Quick Trip to New York City

Last week, Keith and I traveled to New York City! Keith had in-person sessions to attend for his management training program at Olo headquarters. I decided to tag along and use this opportunity to explore since I’ve never been to NYC. This would be a quick trip, and I planned to squeeze in as much as possible with the time available.

Travel Day

The majority of Monday was spent traveling to New York from Utah. Since Keith’s employer, Olo, is located in the One World Trade Center, they booked us a room at Club Quarters Hotel World Trade Center, New York. The hotel was very nice and conveniently located. We were impressed with the size and amenities of the hotel, especially since many spaces in the city can be very small. We checked in, dropped off our bags, and immediately headed to the World Trade Center Campus.

Evening in NYC

We were so hungry since we hadn’t had a real meal all day. We headed straight for Eataly, which was close to our hotel. This is a popular place that includes all things Italian. There is a fine dining restaurant, a cafe, and several other counter-serve options for eating there or getting food to go. There is also an Italian market, cooking classes, and special events held on-site. We had a delicious dinner and then walked around to explore everything Eataly!

After dinner, we walked around the plaza. The 9/11 Memorial Pools were closed for the day and roped off with security guards protecting them. It was still exciting and somber to get a glimpse. As we explored the plaza we found some street art that was super fun and then explored the Oculus before wrapping up the evening. The Oculus is a hub on the One World Trade Center Campus. It's essentially an underground mini-city that offers access to 12 subway lines, shopping, and dining. Plus, weekly events such as; farmers' markets, art exhibits, musical performances, etc. The Oculus also has access points to several office towers.

"The structure's orientation serves as a lasting reminder of the attacks of September 11, 2001. It is in alignment with the sun’s solar angles on each September 11, from 8:46 am, when the first plane struck, until 10:28 am, when the second tower collapsed. Its central skylight fits this alignment and washes the Oculus floor with a beam of light." ~ from the Oculus website

My Big Day in The Big Apple

Keith and I were able to leave the hotel together, we both headed into the Oculus and then split ways. He went to grab coffee and breakfast before heading into the office. I headed to the subway with a destination of Central Park. Before entering the park, I walked to Sip + Co to get a latte and a bagel sandwich.

Central Park

I wandered around Central Park for a while, not paying attention to where I was going. This was one of the things I was most looking forward to on this trip. I found a bench to eat my breakfast and just watched what was going on around me. There were people dressed in formal businesswear enjoying a stroll before work, daycare kids playing in the Fall leaves, people out for their morning run, tourists taking pictures at every turn, bikes, horses and carriages, vendors selling food and souvenirs and so much more.

After some time of wandering, I decided to map a few highlights I didn’t want to miss; Belvedere Castle, Central Park Boat House, Literary Walk, Cherry Hill Fountain, etc. I enjoyed the Cherry Hill Fountain and Literary Walk area, this might be the most recognizable place in Central Park due to its popularity in movies and TV. The ice rink is also very iconic so I was glad to check these off my list.

Midtown Manhattan Highlights

After a relaxing, but busy morning in Central Park, I headed south to Midtown Manhattan to visit more classic NYC highlights. I walked down 5th Avenue, passing many of the high-end stores for clothing, shoes, jewelry, and purses. This is not my thing so I just enjoyed peeking in the windows and kept walking.

I made my way to Rockefeller Center where the winter ice-skating rink was open and the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree was in place.  I couldn't see the tree though. It had arrived a few days prior and was now surrounded by scaffolding, which is necessary for the decorating of the tree. Grand Central Station was my next stop for a few pictures and later I’d catch the subway back to the hotel from this station.

I planned to explore The New York Public Library but I was getting off schedule so I walked in, got a few pictures, and was lucky enough to find one of the research room doors open. The little bit I saw was beautiful.

Bryant Park

Within the same block as the Library is Bryant Park. The Christmas Market at the park was the only one open the week we were in town. It was much larger than I anticipated. There were numerous options for food and shopping. I was looking forward to trying some of the food at the market but didn’t get the chance. My phone was dying and I needed to find a place to charge it. It became a problem to find an outlet, something I didn’t expect. I did take a few minutes to watch the beginning of an ice skating show. I can’t remember the woman’s name they announced, but she had an impressive bio. I would love to visit NYC again closer to Christmas to enjoy all the festivities the city offers.

Times Square

Times Square was my next destination. This iconic major entertainment intersection is one of the most visited tourist destinations in NYC. One of the reasons it's so busy is the number of theaters offering award winning plays and musicals. This is also the location of the New Year's Eve Ball Drop.

I was surprised at how relatively calm it was. I expected there to be a bigger crowd so it was nice to have plenty of room on the famous red TKTS steps. I sat for a while and just took in all the lights and the people who were there exploring, taking pictures, and enjoying the square.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner

No time for a show? No problem, you can still enjoy some live entertainment. I didn’t prioritize seeing a show but learned about Ellen’s Stardust Diner and thought it would be a good option to get a little sampling of theater talent. The retro-themed diner features a singing waitstaff, many who have gone on to have successful careers on Broadway. The diner has also been featured in movies, on American Idol and the Today Show. I enjoyed the variety and nearly constant entertainment while having a bite to eat.  

Olo Headquarters

When Keith was finished working, I met him at the Olo Headquarters, which is on the 82nd floor of One World Trade Center. It was amazing to be on the 82nd floor, looking out over the city! With the 360-degree view, we walked around the perimeter of the office to see below us from all angles. The sun was going down and the city was coming alive with all the lights being illuminated. This was a highlight for me, for sure!

Xi’an Famous Foods

We were hoping to have dinner in Chinatown since we love Asian food.  However, by the time we left Olo and made it there, it was going to be late evening and we were too hungry. We decided to try Xi’an Famous Foods. They have several locations, one in Chinatown and one near us in the financial district. This was the perfect pick.  The food was authentic, fresh, and not like any noodle we’ve ever had.  Even only ever having it once, I’ll be craving this restaurant in the future.

"That company is this: Food first. REALLY good food, first. We still make our liang pi the old way, still hand-pull our noodles to order for that perfect bouncy bite. My dad is still in the kitchen personally making our chili oil, still getting burned when the oil gets too hot. He wears his burns proudly."    - Jason Wang CEO, Xi'an Famous Foods

More Next Week

Check back next week for more about our trip, including my ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty, visiting Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

Have you been to New York City? If so, what were your favorite activities and sites to see? What recommendations do you have for exploring the city? Let us know in the comments section below.👇 💬