When I got to St Patrick’s Cathedral – the highlight of Fifth Avenue’s skyline – tonight, I was disappointed to see the place was filled with scaffolding. Ugh. How was I supposed to see this famous 19th century church in all its glory? But instead of whining, I realized that this was an entirely new …
Read MoreTag / things to do
December 29, 2013
…went aboard the USS Intrepid
We landed in New York last night – and unfortunately brought the bad weather back with us. But while it wasn’t particularly pleasant to be walking around with a soaked jacket, it did mean that I got a very authentic experience when I went to The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum this afternoon. You know …
Read MoreDecember 27, 2013
…visited a llama farm
You see all sorts of wildlife – pheasants, badgers, deer – in the countryside near to my parents’ home in West Sussex, but who knew there were also llamas lurking in the fields? Ryan and I headed a few miles away to the Llama Park in Ashdown Forest to meet Heather and a variety of …
Read MoreDecember 24, 2013
…walked on The Pantiles
A storm hit southern England last night – leaving my family’s home without power or heat (just in time for Christmas) and trees strewn across roads and train tracks. It meant that our plan to play tourists for the day in London was scuppered – no trains were heading north. So instead, we jumped in …
Read MoreDecember 23, 2013
…toured Brighton’s Royal Pavilion
I’ve hopped across the Atlantic for the week – my first time back in the UK for Christmas in three years. As well as gluttony beyond belief, this longer trip also allows me to visit some of my favorite spots outside my hometown – and to be a tour guide for Ryan, who’s visiting too. …
Read MoreDecember 21, 2013
…took the East Village Mosaic Trail
I’ve lived in the East Village for nine months now and I’ve obviously not been paying attention. Today I was looking for new things to check out nearby and came across the Mosaic Trail – quirky mosaicked lampposts just a stone’s throw from my front door. Even though I pass the lampposts every single day …
Read MoreDecember 19, 2013
…yawned my way through a murder mystery
A couple of months ago, Ryan and I spotted a Groupon for a murder mystery dinner set at a masquerade ball – and we were sold. Tonight, after weeks of waiting, it was finally here. So he donned a tux (what a dish!), I dug out a floor-length gown and white gloves, and together we …
Read MoreDecember 17, 2013
…met Santa at Macy’s
I’ve seen Santa a few times over the past week but today I decided to visit him in one of his most famous spots – Macy’s on 34th Street. Rachel and I prepared our wish lists and angelic faces before heading to Santaland on the 8th floor of Macy’s, the world’s largest department store. All …
Read MoreDecember 15, 2013
…went back in time at the Merchant’s House Museum
I love having a good nosey around a stranger’s house – and I also love visiting old properties frozen in time, so that I can wander through the rooms, imagining myself as a former resident. Today I got to do both at the Merchant’s House Museum. My friend Jade had suggested heading to this house …
Read MoreDecember 14, 2013
…went to a Christmas carol event – for dogs
You know what? I’ve been seriously selfish this holiday season. The whole time I’ve been thinking about how best to get myself in the Christmas spirit, and I’ve failed to make sure Georgia gets the same treatment. Georgia is Ryan’s eight-year-old Shepherd-mix – and she is such a beauty. I’m sure Ryan is well aware …
Read MoreDecember 13, 2013
…shopped at Essex Street Market
Remember how I used to make doughnuts and delicious Chinese food at the start of the year? Well, that very quickly went downhill once I realized that there are far more exciting things to do in New York than stay in my kitchen. But when I finish this blog at the end of the year, …
Read MoreDecember 9, 2013
…saw the Rockefeller Christmas Tree
Tonight I headed to the city’s most iconic Christmas landmark: The Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Ever since 1933, the 100-ft tree has lit up the base of the Rock in Midtown and now it towers over flitting ice skaters and swarms of aimless tourists. Its lights were switched on last week and today was my first …
Read MoreDecember 6, 2013
…tracked down homemade mince pies
