In our continuing quest to see the sights and truly appreciate New York before we move this summer, the hubby and I dedicated our last weekend to a massive staycation that led us all over Manhattan! I’d love to share some of our highlights from the weekend with you here – so here’s our weekend in pictures:
We started out with a relaxed day that turned into a game night for our visiting cadets. I remember lots of nights like this at my sponsor’s house back when I was a cadet, and I hope I gave them the relaxing time that I had!
The next day, we were off to the International Motorcycle Show at the Javitz Center off West 39th. We were able to check out concept bikes, custom bikes, and all kinds of great toys – here are some of our favorites!
I also discovered Medieval Metal - a creative alternative to the braid I usually wear when I ride to keep my hair from tangling! Thoughts?
Since we were in the area, we wandered over to check out the USS Intrepid and its Sea, Air, and Space Museum just down the way! I’d been wanting to see the shuttle Enterprise ever since it came to New York {aside from the glimpses we got when it was in its hangar at JFK}.
I love the 22-foot LEGO model of the Intrepid that sits on the main deck – every little detail is captured in LEGOs!
We finished the night out by stopping into an old favorite, E&E Grill House, for their latest selections offered up during NYC Restaurant Week – and if you haven’t tried a Restaurant Week, you really should! Appetizer, entree, and dessert at an upscale place for around $35. The butternut squash soup was to die for, the scallops were elegant and delicious, and the chocolate brownie? Yum!!
The next morning, we both took off for the train station, but since the hubby had to work, he headed to SoHo first off and I headed north on Fifth Avenue. One of my first stops was St. Patrick’s, another memory from my cadet days. I remember coming to mass down here on occasion just for the beauty of the service.
Even under construction, the place was absolutely gorgeous and filled with the ambiance that I remember.
After my visit, I headed north on Fifth again, peeking into the beautifully designed windows at Prada, Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, and the rest, and I finally came to the Plaza at the edge of Central Park. So I stopped in and had a cup of coffee, just because. It was tasty and the staff were sweet and it was a really nice and luxurious break from the cold!
From there, I walked across the street and into Central Park to enjoy a morning of walking {along with a TON of walkers and joggers!!}, watching figure skaters and wildlife, and enjoying the cold brisk morning!
That led me to Belvedere Castle…
I didn’t know what Belvedere was before I visited – I’d just always seen it marked on the guide maps and was curious – but it’s actually a really artistic weather observatory, and gives you a great view of the park!
I then headed past the beautiful Central Park Reservoir…
…to the Guggenheim Museum and their beautiful Picasso exhibit! I stopped in long enough to look at the black and white exhibit and grab another cup of coffee before I headed out to my next adventure – after admiring the architecture of the building, first. It’s as much a piece of art as anything inside!
I continued my walk down “Museum Mile” to the Metropolitan Museum of Art – which contrary to their website was actually open this morning! I browsed through the Egyptian wing and the Arms and Armament section on this visit – and I definitely have to bring the hubby back here to enjoy that!
My visiting of museums in bite-size chunks is just my way of avoiding museum fatigue during a visit. If I try to do a museum all in one chunk, I end up just skimming over things I really might enjoy! Most of the museums here offer military, student, and other various discounts, so the price isn’t an issue for that – the Met’s entrance fee is just a suggested donation {but yes, I pay it}.
I headed to SoHo to meet up with the hubby and his buddies at the office for lunch, and afterward, I made my usual SoHo stop at Dean&Deluca for some gourmet ingredients – but not these edible gold flakes! They’d be at home at the Plaza, though! 
Then I realized Magnolia Bakery wasn’t too far away, and before I headed back to Grand Central, I took advantage of the atypically short line and picked up a cupcake each for the hubby and me! And yes, I know there are other locations, but not ones that have appeared in so many RomComs…and I’m just kicking myself that I didn’t get a picture of the place! Boo.
After that, it was back through Grand Central…
…heading toward home…trying to convince myself I didn’t need to just eat both cupcakes and not tell the hubby about his 
By the way, my vanilla with chocolate buttercream was sinfully delicious!
