The Big Apple

We really missed being with family during the holidays this year, so to make up for it we booked a quick weekend trip to Manhattan the weekend before Christmas. New York City at Christmas is THE BEST!! We packed as much as we could into 2 days and we enjoyed every minute of it (minus the freezing wind).

Friday afternoon we rode the bus up, checked into our hotel and ate dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp. Saturday was a marathon. We went to Macy's and walked up fifth avenue to look at the window displays. We also happened to pass by the New York City library aka first scene of Ghostbusters and we walked through St. Patrick's cathedral.

Next we went to the Plaza Hotel (think Home Alone) and went ice skating in Central Park and walked by the zoo.  My favorite part of the day! :) I guess you're not supposed to take pictures while you're out in the rink. Whoops. Good thing we got some before the guy tried to kick us out!

 Then to top it off, we went to Rockefeller Center, ate some real NY style pizza and grabbed some cheesecake from Junior's. Mmmmmmmmmm.

Sunday morning we went to church. The chapel for the Manhattan ward is in the same building as the temple.

After church, we checked out of our room and went to the Empire State building. I had my doubts, but I'll be the first to say that this was definitely worth the money and crazy long line. The view was incredible! It was Tom's favorite part of the trip.

After the Empire State building, we walked to Grand Central Station and ate lunch at a deli. Which I can't remember the name of and I'm so sad because I had the best turkey and avocado sandwich I've ever eaten in my whole life.  Then it was back to the Macy's to ride the wooden escalators one last time and get our souvenir stockings then back on the bus to DC. By they way, the Macy's is humongous!! It's like eight Macy's all stacked on top of each other.

Goodbye New York. I already miss you and that turkey sandwich and cheesecake.