. But it's a personal decision based on the time you have, your finances, and what you hope to accomplish while you're there. Compare your options, but touristy stuff (like a decent hotel) is very expensive in the city. If you find a good rate in the city, snatch it up, but be sure to check reviews. Also, as too was mentioned above, if you do get a hotel in the city, check if they have a parking garage. You'll appreciate it immensely. As far as food... again as was said above... DO NOT EAT AT CHAINS! First, the price will be way above what you are accustomed. Second, some of the best food IN THE WORLD is found very reasonably priced in the walk-in restaurants on the streets. For example, there used to be this incredible falafel place right off Washington Sq. Park. We found it by accident. You walk down 4 steps below street level to enter and prepare to be amazed. Back then, while a common city price was closer to $4, the falafels, and the hummus pitas, were $2. Similarly, and here's the type of story you always remember when you travel... One time, 2 friends and I went down to see a show. I think it was B.B. King. We were hungry, saw an Indian restaurant, went in and had the best curry you could ever want. My friend was looking at the menu and saw the little 1,2,3... or 4! chili pepper icons next to the selections. My friend, in broken-English banter with the waiter - probably the son of the owner, as most of the best, affordable restaurants are small, family-owned ones - said that a lot of places claim their food is spicy, but it was never as spicy as he wished. Well, broken-English or not, that waiter understood him perfectly! The appetizer dips that came out, and my friend's entree were FIRE! Lol. Poor guy was literally sweating drops from his forehead. My other friend and I laughed the entire time and half-way home. To this day I'm sure he'd wince if reminded. He ate every delicious bite though. Oh, and try some street food. A hot pretzel is a must, and in winter the chestnuts can't be missed. On your way home on an early night, go to Ferrara's or somewhere similar and bring some pastries back to the hotel. Go to Katz's for lunch, and stop almost anywhere for a slice or two of pizza (doesn't have to be Ray's, Famous Ray's, Original Ray's, Famous Original Ray's, The Original Famous Ray's, The Only Ray's... you'll understand lol.) Take in some Chinese take out (or sure, sit down and relax) while you're near Chinatown. The more disgusting-looking Peking ducks hanging in the window, the better it might be lol (just kidding, ask someone on the street for a good place.) For breakfast, take a short train ride to Brooklyn for a bagel with a schmear (and/or lox if you like.) I guess what I'm saying is, New York has exciting places to visit, including parks, museums, and exhibits, but some of the best art is found in the heart of the melting pot where each culture present's their finest works...

Sorry to hear this latest update. I hope you are both feeling better very soon. Just wanted to add that I enjoyed reading your travel log. I agree that the constant moving around and changing hotels is not relaxing in the least. It's why I never want to do tours. I much prefer to plan ahead and do our own thing, or don't plan ahead and do what we want each day. Pret a Manger is the best! I got my lunch from them every day for many years when I was working in New York City. And when DS was playing a baseball game that evening, I would pick up sandwiches on my way home so we could eat at the fields. Very enjoyable. When same son was in college, there was one in the lobby of his apartment building. I would encourage him to get food from there but in the 4 years he lived in that building he never did. Kids are weird!