Making the most of a small weekend in the BIG Apple
We are still experiencing some pretty intense Summer heat in Texas, so Laila and I took a weekend getaway to New York experience some nice Fall temperatures. Given that this wasn’t our first trip to NYC, we skipped the major tourist attractions and spent some time in Brooklyn to make new memories. Let me tell you, Brooklyn is a hidden gem. If you have any NYC travel planned in the near future, I can’t recommend enough that you stop in Brooklyn. Check out my top five below:
- Brooklyn Bridge
Of all the things we did, I was most surprised to learn that this was Laila’s favorite. Who would’ve thought? So, what did she love most? Being able to actually walk across a “real” bridge and look up and all around her and see familiar sites such as the Statue of Liberty and the beautiful lights (we decided on a night walk)! As I mentioned, we flew from Texas when it was particularly hot, so we both enjoyed being able to walk outside and not be drenched in sweat after five minutes.
2. DUMBO (Brooklyn)
The Dumbo neighborhood is SO cool and trendy. It’s covered in cobblestone streets and full of converted warehouse buildings. It made the perfect scene for an impromptu mommy-and-me photo shoot! This is another place where you can take in amazing views of the Manhattan skyline without being in the hustle and bustle of the city. The piece de resistance for kiddos can be found at the north end of Brooklyn Bridge Park. This is where you’ll find Jane’s Carousel. It is the most beautiful restored carousel that was built in 1922. The best part for parents: rides on the carousel are only $2 a pop!
3. Joe’s Pizza
What’s a trip to New York without pizza? (or should I say, “a slice!”). Joe’s has been a NYC staple for more than 35 years. We each got a slice since Laila wanted cheese and I wanted pepperoni. If we were going to eat the same type we could’ve just ordered one slice, because the slices are huge! We went to the Greenwich Village location on Carmine street and ate together at a nearby park.
4. Spudz
This Bed-stuy neighborhood restaurant has one thing, and one thing only on the menu: French Fries! These fries are anything but monotonous, trust me. Served in a box, they have over 10 different flavor combinations ranging from Jerk Chicken and Philly Steak to sweet potato pie! For the indecisive French fry connoisseurs, they offer a build your own option! We counted and determined we could go back more than 20 times and not have the same thing twice!
5. Max Brenner
We headed back into the city to check out this…wait for it…chocolate restaurant! Because who doesn’t love chocolate?! You can literally SMELL the richness of the chocolate as soon as you open the doors. Max Brenner is famous for their sugar waffles, chocolate drinks, and chocolate fondue, but don’t worry, if you need to eat before satisfying your sweet tooth, they also offer a full-service menu. Laila and I shared the chocolate fondue…trust me, you definitely want to share here! It was served warm with strawberries, brownies, and even had a little flame for us to toast our marshmallows before dipping them.
