Mid-last week, I was laying in bed, taking inventory of the rest of our holiday schedule and brainstorming/scheming our next getaway. I don’t know what came over me, if I temporarily lost my mind, or what was going on internally in that moment because totally contrary to my personality and planning threshold, I had gone from being close to rolling over for sleep to having booked a spontaneous, quick trip to NYC as a surprise girls’ trip for Eliza.
*Posts on KelleyNan.com may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click HERE for full disclosure.
I had never seen the city during Christmas (see what Dave and I did on his first trip to NYC HERE) — which had always been on my bucket list — and Eliza had been talking about New York City and was so fascinated with our pictures of Italy… after checking rates and flights, I decided it would be a feasible, fun, and memorable escape for a couple days. To skip to the plot… We. Had. A. Blast.
I book flights WAY far in advance and have never booked a flight within a week of leaving. Even though it was totally full the day of, the rate was actually pretty typical. I booked the first flight out of Atlanta on Sunday around 7:00 (which means a 3:30 AM departure time from our house). I booked our return flight for around noon on Tuesday, giving us two nights and two full days in the city.
In the past, we’ve stayed more around Grand Central or slightly north, but I thought for the quick trip that was going to be more about exploration and visually stimulating sights, that a hotel closer to Times Square would be fun for Eliza. We stayed at the AC Marriott Times Square which was adjacent to the New York Times building and I will say — it was “fine” but I didn’t love it and definitely prefer our previous locations. The room itself was a nice size so if you do like that area, the accommodations were comfortable. Even when we take Eliza back, I don’t think we would stay so close to the vicinity of Times Square.
With our quick trip, I didn’t anticipate really venturing far out of the center of midtown. I didn’t want to be confined to a schedule and since our brief visit was centered around wandering and taking in the holiday, the only thing I booked was Aladdin on Broadway. It was fabulous, btw. We attended the evening show on our first night and after an early wake up and long travel, Eliza fell asleep after the intermission. The colors and music and even special effects were wonderful. I considered the Rockettes, but I thought Aladdin may hold her interest better at 5 years old — although, I’ve heard kids of all ages love the Christmas Spectacular show. We’ll save that for another trip. I also didn’t see until it was too late that Elf (with Sean Astin) was currently on Broadway! I looked after we had already booked ours and 1. we had no time, 2. there were no tickets, and 3. tickets are expensive! Without too. much more rambling, here’s our photo diary from two days in NYC…
Obligatory bathroom selfie in the Atlanta airport to document the start of our girls trip!
Sources: Pink Sparkle Glitter Luggage | Maple Carry-On | Gold Duffel Bag | Eliza’s Sherpa Lined Hooded Coat | Eliza’s Sneakers | Eliza’s Hoodie | Hooded Coat (similar)
We packed only carry-ons for the first time ever and oh my word… revolutionary in the ease of traveling. If I can avoid checking ever again, I will try my very best, because it was so great not having to deal with bags and checking in and all the headaches that go with it. We also wore our coats onto the plane. After taking our medium and large sized Beis luggage to Italy (see that trip recap HERE), I was excited to use the carry-on luggage. I topped it with the Calpak duffel I’ve been raving about, which fit perfectly under the plane seat. I’m totally in love with both of these pieces and I’ve actually acquired the Calpak Luka duffel in both the regular and large sizes for every member of my family now.
Sources: Pink Sparkle Glitter Luggage | Maple Carry-On | Gold Duffel Bag | Nylon Backpack
Eliza has both the carry on and checked luggage from PB Kids (HERE and also HERE in purple) but I was able to get her packed in only her small kids carry-on. (Both sizes are on sale right now!) I packed her before the trip and kept her bags hidden in my closet! When I woke her up in the morning to surprise her, all she had to do was put her clothes on.
Sources: Pink Sparkle Glitter Luggage | Nylon Backpack | Eliza’s Sherpa Lined Hooded Coat | Eliza’s Sneakers | Eliza’s Hoodie | Headphones
In the past, I’ve only flown into La Guardia, but when I booked our flights, JFK and Newark were far less expensive and then it looked like Newark was actually closer than JFK. So, New Jersey it was. And oh my gosh — we were in Terminal A for Delta (which I believe is new-ish?) and the simplicity, cleanliness, and overall ease and process was so incredible. I HIGHLY recommend flying in here! And, we were to our hotel in no time.
We dropped our bags at the hotel and headed out! I’ll try to keep the chatting to a minimum and let the pics do the storytelling.
We had lunch at like 9:30 AM and lucked into not just easily getting into, but getting a table at Joe’s (which was so delicious!) We actually didn’t even set out looking for it, we were just hungry and ran right into it!
And then concluded our lunch with a coffee, hot chocolate, and cake pop 😉
One good thing about our location was proximity to Bryant Park, which was set up with the Christmas market. It was really crowded on Sunday…
Sources: Eliza’s Sherpa Lined Hooded Coat | Eliza’s Sneakers | Eliza’s Hoodie
We spent the rest of the day meandering, exploring, wandering, dipping into stores, and taking in all the lights around Times Square.
Sources: Eliza’s Sherpa Lined Hooded Coat | Eliza’s Sneakers | Eliza’s Hoodie | Black Gloves (pack of 3)
Eliza loved the street food! Her first choice was a corndog in Times Square.
As a side note, we did some shopping and I had no idea until the cashier rang me up that they don’t have sales tax on clothing! Accessories — yes, but not clothing.
