Hilton Garden Inn Times Square North Archives

Happy Monday, friends! I just got back from the quickest little 48-hour trip back to NYC for the weekend. Even though it was warp speed, I packed it in! On the agenda included:

Tons of good drinks and food.
Some me time in a hotel!
Meeting up with family and friends.
Taking in a few of my favorite sites.
Seeing Hamilton with my sister!

It was a pure blast. Here’s a bit of what I saw.

I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square North, which was the perfect location for all things midtown related. I got into the city around 7:30 p.m. on Friday and hit the ground running. I walked around for a bit, taking in St. Patrick’s Cathedral (my sister and I even went back later to light a candle for our Mom and Grandma <3) …

and said hey to Atlas in Rockefeller Center.

I also grabbed a drink at the bar while I waited for my take-out dinner from Papillon Bistro & Bar, which I ate in bed while watching Sex in the City. It was the perfect way to spend my first few hours in the city 😉

Then came Saturday! Saturday was such a fun day. Despite rain (lots of rain), I made the most of the morning with coffee and a treat in Bryant Park.

I walked down 42nd a bit more — past the NY Public Library and with views of the Chrysler Building as a backdrop — to Grand Central, where I checked out the market before hopping a train to Peekskill to meet the fam.

Oh hey there, Chrysler Building, playing peek-a-boo in the background 😉

Grand Central is always so beautiful and such a highlight.

Come hungry to the GC Market and grab a snack for the train!

If you’re riding the Hudson Line somewhere upstate, try to grab a seat on the lefthand side, if you can. You’ll be rewarded with very pretty Hudson River views.

After about an hour I hopped off in Peekskill and met up with my sister, bro-in-law and their babes, my aunt, uncle & cousin’s daughter and my stepdad. We had Mexican at a cute little restaurant in the downtown area and caught up. It was a delight.

After lunch, my sister and I hopped back on the train together to head back to the city. We had the whole night and next day alone without kids! How. Much. Fun. Is. That???

The answer? So much fun.

We started with wine and tapas at Addictive NYC, conveniently located directly across the street from our hotel.

Walking around to find dinner was delightful in and of itself.

Dinner was gluten-free pizza and pasta at Trattoria Dell’Arte. So. Good!

We had brunch the next morning at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens. Sadly the outside area wasn’t open for us to eat, but at least the food was totally delightful!

After brunch we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the main event … HAMILTON!

I had seen the Disney movie version and listened to the original soundtrack several times, but to see it in person was very exciting. It did not disappoint.

Just a coupla sisters, out on the town <3

I even managed to sneak in one final drink with a bestie before heading to the airport to fly home. We met up at Lady Blue, which was just down the road from the theater.

And that was that! It’s pretty incredible what you can fit into 48 hours. We will be back in New York for Thanksgiving and, as Angelica from Hamilton says … I just can’t wait <3

In the meantime, we’re looking forward to a fun press trip that we head out for weekend after next. But until then … bis bald, friends!