As a Brit in New York, Christmas definitely lacks a few of my favorite traditions. Where are the paper chains? The cauldrons of spicy mulled wine? But those, I can manage. However, there’s one thing no drunken office party or snack by the fire should be without: a homemade mince pie. It’s rare that an …
Read MoreDecember 5, 2013
…learned a lot at the Museum of Chinese in America
Now this is how you do a museum. After last night’s struggle at the Center for Jewish History, I was keen to get back on the horse. Thankfully there are a few Thursday late-night museum openings, so I headed to one right by my SoHo office – the Museum of Chinese in America, or MOCA. And – wow. …
Read MoreDecember 4, 2013
…was overwhelmed at the Center for Jewish History
You know me, I love a good museum. But today I went to one that was far, far over my head. Ryan and I nipped up to West 16th Street to the Center for Jewish History – an appropriate choice, I thought, as Hanukkah is reaching its end. And the building is a nice looking …
Read MoreDecember 3, 2013
…shopped at Union Square’s Holiday Market
Are you tired of reading about me doing Christmas things? Because, while I never thought the day would come, I’m pretty tired of writing about them. So I promise this will be my last one. (For a couple of days.) Tonight I headed to Union Square’s Holiday Market well aware that I’ve overdosed on festive cheer recently …
Read MoreDecember 2, 2013
…went to Winter’s Eve
For one night a year, Lincoln Square in Midtown transforms into a long block party for Winter’s Eve, a massive festive celebration. From the Lincoln Center down to Columbus Circle, bands, Christmas trees and food stands line Broadway – cramming the pavements with tourists, hungry locals and plenty of Christmas cheer. Or so it seemed… …
Read MoreDecember 1, 2013
…visited the world’s largest gingerbread village
Let’s get back to some Christmas events, shall we? How about a massive cityscape made of nothing but gingerbread, candy, icing and lashings of patience? Yes – I thought it sounded like a winner too. So today Ryan and I hopped in the car and went to the New York Hall of Science in Corona, …
Read MoreNovember 27, 2013
…visited the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons
Thanksgiving may be America’s most beloved tradition, but following close behind is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which bobs its way through the city each year before everyone settles down to turkey and sprouts. I’ll be in the office for Thanksgiving but I didn’t want to miss out entirely – so tonight I headed to …
Read MoreNovember 24, 2013
…explored a 1,000-year-old church
I’ve loved some of New York’s historical offerings this year, from the Morgan Library to the Frick Collection. But while I’ve tried not to be a history snob, I also know they’re relatively young compared to what’s here in the U.K., so today I got a fix of something a little older – a 1,000-year-old …
Read MoreNovember 22, 2013
…browsed the Manchester Christmas market
While New York has everything I could ever need, it’s lacking one thing: Some of my favorite Brits. So today, after landing in Heathrow, I hopped on various trains to Manchester to catch up with one of them, Lauren. While Manchester was the best option because it’s midway between my family home and hers in …
Read MoreNovember 19, 2013
…sipped cocktails at Grand Central’s hidden bar
Grand Central station has a lot of secrets – from the ‘whispering gallery’ to its little-known tennis courts. And tonight I went to another: the 1920s bar tucked above the terminal. The Campbell Apartment is gorgeous – all carved wooden ceilings, deep maroons and dapper bartenders with perfectly styled mustaches. It once belonged to John C. …
Read MoreNovember 18, 2013
…took a walk at the Irish Hunger Memorial
Down in the Financial District, there’s a bit of an anomaly between the office blocks, neon lights and suits scuttling home: a large sloped patch of grass dotted with rocks and shrubs. This is the Irish Hunger Memorial – a half-acre site at the end of Vesey Street dedicated to the memory of the Great …
Read MoreNovember 18, 2013
…visited President Teddy Roosevelt’s house
Today I headed out to Long Island for an early Thanksgiving celebration with Ryan and, before settling down to mashed potatoes and delicious gingerbread cookies, we decided to stop off at one of its many historical sites. Battling the drizzle, we stepped out at President Teddy Roosevelt’s former home at Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay. …
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