We checked into our room and quickly got ready for our Broadway show and took another obligatory mirror selfie 😉
Sources: Eliza’s Sherpa Lined Hooded Coat | Gold Ballet Flats | Hooded Coat (similar) | Turtle Neck Tunic Sweater | Maxi Skirt | Ankle Boots | Crossbody Sling Bag
Our hotel lobby’s tree…
Eliza had such an adaptable and fantastic attitude about our crazy schedule, walking, and meals. Such an awesome little traveler.
Day 2 started with coffee before venturing forth in the all day (yes, all day) rain.
Eliza is also a trooper in the rain and was totally unbothered by it all.
Sources: Eliza’s Sherpa Lined Hooded Coat | Jeans | Sneakers
Sources: Eliza’s Sherpa Lined Hooded Coat | Jeans | Sneakers
One good thing is that the morning didn’t feel as crowded, probably due to the weather.
We headed to stand in line at F.A.O. Schwarz for our first stop and took in the sights along the way.
Again, with the weather, there was a line down the block but it didn’t take very long and it would have been way worse had it been nice out. The store inside has so many fun sections, associated demo-ing toys, and stations set up for bracelet making, makeup, slime, etc.
Eliza landed on an F.A.O. Schwarz build-a-bear as her souvenir and they were able to get her taken care of right away. She walked the rest of the day with her bear on her back.
Sources: Eliza’s Sherpa Lined Hooded Coat | Jeans | Sneakers
Sources: Eliza’s Sherpa Lined Hooded Coat | Jeans | Sneakers | Hooded Coat (similar) | Sneakers | Sunglasses
Saks is stunning inside and I’ve never seen anything like the designer alcoves on the floor where you enter. I believe there are 9(?!) floors! but we only saw two 😉 Eliza loved the escalators in all the stores and I wish I had taken a video of the dancing puffer jackets in the Aritzia window displays.
We ducked into St. Patrick’s cathedral — a service was starting, unbeknownst to us — and since we attend a non-denominational church, St. Patrick’s was like a castle to Eliza.
I was expecting the Cartier building to be wrapped in a bow… BTW — Skims (next door) was the only place we walked by that had a line out the door.
We got to see the Louis Vuitton luggage that wrapped the store!
And we even took a carriage ride around Central Park in the rain.
Sources: Eliza’s Sherpa Lined Hooded Coat | Jeans | Sneakers | Hooded Coat (similar) | Sneakers | Crossbody Sling Bag | Sunglasses
Still eating street food in the rain…
And she loved street food so much, that she actually asked to eat pizza on the corner, outside that night for dinner. We both ate for $5 total (yes, I’m serious) since they had a special for two slices of cheese pizza and a water for $5. It wasn’t a culinary trip but Eliza loved the all the quick eats, carts, and treats!
It finally stopped raining that night and the Macy’s interactive window displays were our favorite. Must-sees, for sure, especially at night.
They had carolers and the Herald Square Holiday Market was set up just out front. Unfortunately, I just saw today in preparation for this post, it looks like the market burned down due to an electrical fire that night! I think they reported an injured firefighter and 18 retailers at the market losing everything.
Sources: Crossbody Sling Bag
Eliza had the BEST Italian hot chocolate from that market.
And Eliza loved chasing all the pigeons. When the 6 o’clock James Gordon Bennett Memorial gong started chiming, all the pigeons started flying around and it was like something out of a movie.
It would have been too cloudy to see much from the top, but I did take Eliza to see the Empire State Building from the base.
And we took in more window displays at night. I wish we could have gone all the way up 5th Ave. again to see the lights in the dark. Amazon actually had some cute window displays that they rented from an old Lord and Taylor store.
Grand Central had a holiday market set up inside that we explored and grabbed a few spoils.
And we re-visited Bryant Park and shopped the market again — it was so pretty at night. In general I think early and full days are key but any displays, lights, trees, markets, etc. that you can see in the dark is incredible.
The morning we left, we grabbed a bagel at the place just down from our hotel. They had so many different kinds of bagel sandwiches, bagels, and cream cheeses and it was delish! I had veggie cream cheese on an onion bagel; Eliza had birthday cake cream cheese on a rainbow bagel and while she didn’t love it, I did, haha.
We made core memories and the entire trip makes me so excited for our next adventure together! I still can’t believe how spontaneous I was, but wow, what a thing to experience together.
Sources: Pink Sparkle Glitter Luggage | Backpack
Elizabeth is growing up so quickly. What a great idea and trip. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Cindy, for taking the time to visit and to leave a note. You are so right…Eliza is growing up right before our eyes! It was the perfect trip for us and we made so many memories to treasure.
Kelley, Your photos are AMAZING! And what a wonderful trip for you and Eliza! Loved seeing all of it.
Ann, It was such a fun trip and the many sights of Christmas were magical. I planned the trip on a whim and am so glad I did. Thank you for your kind note and for visiting!
What a special trip for the two of you. Eliza looks so grown up. I am always amazed how much she looks like you. You are so blessed.
Thank you for taking the time to visit, Pat. Yes, we loved every minute of our trip! Eliza is definitely growing up (way to fast) and we thank our blessings every day.
Would love to take one of my granddaughters but would hate to get to NYC & they would start crying for Mommy. Loved all of your pictures Eliza is a trouper!
🎄🎄🎄🎄
Hi Dianne, There was so much for us to see and do and I bet it would be the same for your granddaughter. We will definitely be going back and the Christmas sights were magical!
What an amazing trip, her smiling face in every picture is beautiful she definitely enjoyed the trip.
Thank you for visiting, Wendy, and for taking the time to leave a note. Our trip was wonderful and Eliza loved every bit!
Eliza is such a lucky girl! You two looked like you had so much fun. I love all the pics!!
Thank you, Lily, for taking the time to visit. It was a spontaneous trip, for sure, but it was definitely worth it! We had so much fun and can’t wait for the next time.