NYC Thanksgiving - Saturday

Saturday we took in the iconic Rockette's Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.   It worked out well that we could cab from the hotel to 30 Rock and leave our suitcases in my office while we were at the show.  Then after the show, we retrieved our bags from across the street and cabbed to the airport for our flight home.   I was telling one of my partners this the next week about how I used the office as a drop zone all week, and he said that's a pro move.  He rattled off how he always did that with his preschoolers since they have to use the bathroom so much and to take snack breaks.    I was nodding right along because preschoolers, high schoolers and I all have the same schedule.

Maybe we were tired....Maybe my expectations were too high....Definitely John was sitting next to an annoying person taking flash photos throughout...but none of us loved it.   It was fine, but a one-and-done for sure.  There was less dancing and less Christmas music than I was expecting.  I guess I hadn't considered the story telling element of the show as compared to it being a series of dance numbers.  Oh well.  It was very convenient for us to get to/from, and now we can say we have done it! 

NYC Thanksgiving - Friday

After a lovely evening at Ryan and Tarek's, we slept in before venturing down the street to Bryant Park for something brunch-like at the Christmas Market.   We were a bit overwhelmed by the crowds and underwhelmed by the selections (well...the prices) and just got a Biscoff sandwich and then returned to the Italian restaurant from day one for a proper lunch.   After carb loading, we walked to Times Square to meet Ryan for our SIX matinee.    

William agreed to take lots of photos this trip since he was often taller than us depending on hair!

SIX was exceptional!  The three Shields are not big musical fans, but this one was fast paced and modern and all of us loved it!  Ryan knew he was going to love it before he got there, and he was not disappointed.   The show does not have an intermission so we had plenty of time to leisurely stroll over to Hudson Yard for our late dinner with Tarek.   We included a detour though Macy's where they still had some of the end of the parade route staging setup. 

We either didn't walk around all of the sides in order to see them or they were ho-hum, but there were no really special Christmas windows like I see at Marshall Fields' in Chicago.  Inside there was a section devoted to parade history and merch.

Dinner was amazing!  We went to a Lebanese fusion restaurant called Zou Zou.   We all loved absolutely everything we ate!   As we were nearing dessert, a group of Ryan and Tarek's friends were seated at the table next to us.  Clearly this is the it place to dine! 

NYC Thanksgiving - Thursday Afternoon

Ryan and Tarek hosted us in Queens for Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving Dinner.   Ryan is always an excellent holiday host and cook!   We enjoyed several family favorites and the company.   The views and the cat cuddles were also winners.   The place settings are from our Grandma Leona. 

NYC Thanksgiving - Thursday morning

On our one prior trip to NYC for Thanksgiving, it was as another wave of COVID hit and the city was still very sleepy.  There were hardly any yellow cabs or black suburbans as you wandered the streets.  That year we did see the balloon inflation (with masks on) and just wandered upon the parade en route to brunch.   This year we were actual spectators as our nephew, Jake, was marching with the Fishers High School Tiger Band.   So we wanted to be (close to) front and center to see our favorite trumpeter.   But, of course, we didn't want to be too crowded or get there too early!   We lucked out with unseasonably mild weather and a decent viewing spot near 57th along Sixth Avenue.    It was a bit crowded and under scaffolding (like most of the area between Midtown and Central Park) but overall a great spot to take in the parade!  

After the parade ended, we cut back up to Seventh Ave. to eat at the Brooklyn Diner, which is also where we ate in 2021.   We had a reservation that was timed perfectly (with a quick exit from the parade route), so we didn't have to wait to be seated.  We were happy to warm up a bit and fill up!  After filling up, we meandered back up through Midtown and watched the NFL on Fox broadcast for a few minutes.  Howie looks amazing in real life!  Jimmy is shorter than expected.  And Terry is ancient.   

I am so intrigued by the opening of the street lights in order to let the balloons and floats through.   I took several photos as we walked and watched them put them back in place. Empty streets without traffic lights is the weirdest Manhattan sight ever!

NYC Thanksgiving - Wednesday

 We arrived in NYC a bit before noon on Wednesday before Thanksgiving.   The hotel where I usually like to stay and where we stayed last time was sold out, so we got a room at the Westin Grand Central.  It's further south and east than I usually stay, but it was super convenient for us, and I'd definitely stay there again either with the guys or for work.   

Our first stop was Bryant Park for lunch where we had pizza and pasta at La Bianca Pecora, a restaurant that has multiple locations but feels very authentically delicious!  We ended up eating there twice it was so good, quick and affordable.  

Afterwards, we walked to 30 Rock to use the bathroom and regroup before heading to Central Park to see the balloon inflation.  I had been texting with my friend Courtney who was already there and she said it was a crowded mess.   I was hoping it would clear out before we got there so we wouldn't have to abandon it like her family did.  Alas, it was the same cluster when we arrived, so after walking around in circles for 15 minutes, we decided one and done (that one being 2021!) and headed back to Midtown to shop.   It was no trouble convincing William that we should sub in the Lego store for a packed crowd/slow line of humanity.

Recreating a 2021 photo 

This was the line trying to find the end of the line.....we finally found the end of the line AFTER we left and were walking back toward Midtown.   So glad we didn't need to see the balloons.  The guys reminded me we were going to see them in the parade anyway!

William is always keen for a blind bag or a fill the one price bucket.   He really enjoys building still.

After we closed down the Lego Store, we we lucky enough to happen upon the Saks display playing.   When I saw it in the daylight, I didn't realize it had moving parts and a song.  It was really cool!   And we got to see 30 Rock, the tree (sans scaffolding) and the ice rink lit up!

We did an early dinner and early-ish bedtime since we would need to get up early-ish for the parade!