{TEEN Trip) New York City - Day 2

 We got going pretty early this morning and Ubered down to the Color Factory...

where we were in for such a treat!

We absolutely LOVED our time there and getting the chance to "play" together...

in so many different colorful and interactive exhibits...

Our favorite just might've been the ginormous ball pit "pool"...

complete with a slide!

What a blast!

From there, we walked a bit down Spring Street to Balthazar...

for a delicious brunch and surprise birthday treat!

We then walked around and did a little shopping in SoHo...

before heading down to Battery Park and checking in for our ferry over to the Statue of Liberty!

It was an absolutely beautiful afternoon, and we enjoyed our tickets up to the pedestal...

but it was SUPER windy!

Next, we made a stop at Ellis Island...

where M found the name of her great, great, great grandfather (whose last name is actually her middle name) on the wall...

and I tried to recreate one of my most favorite photos that I took of B on his trip!

{February 2019}

Got one of L on her trip, too...

{March 2022}

and now, my "collection" is complete!

Such a beautiful view!

After ferrying back, we made our way over to the World Trade Center site...

and then...

over to one of my favorites, El Vez...

Sadly, they have yet to bring back my favorite cauliflower tacos, BUT the Brussels sprout tacos continue on and are equally amazing!

Day 2 Step Count - 15,031

Another great day!

Now, on to prepare for an early morning tomorrow...

{TEEN Trip} New York City - Day 1

 What a day!

We got up early and drove up to Uncle B and Aunt E's house in Hastings-on-Hudson to leave our car. Then, Uncle B ran us over to the train station, and we were off!

After a quick stop in the main area of Grand Central Terminal, we set off to find our hotel and drop our luggage...

before heading through Times Square...

and spotting some fun "M" door handles...

on the way to do a little errand...

before lunch at Serendipity 3 for a sweet, birthday treat...

and it did not disappoint. M chose the Cookies and Cream Frozen Hot Chocolate, and it was yummy...

With full tummies, we decided to explore Central Park a bit, and started with the Central Park Zoo!

It proved to be a good choice for our animal lover...

{I can never resist a good flower picture!}

As we exited, we checked out the Delacorte Clock...

and continued on through the park to find both the Hans Christian Andersen statue...

and the Alice in Wonderland statue...

We walked back down to our hotel (about 30 blocks!) and officially checked into our hotel where we charged my phone and relaxed a bit before heading down to the Empire State Building!

It's a classic, must-do in my book!

{looking S toward the World Trade Center & the Statue of Liberty}

From there, we headed back toward our hotel and walked over to dinner at John's Pizzeria...

and then, across the street to the Majestic Theatre...

for M's first Broadway show...

Though she has seen a West End show in London (and touring shows at our local theater, etc.), as it was for B, L, and for me (though it is one of Hubby's favorites, it was not his first), Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic became her first "official" Broadway show...

and was made all that more special as we were among some of the last to see it, as after an unprecedented 35+ year run at the Majestic, it is set to close in less than a month...

After logging nearly 25,000 steps, we walked back to our hotel and went to sleep!

Day 1 Step Count - 23,249

More on tap for tomorrow...